Another Blog

Because I didn't want to fill this one with daily random updates and lists of what we had for dinner or how often I made it to the gym. Because I felt like yellow. Because I am not sure why else. I started writing over here as well:
http://operationjoyinthejourney.blogspot.com

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

The second leg of our trip consisted of a cross-country flight from Baltimore to Reno, NV.

We chose to fly out of Baltimore instead of our "home" airports for several reasons. First, it was cheaper. Next, I got a ride to the airport from Mike's mom, so I didn't have to pay for parking for 2 weeks. Also, I had Mike's mom help me to the gate, so I wasn't doing the luggage carting and check-in and security lines all by myself. Finally, it allowed for visiting with Mike's side of the family on either end of our trip, essentially combining two trips to see grandmas into one.

Last year we made the same trip, but Mike came with us and Rebecca traveled in my uterus instead of the stroller so it was a bit different this time. I did make a list of tips for travelling with children that can be found here. A worthwhile read for any parent of young children.

I shall sum up our air travels with just a few additions to the previous list based on our trip adjustments.

First, when booking your flight consider how one mother and three children can be seated.

If you are brave and your children are a bit older, opt for the two-by-two arrangement. Put the older kids together behind you. Then it will be your seat they are kicking with every move, and the poor stranger sitting in the aisle seat will get to referee the sibling squabbles. If it gets really out of hand, you can put in your earphones and pretend not to know who they are.

You may also consider the whole-row arrangement, holding the baby in your lap. Who knows, your husband may find the bruises on your thighs from all those little kicks attractive upon your return and what mom can't use an 8-hour-long arm workout from holding, rocking, lifting, feeding, and moving that 20 pound bundle of joy? It makes it much more interesting to be presented with the challenge of finding ways to retrieve dropped army men, colored pencils, teethers, shoes, headphones, and pillows or to open snacks and drinks while holding a baby and trying not to bonk her head on the wall, seat, armrest, or tray table. And when one of you needs to use the bathroom, everyone gets a mini-workout and trip to the back of the plane. Resist the urge to make everyone wear pull-ups to stretch the time between potty trips. They probably don't come in sizes that big anyway.

Next, pack your carry-ons. Don't make the same mistake I did and assume that each child will be able to pull or carry their own bag from one plane to another. At each stop it is nearly guaranteed that at least one of the three children will be sound asleep or too groggy to handle their own luggage. Plan a way to carry an infant, a sleeping child, a stroller and all carry on bags (in our case three back packs and three roller bags) from one gate to the next in less than an hour, including a stop at the bathroom and a fast food place. Trust me, just fork over the extra $15 per bag and check everything but the essentials. It is worth every penny.

What essentials? Here is my recommended list:

diapers- obviously

wipes- to accompany the diapers, and to wash hands, faces, tray tables, arm rests, seat cushions, dropped toys, and your shoes after a child drops his lunch on them.

snacks- for when your kids won't eat the "yucky" "weird" or "funny" food in the $8 plane meal or the $5 snack box and can't seem to survive on peanuts and apple juice.

dvd player- because even with headphones or the fancy seat-back tvs, your kids won't be entertained by Seinfeld re-runs or Confessions of a Shop-a-holic.

a change of clothes for everyone- because when one kid spills his juice seconds after the flight attendant hands it to him in a lid-less cup filled to the brim (why? Do they not have kids? Do they know what "half-full" means?) you all will have sticky and wet laps.

lollipops. Big ones.- because when all else fails, even the baby can be quieted for five or ten minutes by sucking on some crystallized high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. Just time it so you are at least on the descent before the sugar high kicks in.

Finally, make sure you have a few kind-hearted relatives meet you at your destination to help with collecting luggage, finding a rental car, and most importantly, to hug your sticky, tired kids while you breathe freely for a minute and remind yourself why you got on the plane in the first place. Bonus points if you can convince them to sit in back with the kids while you drive home.

Enjoy your flight!!

Big Sister

Andy: Mom, today while you were gone I got to watch Static Shock!
(group discussion on the details of the show, how I usually don't let him watch but he was watching wih dad, etc)
Lenna:While we were gone? Oh man, I missed it!
Andy:Did you want to watch it with me?
Lenna:No, I could have tattled told on you!

Summer Road Trip

Must catch up before we enter the fall birthday season, which leads quickly to the holiday season, and no time to blog. Here we go! I am leaving this at the top for the blog-checkers, but will change the date and put it in its proper place in a few days.

The first two weeks of vacation were spent at the pool. The kids have really enjoyed their time their this summer. Lenna advanced a level in swimming lessons and can now swim, dive, float, pick up dropped items, blow bubbles, and somersault- all while holding her nose! Andrew's confidence still exceeds his abilities but he can jump off the edge and paddle to the side, as well as swim under water through hoops and cresting ocean waves (that about gave me a heart attack when I saw it). He thinks he is a fish with goggles.

We then left on a month-long adventure that took us across the country and up both coasts for a total of about 8,000 miles. That's a lot of hours in a seat belt! Our adventure started with a two-day drive north to see the Cross side of our extended family. I wrote about all of the things we learned on that trip here. Lessons learned, and hoped not to be repeated. It also turned out to be our last long trip in our Saturn.

While we were there we enjoyed lots of family time and birthday cake. We celebrated 7 birthdays on our trip, each with its own flavor of cake. Yummy.

His "favorite girl cousin" is Mel, who patiently plays with him each time we visit.

Uncle Matt taught Andrew some Star Wars games and became his "Jedi Master" for the weekend. Andrew loved having a male companion amidst all that estrogen.

We spent Monday at Adventure World, a western-themed amusement park, with Aunt Tammy, Aunt Lauri, Aunt Julie, and Nana. Mini-golf, ropes course, video arcade, play land, bounce house, roller coaster, bumper boats, go carts, and carnival rides. All that and I only lost Andrew once. . .

After a long day in sun we returned to get ready for our flight. Which seems like a good stopping point for the chapter, right?

Update

So a follow up to the previous posts.

Lenna will be attending art class with the class next door. Mike went in wearing a tie, asked for the principal, and they settled it within two minutes. That's what I get for trying to deal with underlings. I am losing faith in the guidance counselor who runs the program branch at Lenna's school. She is the one who wouldn't work with me on the art thing, keeps the classroom teacher in the dark, and made Lenna and a few other students miss the bus on the first day by sending them back to class to wait, then didn't hold the bus for them when it came. Anyway, she enjoyed her first day there, is off to art instead of PE today, and her teacher took initiative to get her own info, so I think it will all work out.

For the past two days Andy has willingly gone to school. He is always very glad to see me when I pick him up, but the tears and tantrums have stopped. Wednesday I told him he couldn't watch tv or play the computer the entire day if he had a tantrum. And it was show and tell day. So grabbed batman and a stuffed monkey and marched in frowning but dry-eyed. Today he found a ladybug on the porch steps. I stuck it in a baby food jar and let him bring it to school. He was so busy showing his teachers and friends his "new pet" that he didn't bother to say good bye. I am thinking that as long as I can find something for him to show every day for the rest of the year we will make it through.

Lenna took a sick day yesterday. She needed it. Tuesday she had a giant meltdown in the car, which began with wails about sore feet, climbed to screeching wails protesting a grocery stop, and concluded with her running way (she made it to the neighbor's mailbox). After a long time out she felt better but went to bed with a fever, sore throat, and stuffy head. Today she asked to please return to school, and I happily obliged.

Rebecca still doesn't like the gym. I took a week off. Too much crying Mon and Tues. Wed Lenna was here. Today I am sick.Tomorrow Rebecca has a check up and shots. I will start over next week?

So after all that- I think w will be ok.

Beach Baby

The weekend before school started we decided to squeeze in one last mini-vacation. We visited Savannah and Tybee Island Beach. I can't believe we have lived here almost 4 years and haven't been before. Sandcastles, a lighthouse, gentle waves, shells to collect, and dinner with a pirate. What more could you want from a weekend getaway?

That other kind of beach

We love the beach. Our family has had the privilege of visiting both coasts this year.

Close by we have the typical southern beaches- long stretches of flat sandy beaches or rolling sand dunes, warm sand for digging, lots of sunshine, warm water for swimming, shells to collect, and plenty of tourists in camp chairs.

We also were able to visit the west coast over the summer. We got to experience "the other kind of beach" found in the Pacific Northwest- Very beautiful. Gorgeous sunsets. Rocky cliffs and grassy shore lines. Strong bitter wind. Freezing cold water. Coarse sand. A whole different beaching experience. No tourists, sand castles, or swimming.

And we love it. Just don't forget your jacket. Or the sunscreen.

Overdose

Alternately titled: No more tears, please!!!

A triple dose of my own medicine.

I taught preschool for two years and numerous junior primary classes for who knows how long before that. I was one of those teachers who dismissed the anxious parents at the door when their children were crying and pleading with them not to leave.
"Just give a quick hug, then leave."
"They never cry for more than a few minutes after you go."
"This is just a show for you, they will stop as soon as you leave and they know it won't work to keep you here."
"They just need a few days to adjust then they will be fine."
"Your hovering only makes it worse."
"Peek in if you have to, but don't let them see you."
"If he keeps crying we will call you."
"Be consistent and just keep coming back, eventually they will get used to it."
"It is important for you to have this time for you, even if they are unhappy about it."
"A few minutes of crying won't traumatize them for life."

All things that I have said to parents in the past. All things I have heard the past two weeks in regards to my own unhappy children. It was so easy to say it when it wasn't my kid, so much harder to hear it now! I'm all for having to take a dose of my own medicine once in a while- but in such large quantities, I think I may have to be treated for an overdose!

The first day of school went off without a hitch. As the novelty wore off and the routine set in, the protests started to surface. Lenna missed a morning due to stomach pain, and has already made 3 trips to the nurse. Andrew stayed home sick Friday with a cold, but has made it his personal mission to see what it takes to get to stay home every day. And Rebecca is loudly protesting my new plan to get fit while she plays in the gym child care center.

Lenna doesn't want to go to school. Her hair isn't curly enough. Her teacher isn't nice enough. Her friends aren't numerous enough. The work isn't challenging enough. The lunch isn't good enough. The bell doesn't ring soon enough. The class isn't warm enough. Even if she hasn't, I have definitely had enough!

Andrew really doesn't want to go to school. The day is too long. The food is too different. The nap time is too long. The boys are too mean. Morning comes too soon. The nap time is too quiet. He loves the activities and songs and stories, but getting him in the door to get to that part of the day is a nightmare. I wonder if it is just too much for both of us.

Rebecca just likes to cry, but only when I try to put her in someone else's care. I have been trying to go each morning to the gym to exercise, because I shouldn't look five months pregnant 9 months after having a baby. Anyway- she cries in the car on the way there. She cries no matter who holds her. She cries on the floor. She cries in the high chair. She cries in the bouncer. She cries if they walk her around. She cries if they sit still. She cries if they feed her. She cries if they leave her alone. By the end of the day, I want to cry!

So what's the deal? The hidden meaning behind all those tears? A plea for summer to last just a few weeks more? A sign that they need to get to bed earlier? Proof they don't get enough attention at home? Developmentally appropriate separation anxiety? The result of poor parenting? Actions heartless mother who sends her children off into the world despite their protest and pleas for more time at home? Proof that I made the wrong decision when it came to choosing between home school or public school, preK or joy school, aerobics at home or at the gym?

And what should I do about it? I am not above bribery, tough love, hovering, charts and rewards, 6pm bed time, or dropping out of society altogether. I just want everyone to be happy!!

Plans

The old plan: drop older kids 2 at school, go to Y for workout and swim, home for shower during baby nap, take myself to a movie, buy new drapes for the living room, pick up middle kid and go to sonic for "I survived my first week of school" date, end with pizza and movie night at home with daddy while oldest has sleepover.

The new plan: take oldest to school, stay home with younger two with fevers and runny noses, pray they nap in sync so I can shower, see how many games of chutes and ladders I can play and episodes of Ben 10 I can watch before I go nuts, chicken soup for dinner and early bed time for all.

No more plans.

Oh- JMC is me. My cheapskate way of getting more image storage through google w/o paying for it. Just in case you were wondering.

Put down the paintbrush

Another parenting issue thrown out to the masses! BTW, we went with option B for the preK. He loves it.

Last year Lenna was accepted into the district's enrichment program. A selected group of students is bused to another school and spend a day doing activities and lessons meant to challenge their little brains that are otherwise bored with school. Why they don't just let them do lessons that challenge them in the regular classroom is a discussion for another post. Anyway, one day each week Lenna will get on a bus with 5 other little second graders and go to a different school, learn something, then return just in time to go home. This should provide her with some extra homework, projects, field trips, etc. I think it will be a good experience for her and am excited for her to start.

However, the day she will be gone is the one day each week her regular will be going to art. The only day they do art. I voiced my concerns with the classroom teacher, the guidance counselor, and the school secretary, asking if it was possible for her to attend art on another day with a different class (they all go on a different day). They all told me that their policy was "too bad if you miss something fun you have to go anyway." The classroom teacher was willing to let her ditch PE one of the days to tag along with another class but couldn't get it approved by the other two. I understand they can't cancel class for every assembly and cupcake bash, but for a student to miss an entire subject for a whole year seems a little extreme. Lenna is the only one with this problem, since the other kids are in a different class and will be missing their PE days.

So, what should I do? Make a fuss about it and insist they let her do both? Do nothing and supplement at home? Sign her up for an art class at the Y or somewhere else?

Here are the district guidelines. I was under the impression that, based on the last paragraph, that she would be able to switch easily and was surprised at the negative reaction I got when I brought it up.

This is a cut-and-paste I pulled from the paper that should be given to all teachers. I left off the part about not introducing new content or giving tests on horizons days, as well as not making them make up missed work. I wonder if our school got it?

Classroom and Gifted Program Cooperation
In order to address the needs of students involved in the Horizons Program, we request that the following guidelines be taken into consideration when planning educational programs for your grade and/or school. Please know that our efforts are successful only because of all that you do!


Special Events - Please try to avoid scheduling special events on Horizons Day. Special events include field trips, guest speakers, authors, assemblies, and performances. If an unanticipated conflict arises, notify the Horizons Program. Families should also be notified and given the option of having their child participate in the special event or in the Horizons Program.

Specials – Since scheduling art, music, and other special classes on Horizons day may be unavoidable, please consider allowing students to attend specials with a different class.


So, what do you think? I am leaning toward making a quiet fuss through the teacher, who I think will be on my side.

School is in Session

Andrew and Lenna started back to school this week. Lenna is off to second grade (she wishes it was third) and Andrew started pre-K.
We had a party, or course, with a school bus cake. This year, I tried my hand at a cupcake cake. I think I like it the best so far.

Of course, no party is complete without a centerpiece.

Lenna on the first day of school:

Andrew sporting a new"spikey" haircut.

While my children were busy learning new routines and rules and such, I was very busy as well.

Very, very busy doing this:

Finally she can nap in peace...

What happens when you give a 4 yr old a disposable camera of his very own

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

A Photo Essay by Andrew