One million Factoids.

Our family on Logan's birthday

10 years old!!!! He loved every minute of his laser tag birthday with all of the boys in his class. And every bit of birthday celebration for his big golden birthday.

Logan is good about practicing his recorder. And Carly was so adorable checking it out and turning Logan into a Pied Piper.

Today on the way home from school the kids had my mind spinning telling me 1 million factoids.

Me: "Okay, the Halloween candy is going into hiding in the basement. So if you want a piece in your lunch, we need to come up with a code word because if you say 'candy' in the morning, Venice is going to want some right then." Sylvie "What about 'cabbage." Logan "What about 'sweetie sweets.'" Me: "Well Logan. Venice knows what sweets are, so let's come up with something else." Logan "Unsweetened! Then she'll think it's not going to taste good!"

Logan: " We learned all about Ben Franklin and how he invented the library. And the second hand on the watch. And, And, And...." and he went on and on and on about all the things he learned today. "Mom I love 4th grade because I learn so many new things." "Mom, I'm a math guru." "Mom, girl in my class gave ME bunny ears today, usually I give them to her." "Mom, Girl in my class and I had fun making science flip books. I was making her laugh." "Mom, I blocked the soccer ball with my chest today."

Logan: "Mom, Dee Dee got three "Blurts" today. " What the heck is a blurt you ask? Well, just ask Logan! He'll tell you in a concise 20 minute rundown of what it is, how it happens, and who has them. So, basically if you "blurt" out an answer, talk out of turn, etc, you get marked on a chart. After a certain number of these offenses you miss recess.

Which brought around Sylvie blurting out anything interesting she could think of to change the conversation "Mom, we need to watch Bigfoot!" "Logan, do you believe in Bigfoot?" Logan "I'm not certain. But he is a Sasquatch. And the world IS full of possibilities, so maybe."

Sylvie: "I'm so excited about school tomorrow!" Me: "Oh, really? What's happening tomorrow?" Sylvie: "I just LOVE school!" I hope she loves school for a long time to come!

She and I went for a fun girl date time last night because Venice refused to let us hang out all evening together, so we plumped up the wish list for Christmas and birthday, consumed some sugary drinks, and just enjoyed non-baby music. She also read a chapter book out loud on the way home, she's a rockstar reader for having started late.

So after all of that and 50 other random conversations, as we're pulling into the garage Sylvie says "Oh, Mom. Guess what? The Clean Desk Turkey showed up at school today." Just a random "oh, and then this imaginary figure arrived in my classroom."  I was cracking up at the randomness and the blase way she said such a thing.

Venice has said some funny things lately too. This morning "Comfy!" when she snuggled into the bed. "I see you!"- first 3 word sentence. "Zana" is manzana. "Miss you"! is what she coos to the dog when we get home. She loves her "baby legs" leg warmers and calls them "Fuzzies." And if she's in a bad mood "No, V, no cute!" "No Yogan, no hi 5!" "No Mommy, no look!" She runs and throws herself on the floor for diaper changes. And she and Carly are both trying to bring me to tears by pushing the limits of feasible wakeup times, especially since the time change. So far "3:40 am" has been a winner. That day at work required espresso. Have I mentioned she has a cold and is miserable?  It's been challenging.

Carly is quite the character around here. Got a haircut putting her in the "cutest dog on the planet" category. She figured out how to get out of the yard. So I got myself over to the local home improvement establishment, bought things to blockade, fence in, corral. She got out again. I was dumping the trash in the alley and she got through a 2" crack in a blockade, and shoved her way into the alley. This dog strikes fear in me that she will disappear and I am constantly watching out for her and reminding her "stay in the yard!" I'm still not sure where she is getting out from, but let's hope I figure it out soon! She also knows how to put a paw on the chair and grab food from the kitchen table. Grrr.  Googling doggie behavior training now. She graduates from "puppy school" this weekend, but she has a looooong way to go! The kids however, are completely in love with this pup. And, she still loves me best:) I feed her and take her on walks and deal with her 4 am antics  What isn't to love?

The end of an era....

I've got a month left with my 9 year old and then on to a new era.....

Wow, age 10!!!!!! It seems so "double digits...." How the heck did I get through a decade of my son's life already? I want to do some of it again just for kicks. He was such a sweet kid through all the years and now it's been super busy here so he has to push (figuratively) for his attention a bit, and I feel bad. And then there is the freedom he has and independance. And kids come knock at our door and call on the phone to play with him- what's that all about? How did he get old enough for that? 

The other day I was with all 3 in a CVS right near the middle school at 3 pm. We were standing in line and getting things among a group of 3 boys who were buying snacks. No mom in sight. They knew just what to do. Dropped their backpacks at the door like the store requests. Paid and didn't overspend. And asked for double-bags so they didn't lose the candy and ice cream on their bike rides home. I'm looking at my toddler in my arms. And my 7 year old still eyeing the toys. And then looked to my son who could have walked right up to that group and fit right in given a few extra inches in height. He fit more in with the middle-schoolers than the mom and her kids group. So nutty!

Logan- I'm so very proud to be your mom. You are constantly thinking, not really questioning but seeing things in a new light. You are interested in so many things. This week's excitement is in medieval times. So you made a whole set of "cards" with paper that represent kings and queens and knights and dragons. Brick walls and moats of lava. Each has a point value and there are rules to the game. You play multiplication "war" with a deck of cards and get excited about how many Jack's you have or that you have all of one suit. 

This morning I was describing the Olympics ceremony where they shot the flaming arrow from the torch into the cauldron and you lit up hearing such a thing. I showed you the video and your whole brain starting ticking thinking of types of bows and arrows and flaming things you could add to your card collection.

Every morning you wake early, watch tv and snuggle with your stuffed animals, give me a hug when we run into each other. Make yourself breakfast. Pack the lunches into the backpacks for me. Play with Carly. And tell me "Mom, I just can't wait to go to school today....." and you always have some great thing you are looking forward to. You love school, I am so very happy. I think 4th grade is a good fit for you, and I hope you always have a love for learning and school. 

It's been a wild 10 year ride of being a parent and you aren't the only child to keep me on my toes. You have stood in line next to your two sisters and a puppy, the house, 2 careers, and of course things like family obligations. And yet you still just maintain a happy life, a good sense of self, and you are always there to hug us and tell us some amazing thing or fact that makes the moment right. 

I love you my Logan. My sweet sweet boy. Keep your head high and know we are all here for you. Always. 

The Dictator and the Mathemetician

This Sylvie is so so funny and has her own take on life, I tell you. Here is our dinner conversation:

Logan: "What would you do if you had your own world."

Me: "I would make people be happier."

Sylvie: "Okay, well, first, I would be the President of the World. And then, everyone would listen to me. They would all look alike. And dress alike. And wear tattoos with their names on them. And wear their hair the same way. "

Logan: "Would they all be the same height?"

Sylvie: "Yes, they would all be the same height, but I would be taller. Oh, and they would give me gifts every day."

Yup, we're going to have to keep an eye on this future dictator. Not letting her be president!!!!!

Mr. Logan, keeping us on our toes with his math homework. He has been doing word problems in his 4th grade class, and we are noticing he has a huge brain for mental math. He can add and subtract large numbers in his head and it's really cool to just see the mental time clock ticking away in his head! So impressed, I still second guess what 9 x 3 is! 

The Story of Carly

We have a puppy! And 5 weeks after her arrival I have a minute to write about it. What a ride! We lost our Abby 2 years ago and have been wanting a puppy for some time now. We went back and forth on whether to get her until the last minute. We were all set to say "no" when her photo arrived from the breeder and we just had to have her. So we plunked down too much money to reserve her for our own and made vacation plans around the date to pick her up from Terre Haute, Indiana of all places. I worked hard on researching the area to make it an awesome trip.


We had a blast, enjoyed our enormous suite and indulged the kids in room service. Twice. Highlights included.....

Go Karts for my future awesome driver, Logan

Teppan Dining with sake for him...

So, we got to the breeder where the kids were a bit nervous and Venice was obsessed with their cat who hates people.....

And we brought home the cutest puppy alive. 

And she is 12 weeks today and growing to be part of our family with a ton of love and plenty of treats. For all the saving the earth I have done using some cloth diapers we have one-upped things with plastic poop baggies by the carton-load. And it hasn't been easy to have a toddler and puppy under the same roof.

Bitey, whiney, barkey, and scratchy. Ruins things, eats things, is awake at all the wrong times. 

Loves us, loves the kids, gives the best "kisses", is super soft and squishy, hugs us back when we hold her, makes us laugh with her antics, our little Carly Puppy.Welcome to our family.

Summer 2013

Geodes!!!! Logan has had a mixed bag of emotions this summer. He's bored grocery shopping, and there have been a lot of trips! With a new family restaurant, they go with their grandpa to the store every Wednesday and Thursday morning, and then often come with me on Friday mornings to get groceries for our family as well. He started summer writing a huge book report in his binder, and will do xtra math online. He's also breezing through the random worksheets I print out. I forgot to buy a workbook for him, I have one for Sylvie this year. But basically he has been sporadic on learning, reading and writing. 

So I enjoy the opportunity to think outside the box a bit. We did a Swiss Family Robinson unit and I had the kids write up what they would bring on their island adventure. Then we watched the movie, which was really fun. I love watching classic Disney movies with the kids and really chatting about them over the following days. At a trip to the zoo, Logan came across a geode that was sliced in half and polished. His obsession was strong and all-encompassing. When I checked Amazon, they had kits where you break open a geode with real tools. So it somehow found its way to our Amazon cart and to our front door. The excitement was high as Jorge was home and we got to do this cool project right away when we returned home for the day. Geodes are a lot of fun and it was great breaking them open. 

I love that Logan takes interest in things outside of video games. I know summers are good for relaxing, for exercise, and for fun. But sometimes he misses his friends, competition, and the thrill of playing against someone who is not related to him. Basketball has been a good fit, and today we're planning a water gun fight. We're all signed up for soccer in the fall- super excited for that! Between the new puppy and getting ready for back to school, these last 40 days of summer should fly by. 

Loganisms

Logan stumbles downstairs, barely awake..."Mom, do you think when Sylvie goes out for coffee as an adult, I should own a coffee shop for her to go to? So then she doesn't have to pay?" So far for his future he plans to own a gaggle of huskies, play with and babysit for Sylvie's 4 adopted children (especially the 1 boy), and start his own business that is a food/ Lego place or work at Legoland.

Thursday evening by numbers...

Life runs 200 miles per hour around here. Especially on the 3 days I work. Thursday right now is our "easy day" as we have no formal after-school activities. Tonight wasn't anything to complain to the world about but it was bus-y!!!!

Here is a rundown by numbers.....

5:00 I leave the office
5:15 I arrive to pick up Logan and Venice at grandma's
5:25 leave grandma's. Logan talks the entire way home. Barbie movie is blasting and we cannot reach the volume (it's on Sylvie's side)
5:50 arrive at Sylvie's friends house to pick her up from a playdate. Venice is crying at full-volume. She's mad we are not nursing. Logan talks right over here about  a game on his iPad.
6:00 get everyone and everything inside and run over to put the water on the burner and turn the oven on. Run interference between all 3 kids needs and making dinner. Pull 3 separate things out of Venice's mouth (she usually doesn't do that!)

6:40 sit down to dinner.
6:45 everyone is done with dinner and I have to be done as Venice is throwing things and making a mess. Jorge calls saying he's on his way out of the office.

7:00 get Venice settled playing with toys, get the tv off, and open up the folders. Logan's homework is hard so we work on it together. Meanwhile I'm pulling Venice away from 50 things she doesn't need to be touching, dealing with mini-tantrums, and her obsession with playing with the ice and water dispenser on the fridge.

7:45 Sylvie has been working on an art project that required my help, and she's downstairs so assuming Jorge is walking in the door any minute now (it's been an hour) I chance having 2 kids doing homework that require mom's help, and one very naughty toddler.

7:47 Venice goes over to turn the volume WAY up on the stereo and Logan's screaming and upset, Sylvie's trying to get my attention, Venice is crying and I'm in the middle of dealing with something in  that takes 2 hands.

7:50 Logan goes in the family room to read his chapter book for awhile. Sylvie and I finish up her homework while I hold Venice and she gets her finger stuck in something, rips open a packet of wet wipes she swiped with her teeth and gets us both wet.

8:00 We all move to the family room after making sure all that homework is in the folders. Still waiting on Jorge. Venice starts whining about the tv being off. Logan starts wanting to go to bed but we have one more assignment.

8:10 Start reading for the "One Book One Family" project. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE having the obligation to read and the kids have to listen. Love discussing the book, etc. But both years now Venice HATES this project!!!!!!!!! She whines. She bats the book away from me. She screams. She whines again.

8:15 she gets down on the floor to play.
8:16 she decides to hug Sylvie. And she gets her neck in a griphold and starts scratching with her nails. Screaming by both girls ensues.

8:17 Venice gets a time-out in the pack and play

8:18 We try again. Venice whines, I wonder where the heck Jorge is? We take a break from the book

8:24 We try again. I just read loud and talk over the chaos. I don't even know if the kids are listening. I just want this OVER. So do they. I try to summarize in meaningful ways so they understand it.

8:45 Jorge walks in the door, 2 hours after leaving the office. I'm trying unsuccessfully to put the baby to bed.

9:00 Get the kids to bed and try again for Venice.

9:15 Try again for Venice. Bring her to her room and rub her back and shush her until she finally. falls. asleep. Sylvie, on the other hand, is still awake in the same room. Sigh.

9:17 Do dishes, write a blog post, listen to Survivor.

10:00 Goodnight!!!!!

Tomorrow- is going to be even busier.

The one-and-a-halvsies are arriving!

What is our family up to? Venice is almost 17 months old and she's hitting the one-and-a-halvsies. Joy. She's turned full-on toddler on us and whiles she's still that sweet baby girl, she's voicing her opinion. As Jorge said today "sometimes it's about who is the loudest." and by girls are fighting to win that award! Venice is adorable and hilarious. Fiercely loves when Sylvie plays with her, especially "Ring Around the Rosie." Gives Logan big hugs. Begs Daddy for Elmo on his phone. And nurses like a crazy lady when I walk in the door from work. 

Just when I've been trying to wean, trying to get her to sleep better, and working with her on all of that, she's been running fevers this week. After a tempestuous 2 hour doctor visit it's looking like a UTI for Venice. So antibiotics it is, hopefully that helps her out. 

Logan, my man, passed out of SPEECH!!!!!! YAYYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!! So very proud of him. It's been 7 years, finally he can be so proud of himself for years of hard work. 

Sylvie is deciding to have her annual spring anxiety attacks. I have been working with the school psychiatrist and I have an appointment with her regular doctor to hopefully get a referral for some help for her. She needs it at this point. Tummy aches, school refusal, the works. It's not easy on any of us, especially her! 

We had a wonderful trip to Ann Arbor to see Joe and Emily's house and while it would have been nice to go further, it was okay that we didn't. It's been an extremely cold winter and even the warm places were not great in the weather department. We got a chance to see a show, which is where this photo is from. 

Thoughts

I work in a pretty urban area right now. Today I saw something that disturbed me and made me sad. A man who looked like my Dad about my dad's age, walked over to a guy who looked maybe 24 and gave him some money. That guy turned around and was yelling and fighting with the group of people he was with. I can tell exactly what happened. The guy went into Potbelly's and asked at every table if anyone had $ for lunch saying he was hungry. He does it all the time. He's one of a few and it's very unsettling to me personally if I see it. I hate for people to interrupt my personal space, put me on edge, and I hate worrying that someone is in need. And yet, I cannot hand over $. I just can't. This guy gives his every single day to begging. Every day I go into work, he stands on the corner and begs for cash and gives you flack if you don't give it to him. Why can't he work? Is he homeless? I wish I was brave enough to ask but he's very in-your-face and I don't feel brave enough to ask. And I feel guilty as a Catholic not giving to someone in need as well.

So anyway, back to my looks-like-my-dad guy, walking with his wife across the street. After he handed over his cash, that guy was causing a ruckus and looking like a fight was going to happen. It's spring break and there are kids everywhere. The gentleman who gave his money started getting mad at the guy's reaction. I mean, he went in begging for $ for food and he barely acknowledges the guy for giving him money and then starts causing issues right then. He got mad, started shaking his head and turned around in the intersection to go give Mr. Beggar Guy a piece of his mind. His wife grabbed him and said "don't you dare. You could get stabbed."

I couldn't get it out of my head. My dad's generation, born in the 50's- they learned to work hard. They had nothing handed to them but milk and cookies. All material things were minimal, with hard work for laundry, hard work for school (maybe even nuns!), hard work for college because it wasn't something everyone got to do or afford. My dad worked multiple jobs to afford college. They had a hard work ethic and I'm sure that guy handing his money over felt like that was a sacrifice on his part to hand over $20 or so.

And there was no thank you from this guy who felt entitled or bored or annoyed or drunk or drugged up or whatever. He had no reaction but to go back to disturbing the peace.

It hurts my heart that some do not give but take take take take take. And feel entitled for more. And others give and hope the recipient will do good things with it but apparently is a user. User of people. User of substances. Who knows. But today.... it made me sad.