Extremely bad news for me and good news for my wonderful Katie. She was offered a coaching job at her high school in Seattle where she grew up. I cried after finding this out she has been with us since Bekah was 6 weeks old. She is irreplaceable. You know how you feel when you break up with a boyfriend and for awhile you feel that you will never find anyone to love again? That's how I feel now. I will never find anyone who I can trust to leave with my kids for a whole weekend again, I know she truly loves them. And she sure as hell has a lot more patience than I do.
Ok I think that I have caught up enough on my blogging. Katie is sick today and I gotta get out of here. Mt. Diablo is not visible because it's shrouded in fog but I know there is snow up there so I think I am going to bundle up the kids, fill up a thermos with hot chocolate and head out. It's noon and I haven't even showered.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
More preschool crap
So back to school for Mike after MLK day off, I thought to be proactive and run him before class with the help of my friend L and her sweet son J. Even though the plan was to keep Mike out of big circle time which is his trigger they for some reason went ahead and had him sit in there and of course he was a spazz, screaming naked box and other antics. So of course when I get there to pick him up 30 min. early I get to have a parent teacher conference and basically it's either Mike hits the road, I have to go to school with him every day (no thanks), or he only stays for free time. I am going with door #3 and eventually re-introduce him to circle time.
I know this is genetic. He is so much like Bill energy wise but I wasn't the best student either. I remember very clearly in Kindergarten Mrs. Honeywhacker (I swear that's her name) used to put me on the island all of the time. It was like a time-out except you had to sit in the middle of the of room and nobody could come near you. She also threatened to throw me over her knee and spank me. I have a special ability to piss off teachers and I think Mike inherited this. In 3rd grade Mrs. Golitz kept me in from recess and turned over my desk upside down and screamed at me to clean it up. In the 5th grade Mr. Sanford slammed a huge stack of papers on my desk and told me I was a spoiled brat in front of the whole class. And in high school Mrs. Mali actually patted me on my butt and asked, "How does it feel to know that you are going to grow up to be nothing in life?".
I am not delusional I know my son is hugely difficult to deal with but I won't ever let him be treated abusively by adults that are supposed to be educators and role models. So these daily parent-teacher conferences send my anxiety sky-high. On one hand I want to hear ideas that are best for my son and to nip these antics before elementary school, on the other hand I want to protect him and lash out at any perceived unfairness.
Of course I also was not completely innocent. In the first grade I refused to say the pledge of allegiance because it said under G-d and there is supposed to be a seperation of church and state in this country. That protest went over like a turd in a salad. Second grade I ran away from school in the middle of the day because I was sick of having to write lines saying I will be quiet in class, they thought I, and my friend I conned into coming with me, had been abducted so they were extra furious when they realized we weren't victims but instigators. In 3rd grade the reason my desk was tossed was because I refused to practice my handwriting. If it's mostly legible who gives a shit if it's perfect, I think I am still correct on that position. In the 5th grade I refused to chew up those red tablets and swish with mouthwash during class time. Remember when they would do that? I told my teacher it was a waste of my parents tax money to be doing this in class just because other parents don't teach their children proper dental hygiene. The list of my grievances were long and tedious to my teachers, most of them patient and tolerant. Sigh.............and I gave birth to someone just as rotten as me. I believe that is called Karma.
I know this is genetic. He is so much like Bill energy wise but I wasn't the best student either. I remember very clearly in Kindergarten Mrs. Honeywhacker (I swear that's her name) used to put me on the island all of the time. It was like a time-out except you had to sit in the middle of the of room and nobody could come near you. She also threatened to throw me over her knee and spank me. I have a special ability to piss off teachers and I think Mike inherited this. In 3rd grade Mrs. Golitz kept me in from recess and turned over my desk upside down and screamed at me to clean it up. In the 5th grade Mr. Sanford slammed a huge stack of papers on my desk and told me I was a spoiled brat in front of the whole class. And in high school Mrs. Mali actually patted me on my butt and asked, "How does it feel to know that you are going to grow up to be nothing in life?".
I am not delusional I know my son is hugely difficult to deal with but I won't ever let him be treated abusively by adults that are supposed to be educators and role models. So these daily parent-teacher conferences send my anxiety sky-high. On one hand I want to hear ideas that are best for my son and to nip these antics before elementary school, on the other hand I want to protect him and lash out at any perceived unfairness.
Of course I also was not completely innocent. In the first grade I refused to say the pledge of allegiance because it said under G-d and there is supposed to be a seperation of church and state in this country. That protest went over like a turd in a salad. Second grade I ran away from school in the middle of the day because I was sick of having to write lines saying I will be quiet in class, they thought I, and my friend I conned into coming with me, had been abducted so they were extra furious when they realized we weren't victims but instigators. In 3rd grade the reason my desk was tossed was because I refused to practice my handwriting. If it's mostly legible who gives a shit if it's perfect, I think I am still correct on that position. In the 5th grade I refused to chew up those red tablets and swish with mouthwash during class time. Remember when they would do that? I told my teacher it was a waste of my parents tax money to be doing this in class just because other parents don't teach their children proper dental hygiene. The list of my grievances were long and tedious to my teachers, most of them patient and tolerant. Sigh.............and I gave birth to someone just as rotten as me. I believe that is called Karma.
The weeks before Vegas
I was able to find a sub to work for me at Mike's preschool so I could stay home with the sick kids with the help of Katie. Mike did not last the whole 2.5 hours so I had to go get him early. He is working them over and knows that if he throws a big enough fit I will come get him . So we tried again Wed. with a plan in place for his antics. His wonderful teachers were all in agreement with me but another staff sauntered in and pulled the plug. I can't figure out if she is disempowering her staff or advocating for them. I stalled on the phone as long as possible before picking him up.
The following Monday I had not even arrived home yet from dropping off before I was called to come pick him up. I didn't immediately turn around though I came back home to refresh my coffee first, all the while insisting that they do not kick Mike to the curb and come up with a compromise to keep him enrolled. I decided not even to bring him Wed. so Erik and I could get some paperwork done without being interrupted.
Merrill and I were in constant contact this week before our Vegas trip for her and Chris's 10 yr. anniversary. Funny that our men got ready for Vegas by wrapping up stuff at work while Merrill and I were out getting hair and nails done and new clothes and shoes.
The following Monday I had not even arrived home yet from dropping off before I was called to come pick him up. I didn't immediately turn around though I came back home to refresh my coffee first, all the while insisting that they do not kick Mike to the curb and come up with a compromise to keep him enrolled. I decided not even to bring him Wed. so Erik and I could get some paperwork done without being interrupted.
Merrill and I were in constant contact this week before our Vegas trip for her and Chris's 10 yr. anniversary. Funny that our men got ready for Vegas by wrapping up stuff at work while Merrill and I were out getting hair and nails done and new clothes and shoes.
Hanukkah/Xmas
I am backtracking to catch up. Bill and Ari and were here for the weekend of Dec. 21st-23rd. I was ecstatic to see them but it wasn't much of a vacation for them since I put them to work helping with the kids and getting ready for the party of 34 people here on Sat. It was a feast and everyone got along. We didn't tell my dad that Bill was going to be here so he was surprised and ecstatic.
There were a ton of kids here and Kaitlyn came running up to me to say,"This is just like my dad's side of the family except it's all girls, I am in heaven"!!!! Michael , Jake, and Travis were the lone boys and since Travis is 13 he was the victim of some serious pre-teen girl energy. He left with a huge scratch on his face from being dogpiled by a bunch of crazed girls. Ooooops.
Bill thinks he is going to Iraq in 3 months which is of course horrible and if my beloved brother gets killed I will personally assasinate George Bush.
Xmas day we freeloaded at my brother-in-law's parent's house. There family is so gigantic that if we crash there Christmas party they hardly notice us. Their house is in the foothills of Fremont with a beautiful view. But since it's on a side of a steeply sloping hill the backyard resembles an Escher painting with steps and platforms leading everywhere and nowhere. So of course being the more energetic parent I get the task of chasing Mike's butt all over the place. While Mike is zipping around Bekah takes the steps much more slowly. Finally Chris came out to save me so I could go inside and refresh my drink. Jake just gets passed around to be cuddled and kissed. Which was great because he had another ear infection.
Over the course of winter break we endured runny noses, sore throats, coughs, vomiting and diarrhea. GROSS!
New Year's I was in bed by 9p and Erik passed out on the couch at 8:30p.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Troubleshooting
Please feed cat (Oscar) and he likes water from sink in downstairs bathroom.
Diapers are in cabinet to the right of sink in downstairs bathroom and wipes too.
The draw above this cabinet has detangling spray and combs for their hair.
Jake eats jar food at all meals and prefers veggies and meat over fruit. He likes toast with the crust cut off and the toast cut into strips. All kid snacks for him are safe except goldfish crackers and popcorn. He loves his baby yogurt. He can drink water from sippy cups without straws.
A formula bottle for him consists of 1 scoop of formula per 2oz of water. 4 oz bottle is 30 seconds in microwave and 6 oz is 40 seconds.
Jake's morning nap is usually 9:45a/10a and can be from 20 min. to an hour. You can put him in crib with bottle but may have to go re=insert binky if he gets fussy. rock him in extreme circumstances. Afternoon nap is 1/1:30/2p depending on length of morn nap. Same method as above except he does story time with Bekah.
Remind Mike to go to bathroom he gets busy sometimes.
There are diaper pails upstairs. You can put pp dipers in kitchen garbage but poopy ones I put in plastic grocery bag under kit. sink and walk outside to can on side of house.
the timer is very useful for Mike to warn him of any transition.
the black and orange stroller on front porch is great for walks. Jake goes in front and the other two walk and can sit on back seat if they want.
they call all liquid juice except milk. all they drink is water usually
snacks are in clear bin on counter next to toaster and they snack all day! there is fruit in fridge as well. you can use blue muffin "tin" to put in snacks and put on kitchen table so they can just graze from that if you want.
Mike does not nap but can watch t.v. in rec room he has to be quiet.
Charlotte cell 925
Erik cell 925
Jan home
My dad's cell is
I will get you Katie's too.
We are staying at Bally's .
Love,
Charlotte
Diapers are in cabinet to the right of sink in downstairs bathroom and wipes too.
The draw above this cabinet has detangling spray and combs for their hair.
Jake eats jar food at all meals and prefers veggies and meat over fruit. He likes toast with the crust cut off and the toast cut into strips. All kid snacks for him are safe except goldfish crackers and popcorn. He loves his baby yogurt. He can drink water from sippy cups without straws.
A formula bottle for him consists of 1 scoop of formula per 2oz of water. 4 oz bottle is 30 seconds in microwave and 6 oz is 40 seconds.
Jake's morning nap is usually 9:45a/10a and can be from 20 min. to an hour. You can put him in crib with bottle but may have to go re=insert binky if he gets fussy. rock him in extreme circumstances. Afternoon nap is 1/1:30/2p depending on length of morn nap. Same method as above except he does story time with Bekah.
Remind Mike to go to bathroom he gets busy sometimes.
There are diaper pails upstairs. You can put pp dipers in kitchen garbage but poopy ones I put in plastic grocery bag under kit. sink and walk outside to can on side of house.
the timer is very useful for Mike to warn him of any transition.
the black and orange stroller on front porch is great for walks. Jake goes in front and the other two walk and can sit on back seat if they want.
they call all liquid juice except milk. all they drink is water usually
snacks are in clear bin on counter next to toaster and they snack all day! there is fruit in fridge as well. you can use blue muffin "tin" to put in snacks and put on kitchen table so they can just graze from that if you want.
Mike does not nap but can watch t.v. in rec room he has to be quiet.
Charlotte cell 925
Erik cell 925
Jan home
My dad's cell is
I will get you Katie's too.
We are staying at Bally's .
Love,
Charlotte
Care and feeding of monkeys
Hey Everyone here is a general daily schedule. More specific instructions are in the troubleshooting guide following this schedule. I will also leave our cell numbers and local #s to call in case of an emergency. The van is gassed up too if you want to take them anywhere.
Friday 18th
7:30a Katie arrives. I am not going to leave too much of a schedule for you because you know the drill.
7:45a Charlotte and Erik are soooo out of here! Woo hoo Vegas here we come!!
10a-noon Safeway guy is delivering groceries, help yourself to the beer if you want and any food. I will leave you money to order a pizza if you want. Or wanna take a field trip.
5p Dinner for Jake
5:30p dinner for Mike and Bekah
6:30p bathtime
7/7:15p storytime
7:30a bedtime
I usually run washer before bed if it's full and then take a clean bottle upstairs to kid's bathroom for Jake's next feeding.
Either, 10:30p, 1:30a or 4a Jake wakes up to drink a 6oz bottle. We just use warm tap water from the kid's bathroom to make his bottle. Just leave him in his crib, give him the bottle, turn on his aquarium, put a binky on his chest and then go back to bed and hope he goes right back to sleep.
5a-7a Kids and cat in bed with you.
7:30a-8:30a If you can please feed and dress kids before Jamie gets there at 8:30a, if not just leave clothes on ottoman for him. You can tell them Uncle Jamie is coming they LOVE him.
8:30a-9:30a Hi Jamie thanks again. The kids watch t.v. as this time so I would read these instructions and check Jake and Bekah for poopy diapers.
9:30a Jake 6oz bottle and put in crib for nap.
9:35 set timer for 10 min and tell Mike that when timer goes off t.v. goes off and he has to play.
9:45-10a if they haven't already asked you for snack then they can have snack.
10a-11:45a Playtime
11:45 Jake lunch time
Noon Bekah and Michael lunch time (sometimes Mike skips meals, it's ok)
12:40p Jake 60z bottle
12:45 Upstairs for brushing teeth and storytime. Mike is welcome to not come and can stay downstairs in rec room to watch t.v. and eat a snack QUIETLY.
1p Bekah nap time
1:30p Jake naptime
3ish Jake and Bekah wake up
3ish snacktime for Bekah and Mike again and Jake gets 4oz bottle 15 min. after wakeup unless he is cranky right after waking up.
3:30p. t.v off after setting timer for 10 min. again.
3:45p Katie back home!
Sunday 1p HI Jan, Bekah nap and Jake should be napping soon. Mike watching t.v. and having snack for quiet time.
3p snack and Jake 4oz bottle time
5p Jake dinner
5:30p Mike and Bekah dinner
6p Katie comes back
Noon on Monday HI Cherie, thank you soo much.
Noon Lunch for Mike and Bekah if they haven't already eaten
12:40p Jake 60z bottle
12:45 Jake and Bekah upstairs for teeth, storytime and nap.
1p-3p Mike watches t.v. for quiet time
3p snack and Jake 4oz bottle
5p Jake dinner
5:30p Mike and Bekah dinner
NO bathtime on Monday nights because they have swim school next morning.
6ish Erik and Charlotte come home!
Friday 18th
7:30a Katie arrives. I am not going to leave too much of a schedule for you because you know the drill.
7:45a Charlotte and Erik are soooo out of here! Woo hoo Vegas here we come!!
10a-noon Safeway guy is delivering groceries, help yourself to the beer if you want and any food. I will leave you money to order a pizza if you want. Or wanna take a field trip.
5p Dinner for Jake
5:30p dinner for Mike and Bekah
6:30p bathtime
7/7:15p storytime
7:30a bedtime
I usually run washer before bed if it's full and then take a clean bottle upstairs to kid's bathroom for Jake's next feeding.
Either, 10:30p, 1:30a or 4a Jake wakes up to drink a 6oz bottle. We just use warm tap water from the kid's bathroom to make his bottle. Just leave him in his crib, give him the bottle, turn on his aquarium, put a binky on his chest and then go back to bed and hope he goes right back to sleep.
5a-7a Kids and cat in bed with you.
7:30a-8:30a If you can please feed and dress kids before Jamie gets there at 8:30a, if not just leave clothes on ottoman for him. You can tell them Uncle Jamie is coming they LOVE him.
8:30a-9:30a Hi Jamie thanks again. The kids watch t.v. as this time so I would read these instructions and check Jake and Bekah for poopy diapers.
9:30a Jake 6oz bottle and put in crib for nap.
9:35 set timer for 10 min and tell Mike that when timer goes off t.v. goes off and he has to play.
9:45-10a if they haven't already asked you for snack then they can have snack.
10a-11:45a Playtime
11:45 Jake lunch time
Noon Bekah and Michael lunch time (sometimes Mike skips meals, it's ok)
12:40p Jake 60z bottle
12:45 Upstairs for brushing teeth and storytime. Mike is welcome to not come and can stay downstairs in rec room to watch t.v. and eat a snack QUIETLY.
1p Bekah nap time
1:30p Jake naptime
3ish Jake and Bekah wake up
3ish snacktime for Bekah and Mike again and Jake gets 4oz bottle 15 min. after wakeup unless he is cranky right after waking up.
3:30p. t.v off after setting timer for 10 min. again.
3:45p Katie back home!
Sunday 1p HI Jan, Bekah nap and Jake should be napping soon. Mike watching t.v. and having snack for quiet time.
3p snack and Jake 4oz bottle time
5p Jake dinner
5:30p Mike and Bekah dinner
6p Katie comes back
Noon on Monday HI Cherie, thank you soo much.
Noon Lunch for Mike and Bekah if they haven't already eaten
12:40p Jake 60z bottle
12:45 Jake and Bekah upstairs for teeth, storytime and nap.
1p-3p Mike watches t.v. for quiet time
3p snack and Jake 4oz bottle
5p Jake dinner
5:30p Mike and Bekah dinner
NO bathtime on Monday nights because they have swim school next morning.
6ish Erik and Charlotte come home!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Deletion
If ever you want to blog you should really be careful who and what you vent about, especially if you are going to add the blog address to your emails. I did not carefully manage what emails I was sending and I am hoping I deleted a couple of posts in the nick of time. Me and my big mouth.
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