kids - 3/10 - hooey!critic

The Busy-ness of being me. Today.

March 9, 2010 By Neena 3 Comments

I have no room left on my calendar for today. Not one stinking bit.

The block that is outline and reserved for March 9th is full. Full and overflowing and hanging a sign that says Ain’t no room at the inn! as we speak.

The anti-student in me loves using words like ain’t, but the English teacher in me is rolling over in her grave!

But, I ain’t got time for jokes, people. I’ve got stuff to do!

I have to leave by 8:30 so that I can drop my son off at preschool. Then I must rush over to the Wal-Mart where I need to pick up my happy pill prescription, sponge paint brushes, and a gift for the Girl Scout craft box.

I have to leave there and rush to the sport medicine doctor by 10:00 to finally have my knee examined and wait for shocking results like Hey, Chick would you lose some weight already or Here’s to knee surgery and it’s long recovery with three kids or Perhaps you should just start smoking again – you’re knee didn’t hurt then.

I don’t think I’ll get the last one, but a girl can dream…

Then I need to rush back to the house, throw my beef stew in the crockpot for dinner, and rush back out again to pick up my son at 12:15 from preschool. We have speech therapy at 12:30, an hour to kill from 1-2, and then we must rush over to the elementary school to fight carpool traffic and be ready for Girl Scouts by 2:45. A bunch of 5 year olds that think they’re on a playdate!? Who wants to join me!?

There’s a reason I taught high school. I’m just sayin’…

We’ll leave there by 4:00 and head home to quickly do homework and grab a bite to eat only to be back out the door by 5:30 to head over to the studio for Jake’s first day of karate.

We’ll get back home by 6:45 where we’ll start the nighttime ritual of baths, hair, teeth, packing lunches, setting up coffee, and picking out clothes for three very different personalities. I’ll read them a book or two, pat their heads, and send them off to bed.

Only then will I proceed to die of exhaustion. After I fold the 4 loads of laundry sitting on my bedroom floor.

But, hey! I get to sleep when I’m dead, right!?

Who am I kidding – I love this crap!

Filed Under: busy, daily grind, kids

See, I’m a good mom. I even waited until she left the room before I choked back some vomit

February 22, 2010 By Neena 2 Comments

Tonight for dinner I made a splended meal:

toasted pecan encrusted chicken
mapled glazed sweet potato puree with caramalized onions
steamed veggies in a light sauce

Okay, the veggies were from a steaming bag, but still. I rocked this meal. I rocked those caramelized onions. I rocked the casbah.

My daughter was kind enough to provide dessert for us as well.

Yellow cake with chocolate frosting cooked by lightbulb in her easy bake oven.

Yum?

For the record that photo was taken immediately after she finished applying the frosting. Immediately after she proceeded to lick the spreader thing, share some licks with her gross brother and sister, and double dip the entire time.

I assure you this was not taken post-chewing.

She offered me some.

I declined.

Especially after I saw a big, fat, curly hair hanging off the side.

Sorry kid, Mama’s allergic – to disgusting stuff!

Would it be totally wrong of me to break her lightbulb oven?

Sorry, kid. Mama was collecting some toys for the disabled orphans and dogs association when I accidently fell on it while rescuing a cat from a tree that I saw was sick and injured while I carried the bags of donations out to the car. I tried to repair it, but I got distracted by a sudden urge to make you cookies and brownies and cakes by the powers of a gas oven. Come inside, my darling, and while you enjoy some homemade baked goods I’ll show you the pony I picked up today on my way home from buying tickets to Princessland!

Totally believable, right!?

Filed Under: kids, photos

To: Mommy

January 15, 2010 By Neena 7 Comments

I haven’t been feeling well the last few days. I’ve been fighting some sort of creepy crud that makes me sound more like Louis Armstrong and less like anything resembling a lady. In the midst of that I’ve been busy attending my new classes, hosting meet-and-greet Girl Scout meetings, and studying for my statistics quiz *which by the way I only missed two questions – so suck on that, doubters!*

Anyway, my daughter must have sensed that I wasn’t doing well. When I got home from class tonight I found this:

When I asked her about it she said: It’s you and me, mommy, and I’m giving you a flower. I used red and magenta and blue and peach and another magenta and pen. And, I wrote ‘Amelia to Mommy‘ at the top. Do you like it?

Of course I love it, but if I could finish sobbing like a freaking basket case from the sweetness of this picture I’d be able to actually tell her.

Until then it just goes something like this:

WAHHHH I-I-I-Love *Sniff* Yes, Oh, it’s WAHHHHHHH *wiping snot* I think it ‘s just…WAHHHHHH!

Filed Under: amelia, kids, picture

the end of an era

January 4, 2010 By Neena 7 Comments

The pieces were removed. One by one. The mattress and safety bolts were carefully placed in the attic and the safety rails were put to use.

For the last time.

Our baby, our youngest has left yet another phase all while twirling and laughing and babbling her way into the next.

No crib, Mommy. I have big girl bed!

And so she does.

As we packed the crib away I thought about the many nights each of our children spent sleeping and dreaming and growing.

I thought about the countless times I snuck into their rooms and watched them sleep, watched them breathe, or slipped my finger within their little hands just to feel them grip with what little strength they had.

I thought about their smiling faces when I would first open the door in the morning, their crazy, sleep-induced hair, and their arms reaching up just as anxious for a hug as I was.

I thought about the fact that the crib each of my babies used may very well never exist beyond the walls of our attic.

Unless I have grandbabies.

My baby era has ended. The bottles, the breastfeeding, the late nights, the pacifiers – it has all ended. While some may cheer, drink a glass of wine, and enjoy their full night’s sleep – I will sit and remember.

Remember the softness.

Remember the smells of their little heads.

Remember kissing their feet.

Remember the amazing adventures that came with owning that crib.

I will smile. I will laugh. I may even cry a little.

Then I’ll cheer, have a glass of wine, and enjoy a full night’s sleep. It’s just what us mothers do.

Filed Under: kids, memories

It started in 2004

December 24, 2009 By Neena 3 Comments

It began with one little girl.

And grew to include a precious boy just a year later.

Then came the year we were working on a third…

And the year she joined us just weeks before Christmas.

And the year we embraced and celebrated the true magic of the season.

Here’s to another holiday, another memory, and another moment waiting to be captured.

Happy Holidays, folks.

Filed Under: christmas, kids

How Common Sense is Born

November 8, 2009 By Neena 5 Comments

The following conversation occurred at dinner tonight – only after we had discussed jail and the life of a prisoner.

Hubby: So, if someone offers you anything and you don’t know what it is, what do you do?

Mia: I say ‘Drugs are not for me!’

Hubby: That’s right!

Jacob (refusing to be left out): And, if a stranger offers me candy I say ‘NO’ and run away!

Me: Yes, Jacob. You run away.

Jacob: And, if I see a stranger with candy and a gun I say ‘NO’ and run away fast!

Hubby: Yes, Jacob. If you see a deranged person with a gun offering you candy you run away.

Me: Fast!

Filed Under: conversation, kids

back and forth

November 1, 2009 By Neena 2 Comments

I drive the miles between my house and campus and I think about what I’m learning. I think about theories and ideas and how I fit into it all. I read chapters and write reflections. I participate in discussions and share in the camaraderie formed with those I’ve met along the way.

What I love most about the entire experience is that I get to do it all as me.

Me.

I’m not known as <insert child’s name here>’s mom. I’m not recognized by which park or play group I frequent. I’m not known for my child’s preschool or my volunteer status. I’m not asked about pediatricians, vaccinations, breast feeding, or my views on which soccer program is best.

I’m just me.

I get to be so much of who I was before I ever became known as a mother or a wife – back when I was just Christina. I’m asked how I’m doing and what I think or believe. My existence on campus is about me.

It’s as if I get to divorce myself from these other, albeit wonderful, roles I have. For a few short hours each week I get to be just myself. I get to develop my thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. I get to be known only as myself.

I’m not known for anything other than who I am. And, I like that.

I like that there’s a part of the old me that survived. I like that this part of the old me is emerging and making herself known again. I like that she didn’t get buried away forever. If I get nothing else out of this crazy PhD experience I’ll at least be able to know that for a short while I got to just be myself.

Of course, when I drive home and transition back to wife and mother, the hugs and pure love I get makes me wonder why I’d ever want to step back into who I used to be.

Maybe there’s a way to meld it all into something…great. Maybe what I need to be working toward is a balance – a balance of the old and new.

I’ll work on that…after I finish my term paper.

Filed Under: back to school, kids, thoughs

growing

October 23, 2009 By Neena 12 Comments

This morning I was in the bathroom helping my five year old fix her hair for school. She was standing on a stool in front of the sink and asked if I would pull her hair up to keep in out of her face. I grabbed a purple rubber band from the drawer and started to pull up her hair when I noticed something.

She was tall.

She was so tall that standing on the stool was no longer required for her to reach the sink or for me to fix her hair. She had grown. Overnight it seems, but she had grown. She doesn’t need the stool to help her reach her toothbrush or hang up her towel after a bath. She doesn’t need my help to wash her hair or get dressed in her clothes. She’s growing.

They’re all growing.

The monitor next to my bed is really unnecessary these days. The baby, who’s teetering dangerously close to two, doesn’t require constant nighttime supervision. The monitor that lasted five years and 3 babies needs to be put away. It may be what I used to listen to their soft breathing when they were so small and helpless, but now they just come wake me up when they need something.

If they need something.

They use the bathroom, get water, find their lost stuffed animals, and adjust their night lights all on their own. The baby plays quietly and waits patiently in her crib until someone comes to fetch her. No tears, no fussing. They’re growing up.

The crib is becoming obsolete. In a few short weeks the crib will be transformed into a ‘big girl’ bed. While all three of my babies slept their first years in that crib, it won’t make another appearance until I’m welcoming my grandchildren – many years from now.

I’m watching my children grow. I’m seeing the baby phase move quickly into the distance and I’m watching trips to friends houses emerge. I’m watching them become readers and thinkers and imaginary unicorn catchers. I’m watching them explore and discover.

And, I’m watching because the worlds I hear most are ‘No, Mama. I can do it myself!’

Anyone know how to slow this down?

*originally written for Deep South Moms

Filed Under: DSM, growing up, kids

The (Politically Correct) Game of Life

September 17, 2009 By Neena 3 Comments

A couple weeks ago we sat down with the kids and played a board game. Normally we get stuck playing Candyland or Chutes and Ladders. But, this time we decided to play a more ‘grown-up’ game and just help each of the kids.

We chose to play The Game of Life. It had been years since I had played and I didn’t even realize that the one we had in the closet was the more updated version. The kids loved spinning the wheel and thought the little cars were just adorable. They even made a point make the game as diverse and politically correct as possible.

Jacob was sure to include the homosexual population in the game by allowing a same-sex couple.

Amelia was fascinated with all the cash and was very willing to just give a bunch away even if it made no logical sense – sort of like our government.

There was some infertility amongst the players which caused our daughter to scream ‘why can’t I just get some babies!?’

And, it wouldn’t have been complete without the cross dressing crowd. Tights and makeup and flashy colors, oh my!*

Now, I realize they left quite a few folks out of their diverse game, but that’s about all the politics I could take in one board game. You’re welcome to lodge a complaint in the comment section of the blog. It’ll be received, read, and only mildly laughed at right before I call you a mob for questioning my methods. Oops – there I go including the government again…

*For the record – Hubby did not want me including the Batman reference because the doll in the picture is The Dark Night and not the Adam West Batman. And, apparently you can’t make fun of the Dark Night because he’s bad ass. But, since I did I’m being informed that I’ll be sleeping in the bed alone tonight for fear that The Dark Night will show up seeking revenge. Sleep well on the couch, hubby!

Filed Under: games, kids, pictures

Riding in my big red car

August 24, 2009 By Neena 7 Comments

How often do you get to ride by yourself in the car?

Me? Not very often.

There is always between one and three kids tagging along. On a weekend that can also include a husband. It can be overwhelming sometimes.

I had the chance yesterday to run to the store for garlic salt (the world’s perfect spice!) all by myself.

Let me repeat: All. By. Myself.

I actually got in the car, drove to the store alone, shopped quietly, and rode home in silence. It was blissful. Divine! I think I’ve decided that the reward for all this school crap I’ve gotten myself into is the fact that twice a week I’ll get to drive 45 minutes to school and 45 minutes home without anyone in the car. I’ll get to be alone with my thoughts – or lack thereof.

I won’t be forced to engage in any of the following…

“Speak up, I can’t here you!”

“Mommy, can you turn down the air?”

“Mommy, I can’t hear the radio.”

“I don’t want to hear the Wiggles.”

“Jacob, don’t hit your sister!”

“Yes, Charlotte. Broccoli yummy.”

“Mommy?”

“Yes, honey?” (turning down that damn Wiggles CD)

“I love you.”

“Oh, I love you, too.”

“Can you turn the radio back up now?”

“When we get home -insert threat here-!!!!!”

“Mommy, I lost my shoe. Can I unbuckle?”

“No!”

“Charlotte, I’ll get your binkie when we get home!”

“I wanna call Ma/Granddaddy/Grandma/Grandpa when we get home. They love me and let me do stuff!”

“She touched me!”

Oh, the silence will be glorious! I’d invite you to come along. But, frankly, i don’t want you there. Sorry – I’m just that overdue for control of the radio, air, conversation, and mood.

You can follow behind in your own car.