Tag Archives: Kids

Funny story, Kids, Photos, Piper

Bye bye Tooth #5

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Bye bye Tooth #5
Bye bye Tooth #5

My daughter lost another tooth today. This is her 5th tooth to fall out, but her 3rd in the last two months. She lost one just before Labor Day, then another just after school picture day (at the end of September), and then today. She came off the school bus with the tooth hanging around her neck in a plastic tooth-shaped case that the school gave her. She was so thrilled to have lost yet another tooth. She told me all about it, how she was “eating an apple and could feel that the tooth was loose so she just started wiggling until it came out and it had blood all over it and everything!” Keep in mind she was speaking with a significant lisp, since she’s missing 5 front teeth, and also she lost her voice yesterday so it’s all kind of a whisper. A lispy whisper. Say that three times fast.

I think the irony of this is that she is scheduled for her 6 month dental check-up and cleaning in three days. I don’t know whether I should cancel it or ask for a discount.

This girl is making a killing off the Tooth Fairy Game. I’m sure she knows the fairy is fictional, but she sure knows the money that shows up under her pillow is real!

At bedtime I asked her to remember her tooth, so she could leave it under her pillow. She couldn’t find it. She swore she had it with her as she was sitting on the couch. My son and I searched all around, under, and in the couch and we could not find it. That’s when I remembered that earlier the dog had been lying there, right in front of Natalie, when she started heaving (the dog, not the girl). I had quickly rushed her to the kitchen where she proceeded to vomit all over the linoleum. I had scooped it all up into a grocery bag so I could seal it up before putting in the trash, in order to keep it from stinking up the kitchen. My thought at this point was that the tooth had fallen to the floor and Piper had eaten it, choked on it, and puked it up along with the rawhide she had been chewing and her dog food from earlier.

So, since I don’t see well and often have to use my hands to “see”, I enlisted my son’s help. We took the bag out of the trash, ripped it open on the linoleum, and began searching. Luke carefully inspected while I held the flashlight. We couldn’t find the tooth. I thought for sure it was still in Piper’s belly, and my son would find it later when he cleans up her poo from the backyard. So, we closed the bag back up and stuck it back in the trash. When we stood up from the floor, Luke was facing the dining room table, and I heard him laugh out loud. Guess what he saw sitting  smack dab in the middle of the table? That’s right, the tooth. We had sifted through dog vomit for nothing.

It wasn’t entirely grotesque, we were happy to have found the tooth for Natalie, and we had a good laugh at ourselves. Ridiculously, it was one of the best parts of my day!

Decluttering, Domestic Engineer, Kids, Photos

Lunch coolers

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We had six thermal lunch bags. Two for me, two for Luke, and two for Natalie.Mine are the black & white paisley-ish and the red toile patterned, Natalie’s are the colored polka-dots and the pink with the butterfly, and Luke’s are the plain black and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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Now we have three. One for each of us. We decided to keep the red toile, pink butterfly, and plain black.
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My kids use lunch bags for school occasionally, and they may more often at the new school come September. I don’t have a job to go to anymore, so I don’t use mine much. However, it is nice to have one in case we go to the park, or on a long drive. I like having healthy snacks available. I thought keeping one for each of us was reasonable.

I have to be honest though, and disclose the fact that I have several more thermal bags and boxes down in the basement. I have used them all on occasion, for camping trips mostly. We camp once a year, so it might not seem worth it, until you get rid of them and six months later you are packing for that camping trip and asking yourself where you are going to pack the hot dogs and string cheese and drink boxes. Because these need to be kept cool, but don’t fit real well in the cooler with all the water and Gatorade bottles. So really, it’s justified, right? Am I right??

I’m afraid I am far from done.

Cochlear implant, Housekeeping, Kids

Bilaterally bionic and neurotic

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Yesterday was an exciting day. Yesterday I had my 2nd CI (left ear) activated! I admit the event lacked the luster the 1st one did, but that’s to be expected. The first one took me from deaf to hearing, this second one will take me from “okay” hearing to “better” hearing. I am still forever grateful, but I think the highs of being bilateral will come in bits and pieces as time goes on, as I recognize the little things I may have forgotten I was missing. On the way home from the activation, I noticed I could hear the blinker on the truck, something I hadn’t heard in quite a while, because it’s on my left. See? It’s the little things.

I went to bed around 9:00 last night. I don’t normally go to bed that early, but I was feeling pretty crappy. I had been coughing most of the day, so I had stayed away from caffeine. Good for the cough, but resulted in a major headache. That coupled with some stomach issues and the excitement of the day left me quite a mess. However, the sleep must have served me well, because I was pretty wide awake at 6 this morning, and feeling much better. Even wide awake, my body doesn’t move so well, but I was up by 6:30. I put both my ears on (!!) and moseyed on out to the living room. Luke (my early riser) was on the couch, watching tv. We chatted for a bit, then I came into the kitchen to make breakfast. And of course, instead I am writing.

It’s day 3 of summer break for me and the kids. This means less work for the kids, but more work for me. No more lazy days, no more morning naps, and no more spotless floors. I like keeping the house clean, but I realize that’s going to become more difficult with the kids home. One of my hopes as a parent is to teach my children how to clean up after themselves, but that’s not a quick process, right? I think repetition and years of patience are the keys here. Those and being a good example, of course. But this summer, I don’t really have the energy for keeping up with my own high expectations. And this is how I plan to deal with that ugly fact: I’m just going to pretend like we’re camping! Every time I step on a wad of dirt or pile of crumbs and that frustration rises within my belly, I’ll just pretend like it’s totally normal to have dirty feet. Dirt in the entryway? Crumbs in front of the couch? It’s okay! We’re camping!! I just won’t tell the kids, because then they’ll want to pitch a tent in the living room, and that would just be going too far.

Have I become that neurotic? Sadly, I’m afraid I have.

Kids

Tough Luck

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My daughter says some pretty funny things. I hardly ever record them, but I think I ought to start. I never remember them later on. Like when you ask her to bring you something, or she shows you that she finished her homework, she presents it to you with a head tilt and an emphatic “Boom.” Like saying “and there you go”, but with one simple word. I don’t know where she gets this attitude but I suspect it may have been me.

Last night Natalie went to bed, and Luke and I started reading a book before it was time for him to go to bed. Ten minutes later Natalie emerged from her bedroom, crying real tears and sniffling something fierce. When I asked her what was wrong, she cried “I ran out of luck!”

Oh dear. That was certainly a new dilemma for this Momma. I wasn’t really sure what to tell her. I mean, it’s certainly not a vital need for survival. I told her that it would be fine, and that she didn’t need luck anyway because she had Jesus living in her heart. And when that didn’t work, I let her cozy up on my lap while she listened to Luke read about Amelia Bedelia’s baking blunders.

Who needs luck when you’ve got snuggles??

Deafness, Hearing Loss, Kids

Lame Recap of a Wonderful Weekend

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We’ve had a lot going on around here. This weekend was busy, and leaves me longing for Monday, when I can truly rest. Saturday was the Walk4Hearing, which was fantastic. Ir was raining a little, but it was tolerable. The temperature was nice for walking. I didn’t walk, of course, because I was still in surgery recovery mode. Instead, I borrowed a wheelchair and my friends were eager to push me along the way. Luke came with me, and it was a lot of fun to see how excited he was to be there to support his mom. He was amazed at how many kids were there, and how many had hearing aids or cochlear implants. Who knew hearing loss affected so many young people?

Then there is today, Sunday, the 8th anniversary of my son’s birth. Yes, it was his birthday. A day to celebrate, for sure. On these birthdays I think a lot of our seven year wrestle with infertility, and thank God for eventually healing me and for giving us two wonderful children. Luke was really excited to turn 8, and he talked about all the fun things he has experienced in his 8 years here on earth. It’s been a fun ride, that’s for sure. I am proud of the boy he has become, and look forward to the man he grows up to be.

I really do have more to say on that subject, as well as others that have been rolling around in my head, but it’s late, I’m tired, and I don’t do well with that combination. My mind works best in the morning, so that is when I will return. Whether it’s tomorrow morning or the next, I cannot say, but I do promise to be back.

Cochlear implant, Coffee, Housekeeping, Kids

Field trips, coffee, surgery…

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Well, I never did blog about those cookies, did I? Maybe next time. I have a lot on my mind this week.

I accompanied my son and his class on a field trip to an indoor aquarium. We rode a charter bus, and Luke discovered that the on-board restroom is not as glamorous as it sounds. The aquarium was located in a large shopping mall, and since our bus let us off at the wrong entrance, we were able to scurry past all the wonderful-looking shops on our way. Luke seemed to enjoy the aquarium. There were a lot of neat things to see – jellyfish, stingrays, turtles, etc – and Luke enjoyed it all, but he made a point to tell me that his favorite part of the day was spending it with me. My favorite was hanging out with him too, and that just melts my heart to hear it from him. Oh, but my second favorite part was finding a Tim Horton’s right there inside the mall! I had not had time to make coffee that morning, so that was the icing on the cake for me 🙂

That was Monday, and I can’t remember what’s happened since. Mostly soccer games, doing laundry, walking to the bus stop, and a little eating and sleeping in between. I’ve been feeling like I have to stay “caught up” because I’m going to be out of commission for a bit. Why, you ask? Because tomorrow I am having surgery to get my 2nd cochlear implant installed, that’s why! And this time I’m pretty sure it’s for real. The UTI that prevented me from having surgery last month is gone, and I had the lab test done last week to be sure. So today is a day of making sure the floors are clean and the laundry is caught up and then I’ll be packing for tomorrow.

Wish me luck, pray for me, send soft cookies, whatever! I’ll be back in due time.

Friends, Kids, Writing

Spring break festivities

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I had a wonderful day today. Yesterday was okay, with the exception of a large dental expense. It almost physically pains me to pay for dental work, but it’s gotta be done. A necessary evil, I suppose.

Speaking of necessary evils, today I helped a friend prepare her tax return. She’s a smart cookie and probably didn’t really need my help, but I was able to offer moral support and celebrate with her when we were done. She ended up getting a refund rather than owing a crap-ton of money, so it was definitely cause for celebration. We took the kids out for ice cream cones. It was cold and rainy, but in my book the weather is always perfect for ice cream.

Tomorrow the kids and I will be taking the Spec-Tran to the local bounce house. We’ll be there all afternoon, so we’ll need to be sure to bring snacks and other supplies. I’ll bring electronics just in case one of them gets bored, but I’m hoping that doesn’t happen. I’m really hoping they play away and forget about me so I can sit, uninterrupted, and work on writing my book. It will be a great day for all of us, I’m sure.

Kids

No Screentime Until…

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Spring break is here! I didn’t really have a plan at first, other than our various appointments and a trip to the local bounce house. But then a friend posted a link on Facebook (heck if I can find it now) with a list of things that your kids must accomplish each day before they are allowed Screen Time. I think it was intended for kids when they are home for the summer, and I think  spring break is a perfect way to try it out. If it goes well this week, we just may be implementing it for summer and Christmas breaks as well!

I made some minor adjustments to the list, and here it is:

NO SCREENTIME UNTIL:
1) You have read for 20 minutes
2) You have checked the common areas to be sure your things are put away (toys, clothes, wrappers)
3) You have checked your room to be sure it is clean (bed, clothes, toys)
4) You have played, built, crafted or have done something else creative for 40 minutes
5) You have finished one chore (and it’s done well enough that Mom/Dad will say that you did a great job)

I didn’t expect a lot of pushback from Natalie, because she isn’t obsessed with video games or tv. She can spend hours doing crafts, playing “house”, or even doing chores or cleaning her room. It’s Luke I thought I would get resistance from, because he is the one obsessed with video games. Whenever he requires punishing, we take away his screen time and he FREAKS the FUDGE out.

Yet once again I am surprised and happily amazed at my children. I had forgotten how much my son is like me. I see myself in him when he is frustrated with his homework and wants to give up, and the stories I hear from his teachers are probably eerily similar to the reports my teachers gave when I was his age. He and I have strong perfectionist tendencies, attention to detail, and are easily distracted. But I forgot about the List Factor. I love lists. I use them daily, and they really do help me function. In the past, I have found short to-do lists scattered around Luke’s room, and they always make me chuckle.  So, when I presented this list to the kids yesterday morning, Luke was all over it. He was so focused on accomplishing each task on the list; he was even setting the timer so there would be no question that each thing was done just right. Surely this excitement and eager cooperation would not last more than a day, so I made sure to cherish the moments.

But then today! Today he was ready to go all over again. “Mama, where did you put the list? What chore can I do today?” I’m not even kidding you. He really said these things. I’m in heaven. He did the dishes and wiped down the counters, and then he built a fort with his sister. It’s 11:30 and I haven’t heard one request to play video games (but since he’s reading over my shoulder and he’s a Mr. Smartypants, that will come soon). Yup, there it is. With a big cheesy grin… “Can I play video games downstairs?”

We are having so much fun. Big, cheesy grins all around.

Holidailies 2014, Kids

She just knows

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Despite our best attempts to inform our children of the real meaning and origins of Christmas, our daughter has apparently taken on a different belief. Last night she informed me, ever so matter-of-factly (it’s a word, just roll with it) that Santa is real. When asked how she can be so sure, she told me that he told her himself when she was a baby. And if that isn’t enough proof for you, also because he is at the mall.

I just love 5-year old logic, don’t you?

Oh, and when I asked how he could possibly known when and where to be at every mall so all the kids could visit him, she laughed in my face. As if I was joking, asking such a simple question with such an obvious answer.  The obvious answer that she has yet to share with me.

The thing is, knowing my daughter’s sense of humor, I don’t know for sure if she really believes Santa is real or if she is just messing with me. Knowing her, it’s the latter. Which amuses me to know end and leaves me feeling very, very proud.

Cochlear implant, Kids

Peace and quiet

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Those who know me best (and now you, since I’m telling you) know that I am generally not an angry person. However, a fly on the wall will tell you that there is a dangerous temper hiding deep within. I am thankful for my cochlear implant, but some days it is not so helpful. Especially when I am so ‘hangry’, and the kids make so much noise. For the love of all that is peaceful and quiet, why do they insist on making so much noise? Can anyone make it stop? I can just lock them in the basement for awhile, can’t I? No? Well, sending them across the street to play with the neighbor’s kids works splendidly. Now I sit. And knit. Breathing in and out, over and over again. In peace.