I had to take Jack to the Hospital this morning. Not an emergency or anything. He just woke up with an ear ache and sore throat. I worry about him with ear aches because in kindergarten his ear drum ruptured. He hardly ever complains about aches and pains so when he says something is hurting it is serious. We went to the Hospital because I do not go to "Doc in the Box" places any longer. That is a long story and for another day.
We did not have to wait long to be seen. They put us in a room with two beds divided by a curtain. There was not anyone in the other bed when we went in. They checked him out and he has strep. Not good since my child is allergic to every known antibiotic. I am not kidding. I could tell he did not feel good. He was not his perky self. They swabbed his throat and here is a little trick that I use when the kids have to have a swab for strep. Have them pant like a dog while they are swabbing the throat. It helps with the gag reflex. Jack did really well with it.
While we waited for the test on the swab they brought in a little girl in the bed next to us. They pulled the curtain so we could not see them and they could not see us. But the curtain does not help with sound. She was not a happy little girl. You could not help but hear what was going on. She was very upset and according to what the mother said she was not normally fussy. You could tell by her crying she was in pain.
The doctor told them they were going to do some x-rays and since she was so little they would have put her in a harness to keep her still. She just cried even louder. I felt so sorry for the little girl and the parents. It is so hard to have a little one that does not feel well. You cannot tell them all will be better. By this time Jack was dressed and sitting on my lap and we were waiting for his prescription. Jack said, "Mommy I wish I could trade places with her so she did not have to go through with that. I have had an x-ray and I know they don't hurt. " I am glad he had his back to me so he could not see my eyes well up with tears. I was so proud at that moment. As we left Jack turned to look at the empty table where the little girl had been and said, "I am so sorry she has to go through with that. I hope she will be ok." I told him we would remember her in our prayers tonight.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Helicopter Mom?
OK, I was reading this article in the dentist office the other day about a "Helicopter Mom." I have to say it caught my eye. I have heard of Moms being refered to a lot of things before but never a helicopter. HA HA!!
This was a fifth grade teacher writing in about a mother she had that came in every day and unpacked her childs book bag and made sure he had everything he needed before she left. I know I hover and maybe too much sometimes but I think I will get over it before they are in the fifth grade. This mother also questioned the teacher about his assignments and projects. The teacher finally had to ask for a conference to discuss the mothers' actions in the classroom.
Ladies if you see me hovering over the school please tell me I do not want to be referred to as the "Helicopter Mom." I know our school has a lot of volunteers. My husband even made the comment that the other counties close to us would be so lucky if they had the volunteers that we do. Hummm??? Is that a helicopter I hear? We are very lucky that we have so many volunteers. We even have those parents that come in and help with enrichment. I will be doing that this year. I am going to (ok swallow what is in your mouth now. No spitting on the computer) help with PE. Yes, I am going to help with kindergarten PE. Hey, maybe this will help me get in shape.
If you would like to read the article about the Helicopter Mom it was in O magazine July issue written by Amanda Robb.
This was a fifth grade teacher writing in about a mother she had that came in every day and unpacked her childs book bag and made sure he had everything he needed before she left. I know I hover and maybe too much sometimes but I think I will get over it before they are in the fifth grade. This mother also questioned the teacher about his assignments and projects. The teacher finally had to ask for a conference to discuss the mothers' actions in the classroom.
Ladies if you see me hovering over the school please tell me I do not want to be referred to as the "Helicopter Mom." I know our school has a lot of volunteers. My husband even made the comment that the other counties close to us would be so lucky if they had the volunteers that we do. Hummm??? Is that a helicopter I hear? We are very lucky that we have so many volunteers. We even have those parents that come in and help with enrichment. I will be doing that this year. I am going to (ok swallow what is in your mouth now. No spitting on the computer) help with PE. Yes, I am going to help with kindergarten PE. Hey, maybe this will help me get in shape.
If you would like to read the article about the Helicopter Mom it was in O magazine July issue written by Amanda Robb.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Football is here. . .
I went to my first football practice last night. Between the heat, humidity, and Thomas it was not fun. I don't think I will go to another one. Mark is helping coach so I really don't have to go. What I was able to see looked good. They have only been doing "conditioning" this week. Yes, they practiced in the pouring down rain. They start hitting next week. That is the part I am worried about. I just hope they learn how to hit the right way. Jack is having a ball. He loves all the activity. They have been starting out with calisthenics (jumping jacks, running in place, push ups, up downs, ect. . .) then they break up in to groups and work on their positions. Mark is loving it too. I think he is re-living his youth. He loves football and wishes he could coach full time. He is really good with the kids. He enjoys being in the heat and wet sweaty yuck. They came home every night soaked to the bone. Jack could not stop talking about all the things they did. Mark came home one night and said, "I bet I was the only coach who got a hug." I asked him who hugged him and he replied, "who do ya think?" I said Jack? He said yes, he came over and hugged him and said, "I love you Daddy."
Mark has only helped coach with Jacks' age one other time. He helped coach basketball last year. He will admit that he does not know that much about coaching basketball but football, on the other hand, he knows all about. He played through High School and College and was an assistant coach at the High School level after college. Mark said he saw one of the mothers of the kids he helped with in basketball and she had this look of, oh no not the basketball coach. He wanted to tell her he knows a lot more about football than he did about basketball.
Games start around the 20th so I guess I will have to fluff my pom poms and get ready to be the Football Mom on the sidelines.
Mark has only helped coach with Jacks' age one other time. He helped coach basketball last year. He will admit that he does not know that much about coaching basketball but football, on the other hand, he knows all about. He played through High School and College and was an assistant coach at the High School level after college. Mark said he saw one of the mothers of the kids he helped with in basketball and she had this look of, oh no not the basketball coach. He wanted to tell her he knows a lot more about football than he did about basketball.
Games start around the 20th so I guess I will have to fluff my pom poms and get ready to be the Football Mom on the sidelines.
Friday, August 29, 2008
6 hours of peace and quiet. . .
Well, anybody wonder what I did with my day? Once I got the crew out the door for work and school I got to relax for a little. Then I decided I needed to go to the gym. I did not have to rush my workout. I had plenty of time to do all the machines I wanted. I then went home and took a nice long hot shower. AHHHHHHH!! I don't get those often. I am usually rushing so much the water barely has time to get hot and I am out on the run. I went to town and goofed around. I have not done that since Thomas was in preschool. It was a nice day! I am ready for battle now.
The boys made it through school and they both had a good day. I waited in the driveway for them to come from the bus stop. Thomas ran to tell me all the neat stuff he got to do today. They did not get to go to the Treasure Box today but he hopes he will next Friday.
They brought home their first fundraiser junk. Now, I know the schools always need money but really. I cannot stand these things. My kids are harping on me, "Mommy you have to buy 10 things so I can get a free ticket to ride whatever at the Fall Festival." I do not agree with this. They are turning our kids into little salesmen. I think there are enough salesmen out there now. What are we teaching our kids? We are rewarding the kids that get there parents and other relatives to buy the most usless junk. They are talking about taking the Accelerated Reader recognition out of the school but let's be sure we recognize all those little salespeople we are breading.
I am putting my foot down this year. I do like the wrapping paper and I may buy a roll from each of my kids but that is it. This is not what I want my kids to learn. Look honey if you sale 10 pieces of this crap they will give you this other piece of crap. Sorry. I would rather they do more of the Spellabration type things. I would pay a lot more for that than I would for any of these other Fundraiser things. Give me something my child will be able to use later.
For all of those I may have offended I am truly sorry.
PS: My husband is a salesman.
The boys made it through school and they both had a good day. I waited in the driveway for them to come from the bus stop. Thomas ran to tell me all the neat stuff he got to do today. They did not get to go to the Treasure Box today but he hopes he will next Friday.
They brought home their first fundraiser junk. Now, I know the schools always need money but really. I cannot stand these things. My kids are harping on me, "Mommy you have to buy 10 things so I can get a free ticket to ride whatever at the Fall Festival." I do not agree with this. They are turning our kids into little salesmen. I think there are enough salesmen out there now. What are we teaching our kids? We are rewarding the kids that get there parents and other relatives to buy the most usless junk. They are talking about taking the Accelerated Reader recognition out of the school but let's be sure we recognize all those little salespeople we are breading.
I am putting my foot down this year. I do like the wrapping paper and I may buy a roll from each of my kids but that is it. This is not what I want my kids to learn. Look honey if you sale 10 pieces of this crap they will give you this other piece of crap. Sorry. I would rather they do more of the Spellabration type things. I would pay a lot more for that than I would for any of these other Fundraiser things. Give me something my child will be able to use later.
For all of those I may have offended I am truly sorry.
PS: My husband is a salesman.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The First Day. . .
Well I made it. Whew!!!!! I only cried a little this morning. I really wanted to cry when they came home. (not like that). I met them at the bus stop because of our wonderful rain we have needed for so long. Thomas got off the bus and had this huge grin that covered his entire face. He ran and jumped in the car. I asked him how he liked his first day of school. He said it was great! So I guess my tears and worry were for nothing. My baby is so grown up now.
I asked him how his day was and he said they let me keep my eye open during rest time. He got a green fish, which means he had a good day and did not get called down too much. No home work for him, yet.
Jack had a good day too. He is so excited he is learning cursive writing. He has wanted to learn that since he was in first grade. They learned i and t and put it together for it. I told him he needed to work on his printing before he started on cursive. Oh well.
So I guess our first days of school went well. I only hope the rest go as smooth.
I asked him how his day was and he said they let me keep my eye open during rest time. He got a green fish, which means he had a good day and did not get called down too much. No home work for him, yet.
Jack had a good day too. He is so excited he is learning cursive writing. He has wanted to learn that since he was in first grade. They learned i and t and put it together for it. I told him he needed to work on his printing before he started on cursive. Oh well.
So I guess our first days of school went well. I only hope the rest go as smooth.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Wanting to do more. . .
Ok, I am feeling my mortality today. I watched "The Bucket List" last night. If any of you have seen it you know what I mean. I cried through the whole thing and laughed at the same time.
There is so much I want to do. There is so much I would like to expose my kids to as well. Now I am not at my end or anything like that, it just really makes you think about things. You think about the things you've done and the things you always say we'll do that next year or when we have enough money we will do that.
I was at the Bridal Show in Greensboro for The Pampered Chef last week and there was a travel agent besides us. I talked with her at length about a cruise to Alaska. I would really like to take the kids, I think it would be a great experience for them and me. I know they are young and may not appreciate everything but I think they would look back on it as a wonderful thing. I asked the travel agent to send me some info on Alaska. I just got it day before yesterday. It has some great stuff in it. It has several different trips you can do. A couple of them have land excursions too. The one that most peaked my interest was the one where you could actually walk on a glacier. I thought that would be awesome! You also got to go to a gold mine and pan for gold and "finders keepers." Jack liked that part.
I guess the point to all this is that I really would like to take the kids on this trip. The movie just sealed it for me. I won't ruin it for those that have not seen it. Why save and save and put off things until you can actually afford them. Now I am not saying spend everything you have. I am not crazy. It's just we all say I am going to do that or I am going to do more with my kids and then you turn around and there not there anymore. They have there own families or their in college and it's not cool to go on vacation with your folks anymore.
Now Mark is going to be the problem. He is the more level headed one in our family. He always says we'll do that after the kids are grown or we need to save more money first. Now I said I am not crazy I am not going bankrupt to go on vacation or anything like that. But, I think I can scrimp and save and do more shows and pay for our trip to Alaska. So with that said; I am going to set my plan in motion. I would like to go next year so you guys keep me honest. The kids would be 9 and 6 by then. I think I could handle them on an ocean liner. What do ya think?
Oh, did I mention that I am an eternal idealist. HA HA!!
PS: I went on a 9 day trip to Europe with my 8th grade class. I loved it. My parents did not go. I am not sure of the exact cost but my folks were not made of money. I know they did without so I could go. I did not quite appreciate all of it until later in life.
There is so much I want to do. There is so much I would like to expose my kids to as well. Now I am not at my end or anything like that, it just really makes you think about things. You think about the things you've done and the things you always say we'll do that next year or when we have enough money we will do that.
I was at the Bridal Show in Greensboro for The Pampered Chef last week and there was a travel agent besides us. I talked with her at length about a cruise to Alaska. I would really like to take the kids, I think it would be a great experience for them and me. I know they are young and may not appreciate everything but I think they would look back on it as a wonderful thing. I asked the travel agent to send me some info on Alaska. I just got it day before yesterday. It has some great stuff in it. It has several different trips you can do. A couple of them have land excursions too. The one that most peaked my interest was the one where you could actually walk on a glacier. I thought that would be awesome! You also got to go to a gold mine and pan for gold and "finders keepers." Jack liked that part.
I guess the point to all this is that I really would like to take the kids on this trip. The movie just sealed it for me. I won't ruin it for those that have not seen it. Why save and save and put off things until you can actually afford them. Now I am not saying spend everything you have. I am not crazy. It's just we all say I am going to do that or I am going to do more with my kids and then you turn around and there not there anymore. They have there own families or their in college and it's not cool to go on vacation with your folks anymore.
Now Mark is going to be the problem. He is the more level headed one in our family. He always says we'll do that after the kids are grown or we need to save more money first. Now I said I am not crazy I am not going bankrupt to go on vacation or anything like that. But, I think I can scrimp and save and do more shows and pay for our trip to Alaska. So with that said; I am going to set my plan in motion. I would like to go next year so you guys keep me honest. The kids would be 9 and 6 by then. I think I could handle them on an ocean liner. What do ya think?
Oh, did I mention that I am an eternal idealist. HA HA!!
PS: I went on a 9 day trip to Europe with my 8th grade class. I loved it. My parents did not go. I am not sure of the exact cost but my folks were not made of money. I know they did without so I could go. I did not quite appreciate all of it until later in life.
Friday, August 15, 2008
I'm back. . .
This has been the craziest summer ever. I thought summers were for relaxing and being lazy. We have been anything but. I am so ready for school so I can slow down a bit. Jack went to summer camp and had a ball. He went trotting off to his cabin with his suitcase and sleeping bag and said, "See ya Mom." I was a little hurt. We followed him to the cabin to make sure he got everything put up and set up right. We met the counselors that would be staying in the cabin with them. This was a church camp so I felt comfortable leaving him. There were about 8 little boys and two adults in the cabin. Those poor guys (counselors). After we got everything unpacked Jack said ok it is time for you to go. Again I felt a little hurt. No clinging, crying except when I got in the car to go home. I know I should be glad that he is so independent that is they way we raised him and the way we want him to be. But why is he so independent. (Sorry a Mom moment there)
Mark and I took Thomas to visit Marks' sister for the night. Thomas did not want to sleep upstairs without Jack. We took him to Robbies' house and as soon as we got there Thomas says, " don't you have some place to go?" Why do my children want to get rid of me? Do I shelter them to much? Do I hover to much? Well, I don't care I'm the Mom and that is my job!
I guess I should be proud that my children are independent. I am proud they are independent! Jack is still talking about all the fun he had at camp. This was only for a weekend next year he gets to go for a week. He is very excited about that too. His favorite part was the nature walks and all the fun stuff the guide taught them about nature and history. He got to canoe and swim, go on hikes, have camp fires, and arts and crafts.
He seems so grown up since he got back.
Mark and I took Thomas to visit Marks' sister for the night. Thomas did not want to sleep upstairs without Jack. We took him to Robbies' house and as soon as we got there Thomas says, " don't you have some place to go?" Why do my children want to get rid of me? Do I shelter them to much? Do I hover to much? Well, I don't care I'm the Mom and that is my job!
I guess I should be proud that my children are independent. I am proud they are independent! Jack is still talking about all the fun he had at camp. This was only for a weekend next year he gets to go for a week. He is very excited about that too. His favorite part was the nature walks and all the fun stuff the guide taught them about nature and history. He got to canoe and swim, go on hikes, have camp fires, and arts and crafts.
He seems so grown up since he got back.
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