Lots of changes are happening in the Bania house this week and next :
This week...
Mommy stayed home. The house was a mess from summer vacation, and while it will never be up to the standards of most...a lot of cleaning has taken place this week...we have 4 storage totes of clothes for Yard Sale, countless bags of broken toys sent to the dump, bedrooms organized and boxed for storage under beds, and the living room toys tamed. There have been mistakes made...Justin took the 2nd box away from the kittens...who took to peeing in the laundry...at least it was already dirty (? bright side ?). Mommy made the older 3 get up on time, with the exception of today when even Mommy didn't get up on time. She also made them practice making their beds, eat breakfast and get to the "bus" on time (7:33 was our best time so far).
Mommy has tended broken fingers, taken sick kitties to the vet, done all of Brenna's laundry (every last article of clothing), earned $75 in surveys, taken an energy assessment, blogged 3 times, been to the urologist, booked a Ortho appointment (soon to be 2), attended 3 Open Houses, taken 3 tours of 2 schools, bagged school supplies, labeled said supplies, sharpened 144 pencils (the school requires them this way), picked up 4 prescriptions, dropped off 3 Allergy Action Plans, made lunch everyday, refereed 3 fist fights between the boys, explained what a cavity is, explained why a 10 year old is not old enough to have a baby and why it's not cool to pawn said hypothetical child off on their parents, 20 loads of boy clothes, went grocery shopping utilizing $25 in $5 gift cards and $214 in coupons with an additional 5% off (thank you Target), made 2 weeks worth of Lunch and Dinner Meal Plans, and had a second ultrasound with the Urologist. Tomorrow holds quite a lot more.
(I can't believe that was only 2 sentences, is that grammatically correct?)
Let's back up to the 3 Open Houses though.
Gunnar will be entering Kindergarten, SCARY! He will have the most talented and tenured K teacher in the district which puts my mind to ease a bit, but not completely. He will be mainstreamed which scares me more. A miracle happened during his Open House...he picked up toys without being nagged for 3 days. Who knew, your child really is different at school.
Brenna will be entering 3rd Grade! Huge! New school for her this year, so she has some anxiety. Super excited about the fact that her teacher was once Jaxom's 2nd grade teacher, and I loved her then. Said teacher also really excited that she gets to have Brenna in her Homeroom this year! Brenna will be entering the Gifted and Talented Program this year and is also considering Girl Scouts. Yikes! Work load!
Jaxom will be entering 5th Grade and this will be his last year at his current school. He is soooo lucky though because his 4th Grade teacher is now teaching 5th Grade and so he will continue to have her for homeroom. Even better they were able to maintain the same class as in the 4th Grade +2 students. This could make for an easier transition because they already know the teacher and won't have to relearn her way and style. He is actually considering the Cub Scouts...more to come on that.
But my legs are screaming after the Open Houses...my hip gave out twice at Jaxom and Brenna's school as we managed to make 20 laps looking for their class rooms. And since we had Odin and Gunnar as well...there were a lot of water and potty breaks mixed in there. It took us 3 hours to finish a tour of Meet and Greets for the 2 of them.
Next Week...
Mommy will still be home. Monday, I hope that we will all be able to relax for a little while and just breathe. Tuesday, we will put Brenna and Jaxom on the bus, and then I will ride the next bus to school with Gunnar and spend the day with him and watch him through his routine. The remainder of the week...all 3 will get on the bus together and I will follow to school since I will be attending the remaining of the 1st week with Gunnar for half days as required by the school to transition him into mainstreaming.
For the 2nd half of the days next week...I will be focusing on the kitchen, our bedroom and the attic. Hopefully I will have finished gathering up all the goodies for the yard sale and bring in a hefty sum (wishful thinking) to go towards my surgery.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Jelly Sandwich Debate
Having kids is costly. Having 4...well it's astronomical.
Normally every 3-4 months we will have an argument about who is going to eat what, I don't want it, it's not my favorite. The past few days, however, have been an exceptional challenge with Brenna's eating "habits". She hasn't wanted to eat a morsel put in front of her...which led to pretty much the same argument for 3 days in a row.
Me: Jaxom, Brenna, Gunnar, Odin....LUNCH
You can hear the horde come running from the couch, down the stairs, from under the stairs, and a toilet flush.
Me: Please sit at the table. Sit at the table...which part did you not understand...Sit? At? The? or Table? well then SIT AT THE TABLE!
You can hear the chairs what once had rubber stoppers grind along the stone floor...almost in unison.
Me: Odin, Grape or Strawberry?
Odin : I don't want jelly
Me: You just want bread?
Odin: No, I want pasta.
Me: Well...you get a sandwich. Grape or Strawberry?
Odin: Strawberry
Me: Gunnar, Grape or Strawberry?
Gunnar: Both.
Me: Brenna, Grape or Strawberry?
Brenna: I don't want a sandwich.
Me: You're not hungry?
Brenna: NO, I want pasta
Me: You get a sandwich. Grape or Strawberry?
Brenna: I want pasta.
Me: Well that's not how this works...you don't get a choice on what you eat...just the flavor. Grape or Strawberry.
Brenna: I want pasta.
Me: (remember to breathe)Grape, Strawberry or nothing?
Brenna decides to pout.
Me: Jaxom, Grape or Strawberry?
Jaxom: Aw sandwiches?
Me: How long have you been sitting there?
Jaxom: I dunno
Me: Did you come in with the others?
Jaxom: yeah
Me: Did you hear what was said with Odin and Brenna?
Jaxom: yeah (with a less subtle whine)
Me: Grape or Strawberry
Jaxom: Awww
So I decide to walk away...
Brenna: Can Jaxom and me have something different?
Me: No, I am not making 5 meals! I am not making enough for 6 only for your father and I to eat it, and I am certainly not indulging you to make a choice of your own that I just told your other brothers no too. Help me understand why it is that your younger 2 brothers can accept that they are not going to win this argument...but you 2 haven't!
Jaxom: Grape
Brenna: I wanted pasta
Me: Jaxom, come and get your plate.
Brenna: where's mine?
Me: where's your what?
Brenna: My food?
Me: The offer expired while you were whining about pasta.
Brenna: Can I have strawberry?
I applaud Justin, he has had to endure this conversation every single day for summer break. I don't know how he does it.
Normally every 3-4 months we will have an argument about who is going to eat what, I don't want it, it's not my favorite. The past few days, however, have been an exceptional challenge with Brenna's eating "habits". She hasn't wanted to eat a morsel put in front of her...which led to pretty much the same argument for 3 days in a row.
Me: Jaxom, Brenna, Gunnar, Odin....LUNCH
You can hear the horde come running from the couch, down the stairs, from under the stairs, and a toilet flush.
Me: Please sit at the table. Sit at the table...which part did you not understand...Sit? At? The? or Table? well then SIT AT THE TABLE!
You can hear the chairs what once had rubber stoppers grind along the stone floor...almost in unison.
Me: Odin, Grape or Strawberry?
Odin : I don't want jelly
Me: You just want bread?
Odin: No, I want pasta.
Me: Well...you get a sandwich. Grape or Strawberry?
Odin: Strawberry
Me: Gunnar, Grape or Strawberry?
Gunnar: Both.
Me: Brenna, Grape or Strawberry?
Brenna: I don't want a sandwich.
Me: You're not hungry?
Brenna: NO, I want pasta
Me: You get a sandwich. Grape or Strawberry?
Brenna: I want pasta.
Me: Well that's not how this works...you don't get a choice on what you eat...just the flavor. Grape or Strawberry.
Brenna: I want pasta.
Me: (remember to breathe)Grape, Strawberry or nothing?
Brenna decides to pout.
Me: Jaxom, Grape or Strawberry?
Jaxom: Aw sandwiches?
Me: How long have you been sitting there?
Jaxom: I dunno
Me: Did you come in with the others?
Jaxom: yeah
Me: Did you hear what was said with Odin and Brenna?
Jaxom: yeah (with a less subtle whine)
Me: Grape or Strawberry
Jaxom: Awww
So I decide to walk away...
Brenna: Can Jaxom and me have something different?
Me: No, I am not making 5 meals! I am not making enough for 6 only for your father and I to eat it, and I am certainly not indulging you to make a choice of your own that I just told your other brothers no too. Help me understand why it is that your younger 2 brothers can accept that they are not going to win this argument...but you 2 haven't!
Jaxom: Grape
Brenna: I wanted pasta
Me: Jaxom, come and get your plate.
Brenna: where's mine?
Me: where's your what?
Brenna: My food?
Me: The offer expired while you were whining about pasta.
Brenna: Can I have strawberry?
I applaud Justin, he has had to endure this conversation every single day for summer break. I don't know how he does it.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
This Summer has been a JOURNEY
This summer has been difficult.
This summer started with a BANG with the Riot Girls ringing in our Dirty Thirty at Ocean City...that was a blast. Jaxom and Brenna passed 4th and 2nd Grade. Jaxom also aced his SOL tests...advanced placement in all 3! Brenna was accepted into the Gifted and Talented Program. Yay for super smart kids!
Just after school let out we lost our baby at 19 weeks gestation. It is still hard to talk about, especially since so many of our other friends were expecting...it's been a summer of reminders. However, this loss has opened up discussion around a procedure that has been recommended from many of my doctors. We decided after Odin that we were done so we had a procedure that hasn't been working as well as it was advertised because I have a scarring condition that prevented it from working properly. Believe it or not...I still have holes in my back from the stitches they put in during my corrective surgery...15 years ago! So now we are currently saving up money for a surgery that the insurance won't pay for.
In July, Gunnar went for testing to see if he would be mainstreamed or placed in special education. Turns out they would like to mainstream his education. Not only has this been keeping me up at night, but Gunnar flipped out because he won't be in the special class. And by flip out I mean...driving down the road he unbuckled punched me in the head and started throwing papers around the car while I tried to get off the road as quickly as I could. When I pulled over to get him back in his seat...he locked me out for 30 minutes. Fun stuff...we still aren't talking about school, even though it is a week away, because he still remembers that he is not in the special class and kinda flips out.
In August, we lost the Gold Van. While driving back from South Riding, her oil pump failed, the engine seized and before I could pull off the road, we threw a rod. We sold her parts, and feel like we helped out so many other car families looking to save their car...we couldn't save her, but she lives on in so many others. Thankfully, we still have Uncle John's van, it is what we were relying on for groceries and now so much more.
August still isn't over though, I developed a blood infection from a kidney infection...another complication from Odin being born. Love that kid, but he did a number on my abdomen. I am feeling much better, much better. I just finished my required course of antibiotics, and I will be visiting a urologist this week to talk options. Oooh speaking of medical this week, I will also be getting a second opinion on my hip. The first Orthopedic is suggesting a hip replacement, but my PCP still thinks that this can get better with PT and Cortisone shots...and I want to believe her. I am too young for a hip replacement. I am too young for a hip replacement.
This past week has been the toughest though. The kids are getting antsy...they have been home too long. They have pushed every last button Justin and I have, trampled on every nerve...every last nerve. As a result they were banished to their rooms today, and they were kept exceptionally busy with chores so that they would stay out of the way of the grown ups.
This coming week we will be visiting Jaxom and Brenna's school for their teachers and Gunnar's for his, running back and forth to last minute doctor's appointments...that will be a squeeze, getting back into a routine, starting a new routine with Gunnar, and doing a clean sweep of the house. Also I will be doing my best to keep my fears of Gunnar starting this new chapter of his life buried deep down inside. Oh yeah, and I will also be turning 30 on Monday...YIKES!
So welcome back!
This summer started with a BANG with the Riot Girls ringing in our Dirty Thirty at Ocean City...that was a blast. Jaxom and Brenna passed 4th and 2nd Grade. Jaxom also aced his SOL tests...advanced placement in all 3! Brenna was accepted into the Gifted and Talented Program. Yay for super smart kids!
Just after school let out we lost our baby at 19 weeks gestation. It is still hard to talk about, especially since so many of our other friends were expecting...it's been a summer of reminders. However, this loss has opened up discussion around a procedure that has been recommended from many of my doctors. We decided after Odin that we were done so we had a procedure that hasn't been working as well as it was advertised because I have a scarring condition that prevented it from working properly. Believe it or not...I still have holes in my back from the stitches they put in during my corrective surgery...15 years ago! So now we are currently saving up money for a surgery that the insurance won't pay for.
In July, Gunnar went for testing to see if he would be mainstreamed or placed in special education. Turns out they would like to mainstream his education. Not only has this been keeping me up at night, but Gunnar flipped out because he won't be in the special class. And by flip out I mean...driving down the road he unbuckled punched me in the head and started throwing papers around the car while I tried to get off the road as quickly as I could. When I pulled over to get him back in his seat...he locked me out for 30 minutes. Fun stuff...we still aren't talking about school, even though it is a week away, because he still remembers that he is not in the special class and kinda flips out.
In August, we lost the Gold Van. While driving back from South Riding, her oil pump failed, the engine seized and before I could pull off the road, we threw a rod. We sold her parts, and feel like we helped out so many other car families looking to save their car...we couldn't save her, but she lives on in so many others. Thankfully, we still have Uncle John's van, it is what we were relying on for groceries and now so much more.
August still isn't over though, I developed a blood infection from a kidney infection...another complication from Odin being born. Love that kid, but he did a number on my abdomen. I am feeling much better, much better. I just finished my required course of antibiotics, and I will be visiting a urologist this week to talk options. Oooh speaking of medical this week, I will also be getting a second opinion on my hip. The first Orthopedic is suggesting a hip replacement, but my PCP still thinks that this can get better with PT and Cortisone shots...and I want to believe her. I am too young for a hip replacement. I am too young for a hip replacement.
This past week has been the toughest though. The kids are getting antsy...they have been home too long. They have pushed every last button Justin and I have, trampled on every nerve...every last nerve. As a result they were banished to their rooms today, and they were kept exceptionally busy with chores so that they would stay out of the way of the grown ups.
This coming week we will be visiting Jaxom and Brenna's school for their teachers and Gunnar's for his, running back and forth to last minute doctor's appointments...that will be a squeeze, getting back into a routine, starting a new routine with Gunnar, and doing a clean sweep of the house. Also I will be doing my best to keep my fears of Gunnar starting this new chapter of his life buried deep down inside. Oh yeah, and I will also be turning 30 on Monday...YIKES!
So welcome back!
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