I took Noah on a quick date to Dairy Queen. We were browsing the bulletin board and saw a sign for a parents' night out. It said, "If your children are not picked up promptly at 10:00 p.m., we will sell them on ebay." He thought that was funny, and then he said, "Hey! Maybe we could sell Sarah on ebay! $500!" I told him she was worth way more than that, and he said that was just a starting bid. I said it should be a million dollars, and he said, "Nobody's going to pay a million dollars for a used six-year-old who still wets her bed, Mom."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Grouch
Sarah was in a bad, grouchy mood today. She was drawing at the table, and I was working in the kitchen. I asked her what she was drawing, and she said gloomily, "I'm drawing a picture of nobody." I asked her how she was feeling as she drew it, and she said, "I feel all wrinkly." I went to go sit by her, but she scooted away and said, "Don't breathe your air on me." I said, "Why? Do I have bad breath?" and she said, "I don't know, but I don't want your air getting on mine."
Bicker busters
My children have been bickering almost constantly over anything and everything. It's almost more than a mom can bear. I've been trying to think of different techniques to get them to stop. This afternoon, as the endless squabbling droned on, I took the kids outside and shot them with cold hose water. They were so shocked that they didn't speak at all for almost a full minute. Then they forgot about their annoyance with each other, and they joined together in annoyance against me. Whatever it takes to achieve unity!
Since they were wet anyway, they got in the pool. All was well for awhile, so I went to get the mail. While I was across the street at the mailbox, I thought I heard dogs barking fiercely. I looked around and didn't see any wild dogs on my way back to the yard. As I got closer, I realized it was my own darling children arguing again. I told them they sounded like dogs, and that gave me an idea.
I've often heard parents telling their kids, "Use your words" or "Talk it out". My kids use words way too much. I told them that for the next 30 seconds, they were not allowed to speak. If they had something to say to each other, they had to bark it out. So they started barking and growling, and eventually they both ended up laughing because it was so ridiculous.
Since they were wet anyway, they got in the pool. All was well for awhile, so I went to get the mail. While I was across the street at the mailbox, I thought I heard dogs barking fiercely. I looked around and didn't see any wild dogs on my way back to the yard. As I got closer, I realized it was my own darling children arguing again. I told them they sounded like dogs, and that gave me an idea.
I've often heard parents telling their kids, "Use your words" or "Talk it out". My kids use words way too much. I told them that for the next 30 seconds, they were not allowed to speak. If they had something to say to each other, they had to bark it out. So they started barking and growling, and eventually they both ended up laughing because it was so ridiculous.
Tea party
Sarah wanted to have a tea party (again) this morning, so while I made tea, she set out cups and saucers. There was an extra little cup and an extra saucer. I asked her if she was planning to have company, and she said that her doll Linda was coming, and also Jason the cat. She brought out a little chair for Linda and put her in it. Then she grabbed poor Jason and tried to get him to drink imaginary tea out of a real tea cup.
Jason did not enjoy his tea, and Sarah threatened to kick him out of England if he didn't sit still and drink his tea like a proper princess. She thought maybe a fuzzy tiara would help get him in the mood.
Needless to say, he hated it. I began to feel sorry for him, so I did something I'm sure I'll regret. I poured a little milk in a saucer for him and let him lap it up at the table.
He flung off his tiara and lapped up his milk eagerly. He kept his ears flat back, to let us know he was still quite annoyed with the whole affair, but he did stay for the party.
Jason did not enjoy his tea, and Sarah threatened to kick him out of England if he didn't sit still and drink his tea like a proper princess. She thought maybe a fuzzy tiara would help get him in the mood.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Military bath
The kids were taking a bath together, and they had been in there a long time. I had given them a cup with baking soda in it and another one with vinegar. That kept them busy for over an hour, didn't even cost a dollar, and they might have even cleaned the tub by accident. I heard all kinds of splashing, spitting, and giggling, and I went in to check on them. The shower curtain was closed, and they must have heard me come in, because Sarah yelled, "Mom, you do NOT want to look behind this curtain!" I agreed that I probably didn't want to, so I didn't. But I did stay nearby and listen. I heard Sarah say, "Noah, if a soldier crosses that perimeter, you spit at him!" How does my little girl know about soldiers and perimeters?
Friday, June 18, 2010
Boston--last day
Thursday, June 17
8:00 a.m. Our last trip to the awesome hotel pool. Nobody there at first, but then a wonderful older couple from Pennsylvania came in and bonded with the kids. They largely ignored me and just talked to the kids the whole time, which was perfect. I love people who talk to my kids. What a great education! Noah chatted away with them for a long time, and by the end, the woman had pulled him up onto her lap in the hot tub. They talked about baseball, history, her childhood growing up with her brother, and lots of other things. We all got out of the pool and rode the elevator together, and the woman finally said something to me as she was leaving. She said, "They're good kids." I could tell she truly meant it, and it made my day.
We picked up in the room and packed our stuff. Didn't eat any official breakfast, just snacked. Mike got done with his half day of work, and we checked out of the hotel and walked to the subway.
We walked to the Cheers bar, and nobody knew my name. Noah said, "I don't see what the big deal is about this place." It wasn't a big deal to me either, because I never liked that show, but Mike liked it. I wonder how long that will remain a tourist attraction now that the show is over, and the next generation doesn't even know what it is.
We walked all through Boston Common and ate at a quick, cheap, restaurant called Boloco, where we had good burritos and smoothies. Then we walked to the Public Garden to ride the swan boats. I really wanted to do that on our last trip to Boston, because "Make Way for Ducklings" was one of our favorite books. It was neat to get to do it this time, even though we don't read that book much anymore. Riding the swan boat was very peaceful and relaxing. Here we are going under the smallest suspension bridge in the world:
We saw ducks and swans, and the best part was that there were ducklings all over the pond.
We rode the subway back to the hotel to pick up our luggage,
and took a taxi to the airport.
When we got on the plane, Mike and the kids sat in one row, and I sat in the row behind them. I thought it would be a nice little mini vacation for me, but no. The other two people in my row flirted with each other the entire time. It was amusing and awkward and painful to listen to. I tried to read, but I couldn't block them out. As the plane landed, he got her phone number. Meanwhile, the kids turned their barf bags into hats:
Our flight out of Chicago was late. We walked by this stage, and Sarah immediately jumped onto it and started a performance. Notice how filthy she is. I'm not sure how that happened.
Made it to Peoria about half an hour late, and then waited another half an hour for our one checked bag to appear. There was a jam in the baggage unloading system. This definitely marked the official end of the vacation. When we got home, there was unpacking, laundry, grocery run, tired bickering kids, and a wild angry cat.
Overall, it was a great trip. Everywhere we went, even in the subway tunnels, the city was clean and most people were nice. I learned more about American history this week than I did in 16 years of formal education. I thought it would be interesting, but I didn't expect to be emotionally moved. Standing right there where America was born made me appreciate the courage of our forefathers, and I think for the first time, I realized that I'm proud to be an American.
I'm also proud of my kids. They were extremely maddening at times, but for the most part, it was a joy to travel with them.
8:00 a.m. Our last trip to the awesome hotel pool. Nobody there at first, but then a wonderful older couple from Pennsylvania came in and bonded with the kids. They largely ignored me and just talked to the kids the whole time, which was perfect. I love people who talk to my kids. What a great education! Noah chatted away with them for a long time, and by the end, the woman had pulled him up onto her lap in the hot tub. They talked about baseball, history, her childhood growing up with her brother, and lots of other things. We all got out of the pool and rode the elevator together, and the woman finally said something to me as she was leaving. She said, "They're good kids." I could tell she truly meant it, and it made my day.
We walked all through Boston Common and ate at a quick, cheap, restaurant called Boloco, where we had good burritos and smoothies. Then we walked to the Public Garden to ride the swan boats. I really wanted to do that on our last trip to Boston, because "Make Way for Ducklings" was one of our favorite books. It was neat to get to do it this time, even though we don't read that book much anymore. Riding the swan boat was very peaceful and relaxing. Here we are going under the smallest suspension bridge in the world:
We saw ducks and swans, and the best part was that there were ducklings all over the pond.
Made it to Peoria about half an hour late, and then waited another half an hour for our one checked bag to appear. There was a jam in the baggage unloading system. This definitely marked the official end of the vacation. When we got home, there was unpacking, laundry, grocery run, tired bickering kids, and a wild angry cat.
Overall, it was a great trip. Everywhere we went, even in the subway tunnels, the city was clean and most people were nice. I learned more about American history this week than I did in 16 years of formal education. I thought it would be interesting, but I didn't expect to be emotionally moved. Standing right there where America was born made me appreciate the courage of our forefathers, and I think for the first time, I realized that I'm proud to be an American.
I'm also proud of my kids. They were extremely maddening at times, but for the most part, it was a joy to travel with them.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Boston--day 3
Wednesday, June 16
We ate the breakfast special at our usual deli
and then walked to the Children’s Museum.
My plan was to spend the entire day there, because I knew everyone would be tired today. Our membership at Lakeview got us in free, and we were there at opening and stayed till almost closing. It’s a wonderful museum, and we had a great time. We walked by the site of the Boston Tea Party,
back to the hotel, swam in the pool, and took our nightly trip to Faneuil Hall. I’m out of clean underwear, so it’s time to go home. Here are pictures from the museum:
Noah chasing pigeons
We met a couple of Korean families and played in the sand with them for a long time. This little boy next to Noah reminded me of Noah when he was little. Noah said, "I hope these Korean people don't try to claim me and take me back to my homeland." I assured him again (as I have done many times in the last 8 years) that he is part of our family no matter where we are or who we're with, and no one is going to take him away from us, but he interrupted with, "I know, Mom. I was just joking."
Sarah doing two of her favorite things: talking and painting. Noah was quietly working away, while Sarah explained in detail every move she made. One of the other moms said to me, "You have one quiet one and one talker, don't you?"
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