Graduate School

Yesterday was the Fall Orientation for the Counselor Education program. It was definitely a bit intimidating to go. It was at the Student Union, yeah, anyway to feel any older? I sat down at an empty table which filled with 3 other women. The one who sat to my left and I started to chat. It was a small world moment. She is from the Philippines and just moved her a year ago. Her kids are high school and college aged. She had been a high school counselor there but was unable to do it here so she decided to go back to school. She is doing the mental health counseling program. It was nice to talk about Krismon's home and enjoy getting to know someone new.

When they got started, we did an ice breaker. Get to know someone at the table without asking questions. It was incredible tough because it means, just share and share and share and then hope that the other person is willing to share and share and share. I think one of the best things I learned from my partner is that she has had her turtle since 3rd grade and it is named Turty.lol.

After that they started their presentation. I came away with the idea that it is a good to great program. I like that they clarified that what comes first is counseling and then comes the speciality. But on top of that they kind of scared me that it can't be done in two years.

I think what I really liked was how well the program seems to be run. The professors have been there a while and they have coordinators for their internships and things. Ahhh  That excites me that I don't have to go out and try and find everything myself.

Now I just need to make sure they are okay with our trip to the Philippines....

Big Day

I know I am getting a moment to breathe but that won't last for long.

The kids took pity on me this morning and did not wake up until 6am. Ahhhhh. We got breakfast eaten and while Maggie and I walked the dog, Max finished his homework. I got the pleasure of taking the kids to school while the house was starting to be cleaned. YES! THE BEST PRESENT EVER! Harry went down for a nap. So that is my moment to relax. If Harry gets up soon, we will be off to a playgroup. And then Maggie from school. Then the babysitter and then my grad school orientation. That is nerve wracking. I am excited to go and find out what the program will be like but I am going to be back at school where the kids are at least 10 years and more like 15 years younger than me. Probably not at grad school but in general.... Then off to pick Max up from school. And then home and breathe. Wait, yeah right like having all three kids home will give me time to breathe. lol

TV and stuff

The root of my evil or actually Max's evil. Who would think that letting your child watch some tv and then asking him to do something would bring out the worst in him. I am slowly figuring out this parenting thing.  At least, yesterday we were able to figure out a way to stop his meltdown, get some food in his belly and get a violin in his hands.

Oh and did I mention that we were gone all weekend to visit my family in Phoenix. Sunday morning, my nephew, Joshua, had his dedication. It was a nice service. The kids had a great time at Sunday school. The kids were over the moon at getting to have time to spend with Joshua.

We got back yesterday to our hot water heater kaput and leaking in our garage. Thank goodness the plumbers could come and replace it yesterday for us. It wasn't exactly the sort of thing I wanted to come home to.

GO TO SLEEP

It is over an hour past Maggie's bedtime, okay so we did go for a walk when it was already her bedtime but Oh My Gosh. Go to sleep already please. I mean, your Dad is asleep already.

It doesn't help that we are visiting and the walls are thin. But they are still going strong in there. Do I go in and tell them one more time to go to sleep or does this just disrupt things further and then take them longer to settle down? It is a quandary. But I just don't want to hear them so that I can rest. I know selfish ain't I?

Mini vacation

That's what I called my short time at the oil change place. Except that my battery was running out, boo.

And then I come home to Max with an ice pack on his head. He didn't have it on his head when I left even though the incident happened at Krismon's office earlier in the day while he was there for take your kid to work day. Evidently, Max decided it was a good idea to walk or run backwards and got a goose egg on his head. Lovely, right?
And then Max somehow pulled the back off of one of Maggie's earrings. While Krismon was trying to put that on, Harry knocked his hand. Adding insult to injury...
Harry just felt like letting me know he had missed me rather loudly. What a house to walk in to.... Ah well

Still earlier today.. I kept thinking is there anything anything better than a baby's laugh. Harry was just giggling and I just enjoyed giving him kisses and kisses so I could hear that laugh. I am thinking I might have to change my ringtone to Harry's laughs.

Either that or Maggie's rendition of  the Star Spangled Banner. I love how she butchers the words with feeling.

Chuckie Cheese

Where a kid can be a kid and a baby will try to put anything on the floor in his mouth....

We met the kid's violin teacher and her son for a playdate at the mouse's house after school. I kept it a surprise because I thought it would make the excitement even better. The kids were thrilled and it was nice to get to know their teacher on a personal level while the kids played. It wasn't super busy. They had a great time and it was fun to see them play independently and not need me while I chased Harry around. Harry was in heaven as well. The toddler games aren't too big so he could stand and look at them and touch. He got to sit in a car with Maggie and ride and get a picture at the end. It was a bit exhausting to make sure he didn't put thing in his mouth but I know he enjoyed the exploration. And then the kids got have cheese pizza. Harry ate almost two slices on his own. Max would come over shove as much pizza in his mouth as humanly possible and then take off again to do more. I think he ate one slice in two bites that way. lol.

I went out with a friend last night for one last dinner before she moves. We went to my favorite thai place. Unfortunately, somehow we got two soups (I asked the server to order for me.) Someone else brought out the soup but by the time she realized the mistake we had taken some of each. I think the heat on the one I had was hotter than the other so then she made everything really mild after that. ugh. But regardless it was good and nice to chat without kids for a few hours. And get her away from her house which was being packed.

A serious issue

So I was going to do the interview today but that is what is troubling me well not like the interview will trouble me anyways but that will have to wait another day....

Today, Max was going back for the last scratch test with Krismon. I totally failed to get him to agree to do it. I thought maybe Krismon might be able to get him to do it. MIGHT, be the operative word. It didn't happen again. So now in a few minutes they will be going to a lab to draw blood to try and test it for the allergens. Um yeah glad I am not going but I am concerned for the long term.  He couldn't, wouldn't get the scratch test. A SCRATCH TEST. NOT A NEEDLE TEST OR PANEL OF SHOTS. I know enough with the caps already but we are kind of at a loss. He is going to have to get shots and blood draws through out his life and have other things happen that won't be fun or even pleasant in the least. We can't fight him each time. Heck the memory of his last shot at a well appt still lingers in my mind as it took 3 full size adults to wrestle him down. I don't ever ever ever ever ever want to do something like that again.

I don't know how to get it across to him that he can't continue this and that he needs to learn to 'suck it up.' I mean he really does. I kind of wish that I could take him to see how it is. He didn't see my mom lying in a hospital bed after her surgery last year so he doesn't realize how much more others go through.

Anyway any ideas would be helpful and I will let you know how the blood draw goes tomorrow.

Stolen..

 from here Thanks Karla!
Interview with Max.

~What is something mom always says to you? Listen

~ What makes mom happy? When I follow directions

~ What makes mom sad? When I don't follow directions and listen

~ How does your mom make you laugh? When you say funny things.

~ How old is your mom? 36

~ How tall is your mom? I don't know

~ What is your mom really good at? At being my mom.

~ What does your mom do for her job? take care of Harry


~ What is your mom's favorite food? chicken pot pie

~ What makes mom proud of you? When I don't get in trouble.

~ What do you and your mom do together? Relax, dance, and play.

~ How do you know your mom loves you? Because we are a family.

~ Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Bakery


So these answers came from the 6 yo. He kept reading the questions and then asking why did I want to know? ummm don't know if I would do this too many years with him. Yeah plus the age question, both kids know that one so well. I will try it with Maggie tomorrow. I am guessing that Harry will only give me giggles and smiles. lol I will be interested to see what she says. 

New Do

Yes I am lazy about putting make up on. But that is the old hair....

Here you go. The light seems to be messing with the pinkness and not showing it to it's full glory.

So if I want to continue to run I needed a cut that would allow me minimal fuss and muss. My hair stylist was nervous about cutting my hair this short. I had to convince her to cut it. And I still need to get used to it but it is nice to have something that I can pretty much wash and wear.  Heck now it leaves me more time to actually wear make up. lol. So here it is...

Breakdown in communication

I am not sure what went wrong. I have a feeling that we haven't gotten enough sleep the past couple of days and then with the rise in temperature tempers flare a little more.

Maggie came down 3 times last night. The last time at 12:30. I don't remember the why but it was exhausting. Oh yeah, her stomach was bothering her most the of night. Then sometime after 5, Max came running into our room to announce that Maggie was on the pot. And then he ran to his own, not so successfully.....

What a way to start a day. Harry's sleep got disturbed, thankfully because I was going through pain in one side. But with the kids, I was pretty much done done done. AND I only had enough cream for one cup of coffee.....

Today was laundry day. It had to get done. Max had gotten to watch some pretty cool shows and as if anyone doesn't know, you fold laundry and watch at the same time, right? Well he threw a fit when I asked him to 'help' fold the clothes in the basket. I didn't tell him to do the whole basket just to help. He proceeded to tell me that he would only fold his clothes. The tv got turned off. And he was going to go full tilt with the woe is him attitude. I don't know how he didn't go full overboard beyond us not having the energy to be so angry. He eventually did help fold but it was a struggle.

He ended up reading for school until we left to go to a Birthday party. Thankfully that was a good time for all 3 kids and us adults. Though not sure Krismon had that great a time, his eyes were itchy. Once we got home, he just put drops in and wanted to keep his eyes closed for while.

The day ended well for the kids and it was nice that Krismon took the lead on talking to Max about his earlier behavior. It wasn't easy and Max wasn't happy about listening but I am thinking talking talking talking will help.

Don't know your own size

That was Max yesterday or the other boy, I guess is more accurate. This other boy is like twice Max's size. Max claims that this boy was touching him all over (kind of like poking but not so hard). Instead of telling him to stop, he decided that he needed to chuck the kid several times under the chin. He made the kid cry. Horrible horrible... His teacher assigned him 100 lines 'I will not hit my friends.' He got 18 done at school and then needed to do the rest at home. What made the event all the more painful for the rest of us was that I had stated that if the kids were good, we would go get a cupcake after picking Max up from school. I really just wanted to go home but that wouldn't have been fair to Maggie. I was cringing on the inside at the thought of taking the kids to the bakery but it had to happen. Max, of course, made a scene and Maggie kindly offered up part of her treat. I thanked her for feeling generous but let her know that wasn't an option.

When we got home, Max took his stuff up to their room to write but was steadily getting angrier. He decided to take his anger out on Maggie's stuff. Luckily it was quick and I got up there before anything could really happen. He came downstairs. We were able to work out some compromise so he would write and we could get some food into him after a bit so that he could keep going and not melt down too bad.

We were able to get him up to 75 before breaking for dinner. After he finished and then wrote a note of apology.

I am not sure what happened today but at dinner, he just melted. I wish we could get away from the subject of anger but I have this feeling it will reoccur until we can work through some of it and figure out some better strategies for dealing with the anger and getting it to subside.

Once the other kids were in bed, we sat down with his journal. He started a list of what made him happy and then sad and then angry. I am hoping that if we can keep exploring his emotions that we can maybe take some wind out of his sails.

Hopefully we can keep working on this and I shall let you know how it goes.

First Science Fair

Today was the kids' science fair. Their first but surely not the last. Maggie was charged with making, drawing, recreating the solar system somehow someway. Max was given the task of learning about Mars. He had lots of guidelines in which to follow that would ascertain his points out of 9.

Okay so for Maggie it said that it was supposed to be the kids doing it.... shh but I don't think that the kids did the work all on their own. I have a feeling a lot of parents helped them in their creativity. I am not slamming that, well not entirely but the project was supposed to be the kids and I kind of question that. Oh well. After I looked up pictures of the solar system and printed them out for Maggie to have as a visual as well as writing what the planets kind of looked like color wise, Max was going to just help as needed. Well, no help was needed. Maggie did it all and she did what she wanted. The only help I gave was to write out Maggie's solar system so she could copy it onto her poster.  I couldn't be prouder of her for doing her own work, her way using her creativity in the process. I want her to be independent in her learning.

Maggie's finished project. I wish you could read what she wrote.

Maggie with her award. You can see some of the other projects in the background.

Max was to do a postcard. On the front should be a picture of the planet and on the back, addressed and then written information about the planet. The kids did a great job and you could see their personalities in what they wrote and how they drew. Max didn't follow the directions but again I couldn't fault him on his creativity because I really did like what he did.

Who knows why he decided to do an almost wink. But like that he drew a rocket ship to land on Mercury.

Red Robbin yum!

I was in a burger mood yesterday so we decided to meet up at Red Robbin for dinner. It was probably the most calorie dense meal I have had in a while. I loved the burger I got but it didn't love me back last night. Not only did I have that beyond full feeling before going to sleep but it dragged me down. I haven't been feeling fantastic because I think some of the cold stuff has finally hit me a bit. This morning I was going to run 5-6 miles. It just didn't happen. I think my sinuses are just not enjoying the spring time right now. Here is hoping that I feel better tomorrow so that I can run, run, run like the wind.

I hope that this getting out there and running will last and have a lasting effect on the kids. I want them to realize how important it is to get out there and be active. I am, also, careful not to talk about dieting. That was something that I saw my Mom and sisters do ALL THE TIME growing up. I want my kids to have a healthy relationship with food. Yes I gave up things for lent but I think that is helpful. I have been trying to stock the house with healthy foods. The only big change that we need to make is for both Krismon and I to eat more slowly. We seem to eat late, just because of the kids bedtimes does it seem late so we are hurrying. Need to get teeth brushed, pjs, Harry to bed, Maggie to bed and then Max.

Well that's all she wrote for today. Here is hoping that we can slow down and enjoy the finer things in life. with our kids.

Lists, lists, lists

I don't have one but I need to make one. One of my blog friends just did Mondo Beyondo. She created a list of all the wonderful things she wants to do.

And another blogger I am getting to know just created a 30 things in 30 days before she turns 30 (which is in less than 30 days.)

I haven't ever really created that bucket list or even just a huge year list. Sometimes I am purposeful but too often I let life flow around me and just move with the currents. I think it is time to start making currents instead of just moving with them.  Around that notion, I have made some changes. So, yes, I do have a few items on my list.

(Must take a moment... I am watching Friday's Oprah. She has the guys from the 'Buried Life'. It's all about what you want to do before you die. These guys are great. They have done some amazing things. Now I must watch this show because it looks so life affirming.)

I have two things on my list that I have started in on. I was going to make it a this year list but I have dreams that will go beyond this year.

1. Apply to grad school. check.
2. (on that note) Get into grad school. check.
3. Join and complete the 500 in 2010 challenge. (I am working on this one.)
4. Keep working on my list.
5. Go to Germany for my sister, Nadja's wedding.
6. Go to the Philippines for my grandfather in law's 90th birthday and introduce him to Harry.
7. Run the Las Vegas half marathon.
8. Do the olympic distance tri at Wildflower. then do the half at Wildflower.
9. Run a marathon.
10. Go to Yellowstone with the kids to see Old Faithful.
11. Go to the 'French Laundry.' (without kids.)

Okay must put more thought into it.

and ladies who I have covertly mentioned if you don't mind my putting in links I will next time but would like permission first. So if you see this and are okay with it, let me know. Thanks

Pictures will come later

Harry is wearing my favorite pants. I love love love them. I bought them for Max at H&M in New York. I had Maggie wear them as well because they were simply too cool not to have her wear them.

So these are the recipes....

The shepherd's pie was a fluke...

Tuesday was supposed to be the hot crash potatoes that Lindsay made for Easter but that didn't happen so I made garlic mash potatoes. I had tons left over so that decided Wednesday's dinner. I had picked up some ground pork with the plan to make my mother in law's pork and potatoes but that didn't happen.

 I cut up some veges carrots, red peppers and onions. I sauteed them and then added the pork. I added some butternut squash pasta sauce that I got at costco (I didn't go over big the first time I made it) and mixed it with some marinara sauce. Then I added peas. That mix goes on the bottom of a pan. Then the potatoes went on top (I reheated them in the microwave.) The oven was set to 350 degrees. I put it in for 30 minutes and then I put a little cheese on top.

The kids enjoyed it. Max more than Maggie but she is not as big a fan of mashed potatoes.

Okay I made the Paula Deen recipe but without the topping.
Baked french toast casserole

The kids really enjoyed this and had it today as well. I added some nonfat greek yogurt instead of 2 cups of half and half, it was only 1.

Next comes just a cute one.

Notice something new. no check again.

Earrings!

Painting face fun at school!

AH HA!

No revelation just jubilation or celebration. Yesterday was a better day for ME. Not for Max. Poor kid was on the edge of melt down most of the afternoon. I should have seen it. He kept feeling that Maggie was harming him both physically and emotionally (you know the little things.) The GLEE cast was on Oprah yesterday and Maggie and I were watching it before picking up Max. Once we got home, she headed up stairs for some alone time. Max came and watched the rest of the show with me and then the musical numbers. This ended up going on to watching it online. And then I needed to youtube so he could see the GREAT Freddie Mercury. During all this Maggie came down and that is when their troubles started. Once we had done enough watching and listening, I switched on Pandora so we could listen to the Queen channel I created so I could make dinner while they worked on school projects. This again caused troubles. Maggie needs to do a solar system for her project. I had printed out some pictures of the planets and the way the solar system is set up. Max was trying to help and Maggie wasn't having any of it. Yes, she can be a bit stubborn still not as bad as Max. In the end, I had to say, it is your project and if you don't want help then we won't help you at all.
I told Max to just walk away and work on his project, Mercury. He is excited but still learning this whole going through drafts before creating the final project.
His final meltdown occurred around putting his stuff away so we could get the table ready for dinner and eat. Maggie did as asked but Max kept on and not answering me as well. I finally put his stuff away and put him in time out. I know 'mean mama' for making him stop doing his homework.  The problem was that to get through the end of the day is a delicate dance. Max was me from the day before just done in. It wasn't pretty. Luckily he got to eat with Harry, who ate and ate and ate. That boy really enjoyed the shepherds pie that I made. Max and I talked about strategies for dealing better with our anger so we don't take it out on others.
Thankfully that was the end of any struggles and we got through the rest of the night okay. Juno got fed, Harry went to bed, Maggie and I read some 'Curious George'. Max read his 'Wind in the Willows' and 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and then we read 'Harry Potter'. And again I crashed early.
This morning started at 6am for the most part. Yes there was a feeding and a dog being let out and in but Maggie did not come down until 6. phew.... We ate a french toast casserole for breakfast. It was pretty darn yummy and worth the wait.

If you don't have pandora. You should know it is good, really good. I really enjoyed listening to the Queen channel and hearing the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, etc. Maggie kept going over and booging down in front of the tv because it is almost as good as a mirror.

Parenting Fail

Yes that is me. I wasn't going to write about yesterday. Heck I want to pretend like it never happened. No really yesterday was just.... Horrible.

The day started off with a bang at 4:30 am, Harry is teething and has been waking up at crazy hours. Max woke up at 5am because he wet his bed. So he woke up his sister to take the mattress off his bed so he could strip it and himself. I came up to find them under his bed kicking the frame. Now maybe if it was 7am, I would have giggled right along with them but at 5 and not feeling outstanding, I saw red. And that was pretty much the whole day. It's tough, I don't know how to get them to understand that not only are they denying their bodies the rest they need but also they deny others.
We took Juno for a walk because he has been protesting this whole arrangement.  He misses his runs and a mile or two just doesn't seem to cut it. I think the walks are tough on me because I have Harry in the holder, Juno strapped to the waist pulling me and then me ending up pulling Maggie.
I figured that once the kids are in school that it would give me enough of a break so that I could recup. It didn't happen. I just tried to do too much. We picked up Max from school and went to meet friends at a park to go for a walk. I think next time I need to choose a cross between park. You know where we can walk but also where the kids can play on toys too.
We got home late. Dinner wasn't the masterpiece that I was expecting to make because we ran out of time to make the potatoes I wanted to bake. Oh well. And did I mention that Juno got into the trash and I have coffee grounds in the carpet that I still need to try and vacuum up but I probably need to shampoo the carpets because the grounds were still wet. ugh. And and and I ended up on the floor just crying because all I wanted to do was get Harry to bed, have the dishes done and then get the other two to bed.
Max and Maggie took care of me. They loved on me. Thank goodness for their love and help.

Last night, I wrote in my journal. I don't do that often enough probably because I tend to be too open on here. And I felt better well no but at least I got it down. And I went to sleep even earlier than usual. It wasn't an easy night. Maggie came down at 10:30. I took her back up. Max came down at 2:30. He said he had nightmares, I let him sleep in bed with me. At 4:00, Harry started making noise until I went up around 4:45. Around 5:15, I heard Maggie and figured I would try and keep her upstairs so I decided I would bunk in Max's bed to try and rest a little longer. It kind of worked. Maggie ended up on the bunk with me and I didn't get anymore sleep but some rest....
The walking of the dog was a little rough towards the end. The getting off to school again was rough.

The kids have a school project that they need to work on so I am hoping that today after school we can have a good time. Maggie needs to make, draw, create the solar system. Max is learning about Mercury. I am hoping we can enjoy productivity. And they want to help me make dinner so there is another chance for us to help one another.

Please wish me luck on the rest of the day.  And any suggestions on how to get a better start to the day. What are your morning routines?

Last of the Easter pictures

So we also colored eggs on Saturday.

Another one, a little closer.

 umm so we weren't very good about not using our fingers.

And then Maggie really wanted her nails painted.

Overall the weekend went well. I tried hard to keep us busy so the kids wouldn't get bored. You know what happens when kids get bored... All hell breaks loose. Same goes for dogs... I found that out from Juno. Let's just say that I really need to get him out for a run or walk, well at this point walk.

Yesterday, we spent a good portion of our day with friends who kindly invited us to Easter dinner and an egg hunt. The kids had a fantastic time playing with their friends and Harry had a wonderful time climbing the stairs. We deprive him here since we don't want said bored dog to chew up the kids' toys. 

The food was fantastic and I was really glad that we had taken Juno on a walk earlier in the day so I wouldn't feel guilty especially when it came to the desserts!

We got home and the kids ate a little more but otherwise I let them unwind with a little disney. By the time 7 rolled around, they were pooped out. (So was I...)

Krismon got home before I went to sleep and let me know he had a good time with his friends as well. I have a happy heart knowing he had a good time with his friends.  (corny sounding isn't it but true none the less)

And now he is off again... And we shall see how the kids and I survive the next couple of days.

Single Parent weekend

So while Krismon is away for the weekend golfing with his buddies at their annual tournement, I have to figure out how to keep my sanity, keep the kids entertained and who knows what else. I decided we would go to an egg hunt at town square. I knew it would be an event but I didn't know how much of one. We got there at 11. It was in full swing, we walked to the middle and I judged by my heightened blood pressure and heart rate that we needed to get out of the activity quickly. So instead we went next to the activity to Claim Jumper for an early lunch.

They behaved nicely, shared a lunch well and we talked about why we wouldn't be going into the play area or even probably trying the egg hunt. It was generally crazy. When we got done, we circled the perimeter looking at booths. There was one for our local children's museum. So they got to do this.

They were stacking cards with a couple of buildings to use to start from.

The highlight of the outing was getting to do this.

She had to kick off her shoes because they were loose. She was a little monkey for a bit before she got scared. And then there was this shot. They were waiting and excited. I am not sure how many more years I will get to have pictures like this one.

A budding photographer

yes that is me.

Self Portrait

Looks like she is ready to dance the hula.

 A mighty good subject.

one nature shot.

I like this one.

I am here

And they are there. And I am tired and I have 3 more days of this.....