Mom Makes Plans...God Laughs.

Friday morning I was all excited. A mere four hours of work, lunch with hubby, a well check up for the three year old and I was on my way to one week of freedom from the 9-5er. Then CJ woke up. Unlike WC & myself, he is a morning person. He hits the ground reving his little engine and he's off.

Except this morning...he laid there like a slug. And I knew...

He left with Jay, as normal and I wondered and worried. When will the call come?

When I arrived at work I called the daycare to let them know I would be there early in the afternoon to take him to the dr. I asked how he was doing because he wasn't himself that morning. And God- love them. The morning girl had noticed the same thing and had taken his temp- 99. He was simply wandering around the room looking lost. They would keep me posted. Poor baby.

On my way down the interstate to meet Jay for lunch, they called. 100.2- still not high enough to warrant a pick up, but they knew he would be leaving at 1:30 anyway. He was napping.

I called the pediatrician to see if they would still see him. They would, except if he was due a shot then I'd have to bring him back.

He was still asleep when I arrived- his security blanket in hand. She woke him up and he crawled into my arms and lay limp on my shoulder.

There are many pros and cons to the doctor office train set. And CJ's love of trains brought them all screaming to the forefront. He didn't want to leave the trains, for him that was why he was there. He asked about them in the car on the drive. He was pissed when it was our turn. If I could have had a dime for every time he told the nurse, 'no', 'stop it', 'don't touch me' or 'I want the train'. I'd be a wealthy woman. She commented on how she'd cut him slack for being challenging because he isn't feeling well. Oh, you poor delusional woman, this child is a challenge when he feels well and pretty damn close to impossible when ill. We never could get his hearing checked- but trust me there's not an issue there. He hears perfectly fine- what he wants to.

He wasn't any easier with the doctor. I was so sick of hearing about the stupid trains by the time she arrived I was ready to jam the tongue depressors into my ears and take out my ear drums.

After the examination she decided that she wanted to swab his throat- it was very red. Assume the position- which is fairly similar to giving a cat a pill except we don't wrap the child in the blanket- but now that I think about it. It's a fairly disturbing scene to the non parent. Hold child in lap, wrap leg around his (to keep him from kicking the dr), one arm wrapped around his waist to secure both of his and one hand on his forehead to hold his head back against my chest. There was my exercise for the day. After the swab she let us return to waiting area and the much heard about train set to wait while the culture developed. CJ now happy. Me very, very worried about the results of the swab. And of course the receptionist announced that we needed to return to our room due to the fact the culture was positive for strep. Are you *&^%$ kidding me! I'm starting my vacation! Strep!  ARGH!

 

Blue screen of death

Sorry that I haven't posted a story in a while. Last week I was on
vacation from work and had every intention of posting stories of my
adventures home with the kids... But my modem died! No Internet all
week! Finally received the new modem yesterday & during installation
last night the thing crashed the computer giving me the blue screen of
death. So tonight after karate (I'm using their wifi connection) and
after I get the kiddos to bed I'll be attempting battle with the old
computer, praying that I can bring it around long enough to get the
years photos copied to a disk. Then I'll worry about the rest.

Sent from my iPod

6 Words

"I need to speak with you." Is a statement that when uttered by your child's care provider upon you're arrival in the evening makes even the most seasoned parent shudder. No matter your mood prior to that statement- you exhale loudly, shoulders slump and ask, 'What did he do know?'

The subject of that statement in this instance was WC. Now, he's a pretty good kid and rarely ever gets into trouble. But when the boy does something, he doesn't half-ass it. He goes after being in trouble with the same intensity as being well behaved. It's all or nothing...no middle ground. And his trouble is never fighting or anything malicious. It stems more from the fact he's a free-spirit...I guess that's the way to describe it. CJ's troubles always stem from him believing the world should revolve around him and to hell with anyone who doesn't agree- but then he is three & we're working on it.

So, on this day I arrive to the 6 words spoken by the head camp counsellor and she pulls me off to the side.

My son and some other boys- all 6 yrs old went to the bathroom connected to the gymnasium and as with any gym bathroom there's a shower room. They decided it would be fun to take a shower. So they all strip naked and are running around in the open shower room. I'm unsuccessfully trying not to laugh as she describes discovering a shower room full of wet naked little boys. So they all had to have a talk about private parts and not romping around with the parts God gave you flapping in the breeze. 

Both of the boys run around naked all the time at home- after a bath & before pj's they run streaking through the house, squealing with laughter. Nudity isn't anything that I've raised them to be ashamed of. But it never occurred to me that he would do this with total strangers. It was all innocent. I've had multiple discussions with him about his private parts and not allowing anyone to touch them. And he's not to touch anyone else and if someone asks him to then he needs to say no and go tell an adult. I keep that a running discussion that I bring up periodically- usually during the bath time.  But now I've also had to tell him that he can't get naked at day camp.

My Dad laughed hysterically when I told my parents what their grandson had done. And his comment was about how smart the boy is. Smart? Smart?

I don't get how organizing the first grade nudist colony can be considered smart?

A Little Crazy

WC climbed in the car the other evening when I picked him from day camp and half way down the road, out of the blue, he announced:

"I got a bead stuck up my nose today."

Me: "What?!?"

"Oh, don't worry, they got it out."

Me still really confused why a six year old is sticking stuff in his nostrils: "Why?!"

"I got a little crazy today."

 

I drop the conversation, because, what can I really say to that?

 

Yesterday he brought it up again.

 

"You remember when I got a bead stuck up my nose at camp?"

Me: "I recall the story...You know you aren't supposed to stick things in there, right?"

"I was putting this yellow bead in my nose and blowing it out seeing how far I could make it fly across the table. And when I inhaled I sucked it up and the teacher had to use a pen cap and gloves to get it."

Me: "Please tell me this wasn't during lunch."

"Nope...snack."

 

Sometimes it really is best not to ask for details.

 

Incidentally the bead that was being used as a nasal projectile was awarded for good behavior. I'm guessing they didn't revoke it because they really didn't want the bead back...I wouldn't.

 

 

 

 

Sticker Shock

Taking my kids into Toys R Us is like putting an epileptic chihuahua in front of a strobe light. We generally avoid this at all costs.

Their old metal swing set had become unsafe, so Jay dismantled it Saturday. We decided a while back that we wanted to replace it with one of those nice wooden sets. The kind that neither of us had as a child- I don't recall if those existed back then for home use but if they did, we couldn't afford it anyway. It isn't something that is necessary, obviously, but something we would like to do. We decided to ride out to Toys R Us, Sunday after lunch and see what they had & how much.
The sliding door at the Toys R Us must seem like the gates of heaven when you"re 6 & 3. Immediately they spotted the display of Toy Story themed toys and off they went. After we did our research in the play set department I took the kids over to the book aisle...this would be safe. WC quickly located a Bakugan book he just had to have & CJ a Thomas the Train sticker book. They held their treasures until they located a bin of medium sized rubber balls in tie die colors. Okay, fine $.1.99 each. Then the personalized water bottles. WC really wanted one to take to his summer day camp. Sure, that seemed a reasonable request. Nothing else, we are looking at spending money on a play set. No more. That was fine until they reached the guitars. WC wanted one but understood he would have to wait...CJ had to be threatened with taking him back to the car with nothing.
We check out & the girl tell me the total is $42. I swipe the card & complete the transaction before it hits me. What the hell did we spend $42 on? I scan the receipt still standing at the end of the check out. Thomas the Train the sticker book...$12.99...For a sticker book?! Jay rummages into the bag and says, "Honey, you just bought him 800 stickers!"
O...M...G...

Middle TN Flood Relief

Please donate to help flood victims in Middle TN: American Red Cross

We are cleaning up. But torrential rains sent rivers 50 feet above flood stage. The water is receding thanks to several days of hot weather. Volunteers are rushing to devastated areas but more will be needed in the weeks and months ahead as those displaced attempt to rebuild their lives. One woman picked up a toothbrush from a aid center this morning and said that she had not been able to brush her teeth in THREE DAYS! Our brothers and sisters in this world are having to start over from scratch. Please donate, if you are at all able. Pray for those who have lost and for those who are helping. Thank you. God Bless.

Flooded Nashville- We are still here

Text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to donate $10 to the relief effort:

See: Nashville Flooded & Forgotten

We are Nashville

Video shot by Fr. T

The images of my hometown are heart breaking. People here have lost everything. Homes that were in areas that have never flooded, homeowners never given the opportunity to buy flood insurance. It isnt offered in areas that do not flood. And now they have to start over.

Additional Relief Efforts through Salvation Army

Riverfront Park Before & After