Friday, April 24, 2009

Hmmm...

I think I saw a hamster scurrying up the side of my house yesterday. Eli saw it too, so I don't think I was hallucinating, but really? A hamster? If you know me you know how I feel about mice, and I'm pretty sure this wasn't a mouse. Now there's a rogue hamster somewhere on my property, maybe even in the roof. How weird is that?

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter!

Toddlers are awesome! This is the first year that E really "got" Easter and we were able to really do it up. Last night he and I dyed Easter eggs and then made "delicious Easter treats."





This one has a frog and a lizard and a crocodile, according to E






Rice Krispy Eggs dipped in chocolate and one-bite s'mores



This morning E woke up this morning and found his surprises from the Easter Bunny (and from Grandma and Grandpa! Thank you!)



We had a special breakfast before C had to go to work, and then E and I played outside all morning. E flew his first kite today and was a rock star! He's a natural. We have an egg hunt planned for after dinner so that C can be here for it. The hippy mom took over during the Easter preparations and so the eggs are full of crackers and fruit snacks. Poor kid got a pity piece of leftover Valentine's chocolate in his basket. I'm sure we'll make up for it going through the Rice Krispy Treats.

Happy Easter Everyone!



Thursday, April 2, 2009

Busy

I know, the title is deceiving. When is anyone not busy? But that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I defended my dissertation and passed, so I officially have No. More. Writing. I can't remember the last time I could goof off on the weekend without feeling guilty or catching up later. So now, I just have to manage to keep my job until September and I'm solid. I'm pretty sure I can do that. At this point I'd set my hair on fire and streak the Pope in order to graduate. If all I have to do is avoid sleeping with inmates or starting a cocaine smuggling operation, I think I'm good.

The job still kicks ass. I love it, and although I feel like the chances are pretty good I'll end up staying on, thinking about leaving makes me very sad. Who knew that I would enjoy doing therapy with female inmates? I started this whole gig thinking I was going to do play therapy with kids, now I work with crazy (technical term) women who have done and seen heinous things. In between I had decided that I would NEVER do primarily therapy and that I was more of a testing/writing person. Just goes to show. My supervisors have told me in the past "Imagine where you'll be in five years. Now let it go, because you'll be somewhere completely different." It's so true. But for now I love, love, love what I'm doing, which is very nice.

C did get the promotion at work! He's the new department manager for lumber, construction, and commercial sales. He's already rocking it, although it's been a bit of an adjustment. From what he says his employees are overall pretty good and the job is challenging enough to be interesting (finally!) He's enjoying that the people at his current store don't know that he spent four years with the company before we moved, so they think he got promoted from the stocking crew after five months. He's a little naughty that way. He doesn't have the set, M-F schedule anymore but we're adjusting. And really, he's so much happier that it's completely worth it.

E is adjusting to preschool. The new teacher is still up in the air. E really loves her, but she's gotten to the "tell you every little thing your kid does that's annoying in the spirit of keeping the parents involved" phase of the daycare relationship. I liked the "gushing, so glad to finally have a good kid in my class" phase a lot better. This morning he insisted on wearing snow boots to school and I insisted on picking my battles and letting him. BUT, in my rush at 6:30, after being up for two hours already keeping a two-year-old quiet so his dad could sleep, I forgot to bring his regular shoes. When I told her, she first gave me the "are you stupid?" look and then said "Well, I just hope his feet don't get too warm. I wouldn't want him to be uncomfortable." Sorry chick, I'm late and he'll learn. No one died from wearing snow boots. And really, earlier this week he came home with shit in his pants so I think he's okay being a little "uncomfortable." As far as "developmentally appropriate but utterly annoying and unacceptable behavior", I swear, I talk to him about saying "I don't want to" until I'm blue in the face. Maybe stop asking and just tell him what to do? And when you do what I do, you're a little hesitent to teach your kid to do anything an adult tells them to. So we're hoping he grows out of it on his own. Also, the potty training has been hit or miss at school and I'm wondering what the problem is. Phew! Guess I had a vent building up. On the other hand, he does love school and seems to be learning a lot so I'm hoping this is all just an adjustment.