It's a brand new year

Welcome to 2011. So the choice is - make resolutions I have a prayer of keeping or setting really idealistic, lofty goals? You guessed it - modest goals that I can guilt myself into keeping. This year my goals are to keep up my workout routine, have more patience with everyone in my life and complain less (especially about the little mundane things that don't really matter). The first month of the new year isn't even over yet and so far, I'm maybe 50/50 on goal achievement. I've kept up with my workout routine for several reasons. One, I feel better when I do it. I get an instant sense of accomplishment. My back hurts less and I'm losing weight (slowly). Two, it is a great escape from the kids after being cooped up watching dozens of inches of snow fall. I can hop on the treadmill and zone out all the chaos and clutter in my life and home. As for my goals of patience and less complaining? Still trying with mixed results. I have my good days and my bad days.

On a positive note, Christian has met his goals as outlined by his speech therapist. This is a mixed blessing. It means that he is making real strides in his speech. Sadly, it means that Mike, our amazing therapist won't be visiting weekly for much longer. Christian loves "his Mike". It's funny to hear my son speak with a slight Texan drawl in imitation of Mike. He still calls Sara "Lea" and bananas are "mia". My dad is still "Boppy" (instead of Grumpy). Paul always wanted to have a secret language with the kids that Mom didn't understand. He hoped it would be Spanish. I guess he will have to settle for 'Bubba-speak'.

Happy New year to all!

Surviving Christmas Vacation

Christmas 2010- We had it all planned out. It was going to be magical and wonderful. Our friends invited us to celebrate Christmas Eve with them. However, they did seem surprised when we accepted. (It may have been one of those "let's invite them, they'll never come" invites but who are we to turn down free food and drink? They really should know better. It was a wonderful night of friends, fun and laughter. As usual, we walked away with many goodies - a DVD, various hostess gifts and a set of cross country skis. We spent Christmas Day at my Dad's house. The kids ripped into their gifts like Ethiopian kids staring down a Happy Meal. We had Christmas dinner at my brothers. This involved my kids fighting with each other over every little thing and us trying to referee (ok - mostly we ignored it). Christian spend half the night trying to stab my brother with a dinner knife. Not sure why - it seemed pretty unprovoked but, then again, I didn't exactly interrogate the little deviant. We got the chance to see some friends the next time and celebrate her new job. The celebration involved us swigging champagne while my kids tried to steal and destroy their son's new toys. We kept our kids up way too late every night. It was not our best idea. Tired cranky kids are not fun to travel with. Upon our return to Indiana, I spent 2 days unloading the stack of presents and doing insane amounts of laundry. Paul took the kids to see his mom. I laid around the house and did absolutely nothing. It was wonderful. I watched really bad TV and read books. Today was the bright spot - Sara went back to school. No more breaking up squabbles over toys, fending off demands for computer, TV, or Wii time all day. Christian woke up this morning and was stunned that Daddy and Sara weren't home. He didn't take my word for it. He looked around the house for them for a good 10 minutes. He expressed his joy at her return from school by chasing her around the house trying to hit her with the nearest toy. Welcome home, Sara!

My weekend as a southern belle

A kid-free weekend, visit with a friend and a family wedding in Alabama? What could possibly go wrong? For starters, I packed the largest piece of luggage known to civilization. Then I got bumped from my flight. Ok, these things happen. Except the person who bumped me was the dumbest person to walk the face of the earth. Seriously, after she bumped me, she acted as if she was done dealing with me. I "politely" informed her I still intended to go on my trip and it was her responsibility to assure me that I would get there. Acting very flustered and put upon, she proceeded to give me the run around with a vengeance. After making a nuisance of myself and reminding her that I was not going away unless it was on a plane to Alabama, she gave me a check for my troubles, some food vouchers and sent me to a Chicago airport in a cab. Happily, I got to spend the next morning with my Aunt Joan (the coolest person ever). We chatted, gossiped and frittered away the morning. Next, I was Melanie's responsibility for the day. How does she handle me? She takes me shopping and fills me up with caffeine and martinis (a winning combination). That night was the rehearsal dinner. I got to put on a fancy dress, heels and makeup. I forgot what it was like to wear girl clothes. It was quite fun. I got to mingle with southerners. Once I realized their accents were real, we had some lovely chats. I even met a die- hard Notre Dame fan. They really and truly are everywhere. So, I put on the charm (yes, I have SOME) and schmoozed for my husband. Sadly, I was not offered a return flight on his private jet. Maybe I am not as charming as I thought. The next day was the wedding. More fancy clothes, makeup and heels. It was AMAZING!!!! Everything was beautiful - the flowers, music, people, food and fireworks! It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended. Maybe there is something to this southern belle thing. They seem to have a good thing going. I may have to try it again sometime (with martinis).

Girls Night Out - it sounded like a good idea

We are approaching 1 year of life in Indiana. We have hit some milestones. Some good and some bad. We actually run into people we know around town (mixed blessing depending on moods and behavior - mine and the kids). I can drive to a few places without using the GPS. I even got invited out with some ladies for cocktails the other night and had a blast. Tonight I decided to brave a "ladies night out" in the neighborhood. I wasn't sure who I would know at this gathering but I went anyway. I "knew" 2 people. That is to say, I could put their names and faces together. After 2 hours of making idle chit-chat with people who all seemed to have known each other forever and feeling like the odd-woman out, I made my excuses and bailed. I forgot how terrifying and intimidating it is to walk into a room full of people and not know anyone. I was excited all day to "escape". It had been a long day with fussy kids, activities and feeling like my kids have decided that listening to me is optional and they have decidedly opted out. I was looking forward to getting out, having some laughs and enjoying myself. Instead I got to spend the night wondering if I was making a good impression. Not fun at all. I'm tired, cranky and homesick. Not a pretty combination.

What is wrong with me! (Rhetorical)

Paul took the kids to visit his mom in Chicago today. So, I have a whole day to myself. I had grand plans of relaxing and lounging. Truly. What have I actually done? I went to Sam's Club, did laundry, dishes, and cleaned up toys. What is wrong with me? Why do I feel the need to be productive even when no one is watching? I need some sort of intervention. I cannot relax if there are things around the house left undone. Does this qualify me as a grownup? If so, I strongly object.

On the plus side, both kids are loving school. Christian tried to cry and fuss the first day but it was so lame and pathetic I couldn't even muster any sympathy for the chubby little guy. Now, if I say it's time to go to school, he races through the house, knocking anything/anyone in his path down, plunks down and tries to put his giant Build A Bear shoes on. I get a half-hearted wave and "bye, mommy" as he runs towards the teachers and his freedom. Sara is too cool for words and waits for the bus on the porch by herself now. She says 2nd grade is for big kids and I can watch from the window if I need to. She has mastered the whole "big kid" thing - including the "eye roll/Moooom" look of disgust. Aren't I proud?

Sara and the almight dollar

Over the last 6 years, Sara has mastered the art of collecting any and all loose change in her path. She can make big bug eyes at my dad and suddenly his pockets don't jingle anymore. Last night, the Tooth Fairy came and left $5. She had outlined the terms of the transaction with the Tooth Fairy very clearly. The Tooth Fairy could visit, admire her tooth, and leave money. Under NO circumstances was she to take Sara's first (and favorite) tooth and give it away to some unappreciative crying little baby. The exchange was successful. Sara got $5, a letter and certificate from the Tooth Fairy and got to keep her tooth. She wanted to know how much money she had and what she could do with it. My suggestions of paying rent, groceries or utilities were rejected. We decided to go to Coinstar and see how much money she has. The little greed meister has accumulated $37. We visited Build A Bear and spent a looooong time choosing a purchase. She FINALLY decided on a snazzy hot pink ensemble for her Lala sheep. Then we had a long discussion about her remaining money. We were at Meijer doing grocery shopping. She kept demanding assurance that she was not expected to kick on for groceries. She perused EVERY toy in the store and declared each and every one over-priced for HER money. Long story cut sort-of short - she left with her remaining money tucked very firmly in her pocket. So, if you see my child begging with a tin cup in the street for loose change, please toss some her way. She needs it.

Winding down of summer

Sara starts school (2nd grade) in 13 days. I'm still having trouble wrapping my brain around that little tidbit. So, we have to start easing her back into her school routine. Easier said than done. This is a kid who napped until she was 5 and now I have to start poking at her earlier and earlier over the next 2 weeks so she won't die of shock on the first day of school. This is a kid who likes her sleep. She wakes up then curls up in her papasan chair and reads for awhile before her day truly begins. Christian is also starting preschool. He will go 2 mornings a week. I almost feel sorry for his teacher. I feel like I should drop him off with a warning label. "Caution - large toddler with limited speech, large appetite and big temper. Approach with caution and snacks."

All in all, our first summer in Indiana has been a good one. We joined a local pool and haven't been banned (yet). They serve beer. It's become my second home. We survived Paul's 10 day business trip. Sara enjoyed her summer camps, especially the cooking camp. My goal is to get everyone in this house cooking so i don't have to. We went to Michigan for a visit. We went to Chicago for vacation. Although, if I ever have the urge to drag my small children through 4 museums, 1 zoo and an amusement park in 6 days again- shoot me or just hobble me.