Strange things happen when you take away morning screen time

X-mas

A couple months ago, Michael and I agreed that Christmas would be low key this year with only two presents each. That went out the window quickly as we just had to get 'one more thing'.  Then we had to equal out the presents.  Then we had to just get one more thing. With the exception of stockings that we filled the night before and a really big white board, everything else was under the tree by x-mas eve. We let them open one thing each on the 24th and the girls chose a shared gift which was the Fort Magic (a giant fort making kit) and Parker chose what he thought was legos (despite the fact hat we told him he was not getting Legos) but which was a game called Sequence.  Everyone was happy with the rest of their presents the next morning. I got Michael a fancy camera (with his money but that is the last time I have to say that!) but that he knew about since I used his amazon account.  Elizabeth got me a earring holder (since I told her I wanted one) but the one she picked was really a christmas ornament display thing. It worked fine for earrings so who cares.  Michael made a really good apple pie later in the day (even though he said he wanted to take a nap) which was really good. He partially credits the cook book I got him called Pie School, lessons in fruit, flour and butter.  I don't even like pie and this pie was delicious!  I was super tired x-mas day as I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping lately (even with drugs) so I didn't take many pics. Michael did so hopefully he'll post.

The girls were being very nice to each other on the 24th. This is extremely rare.

Fort magic kit. I thought they would need help but Miranda made a car on her own the next day without any instructions. 

Her favorite presents. Panda jimmies and (another) stuffed animal.

We watched maze runner (which I gave Parker) on x-mas but the girls got freaked out and left since it was freaky and scary.  Nightmares that night and last night too. Good times.

Some music from the kids

Here's Parker kicking out some Brubeck. He knows all the notes, but I don't think he quite feels them on the inside yet. And he always wants to play songs faster than he is able to play them.


 Meanwhile, here's Miranda learning a new part.


Miranda seems to really enjoy the guitar, where Parker seems to mostly just not mind the Piano. Elizabeth, on the other hand, hates Piano. I was hoping to turn them all into musicians and start a band, but it looks like it may have to be a trio.

Last day at FOF

I volunteered for my last time at Fix our Ferals on Thursday.  I've been going almost every Thursday for the last two years to help spay and neuter feral and friendly cats. I was the anesthesia technician's assistant. I held cats, gave them vaccines, drew blood, inserted microchips, and did other such nonsense.  We did between 20 and 36 cats a day. I enjoyed the work and even though the other volunteers were all crazy cat ladies, I enjoyed them too. It was nice to work in a place that had so many dedicated volunteers (the only staff were the vet and rvt when I started...but then they hired some office staff.)  I liked that there I was just another volunteer and not a mom.  It allowed us to foster kitties and made me feel like I was doing something useful.  I'll miss it as I change my focus from cats to dogs.

Michelle, the clinic manager and me.

Paula, the RVT and me

Holiday Concerts

I'll never understand why elementary schools feel a need to parade the kids out in front of everyone to sing some stupid holiday songs and play instruments really badly. Do people really enjoy this kind of thing?   My kids all dressed up and looked cute but didn't look anything like themselves.  They had fun so I guess that is all that matters. And now you must suffer through it too.

Parker's class...in the back on the right wearing blue shirt.




Elizabeth and Miranda's
You can see them in the front row...one on each side wearing fancy dresses.

Bday!

Parker's bday was a success. We let him open two presents on Saturday because we knew he would want to use them on his bday party.  We gave him the xbox and the girls got him a gaming chair.   

We went to a chess tournament Saturday morning. Parker did great winning all three of his games.  And Wildwood won 1st place over the other piedmont schools.

Then we came home and got ready for the party. Parker had three friends for a sleep over.  When they arrived we first went to the school to play some games. Then back home for video games. Then pizza,  some good old fashion hide and seek, cake (or pie in this case since Parker requested it), and then more video games. He opened more presents and was happy with his books, games and minecraft stuff. They were asleep by 9:30 which isn't bad.

The next morning, they played more video games and then Parker and I were off to a swim meet.  I didn't think he should try for the meet after a party but he wanted to. He took time off two events and was pleased with the meet.   Then back at home he played more video games before falling asleep a happy boy.

The Last Few Days

The last couple days have been filled with all manner of activities.  On Thursday, I picked up Parker early from school for his 10 year old check up. He's having trouble sleeping and is apparently flat footed but otherwise doing well.  He's tall and skinny but we didn't need a doctor to tell us that.    On the way to the doctor, I found out that he was eliminated from the spelling bee with the word brethren that he actually knew how to spell. He was very upset. He thinks he needs to be the best at everything so I tried to talk to him about all the things he is really good at and how some people aren't good at anything.  Then I started to make jokes about all the things he is best at.  So when the doctor said he had 20/20 vision, I told him he had the "best" vision.  Then in the exam room, I continued telling him he was the best at sitting on the table. The best at touching his toes. The best at this. The best at that. I got him laughing and although I don't think he forgot about the spelling bee, I think it helped.

Then we went back to school, met Michael and Elizabeth and watched Miranda's GrooveLab end of session show. She's quite good at the guitar. She was the only one amplified because I think she is the only one who can really play.  Once she starts being comfortable singing in front of others, she'll be awesome.  I can even see her now in college playing songs for her dormmates.

Then Friday morning, Elizabeth was VIP in her class. She got to share her medals, trophies, stuffed bear and we all watched a video of her doing gymnastics.  The kids were very impressed and asked a lot of questions. Elizabeth was a little rude to the boys because I think she was uncomfortable.

Then I ran off to an Audit Committee meeting (I volunteered for it since they were looking for previous auditors and there aren't that many of those...)

Then, I went back to school that at 3 for the girls end of session theater show.  As expected, it was terrible, but I seemed to be the only parent who noticed. Everyone else thought it was "amazing" and "darling" and they were so proud of their little thespians. Ugh.

The good times continue today with a chess tournament, Parker's bday party and a swim meet tomorrow.  The girls have a indoor water park bday party tomorrow too.  Aren't weekends relaxing????

Elizabeth's Gymnastics Party

Elizabeth's gymnastics team had an end of season pot luck the other night. Elizabeth was thrilled to get two hours to hang with her friends, do flips in the trampoline, put on skits where they pretend to be the coaches and generally acting silly.  It was sweet to see her with her pals, all of who are as dedicated to gymnastics as she is.  The parents weren't too awful and I found one that I hadn't met before who thought all the pushiness shown by the other parents was ridiculous.  I was pleased to have found her!

Enjoying the Alameda view

Hugging their coaches!

Walking to school

First Nutcracker

Miranda was in her first Nutcracker as a ginger snap (punchinello). She was quite happy about it even though it was in a rec center, there was a lot of waiting around, and there were no sets. Michael told me I wasn't allowed to make snide comments or be snotty in any way. It was very difficult.

How they sleep

Booby trap

I need the red coffee pot.

Ice skating

Best part about the ice rink was seeing the Zamboni for the first time.

Thanksgiving

Michael outdid himself by single handedly making the turkey, stuffing, gravy and apple pie.  I only did the shopping and prepped mashed potatoes (all 20 of them.)  Susan and Roy brought all the other sides and a couple more pies. It was all delicious and I look forward to leftovers already!

Interview Ready

Skating

No duh.

Miranda said to me the other day, "Mom, sometimes when you are talking to me, I think I am talking to Grandma Judy."

Birthday

After a lovely overnight at indian springs with the family, we came home to enjoy Thai food, my hoho cake and presents. I got coupon books from Miranda and Parker and a book from Elizabeth that she wrote for school about her first place vault in her second meet.  She had dedicated it me which she kept a secret when she read it out loud to the class last week.

Rain

While waiting for Parker and Elizabeth's piano lessons, Miranda asked if she could run around in the rain. I said yes.

Sleepy

Miranda couldn't fall asleep last night so I let her get in bed with me. She was asleep like this in about 6 minutes. She stayed like that for about an hour until Michael carried her off to bed.