A Moment In Time

A gift just dropped in my lap!

*plop*

Husband took the three little ladies out for some bouncing. I was unprepared for such a gift. My first moments of quiet in.... in a long time! I'm a little overwhelmed at the thought, but I'm going to leave you all to dig in on photos. I'm three months behind and the year end tomorrow! ACK!

Thieves

Oh the thieves! 

I know it's the holiday season, and people sometimes don't make the best decisions when it comes to gift preparations. There has been a rash of package thefts in our neighborhood; packages removed from front porches. I have been victim. 

So when I received my message Friday afternoon that my package was delivered at the front door, at 10 am, I was a little nervous. Fast forward 8 hours and guess what isn't waiting at the front door. 

Shocker!

Thankfully Christmas was saved by a generous order replacement and rush shipping after a painless chat session. The grandmothers will be pleased. I am pleased, but my mind is boggled. 

When choosing to steal a usually unmarked box from someone's porch, what are your criteria? Thing of real value usually require signature. I order *tons* of things through amaz.on that are shipped in plain brown amaz.on boxes of varying size. Amaz.on is a crap shoot, you could find something valuable or maybe just dog treats. Today I received: 

Not much use to anyone unless you're aiming to build a snowman or like the Clockwork Orange look. However when my mug was stolen, they physically tore the mug from the packaging. I guess a mug would make a nice enough gift, I was going to gift it myself. So what's the point in taking the gamble? Seems like a waste of time for all involved. 

Furthermore, a box from a picture company? You can't pass out other peoples' pictures! Turns out they delivered it next door, my giant house numbers must be impossible to read. So after I came to terms with my guilt from having jumped to conclusions, I'm still left wondering what to do with these extra picture books. 

Anyone want a book of my family? :)

Pick Me Up

The grind of daily life, especially in December, can be overwhelming. For us it is concert season for the hubs and me hustling to get things in place for the holiday and it's various happenings. Thrown into the mix is a very needy dog and the after affects of school, all leading to a slightly frazzled Mama! Thankfully I've found a new midday indulgence. 

A little slice of heaven, warm and covered with salted caramel. *swoon*

I think the only thing that may top this, if I bring some cocoa, would be Brownie-in-a-Mug with an ever so slight scoop of ice cream. The best part, there is no evidence and questions of sharing. Bwhahahaha! 

I know I can't be the only one getting cartoon hearts over simple pleasures. 

What's your simple pick-me-up these days?

Pick Me Up

The grind of daily life, especially in December, can be overwhelming. For us it is concert season for the hubs and me hustling to get things in place for the holiday and it's various happenings. Thrown into the mix is a very needy dog and the after affects of school, all leading to a slightly frazzled Mama! Thankfully I've found a new midday indulgence. 

A little slice of heaven, warm and covered with salted caramel. *swoon*

I think the only thing that may top this, if I bring some cocoa, would be Brownie-in-a-Mug with an ever so slight scoop of ice cream. The best part, there is no evidence and questions of sharing. Bwhahahaha! 

I know I can't be the only one getting cartoon hearts over simple pleasures. 

What's your simple pick-me-up these days?

Saturday Snapshots : Looking For Beauty

Photo Overload! 

Late to the party as usual, we had our annual Christmas party Saturday. 

I really struggled with beauty. Am I alone here? I think it's because I have soooooo many pictures of the ladies.

How can people pass by this and not gasp? Worse, how can they bag them up??

Everyone else takes pictures of the ship, but that mast against the clouds?! Gorgeous.  #elevatetheordinary

Again, looking all around. 

Even graffiti on historic structures has a small bit of beauty in it. 

Contrast. 

The next three are all from Brooklyn. They are all considered graffiti and vandalism, but are based on a declaration of love. 

Swoon

The beauty here is of my perseverance and accomplishment. I built a shed!

Lastly, this isn't about the beauties before you but rather the beauty in trusting them and the confidence they hold for themselves. 

Favorites? 

Head over to check out Marcia and join in! 

Baby's Stories and Mr. Kringle

Let me being by introducing you to Baby.

For being so tiny, and clearly so young, she has live quite the bold and adventurous life. One of my favorite pastimes, and something I hope lasts a bit longer, is to hear baby stories. They go on and on, proof of an active imagination. Although sometimes it's mocking of real life is a bit... creepy. This morning while doing hair I was treated to another gem, a day in the life of Baby: 

This one time, at baby and my's house, a deer ate all the food in the pantry. There was a deer in your house?It jumped through the glass in the door. We kept the baby deer. You kept a deer as a pet? Was it a mama deer and her baby that jumped through? Yes. No it was a daddy deer. And he jumped through the door and got very badly hurt. And he died. So we took him to the vet so he could be burned by fire like Orion did. And we buried him in Moose Munch cemetery. Did the baby have a mama? Shouldn't you return it to it's mother?Yes. But she ran away. She left her baby!?Yes, for us to take care of. And she ran away but was hit by car. And she died. So the police put up yellow tape and cones so no more cars would hit the deer. 

What interests me most is how she reworks recent events into Baby's life. Jumped through the glass in the door is what our dog did last week. We cremated our other dog two months ago, a process I now regret explaining because I am reminded of it EVERY MORNING as we pass the cemetery. Moose Munch was a school fundraiser. Deer in the road we pass regularly but the most recent one was fresh and involved, you guessed it, police, yellow tape, and cones.

While I am all for that imagination, I am struggling with Mr. Kringle. I never wanted to raise children with the fantasies of Santa, the easter bunny, and tooth fairy. Society labels me a cold, heartless mother and I was fine with that. What I can't control is other kids. So my children now firmly believe in Santa and all his magic thanks to recess and my husbands love of Rankin and Bass. My reminders of him merely being the mascot of the holiday, of him representing the spirit of Christmas, are falling on deaf ears. This week they came home talking about leaving cookies and milk for Mr. Kringle and a salad bar for his reindeer. Geez!

So I will solider on with my tree of kindness, and make reminders about giving and not receiving. I will be happy to have children who are generous and kind. Most of all I will be happy that I don't have to chase an elf around my house all month or threaten my children with a fictional old man to elicit desired behaviors! HA!

I feel the time ticking down, December is always so long and busy.

Friday Night Bullets

• The dog nearly killed himself yesterday. I nearly killed him for killing himself. There was a large vet bill and home repair bill involved. In addition to stitches and staples, our four legged companion now has two anti-anxiety prescriptions but I think I'm the one who should be taking them. [Side note: I could totally be a CSI!] 
• I was completely flummoxed today. E wanted to know how the soldiers end up at Walter Reed and why they couldn't go home for Christmas. They're at an age of understanding, but I'm not sure how much I'm comfortable sharing. I'm all for explaining the bad things in life but jeeze. Together we worked out that they get hurt fighting in war for our country, and might need stitches and casts and lots of help. Suddenly these cards seems sooo insignificant and my heart is heavy. 
• I'm still struggling with this school business. It feels like such a waste of time. Sooo much busy work and not enough playing. 
• My package that was was not delivered yesterday showed up today, looking like this and full of nothing:

Awesome delivery! Enjoy the mug... #assholes

A photo posted by mandyhosier (@mandyhosier) on Dec 12, 2014 at 2:12pm PST

• Christmas is in 20 days and despite starting the month full of hope and feeling accomplished, I have burnt out. December is always hell. 
• Lastly, I made a killer apple crisp tonight and have eaten half of it. Eating your emotions is DELISH!

Happy Weekend!

Advent of Kindness

I *really* wanted to do an advent calendar of exclusively kindness acts. Reality reminded me that we're a family short on time with places to be. I also realized that in years pasted I used things we would already be doing as fillers and these would be expected things. How could I not put down the cousin Christmas party? 

Our Advent Tree. 

I write the tags in the evening before since we now have readers. Not so much to keep things secret, but to prevent the constant flipping and removing. My washi is only re-stickable to a certain point! For things that aren't directly acts of kindness, I'm trying to spin it. 

Four days in and I'm confident we're raising kind and giving children. Last night as we scoured the toy aisle for donations C asked 

"How do I know what to buy if I don't know who I'm buying for?"

While I'm sure the realities of poverty and need are lost on her, I'm glad she understand that these are real people who have tastes and desires just like her. There were no issues parting with the gifts this morning, although they were sure to alert us to some really cool toys in the toy aisle. :)

The count continues...

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas in the making!

Any guesses??

School Nurse

In all the weirdness that is me navigating my way through life as a mother to two newly minted Kindergarteners, it was a welcome surprise to have a fantastic interaction with the School Nurse. I always seem to be on the fence with every. little. thing. regarding with school. Wednesday night I was bottled fury!

My child came home with a chipped tooth! Her explanation; I fell and got an ice pack.

Bruised and scratched gums, wiggly teeth, and a chipped tooth. 

WTH?! Where was a call? A note? Something!

I calmed myself over the long weekend and wrote a short email. I understand that I am only hearing one side, from a five year old. I understand that this is a five year old and sge may be uncomfortable with strangers and may not be as cooperative or forthcoming as she is at home. I also understand that this is a trained and licensed nurse. I just wanted to know what the policy is regarding contacting parents. It's a baby tooth, so there is no real fuss to be made. I just want to know that should this have happened to my 9 year olds' permanent tooth someone would have had the forethought to give me a buzz so I can get the next appointment at the dentist for a crown.

Wouldn't you know she called me within 5 minutes.

Super nice, down to earth, and very apologetic. Neither my dear child nor the class aide made any mention of tooth or mouth injury. They said chin, there was a red mark on chin. Ice was requested and delivered. She treated what she saw and was made aware of, and with another adult backing up the child's claim of a bumped chin why would she feel the need to root around in her mouth? She offered to call me whenever my children show up in her office if it would put me at ease.

I apologized for being that mom, but she thought it was warranted. I think we're secretly BFFs now.

We ended that conversation with me being more comfortable with the school and with me taking myself down a few notches on the that mom scale.

Side note: My children are in the living room playing "Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish..." Another first; thank you playground at school!

Monochrome Monday

Hooray for finally joining in the Monochrome Monday madness. Go check out Marcia and send her some positive, glass-jar finding, vibes. 

Today I took the big camera out before it gathered another layer of dust. I set it to mono and off I went. 

It was 70 degrees on the first of December! Insane, but it made a lovely day to walk the trail. 

I half-heartedly thought about nabbing some of these weeds to plant out back. Just for the fluffy fun. 

Bridge support.

Stream.

Cutie.

Big, gnarly tree. 

Trail.

Sun.

Favorites?

I'm really glad I played with some more B&W. It's not my go to and it's nice to explore. 

Thanks M!

*Ring, Ring*

- Hello?

 -Hello, Mrs. Hoberts? This is Nurse Rachel. 

*Fuck*

I should have known. I was half waiting. Bear had her turn this weekend. 

It was that call. The call that doesn't come out and say, but directly implies, that your Petri dish has been deemed unfit for school and must be immediately removed from the premises. This is also know as the call that ruins your plans on the last day of gorgeous weather for the year. So much for that puppet theater...

HAM was thrilled to be in the school again, and visiting a new section known as the Health Suite. Em however, was white as a ghost and part of me wanted to ask for a mask to spare myself. Nurse Rachel informed me that my sweet, little lady had vomited in class. My little lady informed me it happened during carpet time [not the rug!] and that she kept it in her square. Your friends thank you. 

After a little nap and some crackers she was bopping around again. I did enjoy the germ filled snuggles, it's been a while since I have been so needed. She played the rest of the afternoon without incident and just as I let my guard down it came back. In the car. On the beltway. During rush.

Sigh... Does anyone else have a love affair with Wet.Ones?

The today she was hopping and bopping. So I sent her to school skirting the 24 hour rule and fearful they would bounce her back at the door. It's kindergarten and they're fearful of missing school! Thankfully their were no issues. I was sure to email their teacher both thanking her and asking her to speak with the ladies. We both agree that they are the strictest of rule followers. So much so that despite knowing they have an emergency, they won't interrupt or break rules to help themselves. Emma knew she was going to be sick but "When Mrs. C is talking during carpet time you have to sit quietly and listen." We had the same issue with Claire's accident. Even after talking with them they are still uncomfortable with this so I'm hoping it will go over better coming from their teacher. 

Life is so hard for the little people, they're leaving the land of absolutes and entering the real world. Growing up is hard on everyone. 

Now to explain why we've had summer, fall, and winter this week...

Kindergarten Conferences

Last Friday was Kindergarten conference day. I was lucky enough to schedule my conference a few days before so we could have the entire (very brisk) day to ourselves. An entire day free with my ladies seems like such a luxury now!

I went in not expecting any issues or problems both academically or behaviorally. To say I went for appearances wouldn't be far from the truth, I only wanted to confirm my beliefs. Thankfully there were no surprises and my ladies are doing amazingly well. I confirmed that they are not dependent on each other and are making friends independent of each other. Yay!

***[Disclaimer: I think anyone working with small children is a SAINT and I am not trying to judge or take away from their teacher in any way. I certainly couldn't handle Kindergarten daily!]***

My real take away from this, and what was later confirmed by my classroom visit during AEW and later volunteering, was that they seem to be on the edge of bored. Sitting around waiting for everyone to catch up. Patiently, then impatiently, waiting for everyone to get the right answer and go through the correct motions. They are not challenged and I dread being one of those moms. This is only kindergarten, and I am trying to remain calm, but jeeze! My kids have the alphabet down!! I can say that in the three months they've been in school they haven't brought home many new bits of anything and that disappoints me. I understand, and have seen first hand, that most of the children in their class are learning new information and behaviors in kindergarten. I know that they are ahead of where they need to be, and eventually everyone will level out, but is that any reason to let them sit stagnant now?

Their teacher did give me some first grade materials at our conference. I'm torn though. If I teach them first grade material in kindergarten, will I be doing second grade material in first grade? Will this eventually level off (which I suspect and hope) or just continue on. How long do I wait it out? If it continues on, what's the point of them going to school? From a maturity point I don't think skipping grades is a good idea, even if the school would suggest and agree to it. I don't think they are ready for first grade. I am also troubled watching them do nothing.

I'm sure I am over exaggerating this to myself. I see that they are regularly the first ones finished, and that they sit and read or color while they wait. I wonder if they couldn't be doing something slightly more challenging to begin with. They are grouped with the two other high functioning kids, so I don't think it would be that much of a challenge for their teacher to modify their group work. However, I feel I'd be meddling too much. Maybe asking someone who watches over 22 kids and isn't crazy to do something extra is a bit too much.

I think my biggest fear is letting this blindly continue and realizing much later on that I should have spoken up sooner.

Family Project: Tom Turkey

I am always a little leery of this Family Project the ladies get every month. The amount of help we're suppose to is vague and I assume it depends on your child's ability level. That being said, I'm not sure if these creations are suppose to highlight creativity, skill sets, or just annoy me. I'm banking on the latter. I have enough family projects of my own, mainly laundry and dishes. 

So this month's Family Project was centered around disguising Tom Turkey so he can escape from the farmer. Thankfully I was able to gently persuade the ladies away from pink glittery fantasy, and this is what they came up with.

Emma did decide on a Ni.nja Turtle, thanks to a boy in class, but we were able to scale that back. Claire decided on a scientist, so long as she could be pink. 

While I don't mind helping with the write up, it is tiresome. This is coming from a parent who has children who can read and write. I can't imagine how some of the other parents cope! I'm just going to add these monthly projects to my list of things I'm not loving about school.

How is everyone else coming along with school?

Picture Day

Holy Crapola! 

School pictures are expensive and all the packages are terrible. I have zero use for 4 zillion 2x3 pictures. Ok, maybe a passport photo but that would be it. However I was excited to find that you can order online! 

*happy dance* 

And there was a coupon!!

So I have ordered only the files. I think this is brilliant! Still over priced, but brilliant. I can make as many pictures as I'd like at reasonable sizes. 

This is what they looked like when they left in the morning. I'm hoping they gave decent smiles. I cringe at how grown-up they look. My babies!

I was really on the fence about ordering pictures at all. 

Do you order school pictures?

I'm not a fan of the posed, fake-smile goodness that seeps out of every school photo. I'd much rather take my own photos, I think they're not half bad! The ladies could care less, I'm sure, but I did feel this nagging sense of obligation. I'm thinking of picking up the generic school years photo frame. Although I'm not a fan of the photos themselves, I do love to see the progression. I remember an ex-boyfriend whose mother had the circle frame for all of her sons and I think it's something I'd like to look back on when they're older. Also, easy gift idea for my mother who always feels obligated to buy me something for Christmas. 

School photos seems like such a grandparent thing!

Wordless Wednesday

My friends, the plague is real. 

Six bodies, one bed. 

Election Day

I've reached a point in life that I used to chide my mother for while I was in high school: I don't care about politics.

That's not true. I care, I have strong opinions and beliefs. I just have no faith in either the puppet on the left or the puppet on the right, or in any of the please write me in so I can fix everything candidates. This election season has been horrible to say the least and I am sooo over it. I'm absolutely writing in the neighbor lady's dog for governer; he'll be loyal and honest. Although Em's suggestion of George Washington did make me second guess my choice. 

So in honor of our day off, we went for a walk. 

We did some salamander hunting and found a good deal. I'm still always worried tiny fingers are going to crush their delicate, little bodies.

I think we found 8, and startled countless deer in the process. Hello mating season! 

We're missing one! One lucky lady had a Daddy-Daughter date. 

She unfortunately missed out on some princess taken prisoner who befriends a royal maid pretend play, set on a tree. 

And sunbathing. Because it's November and at 4 you clearly have to work on that tan... Maybe pattern matching. :)

After a while we found ourselves down by the water, just like old times. 

These hands aren't looking so baby anymore. The nail chewing is driving me mad. 

Floating things away, it's like they're 3 all over again. 

I'd like to thank the public school system for the extended time with my children. It's left me feeling very nostalgic and all to aware that we are back to the grind tomorrow. Winter break seems to be taking it's sweet time, but thankfully we have a long weekend next weekend and thanksgiving break heading our way! 

Saturday Snapshots : Texture Edition

I'm joining Marcia for Saturday Snapshots, a day late as usual. The sudden cold snap didn't leave me eager to go out and about so I scanned through Pica.sa and found some gems from days gone by.

Standard Marcia shot.

Lacy Leaf

Angry Sea

Rust

Rough & Smooth

Rough

I love the contrast here.

We've found soooo many mushrooms lately.

 

Finally, some crunch on the way to the car.

Go show Marcia your texture!

Best. Mom. Ever.

Fear not, I'm sure you're a great mom too. But I just happen to be the best mom ever. Curious why??

Ta-da! Bam! 

There you have it. I'm sure I've cinched the title of Mother of the Year with this cardboard and glitter gem. Haha!

A certain young lady of mine has been obsessed with the Statue of Liberty. Obsessed. When we went to New York this summer, both leading up to and after we arrived, all she asked was if and when were we going to see the Statue of Liverty. She still says liverty for the most part and I can't handle the loss of another baby word so I've been rolling with it. 

Halloween fell into our laps and she was still adamant about being lady liberty. Thank you Amaz.on! However when we were shopping she also saw the accessories and this mama wasn't dropping an additional $10 on a cheap plastic torch shaped flashlight. Not for one night. 

I say one night because they no longer celebrate Halloween in school. For everyone it seems, it has been replaced with some other dress-up event. We are having pajama day. Meh. I have no use for Halloween shirts now. No cute kindergarteners parading around the school yard. 27 few pictures for October's PL pile. Sigh. 

So for one night this magical paper towel tube will be a guiding light through the neighborhood. My torch is awesome! I even shoved a flashlight in! 

For good measure I also stocked up on glow sticks. I don't want our witch to feel left out, especially because I also nix her broom. I refuse to buy or make something I'll be carrying as soon as we leave the front yard. Miss Torch has a strap I'll have you know! 

Now if only I can get Mother Nature on board we will be good to go on Halloween. It was 80 on Tuesday and it's looking like winter on Saturday. Dearest Mother Nature, please pick a season! 

Who's excited to raid loot bags with me??

Anxiety?!

I was caught completely off guard. Completely.

One of my dear children and I were in the puzzle store playing a game of Rush Hour Jr. when she suddenly becomes hysterical and inconsolable. Nothing happened, just boom! So I usher her away from the eyes and dropped jaws and we go out on the porch.

Through the sobs, away from prying eyes, I hear:

"I had an accident."

WHAT THE WHAT? YOU WHAT? HUH?

Sure enough, wet bottom. No wonder everyone was staring at us. Someone could have tipped me off! Sigh. Of course we're on vacation, no where near our room, and I stopped carrying extra clothes and a diaper bag because my children are 5. When we get back to the car and get her settled can you guess her reason for not informing she had to go?

"I didn't want you to be mad at me."

**heart shattered**

Whatever gave her the idea I would be mad I beyond me. Her sister had just left to go take care of business. So I eagerly put it out of my mind and write it off. These things happen, it was probably a poor judgement call on her part or maybe she was really concentrating on moving the trucks around.

Fast Forward Two Days

We are home from the beach and back to school. It's my turn in the carpool line and I happily usher the children in. Into my hand is thrust a bag of shame with not so much as a side glance. She doesn't acknowledge it. I'm dumbfounded.

First because my child has had her second accident in three days, and at school to boot. Secondly, because the school didn't call me or give me any sort of notification. Lastly, because they gave her a pair of used underwear to borrow and asked that I return them but allowed her to put her pants back on.  WTH?!

Turns out she had her hand up and the librarian didn't call on her. At least that is what I gathered and am hoping happened. How this was discovered and how she made it to the nurse has been left to my imagination. I'm downright disgusted at used underwear -- VOMIT, so I sent in a pack of new underwear. Why I wasn't called, or at least some sort of note in her folder is beyond me. I would have much rather had the nurse call and had my child wait until I got there with a change of clothes. She would have stayed the day, but I would have felt more comfortable being informed and having her in her own clothes. Gross, used panties!

So tell me all five year olds get jitters and this will pass. So far we've had 3 pee-free days and I'm ready to put it all behind me.

Also, the lack of all notifications from the school annoys me. Another post for another day...

Home

It's not our home, my typical definition, but it is the place we are happiest and most comfortable; the beach. Third weekend of every October we find ourselves here. We find ourselves happy, and we leave renewed. So here's a photo tour of our weekend.

This burrito is good reason to leave happy, or to never leave at all. I made have had it leftover, in bed, Sunday morning -- don't judge!

The joy of children tall enough to take picture!

This is the infamous Patrick. 

*shudder*

Look at the dirt on my sensor! Geez!!

These ladies are all about playground. All day, everyday. 

I used to be completely fine, but school has changed playground time. They used to happily go off and play together, but now they have these games that they want me to join in. While I have no problem playing along, I'd like to do something fun that holds the least bit of interest. Playing the evil dragon, not so much. Chasing you, not my cup of tea. Taking directions continuously, I'll pass!

This girl takes on a new persona when we're one on one. Here she was delighted to hold a wooly-bear caterpillar. Any other time she is anti-bug.

We climbed to the top of the observation tower and watched the Husband turn white.

I think the best part of this trip was getting on the same page. It's not that Husband and I have been at odds, we've just been casually drifting along together. There hasn't been a true path we've been traveling when it comes to long term planning but the tide has turned. He has agreed to downsize and we both want to move to the ocean. That's another post entirely, but I'm glad that we've at least gotten in the same car for this road trip called life.