reinforcements

You haven't lived until you've coughed so hard you puked. IDK what this is, but I'm no longer amused by the swine flu jokes coming my way. Jamie just called me from LaGuardia and I don't know that I've EVER looked forward to having him home so much! The laundry may get finished, the dog may get walked, and I'm definitely going straight to bed. I feel YUCKY.

I am so tired, but thought I'd do a quick post.

Chase was on the wrong side of the deck tonight and the rail he was holding onto gave away. Since he was absolutely hysterical, we headed to urgent care. He has a cut on his hand. That's it. He fell a good 6-8 feet and essentially has a scratch to show for it. I am convinced that someone was watching out for him from above tonight (thanks, MOM)! I'm beyond annoyed that he was on the wrong side of the deck, as I pointed out to him, the rail is there to keep us from falling off. But I know he's just being a little boy. And given that his then-four year old Mother decided to see what would happened if I rolled off my parents' deck...clearly I can't be TOO angry. Oh, and I landed on a concrete rock barrier (right between the eyes) and ended up with two shiners for Easter. True story. Given Mom's penchant for white gloves on Easter Sunday...boxing gloves would have looked a little better on me that year!

Cass has a horrific cold--she's a snot factory and her cough is just painful to listen to. She's pretty miserable, although she was thrilled to see Mama tonight and loved the red carnations I brought home with me from Alumni Weekend. Loved them! Sherman did eat one though...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to SHERMY! My baby is one! Dad sang happy birthday to him while Chase and I were at Urgent Care. Yes, he did watch Cass tonight while Chase and I went to Urgent Care. Best. Dad. Ever. And mad props to Grandma Mary Ann (Best. Mother-In-Law. Ever) for babysitting this weekend while I was in Ful-ton-of-fun. I had a great time and my girls (as always) made me SO proud. Mikki and I had such a ball together at the school stuff and Hayden was such an angel at brunch on Saturday. My kids would NEVER sit still that long! Although Mikki--next you can't miss the wine tasting! Waaaaaaay better than Hannah Montana.

Bedtime.

So Jamie just yelled at Shermy for swiping napkins from the table. I think Sherm farted in retribution. YUCK. Now we're all suffering, thanks Jamie. After two children, I shouldn't be amazed that something so cute can smell SO bad...but I am.

Easter was busy, busy. Jamie dropped the camcorder Saturday night trying to charge it (of course, it broke). Thankfully, Grandpa Bill always buys extended warranties. And since it was coming to our house, he got the drop/smash/water damage coverage. My Dad really is the smartest guy I know (sorry honey). Of course, an hour after Jamie broke the camcorder, I dropped the egg casserole I made for Easter Brunch at church. Jamie thought I should scoop it up and put it back in the pan, but I was afraid someone would wind up with a Sherman hair in their eggs (not to mention that I'll do the 30 second rule at my own house, but I don't expect anyone else to--that's GROSS). So I remade the whole thing. Good times.

The kids loved their Easter baskets (Bakugan balls and candy for Chase, a talky Elmo & shape puzzle for Cass) and made out like bandits at the church egg hunt. Then we headed to Cuba. The kids had a great time w/their cousins. My niece Sarah walked up to me and said, "It's Aunt Christi!" and then gave me a huge hug. She's at such a fun age right now--she was three last week. Ryan will be seven Sunday and Bennett was eight in February--so the boys played volleyball with their dads outside while the girls napped after lunch.

We headed to Linda's around 4pm. Sherman was with us and went right into Linda's like he owned the place. He behaved beautifully yesterday (and no one was bribing him w/candy) until Jamie's grandma Gladys came in. Sherman completely freaked out. He took off running and cowered--I've never seen anything like it. He wasn't afraid of Aunt Ruth and Great Grandma Esther at Christmas, so it's not like it's an old person thing...Jamie and I can't figure it out, but we figure something is up w/Gladys that Shermy picked up on!

We didn't get home until almost 10pm, it was a long day. About halfway home, Chase announced that he was hot and had taken off his clothes. Jamie and I turned around and discovered him naked as a jaybird, still strapped in his booster. Now--I'm always cold (I had the car thermostat on 75 & the heated seat and was happy), but if he'd said something about being hot, I'd have adjusted the rear temperature! I made him put his underwear on in case there was a wreck. He ended up falling asleep in his unders and boy was it unpleasant for him when Jamie lifted him out of the car into the 49 degree weather...my kids are nuts.

Cass has figured out how to climb onto the kitchen counters when she wants a drink and how to get the "childproof" outlet covers off the outlets. Oh, and last week she figured out how to open a child-resistant cap on infant's motrin. Seriously--she is Chase w/long hair and no penis. At least I know what I'm in for...

I chose to be happy

I was finishing up a GREAT book last night (Live Younger Next Year) and reminded that people who chose to be happy are happier than those who don't. They also live longer. I'm a glass half empty kind of gal, so I really have to work at CHOOSING to be happy. This afternoon, as is our routine, I rocked Cassie to sleep. One of my favorite parts of motherhood is rocking wee ones to sleep. So much so that I do as long as they will let me (and that's probably too long). But I love the quiet contentment of the rocking chair with a peaceful, sleeping babe in my arms. I cherish those moments.

Downstairs, the floors were a mess, there was so much dirty laundry to be washed and clean laundry to be put away that I couldn't even see the dirty laundry room floor, there were dishes to do, food to eat (yes, I frequently forget to feed myself)...the to do list was a mile long. And as I looked at Cassie napping in my arms, I knew I had a choice to make. I could resent the chores: the laundry, the dirty floors, the dishes...or I could choose to be grateful. I chose to be grateful. Grateful that my family has an abundance of clothing to wear (and consequently dirty), an abundance of food to eat, that I have the love of two small kids and a furry dog monster (who may dirty the floor, but their love is totally worth the dirty floor).

My final load of laundry is in the dryer. The floors are cleaned, the dog is napping, Chase is home from school and playing quietly in his room. And I'm happy and content. Life is good.

An enjoyable cycle break...

I've figured out the secret to enjoyable cycle breaks...that would be near constant playdates. Chase is having his first sleepover tonight, his buddy Peter is spending the night. They're downstairs in full Jedi regalia playing on the bounce house. I don't think Cassie is very happy about her brother's good time, she's fussing right now, I'm guessing b/c the noise in the basement travels up to her room...I should probably encourage bedtime soon, eh?

I'm watching ER--it's having a GREAT last season! Grey's Anatomy was also quite good tonight...I'm all about the Thursday night hospital dramas.

I should blog politics (God knows I've got plenty of fodder right now), but I'm too tired and a bit brain dead. Maybe tomorrow night...

Sorry Mom

So I had Parent Teacher Conferences for Chase last week. Jamie isn't allowed to go with me ever since he told Chase's preschool teacher, "Yeah, but you say this kind of stuff to all the parents, don't you?" And when she said, "Uh, no!" He said, "Really? Like what kind of bad stuff do you have to tell them???" Yeah. Banned from Parent Teacher Conferences for embarrassing the wife.

So despite the fact that I spent the entire last decade of my mom's life apologizing for my teen years, I'm throwing yet another apology up to whatever cloud she's resting (and laughing her ass off) on. Because now I'm the parent with the smart kid who isn't paying attention in class. And how do you punish a kid w/good grades, who is paying just enough attention to know what's going on, but not really working? How do you punish that? So frustrating.

Interestingly, we were at the ped for his well child check this morning (he's 4 ft tall and 49.5lbs, the little string bean) and I mentioned it to my ped. She mentioned a study (she's really into studies) that showed 20 minutes of video games can affect school performance the next day. Fortunately he heard our discussion, so his Nintendo DS is now limited to Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays! I shot his teacher a quick email asking if she's noticed an increase in inattention since Christmas (which is when he got the DS), I'm betting she has...and I'd love to blame the DS!

We're having a pretty good cycle break so far, probably b/c he didn't get any shots today and won't get any more shots until his 11 year old well child check! That news made his day. We're heading to the Magic House next week, I've invited our neighbor Jessi for an extra set of hands to help w/Cassie. We're planning a visit w/Dad to my sister's later this week...keeping him busy keeps me sane during break!

So I had a great weekend in Rockford w/Lara and Diana. Chick flicks, shopping, prickly pear margaritas, fruitinis (pear, mango, cherry & lifesaver), cosmos, prosecco, fabulous food (frog legs & small plates), and chocolate! Girl's Weekends Rule. I came home to shiny floors (YEAH) and two kids who were very happy to see me! Especially since I'd visited the Lego store in Schaumberg. I did NOT go to Ikea. It was so stinking cold, I really didn't want to get out of Lara's car again. Good thing since the market is tanking again today. See my previous post. Obama spoke, the market is down over 200 points. Sometimes I hate when I'm right!