For those who haven't heard... we are moving. Aaron got a new job and we will be moving back to D.C.!!!! we always knew we'd move back, we just had no idea it would happen so soon. He starts work 2 weeks from Monday. He'll be back and forth until we sell the house so I won't have to be alone too much.
Sorry this isn't more detailed, I just wanted to officially announce the move. I'm working on a better post about it all, which I'll put up down the road.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
really??
I never intended on bringing politics into my blog - but sometimes, there must be exceptions.
I truly do not mean to offend anyone, but I have to say, I think it's...odd...that anyone opposed Pres. Obama's speech being aired in the schools. regardless of what your thoughts are with his political agenda or his grand plans for healthcare, when the President of the United States wants to personally address students in hopes to help them take a proactive course in their education, then I say we should all stop and listen. Especially the students. I feel that every school in the nation should have taken the time from their classes to let the students see that the most powerful man in our country cares about their education. He wasn't there to talk to our 1st graders about the healthcare package or about our war on terror. He was there to talk to them about the importance of an education. His message was for students to take responsibility for their own learning. To be excited about their education and to stop relying on parents and teachers for constant encouragement. Too many people in this country rely on others to do things for them. To get them excited for life. Why else is there such a huge market for self-help books? Too many people wait around for others to do the hard work, too many people take advantage of the "system" trying to get as much as possible for as little work necessary and as a result we're in a pretty bad economic downward spiral.
Taking that into consideration, what a great and wonderful thing, for our children, to learn to take responsibility for themselves at a young age. For their education. To stop waiting around for your parents to hound them to get their homework done or to work hard for a higher education. Take it upon themselves to value their schooling and see the benefits of working hard for something and the extraordinary joy that comes from accomplishing it. I wish that instead of the criticism so many Americans showed this past week, we would have shouted our thanks to a President who is willing to talk to the youth and encourage them to value their education.
However, as most of us know, schools did not show the speech. Too many angry, offended parents raised their voices to keep "that man" out of our schools. How dare he talk to students about education, regardless of the fact that two previous Republican Presidents have done that very thing. Don't you find it interesting that so many fought to keep God out of the school system and now so many are fighting to keep the President out as well?
My "last straw", as it were, came yesterday in Noah's school. I was there volunteering (thank goodness they still allow that in the schools) when I heard the principle announcing Master Jones would be meeting with the classes throughout the day. Apparently, as not to disrupt testings, they had each grade take a turn going to listen to Master Jones. When it became clear to me who Master Jones was, and why he was there, I was furious. The school, who claimed they could not show President Obama's speech because of testing, worked around said testings, to allow a martial arts instructor to talk to the students. He showed them different martial arts stances. For example, one was a sort of folding arms, which he told them should remind them to sit quietly and listen to the teachers. He talked about how martial arts could help them to focus and be better students, how each student should be respectful in class. He then went on to say he'd come to each class once a month and draw two names. Whoever was drawn would get to have one free class at his studio.
So, if I understand this correctly, the school will not let the President of the United States talk to the students about education, but they'll let Master Jones come in and sell his product in the form of "focusing more in school". He was successful, in the fact that Noah is already asking to take martial arts classes. Whether he'll be more focused in class - who knows. My nephews take a form of karate and they are absolutely focused, polite, confident children. I'm not saying the idea of Master Jones being there was wrong - I'm saying he should never have been allowed in place of the President of the United States.
I think people need to wake up and get their priorities straight. Just because you're not a fan of "that man", doesn't mean we should oppose all he stands for. Yes, there are flaws with the healthcare system, yes, there are flaws with many things the President wants to put forth (as with all Presidents since George Washington) but, when the President wants to do something good, wants to promote something beneficial for students, teachers and families, then we should put our biased opinions to the side and rally behind him as we all strive for a better America. Pick and choose your battles. Where education is concerned, no matter what side of the isle you stand, we should be united if it helps our children become stronger, more independent, men and women. We're not just Republicans or Democrats, we're Americans and whenever possible, we should stand united in bettering the future for our children.
I truly do not mean to offend anyone, but I have to say, I think it's...odd...that anyone opposed Pres. Obama's speech being aired in the schools. regardless of what your thoughts are with his political agenda or his grand plans for healthcare, when the President of the United States wants to personally address students in hopes to help them take a proactive course in their education, then I say we should all stop and listen. Especially the students. I feel that every school in the nation should have taken the time from their classes to let the students see that the most powerful man in our country cares about their education. He wasn't there to talk to our 1st graders about the healthcare package or about our war on terror. He was there to talk to them about the importance of an education. His message was for students to take responsibility for their own learning. To be excited about their education and to stop relying on parents and teachers for constant encouragement. Too many people in this country rely on others to do things for them. To get them excited for life. Why else is there such a huge market for self-help books? Too many people wait around for others to do the hard work, too many people take advantage of the "system" trying to get as much as possible for as little work necessary and as a result we're in a pretty bad economic downward spiral.
Taking that into consideration, what a great and wonderful thing, for our children, to learn to take responsibility for themselves at a young age. For their education. To stop waiting around for your parents to hound them to get their homework done or to work hard for a higher education. Take it upon themselves to value their schooling and see the benefits of working hard for something and the extraordinary joy that comes from accomplishing it. I wish that instead of the criticism so many Americans showed this past week, we would have shouted our thanks to a President who is willing to talk to the youth and encourage them to value their education.
However, as most of us know, schools did not show the speech. Too many angry, offended parents raised their voices to keep "that man" out of our schools. How dare he talk to students about education, regardless of the fact that two previous Republican Presidents have done that very thing. Don't you find it interesting that so many fought to keep God out of the school system and now so many are fighting to keep the President out as well?
My "last straw", as it were, came yesterday in Noah's school. I was there volunteering (thank goodness they still allow that in the schools) when I heard the principle announcing Master Jones would be meeting with the classes throughout the day. Apparently, as not to disrupt testings, they had each grade take a turn going to listen to Master Jones. When it became clear to me who Master Jones was, and why he was there, I was furious. The school, who claimed they could not show President Obama's speech because of testing, worked around said testings, to allow a martial arts instructor to talk to the students. He showed them different martial arts stances. For example, one was a sort of folding arms, which he told them should remind them to sit quietly and listen to the teachers. He talked about how martial arts could help them to focus and be better students, how each student should be respectful in class. He then went on to say he'd come to each class once a month and draw two names. Whoever was drawn would get to have one free class at his studio.
So, if I understand this correctly, the school will not let the President of the United States talk to the students about education, but they'll let Master Jones come in and sell his product in the form of "focusing more in school". He was successful, in the fact that Noah is already asking to take martial arts classes. Whether he'll be more focused in class - who knows. My nephews take a form of karate and they are absolutely focused, polite, confident children. I'm not saying the idea of Master Jones being there was wrong - I'm saying he should never have been allowed in place of the President of the United States.
I think people need to wake up and get their priorities straight. Just because you're not a fan of "that man", doesn't mean we should oppose all he stands for. Yes, there are flaws with the healthcare system, yes, there are flaws with many things the President wants to put forth (as with all Presidents since George Washington) but, when the President wants to do something good, wants to promote something beneficial for students, teachers and families, then we should put our biased opinions to the side and rally behind him as we all strive for a better America. Pick and choose your battles. Where education is concerned, no matter what side of the isle you stand, we should be united if it helps our children become stronger, more independent, men and women. We're not just Republicans or Democrats, we're Americans and whenever possible, we should stand united in bettering the future for our children.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
learning curves
we all have learning curves in life: playing sports, riding bikes, driving cars, and yes, even eating bagels...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Noah. Karaoke. Does it get any better?
Aaron's parents got out the karaoke machine. noah thought he'd sing "16 candles" to Reagan, except he changed it to "1 candle" for his "toddler-aged queen".
(if you don't have time to watch all 3 minutes of it - you should try and watch it from about 2 minutes into it - he starts to really get into his singing)
love that kid!
(if you don't have time to watch all 3 minutes of it - you should try and watch it from about 2 minutes into it - he starts to really get into his singing)
love that kid!
Monday, August 17, 2009
all in a word
As Aaron was out of town on business my friend Carrie and her three kids came and spent the night and hung out the following day. by the end of the day, we were both pretty drained from having these five kids in the same house for so long. really, it's not so much the five kids as it is Noah and Jane. For some reason they're like oil and vinegar. it is literally impossible for them to get along for any length of time. separate - they're both great kids. together - it's a constant battle. Anyway, as they're getting ready to leave, Luke and Reagan are walking around being loud like only little children can, Noah has upset Jane to the point of tears and the boys are being loud as they say goodbye. meanwhile, Carrie is trying to get them out to the car, i'm trying to keep reagan in the house and find out what Noah did to Jane and frankly, it was all a bit chaotic. We finally get them all moving towards the door when Noah yells out, "Hey mitch! See ya later dick head".
it was as if for a brief moment in time everything slowed down as i looked at noah with total disbelief that came out of his mouth and Carrie's looking at me and then at noah and i'm trying to figure out if i should throw him in his room or pour a bottle of Tabasco sauce in his mouth. i go for the former.
me: NOAH! on your bed right now!!!!
noah: what? why? what did i do?
me: (octave higher then usual) what did you do? (voice back to normal, but still quite angry) you know we don't talk like that! i can't believe that came out of your mouth and directed at a friend! get in your room while i say goodbye and i'll be in to deal with you in a minute.
noah: (starting to cry) but, mom, it was an accident. i didn't mean to.
me: i don't want to hear it. room. now!
noah stomps off to his room while i say goodbye and help carrie get everyone outside. afterwards, i let noah sit on his bed for 20 minutes before going in. Once i'm in there it's a long talk about how the word he used was not appropriate and we should never call people that. i told him if i ever heard him talk like that again, there would be severe consequences and that we'd talk about it with his father when he gets home the next day.
so, me, being very proud that i didn't have to resort to the hot sauce and that i was able to be calm but firm (in the end at least), i didn't bring it up again until the next day. When i told Aaron, he was pretty mad. (ok, really, he was trying not to laugh, but thankfully he looked appropriately disapproving when we sat down with noah.)
me: naoh, i want you to tell your dad why you got in trouble yesterday.
noah: (looking very worried) no, you tell him. i don't want to.
me: no, you need to tell him.
noah: fine. *sniff* dad, when Mitchell was leaving yesterday I called him *sniff* a duck head.
total silence as it slowly sinks in that i had punished Noah for calling his friend duck head. not dick head. to my credit, it was very loud and he was talking really fast.
at this point, aaron starts laughing and just walks away. i look at a very confused noah and tell him that i'm glad he's learned his lesson and i'm glad it won't happen again.
poor noah.
it was as if for a brief moment in time everything slowed down as i looked at noah with total disbelief that came out of his mouth and Carrie's looking at me and then at noah and i'm trying to figure out if i should throw him in his room or pour a bottle of Tabasco sauce in his mouth. i go for the former.
me: NOAH! on your bed right now!!!!
noah: what? why? what did i do?
me: (octave higher then usual) what did you do? (voice back to normal, but still quite angry) you know we don't talk like that! i can't believe that came out of your mouth and directed at a friend! get in your room while i say goodbye and i'll be in to deal with you in a minute.
noah: (starting to cry) but, mom, it was an accident. i didn't mean to.
me: i don't want to hear it. room. now!
noah stomps off to his room while i say goodbye and help carrie get everyone outside. afterwards, i let noah sit on his bed for 20 minutes before going in. Once i'm in there it's a long talk about how the word he used was not appropriate and we should never call people that. i told him if i ever heard him talk like that again, there would be severe consequences and that we'd talk about it with his father when he gets home the next day.
so, me, being very proud that i didn't have to resort to the hot sauce and that i was able to be calm but firm (in the end at least), i didn't bring it up again until the next day. When i told Aaron, he was pretty mad. (ok, really, he was trying not to laugh, but thankfully he looked appropriately disapproving when we sat down with noah.)
me: naoh, i want you to tell your dad why you got in trouble yesterday.
noah: (looking very worried) no, you tell him. i don't want to.
me: no, you need to tell him.
noah: fine. *sniff* dad, when Mitchell was leaving yesterday I called him *sniff* a duck head.
total silence as it slowly sinks in that i had punished Noah for calling his friend duck head. not dick head. to my credit, it was very loud and he was talking really fast.
at this point, aaron starts laughing and just walks away. i look at a very confused noah and tell him that i'm glad he's learned his lesson and i'm glad it won't happen again.
poor noah.
Monday, August 10, 2009
A very cool afternoon for Noah
a few months ago we had fueling jet, along with 4 smaller jets, fly right above our neighborhood. when i say right above, i literally mean right above. on one of their last circles they flew down the length of our street. it was amazing.
We called my brother Robert, who is a Master Sergeant at the base, and told him about the planes flying around our area. He made a few calls and worked it out so that Noah could come and take a tour of the base and check out the big refueling jet up close. What Noah didn't know, was that Robert had worked it out so that we could actually go on the jet and really check it out. For years he was a boom operator (the guy who would refuel jets while in the air) so it was really cool seeing up close what his job was like.
First we do a quick tour inside the base and see where Robert works. there are no pictures in there because camera's weren't allowed in that room. One of the rooms we could take pictures in was their big briefing room where Noah promptly ran up to the podium to brief us all. it's amazing how much this kid takes after his father. (well, not with his singing abilities - that's all me.)
This is Noah riding in the shuttle that takes the pilots to the planes. It's hard to capture on film just how excited he was. It was impossible not to just sit there and smile as you watched him soak it all in.
Finally, we're on the plane and Noah runs straight to the pilots seat. Here he is pretending to take off...
Here he is pretending the plane is going down in flames...
my two favorite 'pilots' in the entire world...
Aaron, thrilled beyond belief to be strapped in and ready for take-off. seriously, this boy knows how to get into character.
Noah is taking a picture of me after he's just told me the plane is going down and there's no chance of survival...
This is the "chair" that Robert lays on when refueling jets. There's about a 2 inch glass there in front of him that "protects" him when the boom is actually lowered. If they were really refueling right now, the two-paned windows you see (with the green metal around them) would be gone and all you'd see was the plane you're refueling and the ground 35,000 feet below you. crazy.
Watching Noah on that plane was one of the most fun things I've done all summer. For two hours straight he was all smiles and laughter. Not one whine or exasperated look and he didn't even ask me to buy him anything. it was heaven.
At the end of our day, Robert surprised Noah with an autographed picture of the plane we saw flying over our neighborhood. one of the signatures was from the pilot on that plane. It was very cool.
Thanks Uncle Robert!!!!!!
We called my brother Robert, who is a Master Sergeant at the base, and told him about the planes flying around our area. He made a few calls and worked it out so that Noah could come and take a tour of the base and check out the big refueling jet up close. What Noah didn't know, was that Robert had worked it out so that we could actually go on the jet and really check it out. For years he was a boom operator (the guy who would refuel jets while in the air) so it was really cool seeing up close what his job was like.
First we do a quick tour inside the base and see where Robert works. there are no pictures in there because camera's weren't allowed in that room. One of the rooms we could take pictures in was their big briefing room where Noah promptly ran up to the podium to brief us all. it's amazing how much this kid takes after his father. (well, not with his singing abilities - that's all me.)
This is Noah riding in the shuttle that takes the pilots to the planes. It's hard to capture on film just how excited he was. It was impossible not to just sit there and smile as you watched him soak it all in.
Finally, we're on the plane and Noah runs straight to the pilots seat. Here he is pretending to take off...
Here he is pretending the plane is going down in flames...
my two favorite 'pilots' in the entire world...
Aaron, thrilled beyond belief to be strapped in and ready for take-off. seriously, this boy knows how to get into character.
Noah is taking a picture of me after he's just told me the plane is going down and there's no chance of survival...
This is the "chair" that Robert lays on when refueling jets. There's about a 2 inch glass there in front of him that "protects" him when the boom is actually lowered. If they were really refueling right now, the two-paned windows you see (with the green metal around them) would be gone and all you'd see was the plane you're refueling and the ground 35,000 feet below you. crazy.
Watching Noah on that plane was one of the most fun things I've done all summer. For two hours straight he was all smiles and laughter. Not one whine or exasperated look and he didn't even ask me to buy him anything. it was heaven.
At the end of our day, Robert surprised Noah with an autographed picture of the plane we saw flying over our neighborhood. one of the signatures was from the pilot on that plane. It was very cool.
Thanks Uncle Robert!!!!!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The kids
Thought I'd throw in some quick updates on the kids. I'm warning you now - this will probably be a long post with lots of pictures. But, grandma has been after me for awhile, so here you go.... Reagan baffles me. Never have I wanted to smother a child with kisses and at the same time tie her to a bed. Seriously, how can you be so in love with that tiny little voice as you hear her learning new words, and yet feel like if you hear her say "wha happened?" one more time you'll tape her mouth shut. Forever she would walk around the house yelling "momma" or "bubba" (what she called Noah), which was fine because she never really expected an answer. Now, however, she's learned to say 'wha happened'. If anything happens - DVD stops working, a dog barks, the wind blows - she'll ask 'wha happened'? but not just once, it's over and over and over again. sometimes she'll say it in slow motion - "wwwhhhhaaaa happppeennned?" and then she'll just look at me, waiting for an answer. it is cute, but really obnoxious after awhile.
Here's a little video of her saying it. She was watching the Wiggles and the DVD must have had a scratch in it and stopped for a second. That got her started and for the next 2 minutes sat there saying 'wha happened'. I finally got the camera out, and caught the end of her repetition. Mind you, it's a long video - so by all means, don't watch it all.
Just when I think she'll be the end of my sanity, she'll do something as simple as just playing around with a hat and i find myself in awe at how adorable she can be...
No real story with the next shot - i just loved her face in it.
This picture of Reagan isn't as cute, as it is funny. well, funny to me - maybe i'm just more tired then i thought. evidently she really wanted a diaper on the outside, so aaron - unable to tell her no - happily obliged.
Lastly, her bedtime request. Most kids ask for one more drink of water - mine ask for marshmallows. oh yes - we feed our children very healthily - especially right before bed. But, she did practice saying 'please' and that's all that counts - right?
As for my update on Noah... He'll be going into second grade in just a few short weeks - it's really freaking me out. Just when I start feeling sad because he's growing up too fast, he'll start whining because he doesn't want to make his bed, and whining because he hasn't had enough wii time and when he is forced to do terrible things - like weeding outside - he makes sure I know "this is the WORST day EVER!!!' and it's in those moments that I think he's not growing up fast enough. Aaron's convinced the reason noah is so dramatic and emotional is because we never beat him as a child. now, while we would never actually beat any of our children, aaron did think a good spanking would have helped him toughen up. however, i'm fairly certain i ruined any chance of that happening by screaming - as aaron was dragging a kicking and crying noah to his bedroom for a spanking - "NO! DON'T SPANK HIM! HE NEEDS TO OBEY US BECAUSE HE LOVES US, NOT BECAUSE HE'S AFRAID OF US!!!! DON'T SPANK HIM!". yeah, let me tell you how much that helped the situation.
i've always said - when noah turns out to be this amazing person someday - it will be in spite of my parenting, not because of it.
Outside of the drama, noah really is the greatest kid and makes me laugh all the time. by far, my favorite clip of him yet, is him on wii Rock Band singing Eye of the Tiger. Holy crap that kid is monotone and yet, he'll stand and sing with the best of them. i love it. Aaron is on the drums and Gramps is on the guitar. The video is just over 4 minutes long - I don't expect you to watch the whole thing - but you have to at least watch it from about 2 minutes into it. if you can forward the video to around 2 minutes and 15 seconds - the last 2 minutes are priceless.
i love that kid.
Last, a few pictures of Noah from our Pioneer parade. (yes, it was three weeks ago. yes, i'm behind on my blogging). Grandma was able to work it out so that Noah could ride with her on the train in the parade. They're dressed up in their pioneer clothes - very authentic - minus the train. but still, i'm sure if pioneers had access to a train, they definitely would have taken it.
After the parade, there's a big party in the park. My favorite part was Noah climbing the rock wall.
One thing you have to understand - Noah is terrified of heights. So it was a really big deal for him to go as high as he did. When he got back down, he was shaking and his tale tale sign of how nervous he really was (just like his dad) are his very white lips.
What a champ!
i really do love these kids -
Here's a little video of her saying it. She was watching the Wiggles and the DVD must have had a scratch in it and stopped for a second. That got her started and for the next 2 minutes sat there saying 'wha happened'. I finally got the camera out, and caught the end of her repetition. Mind you, it's a long video - so by all means, don't watch it all.
Just when I think she'll be the end of my sanity, she'll do something as simple as just playing around with a hat and i find myself in awe at how adorable she can be...
No real story with the next shot - i just loved her face in it.
This picture of Reagan isn't as cute, as it is funny. well, funny to me - maybe i'm just more tired then i thought. evidently she really wanted a diaper on the outside, so aaron - unable to tell her no - happily obliged.
Lastly, her bedtime request. Most kids ask for one more drink of water - mine ask for marshmallows. oh yes - we feed our children very healthily - especially right before bed. But, she did practice saying 'please' and that's all that counts - right?
As for my update on Noah... He'll be going into second grade in just a few short weeks - it's really freaking me out. Just when I start feeling sad because he's growing up too fast, he'll start whining because he doesn't want to make his bed, and whining because he hasn't had enough wii time and when he is forced to do terrible things - like weeding outside - he makes sure I know "this is the WORST day EVER!!!' and it's in those moments that I think he's not growing up fast enough. Aaron's convinced the reason noah is so dramatic and emotional is because we never beat him as a child. now, while we would never actually beat any of our children, aaron did think a good spanking would have helped him toughen up. however, i'm fairly certain i ruined any chance of that happening by screaming - as aaron was dragging a kicking and crying noah to his bedroom for a spanking - "NO! DON'T SPANK HIM! HE NEEDS TO OBEY US BECAUSE HE LOVES US, NOT BECAUSE HE'S AFRAID OF US!!!! DON'T SPANK HIM!". yeah, let me tell you how much that helped the situation.
i've always said - when noah turns out to be this amazing person someday - it will be in spite of my parenting, not because of it.
Outside of the drama, noah really is the greatest kid and makes me laugh all the time. by far, my favorite clip of him yet, is him on wii Rock Band singing Eye of the Tiger. Holy crap that kid is monotone and yet, he'll stand and sing with the best of them. i love it. Aaron is on the drums and Gramps is on the guitar. The video is just over 4 minutes long - I don't expect you to watch the whole thing - but you have to at least watch it from about 2 minutes into it. if you can forward the video to around 2 minutes and 15 seconds - the last 2 minutes are priceless.
i love that kid.
Last, a few pictures of Noah from our Pioneer parade. (yes, it was three weeks ago. yes, i'm behind on my blogging). Grandma was able to work it out so that Noah could ride with her on the train in the parade. They're dressed up in their pioneer clothes - very authentic - minus the train. but still, i'm sure if pioneers had access to a train, they definitely would have taken it.
After the parade, there's a big party in the park. My favorite part was Noah climbing the rock wall.
One thing you have to understand - Noah is terrified of heights. So it was a really big deal for him to go as high as he did. When he got back down, he was shaking and his tale tale sign of how nervous he really was (just like his dad) are his very white lips.
What a champ!
i really do love these kids -
Thursday, July 2, 2009
video's of Reagan
reagan was in such a great mood during dinner. i think it's because we had her favorite - corn on the cob. while we were waiting for her to finish eating, noah started asking her what all the animals say. when her mouth isn't full of corn - she says them fairly well. my favorite is her rooster "ock a doodle doo doo" pretty funny. after the animals she wanted to sing. she'll usually do all of the actions with me, but again, she was a little pre-occupied.
Reagan telling noah the animal sounds:
Me singing with Reagan:
Reagan telling noah the animal sounds:
Me singing with Reagan:
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
insert eye roll
two lovely conversations in one day...
first noah's:
set-up: we're on a walk and aaron calls to say he's on his way home. he also mentions that for the Fourth of July he'd like to go to a rugby tournament in Park City. I proceed to explain how the last thing i'd like to do on the Fourth is go hang out with a bunch of rugby people we don't know, listen to noah complain that he's bored, and chase Reagan around a big field for 2 hours while he's playing. (not that i'm unsupportive. during the fall and spring season i do try to support his bi-weekly practices and every saturday games. many of which we do try to go to and watch. but on our family holiday - not quite what i'd hand in mind.)
when i got off the phone this is what followed:
noah: mom, i need to talk to you.
me: ok, what's up?
noah: i really didn't appreciate what i just heard you telling daddy.
me: (pause) ok (another slight pause) what didn't you appreciate?
noah: well, it sounds like daddy wants to play a game and you're not supporting him and that just makes me sad inside.
me: Noah, i do support your daddy. i like watching him play. however, on the Fourth of July it's a great idea to spend time together as a family and we can't do that if he's playing in a tournament. he won't really be with us and that makes me sad. so, it's better if we could just all be together for the holiday.
noah: (i swear to you, this is word for word) mom, listen to me. i know you think he'll be away from us if he plays, but you have to remember it's like when he's gone on a trip. lets say he went to california. when he's gone, his heart is still with us, his love is still with us, HE is always with us. so see, even if he's playing, he'll still be with us and it would make him so happy. he's not just our dad, he's apart of this family and we should try to make him happy.
me: (taking a moment trying to decide exactly how to respond to that melodramatic, eye-rolling, and yet so sweet, lecture from my son) oh, ok, um... first, i know he's apart of this family and i want to make him happy too. second, if it's possible for him to be with us physically, i would prefer that over having him just in our hearts. but i will talk to him later tonight and we'll figure something out.
noah: that sounds like a good idea. And mom?
me: yes?
noah: you really should apologize to dad for making him sad.
at that point i decided it was best to just let the conversation end.
second "conversation" of the day was with Reagan.
she was playing on the bed while i was folding laundry. (yes, i actually did the laundry and folded it in the same day. must be a result of the happy pills)
As i would fold the clothes i would count them and reagan would repeat the numbers with me. she's quite our little parrot. her new favorite saying, up until this point, was 'i don't know'. its' actually pretty funny to hear. anyway, i'm folding and counting and she's playing and selectively repeating, when i grab some shorts of Aaron's and flip them out so i can fold them. in the processing of flipping them, somehow one of the tie strings (which is quite hard on the end i might add) flipped up and hit me right in the eye. not below, or above, but right in the eye. that sucker stung and before i could stop myself the 'S' word comes flying out. oh yes, responsible mother here, who can't control her potty mouth in front of her 20 month old. (sorry mom) it took me a second to realize reagan had stopped jumping and was just watching me. i smiled at her and slowly started singing a song in hopes my little parrot was not paying attention. it took about 30 seconds, just long enough to think i was in the clear, before i hear this perfect little "sh**" out of my sweet little daughters mouth. i quickly said, "no, no, reagan" to which she replied, "no, no (pause) sh**. thankfully it only came out of her mouth a couple of more times before she went to bed. i'm sure aaron won't let me live this one down for awhile. as of today, she seems to have forgotten her new little word and i have promised aaron to be much more careful in the future.
first noah's:
set-up: we're on a walk and aaron calls to say he's on his way home. he also mentions that for the Fourth of July he'd like to go to a rugby tournament in Park City. I proceed to explain how the last thing i'd like to do on the Fourth is go hang out with a bunch of rugby people we don't know, listen to noah complain that he's bored, and chase Reagan around a big field for 2 hours while he's playing. (not that i'm unsupportive. during the fall and spring season i do try to support his bi-weekly practices and every saturday games. many of which we do try to go to and watch. but on our family holiday - not quite what i'd hand in mind.)
when i got off the phone this is what followed:
noah: mom, i need to talk to you.
me: ok, what's up?
noah: i really didn't appreciate what i just heard you telling daddy.
me: (pause) ok (another slight pause) what didn't you appreciate?
noah: well, it sounds like daddy wants to play a game and you're not supporting him and that just makes me sad inside.
me: Noah, i do support your daddy. i like watching him play. however, on the Fourth of July it's a great idea to spend time together as a family and we can't do that if he's playing in a tournament. he won't really be with us and that makes me sad. so, it's better if we could just all be together for the holiday.
noah: (i swear to you, this is word for word) mom, listen to me. i know you think he'll be away from us if he plays, but you have to remember it's like when he's gone on a trip. lets say he went to california. when he's gone, his heart is still with us, his love is still with us, HE is always with us. so see, even if he's playing, he'll still be with us and it would make him so happy. he's not just our dad, he's apart of this family and we should try to make him happy.
me: (taking a moment trying to decide exactly how to respond to that melodramatic, eye-rolling, and yet so sweet, lecture from my son) oh, ok, um... first, i know he's apart of this family and i want to make him happy too. second, if it's possible for him to be with us physically, i would prefer that over having him just in our hearts. but i will talk to him later tonight and we'll figure something out.
noah: that sounds like a good idea. And mom?
me: yes?
noah: you really should apologize to dad for making him sad.
at that point i decided it was best to just let the conversation end.
second "conversation" of the day was with Reagan.
she was playing on the bed while i was folding laundry. (yes, i actually did the laundry and folded it in the same day. must be a result of the happy pills)
As i would fold the clothes i would count them and reagan would repeat the numbers with me. she's quite our little parrot. her new favorite saying, up until this point, was 'i don't know'. its' actually pretty funny to hear. anyway, i'm folding and counting and she's playing and selectively repeating, when i grab some shorts of Aaron's and flip them out so i can fold them. in the processing of flipping them, somehow one of the tie strings (which is quite hard on the end i might add) flipped up and hit me right in the eye. not below, or above, but right in the eye. that sucker stung and before i could stop myself the 'S' word comes flying out. oh yes, responsible mother here, who can't control her potty mouth in front of her 20 month old. (sorry mom) it took me a second to realize reagan had stopped jumping and was just watching me. i smiled at her and slowly started singing a song in hopes my little parrot was not paying attention. it took about 30 seconds, just long enough to think i was in the clear, before i hear this perfect little "sh**" out of my sweet little daughters mouth. i quickly said, "no, no, reagan" to which she replied, "no, no (pause) sh**. thankfully it only came out of her mouth a couple of more times before she went to bed. i'm sure aaron won't let me live this one down for awhile. as of today, she seems to have forgotten her new little word and i have promised aaron to be much more careful in the future.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
oh so talented
we turned on some music last night to watch Reagan dance. however, once Noah jumped into the mix it was too hard to not just record him. he's definitely got his dance moves from his dad
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