Scene: Church hallway after children's choir practice. JANE finishes getting a drink at the water fountain and is startled to see EPIPHANY standing with her two daughters.
JANE: Oh, hi!
EPIPHANY: Hi, Jane. How are you?
JANE: I'm fine. It's Shannon, right?
EPIPHANY: No, it's Epiphany. I can see why you thought that, though. We're about the same height, with short blonde hair and glasses and have little kids. Shannon has three children.
JANE: Oh, right, she has two boys and the baby?
EPIPHANY: Yes, Charlie and...I don't remember the middle one's name.
JANE: I think the baby's name is Brianna.
EPIPHANY: That's nice.
JANE: What are your daughter's names again?
EPIPHANY: Lauren and Lindsay. Lauren is 5 1/2 and Lindsay is 2.
JANE: Nice. Do you go by Jessie or Jessica?
EPIPHANY: Neither. My name is Epiphany.
JANE: Oh...I'm so sorry.
EPIPHANY: Jessie is also blonde, sometimes wears glasses, and has a 3-year-old son.
JANE: Um, I have to go now.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mini-FAQ and the return from the unannounced hiatus
What the heck happened to you, Epiphany?
Summer is totally kicking my ass, my peeps. I had a perfectly good and working schedule and now, I am starting from scratch with a daily 9 AM swimming lesson (Lauren) and a daily 1 PM nap (Lindsay).
But you've had 2 kids for a while!
Oddly, it is the stuff that is crazy making. Remembering 2 drinks and a snack? Packing a diaper bag and a swim bag?
There are a few truisms I learned from my dear friend Kimberly who has 3 kids and rocks the Mama thing like few people I know. The first two weeks of summer are terrible. Then you get into a routine and it's fine. By the middle, you're actually enjoying it. Two weeks before it ends, it becomes horrible again because you can see the light at the end of the tunnel so time inches, and you're anticipating how busy September is.
Lauren's involved in a lot of activities, and while I really want to let her have fun experiencing different stuff, I know for myself any more than 2 after-school activities makes our schedule hectic. Fall soccer between a weekly practice, clinic, and game ends up taking up 3 days a week. If either clinic or practice is rescheduled because of the weather, it can take up 4 or 5 days. Lauren really wants to take a dance class in the fall, but will her schedule accommodate it? I suggested to her last night that we could do 2 activities in the fall and spring, and that might mean that we'd have to take a pass on children's choir for a while.
And also, how the heck do you have 2 kids doing activities? Do hope they like the same thing?
Remembering back to my own childhood, I did a lot of stuff. There was plenty of it I thoroughly hated, but it always seemed like it was such a sacrifice of money and time that I never complained about how I hated being the oldest girl in dance class, having to take ballroom dancing was the WORST, and the girls at soccer were always so mean. Poor Ben had to take guitar lessons because I did, and I know he hated it. Neither of us were particularly interested in playing the piano. Wow, I sound like a really spoiled snot. Yikes.
Anyway, I am sort of struggling with the thing that probably has to go is children's choir, and it is only a struggle because I'll have to un-involve myself also.
Summer is totally kicking my ass, my peeps. I had a perfectly good and working schedule and now, I am starting from scratch with a daily 9 AM swimming lesson (Lauren) and a daily 1 PM nap (Lindsay).
But you've had 2 kids for a while!
Oddly, it is the stuff that is crazy making. Remembering 2 drinks and a snack? Packing a diaper bag and a swim bag?
There are a few truisms I learned from my dear friend Kimberly who has 3 kids and rocks the Mama thing like few people I know. The first two weeks of summer are terrible. Then you get into a routine and it's fine. By the middle, you're actually enjoying it. Two weeks before it ends, it becomes horrible again because you can see the light at the end of the tunnel so time inches, and you're anticipating how busy September is.
Lauren's involved in a lot of activities, and while I really want to let her have fun experiencing different stuff, I know for myself any more than 2 after-school activities makes our schedule hectic. Fall soccer between a weekly practice, clinic, and game ends up taking up 3 days a week. If either clinic or practice is rescheduled because of the weather, it can take up 4 or 5 days. Lauren really wants to take a dance class in the fall, but will her schedule accommodate it? I suggested to her last night that we could do 2 activities in the fall and spring, and that might mean that we'd have to take a pass on children's choir for a while.
And also, how the heck do you have 2 kids doing activities? Do hope they like the same thing?
Remembering back to my own childhood, I did a lot of stuff. There was plenty of it I thoroughly hated, but it always seemed like it was such a sacrifice of money and time that I never complained about how I hated being the oldest girl in dance class, having to take ballroom dancing was the WORST, and the girls at soccer were always so mean. Poor Ben had to take guitar lessons because I did, and I know he hated it. Neither of us were particularly interested in playing the piano. Wow, I sound like a really spoiled snot. Yikes.
Anyway, I am sort of struggling with the thing that probably has to go is children's choir, and it is only a struggle because I'll have to un-involve myself also.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
It's not Mardi Gras
Lindsay's diaper rash has subsided. The antifungal cream didn't help very much, but we've finally been home (or outside) at long enough stretches for her to go diaper free. For those of you with wee ones, you know that NOT wearing the diaper is really the only way to get over diaper rash.
In all this diaper free time, I've noticed that Lindsay seems to know before she's going to make a pee. She will often announce, "I hafta pee" and then squat and pee. It seems this could make it's way toward potty training, but in my past experience 2 was just too little to bother. Mostly it was our daycare that was inconvenienced by perpetually wet Lauren, since they had to keep changing her.
Now, whenever she soils her diaper, she removes it. This can be fine, if it's just wet. Or a total disaster if it's not just wet. It's then a struggle to get a new diaper on her. I tried putting on underpants today (they have Elmo on them), but she just took those off also.
So what do you think, Internets? Time to hardcore potty train? Just see if we can urge the pee announcement into actual potty use? Duct tape her diapers on?
In all this diaper free time, I've noticed that Lindsay seems to know before she's going to make a pee. She will often announce, "I hafta pee" and then squat and pee. It seems this could make it's way toward potty training, but in my past experience 2 was just too little to bother. Mostly it was our daycare that was inconvenienced by perpetually wet Lauren, since they had to keep changing her.
Now, whenever she soils her diaper, she removes it. This can be fine, if it's just wet. Or a total disaster if it's not just wet. It's then a struggle to get a new diaper on her. I tried putting on underpants today (they have Elmo on them), but she just took those off also.
So what do you think, Internets? Time to hardcore potty train? Just see if we can urge the pee announcement into actual potty use? Duct tape her diapers on?
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Saturday 9: Father's Day Eve
I only know Crazy Sam by reputation. This is my first Saturday 9.
You know my dad.
No, Dad, I don't know either how I manage not to have a single picture since May 2007, but there you are chatting with Lauren on Lindsay's first birthday.
Here's the Saturday 9...
1. How long since you have been with your dad?
Dad was here for Lindsay's 2nd birthday party, which was 3 weeks ago.
Lindsay turns 2
2. How many siblings share your dad?
If you read Dad's blog, you know that's a matter of speculation.
I have 2 younger brothers and a younger sister.
3. Will you see your dad tomorrow?
Only in thought. Since we became parents, Mother's Day and Father's Day have been mostly travel-free holidays for us. Alec also turns 36 tomorrow.
4. Do you give him gifts on Father’s Day?
Yes. I'm still working on this year's.
5. Have you ever had a tough time in your relationship with your father?
My parent's divorce was a tough time in our relationship. I was 15 when they separated and 17 when they finally got divorced. I've heard people talk about amicable splits, but my parents' was pretty loud and ugly.
6. What was the last thing that you did with your dad?
We ate birthday cake.
7. Growing up, was your dad tough on you?
Not really, but I was a pretty good kid.
8. Are you close to your father?
Uhh...um, he lives about 3 hours away...oh, not like that? Yes!
9. How long since you have spoke to him?
I know we spoke this week. Maybe it was Tuesday? We usually talk once a week.
You know my dad.No, Dad, I don't know either how I manage not to have a single picture since May 2007, but there you are chatting with Lauren on Lindsay's first birthday.
Here's the Saturday 9...
1. How long since you have been with your dad?
Dad was here for Lindsay's 2nd birthday party, which was 3 weeks ago.
Lindsay turns 22. How many siblings share your dad?
If you read Dad's blog, you know that's a matter of speculation.
I have 2 younger brothers and a younger sister.
3. Will you see your dad tomorrow?
Only in thought. Since we became parents, Mother's Day and Father's Day have been mostly travel-free holidays for us. Alec also turns 36 tomorrow.
4. Do you give him gifts on Father’s Day?
Yes. I'm still working on this year's.
5. Have you ever had a tough time in your relationship with your father?
My parent's divorce was a tough time in our relationship. I was 15 when they separated and 17 when they finally got divorced. I've heard people talk about amicable splits, but my parents' was pretty loud and ugly.
6. What was the last thing that you did with your dad?
We ate birthday cake.
7. Growing up, was your dad tough on you?
Not really, but I was a pretty good kid.
8. Are you close to your father?
Uhh...um, he lives about 3 hours away...oh, not like that? Yes!
9. How long since you have spoke to him?
I know we spoke this week. Maybe it was Tuesday? We usually talk once a week.
Friday, June 13, 2008
End to the Mommy Driveby
A handful of fellow customers at Target informed me today that my kids were sitting on top of each other in the shopping cart. That was until they started singing:
I'm so happyAt that point, we were given a wide berth.
So very happy
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart
I'm so happy
So very happy
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Nearly funny
An email went out this morning about breaking ground for our church community garden. I replied to the email and asked if this was a kid friendly event, figuring we were going to be at church anyway - we have children's choir on Wednesday afternoon. Lauren has loved working in our garden and was a big help when we put in the strawberries in our raised bed.
"Breaking ground" should've tipped me off that there wouldn't be much actual planting and that either with or without a tiller (the tiller broke down after they got through a single row) was not suitable for my 2 under 6 set. Lauren had a very good time anyway and Lindsay mostly melted down since she was tired, hot, bored, and dirty. She hadn't had a nap after we picked strawberries for an hour in the hot sun after gym today. After what I thought was a while, I said I had to get the kids fed and got out of there.
We got in the car and I realized it was 7 PM. After hand-tilling for 2 hours (!), I was way too tired to deal with making supper, so I decided we'd go to Friendly's. Apparently everyone had this idea. We stood waiting 30 minutes for a table, because I figured after I'd promised grilled cheese and ice cream we couldn't just bag it. I thought, the rush will be over by the time we sit down. We waited 10 minutes for the waitress. Another 10 after we ate to make our dessert order. Another 10 for our desserts. My kids were so beyond tired and needed showers that when she returned with the check, I just handed her my credit card and said, "I'm sorry to do this, but I want to be able to leave immediately after they finish their ice cream...they haven't any patience left in the heat today". She did manage to do that and my kids gave up their ice cream about 1/3 of the way through, which gives you an idea about how tired they were.
This would've been so funny if it wasn't just so tiring.
"Breaking ground" should've tipped me off that there wouldn't be much actual planting and that either with or without a tiller (the tiller broke down after they got through a single row) was not suitable for my 2 under 6 set. Lauren had a very good time anyway and Lindsay mostly melted down since she was tired, hot, bored, and dirty. She hadn't had a nap after we picked strawberries for an hour in the hot sun after gym today. After what I thought was a while, I said I had to get the kids fed and got out of there.
We got in the car and I realized it was 7 PM. After hand-tilling for 2 hours (!), I was way too tired to deal with making supper, so I decided we'd go to Friendly's. Apparently everyone had this idea. We stood waiting 30 minutes for a table, because I figured after I'd promised grilled cheese and ice cream we couldn't just bag it. I thought, the rush will be over by the time we sit down. We waited 10 minutes for the waitress. Another 10 after we ate to make our dessert order. Another 10 for our desserts. My kids were so beyond tired and needed showers that when she returned with the check, I just handed her my credit card and said, "I'm sorry to do this, but I want to be able to leave immediately after they finish their ice cream...they haven't any patience left in the heat today". She did manage to do that and my kids gave up their ice cream about 1/3 of the way through, which gives you an idea about how tired they were.
This would've been so funny if it wasn't just so tiring.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Surprises
I haven't checked my Rutgers email in quite some time, as finals were the first week of May and the new semester doesn't start until September. Today, I checked on a whim and found I've been invited to apply to the honors program for the School of Arts and Sciences. I have 2 weeks to complete my application, write 2 essays, and request a member of the faculty submit a letter of recommendation.
I wrote to my professor from the fall class, and am scheduled to meet with her next week so that she can write the letter.
I know I shouldn't be surprised, I have worked really hard, but you could've totally knocked me over with a feather...
I wrote to my professor from the fall class, and am scheduled to meet with her next week so that she can write the letter.
I know I shouldn't be surprised, I have worked really hard, but you could've totally knocked me over with a feather...
Just in case you were wondering
 | 104 As a 1930s wife, I am |
Since I've been at home, our roles have become very traditional so the result didn't surprise me a tremendous amount. When it comes up in casual conversation, most women I know are a bit alarmed to discover that I iron my husband's clothes. I have sewed curtains, pillows, and hemmed pants on my sewing machine. I bake my own bread and teach Sunday school.
In other news, it continues to be hot as blazes here in Jersey. Two of our district schools are closing early again today because they are unairconditioned. Lauren's building is air conditioned, and she was not pleased to hear that other kids were getting out early and she was not AND her Fun Day was postponed until Thursday. It's a hard day to be Lauren.
Lindsay has been going diaperless for her rash. I noticed yesterday when she was in the pool in a friend's yard that she got out of it and peed in the grass. She also regularly gets out of the tub, squats and pees on the floor. We're hoping to parlay this into some potty training because holy macaroni that would be great to be out of diapers. As she's JUST 2, I'm not holding my breath about it...
Monday, June 09, 2008
Signs of summer
Currently on the list of summer ailments:
1) sunburn
2) mosquito bites
3) splinter from poolside
Alright, so life is pretty good when all you have to complain about is sore shoulders and an itchy elbow. It was flippin' hot in Jersey, and we spent most of the weekend beside a pool with our friends. The only two things somewhat problematic today are the rental car which is an SUV government-looking vehicle that I am somewhat nervous about driving because it's HUGE, and Lindsay has a combination of diarrhea and diaper rash that is making her walk like she just got off a bucking bronco and scream bloody murder every time her diaper needs to be changed. I know it would probably be a good idea to let her go diaper free and let the rash air dry, but I'm not really up for cleaning baby poo off of my leather sofa.
We saw Kung Fu Panda this weekend, which was Lindsay's first theatre experience. Although she is content to sit and watch television, she spent most of the movie running between my chair and Jessie's. Fortunately because it was a gorgeous weekend, and a near dinner time show, there were only a handful of people in the theatre, so while it was sort of annoying, we weren't actually impacting anyone else's enjoyment of the movie.
It's going to be close to 100 degrees here again today, and the public pool that was such a relief over the weekend isn't open during the week until school ends since most of the pool staff are high school students. With Lindsay's rash and the Giant SUV, I think inside with air conditioning is our best bet anyway.
1) sunburn
2) mosquito bites
3) splinter from poolside
Alright, so life is pretty good when all you have to complain about is sore shoulders and an itchy elbow. It was flippin' hot in Jersey, and we spent most of the weekend beside a pool with our friends. The only two things somewhat problematic today are the rental car which is an SUV government-looking vehicle that I am somewhat nervous about driving because it's HUGE, and Lindsay has a combination of diarrhea and diaper rash that is making her walk like she just got off a bucking bronco and scream bloody murder every time her diaper needs to be changed. I know it would probably be a good idea to let her go diaper free and let the rash air dry, but I'm not really up for cleaning baby poo off of my leather sofa.
We saw Kung Fu Panda this weekend, which was Lindsay's first theatre experience. Although she is content to sit and watch television, she spent most of the movie running between my chair and Jessie's. Fortunately because it was a gorgeous weekend, and a near dinner time show, there were only a handful of people in the theatre, so while it was sort of annoying, we weren't actually impacting anyone else's enjoyment of the movie.
It's going to be close to 100 degrees here again today, and the public pool that was such a relief over the weekend isn't open during the week until school ends since most of the pool staff are high school students. With Lindsay's rash and the Giant SUV, I think inside with air conditioning is our best bet anyway.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Anxiety
Today has been a failure to start.
The freezer was delivered on time and I made it to bible study. We don't continue to meet during the summer, so when we finished Romans, we began James, which is a short book. This week was chapter 4. I've felt the message of the past 2 weeks to be somewhat difficult. I find the exercise difficult and I feel like every time I speak (which isn't often, maybe once every three times I go) I say the wrong thing or make someone upset. The women in bible study say a lot of different things that sometimes I can relate to and sometimes not, but it feels like no one else is challenged. I probably am just taking things too personally, and I have to say that the way I feel about this, similar to the other publicly social things I do is I keep waiting for this to get easier and it just doesn't. "You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly" I am still falling short. I feel that way in so many aspects of my life right now. "You do not have because you do not ask" pretty well sums things up.
I'm going to the gym again. I went today after bible study knowing it was sort of pushing things for Lindsay. I went anyway because I needed to, and Lindsay completely freaked out. She was still crying after I went to the ladies room and then upstairs to the gym. About 5 minutes after that, one of the trainers pulled me off the treadmill. The babysitter, alone with 10 kids of various ages, could not handle tantrumming Lindsay. I finally calmed her down and she was excited to watch Dora, got back on the treadmill, did about 5 minutes and then the sitter came up again to pull me off the treadmill. I was at the gym for about 45 minutes and actually worked out for 10. Awesomeness. Lindsay was fine as soon as she was out of the room.
We got in the car and went to McDonalds. I haven't been there in - I don't know how long. A while. Long enough that reading my entries from before Lin/Lin's babyhood I can't believe how I was always at McDonalds. I realized while we were there today what it is. There just isn't anywhere else I can be with my little kids and their messy eating, spilling, loudness, that I feel like it is fine except McDonalds. Sure, we did OK at Panera, but the very messy pb&j and tube of yogurt had me anxious the whole time she was getting jelly and yogurt everywhere. There's not much mess to have with a chicken nugget and fries. She smiled a lot. We played with the toy - Shifu from Kung Fu Panda and talked about maybe going to see the movie this weekend. I don't miss McDonalds, but I miss having somewhere to take my kids where I can just eat and relax with them rather than have to worry about...well, everything.
As we got out of the car, she said, "Rosanna yelled at me. I didn't like it" which I guess is her explanation for why she had the 40-minute tantrum. I have to remind myself with Lindsay that being louder doesn't make her learn better though it is hard not to get frustrated with someone whose answer is always "No" even when she means yes.
One of the women I'm in the PTO with I find very difficult. She's been at it a while and I think she's burned out. You know how Seinfeld had Newman? I have Alice. At soccer last night, she made a point of coming over to remark snidely, "Nice hat." I boggled a bit to Jessie (we had dinner at her house after soccer) about why Alice goes out of her way, and I can only guess that she's trying to put me in my place. Which leads me to question my own motives...do I just help out so that people will tell me they appreciate me? That's pretty shallow. I'm sure I am not doing anything to make things better with Alice either, that I actually grimace these days when I see her.
I have a long ways to go.
The freezer was delivered on time and I made it to bible study. We don't continue to meet during the summer, so when we finished Romans, we began James, which is a short book. This week was chapter 4. I've felt the message of the past 2 weeks to be somewhat difficult. I find the exercise difficult and I feel like every time I speak (which isn't often, maybe once every three times I go) I say the wrong thing or make someone upset. The women in bible study say a lot of different things that sometimes I can relate to and sometimes not, but it feels like no one else is challenged. I probably am just taking things too personally, and I have to say that the way I feel about this, similar to the other publicly social things I do is I keep waiting for this to get easier and it just doesn't. "You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly" I am still falling short. I feel that way in so many aspects of my life right now. "You do not have because you do not ask" pretty well sums things up.
I'm going to the gym again. I went today after bible study knowing it was sort of pushing things for Lindsay. I went anyway because I needed to, and Lindsay completely freaked out. She was still crying after I went to the ladies room and then upstairs to the gym. About 5 minutes after that, one of the trainers pulled me off the treadmill. The babysitter, alone with 10 kids of various ages, could not handle tantrumming Lindsay. I finally calmed her down and she was excited to watch Dora, got back on the treadmill, did about 5 minutes and then the sitter came up again to pull me off the treadmill. I was at the gym for about 45 minutes and actually worked out for 10. Awesomeness. Lindsay was fine as soon as she was out of the room.
We got in the car and went to McDonalds. I haven't been there in - I don't know how long. A while. Long enough that reading my entries from before Lin/Lin's babyhood I can't believe how I was always at McDonalds. I realized while we were there today what it is. There just isn't anywhere else I can be with my little kids and their messy eating, spilling, loudness, that I feel like it is fine except McDonalds. Sure, we did OK at Panera, but the very messy pb&j and tube of yogurt had me anxious the whole time she was getting jelly and yogurt everywhere. There's not much mess to have with a chicken nugget and fries. She smiled a lot. We played with the toy - Shifu from Kung Fu Panda and talked about maybe going to see the movie this weekend. I don't miss McDonalds, but I miss having somewhere to take my kids where I can just eat and relax with them rather than have to worry about...well, everything.
As we got out of the car, she said, "Rosanna yelled at me. I didn't like it" which I guess is her explanation for why she had the 40-minute tantrum. I have to remind myself with Lindsay that being louder doesn't make her learn better though it is hard not to get frustrated with someone whose answer is always "No" even when she means yes.
One of the women I'm in the PTO with I find very difficult. She's been at it a while and I think she's burned out. You know how Seinfeld had Newman? I have Alice. At soccer last night, she made a point of coming over to remark snidely, "Nice hat." I boggled a bit to Jessie (we had dinner at her house after soccer) about why Alice goes out of her way, and I can only guess that she's trying to put me in my place. Which leads me to question my own motives...do I just help out so that people will tell me they appreciate me? That's pretty shallow. I'm sure I am not doing anything to make things better with Alice either, that I actually grimace these days when I see her.
I have a long ways to go.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Snippets from my life
Lindsay peed on the bathroom floor upon exiting the bathtub. She stopped, midstream, and looked surprised at herself.
"Lindsay, do you want to make a pee pee in the potty?" I asked, hopefully.
"No," she replied tersely, squatting on the towel wrapped around her. "I'm finished now."
***
"I saw a diary today that had princesses on it. They even had princess pencils. We could get that for you and you couldpractice writing write down your thoughts."
"I don't have any thoughts. When I close my eyes all I see are blue squares mostly. Occasionally rectangles. They are blue also."
"Lindsay, do you want to make a pee pee in the potty?" I asked, hopefully.
"No," she replied tersely, squatting on the towel wrapped around her. "I'm finished now."
***
"I saw a diary today that had princesses on it. They even had princess pencils. We could get that for you and you could
"I don't have any thoughts. When I close my eyes all I see are blue squares mostly. Occasionally rectangles. They are blue also."
And another thing
I've taken to putting raw sugar in my coffee when it's bitter these days after finding out that a packet of sugar is 15 calories. Why the heck was I convinced that eating chemicals was better?
The best grocery store ever
I've only heard good things about Wegmans. After all, I know it had an influence on the location of Karen's home. I have at least two friends here who drive 5 miles up US 1 to shop there. At the prospect of paying $17 plus shipping each for Sigg bottles from REI for the girls, I thought I'd swing by after the gym and see if they weren't cheaper at Wegmans.
I have been extremely displeased with the local shopping experience. Now that it's summer and we'll soon be outfitted with our chest freezer and half each steer and pig, along with our weekly CSA box, there will be fewer trips to the grocery.
But Wegmans? Oh my. First of all, can I just have a holler for "Customer with Child" parking? Adjacent to the shopping carts in front of the store, even. AND they had 6 clean with WORKING SEATBELT car carts. This store has a drop off "fun" center, but we didn't use it because Lindsay was occupied the whole time driving the cart.
And yes, they did have the Sigg bottles in the 10 ounce size for $12.99. I bought that and a few new Pyrex containers suitable for my chill pouch along with a plastic Bento-style container I thought Alec might use.
I didn't buy much, but I got a good look at the selection and I have to say the produce looked very good. I especially liked the "Local" wall. I didn't easily find my natural, hormone and antibiotic free, minimally processed meat, but I might have just been overwhelmed by the selection of meats. Seriously, there were about 2 aisles of meat.
Since it was a fairly long ride there, we stopped at a store called Destination Baby to see if we could find Lindsay a pair of rubber pants for over her swim diaper (they had, but only in small sizes), at a store called Five Below where everything is less than $5, which was fun - we got some stuff for the pool, and ate lunch at Panera. Lindsay made a huge mess of her pb&j, but was otherwise very well behaved considering the last time I was in a restaurant alone with her, I had to bail halfway through the meal. She sat (mostly), and ate all of the strawberry yogurt and about half of her sandwich which is monumental for Lindsay, she usually eats only 2 bites of anything before she declares the meal over.
A productive post-yoga morning all in all. And now time to catch up with the chores...
I have been extremely displeased with the local shopping experience. Now that it's summer and we'll soon be outfitted with our chest freezer and half each steer and pig, along with our weekly CSA box, there will be fewer trips to the grocery.
But Wegmans? Oh my. First of all, can I just have a holler for "Customer with Child" parking? Adjacent to the shopping carts in front of the store, even. AND they had 6 clean with WORKING SEATBELT car carts. This store has a drop off "fun" center, but we didn't use it because Lindsay was occupied the whole time driving the cart.
And yes, they did have the Sigg bottles in the 10 ounce size for $12.99. I bought that and a few new Pyrex containers suitable for my chill pouch along with a plastic Bento-style container I thought Alec might use.
I didn't buy much, but I got a good look at the selection and I have to say the produce looked very good. I especially liked the "Local" wall. I didn't easily find my natural, hormone and antibiotic free, minimally processed meat, but I might have just been overwhelmed by the selection of meats. Seriously, there were about 2 aisles of meat.
Since it was a fairly long ride there, we stopped at a store called Destination Baby to see if we could find Lindsay a pair of rubber pants for over her swim diaper (they had, but only in small sizes), at a store called Five Below where everything is less than $5, which was fun - we got some stuff for the pool, and ate lunch at Panera. Lindsay made a huge mess of her pb&j, but was otherwise very well behaved considering the last time I was in a restaurant alone with her, I had to bail halfway through the meal. She sat (mostly), and ate all of the strawberry yogurt and about half of her sandwich which is monumental for Lindsay, she usually eats only 2 bites of anything before she declares the meal over.
A productive post-yoga morning all in all. And now time to catch up with the chores...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Carnival
Lauren's school carnival was this evening, and I must say, despite freaking out at the prospect of having to chase my 2-year-old while in full Mommy bootgear (e.g., stroller on one shoulder, 15 lb diaper bag on the other), a good time was had by both girls thanks to hot dogs and cotton candy. We liked the crafts a great deal this year, particularly since it gave us stuff to do after things got really busy.
Next year, I will remember that 2 kids participating = twice as many tickets. I bought $20 worth, which was what I'd purchased last year. At 4 tickets per pony ride and 2 tickets per bouncy, those sure went fast. I got by with $30 worth of tickets which also bought us 2 hot dogs and 2 sticks of cotton candy, but next year I imagine Lindsay will be able to go on more of them. They wouldn't let her into the bouncy maze with Lauren because there was stuff she wouldn't be able to get through, which I thought was fair, but Lindsay did not, causing a full-blown tantrum.
She managed to get over it when Lauren got off the ride, and at that point the lines began to get very long, thus precluding us from participating.
We walked home, managed to hose off the face paint and cotton candy stuck in hair. I nearly stopped for ice cream on the way home, but considering the size of the tantrum Lindsay was having when I ran into Greg (whose daughter Zoe was having a very long tantrum when I saw her) I thought better of it.
Next year, I will remember that 2 kids participating = twice as many tickets. I bought $20 worth, which was what I'd purchased last year. At 4 tickets per pony ride and 2 tickets per bouncy, those sure went fast. I got by with $30 worth of tickets which also bought us 2 hot dogs and 2 sticks of cotton candy, but next year I imagine Lindsay will be able to go on more of them. They wouldn't let her into the bouncy maze with Lauren because there was stuff she wouldn't be able to get through, which I thought was fair, but Lindsay did not, causing a full-blown tantrum.
She managed to get over it when Lauren got off the ride, and at that point the lines began to get very long, thus precluding us from participating.
We walked home, managed to hose off the face paint and cotton candy stuck in hair. I nearly stopped for ice cream on the way home, but considering the size of the tantrum Lindsay was having when I ran into Greg (whose daughter Zoe was having a very long tantrum when I saw her) I thought better of it.
Monday, June 02, 2008
A real post maybe
I drove my Mazda 5 (a crossover) to gym today, dropped my toddler happily off with the babysitter (mental note: 10:10 is snack time, and with crackers offered, Lindsay barely noticed my departure, but instead pulled up a chair to the table), I retied my Rykas and jumped on the treadmill. I work out with my iShuffle, but occasionally follow the gym televisions' closed captions.
Hota Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford were interviewing Ashley Judd. It was between the segment about the woman who lost 125 pounds and how to look great wearing white pants with any body type. Ashley Judd talked about Rwanda and families living on 80 cents per day, feeding their children a meal every 2 days. She talked of poverty, famine, and disease. At one point, I had to look away because I felt a lump in my throat. I felt ashamed I was complaining earlier about gasoline. And having to drive to the store to get groceries. And the zillion and one other stupid things I complained about instead of appreciating what I have, which is a lot, and what can I do besides turn my head so I don't cry in the gym.
The segment went to commercial with Kathie Lee complementing Ashley's necklace or dress or something, and when they returned to talk about white pants you could tell they were relieved because the other bit made them uncomfortable.
Hota Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford were interviewing Ashley Judd. It was between the segment about the woman who lost 125 pounds and how to look great wearing white pants with any body type. Ashley Judd talked about Rwanda and families living on 80 cents per day, feeding their children a meal every 2 days. She talked of poverty, famine, and disease. At one point, I had to look away because I felt a lump in my throat. I felt ashamed I was complaining earlier about gasoline. And having to drive to the store to get groceries. And the zillion and one other stupid things I complained about instead of appreciating what I have, which is a lot, and what can I do besides turn my head so I don't cry in the gym.
The segment went to commercial with Kathie Lee complementing Ashley's necklace or dress or something, and when they returned to talk about white pants you could tell they were relieved because the other bit made them uncomfortable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)