Happy Birthday, Kidlet Jr.

December 12, 2003

Today is a special day in this java household. Today we celebrate the amazing day that Kidlet Jr. was born. Today, my youngest son turns 8 years old. And let me tell you, he is about as excited as it gets! This is a kid after my own heart. He loves the attention and the fact that it is all about him.

Let me tell you something about this wonderful boy. He is one of the funniest and most compassionate kids I know. You just smile knowing he is around. He is happiness and energy and love all wrapped into this amazing boy. I am so proud of him I could burst. There is just so much about him that warms my heart. The desire to go on and on about how much I cherish him is overwhelming, but I would much rather just spend some time with him. I am sure you understand.

Happy Birthday, Kidlet Jr. I love you so very much!

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Silly tail tale

December 10, 2003

I was reading this book to Little Diva called The Silly Tail Book. In the beginning of the book it says, “Some animals have tails. Do you have a tail?”

Little Diva looks at me very seriously and says, “No, Mommy. I have a butt.”

Just try to maintain composure after that.

So I did what all good moms do and laughed and praised her, “Why, yes, sweetie. You do have a butt.” And we read on.

I live for comments like these!
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Morning? Already?

December 4, 2003

Does anyone want to step in for me today and live my life? Oh, it isn’t as if my life is going to be horrible or anything. (At least I hope not!) It’s just that I haven’t the energy to be me today.

“Why?”, you ask.

Well, I will tell you.

Little Diva decided that she would start crying out every few minutes starting at 2:00am. Finally, by 3:00am I just crawled into bed with her hoping it would fix whatever ailed her poor little heart.

Turns out I am glad I did that. At 3:30am I heard those unmistakable loud stomach churning warnings that say “anything that has entered this stomach in the last 8 hours is coming back.”

Let me just say, half asleep or not, I can move pretty freakin fast when I know it is the difference between cleaning sheets etc or getting a toddler to the bathroom. We made it. (Applause)

We’ve been up ever since. She seems fine now. Even asking for food. (Dare I brave it???) And now the boys are up getting ready for school.

I have had the sum total of about 2-3 hours of sleep. (*yawn*)

So, if it isn’t too much to ask, is there anyone out there who wants to live my life for me today so that I can sleep? I won’t even ask you to clean or anything.

Anyone?
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Kidlets are taking over

December 2, 2003

I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now. The kids have taken over Uncle Buzz’s place. There is drool and diapers and toys everywhere. Come on over and see what Little Diva and her friends are up to over there.
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Listening in…

November 24, 2003

Overheard at the Java home this weekend…

(After trying to do something with my hair to survive the very windy day)
Kidlet Jr: “Mom, isn’t that too much hairspray to use?”
Geek-Man: “Son, you are talking to a woman who grew up in the 80’s and lives in Texas. There is no such thing as too much hairspray.”

Kidlet Sr: “I know what I want to do for a science project. I’ll need your help.”
Me: “Sure. What’s the plan?”
Kidlet Sr: “We’re going to see how the lack of caffeine effects your mood, so we are going to take away your coffee and Diet Coke for a week.”
(Sidenote: I think I’ll let him fail before he does that one!)
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Me day becomes We day

November 20, 2003

It seems I am catching the cold that is going around the country. I have managed to miss it for the most part although both Geek Man and Kidlet Sr have it. So, I decided to take a personal day. A Me day. I am dragging and feel like my head is made of lead and my body has been hit by a truck. So, today is my down day. Take it easy day. You know the drill.

Little Diva doesn’t.

So far today I have played with Barbie until frankly, I want to rip her little arms off and beat her with them. (The Barbie’s’ arms, not Little Divas. Sicko.) I have put together approximately 753 puzzles since this morning. I have watched Clifford, Dora and The Wiggles as well. We have colored pictures, cut paper and just glued stuff. No real reason to glue. Just the fun of glue.

Oh yeah, and I got to clean up spilled coffee from a pink sweatshirt. So far, it hasn’t come out. It was my favorite shirt. Ah well, I’ll just clean in it if it doesn’t come out.

So, no “me” day. But this is much more fun! Gotta run. THe Boss is calling. It seems that it is time to randomly color things in a coloring book that she insists should never have any of the white part of the page showing. Ever.
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Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

November 2, 2003

Last night the testosterone laden people of the household (aka: the guys) went camping. The first time for just the 3 of them to go camping. They went with the Scouts. Can I just say that it was like a mini-vacation to just have the Little Diva to hang with?

I was a very good Mom. I taught her important things. This is what we did:

We painted our toenails. Complete with those little toe separator thingies. A pale pink. Nothing tacky for my girl.

We watched Chick Flicks together. I cried. She tore apart the toe separator thingies. But, she didn’t leave the room. That is one up on the boys.

We ate too much candy.

We stayed up too late playing.

We fell asleep cuddled together…happy, albeit a bit bloated but happy.

I am thinking of sending the men out of the house more often. It was fun having a girls night with my little girl.
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Listen…

October 31, 2003

It’s 3:30pm here.

The sun is shining brightly.

The birds are singing.

(It’s really hot here, too, by the way.)

If you listen closely you can hear the chorus of….
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I hate making decisions!

October 29, 2003

Parenting guilt issue #38

Here is the deal. Kidlet Jr. is going on a field trip to the zoo this Friday. I really wanted to go. Mainly because it means a lot to the kidlet for me to be there. I told the teacher ages ago that I wanted to go with them. Well, it turns out that there were 2 other moms that spoke up sooner and were chosen to go. No big deal. I tried.

So, when a friend of mine asked me if I could watch her daughter for her on Friday so she could go to her son’s field trip (different field trip), I readily agreed knowing I had no plans.

Yesterday, Kidlet Jr’s teacher calls and said that a parent from another class backed out and they need a mom to fill in. I would be able to be with my kidlet and one of his friends, but would be with the other teacher’s class. (Are you following me?)

So therein lies my problem. I made a committment to the other mom that if I need to do so, I could juggle with relative ease. (Ask another mom to fill in for me.) I could find someone to watch Little Diva if I make a few phone calls. I know it would mean a lot to my kidlet. But, it doesn’t sit right with me to juggle the toddler I agreed to watch.

Yet, it doesn’t sit right to turn down the opportunity to go when I know that my kidlet would really love it.

What would you do? I am torn here. My stomach is in knots trying to figure out what I should do here. (Does this mommy guilt ever go away?) I could use another mom’s input here. Or any of you dad’s, too. For that matter, pet owners and just people who like to give their opinions can weigh in too.
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I survived!

October 22, 2003

I survived the field trip. More importantly, my foot survived. It was a looonnng day, but I did enjoy going. It made it all worth while to hear how happy it made Kidlet Sr. that I went with him. He even wanted me to sit with him on the bus ride home. (And while we are talking about this, can I just say that combining 30 fourth graders with a 95 degree day with hiking outside with everyone in jeans with a closed up bus…well, you are just asking to asphyxiate from the smell! Deodorant would be a good idea at this age, just an FYI.)

My group got Ms. I-Take-My-Job-Way-Too-Seriously-To-Make-It-Fun. Of course, I am a smart ass who has no problem making comments, but does have a bit of a problem with authority. I was “volunteered” to be the parent in the back to make sure the kids stay together. Good thing. That way only my kid and those kids who know me well got to hear me. (They even got in trouble once for laughing when she was talking. I tried to take the blame, but Ms. Too-Serious hushed me.)

My foot is pounding now. I am pretty sure that I won’t be walking tomorrow. But you know what? It was worth it all because when we got back to the school, Kidlet Sr. gave me a big hug and said, “Thanks for going, Mom. It’s so cool that you do things like this with me. Some moms don’t. I’m lucky.” (Can I just say I did melt right then and there!)
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