More tales from the playground

Sunshine's school dismisses from the playground.  Normally, it's nice.  I get to have an adult conversation with some besides my husband.  Although it's usually punctuated with requests that the older children please try hard not to scare the younger ones when they play velociraptors or fire breathing dragons.  And the kids get to expend a little energy.  Love that.  

There's a dad there though that bugs the everlovin' crap out of me.  He insists on calling my kid a weird nickname, even after I told him that her name was SUNSHINE.   His kid ALWAYS comes to school with the greenest, runniest nose.    (Just a pet peeve of mine.  I mean, this guy stays home so there shouldn't be any question about keeping his sick kid at home.)  But today took the cake.  

I had noticed that this particular little girl had been out for the last few days.  But she was back today.  That's fine.  No big deal.  But her dad brought her obviously sick, much older brother onto the playground.  He was fine for a minute, and terrorized a few of the younger kids.  But then he stopped.  And vomited.  All over the place.  Not 3 feet from me.  And then, they STAYED ON THE PLAYGROUND so the little girl could play.  

Now seriously.  This kid is 10.  I'm not saying leave him at home, but at least leave him in the car.  Quickly pick up your other child, and leave.  Heck, any of the other parents would have been more than willing to bring this little girl up to her father and brother.  You just don't bring such a sick kid onto the playground.  And then, you don't stay after he gets sick just so that your other child can play.  

Have some respect for the other parents who are trying to keep their children healthy.  The last thing we need is to be hit with the stomach bug.  Especially after this week.  Maybe I'm overreacting, but but the stomach bug is something that I just don't play around with.  And frankly I'm ticked off that this particular parent seems to have so little regard for the health of any of these kids.  And if Sunshine gets sick... I just might suggest a play date at their house.  Probably not, but a mom can dream.  

A Memorandum From The Child

I've been taking this incredible seminar for the past few weeks.  I've debated putting this on the blog.  It totally blew my mind, but it's not my work.  Seriously though. Read it aloud.  (That's actually important.)  Think about it.  I know it's long, but it's completely worth it.  

*I'm trying to learn the difference between my needs and my impulses.  I need and really want you to help me set my limits.  I don't need my every whim and fancy catered to.

*"No" is not always a put-down.  Sometimes "no" is the most appropriate answer you can give me.

*I'm inclined to think you're perfect and infallible.  Please allow yourself to give me the comfort of knowing you make mistakes too.  An honest apology from you to me makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.

*Be clear and firm with me.  This lets me know where I am and helps me to be secure in my relationship with you.

*Be my guide and I will usually follow.  If you are forceful with me, I learn that power is all that counts.

*Please be consistent.  I get so confused if your expectations and directions fluctuate randomly.

*I'm inclined to trust you absolutely.  Since promises may be impossible to keep, let's not use them.

*Sometimes I may act like I'm trying to provoke you.  Please help me regain my inner balance by showing me that you can keep yours.

*Sometimes I may want you to feel bad for what I think you've done to me.  You might try leaving me alone or giving me a response that lets me know you recognize how upset I am.

*I thrive on respect.  If I feel belittled, I may try to compensate by acting like a bully and a big-shot.

*Please give me enough time and freedom to do things for myself.  I will think I am incapable if you do "my" things for me.  I want to feel competent.

*I might experiment with some unacceptable mannerisms or activities.  If you give lots of attention to it, you are giving me a reason to make the experiment a habit.

*Sometimes I will behave inappropriately in public situations.  Please quietly take me aside and give me a choice to leave or use proper behavior.

*I can't participate in a discussion about my behavior in the heat of a conflict.  My hearing is not very good at this time and my cooperation is even worse.  It's all right to take the necessary action, but let's not talk about it until later.

*Let's be gracious with mistakes.  I need to know I can make mistakes without feeling that I'm no good.

*Nagging is really hard to listen to.  If I fail to follow through the first time you speak clearly to me, logical consequences of my actions will help me remember the next occasion.

*Please be careful with my innate honesty.  I am easily frightened into telling lies.

*Sometimes I really don't know why I do things.  If you require an explanation, I will probably have to make one up.

*I will appreciate your patience for putting up with my experimentation.  It's my best way of learning.

*I learn from experience so please don't overly protect me from "my" consequences.  The more experience I have, the better my judgement will be.

*My body has great recuperative powers so my small ailments don't need too much notice.  I may learn to expect poor health if it results in a lot of your attention.

*Honest questions need honest answers because this is one important way I learn.  Sometimes I may ask silly or meaningless questions without end.  I just want to keep you busy with me.

*I resent lectures on right and wrong.  My moral judgement is quite astute.  Please give me credit and the opportunity to exercise it.

*Sometimes I am fearful.  Please give me encouragement without belittling my feelings.

*The quality and quantity of the time we spend together is very important to my well-being.

*I am more open to learn from a model than a critic.  Treat me as you treat your friends, then I will be a friend too.  

Sometimes you just have to try it.

She begged me for one more glass of chocolate milk.  But she had already had a big one, and a sugary snack that afternoon.  I told her ice water.  She was welcome to have as much ice water as her tummy could hold.  

Apparently that wasn't good enough.  

I disappeared from the kitchen for a bit.  I'd like to say that I was doing something productive, like laundry.  But I wasn't.  I was probably checking for updates on my favorite bloggers.  Anyways, I returned to find a nasty looking concoction in Sunshine's cup.  

What on Earth is that?  I tried making chocolate ice water, Mommy.  It didn't taste very good, she said.  

Well, thank goodness for that.  

Random

Wow.  So how long has it been since I last posted.  I know, I know... way too long.  I'm even further behind in reading my other favorite bloggers.  Huge life events going on, and I'm missing it.  I've been lost in the randomness of our life.  But I'm trying to dig myself out of it, because looking at life go by a week at a time bites.  The big one.  So because I don't think I could compose a coherent post if my life depended on it (transitions are not my thing lately), I give you little slices of randomness.  

*Sunshine's been having trouble at school.  Several misinterpreted emails between her teacher and I later, and we ended up with a conference on Friday afternoon.  Apparently "The Sunshine Show" has been on nonstop at school.  She's so into socializing that work is no where on her list of priorities.  We're not really worried about this.  And neither is her teacher.  We just weren't understanding each other.  And actually this is a good thing.  Because her father and I are anything but outgoing.  So if Sunshine has a bit more social butterfly in her than we do, that's great.  As long as it happens after school.  

*I've been working for weeks on selling some of the girls' clothes at this huge consignment sale here in Atlanta.  Painstakingly going through the clothing, washing the clothing, hanging up the clothing, logging it into the computer, tagging it, and finally, turning it in.  What a nightmare.  If the money made from this sale weren't going to buying the girls' summer clothes, I would have packed it up right there.  I have no patience for Buckhead Betties.  Actually attending the sale, even worse.

*We surprised the girls with dinner out on Friday night.  Sunshine requested a salad.  When said salad arrived at the table, she squealed with glee.  Look, Mommy!  There are olives on my salad, lots of olives.  And feta.  I love feta.  We then watched her inhale that salad.  I love it.  

*I've been taking a Montessori seminar for the last few weeks.  It's been fascinating.  Last week the subject of the class was positive disciplining and parenting.  It challenged my ideas of what misbehaving actually is.  I don't think that I have the time or words to describe the theories, but they rocked my world.  At the end of the class we received a Memo From a Child.  It totally blew my mind.  I've got to link it up here.  

*We were rewarded with a beautiful weekend, with temperatures near 80, after surviving our freak snow storm last weekend.  The Zoo was packed, but we took the girls anyways.  This trip was a little unorthodox.  We decided to split up.  Sunshine and I decided to forgo seeing the animals in favor of a ride on the carousel and a trip on the Zoo train.  Todd and Ladybug were more conventional in the way they spent their time.  The look on Sunshine's face when the panda she was riding started to move was absolutely priceless.  

*Ladybug chose this weekend to both pee and poop in the potty.  YEAH.  I know we're nowhere close to shedding the diaper, but it was a start.  She sheds her pants and diaper at the slightest mention of going potty.  But then again, she's always liked her naked time.  

*We're expecting a visit from the lovely Aunt Ashley tomorrow.  I'm ecstatic.  We have some great things planned, but I'd really just love the company.  I know the kids will love seeing someone besides myself.  It's amazing how giddy they get at the prospect of someone new to show all their treasures.  

Ah, The Joys of Learning to Read

Sunshine was in the tub the other night, working on reading with her Daddy.  I know, weird place.  But she loves those bath letters.  I was doing laundry but could hear them talking about words ending in -UCK.  Duck, Sunshine shouts.  Luck.  Muck.  And, wait for it.  That's right.  I was cringing, knowing it was coming, wishing Todd might have hidden the F.  But, no.  I just hope she doesn't pull that word out at school.  

Speaking of reading, learning to read is hard.  Trying to help our kid, even harder.  Todd and I both love to read.  I used to keep Barnes and Noble in business before we started saving for future ventures.  Now I spend way less time at the train table, and much more time trying to keep my 21-month old quiet in the library.  Not at all easy.  We really want the girls to love to read just as much as we do.  

I feel like I'm walking a very fine line when Sunshine wants to read.  I want her to try it, by herself.  But I also don't want her to feel too frustrated.  Reading is fun.  It shouldn't feel like a chore.  So I generally just read to her.  She's working on the fundamentals at school, and I don't want to put too much pressure on her to learn.  At least not now.   

I think the only sad part of Sunshine learning to read is that it effectively puts an end to Mommy and Daddy spelling things out that we don't want the girls to hear.  I guess we'll have to move on to Pig Latin next.  Uper-Say.  

We were shredding, Mommy. Cause we're good.

Said by my lovely daughter, Sunshine, as we stared Day 2 of THE SHRED.  So, because I'm a tremendous procrastinator, I'm just now sharing my stats with my friendly group of Shredheads. 

 

A.  Before Pictures:  Ha!  My 4-year old took the pictures.  She's still not very well versed when it comes to capturing someone's most flattering angles, i.e. not a snow ball's chance in Hell.  However, I will email them to any verified Shredder who requests them.  

B.  Tag Line:  Feel The Burn.  

C.  Weight:  HaHaHaHa!  Yeah, no.  Actually, I don't own a scale.  For obvious reasons.  

D.  Goal:  Wow.  Where to start?  My immediate goal?  To feel better about myself.  Long term goal?  I want to run another half marathon.  I ran my first just before I got pregnant with Ladybug, and I loved it.  I'm too out of shape to begin with that, but it will happen again.  

E.  Diet Plan:  I do not diet.  Just doesn't work for me.  What I do plan to do is drink more water.  Stop eating after dinner.  Use smaller plates.  We eat very healthy food to begin with, and telling myself I can't eat something is just begging me to fail.  

F:  Personal Rules:  See above.  I plan to Shred every day.  I also do Yoga 3x per week with Sunshine.  

G.  Shred Plan:  Every day.  Yoga 3x per week.  Starting with Level 1.  

Day 2 update:  Lunges are the bane of my existence.  

Shred on, everyone!

Somehow, Somewhere, Hell Has Frozen Over.

That's right.  It's a cold day in Georgia.   It started snowing at around 11 am, and didn't stop until after 6.  The kids were in Heaven.  Well, maybe not Ladybug.  It was  a little cold outside.  

Sunshine got the opportunity to make her very first snowman.  Much time was spent debating what material should be used for the snowman's eyes.  Dark chocolate covered almonds, mulch, more carrots.  It all stopped when Sunshine said that the perfect material for the eyes was dog poop.  Daddy made an immediate judgement call.  Mulch it was.  

Ladybug thought it was a little too cold.  She stuck it out for a while, but eventually the need for nap time won over.  It might be a few more years before she really loves it, or she might take after her Mom.  I don't think snow is anything I'll ever get used to.  There's a reason we live in Georgia.  

It was a beautiful day.  Snow has such a healing quality to it.  Well, at least freshly fallen snow does.  It makes even the ugly parts of Atlanta pretty.  I'm sure it will make for a nightmarish commute for Todd tomorrow, but we enjoyed it today.  Hopefully we won't see it again until next year.  I'm just about ready to tell Old Man Winter to suck it.  (Or as some of my other family members would say, inhale deeply!)  

*** And Congratulations to Kris for her hard work and dedication.  She was the random winner of a DVD copy of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred!  Thanks to everyone for their favorite weight loss tips!