1st grade to MBA?

Last year for Parker's Spring Break, we went to Florida.   It was a multi-purpose trip, we buried Dad's ashes and took the kids to Disney World for the first time. (I just realized I've never blogged about Disney.  I will, I promise.)   This year, we did things a little backwards ... my Mother (who lives in Florida) came to us!  Seriously poor planning?  Not at all, it was intentional.  My Mother wanted to spend time with her Mother who is 80 years old and not in the best health.   I started my MBA program in October and I don't get a Spring Break so this worked for everyone.

I have taken a few vacation days while my Mother (yes, I really call her Mother -- not Mom or Momma) is here.  On Tuesday, I had an appointment in the morning and took her to my Grandma's house after lunch - it's an hour drive.   Due the timing of when we arrived, I didn't have enough time to get Parker back to Brandon before my prep class for Managerial Accounting.  She attended her 1st college class!

We stopped at WalGreen's and loaded up on snacks, drinks and a Hello Kitty activity book to keep her busy.  Not too mention, she also had her Leapster 2 and DS with headphones.  She was a model child, only once did I have to remind her to be quiet.  She was playing Mario Kart with her headphones on and said "Missed me, missed me!" out loud.  I even got an email the next day from a classmate about how well behaved she was.  A proud Mommy moment ... OH YEAH!

How is your Spring Break?  I guess we get to relive them (tamer versions, of course) with our kids.  I am only working 2 days this week.  Yippee!

The rest of the story

In November, I wrote this post about our ordeal with Grant's speech issues.  He had surgery on December 1st.  Our ENT said he had so much fluid, medicine would never have cleared it, the only solution was to surgically suction it out.   On surgery day, Grant also had his adenoids removed. Within days (DAYS!), his speech was greatly improved.   People who saw him on Thanksgiving could not beleive the difference by Christmas. 

Thank goodness for parent's intuition!  What if we had gone the speech therapy route?  I am so grateful we second guessed the all powerful school for the deaf!  Our little boy is a changed child.  In the days following surgery he asked us "What dat noise?" over and over to sounds you and I take for granted ... a toilet flusing, the water running to the ice maker, rain hitting the steel of my car.   He started singing along to the radio and it's adorable.

Happy 2010!

When Brandon and I married 10 years ago, we had almost NO Christmas decorations.  Sure, I had bought a few over the years for the one day I had my own tree but basically we had to start from scratch the first year. 90% of our ornaments came from Target or Hobby Lobby that year and we could only decorate one side of the tree.  Fast forward to this year, we have so many ornaments that we can not use them all.  Of  course, our tree is carefully decorated, expensive and/or sentimental breakable ornaments up top, out of 3 year old's reach! 

I have a collection of snowmen that have been in hybernation for the last 2 years as well.  I am hoping 2009 was the last year for that.  I love my snowmen and have all kinds in different textures and sizes, most of them are breakable.  I was so scared Grant would break them that I kept them boxed up (another year).  I am happy to report Grant was awesome with the tree this year and we only broke 2 inexpensive (10 year old) ornaments.  Whew!  2010 Christmas will be the year of the snowmen @ our house.  

I am fortunate enough to work for a company (department/manager) that allows me to work from home when the kids are sick or out of school for holidays.  Both kids are out the week between Christmas and New Years, so I set up shop in our dining room so I wouldn't have to worry what the kids were doing downstairs while I was upstairs in our office/bonus/play/guest room (this room has an identity crisis).  Every call I returned had a disclaimer "I apologize in advance for yelling at my kids."  Most people found it endearing, I am sure others thought I was a nut. 

Cheers to a Happy Twenty-Ten!  May it bring you all the joys you deserve. 

A conversation (or two) with Miss Parker

On Saturday ....
Parker:  Mommy, are fairies real?
Me:  Well I've never seen one but yes I think they are (thinking she meant Tinkerbell)
Parker:  Is the toothfairy real?
Me:  Yes, I think so
Parker:  Me too Mommy but he hasn't been to see me yet
Me:  I know but you have to lose a tooth first
Parker:  I know Mommy

On Sunday...
Parker: Some kids at school are saying Santa Claus isn't real Mommy
Me:  WHO?  (you know so I can hunt their parents down!)
Parker:  Just some kids but I really believe he is really real, don't you Mommy?
Me:  Yes, I believe .... do you?
Parker: Yes, I think he is really real too!
a few minutes later
Parker:  Mommy if you don't believe Santa is real, do you still get presents?
Me:  no sweetie, you have to believe to receive
Parker:  I BELIEVE MOMMY!
Me:  Me too
Parker:  Does Santa bring animals presents too?
Me:  Sure, if we had a dog or a cat, I think Santa would leave them a little something too
Parker:  What about horses?
Me:  I don't know we will have to ask Aunt Monica (my sister in FL, she has horses)
Parker:  Okay
Me:  Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?
Parker:  Yes, it's Jesus' birthday

She is six years old, SIX!  Why would you want your child to lose the magic of Christmas?  Luckily she was just asking questions, I don't think she knows the real deal.  I don't want her too anytime soon.   My cousin told me, we were in 2nd grade and my brother was in 1st grade.   I still remember him telling us, getting great satisfaction out of hurting us.   You see, he's sort-of a know-it-all, and that was just how he rolled.  Incidentally, he is also the one to tell us our Dad was adopted .. like it was bad thing.  My Dad had wonderful parents who picked him, how could that be bad?  Anyway, back to Parker .... I think we were good to go with Santa.  A friend told me yesterday Santa leaves their children 3 presents each, just like the Wiseman brought baby Jesus.  I loved this idea. 

Couldn't resist, enjoy.

NEW DRUGS FOR WOMEN

DAMNITOL
Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to hell for up to 8 full hours.

EMPTYNESTROGEN
Suppository that eliminates melancholy and loneliness by reminding you of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait till they moved out!

ST. MOMMA'S WORT
Plant extract that treats mom's depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to two days.

PEPTOBIMBO
Liquid silicone drink for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and prevents conception.

DUMBEROL
When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low IQ, resulting in enjoyment of country music and pickup trucks.

FLIPITOR
Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers.

MENICILLIN
Potent anti-boy-otic for older women. Increases resistance to such lethal lines as, 'You make me want to be a better person. '

BUYAGRA
Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases potency, duration, and credit limit of spending spree.

JACKASSPIRIN
Relieves headache caused by a man who can't remember your birthday, anniversary, phone number, or to lift the toilet seat

ANTI-TALKSIDENT
A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories with total strangers in elevators.

NAGAMENT
When administered to a boyfriend or husband, provides the same irritation level as nagging him, without opening your mouth.