Tagged part 2

Quick update before I get back to being tagged....

• Boo's potty training is off for now. She has had a hard week with constipation and while we finally resolved it, she now has the opposite problem. (TMI, I know). I have however picked a date (in my head) as a start date.
 
• We decided to go away. Turns out that husband is about as big a wimp as I am when it comes to leaving Boo. We played with leaving Allie with friends, she has been dying to have a real sleep over versus taking the girls with us versus just cancelling. In the meantime a great friend offered to take both girls for the weekend. Husband figures that we can always come back if we panic (we will only be 3 hours away). We also will be warning our friend that we might change our minds between now and then!

Okay, back to the game...

You know that Facebook game of 20 questions? Well, I was "tagged" by Kristi over at Finding Ninee. Instead of 20 she had just over 50. If you are feeling you are missing something by not seeing questions 1-27 you can catch up here.

28. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer baby, with the top off the jeep! I just hope Boo's shoes stay in this time.

 

29. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

 

30. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SHOE? Flip flops. Does that count, it should right?

 

31. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO? Italy, African Safari, Alaska and Australia.

 

32. DO YOU OWN SLIPPERS? Isn't that what socks are for?

 

33. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mint Chip Gellato

 

34. CAN YOU WHISTLE? Sadly, no

 

35. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GIRL’S NAME? Aubry. I wanted to name Allie that but Husband said I needed to pick something he could spell and pronounce.

 

36. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TREAT? Chocolate Lava Cake

 

37. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SOUND? The Ocean

 

38. WHAT’S THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Spain

 

39. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I am the queen of useless trivia

 

40. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS? Yes, but I agreed to participate

 

41. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOE LACES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, which drives my husband nuts

 

42. WHAT DO YOU LIKE BETTER, RED OR PINK? Red, especially red heads!

 

43. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? an M&M

 

44. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Alive: Tia Passed: my Gram & GiGi

 

45. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Yellow because life should be bright

 

46. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SONG? Hm...this is tough. Scarlet Begonias (the Buffett version when he was at Fenway Park) 

 

47. MOUNTAIN OR BEACH? Can I have both?

 

48. DO YOU LIKE SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY MOVIES? I like any movie without a Disney character at this point.

 

49. WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKET? $1.21

 

50. WHO IS YOUR LOUDEST FRIEND? Kyle. He doesn't have an indoor voice.

 

51. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? M&M tied with Lindor Chocolates. M&M's are more affordable so they are currently in my desk.

 

52. DO YOU LIKE YOUR SHEETS? I have never had strong feelings either way on sheets.

 

53. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, but I am willing to sell them if needed.

 

54. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Apple Jacks.

 

54. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No, but I try.

 

So the next part of the tagged game, I have to tag some of you. Be afraid, be very afraid.

I've been tagged, part 1

So I was tagged. Not in a tattoo sort of way but in that fun Facebook way. Now there is no way in hell I am going to be as funny as my tagger nor can I draw. In real life or on the computer like Kristi. But here I go....

1. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? The US of A
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER SOMEONE? Nope. My mom did try to name me after County Kerry in Ireland because she thought we had relatives there. Turns out not only did she spell my name wrong, her relatives were from someplace else in Ireland.

3. HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HAVE? Four if you count husband and crazy pup

4. HOW MANY PETS DO YOU HAVE? One crazy pup, unless I can count husband for this too.

5. WHAT’S YOUR WORST BOO-BOO? Well I fall, so are we talking recent or just in the past? Not to bore, but in recently when bringing crazy pup into the house I managed to Alley Oop onto the porch. Managing to knock the screen off the house, the kitchen chair to the floor and I ended up half in and half out of the house. There as no hospitalization but man I was sore!

6. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO BAKE? Spaghetti sauce. It is easy and makes the house smell like the North End

8. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FASTFOOD? Wendy's Chicken Sandwich. Plain.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Hell no. I like my spinal cord. Well, wait. After how many drinks did you ask me this question? Because sadly, that would probably change my answer.

10. WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their hair. Since mine is always out of control and looks like Rosannadanna. Yup, I am that old I remember her.

11. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Boo's spinal surgery. I don't think I cried as much as I broke into little pieces.

12. ANY CURRENT WORRIES? What with a special needs child, working full time, a crazy pup, a 9YO going on 17 and a husband. Of course not!

13. THREE DRINKS YOU DRINK REGULARLY? Water, diet coke (nope, haven't managed to break that habit yet) and Pinot Grigio. Not necessarily in that order.

14. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? Hmm...anything by JD Robb for sure.

15. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PIRATE? If I could look like Penelope Cruz in a corset, yes. If I looked like Blackbeard not so much

18. WHAT SONG DO YOU WANT PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL? Volcano by Jimmy Buffett

19. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY? Reading. I just love getting lost in a book.

20. WHAT FUN THINGS DO YOU DO? Girls Night In

21. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Boo's laughing, while holding her hand over her face and saying I FUNNY

23. DO YOU HAVE A.D.D? Nope, but I think my husband does.

24. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? I hate lunch meat. I mean really, who thought that pressing food into a compress making it slimy and then eating it was a good idea?

25. DO YOU LIKE BLUE CHEESE? No it gives me nightmares. Once as a teen working a Friendly's a container fell to the floor, covering me from head to toe.

26. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HOT DOGS? Same thing I think of lunch meat. But I haven't told the girls my thoughts since that is the easiet dinner in the world to make them.

27. WHAT’S THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Princess Protection Program. It was under the duress of an extended February Vacation.

Okay, nowI have like 25 more questions to answer. So look for tagged part 2. Oh and check out Kristi's blog! Finding Ninee was recently in the top 50 Circle of Moms the Funniest Blogs and it was well deserved!

Reminding myself that I have a husband

Sometimes I have to remember I have a husband. He is not home often, if he is not at his first job he has found a second or a friend in need of his help. I usually joke I am a single parent with a dual income. Not to minimize what single parents go through. But at night when the girls are in bed I realize it has been about a week since I last had a conversation with the man.

And that conversation had nothing to do with US but with the girls. What appointment Boo had that day or Allie needed help with something. Or hey, can you feed the puppy? These conversations usually happen as the other one is walking out the door.

Thank goodness for texting. Cause at this point that should count for conversation!

So I was trying to find a way to reconnect. Without the girls. In a moment of (what I now think was) sheer insanity, I booked us a weekend away. Just the two of us. No friends, not children, no family, no puppy. A short 3-4 hour drive away. Far enough that I won't come back early. Close enough that I can get back early. (Yes, the extended February vacation had something to do with my insanity). Close to wineries and a hard cider mill. Shopping, hiking, who knows. Just being a couple for almost two days. Well, what I should have done was make the reservations for right then, rather than in a couple of months. Because....

Holy crap what was I thinking?

Now, in the interest of honesty I never had a problem leaving Allie for the weekend. Heck, we even flew across the country to Vegas one year for a long weekend. I could leave Allie anywhere with anyone. I am not saying that I love Allie less. It is just I could meet someone at the post office and they would gladly take her home.

Allie is easy.

I have a couple of friends that will take crazy puppy. Ones that want a puppy and then take Bailey and realize they like their house dog-hair free. But they love to take him from time to time.

Bailey is easy.

Boo is the hard one. And hard is the wrong word. First, I don't like being away from Boo. I have done it before. We went away for a week and left Boo and Allie with my parents. I worried the entire time I was gone. I called home (FROM ARUBA!) at least 3 times a day to check on her.  Looking back, it was easier to leave Boo when she was not mobile or really 'developing'. She was in a great daycare where she just hung out. So my parents were not with her for 24/7. They got 8 hours off during the day. And still they were completely worn out by the time we got home. But a weekend? That is 48 hours of non-stop Boo.

I worry about people not being able to handle Boo. She doesn't always sleep through the night. She hits her head when she is frustrated. She needs a translater. We know what she is saying, but the uninitiated....Boo misses us now. She realizes when we are not there. And after this weekend, when she was so constipated she screamed for almost a whole day until I finally got the medication to work then we had the opposite problem. Will some one not used to this type of thing understand and not panic?

Boo is also lovely, a cuddler and a great little kid.  She has the best hugs and is freaking hysterical when she gets excited about something.

We have a few trusted babysitters. Those who can 'handle' Boo for a couple of hours. They are generally teens and don't have to cook, clean or do anything other than hang with the girls for few hours.

But a weekend? There are maybe a handful of people I could ask. More importantly that I would trust.

I think they would rather have the crazy puppy.

Now I am in a quandry. Do we still take our weekend and act like adults? Or do we bring the girls along with us? Or do we just cancel and plan a more family-centered getaway?

When I brought this up to Husband he replied, in typical male fashion, "whatever you want to do". Yeah, that helped.

So now I am in a quandry. Do I take a weekend to reconnect with my husband? Or do we take the girls with us and reconnect as a family away from therapies and other commitments?

What about you? How do you remember you have a husband? Other than when it is time to do the laundry?

Allie's plan goes awry

A couple of days ago Allie had a grand plan of sharing a room with Boo. Well, not quite "sharing" as sleeping in the same room. Allie's current room would become a play room. For Allie, the more I think about it....

Anyway, there have been several misadventures with this plan:

Boo now expects Allie to go to bed when she does. The other night she was crying hysterically. I found her in Allie's 'new' bed searching for Allie. How Boo got up on the bed in the dark with her stuffed puppy and blanket is still a cause of wonder.

Boo woke up at 3AM and thought it was play-time. She bonked Allie on the head and said "Story". (Again, I am thinking this counts as motor planning, speech and hey she had a thought and followed it through)

Allie woke up just before dawn to use the bathroom. Boo heard her, escaped the room and started playing with all the toys that make noise. You know, the loud ones. Allie was unsuccessful in getting Boo back to bed. Boo ended up with me. Which means for 2 mornings in a row I was awoken before dawn. Totally eliminating the perk of the the sleep over.

Allie has asked for an extension on the trial period. She is sure that Boo will eventually understand not to wake her before 7AM. I think she just has her eye on a play room.

So we compromised, for the short term. Allie has moved back into her bedroom for school nights. They will try again for weekend "sleep overs". Boo has not adjusted so well. Frequently waking to find Allie. But in the end, only having one child up at 2AM rather than two means I only have one over-tired child. I am hoping with Boo returning to the routine of school (FINALLY) she will get back into the routine of sleeping through the night.

Did I mention the girls are finally back in school today? Yes, that was me doing the happy dance. I might not have rhythm but I definitely have enthusiasm!

Finish The Sentence Friday

I thought it would be fun to jump on the FTSF sentence of the week.


“Speaking from experience, I’m going to give you a little advice on…”

At first I thought, experience? Really, the Boo experience. I am so putting that on my resume! But the more I thought about it, and the reason I chimed in on this post by Finding Ninee was to me, this is the best part of blogging. Learning how we all cope in this Special Needs World.

Speaking from experience, I'm going to give you a little advice on....following your gut. I know, you are thinking seriously? Following my gut? I know how to do that.

And most of us do. Except when it comes to what I call white-coat syndrome. We put so much faith in the doctors, therapists, teachers that take care of our children we sometimes forget that their college degree does not trump our mom degree. (oh, another tag on the resume!)

Here is what I know. When Boo was born I knew there was something wrong. She was adorable, don't get me wrong. It wasn't that she looked like a troll or anything. But she breathed funny. And I listened to the doctor's and nurses who told me I was just a new mom.

When Boo was being cared for Early Intervention, I listened to her nurse that told me she was just 'mildly' delayed. That Boo did not need the added therapies I was advocating. EI did not want us to seek alternative therapies. Our insurance company really did not. But they were wrong. Boo started physical therapy at 6M old. She could not roll over. It took almost another 6M to gain that skill. Boo also needed feeding therapy, speech and occupational therapy. When Boo was 2 and still not making any attempt to walk her PT decided to try a pediatric walker. Her theory was that although Boo was not physically I(or developmentally) ready. Each time, EI would say that I had Boo in too much. That she was going to shut down.

Bull crap.

Boo excelled. It took her a month to master the pediatric walker. From there she was chasing Allie around the house. She loved it and in just 8 months was walking independently.

In fact, this two-week vacation from her school/therapies once again proved that Boo needs intense therapy to succeed (slight pat on my own back there).

I am not pooh-poohing EI. I am not saying not to listen to your child's doctors, teachers or therapist. We are so lucky. Boo's peditrician has always backed us 100%. They have assisted us in advocating for Boo. But always remember, their degree while important does not make them an expert on your kid.

Your mommy degree always trumps theirs! I am just speaking from experience, and giving you a little advice on following your gut. (And we should totally find a way to put our experience on our resume!)


Finish the Sentence Friday is hosted by:

Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic (Twitter, Facebook)

Mommy, for Real (Twitter, Facebook)

Dawn’s Disaster (Twitter, Facebook)

Can I get another bottle of whine? (Twitter, Facebook)

Finding Ninee

This was fun. Thanks for letting me join in.

Boo might be trying to tell us something...

Boo is not potty trained. I know in my heart (and have a doctor's note) that she is just not ready. But she may be ready to give up the diaper, if not for big girl pants. During this extended vacation, she has managed to take her diaper off...while leaving her clothes on.

I am giving her total points for the magic act. But am a cross road. Am I holding her back by keeping her in a diaper or is she truly not ready? I do so much for Boo that I would not have done for a 4YO Allie. I carry her, even though she can walk. Why? Because it is faster and I am in a hurry. I sometimes feed her, because she is tired and I want to get some food into her anyway I can. She cannot dress herself or manuever herself onto the toliet.

Or can she?

This is the girl that in the past week has managed to climb onto Allie's bed in the pitch dark and remove her diaper while wearing jeans and a sleeper.

Am I just making excuses and being lazy? Because let's face it, having her in a diaper is much easier.

Did I waste the time provided by Nemo when we were housebound for four days? That would have, in retrospect, been the best time to try to train Boo.

I just do not know. She doesn't tell me she has to go potty, that her diaper is soiled or that she has to poop. She does not have the language skills for requesting anything other than "Charlie" on the IPAD. She is either constipated or having diarrhea, not the optimal thing to clean out of clothes. (there I go being lazy again)

But that doesn't stop me from wondering if I am putting limits on Boo instead of pushing them.

I raise my glass to the SAHM

I would like to take a moment and raise my wine glass to the stay at home mom. Especially the SAHM that has a child with special needs. Although if you have a 'typical' child like Allie that can numb your ear drums with her stories, my glass is up for you too.




twoasiansnabottle.wordpress.com
 

I am not sure how you do it. You are my hero. The girls have had an extended February vacation thanks to Nemo. I have played countless games of Sorry and Yatzee. I have tried to keep ahead of the mess that two children can make in under 5 minutes. I have tried, really tried, to keep Boo in a therapeutic environment.

I have failed. I have allowed more TV in the past 10 days than in the 9 years of Allie's life. I think I can recite the words of every theme song on the Disney Channel. This morning Boo woke up and demanded "Charlie" (for Good Luck Charlie). It was 6am. I let her watch it on her IPAD.

Work has been an escape. Even if only for a couple of hours, work has allowed me some respite care.

There is only 4 days left until the girls return to their routine. I am starting to count down the minutes.

So I take a moment to raise my wine glass to the moms who survive the stay at home experience while maintaining their sanity. Cheers!

Allie's new plan

The girls have seperate bedrooms. To be honest, Boo's room is technically our guest room with a toddler bed in the corner. When Boo was first born all Allie wanted to do was share her room. But with all of Boo's issues it made sense to seperate them. Add to the fact that Boo didn't sleep in her own room until she was almost two.

With their extended February vacation due to Nemo, Allie asked if she and Boo could have a sleep over in Boo's room. I figured, sure why not? Of course, since Allie has a later bedtime their sleep over consisted of Boo going to bed and Allie following an hour or so (hey it's extended vacation) later.

It was such a success every night since then Allie has asked to sleep over "at Boo's Room". How much of a success you ask (come on, you were going to ask)?  Because BOTH girls have been sleeping through the night. Through the night my friends!!!

And when Boo wakes up early, she has been seeing Allie sleep and lay back down. When Allie starts stirring, Boo crawls into bed and Allie doesn't mind as long as it is close to 7AM. Allie then reads a story to Boo until the clock says 7:30 and Allie knows that means the TV can go on. They then leave Boo's room and I get to shower in peace.

Allie has been making the bed since she is in the 'guest' bed and helping Boo make hers. This morning they rearranged Boo's bed to be closer to Allie. Allie also placed a bench close to her 'new' bed so Boo could crawl in easier.

Because I know how easy Allie's dream can shatter, I reminded her that this weekend and next we had company. This means the sleep overs will have to be interrupted. Allie asked if Boo could sleep in her room, which I nixed. Boo has proven in the past that she cannot fall asleep anywhere but her own bed, in her own room (yes, I have tried moving her bed into another room. Epic fail). When we have company I put Boo to sleep in her own bed and then move her to mine when she is sound asleep. To compromise with Allie I told her that I would move Boo to her room.

Always the thinker, Allie has a new plan:

When the company leaves, she and Boo will share a room and turn her room into a playroom. When we do have company she and Boo will 'camp out' in the newly designed playroom.

I'm thinking if this helps you both sleep through the night AND I get to shower without interruption AND the beds get made without asking AND a playroom is supposed to be messy so I won't be after Allie to clean her room all the time this is a win-win-win-win plan of Allie's, right?

cheers!

The girls are on February vacation....

Valentine's chuckle

Husband tries. He really does. He also manages to work every Valentines Day/Night. So I was not expecting much this morning. I woke up this morning to a card from him, "to my lovely wife" and a box of Lindor Chocolates. Now you have to understand, I LOVE Lindor chocolates. But I gave up chocolate for Lent so I figured he was just messing with me.

When I thanked him, but reminded everyone I gave up chocolate for Lent Allie replied:

"Yeah, I thought about it. I am not doing that this year. It just isn't worth it".

Then I got a card from the girls. Except it wasn't a card a daughter(s) give their mommy. It was a card that a husband would give his mother from him and his wife. Seriously, it said...."To My Devoted Mother from the Both of Us".

It was signed: Allie, Boo, Husband and Bailey the Crazy Puppy. I asked her, why she signed everyone's name and she replied: Well, I figured Daddy is kind of your kid too.

Ha, gotta love that girl!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

What is something your child is REALLY good at?

Last week I was reading Boo's IEP progress report (trust me, not as funny as the preschool progress report). It was kind of depressing (more on that later) but what struck me is how they set certain goals for Boo and when she doesn't obtain them they focus (of course) rewording the same goal to make it effective.

Here is what I thought though, wouldn't it be nice if we could center a report on what Boo is good at and then add to it what she needs to work on. Instead of writing by 1/1/13 Boo will stack a tower of blocks without assistance or prompting, say...

Boo is really great at banging blocks together. We will work with Boo to show her how to stack them in a tower and then knock them over. I would like this goal because Boo really likes knocking stuff over. So it would play on her strengths, right?

So in my typical crazy way my mind works at 3am I thought of other things Boo is quite good at that will never make it onto her IEP. For instance:

• Boo is the best hugger in the world. No offense to any of your children (or even Allie) but Boo would win the award. She hugs with her whole body and you feel comforted even when you are comforting her.
• Boo doesn't make messes. Sure she doesn't realy play either. But focusing on the positive, her room is spotless. Unlike her sister's.
• Boo doesn't hold a grudge. You (or more aptly, me) can ruin her morning one minute by brushing her hair. But after the brush is put away she is all smiles and hugs. I could learn from her there!
• Boo is a champion eater. This is a huge accomplishment for a girl who was in feeding therapy for almost a year. A little warning, like a cute puppy Boo would rather eat from your plate than hers!
• Boo is a puppy whisperer. Crazy puppy is crazy for everyone but Boo. She just has to come near and he lays at her feet. I need to learn that trick.
• Boo can make adults to the strangest things. Recently at a party she had a grown man running around the house all because she said "run" and he understood her.
• Boo is stubborn. She is works at a skill for months never giving up until she masters it.
• Boo makes every day brighter just by being Boo.

What about your child? What are they really good at, something that will never make the IEP but should?

Things I learned in just 4 days

We do not generally get a lot of snow. So getting almost 3 feet of snow has been a novelty, even if it did shut down our area. But here are things I learned over the weekend:

My Allie is spoiled. We were part of the 5% in our town that never lost power, cable or internet. Allie: I'm bored.

Husbands are foolish. If you offer them a thermos of chowder or stew and they refuse to take it with them to work, they should not call you during the height of the storm to say they are hungry and expect sympathy.

Friends are easy to let go of. As I have written about before, Boo really hates snow. To the point that it is almost traumatic for her. When a "friend" suggested that I just put her in the snow and make her "deal with it" I realized some friends are worth it.

Friends are really easy to cultivate. Especially when you are in the 5% who have power :)

We are a spoiled generation. I offered hot showers, flushable toliets, heat, hot meals to everyone I know. What did most take me up on? Coming over to charge their lap tops, IPADS, cell phones and DVD players. I really wish some of them had taken me up on the offer of a shower.

Boo is really protective of Allie. Usually Allie looks out of Boo. But when Allie is out playing in the snow, Boo called to her to "OME ERE". She wanted Allie inside where it was safe.

People are funny. The minute the driving ban was lifted, what did they do? Form a two mile line to Dunkin Donuts drive thru. You think I am kidding? They local D&D ran out of coffee.

My friends really like beer and wine. The ones that did come over to charge their electronics they managed to drink everything I had in the house. Next time I am charging a bottle of Pinot Grigio for every outlet that is used. Honestly, did they not get my memo about having the proper provisions? This is what happens when you concentrate on milk and bread rather than the essentials.

If you really want to get people crazy, during the height of a storm put this as your status on Facebook: Is anyone else craving Chinese food? (Yes, yes, I did!)
The girls really need to go back to school. I understand they cannot go if the school has no power. But to the power company, please make it a priority.

So long Nemo. Thanks for stopping by. It is time for you to go now. Like right now.

planetpov.com

Okay, there is only 3 days left. Go vote for Ninee!!! She just made the top 50 and totally deserves to make the top 10. http://www.circleofmoms.com//top25/Top-25-Funny-Moms-2013?trk=t25_Top-25-Funny-Moms-2013

Playdate with Nemo

Mom, am I on the driveway?

Where is the street?

Doesn't Allie know it is supposed to be a pajama day?

 

 Proving my point that snow is puppy crack, you can see the powder on his nose!

 

The Blizzard of 2013

Allie and Boo got a half-day due to the pending storm. Allie is a little upset that it is falling on a Friday night which means she won't get to skip school tomorrow. Boo is screaming at the window "I NO LIKE" at the falling snowflakes. Puppy is acting like the snow is crack and is pacing with excitement. Husband, of course, is working. But not to worry! I've got the provisions for either the biggest storm of 2013 or PMS. The girls are really hoping it is a snow storm!

We have:

M&M's

And of course,

So, sweet & salty are not covered

And the most important provision:

Barefoot makes me think of summer.

 Hope your house is stocked and everyone stays warm!

Disclaimer: The wine is not to be shared with the girls.

2nd Disclaimer: I am making the girls watch Nemo during Nemo. Who came up with the name of this storm anyway?I know, they say it is the Submarine Captain. But seriously, they didn't think we would all make the jump to....

Sorry, this was too funny not to steal from a friend's Facebook post!

Oh, and before I forget...did you vote for Ninee today? Come on people she is up to #54 and there is only 6 more days left! http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Funny-Moms-2013?trk=t25_Top-25-Funny-Moms-2013#_

Report cards

Boo got a report card. Now this would be funny even if she wasn't Boo. Seriously, they did a report card (or progress report may be the new PC term) for a preschooler. In Boo's case her report card from the preschool was just down right comical, with lots of exclamation marks (!). Here are some of my favorites:

• Draws or builds a planned construction: Boo stacked two blocks into a tower! (I really wanted to know if she was going to be an architect!)
• Knows that print carries a message (Reading Readiness): Enjoys story time!
• Knows her name: Boo knows her name but refuses to say it!
• Follows routine of the class: Boo is doing better with less redirection!
• Copies pre-writing shapes and letter like forms: blank. But the teacher wrote: Boo recently drew a straight line with help!
• Uses sentences to express ideas and feelings: (they circled "feelings") Boo says, Don't Like!
• Prosocial behavior/Uses thinking skills to relsolve conflicts: No Conflict!

Okay, really. She is in a class of 4 & 5 year old. Do they really need report cards in preschool?  I am all for academic readiness, but this is taking it a bit too far (although Allie wishes her report card was this easy).

What I loved about the report was that you could tell the teacher was trying really hard to be positive. There were so many blank spots where Boo just doesn't have the skill. The teacher didn't write "needs improvement" instead she left it blank and then wrote something sweet in that spot instead. Under knowing her name:

"Boo is stubborn about saying her name, since I do not like to lose battles I just don't ask."
 

And my favorite....She ended the report with this comment:

"We are so lucky that Boo will be staying with us next year".

Which is code for: Boo is the only one not "graduating" to the kindergarten or pre-K next year. But apparently I am not the only one who is okay with that!


Oh and if you have a quick, quick moment please visit http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Funny-Moms-2013?trk=t25_Top-25-Funny-Moms-2013#_ and vote for Finding Ninee. Right now she is at #59 but I think we can improve on her ranking, don't you? She truly is one the funniest bloggers. You won't be disappointed.

Ask an innocent question....

Last night I asked Allie, "Who loves you more than mom"

She replied (without a pause, mind you), "Auntie K. Plus she does crafts, which is a bonus!".

I really should have know better!

Uniterrupted sleep

I try not to vent about my husband here. First, the blog is supposed to be about Boo. Second, since he doesn't read the blog it doesn't seem fair to "out" him when he is being, well for lack of a better word, a man.

Lately Boo hasn't been sleeping.  She goes to sleep fine but at least 4 times a week she awakens screaming. Sometimes it is her belly, sometimes she is congested, sometimes she is upset and sometimes she just wants to be held. She lures you in, she will go 2-3 weeks of sleeping through the night and then surprise we have a week of sleeping issues. It is definitely a cycle. One I am unsure how to break. But what astounds me that Husband can sleep through Boo (or Allie for that matter) crying in the night.

And I know for a fact my husband is not the only parent who can sleep through their child screams. I have a close friend whose child had a double-ear infection, was in the bed with them screaming and her husband snored through the experience!

Last night Husband didn't wake up until I got back into the bed. No word of a lie, this was our conversation:

 

Him: Boo was crying?

Me: Yes.

Him: Did you check her diaper?

Me: Yes

Him: Well why was she crying?

Me: I have no idea.

Him: Oh, okay, night.

And he rolled over and went back to sleep! Yes, I am slightly jealous that one he can sleep through it and two that he can just roll right back over. Me? I was up for hours. And I am not the only one who goes through this, Boo's speech therapist (a brand new mom) was wondering how her husband can sleep through the newborns cries. I told her welcome to the mom club.

I know, not all men sleep through their child screaming at the top of their lungs. But those men are in a minority. I would also like to meet one of them!

Between a rock and a hard place

Last night watching the BIG GAME I was really feeling bad for the mom of the coaches. I mean really, what are the odds that both of your sons would be having the game of their lives and it would be against one another? How unfair. Talk about playing favorites, who does she root for?

From google.com/images

And for a brief moment I felt so lucky that I will never have to fight this battle. I mean really, think about it for a moment. Usually parents look at us in waiting room and think to themselves at least that is not my battle. But this time, I have the easier road to travel.

I never have to worry about Allie & Boo competing in the same events. Allie never has to 'let' Boo win, Boo never has to worry about upstaging her sister in a sporting or academic event. Heck I don't even have to worry about conflicting sporting events. I have friends who are constantly on the road. They take child #1 to gymnastics and child #2 to dance. Or, feel me shudder, sometimes they even have to take child #3 to hockey. All at the same time! Those parents have to actually choose what event to attend. Sometimes they are lucky and mom goes to one and dad to the other. Child #3 gets taken by a friend.

You just know this is where sibling rivalry stems from. And while I may have to balance therapy appointments/doctor appointments with Allie's activities at least I don't have to say to her to make sure she takes it easy on her sister when they coach the Super Bowl.


I still think their mom turned out the lights to make sure the game stayed competitive.