Once a cheater, always a cheater....
And I still beat him!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Worst. Parents. EVER.
I'm a planner. Can't help it. They don't call my mom the "safety monitor" for nothing. She plans everything. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
After seeing the forecast for trick-or-treat time on Friday I thought it best to float out the fact that Josie would be wearing a winter coat under her costume well ahead of time. She's a planner too. I figured telling her about it on the way to school Monday morning would give her enough time to accept the boots and winter coat by Friday. Turns out I was wrong.
My simple statement that trick-or-treating in Minnesota is always a gamble and that some years you might wear shorts (not that I ever remember doing that) and some years you might wear snow pants (now that I do remember) and most years you're somewhere in between did not go over well. Think lead balloon.
Between hysterical sobs and some screaming I was able to make out the following:
1. I'm a horrible mother.
2. I have too many rules.
3. A sweatshirt would be just fine.
4. I'm not the boss of her.
5. She has really strong feelings about wearing winter clothes underneath her costume.
I simply informed my angelic child that I was responsible for keeping her safe and healthy and that letting her trick-or-treat in a sweatshirt in 39 degree weather was not fulfilling my duties. She quickly pointed out that other kids would be wearing sweatshirts. She is correct. Luckily those other kids aren't mine.
Lots more crying and screaming brought us to drop off time at school and unfortunately I had to head to work for a very important meeting. With my therapist. Followed by a lobotomy. Bummer....no time to continue our open and honest dialogue.
I came home that night expecting smiles and apologies for her crazy behavior, possibly a hug and a definite acknowledgment that I was right.
Turns out I was wrong. Again.
Many hours later Josie reflected on how she feels about me and my rules. I learned the following:
1. Sometimes she wants to scream "I hate you" but doesn't because she doesn't mean it and because she might get grounded.
2. When she wants to scream about hating me (or Brent- you're not off the hook on this one!) she will instead roll her eyes. But not at us because that too could result in grounding.
3. Sometimes she tells her friends about being mad at her parents but its ok- they're mad at their parents too so it makes her feel less alone.
4. She really does love me because "you usually are trying hard to do what's right. You just sometimes get it wrong."
The night ended by confirming that we can indeed fit her Dorothy costume over the top of her winter coat, finding a winter hat that had tassels that kind of looked like Dorothy's braids, and agreeing that making her winter boots look like ruby slippers wasn't really necessary.
Turns out I was right. Like always.
After seeing the forecast for trick-or-treat time on Friday I thought it best to float out the fact that Josie would be wearing a winter coat under her costume well ahead of time. She's a planner too. I figured telling her about it on the way to school Monday morning would give her enough time to accept the boots and winter coat by Friday. Turns out I was wrong.
My simple statement that trick-or-treating in Minnesota is always a gamble and that some years you might wear shorts (not that I ever remember doing that) and some years you might wear snow pants (now that I do remember) and most years you're somewhere in between did not go over well. Think lead balloon.
Between hysterical sobs and some screaming I was able to make out the following:
1. I'm a horrible mother.
2. I have too many rules.
3. A sweatshirt would be just fine.
4. I'm not the boss of her.
5. She has really strong feelings about wearing winter clothes underneath her costume.
I simply informed my angelic child that I was responsible for keeping her safe and healthy and that letting her trick-or-treat in a sweatshirt in 39 degree weather was not fulfilling my duties. She quickly pointed out that other kids would be wearing sweatshirts. She is correct. Luckily those other kids aren't mine.
Lots more crying and screaming brought us to drop off time at school and unfortunately I had to head to work for a very important meeting. With my therapist. Followed by a lobotomy. Bummer....no time to continue our open and honest dialogue.
I came home that night expecting smiles and apologies for her crazy behavior, possibly a hug and a definite acknowledgment that I was right.
Turns out I was wrong. Again.
Many hours later Josie reflected on how she feels about me and my rules. I learned the following:
1. Sometimes she wants to scream "I hate you" but doesn't because she doesn't mean it and because she might get grounded.
2. When she wants to scream about hating me (or Brent- you're not off the hook on this one!) she will instead roll her eyes. But not at us because that too could result in grounding.
3. Sometimes she tells her friends about being mad at her parents but its ok- they're mad at their parents too so it makes her feel less alone.
4. She really does love me because "you usually are trying hard to do what's right. You just sometimes get it wrong."
The night ended by confirming that we can indeed fit her Dorothy costume over the top of her winter coat, finding a winter hat that had tassels that kind of looked like Dorothy's braids, and agreeing that making her winter boots look like ruby slippers wasn't really necessary.
Turns out I was right. Like always.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Trapmobile and the Mars Rescuer
Meet the trapmobile.
People that are captured are taken to the traphouse.
There are 2 beds and a monkey at the traphouse.
When the people scream loud enough the Mars Rescuer comes along.
Then you go back home and hide from the trapmobile. And cook some fish.
Happy trapping!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Hidden meanings
In kindergarten Josie brought home a book about a creepy handyman. This week she brought home a book about weed.
I'm interested in this "adopt-a-weed" sale. I didn't know we could have those in Minnesota.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
GET ME OUTTA HERE!
We went to a nice little orchard on Saturday.
We had yummy donuts.
We climbed hay bales.
Then we went into a corn maze.
Big mistake. Big. Huge.
We went around and around and around.
Luckily we made it out alive!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Throwback Thursday: 40 years
Anyone who dedicates 40 years to a job, an institution, an organization deserves to be recognized. Today I'd like to acknowledge Ken on his 40 years of service. He has served us through many years of change and new technology. He is a tribute to the American Way and all that technology has to offer.
Ken, you've served us well and I wish you nothing but the best in your next chapter.
- Your work wife
Monday, October 6, 2014
Walleye wrangler
The smile is much better than the last time when grandma tried to shove her in the fish's mouth!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
2nd grade drama
I had quite the (one sided) conversation with Josie tonight. This girl has quite the imagination.
Names have been changed to protect the innocent. And because I couldn't keep them all straight.
J: Mom, I know I'm not allowed to say this because its a bad word, but I kinda hate so-and-so. She is so bossy on the playground. She never lets me and what's-her-name be real people when we play cats.
H: No, hate is not a good way to feel about anyone and I'm sure you don't really hate so-and-so. And what is cats? And what do you mean about real people?
J: Mom, I don't really hate her. I just don't like so-and-so during cat time. All other times are ok. Anyway, me and what's-her-name usually like to be crazy animals but sometimes we want to just be people. I'm really good at being the crazy cat and what's-her-name is a good crazy deer, but when the boys are chasing us sometimes we just want to be people and so-and-so won't let us.
H: I have no idea what you're talking about.
J: Mom! Pay attention! The boys chase us so we get tired being the crazy animals. What's-her-name and I run and run the whole time and sometimes we just want to be the people in charge. And its ok that they chase us because it means they like us. And today that-other-girl wanted to be a crazy panda but so-and-so said no and what's-her-name and I said yes. Then we ran. And the line is always long for the swings. You should raise money for more swings.
We went to a "celebrity" basketball game last night that was a fundraiser for a new playground at another school so that comment wasn't totally off base.
H: I'm helping with Book Fair and Bingo this week and don't have time to deal with the playground.
J: We really need more swings. The crazy cat doesn't like to wait for swings and I always have to wait for swings. Can you play with us on the playground tomorrow? You can be the adult. Then you can see how bossy so-and-so is. The boys might not chase you though.
At this point I just gave up and told her it was time for bed. Then I made sure to remind myself to be thankful that she didn't assign me to be the "crazy adult".
Names have been changed to protect the innocent. And because I couldn't keep them all straight.
J: Mom, I know I'm not allowed to say this because its a bad word, but I kinda hate so-and-so. She is so bossy on the playground. She never lets me and what's-her-name be real people when we play cats.
H: No, hate is not a good way to feel about anyone and I'm sure you don't really hate so-and-so. And what is cats? And what do you mean about real people?
J: Mom, I don't really hate her. I just don't like so-and-so during cat time. All other times are ok. Anyway, me and what's-her-name usually like to be crazy animals but sometimes we want to just be people. I'm really good at being the crazy cat and what's-her-name is a good crazy deer, but when the boys are chasing us sometimes we just want to be people and so-and-so won't let us.
H: I have no idea what you're talking about.
J: Mom! Pay attention! The boys chase us so we get tired being the crazy animals. What's-her-name and I run and run the whole time and sometimes we just want to be the people in charge. And its ok that they chase us because it means they like us. And today that-other-girl wanted to be a crazy panda but so-and-so said no and what's-her-name and I said yes. Then we ran. And the line is always long for the swings. You should raise money for more swings.
We went to a "celebrity" basketball game last night that was a fundraiser for a new playground at another school so that comment wasn't totally off base.
H: I'm helping with Book Fair and Bingo this week and don't have time to deal with the playground.
J: We really need more swings. The crazy cat doesn't like to wait for swings and I always have to wait for swings. Can you play with us on the playground tomorrow? You can be the adult. Then you can see how bossy so-and-so is. The boys might not chase you though.
At this point I just gave up and told her it was time for bed. Then I made sure to remind myself to be thankful that she didn't assign me to be the "crazy adult".
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