Sunday, May 23, 2010

If you're so inclined

Lately I've been getting crazy comments. It used to just be people I knew, but then I was so excited to see some comments from people I don't know. Then I started to get spam comments. They're like spam emails, only on my blog. Not sure how that even happens, but I turned word verification on and it seems to have helped, but not stopped, the spam. There's a comment from the post "I used to be able to do it" from a couple of days ago that just cracked me up. Check it out if you're so inclined!

It's not just learning to read

I may have mentioned this before, but learning to someone read who is just learning is painful. I mean, Painful with a capital P. Right now it's Nolan, but it was Abby two years ago. When I listen to Abby read now, I'm really quite amazed at how quickly she learned. She reads words that she has no idea what they mean, and can sound out names and other difficult pronounciations.

Nolan has come so far, considering he couldn't read at all when he started kindergarten. And he's progressed by leaps and bounds in the past few weeks, and I'm so very proud of him. Really! But it's still painful, especially when he isn't in the mood. But what's really interesting is realizing that he's not just reading, he's actually learning words. Abby, for whatever reason, spoke clearer when she was five and six years old, but Nolan has a little bit of, something. It's not really a lisp, but just some speech thing that I'm sure will go away as he gets older. So because of that, the sounds of words don't necessarily match the letters of the words. For example, he read the word "grabbed" but was confused because he thought it should be "gravved" with a v. And he was really confused with "tadpole" because he calls them "tadapolt".

Between that, and just general English language (try learning know, show, brow, cow, mow, tow, toe, go), I'm glad I don't have to re-learn how to read!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

I used to be able to do it

Tonight I played sand volleyball. It's a 6's league, but we only had 4 people--three girls and a guy. The last time I played sand ball, or volleyball in general really, was before Max was born. That's two kids ago!! I know I'm getting old, because playing at 7:40 just felt SO late. But, once we started playing, it was really a lot of fun. But I forgot how hard it is to play in sand. And to think... we had four people. I used to play 2s. I can't even imagine!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

What goes around...

A few weeks back, when Ava was sick, I called the doctor and talked to a random nurse. One of the regular nurses is out on maternity leave, so this nurse was filling in for her. I was trying to decide if I should bring Ava in our not, and this nurse made me feel really dumb. Usually I don't jump the gun too much on taking the kids to the doctor, but with Ava's ear history, I'm a little paranoid. So anyway, I took her to the doctor, had the nurse, who was ok, Ava was fine, end of story.

Except it isn't. When I took Ava in, I also got blood work done. I got the results through my online medical file, which said my result was too high. I expected that so no big deal. The nurse had called me and left a message, and I called back the next morning. She told me my results were all normal. What? I asked her for the number which was the same one as online, but she said that was the result from a different test. I didn't realize I had more than one done, but she said yes, and continued to give me results for three tests. Alrighty then. I planned on looking online to see the deal, but didn't have time right then.

A couple of hours after I talked to her, my cell phone rang, and it was the other, regular nurse from the office. She told me my results were too high and my medicine needed to be adjusted. What? I told her I talked to the other nurse and she told me it was normal. And said she gave me the three test results. Nope, nope, nope. I just had the one test done. I have no idea what the temp nurse was looking at or reading, but it clearly was not my file!

So, fastforward to this week. Ava had a doctor's appointment today, and yesterday I was worried about getting that nurse. I really didn't want her, and really don't trust her. Then, last night, Abby had a softball game and one of the moms was there. I kind of recognized her, but figured it was just from school. Then another mom was asking her a medical question and I realized that that was the nurse! Of course, her daughter is on Abby's softball team and in her grade. How's that for coincidence?

Luckily, I got to Ava's appointment today and, aside from Ava being just fine at 9 months (75th percentile for everything) that nurse wasn't there. I don't know why, but I won't question it.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Why do you like Fridays?

On Friday, Abby said Friday was her favorite day, to which I responded "Me too!" She turned to me and asked why I like Fridays best. You know, since I don't work. Hmmm, good question. Maybe I should like Mondays best... it's when they go back to school!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Cinderella

Softball and t-ball has started in full swing now. Last year, I really liked watching Nolan's t-ball, but softball? Not so much. At 6 years old, Abby was on a team with some 9 year olds. Too big of a spread of ages in girls if you ask me. And the coaches were a little, ahem, overbearing. They yelled at the other teams' coaches, and let the girls yell at their teammates. And I never really connected with any of the other parents. This year is so much better. They added a new league, so all the girls are in second grade, just like Abby, and she knew them all. And I know lots of the parents already, which is very nice.

The first game, or scrimmage actually, was last night, and the girls looked really good. On the way home, Dave told Abby she did a great job, hit well, and looked ready for the ball. Abby gave him the craziest look and said, "What??" And Dave repeated, "You looked like you were always ready for the ball to come." To which Abby responded, "OH! I thought you meant the BALL. Like, dancing!"

You can imagine how much I laughed all the way home.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Clausterphobic Days

Maybe it's a strange description, but I find these 40 degree rainy days to be clausterphobic. I was actually ok all winter, never really felt closed in or cabin fever. But now? After it being nice, or at least warm enough to hang out outside, I just feel jittery. I'm not even sure I want to go outside, even if the weather would allow it, but yet, the idea of me not being able to is still tough to deal with, especially with Dave traveling this week. Yesterday morning I wanted to crawl back in bed with a good book. Instead I took the kids to school and headed to the Y and did a longer-than-normal workout and chatted more than usual, just to connect. Then I took Max and Ava to Family Dollar, just for fun, and then headed home for lunch and movies. What better way to pass a rainy afternoon! Then, I couldn't bear to go home with the bigs, so we all went bowling. (I signed up for two free bowling games a day until September at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/. You should try it! They have lots of alleys and lots of states available.) Mostly it was ok, but Max quickly lost interest, and Abby and Nolan, for some reason yesterday, were just at each others' throats. I threatened several times to A) Not go to dinner afterwards; and B) Never to come bowling again. Both were empty threats--no way was I going to cook dinner last night, and it's FREE BOWLING! Are you kidding me? Of course we'll go again.

Dave emailed this morning... he was supposed to have dinner last night with clients and the stood him up. WHAT? He could have come home last night. Geez! Oh well, he'll be home by the time I get home tonight and, heaven knows, he is the ultimate kid entertainer, making going home not nearly as bad.

Here's to sunshine and summer!!!

Monday, May 10, 2010

All Ava, all the time

Ava has entered "that" stage. You know, the one where she wants what she wants, and doesn't necessarily forget what that thing was. It's easy when what she wants is just some random toy. A little more complicated? When she wants Max's toy. It's easy when she wants her puffs or yogurt melts. A little more complicated? When she wants Max's snack--and Max is eating peanuts. It's easy when Abby, or Nolan, or Max, or anyone is enough to keep her company. A little more complicated? When she wants me and only me to keep her company.

Lately she's fine with Dave, as long as I'm not in the room. As soon as I come downstairs, or inside, or in the room and she hears me, she wants me. If I put her down, she's fine until I turn around and walk away. She just panics if she sees my back! It makes things a little tricky, especially if she doesn't want to be held but wants to play, and I have to stay nearby. And when I turn her over to babysitting, she cries. That always gives me a little bit of a good feeling, because I know she loves me, but still makes me sad. I just want her to be happy.

I remember Abby doing this, too, but don't remember the boys that way. They probably were, too, but I just put it out of my memory. I think my girls will be alike, which should be... interesting. Abby has gotten so big, so fun, and yet so challenging (mind of her own, how dare she??). It'll be fun to see how Ava grows up, and what she's like at 7. You know, when Abby's 14. (Yikes!!)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day, Wisconsin Dells, Nana's birthday, what else?

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers! Tonight at church they prayed over all the moms, and prayed for all the moms who had lost a child. Abby turned to me and said, "I'm glad that isn't you!" Me too, Abby. I'm glad she can keep that innocence for a little bit. And for those of you without that innocence? I pray for you doubly hard today.

Today would have been my grandma's (Nana's) birthday. She passed away nearly six years ago, but would have been 100 today, her birthday, Mother's Day. I know she's smiling down on all of us!

We got home today from a weekend at the Dells. Usually we go with my family for Christmas, but since my parents moved down and we could do Christmas at, well, Christmas, we postponed it a bit and celebrated Nolan's and my nephew Chad's birthdays. We stayed at the Wilderness in a four-bedroom condo, and had a great time! Swimming, presents, food, games, movies, and just all over crazies and fun. Good times!

And now to get ready for the week. Tomorrow we start with Dave heading out on a trip, softball practice and t-ball practice. Back to Monday!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Laundry causes me angst

Laundry seriously causes me major stress. It never used to be a big deal because, well, I never did it. I guaranteed that over 10 years ago by washing Dave's wool suit and he declared himself the official laundry guy. But when I started staying home, that changed. Dave no longer had as much time and, well, I did (kind of). So, in order for him not to have to do it at night or on weekends, I took it over during the day. Mind you, he's better at it still--I leave stuff in the washer and dryer, I hang crooked, fold poorly--but with four kids, clean is clean at least.

So, imagine my wonder and amazement when I got home and heard angels singing. All the laundry was done! AND... it was all put away! I think part of the angst it causes me comes from the location of our laundry room, right inside the garage door, next to the kitchen. If there's a mess there, I see it each and every day. And when I got home last night, it was all clean. It made me so happy, and knowing that for today I don't have to deal with laundry, I'm over the top happy again today!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Crazy morning, deliberate day, crabby night

This morning was crazy. Truly, there's no two ways around it. Dave wasn't home, but I'm used to that. I "slept in" until 6:30, so maybe that was the issue. By the time I got up and got ready, Abby and Max were downstairs. Then Ava got up, and it all goes crazy from there. Breakfast (Nolan asked for hashbrowns... ha!), different breakfast for Max, try to get the dishes put away, Ava breakfast, Max wanting me to sit with him (yeah right!), getting littles dressed, making sure backpacks are packed, Abby's hair. It was all just the same as any other day, and yet, this morning, they just all needed something all at the same time. Maybe it was because Ava was a little crabbier than normal, and if she's crying, it just kind of sends everything else into a spin. And she's developed her own personality, and she WANTS things. How dare she?? And if you take it away from her? Look out!

So Max and I went to a park this morning for a few hours, where I tried really hard to be deliberate. I put Ava in the front carrier, and she was happy, so off we went. First I was the monster, chasing Max around. Then we walked through the woods, this path to the next. Then we watched guys putting on a new roof when we came out in a neighborhood. Then picked dandelions (or, as Max calls them, candylions), played with his mouse (imaginary, luckily), climbed rocks and used stick swords to fight the monsters. We were there about two hours, and it was really fun. And you would think that would have turned into a nice afternoon/evening, but...

Everyone was crabby, including me! Mostly, I get so tired of zero gain in the house. The laundry I started this morning? Still in the washer and dryer. Ava's highchair? Used for breakfast, washed, used for lunch, washed, used for dinner, washed. Other dishes? Unloaded and reloaded in the dishwasher. Toys and bikes and skateboards and pogo sticks and plastic snow shovels (yes, snow shovels) were taken out, used, put away, taken out, used... ad nauseum. I get it, they're kids. They need to play with stuff. But it still makes me crabby sometimes!

Then Abby struggled with homework, Max didn't nap, Nolan was ok though! We headed to Abby's softball practice, and that was good, but ran a little late. Instead of getting done at 7, they were done around 7:20, and Ava had had it. And I forgot her nuk. Ugh! Cry, eat grass, cry, eat wood chips, cry, cry, cry. But, she went to sleep shortly after that, the kids are all in bed, and it's just me in the quiet and (finally!) clean house.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Abby's Second Communion

Ok, so it's not many people who write about a Second Communion! But, that's exactly what Abby had today. It felt really strange. With her First Communion, it was obvious it was a special day, what with the dress and people and all. But today was strange, her coming up with me to Communion, and being able to participate. Crazy! But, since she didn't wear fancy clothes today, I'll show pictures of last week instead. Here she is in her dress. The dress is new, but the veil was my mom's for her First Communion. Unfortunately, Abby was just a little too big for the dress.

Siblings!

Grandparents!

Parents!

Abby bringing up the wine. Funny thing about the wine. They told us at practice that the kids should try wine at home if they weere going to have wine at church. So, we got Abby a little bottle, and Dave's mom "helped" her practice. I'm not sure how it worked, but Dave's mom's glass was clearly full, and she had to demonstrate to Abby several times over! She kept saying it was all in the line of duty.

And her "class." At least, those at this mass. There were about 90 First Communicants in all during five masses over two weekends.
The day was really nice. It's funny because I kind of thought I'd be a basket case. I mean, in years past, I've cried at people I don't even know! But this was hard. Between the commotion of a day, and the commotion of Max and Ava in church, it was hard to really focus on Abby, and I feel bad about that. When we went up to communion, it was just Abby, Dave and me, so that was good and I could really just watch her, but that was really the only time. Other than that, it rained the entire weekend, and the catering place I got messed up my order. And when I say messed up... I mean they didn't even make the sandwiches! It was crazy, and we ended up ordering pizza (which Abby liked better anyway), and all was fine.

Other than that, it was just a really busy weekend (last weekend). Dave and I went to the Brewer game on Friday, then First Communion Saturday, and then we celebrated Nolan's birthday on Sunday at the hotel pool that Dave's mom and dad and sister and family were staying at. By Sunday afternoon I was beat, and have to admit I was happy for rain and watching movies all day!

The week went by in a blur, and this weekend was nice. We had great weather, and Saturday was "Nolan's Day." He won the NCAA pool so got to pick whatever he wanted (within reason). So, he had breakfast in bed, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch, we got the slip and slide out (NO, it was NOT warm enough!), went to see How to Train Your Dragon, and then came home and watched Harry Potter. Fun day, but busy! Today we went to church, breakfast and bowling. Then relaxed. And Dave cleaned. I'm always happy on those days!

On to a new week!