Mom+Kids Day 1

We got off to a late start this morning. It took both DH and I to get the kids dressed (they have been picking out their own clothes and dressing themselves lately, but the past two days have been hell trying to shoehorn them into clothes, any clothes). The plan was to drop off some magazines and catalogs at the recycling drop-off, go to JoAnn and pick up a couple of stitch kits for a birthday party this weekend, drop off some stuff at my work and then head to DH's mom's house about 50 miles away.

JoAnn was not open yet when we got there, so we went in to Target, since DS was convinced the birthday girl had to have a Barbie . One good look at all those toys and he had a grand mal hissie, tears and all, in the middle of Target. He wanted so many of those toys, poor kid. He got a bubble kit and some big plastic bugs and DD got a fairy necklace thing, and we got out of there fast (Barbie and all). More tears and hissies in JoAnn and we were on our way. Very late.


DH's mom took us to the local park which has huge lovely shade trees and a fast-moving creek running through it, plus a fully stocked kid-playground. The kids were in heaven! The creek was about 4 inches deep and full of pebbles and tiny shells. DS wanted to go in that creek so bad, and he tried a couple of times, but getting his feet wet in his sandals was more than he could handle. He tried out all the playground stuff instead, and even had another 4yo boy to play with for a while.

After the park we went to McDonald's for lunch, of course, and played in the play structure. All the tables in the playstructure were full, so we got a booth right outside the playroom door so we could watch the kids. After a while it cleared out, but we didn't move into the playroom. BIG MISTAKE. There was one dad and his son left in there with my kids, and after a while I heard someone yelling my son's name in a very angry voice. Thinking the other kid had the same name as my son, I just watched to see what he was going to do. He stomped over to the opening to the ball pit in the structure, angrily yelling the whole time for the kid to get out. I was getting up to go in there when DS went over to him and this guy hauls my son out and is yelling at him!!!!!!!

I went flying in there yelling at him to "LET GO OF MY SON", and the guy grabs me by the arm and is shaking me and yelling at me, ranting about me keeping my *** in the room with my son and keeping him the *** under control, blah, blah, blah. DS had been throwing the plastic balls around in the ball pit and the other kid wanted DS to stop. The guy claims DS was throwing the balls at his kid, DD claims he was throwing them but not at the kid. Who the hell cares, the guy was WAY out of line. The staff wanted to call the cops, but I didn't want to spend the whole rest of the day, and half my life later, filling out forms and going to court over it. I had to go back in the playroom to get the kids shoes, and he started in yelling at me again. The manager not-so-politely threw him out, and got his car and license info as he left. We fed the kids ice cream, and after a bit we left as well, still shaking. Back to MIL's house where she read to the kids for a long time while I cat-napped in an easy chair. I suspect there will be nightmares in this house tonight, and they won't all be mine.

Mom+Kids Days Begin

For the next nine weeks, starting tomorrow, we start our Mom+Kids Wednesdays. I have rearranged my schedule at work to take Wednesdays off, working an hour later Mon, Tues and Thurs, and working a whole day Friday, instead of the usual half-day. This started out as a way to keep from completely going broke paying daycare and daycamp costs for 2 kids full-time, and ended up as an excellent way to spend a whole day with my kids every week. No shopping trips, no laundry, dishes, etc. Just me and the two kids, doing something fun each day.

We can finally visit grandparents, other family and friends, go to the zoo, maybe COSI, definitely the local fruit farms and kids' museums.

Since tomorrow was going to be such a wonderful weather day, I thought it would be ideal for a trip to the Toledo zoo. We could meet my mom there and have a great time. Mom was busy. Okay, well, maybe my dad didn't have too much on his work schedule and would like to meet us there instead. Dad's busy. (C'mon guys! I have a member's pass to the zoo!) Ah, well. Plan B.

I called DH's mom. She would be delighted to have us come over to her house! (She is too far from both the Toledo zoo and the Detroit zoo.) We will drive out in the morning and spend the day with her. I have no idea what she has up her sleeve, but I'm sure we will all enjoy it!

Hmmm...sleep for mom is always a good idea before a kid day....

The Wanderer

DS arrived at our bed sometime after midnight (when I had finally put down my book and gone to sleep), bearing his quilt, his blankie, his sippy cup, and a flashlight. Since DH prides himself on always being prepared (ie. pockets full -o- stuff), this should not surprise me to see it in my son as well, right? Somehow, it doesn't. I was in that part of sleep when I am just non-functional enough that dragging a 4yo back to his own bed is too far beyond my abilities.

I reached across and carefully set the flashlight and sippy cup on the laptop beside the bed, and tucked the boy in beside me. He was asleep almost immediately. I woke up several times trying to pry him off my side. He clings like a barnacle in sleep. Must you use my full bladder as a pillow for your knee? I'm trying to get up now, could you please detach yourself?

I thought children always burrowed *between* their parents in bed... Mine both prefer to be on my side only; I am displaced to the middle. This is mostly ok when DH is not home (works midnites), but I like my spot best. Come to think of it, everyone likes my spot best...even DH! LOL My kids have no qualms about pushing me right out of it, but DH at least waits until I vacate before taking over my spot.

Summer Camp...

On Monday, DD started summer camp for two days a week. DS, feeling slighted, insisted on taking his lunch in a paper bag identical to sissy's. Fortunately I had anticipated this and cleared it with daycare last week. C is quite used to my kids' insistent quirks (pajamas, sack lunches, smuggled toys), and just accomodates them. Between dealing with my utter disorganized-ness and my kids, she is a true saint!

Upon picking DD up at the end of the first day of camp I was informed that this had been "the worst day of my life!". Strong words for a not-quite-six-year-old. We talked about what she did during the day, the "stupid name game", the water play, etc. Finally we got to the heart of the issue. I had assumed that she somehow magically knew what summer camp entailed. Ummmm....bad assumption, Mom. All day this poor kid waited for them to set up "camp". You know... tents, campfire, swimming, nature hikes.... (Oops!) Says DD, "Momma, this is just *daycare outside*!!"

The second day of summer camp was a field trip day. They bussed the group to one of the local metroparks and apparently hiked their feet off. DD was delighted, but she was soooo tired by the time I picked her up that she could do nothing but cry all the way to pick up DS, and then cried all the way home. Fortunately she rallied for dinner and bath, but I noteiced there were no bedtime arguments. lol

Here we go...

Have been reading multiple blogs by various people. Curious if I could manage to write something of my own on a regular basis (in my copious spare time, of course!). Guess I should make it a point to start earlier in the day or it won't happen at all! lol And we're off....