Saturday, January 8, 2011

Not always the brightest crayon in the box

Middle Kid, I love you.  I do.  You are not only a great little man, pleasant and polite.  You do your homework, you practice your trumpet.  You help with chores when asked.  You are a great kid.  I do however dread your teen years, I am pretty sure you are going to give me a run for my money. 

But, and this is a big one.  You sometimes, well, how do I put this lightly.  You, are not always the brightest crayon in the box.  Please, take a second, a split second really, to think before you act.  Here is an example from today. 

You just finished your hockey game and you need to remove your skates.  Please just before you decide to remove the snow from the blades think for one second.  A smart person will say...no, the blades are sharp.  That is how I can turn and stop on a dime.  If I were to rub my finger down the blade, I may just cut my finger. 

See where this is going.  Guess what Middle Kid thought was a good idea?  He removed the snow.  And with it, a chunk of skin and lost what appears to be gallons of blood.  Now you want to complain that I shouldn't put anti germ cream on it and bandage it?  Sorry you lost your right to medical decisions when you thought it would be a good idea to rub your finger down the blade of your skate.  That is a rule.

Tomorrow when you get done with your game, let's try to be lime green instead of brown.  Just a thought. Thanks!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Pipi....

Oh how I dread you Pipi... I have had a good year so far...other than snotty girl, I have yet to have any issues in 2011.  Tonight that will end.  I will have to deal with you for 6 hours.  I will have to listen to your stupid comments and dumb stories.  Sometimes what is worse than all of this, is when you are picked on, you laugh and don't realize that you are dumb.  Stop doing drugs, stop drinking, clear you head, there may be a mind in there.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Head injuries...no laughing matter...

Sort of... I mean a few weeks ago, I got a concussion.  It wasn't funny.  At first.  The first week of 'healing' was not funny.  The second week it got to be normal.  But now... maybe four weeks in, it sort of is funny.

Let me set the stage.  I was 'playing' hockey.  I, even though am a fantastic skater, somehow fell.  HARD.  My feet went out first.  I landed on my head.  Right on the back.  I heard people gasp.  I knew it was bad, but got right up and skated off to the side.  I swore up and down, I am fine.  I made it through but was starting to feel, 'off' shall we say.  So I got off the ice.  I was a little confused and felt off.  The head honcho had to pick me up anyways so I told him my situation. 

The next day I was really 'off'.  I was confused by a dental bill.  I am in charge of all of the household fiances and couldn't figure out how much the insurance was going to pay.  It was pretty simple for the Head Honcho to figure out with a phone call and 4 minutes.  I worked at it for roughly 30 minutes.  And still didn't understand.  Still not sure I do.  I thought I would be okay on day one of recovery to work.  I was a mess.  I had to write everything down.  Down to bring table 3 butter!  I would get to the back and forget! 

Over the weeks, things were getting better.  There has been a few mess ups.  I have forgotten things.  But I have finally accepted the fact and can now attribute it to the concussion that I am flighty.  I forget things in the car. Even after looking at it and saying I need to take that in.  I get in and realize it is still on the front seat!  I am pretty sure there may be a gallon of milk in the trunk of my van.  It would be there since Tuesday.  Today is Thursday.  Hopefully I will remeber to check tomorrow.  The good news is it has been cold enough to keep the milk fresh. 

So, while it isn't 'funny' when someone has a head injury, it is a bit humorous as the 'healing' begins.  And when you look back at it.  Well, what you remeber of it.

Snow Days...Just a test...

Snow days are the school districts evil little plan to make all of the parents realize that parenting is a job that requires flexibility.  There is nothing like having a whole day planned, based upon the fact that your child will be gone from say 8 in the morning until 3:13 in the afternoon.  Only to wake up in the morning to find out that mother nature has dumped buckets of snow or sheets of ice down.  Re-arrange your day, plan who will keep little junior so you can work...whatever...thanks school district...

But nothing is worse than the evil Stepmother of the snow day.  That is right...the TWO HOUR DELAY.  First they always come AFTER you have pulled junior out of bed, forced them in the shower, shoved food down their throats, and then...bam... two extra hours that you get to 'enjoy' your child.  Your child that would have happily slept in (as would you) and not asked 600 times in the following 2 hours, "do I HAVE to go to school?" Yes, because even though you see no harm in sitting home, your teachers are still going to teach and you are still going to be expected to learn.  So go get learning!

We were blessed for 2 years of school that the Big Kid was being educated in Southern California.  You know what doesn't exsist in California?  Snow days AND delays.  The kids went to school everyday.  There was no plan b.  There was school.  Monday through Friday, 9-3, 42 weeks of the year.  Of course we had days off, but they were pre-planned, scheduled far in advance, and usually followed the regular holiday calendar.  That was nice.  I enjoy continuity.  A schedule that doesn't revolve around the weather.  That is for me.  As I said, 2 years, no snowdays.  The very first year he was in school in New York, he was introduced to a snow day by November.  I think the conversation went like this.  "Mom, you let me sleep in, I am going to miss my bus.  You are so driving me!"  "No, Big Kid, you have a snow day."  "Yes, I see the snow, but what is a snow day?" "It is a day when the school thinks it is unsafe for you to be out and they ask everyone to stay at home" "Really?  Why didn't they give me these in California?" "Well, brillant child, did you ever see snow in California?" "No, but, I mean, Man, I was really missing out.  I am so glad we moved to New York, I hope everyday is a snow day!" So as you can see snow days really hold a lot of worth to the kids. 

As a Mom, it is just a test.  Can you handle your kids for a day when you weren't counting on it?  Do you have a Plan B?  Are you ready for what the winter has in store?  When Middle Kid was in kindergarten, you know what...he didn't make it to school a whole month for a full day. There were a few half days in there.  Granted the month was February.  That usually holds a week vacation, President's Day and a few other random holidays, but the days that WERE scheduled were all snow days or delays.  It was a crazy month.  I think in First Grade he was upset when February rolled around and he had to go to school.  It too, was just a test. 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Big Kid is funny...who knew?

Who knew under that hoodie and behind that perma-grimace there is a funny kid?  I swear, sometimes he amazes even me!!  So tonight as it snows buckets of big huge snowflakes we were at hockey practice.  We were a few hours early.  (poor timing on my part!)  He retreated to the locker room and I got to work on some business packets. 

After what seemed to be an eternity practice was over and he came out of the locker room to go home.  Now we have been at the rink for 2 1/2 hours.  It was snowing a lot.  Buckets worth.  It had been 2 1/2 hours.  We walked out and the snow was up to our lower shins.  Good thing I wore boots.  Too bad he had on sneakers.  And shorts.  I looked at the van and it was covered.  It was snowing.  A lot.  Did I mention that?  So I did what any smart woman would do.

I unlocked the van, gave him a snowbrush and ran back in to use the restroom.  When I came out he was just finishing up the van.  Good timing, eh?  He was standing at the back of the van and says 'no problem Mom.'  As he sweeps all of the snow off the top of the van at me.  Hmmm a little better than a snowball.  He then held me hostage and laughed.  He wouldn't let me in.  He would fake me out and as I went to get in....smash in the face with snow.  And the laugh.  He was red in the face he was laughing so hard.  At my expense.  He is so my kid.  It is always funny when we pick on others. 

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  Especially when the tree is 5 feet tall!

Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year's Resolution...Broken....

Well, I made it 2 full days and almost a half day before I broke one of my resolutions...that is longer than some of the others.  No unnecessary spending...18 hours... that one was just written to be broke.  Almost like a race to break it.  Oh well...

The one I broke though some may think would be easy for me to break, I held strong.  I was going to break this habit of mine.  Break it good.  I was going to be nice to EVERYONE.  Yes, even Pipi (there will be later blog posts based on her...for now just know that it is VERY hard to be nice to Pipi).  Even the nasty hockey people that make me want to stab myself in the eye with a rusty butter knife.  I am going to be a nice person.  The type when I die people say, "oh she was such a sweet person".  At this point I am pretty sure if I were to die people would say  Oy, she was so difficult.

So today, Day 3 of my new year, new me.  It started out fine.  I played with Little Kid for a while.  We built a special toy and had a blast.  I went to work... and snap...it was broke.

I knew that the chemistry between myself and another girl was explosive.  Well, although there was no visable fireworks, they were there.  She is a nasty, horrible, better than everyone else girl.  She know all, needs no help and gives no help.  I was nice right back.  I offered her help and requested help as well.  She still wants to play hardball?  Sure, I will throw out the first pitch...

Batter up Beotch...

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Little Kid and Learn to Skate...

He is sooo excited... Since the big boys started hockey this season (October) he has been asking 'When do I get to skate?'  He was barely 3 so we said no, not yet.  He has asked the hockey shop man everytime he sees him when he can start.  He has finally wore everyone down.  He has been approved to start tomorrow.  We didn't tell him this...until today.  And.He.Couldn't.Be.Happier.  He has talked about it nonstop.  I am sure he is confused about what he will be doing.  I am sure he thinks he is going out there with a stick and a puck and ready to check.  That is what I am sure he thinks WILL happen.

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I am sure that WON'T happen.  I taught learn to skate years ago.  I know what happens.  Especially on the first day.  There are tears, snot and bruises.  There is not skating.  There is a little standing, a little marching and lots of falling.  But he will get it.

He is very excited about this.  As I said he has talked about it all night.  As I put him to bed tonight (in underwear, no pullup for my big boy hockey player!) he told me to make sure I had all of his equipment ready.  Of course he listed off the equipment he would need.  If knowing the equipment meant being able to skate in it we would be all set.  The best was he asked for a 'tup'.  That is a cup in real words.  Nope, Little kid, you won't need one of those just yet!

I am not sure how we are going to live with another kid skating.  I am not sure how I am going to get my schedule to workout around this.  But  will figure it out.  He wants to try.  We will let him.  Hopefully he will just hate it and never want to do it again.  Hey one can hope.

UPDATE:  So we went to hockey tonight.  We reviewed the rules.  There is no crying, we listen to the coach and we try our hardest.  We have fun and we will learn.  He was well aware of the rules.  He was excited to put his equipment on.  We got a loaner helmet, because even though we have tons of equipment we can't seem to find a helmet.  He was all dressed and ready and here is how it went down.  Stand in line to go out.  Coach #1 comes by and writes his name on the tape on his helmet.  He steps out on the ice.  He stands there.  Shellshocked.  Coach #2 tries to get him to skate to her.  He won't have it.  He stands there.  He does nothing.  Coach #2 pulls his hands.  He falls.  He quickly learns he can crawl very fast on the ice and get to the yellow pucks everyone is using.  He crawled everywhere.  He crawled forward and backward.  They taught the kids to stand.  He did not learn.  He crawled.  He was lifted by his jersey by Coach #1 and pushed (upright however) to the wall.  He stood and held on to the wall.  They all turned and were suppose to skate.  He fell and crawled.  Some kind of miracle happened.  I walked away for 10 minutes and came back to a fully upright child moving.  Not skating.  But he was moving.  I went away for another 10 minutes.  I figured a miracle happened last time I went away.  Who knows.  I came back to a child crawling again and red faced.  He was crying.  He didn't want to do this anymore.  So 5 minutes early he got off the ice.  He came out BEAT red, blubbering crying.  He said that was hard.  I said yes.  He is still crying and I ask was it fun?  He says no!  I said are you going to try again? (secretly hoping he says no) He says Yes! I am going to be the bestest skater ever.  I just love that kid!!!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year, New Phones...

So the Head Honcho has been complaining about his prepaid phone.  The Middle Kid has been complaining about his plan phone that is on my parents plan that is falling apart.  It is three (or more) years old so it has held up through three owners...My parents have been debating cancelling their plan and getting a new one. 

So...we took a trip out to get our own phones...a family plan.  We need 4 phones... talk and text are the most important, but internet and all would be nice.  I had seen the one I would like at Wally World for 1/4 of the price online.  So the Head Honcho wanted to start at the Verizon store.  Well, that was the waste of a trip... They never even spoke to  us there.  Not that they were too busy.  Just too busy to sell to us apparently.  There were two salespeople selling to one family.  Two selling to two other families (better customer service) and three 'salesmen' standing at the front counter chatting about their night.  Nice.  We were there for 20 minutes.  We were obviously looking for phones.  Just not so obvious to these guys.  Oh well, their loss.  We walked out.  We will still get our phones, but now we will get them cheaper! Your loss Verizon store!

We went to Wally World since we knew what we wanted for phones at this point (we had plenty of time to compare and contrast) so we may as well save the money too!  First stop...out of stock, but he was willing to call the store in our area to see if they had any.  They had one... the Head Honcho said I could have it and he would get the other one we had looked at.  So we were on our way to stop 3 for 4 phones.

On the way there, the Head Honcho had a BRILLANT idea.  Call the other store that is 20 minutes further away and see if they had 2.  Apparently he didn't like the second choice phone as much!  They did!  Yeah! we will have the SAME phone!  The really good news is that when I have trouble now, he has an idea of what I have done wrong.  And he doesn't have to learn two phones ins and outs.

So we head off to the new number three stop.  A little snafu with the online app that I had already filled out.  A 'quick' call to approve they cancel that app and we were good.  4 new phones, 4 new phone numbers and about 400 phone numbers to 1 reprogram and 2 alert of the new phone number.  That process needs to be completed by Monday.  That is when the old lines are all disconnected. 

Now comes to the fun of programming and setting up the new phones.  The kids, well they have theirs and are responsible for that.  Me...well, it is a good thing I have the Head Honcho and he is a step or two ahead of me.  (BTW he would be done if I didn't have to ask him every two minutes to fix mine!) 

Oh and to add to the fun...new business supplies... That is a project I will conquer tomorrow...or Monday... or...well definately by the end of the week!