My window from yesterday's post was still up and I looked and it looks like the second video is wrong. It's supposed to be dominic the donkey, not Kayla. Anyway, if you see Kayla, sorry. I was trying to share Dominic.
And I realized this week that I probably should work on being a little less sarcastic. I know I write pretty sarcastically here, but I think I might want to rethink my out loud sarcasm. Mostly because it's lost on my kids. Or maybe not and things will continue as they go now.
But this week, for the 18th million time we had the "what do you want to be called when you go to school" conversation with JM. I'm kinda at the point where I'm ready for him to be a normal name like Jon or Jonathan or even Jack if you really want to stretch it. JonMichael is a mouthful and he was unwilling to learn how to write it. And writing and reading your own name is kindergarten 101. And I have a lifetime of going by a name other than what is on my birth certificate and I kinda wanted him to have a more normal experience than that.
But anyway.. he's still insisting on JonMichael. And this week in true stubborn mule fashion that all my kids exhibit, he proved he could write his whole name or at least "JoNMicHAEl" or if you put the J and N backwards and did an odd mix of capital and lower case letters.
And he showed me and said "can I get a present for writing my name?"
And I said 'sure'
I probably should have thought about my reply before I gave it.
So he returns with his name written twice and said "can I have two presents? can I have more than Sonia and Joey? (because EVERYTHING here is about competition, apparently)"
I try ignoring the request.
He comes back with his name written 4 times.
I start with trying to explain he's not going to get a present for everytime he writes his name, he can have a gumball for the effort of the first time and he says...
"Can I have my presents? can you get right on that?"
oh. my.
Yeah, I think I may have used that line one too many times.
Because I said "sure, I'll get right on that" and he skips away announcing to his siblings that he's getting more presents than them and I'm getting right on it.
(groan)
At least they didn't all come running in complaining that he's getting more than them, which is the usual chain of events. They might have had a clue it wasn't true. As if I'd ever admit to getting one child more than another. I love them all the same. In different ways. And not everyone's love language is gifts. Although when one of them sees gifts being given suddenly their love language is also gifts because.. it's all about the competition.
I wish they were competitive for learning their multiplication tables. That might be helpful. This stupid competitive over anything not important (front seat, which plate/fork/knife/cup at dinner, longest bath, longest computer time, looking out someone else's car window..) has got to end. Seriously. Before I tear out all my hair. Although I hear bald can be beautiful.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
We interrupt your holiday season
For Songs
And a little rambling.
The kids had their Christmas, oh, sorry, holiday song performance this week at school. Don't worry, I'll spare you the video. And my inner dialogue wouldn't shut up, and now I'm sharing with you.
When I was growing up I always wondered "what about the poor kids who didn't see snow or know what it is?" much like the way you'd hear about the starving kids in China, so you better eat your dinner. (an aside there.. even as a kid that logic never made sense to me, if they're starving why would I have to eat it? wouldn't be it better to share it with the starving kids? you want me to be selfish? that's what you're saying?)
Ok. back to snow.
Anyway, the kindergarten kids sang "Snowman Joe" I'm pretty sure that's what they sang last year, too. But I don't remember writing about it since life got busy. Anyway the same thoughts came up this year so this time I share them with you.
The words go something about making a snowman, named Joe and then the sun comes out and he melts.
What do these kids know about making snow men and them melting, anyway? ridiculous. And almost comical. Particularly when you see them trying to scrape up the frost from the shaded area on the play ground and calling that snow. (oh, yeah, we do get frost a few days a year. Our garden met a sudden death)
Followed by 2 Chaunaka (or how ever you spell the Jewish Holiday) Songs, one about changing seasons (again.. like these kids know anything about this. Our deciduous trees are just now turning colors and falling. By the time the leaves fall off the buds will be back on the trees.)
And the crown jewel of the day was "Buena Noche" in Spanish. And not the real Buena Noche, no that would be Christmas. This is about Christmas eve light. No Christ, presents, only moon, stars and good food. I'm pretty sure it's more a winter solstice song more than Christmas.. but... anyway.. it was all in Spanish. And the funny part was the commentary from the English speaking parent behind me when they announced it. My grandfather's spirit lived on. For those of you who aren't familiar with him, he was well known for making racial or judgmental slurs out loud in public. Followed by a "WHAT? it's true." sort of statement if you tried to shush him. Funny now. As a kid/teen it was mortifying, but as in many other things what doesn't kill you gives you a sarcastic sense of humor....
In other news. I actually mailed Christmas cards this year. It was bittersweet to see the changes that have occurred over the years, in crossed out addresses, people no longer with us, changed addresses and people I've lost track of who haven't shown up on facebook. It was also encouraging to see all the people we've gotten to know over the years through different stages of life.
Speaking of stages in life. We're here another 2 years. Larry decided family medicine is for him, for now, at least and has been accepted into the family practice residency here. We're going for a record, most time in 1 location. As much as I like our house, our neighborhood and church. Larry sees us moving after that time. Mostly because he'd like another bathroom. The pile up at the bathroom in the morning is bad. I don't really see a second bathroom as the answer to it, since then there will be 2 doors with kids pounding on them instead of 1, but he didn't grow up with siblings, so he doesn't realize that you can have one per kid and they'll still fight over who gets which one.
I've been accepted for a job. I went back to the "I don't really want to work" attitude and it seems to have worked. Irregular hours, per diem work, so it might work out well that I have the flexibility I need, but also difficult in that it might be hard to plan for child care. I'm still working out the details if I'll put JM in full time preschool a few days and try to work those days or if I'll just try to find preschool on the days I have work and commit to work and then try to find what to do with him. I prefer having the childcare lined up first, but then if work doens't follow I'm paying for something I don't need to be using. *sigh* it's only until September. Guess it'll work out. Anyway, it's a free clinic. Calls to my inner bleeding heart, although I do have some reservations about it. Mostly because part of the requirements for work meant I had to go there, use their services for a ppd and physical and drug test, so after being a patient there.. I have reservations. Could be worse, I guess, could be the last place I was going to work at. Anyway, they're willing to do the supervision it will take for me to get my furnishing number and dea and I'm sure I'll get a deeper view of life in san diego county working there.
Back to Christmas.
While I managed to have the kids' pictures taken and cards mailed, the buying Christmas gifts part hit a snag. Mostly because what do you buy people who can buy anything they want? I'm talking about parents and inlaws, mostly. My inlaws probably would not appreciate the trio of dairy animals given in their name in Africa, so once again I sit here scratching my head and browsing Amazon trying to come up with something. ANYTHING that they might like. If you have any ideas, feel free to send them to me. Larry of course is no help. My parents of course have not used the last gift I got them, so I'm also striking out there. 2 trios of dairy animals and portion of a water well coming right up...
However both sets of grandparents have said they wanted us to buy the gift for the kids from them. THAT has been a blast, in a sense, thinking "I'd never buy this but grandma would" and shopping. So.. the boys are getting lightsabers and goggles. (the cool light up, make noise sort from grandma because they really really want them and want to do battle and mom has said no for 3 years now) and the goggles from their parents (because we're the ones that worry about safety). Sonia's getting a stupid electronic stuffed dog that she's been asking for 2 years. Oh, yeah, there isn't an off switch, so if you hear a dog whining from Larry's closet, it's her toy. They think all the toys are in my closet, so we've had to get more creative about hiding places. They're also in the shed, garage and under my bed. Actually I should hide them under THEIR beds since they never actually look there and the missing winter coats and shoes no one can find are always there.
So now I really really need to get something done. I have a double batch of fudge to make having forgotten to double everything in the last batch (dang math) I need to also run to the grocery store (on a payday, no less) to buy it with 6000 of my closest military wives. I'll be lucky if I find a parking space, much less a shopping cart.
So if you don't hear from me here, Merry Christmas and much love from here in paradise.
And please visit.
XOXOXOX
~G
And a little rambling.
The kids had their Christmas, oh, sorry, holiday song performance this week at school. Don't worry, I'll spare you the video. And my inner dialogue wouldn't shut up, and now I'm sharing with you.
When I was growing up I always wondered "what about the poor kids who didn't see snow or know what it is?" much like the way you'd hear about the starving kids in China, so you better eat your dinner. (an aside there.. even as a kid that logic never made sense to me, if they're starving why would I have to eat it? wouldn't be it better to share it with the starving kids? you want me to be selfish? that's what you're saying?)
Ok. back to snow.
Anyway, the kindergarten kids sang "Snowman Joe" I'm pretty sure that's what they sang last year, too. But I don't remember writing about it since life got busy. Anyway the same thoughts came up this year so this time I share them with you.
The words go something about making a snowman, named Joe and then the sun comes out and he melts.
What do these kids know about making snow men and them melting, anyway? ridiculous. And almost comical. Particularly when you see them trying to scrape up the frost from the shaded area on the play ground and calling that snow. (oh, yeah, we do get frost a few days a year. Our garden met a sudden death)
Followed by 2 Chaunaka (or how ever you spell the Jewish Holiday) Songs, one about changing seasons (again.. like these kids know anything about this. Our deciduous trees are just now turning colors and falling. By the time the leaves fall off the buds will be back on the trees.)
And the crown jewel of the day was "Buena Noche" in Spanish. And not the real Buena Noche, no that would be Christmas. This is about Christmas eve light. No Christ, presents, only moon, stars and good food. I'm pretty sure it's more a winter solstice song more than Christmas.. but... anyway.. it was all in Spanish. And the funny part was the commentary from the English speaking parent behind me when they announced it. My grandfather's spirit lived on. For those of you who aren't familiar with him, he was well known for making racial or judgmental slurs out loud in public. Followed by a "WHAT? it's true." sort of statement if you tried to shush him. Funny now. As a kid/teen it was mortifying, but as in many other things what doesn't kill you gives you a sarcastic sense of humor....
In other news. I actually mailed Christmas cards this year. It was bittersweet to see the changes that have occurred over the years, in crossed out addresses, people no longer with us, changed addresses and people I've lost track of who haven't shown up on facebook. It was also encouraging to see all the people we've gotten to know over the years through different stages of life.
Speaking of stages in life. We're here another 2 years. Larry decided family medicine is for him, for now, at least and has been accepted into the family practice residency here. We're going for a record, most time in 1 location. As much as I like our house, our neighborhood and church. Larry sees us moving after that time. Mostly because he'd like another bathroom. The pile up at the bathroom in the morning is bad. I don't really see a second bathroom as the answer to it, since then there will be 2 doors with kids pounding on them instead of 1, but he didn't grow up with siblings, so he doesn't realize that you can have one per kid and they'll still fight over who gets which one.
I've been accepted for a job. I went back to the "I don't really want to work" attitude and it seems to have worked. Irregular hours, per diem work, so it might work out well that I have the flexibility I need, but also difficult in that it might be hard to plan for child care. I'm still working out the details if I'll put JM in full time preschool a few days and try to work those days or if I'll just try to find preschool on the days I have work and commit to work and then try to find what to do with him. I prefer having the childcare lined up first, but then if work doens't follow I'm paying for something I don't need to be using. *sigh* it's only until September. Guess it'll work out. Anyway, it's a free clinic. Calls to my inner bleeding heart, although I do have some reservations about it. Mostly because part of the requirements for work meant I had to go there, use their services for a ppd and physical and drug test, so after being a patient there.. I have reservations. Could be worse, I guess, could be the last place I was going to work at. Anyway, they're willing to do the supervision it will take for me to get my furnishing number and dea and I'm sure I'll get a deeper view of life in san diego county working there.
Back to Christmas.
While I managed to have the kids' pictures taken and cards mailed, the buying Christmas gifts part hit a snag. Mostly because what do you buy people who can buy anything they want? I'm talking about parents and inlaws, mostly. My inlaws probably would not appreciate the trio of dairy animals given in their name in Africa, so once again I sit here scratching my head and browsing Amazon trying to come up with something. ANYTHING that they might like. If you have any ideas, feel free to send them to me. Larry of course is no help. My parents of course have not used the last gift I got them, so I'm also striking out there. 2 trios of dairy animals and portion of a water well coming right up...
However both sets of grandparents have said they wanted us to buy the gift for the kids from them. THAT has been a blast, in a sense, thinking "I'd never buy this but grandma would" and shopping. So.. the boys are getting lightsabers and goggles. (the cool light up, make noise sort from grandma because they really really want them and want to do battle and mom has said no for 3 years now) and the goggles from their parents (because we're the ones that worry about safety). Sonia's getting a stupid electronic stuffed dog that she's been asking for 2 years. Oh, yeah, there isn't an off switch, so if you hear a dog whining from Larry's closet, it's her toy. They think all the toys are in my closet, so we've had to get more creative about hiding places. They're also in the shed, garage and under my bed. Actually I should hide them under THEIR beds since they never actually look there and the missing winter coats and shoes no one can find are always there.
So now I really really need to get something done. I have a double batch of fudge to make having forgotten to double everything in the last batch (dang math) I need to also run to the grocery store (on a payday, no less) to buy it with 6000 of my closest military wives. I'll be lucky if I find a parking space, much less a shopping cart.
So if you don't hear from me here, Merry Christmas and much love from here in paradise.
And please visit.
XOXOXOX
~G
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