Thursday, June 27, 2013

I give because I am a Mother


I gave blood this morning.  My arm hurt more than usually today as i was giving blood.  It hurts more an usual now.  As I was sitting on the chair with my arm hurting, I thought about why I give blood.  I give blood because I am a mother.  No real specific reason.  I don't give to give back because we once needed it.  My family doesn't have any health problems that have ever needed blood.  None of us have ever been on the receiving end of a blood transfusion.  I pay it forward and pray that none of us ever need it in the future.  

The real reason I give blood is to set an example for my daughter.  It's an easy way to give and give back.  My mother always gave blood and donates regularly.  She was the example for me.  I don't know if Laci or Calvin will ever donate blood.  But they know that I donate blood regularly.  I hope that I am setting the example for them.
I gave blood today... because my mother taught me that it is the right and easy thing to do. 

Friday, June 21, 2013

I saw a mouth....

I knew it was bound to happen.  After almost 9 months, I'm surprised it hadn't happened sooner.  Calvin gets his anti-seizure medicine, Keppra, twice a day in a liquid syringe.  Occassionally Laci takes allergy medicine at night.  And I have worked hard not to mix the two medicines with the wrong child.  Tonight, I put the Keppra in the syringe, a child walked in, I saw a mouth and popped the syringe in.  A second later, I realized it was LACI!  Whoops!  She sort of looked at me funny as I realized what I did.  "Spit it out... Spit it out!"  She spit it out and said she didn't swallow anything.  We hate the Keppra anyway and I already always worry about giving it to Calvin all the time.  She's twice the size of Calvin so hopefully any small amount wouldn't affect her (cause seizures).   But still... ugh....

Calvin Bieber


Calvin's hair is so ridiculously long right now.  Almost embarrassing long.  But I love it.  He had it too long over the winter and when we cut it, it was like he was a whole new boy.  He was adorable.  And then as hair does, it started to grow and grow.  It's been months and we still haven't gotten it cut.  But as my neighbor said, it's trendy long right now.  He's a teen heart throb. Except it is getting so long it is starting to curl on the edges.  Even cuter!  His birthday is in a few weeks.  We'll definitely cut it before his birthday.  But for right now we'll keep the ridiculously long, embarrassingly adorable hair.  


Saturday, June 15, 2013

They are Dads

I don't know about you but my dad is my dad. He's not a man. He's not a person. He's my dad. He has very Dad-esque qualities. When I see him, I see my childhood of him taking care of things. The papa bear. That is a funny analogy for my dad because my dad is the most mild man in the world. But he is still a dad and all of our protectors. He packed the car for trips. He always drove. He was on the sidelines of all of our games. He ran with us. He made pancakes and grilled cheese for dinner on Sunday nights. He cut the grass and took care of the yard work and garden. He played catch with us. He's our dad. It probably wasn't until I was an adult when I realized he is an actual person and a man outside being my dad.

Now I am starting to see Charlie and other men as "dads". These are people that I have known for years. Now I see them as someone's dad. I don't really know what that means but I can picture them doing the yard work, packing up the kids, playing with them at night. They are their kids protector. I see them as their kids see them. I am not really sure what that means but I see them in a different light. I see pictures of their kids on their desk and can see them hanging out with their kids. This change from man to dad takes a few years. Kids need their dads (and moms) differently than babies and toddlers.

Now as I see these people who were just people before, I wonder about the secret life my own dad had while I was growing up when I only saw Dad.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Mom "dating"

I've lived here for 14 years now.  And I am still looking for that bff.  Making friends as an adult is so hard.  It's basically dating.  I have friends from church.  Friends from work.  Friends from bookclub. 

I feel like I am "asking them out" when I am asking them to get together.  What should we do?  Where should we go?  How do I ask so it doesn't sound like a date?  Do I follow up?  Do I wait for them to ask me to get together next?  Do I wait three days?   

I invited my neighbor to join the kids and me at a local concert at the park tonight.  I'm so glad I did.  Her daughter is Laci's bff right now.  They live 3 doors door and Laci and her daughter are the same age.  Her son is 9 months younger than Calvin so I see them being friends in the future too.  And we get along too when we are outside with the kids.  We had a nice time tonight.   I hope this is the start of a good friendship and more outings / get together with her and their family.  It's hard to make that first step and get to know someone.  But it's worth it. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Boys and Girls

Calvin is currently obsessed with giving us a running commentary, particular with what the boys and the girls are doing.  For example, the other day we got out of the car and Laci and Charlie walked on ahead.  As I carried Calvin out of the car, he said "Two are walking and one is being carried."  Usually it is "one boy is doing this and one girl is doing that."  Or "two boys are doing this."  This morning, I took Laci to camp and Charlie took Calvin to school.  Calvin usually isn't up before we leave.  As we walked out the door Calvin said "Two boys are staying home."  On the way to school, he said "Two boys are quiet."  It's pretty funny to have running commentary on what the boys and girls are doing.

He is also very authoritative on what everything should be doing.  For example "Monkey's eat bananas.  People don't eat bananas."  Yes they do Calvin.  "People eat food, people don't eat feet."  And everything is funnier in his little old man voice.  

Friday, June 7, 2013

Be the person I want them to be.

Charlie and I both have a tendency to beat ourselves up sometimes.  And sometimes we forget that the kids are watching and listening.  The other day I got upset with Laci.  I said some things I shouldn't have and really regretted it.  Laci ran off to her bedroom crying.  I finally got her to sit on the steps with me and talk.  She starting beating herself up with the exact words I use when I get upset.  It broke my heart to hear her say that.  I asked her if she had heard me say those words.  I want her to own up to her behavior and learn from her mistakes but that night was just too much for a 5 year old to be feeling and saying.  It was just a reminder that they watch us and learn from us.  I need to keep that in the forefront - that I need to be the model for her and display the traits that I want her to have.  Be the kind of person I want her to be.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Praying like Calvin

Recently Calvin has insisted on saying the prayer at dinner.  He has taken the simple prayer of a child a step further.  "Dear Lord... In Jesus Name.... Amen."  We usually have to remind him to say "Thank you for this food."  I love his simple prayer.  I like to believe that God and the Holy Spirit are interceding his prayers.  I am learning to pray like Calvin.  "Dear Lord... hear my unspoken prayers... You know my needs..  You know all of our needs...  hear the prayers of my heart...   In Jesus Name...  Amen."  I am learning to be quiet when I pray.  
However, I usually end it with Amen, unlike Calvin who occasionally end with "and that is all."  :)  

Kindergarten Update

If you remember at the beginning of the year, we decided to put Laci in Kindergarten a year early.  As of right now, I am still confident that it was the right decision for Laci.  She did great in kindergarten.  She is still really shy which surprised us a lot and she is still learning to talk at appropriate times.  She talks about other kids and friends but still says she spends a lot of recess standing with the teachers.  I have talked to other parents and sometimes it takes awhile for kids to meet their friends - young and old.  She loved the YMCA before and after school program.  I think she got a lot out of being with the older kids there.  
Last day of school picture.  I was able to stay home and she rode the bus. 
She's holding up a 1 for First grade!

Her end of the year program - this was her theatrical read. 
I love that she is patiently waiting for her turn.  I love the sign in the back - "We Did it!"  She also won a medal for Citizenship.  :)

One of my "goals" or concerns for her was whether or not she would be ready for the REACH (high ability) program.  She qualified for the math portion and not the language arts piece.  This surprised us because she is such a good reader.  I am not sure how the school handles the kids that are in just part of the program.  I talked to her principal and if there is room in the REACH classroom, they will put Laci in there.  Her elementary school is the smallest in the district and they usually have room for all the high ability students. 

Other changes that Laci has had over this year.
1.  She has lost two teeth.  Her tooth fairy brings presidential gold dollar coins. 

2.  Last summer she would only wear sundresses.  This year, she will only wear athletic shorts and t-shirts.  She won't even wear scooter shorts anymore.  She will still wear a dress for church. 

3.  Her favorite color is now black and pink. No more all pink now.

4.  She is done with princesses.  

5.  She likes barbies and her doll house people.

6.  She is old enough to walk down to her friends house by herself, ask her friend to come out and play and both walk back together.  Or I am just too lazy to walk her down there. 

7.  She reads really well.  We no longer have to ask what she wants at a restaurant.  She now reads the menu and orders herself.

8.  Bedtime isn't always a struggle.  We tuck her in, say good night and she goes to sleep. 

And some things still stay the same.

1.  We got her new sandals last weekend.  8 days later they were already broken.  Thank goodness for superglue.

2.  She is still a picky eater.  We need to seriously work on that.  

I am so proud of my FIRST GRADER!