Did someone say Boc?

Well, today has been eventful to say the least! Today was Hannah's first swim lesson for this session and when I was changing her after the lesson was over, I noticed these curious little dots on her belly and armpit. HHMMMMM?!! Sure enough, Hannah has the Chicken Pox (btw- there seems to be a running theme of drama revolving around this child for some reason). So after taking all the kiddos to the doctor and after calling my midwife to find out what I need to do, I was told that my midwife was no longer with the practice! So, just as I was a few months ago, I have to now find a new provider as I'm not crazy about the doctor.

We'll post pics of our connect the dot wonder later this weekend. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I'm making it up to be in my head right now.

On Your Mark... Get Set... Go!

Today was the big Pine Wood Derby. Okay, so I didn't realize how big of a deal this thing is. They had a special race track with a motion sensor that showed the order in which cars finished electronically. They had some crazy software that put all the kids in heats and would tally their scores from the races. Good grief.

Zach is only 6 and so his attention is that of a 6 year old. Brian did a great job of not forcing him to do more than what he wanted. When Zach said he was done- Brian would say okay and let it go. So, for the past 12 days, Brian and Zach have been working hard to get this car shaped, painted, wheels set, axles smoothed and graphited up. For being his first go at it, he did well. He came in 5 out of 10. There were definitely some cars that had dad help than others, but for the most part it was fun.

I asked Zach tonight as I was putting him to bed how he felt things went. He said, really well mom. I am happy for the kids that won the races that I was in and that won the race overall. (no- I swear I'm not making this up)

So, here are some pics of the car and the kid. There are also some of the kids bundled up for playing in the snow. They've been sled riding everyday this week and I must say that I am sick of getting kids in and out of snow gear. But that's another blog.

Finishing jury duty

Jury duty was an interesting experience. My case was settled last Tuesday. It was pretty divided and we deliberated for two days. It was an aggravated robbery case, but the evidence just wasn't enough to say beyond a reasonable doubt. It was a little stressful as there was evidence to tie the defendent to the crime, but there were a lot of holes and only one witness who could tie him to the crime and her story did not match up in every way.

It was a hard thing to do considering you could be sending someone away for 8-12 years.

My Kid Rocks

Today was snowy. It was calling us to go play, but being the 'good' mom, I dutifully sent my kids off to school, mostly so I could get a little extra sleep. Well, Zach and Hannah had dentist appointments right before lunch and so we went and I just didn't feel like driving all the way back to the school and then back a third time to pick him up, so, I took them all sled riding.
This is why my kid rocks. As we were getting ready to go, Zach looks over at me and says "Mom, I am so lucky to have a mom like you. Thanks for all the fun and crazy stuff you do with me". And that is why my kid rocks.

btw- Hannah's tooth root is dissolving (which is what happens when the permanent tooth begins to descend to push out the baby tooth). If a baby tooth has trauma to it, it can jump start the process, which is what is happening. The last time we had an x-ray, there wasn't any dissolving of the root, but now there's not a lot of root left, so as long as the ligaments hold it in place, it will stay. I'm going to have the only 4 year old loosing teeth!

Anyway, enjoy the snow (for those of you in town)

Poor Hannah

Well, as usual, little Hannah is the center of most of the drama in our lives. We were on our way to the Museum Ctr. which I think, a quarter of Cincinnati's population was there. Anywhoo.... as we were walking up the sidewalk, Hannah fell and gracefully fell on her face. Due to the fact that I had E in the stroller and I'm pregnant, carrying Hannah was not an option, sooooo, Hannah cried the entire walk into the museum, all the way to the bathroom and all the way to the giant sandbox. More than a few people gave me that 'how could you dare do whatever you did to make her cry look.

Now, E. doesn't like sand and so I've been taking them to the sandbox to have E get used to the idea of the sand so when we go on vacation, it won't take 1 1/2 hours for her to get used to it. So, with Hannah still wizzeling (which may be my favorite sound , okay, not really), I was sweeping aside sand to give E a 'sand free' zone in which to play. Yes, more bizarre looks were shot my way.

So, with E playing in the sand in the sand free zone, Hannah on my lap, I discover that her tooth is loose. Now, when Hannah was 18 months, she fell off a chair in the kitchen and landed on her face (not the most graceful thing, is she?). We had to take her to the ER and they literally had to move one of her teeth back into place as she had knocked it backwards. It has been a lovely shade of gray since then and the dentist has told me that the x-rays show that the root is fine, the tooth is just had a great deal of trauma. So this is the tooth that is loose. Part of me hopes that the root was beginning to die and this is God's way of saving us the drama of having to get one of Hannah's teeth pulled. I know you're not suppose to drink while pregnant, but the thought of having to go through that with her makes me want to stop and have a few glasses of wine right now!

All kidding aside, poor H. has some scrapes on her face and nose and hand, but she's doing okay. She is constantly playing with the tooth. I keep encouraging her to stop- but she's obsessed with it. Tonight at gymnastics she couldn't focus on anything because she was playing with it so much. I finally pulled her aside and asked what she needed to hear from me to help her be okay with the tooth. She asked me if it fell out, if I had someplace to put it. I told her of course and then she said okay and ran off- completely fine for the rest of class. Honestly, I don't know where I would have put the thing- which begs an interesting question- what are you suppose to do with the teeth your children loose?

Just when I thought I'd seen it all

I don't even know what to say about this.... you'll just have to take a look at it for yourself- and if any of you buy it for my kids or me, we're going to have words!

Jury Duty

This week and next I have to report for jury duty. Yesterday, I did not get seated on a jury, but today about a half hour before they would let us go, I got called. I'll report back on the experience later (after the case is over of course, and no details).

motivation for $100, Alex

Today is a very gray day. It is suppose to snow I guess 3 to 5 inches of snow tonight. It's really cold and slightly windy. It's a good day to stay inside. The kids are all off in different parts of the house playing (i hope) and it's nice to have a few minutes of quiet. It's funny, the past few days I've desired quiet and calm more than normal.
Anyway, I'm trying to get motivated and just can't seem to get myself there. There are some things with the PTA that I really need to get done- I just don't have the discipline to do it yet. There are stacks of things at the house that need to get put away in files and shredded- don't feel like using up energy to do that either. I won't even embarrass myself mentioning the laundry (it's bad when there is more in the baskets to get folded than in your respective closets, I'll leave it at that). I want to go and work out so that I am in shape during the pregnancy- don't feel like doing that either. It's just one of those times.
So, I'll just sit and try to figure out how to motivate myself to get the kids fed, washed, brushed and off to bed, because right now, the the thought of that makes me want to go take a nap.

Hannah Hannah Hannah

A few days ago my mom shared a conversation with me that she had with Hannah. They were talking about the baby and being excited for the baby and all that. Well, the conversation turned to Elizabeth. Mom said something to the effect that Hannah was such a good sister for letting Elizabeth do the things that she does and for letting E 'copy' her. Hannah got her 'sprite' smile on and said in all seriousness.. "I know. Elizabeth just wants to do everything that I do. She is just practicing to be me".

I think this might be one of my favorite things she's said.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

I'm going to share a conversation that occurred in my van last week between Zach (6) and his friend Curtis (7). It needs to be stated that Curtis is African American to understand why the exchange caused me to almost wreck the van off the road.

Curtis: "i wish there was still slavery"
Zach: "fool, then you'd be a slave!"
Curtis: "no way- ohio was a free state"
Zach: "well, we would just paint your face white".

My Weirdness is Normal

Okay Smokers, just for you- the list...

1. I hate being touched while I am in the process of falling asleep or am sleeping.

2. I hate feet touching me. It just grosses me out. Period.

3. I cannot cook in a kitchen unless I clean it first.

4. I like syrup with smoked sausage (not the breakfast kind- but the dinner kind) and fried hotdogs.

5. When I take the kids anywhere, we have to organize the van and get all the garbage out of the van. I cannot stand the clutter. It bothers me.

6. All my shirts/sweaters/dresses (yes, i do own a few)- anything that hangs up has to hang in the same direction.

7. I have a specific way to clean the bathroom. If it isn't done that way, I don't think it's clean and I'll reclean it (I think B finally gave up and now I just clean the bathrooms).

Nothing overly exciting or strange- I'm pretty normal.