Sorry I'm late. Again.

Grant's newest thing is to get completely naked each time he uses the bathroom. Which makes it hard to get out of the house in a timely fashion. So we're late a lot and I'm flustered a lot and Grant is naked a lot.

Too Early?

I just finished looking through the Crate & Barrel catalog, which is chock full of Christmas delights. As a result, I'm debating whether playing Christmas music before Halloween is too early. Might I burn out on Christmas music before Christmas if I turn the holiday musical cheer on now? Hubs will probably run from the house screaming, but he's gone all day. The kids would love it. But it might be a little confusing since it was 80 degrees outside yesterday. Maybe I'll just wait until Nov. 1. I mean it's not like there is Thanksgiving music I can play, right?

The catalog also got me dreaming about all my glass ornaments and decorations. I think this might be the year I finally put them out. They've been packed away since Emma was one, and each year I unwrap them, gaze longingly at them, and then wrap them back up and store them away. But this year might be the year. I think I'll make a cute little table decoration for Thanksgiving and let that be Grant's decoration test drive. Maybe a table runner too, but only if I can get my mom's sewing machine to sew instead of bunching all the thread up in a big knot.

I'm going to audition for Top Chef

I took a cooking class at the co-op yesterday and I think I'm ready to apply for Top Chef now. I know about flavor profiles when cooking onions and why you don't always want to carmelize onions when you're sauteing them. I know how to peel roasted beets, what a bouquet garni is, and why I need an immersion blender. I learned where in the store to find creme fraiche (by the sour cream), what type of pumpkin to roast to make a pumpkin pie (sugar pumpkin), and that I should just go ahead and buy frozen puff pastry instead of attempting to make it (that's what the instructor said).

So, as soon as Top Chef puts together a "Roasted Winter Vegetables" season that is only 5 episodes long, I'm ready to go.

I also spent most of the class thinking I should do some research on local culinary schools because I'm really developing an interest in fancy pants cooking. Then the instructor mentioned her butchering class and I realized maybe culinary school wouldn't be such a good fit after all. I can't think of much that is worse than handling and smelling copious amounts of raw meat. I'll just stick with co-op classes I think.

He's 3!

Grant is three today! And he's telling everyone who looks his way.

Though peacefully napping now, he's a bundle of energy that can race around on his ride on truck, stop for a snuggle and a story, and then hop right back onto the truck to race around some more. He's obsessed with motorcycles, friendly monsters, and sticks (the pointier the better). He loves anything construction, and maintains his aspirations to be a "digger man" when he grows up. He charms everyone he meets with his sheer delight in life and his ear to ear grin. He's a mama's boy right now, and I'm soaking up every second of it, realizing that these snuggly, hugging, smoochy kiss moments are likely fleeting.

We're having tacos for dinner, as requested by the birthday boy, and ice cream cone cupcakes for dessert. Happy Birthday Little Dude!

Not my job

Emma's school pictures are tomorrow. I just spent 20 minutes on the Lifetouch website placing my order. I had to decide things like the package size and if I wanted additional pictures. These things I expected to have to decide on. What isn't my job is deciding the background color, the pose, and how many of each color background or pose I wanted for each size picture in my package. If I wanted to decide things like this, I would have become a photographer. And why are there so many choices? I don't need my school pictures to include "three additional poses for no additional cost!" I just need one pretty smile that I can put in her photo album and hand out to the relatives.

What Grant has to say

"When me get bigger and bigger and bigger like Dad me drive HIS car all around. By self. Not you (points to me), not you (points to Emma), and not Dad. By self."

"When me get bigger and bigger and 16, me drive mail truck and carry all mail in my purse like mailman."

"When me get bigger and bigger and in Kindergarten like Emma, me play on playground alllll day."

Clearly he's got plans. He still answers "digger man" if you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up. And today, while greeting a classmate's grandmother's dog, instead of using his nice voice to say hi, he growled at the dog. The dog didn't really care for that, and turned around.

Tidbits

I'm attempting to post from my phone since I'm "home" sick and in bed. Which is where I spent most of the day yesterday. Really Hubs is home because I'm sick, which is a rare blessing I'm taking full advantage off. Appearently God felt the need to slow me down so he gave me the worst cold of my life. Well that may be slightly dramatic. But only slightly.

Anyway, here are some tidbits from the last few days.

-On Saturday I learned why the school carnival assign the cotton candy booth to the kindergarten classroom. Because it's a horrible pink sticky mess. And if you're too short and have to stand on a chair, it makes your face and hair a horrible pink sticky mess. And the smell stays in your nose for at least 24 hours. And none of us newby K parents know any better. I've learned my lesson and I WON'T be signing up to spin cotton candy when Grant is in K.

-Emma received a sticky note pad in the shape of an E and now a good portion of our sliding glass door is covered in pink E shaped notes.

-Grant has become a "bad guy", which pretty much entails swinging around anything longish (Emma's magic wands, his inflatable bat, the popper toy, the list goes on) and yelling "Me bad guy!". Sometimes he punches his hands in the air, sometimes he makes bad guy sound effects, sometimes he's an angry bad guy, sometimes not.

That's about all my congested brain can think of right now. Maybe I'll have a witty Not Me Monday for you on Tuesday. Maybe not.

Keeping Mama Bear in check

I was not a happy camper yesterday. I had to spend the day suppressing my Mama Bear and taking inventory on whether I was feeling mama emotions I should act on or mama emotions I had to recognize and then let go.

It's no secret that Grant is still learning preschool classroom behavior, but in the last week I've noticed it is only one teacher that is reporting his behavior to me. I've started to wonder if maybe the things she is reporting are issues SHE is having, rather than issues BOTH teachers think need to be addressed. Yesterday, that feeling was confirmed when I watched her ask Grant to use an inside voice when he excitedly told her good bye instead of saying good bye to him. True his voice was louder than a regular talking voice, but he certainly wasn't shouting, and the room was loud and chaotic already. After an afternoon of pondering it, I've filed that incident away under "recognize and let go". I'll keep an eye on their relationship and act on it if I need to. I'm sad this teacher doesn't take great delight in him, but it's her loss, he's a cool kid. And the other teacher seems to really like his spunk.

Then, halfway through the afternoon, the mom of one of Emma's classmates called to see if Emma was feeling better. Emma's class was on a pumpkin patch field trip yesterday, and her teacher had already told me Emma had a meltdown toward the end of the morning. Her teacher thought is was because Emma was tired. Turns out is was because the mom she rode with kept walking to the next area without making sure Emma was with her. So twice Emma thought she was lost, and was worried she wouldn't have a ride home. See, the teacher had reminded all the kids to make sure they stayed with the parent that drove them so they could all get home safely. And Emma is a rule follower - tell her to stay with her group and she's going to stay with her group. So while Emma was never really "lost", she was always with some of her classmates and other moms, she thought she was lost and wasn't going to make it home. So by the end of the trip, after thinking she was lost twice, she completely lost it. According to the mom who called me, at one point Emma was so worried she was sweating, flushed, and working super hard not to cry. Now that can hurt a mom's heart.

Mama Bear came roaring to life after I found out the details. I wanted to fire off an email to the field trip coordinator telling her Emma was to never ride with this mom again. I wanted to gather Emma up in a huge hug and remind her no one would ever leave her at a field trip. I wanted to clear my calendar and make sure I drove for every single field trip from now until Grant graduates high school.

Instead, I wrote an email to Emma's teacher explaining I had some insight into Emma's breakdown. The teacher said she'd check in with Emma today to make sure she knew she'd always be safe on field trips. And I've decided that when we come to a field trip where I can't drive, I'll ask the field trip coordinator not to place Emma in this same mom's car. It's a tough call for me whether I'm being too coddling or whether I'm keeping my kid safe. For now, I think I'm making the right call. I'll re-evaluate next year.

Man this mothering thing is really hard.

Now it's getting real

Hubs and I have been biding our time with Kindergarten, giving Emma time to get used to being in school every day, to doing school work and homework, to balancing life with school. I mentally gave her teacher through Oct. to help Emma get used to school before I approached her about meeting Emma's reading fluently needs.

Yesterday school got real, and we have been faced with what I imagine is only the beginning of balancing Emma's academic needs with her social/ emotional needs. Yesterday her teacher told me that Emma has been placed in the Accelerated Reading program, and she starts on Monday. We briefly spoke about it, and it sounds like Emma and 2 other classmates will be going over to the library for a bit during class time (this is where the balancing is going to come into play, Emma's not going to be thrilled about missing class time). While they are there, they will be helped in picking out an Accelerated Reading book (it's a curriculum I guess). They have to read the book Monday night, then they'll be quizzed on their comprehension on Tuesday, then they'll have the opportunity to chose a fun book from the library to read the rest of the week.

Kindergarten seems a little early for kids to be "quizzed", and while I'm sure they'll be friendly about it, and that it's probably less quiz and more chatting, and I'm glad they are focusing on Emma's comprehension, I'm still a little apprehensive. I'm also trying to remind myself that I have always felt apprehensive about change when I don't know all the facts, and that with time I'll learn the AR system and feel comfortable with it. And really, this is exactly why we chose this school for Emma, because they meet the kids where they are.

The school's website has all the AR books from the library listed, but it's based on a reading level system, and I don't know Emma's level yet. I'm thrilled to be having some help with navigating books that will challenge her. I feel like she's ready to be reading some chapter books, but she's so visual that she loves books with pictures. Hopefully the AR system will give us both!

I should end by saying that Hubs and I are thrilled for Emma! I'm looking forward to watching her grow and learn academically, and I'm glad to see her school is living up to all my academic expectations. Yay for learning!

Not Me Monday!

Yes, I know it's Tuesday.

I most certainly did not staple the hem of my new jeans Sunday morning because I forgot to hem them Saturday night. And I did not insist on wearing my new jeans just because they'd look great with my new shoes, even with the hem stapled.

I did not suggest hamburgers for dinner last night so that Hubs would be the one to cook dinner and I could sit on the couch and read the end of my super exciting, really good book club book. Not me.

I did not procrastinate on putting Emma's clothes away last week because I wanted her to take a break from wearing her new purple skirt. Not me, I always encourage her to voice her opinion on what she's going to wear. Even if it's the same thing every single week.

How about you? For more Not Me Mondays, check out MckMama, the Not Me Monday queen bee.

Have a great week!

Now I've done it

I've ruined my feet and there is no going back. My feet have seen the Naturalizer glory and they won't be returning to the Target/ Payless Shoe Source world they've previously inhabited.

I, not realizing the long term ramifications, purchased my first pair of Naturalizer shoes from the outlet on Wednesday night. In my defense, they were 60% off, plus I had a $10 off coupon. Which meant I paid $8.64. I mean, how could I turn that down? The cherry on top was how uber cute they are - brown and ivory giraffe print, heels, with a peep toe and a strap in back. Uber cute. And $8.64.

I wore them today for the first time. It was like my feet were getting a big hug all day. The balls of my feet were nicely cushioned, the strap was firmly in place but not cutting into my heel. My toe peeped out but the shoe didn't cut into my foot. It was heavenly. My feet loved it.

Tomorrow, when faced with Target shoes, I fear my feet will rebel. I may have a new expensive obsession in my future. Maybe I need to put Naturalizer gift cards on my Christmas and birthday wish list. Forever.

It's no surprise

Here's the conversation at preschool pick up today:

Me: Hi Grant (gives him a hug). Let's go put your shoes on.

Grant: Okay. Me played play dough and paint.

Me: I can see that on your shirt! What else did you do today?

Mrs. H makes her way over to us and says: Grant has agreed to work on climbing down from the play structure when it's time to go inside instead of hiding at the very top where we can't see him.

Sigh. Well I guess everyone needs something to work on, don't they?

We're selling the car and the house

I just haven't filled Hubs in yet.

I was back at the car repair place again this morning. It needed a different sensor this time. Much less expensive, but still aggravating to spend a third day dealing with the car. Their playroom was great, and just as Grant ran out of things to do, the car was ready. And washed.

When I got home from picking Emma (and a friend) up from school I was greeted at the door by a bug guy. I had forgotten we had an appointment for a termite inspection since our regular bug guy had seen evidence of them in our fence. Of course, he found evidence of them in our garage. And dry rot along most of our roof line. Fortunately, if there is a silver lining in all this, we have the type of termites who live in the ground, not in the walls, so we only need to have gallons and gallons of pesticide poured into the ground all around our house rather than having it tented and living in a hotel for 3 days.

So I'm pretty much over owning anything. I'm selling the now working like a charm car and the house and moving into a tent in the woods.

Car repairs = stress

Friday morning, while starting my car, I wondered if it has always paused before the engine started or if this was a new development. I decided to just pay attention and see what time brought.

Sunday, when Emma and I were leaving to get her new shoes, my engine wouldn't start. So I guess that answered the pausing before the engine starts question. AAA comes out and jumps it, it starts, but 10 minutes later starts to pause again. I decide I need to completely rearrange my Monday afternoon in order to get a new battery now rather than get stranded somewhere with both kids.

Monday morning, while getting out of Hub's car at my MOPS meeting, I reach into my purse to answer my phone just as Grant starts to run away. As I reach around the door to grab him, he steps forward and pushes the door shut. Locking the keys in the car, along with every other thing we need to run the MOPS meeting that starts in 15 minutes.

AAA is again called, they get the car open, I get my stuff, the MOPS meeting continues. When I get home, my car barely starts, narrowly avoiding a third call to AAA in less than 24 hours. I pick Emma up early from her playdate, greatly disappointing her and her friend, then drive to my in laws to drop the kids off so I don't have to chase them all around the car shop.

Turns out my battery was under warranty since I have had it less than 2 years, so I got a new battery for free! We head home, happy to be back to our regular routine tomorrow.

This morning, as I'm on my way to drop Grant off at preschool, several of my dashboard lights turn on, including the check engine one. I pull over to determine if my car is going to explode or if I can continue on my way. I decide that the manual only encourages me to visit the dealership, so I drop off Grant and head to the dealership, hoping I only need my dashboard panel reset because of the new battery.

Nope. I need a new sensor, to the tune of $400. They are out of loaner cars so they call for a rental car. It's a Kia. I know, Hubs and I laughed too. Considering our past experiences with Kia's, I never expected to set foot in another one again. But alas I did.

By this time I've missed my work in the classroom slot for the day, and barely make it in time to get Emma. As we head home I realize the house alarm is on, and there is a good chance the chain is still on the front door (so I'd set the alarm off when I opened the door, but not be able to get in to turn it off), and the garage door opener is in my car at the shop. So no way to get into the house.

We head to preschool early to hang out and get Grant, then I decide we'll have lunch at Chik Fil A so the kids can play until the car is ready. In route to lunch, Grant's nose starts gushing blood, and since I'm not in my car I have no wipes or napkins. In fact, the only thing I have is a Pullup. Which he refuses to push on his nose because "it's for bums". I'm frantically trying to change lanes so I can pull over, telling him to just put the stinkin Pullup on his nose, and asking Emma to stop yelling all at the same time. I finally get pulled over and fish one dingy tattered Kleenex out of the bottom of my purse to get the blood flow sopped up. The Pullup does nothing but smear blood all over his cheek.

We arrive at Chik Fil A looking like Grant's been in a street fight. We quickly make our way to the bathroom, get him cleaned up (well his face and hands, there wasn't much I could do about his brand new first time he's worn it super cute shirt), and start to order lunch. Emma only wants a bagel and fruit cup, but they don't serve bagels at lunchtime, and even her tantrum in the middle of the restaurant didn't lead them to see if they had a spare bagel in the back. She settled on chicken nuggets and a fruit cup after I told her the other choice was to not eat lunch.

My car was ready as we were finishing lunch up so we headed over to the dealership to get it. Our ride home was, thankfully, uneventful.

I'm just hoping my car works tomorrow.

I heart Windex

We all know from My Big Fat Greek Wedding that Windex can do anything, especially destroy a huge zit the night before your wedding.

But I learned today from the Clark Pest Control guy (who is becoming my BFF, he's been here 3 times this week dealing with my kitchen overrun by ants) is that Windex destroys ants on contact. And cleans away their trails so new ants won't follow it.

Can I tell you how therapeutic it is to squirt Windex everywhere and watching the ants die instantly. I've got pretty good aim now too.