Archive for May, 2007
She’s Four
Posted by: | CommentsLately Ariel has been saying the strangest things.
Her love for her mother is evident in almost everything she says, which warms my heart, but some of the things do concern me.
Over the weekend, she stood on a kitchen chair and jumped off. I said to her "Ariel, do not do that again, you could break your neck." She then told me "that’s okay, you’ll put it back on." Which may also explain why when she hurts her arms and legs, she declares them as "broken."
When they are not.
I fear a crying wolf incident, that some day, her forearm will be dangling from her elbow while she screams "my arm is broken!" and I won’t look up from my nachos because her arms breaks currently about seven times a day.
She did insult me today. I loathe the bratz dolls. Ariel will ask for them after seeing their funky faces on television and I will simply, but firmly, tell her that she will NEVER EVER own a bratz doll. If she ever gets one as a gift, it will go back. They’re awful pieces of plastic. (It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels this way.) Today, the kids were strapped into their car seats, when I had to run back into the house to grab my sunglasses, I put them on top of my head, when I came out of the house Ariel yelled "YOU LOOK LIKE A BRATZ BABY." I didn’t know how to reply, so I didn’t. I just hope she never says that again. I better re-evaluate how my make up is being applied.
Ariel has also decided that she wants to get married. to me. She’s even planning what we are going to wear and what her Dad and brother are going to wear. The first time she said it, I thought it was cute and did not say much except that I was already married to her father, whom I love very much. But many times a day I would hear her say "Mom, I’m going to marry you!" I explained to her that you can’t marry your mother, and I can’t be married to two people and I almost told her that she can’t marry girls. But, I couldn’t say that. It felt like I was lying or like I was potentially taking something away from her future.
Because when she’s older, if she wanted, she could probably legally marry a woman. And who am I to say if that is right or wrong. (Lord, help me if my mother is reading this.) To be honest with you, before I had children, the thought that my children could be a homosexual did cross my mind, and I could never decide how I would react to that lifestyle. But now I know. I just want them to be happy. Whether it’s with Tom or Nancy, for either one, I just want them to be loved and feel love and give love.
What most important to me now is what is most important when they’re older.
I just want them to be happy.
summuhtime.
Posted by: | CommentsI can already tell you that I am going to love this summer. Not just because I hate snow and not just because I really dislike cold weather and not only because I love bratwurst, potato salad and smores, but mainly because my kids are SO tired.
I’m not saying that because it may give me more free time (it does!) and it allows me to sleep past 8 o’ clock (yee haw!), these are fine things, no doubt, but the FUN the kids are already having is rockin’ my world. I have heard more laughter in this past week than I did all winter. sad…but true. What makes my heart almost explode is how well the kids are getting along. Last night I was mowing the lawn while Brian was putting this baseball toy together and they just played and laughed and rolled and jumped and got so dirty. I would just look over my shoulder while mowing with awe knowing that we created this amazing relationship between these two children.
For those that don’t know, when Ariel was just four months old, we found out I was pregnant with Racecar. I can remember the feeling I had after taking the pregnancy test, a mixed feeling of disbelief and sadness. I felt sad and I felt sorry for Ariel, I felt like we had ripped her off in some way. I can remember the day before my c-section was to take place, Ariel was six days shy of turning one and we went to lunch with her and I just wanted to cry the whole time. I wanted to cry because she wouldn’t be with us for four days, I wanted to cry because I couldn’t pick her up for two weeks and I wanted to cry because we were going to miss out on just focusing on her. oh the guilt. The Ridiculous Guilt. I felt this despite feeling the incredible excitement of adding to our little family.
Little did I know, one of the greatest gifts Ariel would ever receive was growing steadily in my belly for a long time.
The first year was difficult, we didn’t sleep much, we had very little free time, Brian and I
were constantly bickering, our house was always disorganized and Racecar cried A LOT.
And then one day, life became a little easier. With each summer we’ve discovered new things with our kids, amusement parks, different zoos, the beach. But this summer our discovery was seeing how much our two children really do love each other. They value each other. They laugh at each other. Make no mistake, we have moments when Ariel is sitting quietly watching TV when Racecar comes and puts his feet on Ariel’s face. And we have times when Ariel tricks her little brother so she can have the better swing, but that comes with the territory.
This past week Brian and I have been busy improving our yard and making it a safe beautiful place to play and relax and our amazing children are certainly exploring every inch of it…all day long…until they collapse into bed at night.
I love summertime.
Works for Me Wednesday
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There is nothing better than the smell of fresh, natural lavender growing in your garden.
I planted a small plant of lavender underneath my bedroom window a few years ago and when the wind blows in, the scent drifts into my bedroom. It is amazing, the best, I recommend it to everyone.
Lavender is a very easy plant to care for and it’s inexpensive. It is a perennial (comes every year), loves the sun and likes to be planted in well drained soil or even in a pot! So, go to Lowe’s, pick up some lavender and enjoy it’s amazing, calming aroma. Nothing is better than laying in bed at night after a long day of yelling at my kids and not folding laundry and smelling my lavender.
For more Works for Me Wednesday, go here.
Wrong Way
Posted by: | CommentsMy goal was to lose one pound this week, instead I gained one pound. And that sucks and everything, BUT my body feels different and I know that it is because I have been so active over this holiday weekend.
To say I’m not frustrated would be a lie, this being a holiday weekend I had planned healthy meals on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Friday night we went out to eat and that was our big splurge for the weekend. (the fact that we feel we need a big splurge is a whole other issue that still needs to be uncovered.) Other than that, it was a healthy weekend, so I am frustrated, but it just makes me realize that bigger changes need to take place.
Here is what is going to happen this week:
-No more stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee during the week. This is a BIG BIG BIG deal to me because I am addicted. If I do stop, I must have my own fat free creamer with me, if I don’t have it, I won’t stop. (Dunkin Donuts creamer is terribly high in points)
-I’m going to weigh in on Wednesdays, not Tuesdays. The great thing about the challenge is that you can weigh in anytime during the week, you just need to report on Tuesday’s post. (whoever created those guidelines is just brilliant) When I was on WW last year, I weighed in on Wednesdays and it worked very well for me, so I’m going to continue with that.
-I need to walk or exercise or something. I need to firm up this flubbery, bouncy, jelly belly of mine and firm up the floppy arms. Yard work is good for additional activity, but it is not THE activity, I need to get my heart pumping. I’m considering Curves, I just don’t know when I’ll go. Is anyone reading this a member of Curves? Do you like it?
-One thing I have done is I have increased the amount of sleep I am getting, so I really want to focus on this habit. The more sleep I have, the more energy I have, the more activity I’ll do…which will make me tired, which will make me sleep better. I like that cycle!
Not too mention that when I sleep more I’m a much nicer, more patient person. Usually.
See you next week.
