more booseze and birthdays

ice cream cake at 9;30 at night is not such a good idea but i don't care. its my birthday - well tomorrow is.. i just don't care.

Lily and kids came over tonite for dinner, pool, play and a fun. It was blast. the kids played and Lily and I celebrated my birthday. A bottle of wine and a almost a bottle of vodka. Mike came over to bring me ice cream cake. Yeah, 32 isn't so bad (too bad I've hit hit the back space way too many times and my kid is stilll awake at 10 pm.. )

i can;t feel my toes. heheehehhehhehehe

Happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me,.....

Booze and SkeeBall

after the crap week and day we had, Erin redeemed her 40 tokens to go to Chuck E Cheese. She has been good for the last 2 days.

Did you know they serve booze at Chuck E Cheese? Beer and wine.

Wine and SkeeBall.... you do the math. i can tolerate going there now that she's 4 and can wander around herself.

Thank you Chuck E Cheese for making it tolerable.

"I think an Owl ate the birdie"

Erin and I went outside to check the weather and the pool. There was dead looking bird in pool. I say dead looking because i saw it wasn't moving. Erin stared at it and poked it (such a kid) and yelled "MOM! IT'S NOT DEAD!".

What the hell do I do with a half dead bird. We've lost fish before and flushed them. This is a much bigger animal. And she said it was her friend.

So I found something to move the bird and when it moved its wings, you could see some wounds. Either another bird or a neighborhood cat got to it. It wouldn't let go. Poor thing. We moved it out to the shed and Erin was very calm.
"Mom, we can stay and make sure no cats come back and if they do, we can hide it again. " She felt sorry for the bird. I did too. I took an old bowl and we got some water. It was shivering probably due to shock. The poor thing won't last and Erin sighed. She said God likes birds so its ok.

When we got in the house she said, "I think an Owl ate the birdie". I explained to her that some bigger birds and animals will eat the smaller ones. Like we eat chicken and cows.. wild animals have to eat too. She said "yeah mom, i know. it will be ok. Lets just leave the water and some bread". I hope that bird dies knowing one little girl considered it her friend.

More blow ups

Where do we go from here? More issues, more violence, more tears. After seeing what goes on before lunch (a freaking movie) and at nap time (no option at all about not napping), I have issues with this place.

My mommy sense is tingling.

But the kid? what do I do?

Bird's nest

I'm sitting here trying to work today - home... again because the Kid had another melt down. There is a bird making its nest on top of my light by the front door.

I'm watching it fly past the window getting more sticks, leaves and grass. Back and forth.

Birds lead a simple life. Eat, avoid cats and bigger birds, mate, eat more, poop on my car and stay out of the rain.

My life is not simple and I wish it were. There is a sort of desperation in a mother's eyes when her child can not behave due to the need for instant gratification. This is something I deal with on a daily basis and its wearing me down.

She's a good kid when she's with older people. Kids her age don't do it for her most of the time. She also just wants to play. I don't blame her. But how do you get a 4 year old to understand that there is a time and place for everything. Work, school, play.... I yelled (mistake #1). I ignored the bad behavior (mistake # 2). I talked calmly (sort of working) but I still feel like a bad parent. Like I've damaged her. Did I do this? I should have known when she slapped me in the face at birth.

All I want is for a good day. Go to school, no fighting, a good report, when I say "no" there is no plea bargaining, no bed time fights, just lights out. How do I do that?

Summer Fun Already

Its June 2 and 90 degrees. 90 FREAKING DEGREES! Um.. what the hell? I remember it being cold on my birthday. With all the trials these last 2 weeks, we made it though 3 days without MAJOR explosions.

Yesterday was Erin's last day at her current daycare. She had a great day and we needed to celebrate. Did you ever celebrate by buying a pool?

This lovely frog pool (note: not my kids) cost $14.95 at Target. I looked at Amazon and it listed at $50! I seriously lucked out.

Pool got set up yesterday and Erin blessed it with squeals of joy.

Today, after a wonderful picnic in the park and visit to Gramma's in 90 degree heat to get the Air Conditioner, Erin again dove in and squealed like a little girl (yes, she is a little girl so how can make her stop?). Her goal was to get me wet as well.

To her surprise, I came out of the house in my suit and JUMPED in the pool. Damn, that was cold but felt fantastic in the heat.

I love that pool. All I needed was a Mommy frosty cold drink and I'd be set. Bring it on Summer. Bring it on.

Erin's reaction to me yelling at the Sabres

All in a days work

Its Saturday so that means housework and the Honey-Do list. On the list today:

Cut the Lawn - Completed by the 2 of us.
Clean the new Tank and get George some new stuff - DONE! In a girlie Pirate motif. He's much happier now. The tank is nearly double the size and there is a real filter.


In the picture below - he looks pissed.




The last order of the day is to fix the sink. Its leaked since God know when. Hubby got a new faucet last weekend. We've tried to replace the washers and well that didn't work so well.

We have just a pin hole leak in one of the connections but that will be done another day.

I think its time to go out.

Giving up or giving in

Yet another fun filled day of me trying to get my kid to stay in the classroom. We have this thing... I set my phone to go off in 4 minutes. Erin takes the phone, says "Countdown complete", hands me the phone, we kiss goodbye and I'm supposed to leave. Its all very cute when it works.

9 times out of 10 that doesn't happen. She runs to the door and tries to escape. I was Ryan Miller this morning playing goalie in front of the door. She clings to me and won't let me leave. Hitting and kicking..... You get the picture? She's 4 and hates it when I leave. Its not like daycare is a new thing. She's been going since she was 2 months old. And, she kicks me out when I take her to the Grandparent's house. Some days at daycare are fine. Most are not.

It's driving me crazy because I'm late every day. I'm at my wits end. This morning we agreed that I could leave. She went back on her word. Yesterday I was able to leave early only because another parent was there and she knew I was upset with her. I don't want to fall into that pattern of guilt-tripping her (silly Catholicism). I read that the age of reason is 7. I can not wait 3 more years. I need her to understand the outcome of being late. Wait till the fall little girl. Mom isn't allowed in the school in the morning.

I need a cup of coffee.

New header attempt while watching TV

yeah, I know. I don't work in the creative department. I'm support. But I got tired of the text header and Blogger added in an image upload (yea Blogger!).

It's the first attempt and I won't give up the pink yet. I have a pink iPod Nano, a pink and black brief case... you get the picture. Pink is cool in moderation.

Ok - back to House.

Mother's Day - Part 2

To start - cleaning the house at 9 am sucks. But Tim did bring me Donuts. I love that man.

Dinner went well. Pork and Roast beef. Not bad at all. But I cooked. Yep. Mother's day and I cooked. It's only fair. I am the rookie Mom. Mom was impressed with dinner which is always good.

Jim and Shari came over as well. mmmmm.. Bacon Bacon dip.... mmmm. Sorry. Thats some good stuff.

Oh a high note, Erin and I planted. I have a little garden in back and we planted some flowers around the mail box. She isn't afraid of bugs outside which is a help. Inside the house is another story. I'll take some pictures as soon as I dump the camera.

Mother's Day - Part 1

This is going to be a 2 parter -

Part 1 - Friday. Daycare.
I love Erin's teachers. They had breakfast for us. Muffins, Donuts, OJ... mmmm.. Donuts. And they had a craft for us to do with the kids. Mom and Kid handprints. I get my gift later - they were not dry yet. To top it -- they gave us carnations.

I love her class...

Part 2 is Sunday... Dinner for Mom, Jim, Shari, Alexis, Tim and Erin. My house. Yeah.

"He has is father's eyes.."

I was reading one of my many Mom blogs this morning and came across this. Its a Red Castle Carry cot and it hooks into a stroller for a Pram like thing.

It for infants up to about 6 months (my kids, 4-5 months).

The first thing I thought of was Rosemary's Baby. Is that sick?

I absolutely love this carrier. And yes, it does come in just just Black with a gray interior.

Now if I can just figure out how to attach some hanging dice and a plush Cthulhu

Clean Bathroom

I left for VA last week... uneventful trip so thus the reason for no blog. I was home Friday morning around 12:30 AM and back at work at 9. The only thing of note - I watched JESUS CAMP and I'm terrified.

But I do want to mention that Mr. Clean Extra Power Multi-Surface spray TOTALLY ROCKS! I have a soap scum issue and well.. its gone now. Not to mention the kick ass pink and purple bottle. Spray, wait, scrub just a little and No More yuck!

Innocence

It was a nice day and dry so Kid and I went to the playground. Two young girls were there playing, about the Kid's age so she felt the need to play with them. No problems here. Instant friendship. A 4, 5 and 7 year old playing. Normal picture in my book. But it struck me as hopeful... the 2 little girls were African-American. The Kid has no concept of racism. Only if someone is being mean or not playing nice.

So the 4 of played... I pushed them on the swings, went on the slide and played Pirate on the spinning Crows Nest.

After 30 min (10 of which were trying to the Kid to leave), we said our good-byes and walked home. Being still light and somewhat warm, the Kid didn't want to go home. I didn't blame her so she suggested a walk. Instead of our usual Left turn at the corner, she wanted to go right. As we walked, the Kid saw her 2 new friends running to her. They lived on the corner. No mom in sight, no older sibling in sight... what the hell?!

These 3 little girls have no concept of Stranger Danger or deceit. The Kid wanted to go in and see the girls room. The girls had no problem walking away with me to join us on our walk. I stopped it there. I made the girls go ask their mom, I introduced myself and said we'd be back in like 15 min. The mom was like, whatever and the girls joined us. I have mixed emotions about this - 1) Society has lost its sense of the Neighborhood due to fear. 2) The girls and the kid had no concept of STRANGER DANGER. 3) Would I let someone take my kid for a walk? No. I wouldn't. I had plan B all set if the mom said no. I can pull off the Mom Cover story in a heartbeat. But this mom said yes. I'm unsettled by this - we'll stick to playing at the playground. No more walks or house visits. I guess I've lost my trust too.

Goddess Alert!

Happiness- Linda Carter made a guest appearance on Smallville. I caught the end of it. She was not Wonder Woman but Chloe's mom. She was still had super powers.

Linda Carter - you are a goddess.

GOAL!!!

The kid loves the Sabres. Yes.. she's 4 and likes Hockey. Now, to what degree, I don't know. Her preschool teacher is a HUGE fan and they do a Sabre's cheer at school on Game days. But last night, I was flipping channels and the Pittsburg/Ottawa game was on. Kid said 'STOP! Hockey is on". So I did.

I explained the game to her and she got to the idea. She lasted about 15 minutes of the game. Pretty good for a 4 year old. She kept wanting to yell "GOAL!" . I kept wanting to yell "FIGHT!"

Maybe cable will be in order.. damn.

some things just shouldn't be

Good lord! What the hell! A poo and pee plush toy? for what reason? I thought the whole idea was to remove said yuck from the body... not make it cute! They even have tee-shirts and socks with the "characters" on it (I'll use that term loosely). What's next? I'm just not going to go there...

The Landlord

Wrong in so many ways but so freaking funny!

Desire

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. And strangely, I've had no desire to write about it. Even today - I'm home with a pukey 4 year old and I'm feeling kind of crappy myself. When kids get sick, the government should provide HAZMAT suits. So lets review

The weather is no where near spring. Snow and cold....
My father in law was hospitalized and is now home.
My daughter is now over her fear of dogs, as long as they are quiet.
I can make a dress for the kid
Chuck E Cheese is ok as long as hubby is there (panic attack with a zillion kids around not good)
My best friend is coming in for 2 weeks
I get vacation days in Dec and July.. thats about it
My house is still a toy disaster
I hate Ants

Yeah -- fun filled huh?
If ya'll excuse me, I'm going to find some more drugs for me...