the power of old movies

I don't believe in total censorship at home. Some movies we'll not watch with Erin to avoid the nightmare issue or long explanation of what that man and woman were doing. But, if its on and she comes stumbling in, I don't panic. She's usually not interested.

Last night we watched "Streetcar named Desire". She made it quite a ways through. I passed out before it ended. Now, this morning the questions came.

"mommy? Why were the girls, you know, Stella and the other one - why were they not in color?" Ok - valid question and I went on to explain that some movies were made in Black and white and not color.

"Why did they put the man in the shower?" Huh? Oh - after a drunken Poker game Stanley flies into a rage and passes out thus needing a cold shower to cool him down. I didn't tell the kid that. My response went something like this.
"well, Stanley got really mad and his friends wanted to get him to calm down". The kid interjects - "Yeah, he threw the Radio out the window cause he didn't want the lady dancing". Wow. I continued "Correct. He was just very angry and being very mean. Being mean is not good"

Kid then goes on "Well, I get mean cause I want you to pay attention to me". BLAMO! Self admission from a 4 year old as to why she throws her temper tantrums. It took "Streetcar named Desire" to get her to see that mean wasn't good. She saw how Stanley being mean scared the ladies and she didn't like that.

I proceeded "Well, if you act mean, I don't want to pay attention to you or talk to you. I don't like it when you are mean. If you are a nice girl and listen, we'd pay MORE attention to you and not yell."

Light clicks on for Erin "Yeah, so if I'm not mean, we can talk more!" She may finally have turned a corner. Thank you Tennessee Williams.

Spring

There is a certain smell in the air when Spring begins. It is hard to describe but you know it when you smell it. Actually, there are 2 - Spring and Parade Day. Let me explain.

Parade Day : Mid March is the St. Patrick's day parade. More often than not, its cold. But - there is usually a warm up about that time. For some strange reason, there is a certain clean smell to it.

Spring: Clean, warmer air with a hint of moisture like its going to rain. And it has to be at least 60 degrees. It did that this morning. There is a cold front coming in and its supposed to rain (thunder storm oh yeah!). I let Erin wear her spring coat and no tights. Just socks with her dress. I immediately opened my window in the office. 6 floors up you get wind.

I can see the clouds moving in and its sort of hopeful. The spring rain will wash away the last of the brown/black snow and get rid of the salt that remains. There is one little patch of snow on the roof just outside my window. It reminds me of a scared creature holding on to its last vestiges of life.

This is going to be one of those days where I won't work - just stare out the window and think about cleaning my house. Cycle out the winter clothes, throw out the ones that are dead, make a goodwill bag and air out the house.

Not so much a hooky day but a 'don't want to think' kind of day.

Boy, I am gonna miss this view.

Game Cakes

This is the best site ever! If Tommy is into Mario next year, maybe Aunty will try.... hmmmm...
Tim, I think I want a Diablo cake for my birthday.

Sick day again

Tis the season for runny noses and vomiting and fevers. Erin came down with the flu after Mom's birthday party Tuesday. We spent the evening at Mom's for her Birthday and introduced Erin to my brother's dog. Erin is terrified of dogs. Well, not any more. She got over it and loves the thing now. Bonus.

All was well until 3 am and I hear "MOMMY!! I THINK I HAVE TO THROW UP!". Thus the early morning adventures of Nurse Mommy proceeded.

That was Wednesday. Between fevers and fights to take the medicine, we moved into Thursday feeling still yucky by better. Morning passed and her mood lightened. Not so warm..thats good. Trip to the store for better meds and appetite came back. YEAH!

Its now 2 pm. All that remains is a runny nose. Meds are still in order but she's better.

I love my kid. I'm sick of kid shows.
I want to go back to work.

I wasn't had...

An update to a previous post - Erin really was sick. She started running a temp more so in the afternoon and now is officially sick. I'm in for the night as I will have a 4 year old on my lap all night.

Law and Order - Special Letter Unit

And here I thought I've seen it all.. and they really look like the actors!

idiots.

apparently, its legal to make a left hand turn from a right hand lane. I swear, if one person does it, I'm going to cause an accident to prove a point.

And whats the big idea of running red lights? And pedestrian's crossing AGAINST the light?
Darwinism in action.

I've been had...

"Mommy, my belly hurts" says the flush faced almost 4 year old. Sniffle, cough and moan. Head and face are warm. Hmmm.. so we send her to school and wait for the call or keep her home?

"Ok - home it is" - Calls are made and laptop is brought out. Run to the store and child is happy and singing... hmmmmm....

Get home and child proceeds to dance and sing... still warm and cough is there BUT only when I ask how she feels. "Mom, I'm not sick"....

"What!?! If you are not sick, then you go to school" Child then proceeds to cough. Whining "I'm sick". Which is it? Sick or not sick.

I know a cold/flu can feel. Achy yet can manage to be social. I do it all the time. I work when I'm sick. I'm an idiot. So home we are. I'm working (well, trying to with having to disconnect and reconnect the VPN which is a pain) and Erin is watching cartoons. She still says her belly hurts so we'll see.

Home at last

I've been away since Sunday for a corporate training event. 5 days of technical training and meetings in Fairfax, VA. Some observations from the week...

• VA has NO idea how to deal with Winter weather
• Closing the county VA schools for 4 days for 1 inch of snow and some ice is a joke
  
• Eating out for 6 days is not good for the digestive system
• Dullas Airport is too freaking big to keep track of a group of 10
• My luggage made it home on time and with me.
• My flight left before the flight before us that the team tried to get on standby ( Haha)
• I remember why I don't go to lunch with some people I work with
• Big Bowl is fantastic
• Cheesecake factory is OK
• Drinking with those you work with can be dangerous
• NEVERLOST is kewl when they know the left from the right
• I've been on route 66
• Breakfast buffets that cost $16 should be be burnt and hard as a rock.

I'm glad to be home.

I HAVE A GIRLY GIRL!

I was desperate. Yes... its 10 degrees ( -10 with the wind). I needed bread, dinner and milk. I needed a haircut. So, I took my hour lunch at 1:30 and took the kid to the salon. Now, I can hear it "She's not even 4!". But can a preschooler make conversation with the stylist, follow directions and not wiggle while she's getting her bangs cut? MINE CAN!

Erin is FANTASTIC when I take her to get her hair cut. She sits and listens and strikes up a conversation like any blue haired regular. I HAVE A GIRLY GIRL! She was in one chair and I was in the other. She's talking to me and the girls and didn't freak when I went to get my fair cut.

So $30 later plus tip, my daughter is primped and beautiful. Wait.. that didn't sound right. That was for the both of us. Not bad actually. $22 for me and $8 for her.

Mothers for Social Drinking

I found this blog about the new debate about Moms who have an ocassional drink at a playdate. I have NO problem with it. I've done it! Lil and I will crack a bottle of wine and have a glass. Or make Special Coffee. Is it any different than going to a family party or out to dinner and having a drink? No. I have been drinking long enough to know my limit. And yes, I make sure I'm good and sober before I get the Kid in the car. and its not like I do it everyday. Please!


The TIMES also had something to say in Cosmopolitan Moms

Drinking is not bad. And I'll be damn sure that the Kids are well aware of that. She's Irish and Polish... need I say more?

Lights out - well sort of

Erin's biggest hurtle has been going to bed on her own. We made the leap last night. 3 books and to bed. As soon as I reached to turn off the lights the 4 year old panic attack set in. Ok - lights remained on. One more kiss for Dad (he already had gotten 2) and off to bed. That lasted 5 minutes and then "Mommmmm....." - I sent in reinforcements. Dad confirmed that it was just a little boo-boo and she 'promised' to stay in bed.


All was well until 5:30 AM. 2 became 3 in our bed- the bad dream monster made an appearance and frankly, I'm ok with that. I had to be up in 30 minutes and well, who doesn't love a bit of 4 year old snuggle time.

Tonight will be the test. We're going to TRY agian. Shower, 3 books, lights on and sleep. I hope.

Disney on Ice 2007

The Disney corp has yet another devotee. Erin, Tim and I went to Disney on Ice. Erin couldn't wait and was remarkably well behaved. Not even 1 bathroom run during the show.

This show consisted of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Daisy going on Vacation:

London featured Peter Pan and 101 Dalmations. Then they moved on to a Tropical theme for Little Mirmaid and Lelo and Stitch.

Now... surprisingly, all translated very well to Ice. Least Favorite - 101 Dalmations. Favorite Scene - Pirates on Ice (from Peter Pan).




So when we got home, Erin immediately needed to talk to Minnie - her 3 foot tall Minnie. Apparently, it is her best friend now.

I don't mind Disney. I love the cartoons. I hate the price. All I hope is that Erin remembers this for a long time since I think this as close as she's gonna get to Mickey and Minnie for some time.

Damn you Lily! Now I want to go Heavy......

Secret Wars Re-Enactment Society

One Whole Month

Erin has been going though some pre-school issues of "no Mommy, don't leave". It was taking me over an hour to leave DayCare. Well... its been 4 weeks. 1 whole month.

"Ok Mom, you can leave early.. bye"

Erin looks at me today -"Mom, I TOLD you can leave"

She is getting so big. My soon to be 4 year old knows what makes Ice and what it turns into when the sun comes out. She can identify the Statue of Liberty. No more tub time. She can open programs on my PC. He can crack an egg with one hand. She can spell, write and type her name.

My baby isn't a baby any more. Oh sigh... now if I can only get her to go to bed on her own.

Build a Castle

I so want to do this - This would be the coolest thing for Erin and Tommy. And me and Carolyn too. Oh Heck! Tim would love it!


All I need is 8+ refrigerator boxes , rivets, a box cutter and some flat land...

Reno 911 hhahahahhaha

Daycare Cost

Come April, my office will be moving to a new building and they have a Daycare center inhouse. This is good. Cost is less than what I'm paying now but look at these numbers:


Current day care: $199/Week (= about $10,000 a year)
New day care : $165/week (= about $8500 a year)
Catholic School : $1650 a year +$300 in raffle tickets
SUNY College at Buffalo: $2175 a semester + $472 fees ( = about $5294 a year)

Ummmmmmm.... in 2 years, I could save enough for my kid to go to college. Something is wrong with this. I know that good childcare providers are deserving of a high pay but man!

Happy New Year!

I'm a little early but that's ok. We'll be leaving shortly for a party and Erin is not going with us. Maggie (15) and Bernie (10) are spending the night watching Erin. A fun filled night of Anime. Yes. Anime. My 3 year old adores it so who am I to argue.

So they have thier munchies. They have beverage. They have movies. They have sleeping stuff. I get a few hours out.

Happy New Year all!