Monday, May 12, 2008
A taste of honey
Sammie made me breakfast in bed again today - a honey sandwich. And this time, she made one for each of us, "so we don't have to share." Fortunately, the girls ended up eating mine. At some point I did manage to suggest that maybe next time she could make a peanut butter sandwich for me.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
It's [my] day... [Mother's] Day...
(...with apologies to Peter Gabriel for paraphrasing his lyrics...I couldn't think of any song lyrics that referenced moms...feel free to suggest your own in the comments...)
My Mother's Day started by waking up and realizing I'd had 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep. No, this is not my fantasy of a perfect Mother's Day, it's what actually happened. I was smart enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour last night (unlike tonight, apparently) and the girls didn't wake up until about 7:30.
**Back up for a minute. Sammie wanted to have a sleepover with one of her friends last night. I said no, but told her she could sleep in my bed with me. I turned off the alarm because I didn't want to wake up at 6 am on my only day to sleep later than that this week (Sam had soccer at 8 AM yesterday so we were up early), but Sam said she wanted to wake up at 6:00. I told her she could get up whenever she wanted as long as she didn't wake Mommy up before 7:30, and that her body would tell her when she needed to wake up. She said okay, but she wanted to get up before me because, "I have a whole lot of things...what am I saying? Nothing. I don't have anything to do."
So Sammie got out of bed at 7:30, and I stayed in bed for a few more minutes. I could hear her downstairs, then I heard Rylee fussing in her crib. I got up to get Rylee and as I was coming out of her room I saw Sam at the top of the stairs. She told me to get back in bed, so I did, and she came in with her little Dora tray and said, "Breakfast in bed!" She had the cutest look on her face, a sweet little proud smile. On the tray was a honey heart sandwich (a sandwich for which the honey has been poured in a heart shape) Now, I don't actually like honey sandwiches, but how could I look at that little girl, so proud of herself for doing this on her own and so happy to have done something nice for her mommy, and tell her I didn't like the sandwich she'd made? I did the only thing I could do. I gave her a great big hug and kiss, thanked her and told her I loved her, and ate the sandwich (actually, I only ate part of it - I shared it with the girls)
After we ate the sandwich Sammie asked me when it was present time. I told her it was whenever she wanted, so she left the room and came back with the bag that we'd brought back from my mom and dad's last weekend, the one I was supposed to give to her when we got home so she could put it somewhere safe. I opened the bag and found a card and a pretty box. On the card were three little cartoon figures, which my mom had named Sam, Hailey and Rylee, and inside Sammie had written a little message and signed all three girls names. In the box were a necklace and matching earrings. This is my best attempt at a picture of me, still wearing them with my pyjamas because I don't want to take them off.
After the gift, we went downstairs, where I made some more breakfast and some tea and Sammie gave me a craft she'd made at school.
The rest of the day was pretty ordinary - nail clipping, bath for Sammie (Rylee had one last night), church, lunch, skating lessons. Hailey (and Ryan) sent me Mother's Day greetings via email - a simple little message that made me cry (%@$ PMS!) Rylee has given me the presents you'd expect from an 18 month old - some kisses, some cuddles, some hysterical laughter at the silly games I play with her, and of course, some poop in her diaper. And my dad didn't even change that one for me as a Mother's Day gift!
Dad is here because the woman who usually watches the girls during the day lost her grandmother last week and the funeral is tomorrow. I was hoping he'd stay till Tuesday so I didn't have to get a sitter for the Rangers game tomorrow night, but he has work to do on Tuesday so he's leaving tomorrow.
Anyway, here's to all the mothers out there, and to everyone who is spending Mother's Day without their mom (I'm thinking of my mom and her siblings here, as this is their first Mother's Day without their beloved mom - we miss you Mim!)
My Mother's Day started by waking up and realizing I'd had 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep. No, this is not my fantasy of a perfect Mother's Day, it's what actually happened. I was smart enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour last night (unlike tonight, apparently) and the girls didn't wake up until about 7:30.
**Back up for a minute. Sammie wanted to have a sleepover with one of her friends last night. I said no, but told her she could sleep in my bed with me. I turned off the alarm because I didn't want to wake up at 6 am on my only day to sleep later than that this week (Sam had soccer at 8 AM yesterday so we were up early), but Sam said she wanted to wake up at 6:00. I told her she could get up whenever she wanted as long as she didn't wake Mommy up before 7:30, and that her body would tell her when she needed to wake up. She said okay, but she wanted to get up before me because, "I have a whole lot of things...what am I saying? Nothing. I don't have anything to do."
So Sammie got out of bed at 7:30, and I stayed in bed for a few more minutes. I could hear her downstairs, then I heard Rylee fussing in her crib. I got up to get Rylee and as I was coming out of her room I saw Sam at the top of the stairs. She told me to get back in bed, so I did, and she came in with her little Dora tray and said, "Breakfast in bed!" She had the cutest look on her face, a sweet little proud smile. On the tray was a honey heart sandwich (a sandwich for which the honey has been poured in a heart shape) Now, I don't actually like honey sandwiches, but how could I look at that little girl, so proud of herself for doing this on her own and so happy to have done something nice for her mommy, and tell her I didn't like the sandwich she'd made? I did the only thing I could do. I gave her a great big hug and kiss, thanked her and told her I loved her, and ate the sandwich (actually, I only ate part of it - I shared it with the girls)
After we ate the sandwich Sammie asked me when it was present time. I told her it was whenever she wanted, so she left the room and came back with the bag that we'd brought back from my mom and dad's last weekend, the one I was supposed to give to her when we got home so she could put it somewhere safe. I opened the bag and found a card and a pretty box. On the card were three little cartoon figures, which my mom had named Sam, Hailey and Rylee, and inside Sammie had written a little message and signed all three girls names. In the box were a necklace and matching earrings. This is my best attempt at a picture of me, still wearing them with my pyjamas because I don't want to take them off.
After the gift, we went downstairs, where I made some more breakfast and some tea and Sammie gave me a craft she'd made at school.
The rest of the day was pretty ordinary - nail clipping, bath for Sammie (Rylee had one last night), church, lunch, skating lessons. Hailey (and Ryan) sent me Mother's Day greetings via email - a simple little message that made me cry (%@$ PMS!) Rylee has given me the presents you'd expect from an 18 month old - some kisses, some cuddles, some hysterical laughter at the silly games I play with her, and of course, some poop in her diaper. And my dad didn't even change that one for me as a Mother's Day gift!
Dad is here because the woman who usually watches the girls during the day lost her grandmother last week and the funeral is tomorrow. I was hoping he'd stay till Tuesday so I didn't have to get a sitter for the Rangers game tomorrow night, but he has work to do on Tuesday so he's leaving tomorrow.
Anyway, here's to all the mothers out there, and to everyone who is spending Mother's Day without their mom (I'm thinking of my mom and her siblings here, as this is their first Mother's Day without their beloved mom - we miss you Mim!)
Monday, May 5, 2008
On my own
I know some of my friends read this blog at least partly to know what's going on with my family, so when I post about stuff like SNL, it doesn't tell them much :) So here is an update-y, newsy type post.
Ryan and Hailey are in the Netherlands. Ryan's sister is working there for 8 months, so Ryan, Hailey and Ryan's parents went over for a visit. Hailey got to go because a)she's old enough to remember the trip (maybe) b)she's young enough not to be missing school while she's there and c)she's named after a relative who lives there and who has lung cancer. This may be the only chance they get to meet. They've been gone almost a week and are having a good time, from the sounds of it. Hailey is learning some Dutch and making friends everywhere she goes (no surprise to anyone who knows Hailey). They're back next week.
Sammie has been sick for almost a week, first throwing up and then, well, out the other end. Poor little thing missed two days of school last week (and consequently, so did I). Yesterday was the first day without diarrhea since Thursday. She's feeling much better now. She missed her first soccer game on Saturday because we were at my mom and dad's but is looking forward to starting this weekend. She's also still in gymnastics, and skating lessons as well. She loves to do crafts - it's just about the only centre she ever goes to at school - and is always cutting and pasting and making things for us. She made a poster which she put up in her room that says, "Family, your my BFF." I took her to the Rangers game last Wed and we had a lot of fun together.
Rylee is getting big - my mom and my sister said she looks like an entirely different kid from the one who was there on March Break. She has nine teeth now, I think, including a molar, and a big big smile and loves to chatter away in her own little language. She still loves her dollies and stuffed animals. She's getting to the stage where she doesn't want to sit and cuddle, she wants to go go go, except at bedtime. I still get cuddles and kisses at bedtime.
Ryan is still working (except not right now, of course, since he's in the Netherlands) and playing lots of hockey. Our ball team starts up again next week, and I think he's thinking of playing soccer this year. He played last year for a month or so until he tore a muscle in his calf and had to stop. He's been told there's a good chance he'll eventually tear the other one in half as well, so I'm not sure I want him to play soccer, but it's not my decision.
And as for me...also still working, still enjoying it immensely. I love teaching. As I said, ball starts again next week, so that'll get me out of the house every once in a while. I've also sent in my registration to play in a recreational hockey league next winter! Ryan's cousin plays and has assured me that there are women at all levels of ability, so I won't be a the only beginner out there. I'm looking forward to it, I think. I'm also looking forward to dive season starting back up. I've been reading a lot, and just bought a book about beading, which I'm hoping to get into.
As I mentioned, I was at my mom and dad's this weekend. Nice and relaxing for me, because my parents pretty much completely take over the child care, and my mom does all the cooking, so I don't have much to worry about. It was especially nice given that Sammie was sick and Ryan is out of the country.
This morning I realized my fridge and freezer weren't working. I called the place we bought it from, and they're sending someone out tomorrow to look at it. In the meantime, two different neighbours kindly took in the contents of my fridge and freezer and made room for them in their appliances. It was SUCH a pain to get everything all packed up and take it over to the neighbours, and then feed the girls and get Sammie to gymnastics. I really have no idea how single parents do this on a regular basis. I think I say that every time Ryan goes away but it's true - I have an incredible amount of respect for people who do this, and do it well, on a regular basis.
Anything else you'd like to know?
Ryan and Hailey are in the Netherlands. Ryan's sister is working there for 8 months, so Ryan, Hailey and Ryan's parents went over for a visit. Hailey got to go because a)she's old enough to remember the trip (maybe) b)she's young enough not to be missing school while she's there and c)she's named after a relative who lives there and who has lung cancer. This may be the only chance they get to meet. They've been gone almost a week and are having a good time, from the sounds of it. Hailey is learning some Dutch and making friends everywhere she goes (no surprise to anyone who knows Hailey). They're back next week.
Sammie has been sick for almost a week, first throwing up and then, well, out the other end. Poor little thing missed two days of school last week (and consequently, so did I). Yesterday was the first day without diarrhea since Thursday. She's feeling much better now. She missed her first soccer game on Saturday because we were at my mom and dad's but is looking forward to starting this weekend. She's also still in gymnastics, and skating lessons as well. She loves to do crafts - it's just about the only centre she ever goes to at school - and is always cutting and pasting and making things for us. She made a poster which she put up in her room that says, "Family, your my BFF." I took her to the Rangers game last Wed and we had a lot of fun together.
Rylee is getting big - my mom and my sister said she looks like an entirely different kid from the one who was there on March Break. She has nine teeth now, I think, including a molar, and a big big smile and loves to chatter away in her own little language. She still loves her dollies and stuffed animals. She's getting to the stage where she doesn't want to sit and cuddle, she wants to go go go, except at bedtime. I still get cuddles and kisses at bedtime.
Ryan is still working (except not right now, of course, since he's in the Netherlands) and playing lots of hockey. Our ball team starts up again next week, and I think he's thinking of playing soccer this year. He played last year for a month or so until he tore a muscle in his calf and had to stop. He's been told there's a good chance he'll eventually tear the other one in half as well, so I'm not sure I want him to play soccer, but it's not my decision.
And as for me...also still working, still enjoying it immensely. I love teaching. As I said, ball starts again next week, so that'll get me out of the house every once in a while. I've also sent in my registration to play in a recreational hockey league next winter! Ryan's cousin plays and has assured me that there are women at all levels of ability, so I won't be a the only beginner out there. I'm looking forward to it, I think. I'm also looking forward to dive season starting back up. I've been reading a lot, and just bought a book about beading, which I'm hoping to get into.
As I mentioned, I was at my mom and dad's this weekend. Nice and relaxing for me, because my parents pretty much completely take over the child care, and my mom does all the cooking, so I don't have much to worry about. It was especially nice given that Sammie was sick and Ryan is out of the country.
This morning I realized my fridge and freezer weren't working. I called the place we bought it from, and they're sending someone out tomorrow to look at it. In the meantime, two different neighbours kindly took in the contents of my fridge and freezer and made room for them in their appliances. It was SUCH a pain to get everything all packed up and take it over to the neighbours, and then feed the girls and get Sammie to gymnastics. I really have no idea how single parents do this on a regular basis. I think I say that every time Ryan goes away but it's true - I have an incredible amount of respect for people who do this, and do it well, on a regular basis.
Anything else you'd like to know?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Am I the only one...
...who thinks Christopher Walken was TERRIBLE on SNL a few weeks ago? I was going to blog about it then, but didn't, then it was on again recently, and I was struck again by how terrible it was. It was like he was so drunk he couldn't remember a line to save his life, so he read everything from the TelePrompTer. Thank goodness he wasn't too out of it to read! I don't know if he was actually drunk or if something else was going on, but it was definitely not his best performance.
...who thinks it's a bad sign when Ashton Kutcher is much better on SNL than Christopher Walken? Now HE was good. I didn't see all of the show the night he hosted, but what I saw was good. I always enjoy watching him play something other than Kelso - he's actually a pretty good actor.
...who would really like to see Amy Poehler play a character, not a caricature? I find that almost every role she plays, on SNL or in movies, is someone who is just so over-the-top that they couldn't possibly be a real person. I don't think it takes much talent to do unbelievable. I think it takes talent to play a character and make the audience believe in that character. I think she has the talent, but I can't be sure because I've never really seen her try. It sort of seems like she doesn't want to get parts because she's a pretty blonde, so she goes out of her way NOT to be the ingenue/pretty girl. Which is admirable, but I'm tired of the schtick. Be a person, Amy.
...who absolutely LOVES Jennifer Weiner? I wasn't crazy about her collection of short stories, but I love love LOVED Good in Bed, Certain Girls and Little Earthquakes. I find her books to be entertaining and escapist without insulting my intelligence. She may be classified as chick-lit, but it's not trash.
...who sits down to blog and forgets what she was going to blog about?
...who thinks it's a bad sign when Ashton Kutcher is much better on SNL than Christopher Walken? Now HE was good. I didn't see all of the show the night he hosted, but what I saw was good. I always enjoy watching him play something other than Kelso - he's actually a pretty good actor.
...who would really like to see Amy Poehler play a character, not a caricature? I find that almost every role she plays, on SNL or in movies, is someone who is just so over-the-top that they couldn't possibly be a real person. I don't think it takes much talent to do unbelievable. I think it takes talent to play a character and make the audience believe in that character. I think she has the talent, but I can't be sure because I've never really seen her try. It sort of seems like she doesn't want to get parts because she's a pretty blonde, so she goes out of her way NOT to be the ingenue/pretty girl. Which is admirable, but I'm tired of the schtick. Be a person, Amy.
...who absolutely LOVES Jennifer Weiner? I wasn't crazy about her collection of short stories, but I love love LOVED Good in Bed, Certain Girls and Little Earthquakes. I find her books to be entertaining and escapist without insulting my intelligence. She may be classified as chick-lit, but it's not trash.
...who sits down to blog and forgets what she was going to blog about?
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