Monday, November 30, 2009

The Joy of the Season

The boy saw Santa a couple of weeks ago. I was so impressed no one cried. I don't know if my bribe of the Auntie Anne's pretzel was the ticket or if seeing Santa's picture in our living room helped things. Since then Patrick continues to get away from me while we are in stores. I'm lucky if he holds my hand or if he does he stops walking. So in the middle of Target last Wednesday I called Santa to tell him to forget about Patrick's wishes. James is now asking me when I'm going to call him back!

So the Christmas tree went up on Friday and we were having issues with little fingers taking all the ornaments off and big brothers trying to save them resulting in broken ornaments. I had 2 really break and 1 I was able to fix. I was lucky to find them at a decent price on ebay. Since we instituted the rule that no children touch the tree we have had a better success at keeping the ornaments in one piece. I think I didn't put that many ornaments up. One reason I was getting tired and hungry and the other was I didn't want the kids touching too much. Maybe next year a few more will go up.

Patrick is very excited about his upcoming birthday. I think he gets the idea thanks to PBS Sprout who celebrates birthdays on the air. I made a card and sent it in so hopefully I can record them showing the card should it get on the air. If not we can look at it on the web. I'm hoping the letters I used (they were something you would use in a scrapbook) continue to stick to the foamie board I used as the card. I couldn't find large colored construction paper. I have to make his cake later this week.

Today I took the boys to the Penitentiary Glen to their game "Snowdrops Adventure". Its a little maze like Candyland where you spin the wheel to see where you go in the maze. The kids had a fun time. I was going to take them downtown but this was a better alternative. It really was cold today so I'm glad we stayed closer to home. Maybe during Winter Break I can take them down.

This weekend will be fun and chaotic. We have basketball late in the morning, Matt's Holiday party in the evening, we celebrate St. Nick's day on the morning of Dec 6th, we have to squeeze church in there and then Sunday afternoon my sister's family is coming over to celebrate Patrick's birthday and Patrick's actual birthday is on Monday. I have the presents - just need to wrap and some assembly. Its just like Christmas. The presents are bought but just need wrapped.

Oh the fighting over the Wii. It might have to go into a timeout!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Tis the Season

We are definitely getting into the holiday spirit in our house. More like - the kids are having a blast pouring over each toy catalog that graces our mailbox. I think we are finished with the hustle and bustle for the kids. I went out on Tuesday night after my dentist appointment. I think we have enough to make everyone happy. Of course its always a guessing game until they are older and can tell you exactly what they want. Whether I can afford what they want is another story. Patrick is the best - I ask him to pretend I'm Santa and tell me what you want. His answer is "nothing". Maybe he thinks this means he doesn't have to be good or if I don't have to pretend then maybe I don't have to talk to Santa. Who knows what he is thinking. What is challenging for me with Patrick is that his birthday is on the 7th so I'm trying to make both special. I hope he likes what he is getting.

Tonight after dinner I plan on taking the boys to see Santa. Before you complain about how early is let me ask you what child do you know wants to wait in a long line to see someone they are not sure about. Hopefully everyone will cooperate (Tommy and Patrick) and we get a half way decent picture before they can get off his lap and talk to him. It would be nice if I could score a picture while they are talking to him but I have a feeling my laps will be full.

Lately the kids are misbehaving in the stores. I think they are getting a comfort level because we go there so often. I have two choices - stay away from Target and go to another store or stay home altogether. The latter is going to be tough. Maybe we'll have to figure something else out. Patrick is into walking away from me and Tommy is thinking he'd like to ditch the cart and touch things like everyone else.

Today for some reason everyone was up early so that is making it a challenging day. We are all tired and they have tuned me out. Tommy has ended up in his crib in his time out a few times. I think if this keeps up he will figure out a way to climb out.

A funny story from James last week when I asked him who he played with in school. His answer just the boys. I don't like the girls because they have long hair and can't shoot guns. I said I'm a girl who has long hair and can shoot a gun. Apparently I don't count.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

It's November!

With Halloween it has been crazy around here. The boys had fun - I think. I know James enjoyed his Halloween party. Patrick and Tommy enjoyed wearing there costumes. I decided on Friday evening to take them to the local shopping strip for their Trick or Treat. The weather was great and the kids enjoyed it. I guess that was enough because John didn't even want to go out when it was actually time for Trick or Treat. I had to trick him into going to two houses! The other boys wanted to see what Dad was doing. We weren't out long and that was fine because it was windy and cold. John enjoyed playing the role of ring master where he called all the kids over to our house for some candy. The little ones enjoyed eating their treats and watching from inside the front door.

John came home with a great report card. I really enjoyed going to the parent teacher conference. His teacher really enjoys having him in his class. It is good to see he is not only a good big brother to my boys but to other kids in his class. John is one of the top 4 in his class which means he gets to take on special assignments that continues to challenge him.

I took James to the ophthalmologist on Tuesday. Basically we have to wash his eyelids twice a day for the rest of his life. It will help prevent styes and whatever causes them. So far he is accepting the eye washes which I'm relieved. Hopefully I'm doing it right. The pediatrician made it sound more worse than what I'm doing so I better check webmd.com out.

I'm anxious to hear how James is doing in school. I think he is doing well but he doesn't talk to much about school. Sometimes when I quiz him on the days of the week he gets it wrong and I'm not sure if that is on purpose or if he really doesn't know. A lot of kids have been sick so that has delayed the kids being tested.

Our school system passed a levy so I heard rumors that starting next year the kindergarten class can go to school all day without tuition even in public schools. I would really like James to go half days so I hope that option is still open. They have the rest of their life to go all day. Let them enjoy half of their day at home.