September 15, 2011 Snuggles

I find it interesting that an instinct of even a very young child is to want to die when something bad happens. When snuggles (the baby squirrel) died last night Dan wanted to kill himself. His reasoning was that he wanted to be in heaven with him. I calmly explained that you can't go to heaven if commit suicide. Looking defeated he lowered his head and walked away. Sometimes I don't understand where some of our laws come from, but in just a couple of seconds in an exchange with my son I told him that killing himself wouldn't get him where he wanted to go...maybe I do understand a little bit better after all.

April 8, 2009 Easter Egg coloring

The days are passing and we're watching our schedules and calendars quickly fill up. With no time on the weekend to color Easter eggs we alotted time on Wednesday night. We had a quick left over dinner then got down to business. Two dozen eggs were quickly colored in various pastel colors and everybody had a great time. Dan had terrific time at school hunting for eggs that the Easter bunny hid very early this morning. He also enjoyed seeing all his friends yesterday at school for picture day. He was 4th from the last to have his taken, but he wanted to stay to see his friend Cora have hears taken. Dan and Cora will be singing a duet in the spring play, they'll both be dressed as sailors and will sing Bell bottom trousers together, very cute...we can't wait!

April 6, 2009 Boston Aquarium

So, I wrote this blog yesterday, but just as I was getting ready to hit the publish button, gmail went crazy and deleted everything except for the letters sl. I don't remember what those letters were part of, but at this point I guess it doesn't really matter....so I'll start this again, and this time save as I go...it's happened before, you'ld think I'd learn.

Saturday was good, Dan and I went to the gym early, I was happy to see that the day before wasn't a fluke and I again did more then a mile in 10 minutes. Its funny to think that the body learns, grows while I'm seemingly unaware...I like that the machine quantifies my progress. I returned home for a quick shower and laundry hanging before a mandatory Dunkin meeting that only 4 of us bothered showing up for. Nothing exciting, just rules, rules and more rules, then 4 hours of freedom before my shift that night, and Mike, Dan and I made use of it by taking Bricky and Marley over to Boyden conservation area for a run. Work was ok, Jeff and I with a trainee and since we were done early, set Jeff up with some training in the office.

Sunday was scheduled to be a busy day. I didn't sleep well Saturday night and awoke several time with a sore throat. 6:30 came early and I rushed out of the house to be at the gym for 7am. A quick workout, then home to hang two loads of laundry, let Maddie (our neighbors dog) out and give her some breakfast, then shower and out of the house for our trip to Boston.

Mike made the ride a pleasure and we, including Brownie, enjoyed our ride into Boston and directly to the parking garage closest to the Aquarium. Usually Dan and I ride the train, it's cheaper and he likes the adventure, but as soon as you add one more person it becomes cheaper to drive in and park. We bought or tickets, for both the Aquarium and the 11am IMAX under the sea. With 45 minutes till the show we enjoyed watching the penguins and the fish, turtles, etc swimming in the huge tank in the middle. We exited then entered the theater only to be turned away when the film jammed the projector. It was now after 11am so we decided it was time for lunch over at Fanuil Hall. Dan had a corn dog with chips and a sprite. Mike had two slices of Regina's pepperoni pizza and a diet coke, and I had a vegetarian dumpling soup from the sushi place. We took it out to the steps and sat. Lunch was followed by checking in at the IMAX to see if they're issue was resolved and we might be able to see the 1pm show. It was fixed and with another 45 minutes to wait we revisited the Aquarium and actually found a jellyfish exhibit we'd missed the first time around and was well worth going back in for. 12:50 and back to the theater we went, sat down, and the show began. It was 3D and a little scary for Dan, I fell asleep a couple of times during it as the cold, and the lack of sleep from the previous night set in. Mike enjoyed the show though and glad he finally saw an IMAX, I think we actually sat too close to the screen, because it was blurry at times. Next time we'll know. We headed back to the garage, got everybody buckled in and Mike expertly drove us home. I think I may have seen China town before my eyes closed. Next thing I saw was our pond in front of us, looking back I realized that Dan was asleep as well. A little rested and feeling somewhat better I went to work. Relatively easy night with Jeff, but glad it was over and a warm bed was waiting.

I arrived home to find that Mike had filled in Brownie's book and thanked him profusely. He also took the camera to CVS and printed a collage to be included in the book. He did a great job and i was happy to not have to do it in the morning before school...what a terrific Dad!

April 3, 2009 - Mom and Mo return and anniversary

So we didn't end up going to RI. I hadn't considered that the truck might not be unloaded yet and since it was raining didn't want to force them to do it earlier then they were ready. It turned out fine. I had some strange blister like bites that appeared on Emily and I shortly before we left Florida, Em's are mostly healed, but I broke out with a new patch and decided a call to the MD might be in order since some airport employees were reported to have scabies. Turns out it was nothing, maybe sand fleas, but no worrisome parasite. Jen and I had talked about taking turns with the Seneca and Dan on Thursdays after story time so Jen said she's take Dan....it was 11am, Dan was gone, my MD appt was at 2:15pm and I had NOTHING to do. I decided to go get gas over at Stop and Shop in Wareham because you earn points from buying groceries..I was very excited when I paid $1.35 a gallon. $24 to fill the van from empty. From there I went up to 195 at Wareham crossing to visit the target store since I'm on a mission to find fun spring clothes. It is so much fun to fit into clothes I've become nearly obsessed, I'm not buying alot but I love just trying things on and think I've visited just about every clothing store in a 30 mile radius. I did some shopping, then headed back to the MD. Usually I'm in and out with Dr. B, there's usually not anyone esle in the office, but today I sat for 15 minutes before I was called in at which time I told them I'd have to reschedule. I'd told Jen I'd pick Ruby up at school at 2:45 and it was already after 2:30. The receptionist said no problem and told me to do what I had to do and come back. Ruby was very excited to see me and I was glad to have some alone time with her, I miss them all. Dropped Ruby off at home and quickly went back to the MD, to find out that I had nothing. Back to Jen's to visit with them for a while, then we went home. It was just about 5:30 when we got there, Dan decided he wanted to play up in his room while I cooked dinner, after a few minutes I realized that it was awfully quiet, looked up stairs and Dan was in his bed fast asleep. I made an attempt to wake him with no luck, he growled and rolled over. He'd been up early and had a full day playing with the girls, so I thought maybe he was really done for the night. Mike came home and tried to wake him as well, but no luck. We decided we'd just let him sleep. We had dinner, cleaned up , and retired to the living room for survivor. Derek and Omayra even showed up and watched with us but Danny never stirred...until 5am. I was happy he'd slept that late and reluctantly joined him in the living room for a new episode of Magic School bus.
Our day today was fairly uneventful. I took Dan to school, the letter of the week was O and wanting to be a trickster twice this week he brought in Oatmeal to share with his class. Wednesday he took Olives. I went to the gym, broke 10 minute miles on the elliptical which was a first. Did the stairmaster when I realized there was a great breeze. Who knew they could open the garage doors behind our machines, what a huge difference it made to have cool air circulating. I showered there and then went to Marshalls to see if I could find a tan skirt to match the white and tan top I bought at filenes basement, no luck but I did try on some really nice dresses. Picked Dan up from school, and found out that Dan was picked to bring home Brownie the teddy bear. Dan's been talking about Brownie for a long time, and what's he's said all along was that when Brownie came home with him he wanted to take him to the Boston Aquarium. Hmmmm....Since we had to go to the Mashpee Library anyway I checked for a pass. No good, they were out. However I sat down on one of their computers, quickly brought up the Sandwich Library website and checked to see if they had passes available. Sure enough, one pass left, I reserved it and told Dan the good news. Boston Aquarium on Sunday. Afterwards we walked across the street to the consignment shop, and I tried on a few more dressses and was happy when I found a skirt for $4.50 that fit perfectly. I decided that with my spring/summer wardrobe all set there was no more reason to shop and have now sworn it off....it's like my new obsession, who knew I'd turn into a shopaholic!
Oh and the anniversary? 6 years ago today I quit smoking...which is a good thing since cigarettes are up to almost $10 a pack!

April 2, 2009 What's happened in the last month....

It seems hard to believe nearly a whole month has passed. There has been lots going on here and as spring approaches we find our calendar quickly filling. Emily returned to work at Mahoney's part time the weekend after we returned home. I spent two days with Anna and Cindy from Healthy Childrens taking a lactation class upon our return and quickly remembered how much I loved the field and how much I missed them! I'm now looking at working on a bachelors in lactation through the Union Institute, so more classes, lots of online work but since it's mostly distance and online learning I'm looking foward to it. I've also been asked to take the position of Assistant manager at work, and have been accepted into the CNA program at 4C's for the fall. It's all very exciting and I'm thrilled to out of the house more. On that note I had a terrific time at a Sandwich Women's club event which very closely resembled TV's dancing with the stars. Jen and Buzz had an extra ticket and thought of me, I had a terrific night out with friends, dancing the night away. It was a great time!

Emily is a great help with Dan, and he's taken to the juggling quite well. Danny's doing about the same. While we were in Florida Emily was feeding him a strawberry but instead of biting the strawberry he bit Emily's finger. Suddenly he frowned and we noticed some blood. He'd loosened his tooth on her finger. Yesterday he said, Mom...I have something in my mouth. I looked in and sure enough, his first adult tooth is poking through behind the baby tooth. Where did the time go? He also went with Daddy last night to Mike's woodturning meeting, he's getting big enough to understand when he needs to settle down and just sit and/or listen and he and Dad have really been spending alot of time doing guy things together. It's a beautiful thing.

As for Mike, he's been busy too. Still has some art in the Color Obsession gallery and was asked to speak at a round table discussion last Thursday for the artists guild. It was a long day but he came home happy with lots of contacts, and having done lots of networking.

What's in store today. Well, the gym first...my new favorite place and since I signed on to babysit two three hour shifts a month my membership is now free and so is the cost of the daycare for Dan when he comes with me....I love that!!!! I'm doing 20 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes on the stair master on level 11 fatburn and 10 minutes on the stationary bike every day along with alternating days of nautilus either upper or lower body. I'm currently in a size 6 and weigh 138lbs. Trying to tone up the legs and back side since they are still a little jiggly! Dan has Mr. Parsons at Sandwich Library at 10pm then we're headed to RI to welcome Mom and Mo back since they either returned yesterday or the day before. Should be a good day!

March 10, 2009 End of Disney

I was vigilant about blogging every day but as the end of our trip neared and the stomach bug that effected my lower body took hold, I lost my resolve. Dan and I did indeed spend most of Thursday at the pool after making a stop at the comfort station to wash all the laundry we took with us to the ghetto hotel, and ourselves as to not infect our hosts or tent with any unknown and/or unpleasant stowaways. Emmy contracted the stomach bug as well, and brought our disney park hopping to a stand still. Emmy spent most of Friday night and Saturday morning throwing up. We did manage to squeeze in a evening boat ride into Magic Kingdom to see the Spectromagic parade, the fireworks and tinkerbells flight from the ice cream shop right on Main Street, one of the most coveted spots. Dan loved them and Em and I took some pretty good pictures. We attempted to go into Downtown Disney on Monday morning but just as we were getting ready to board the bus, the stomach bug hit Dan as well and instead he and I went back to camp, while Mom and Em went to picked him up some legos for the plane ride home with the Disney dollars Susie gave him for Christmas.

Tuesday morning came too soon and at 7am we were riding in the back of Mo's truck down to the Outpost to check out bags, get our boarding passes and ride the magic express back to MCO. It was an uneventful ride and a quiet wait at the airport until our flight was called. Mike met us at Logan shortly after 2pm and before we knew it we were home. We had a great trip, spent too much of it under the weather, but hey, it's Florida and it was warm....I can't complain. In the end we spent two days in each park. More then enough really, it's not like Disney is going anywhere and if we'd done everything, there wouldn't be any reason to return.

March 4, 2009 Disney Day 9

Quite a luxury tonight, our ghetto hotel has come a long way since we got here (3 days ago) and they now provide WiFi to the rooms, so hurray, I'm blogging from my bed, my absolutely favorite place to blog from.


The kids and I were excited to first see our favorite shuttle bus driver Giovanni this morning and second to see our favorite Spanish family climb aboard. Dan and Alejandro commenced their lingual lessons, this time colors and us Mom's kept them busy for most of the ride. We parted ways, they were going to Hollywood Studios, we were going back to Epcot. We arrived shortly before 10am, and called Mom on our way to Soarin and found out she was already there. We each got a fast pass then hurried into the 30 minute line for the first of two rides of the day. Dan was thrilled to do it again and even more excited to share it with Emily now that she was nervous and he was a pro. Em thought it was great and we departed for the Seas to see Nemo and Crush. On our way out we spied Mom and Fran doing what they do best....eating. Caught in our sights they joined us for undersea adventure, Fran positioned Dan right in front at Turtle talk and Danny was thrilled when Crush picked him to talk to...video down below. We then went back to Soarin to use our fast passes before we said goodbye. We ate at the land and road the agriculture ride per Emily's request. Then started the long trek around the worlds. Our hotel "concierge" Sherry recommended we see Off Kilter so that was our only agenda. We browsed Canada, sat for a very funny show in the UK, and watched a movie in France that had a wrap around screen very much like Soarin but with technology 20 years in the past. It was still great and the scenery amazing. We walked into Morocco where Dan saw Genie and actually wanted to stand in line to have his picture taken. Since it was approaching 3:30 we chose the boat as our transportation back to Off Kilter in Canada. Sherry was right, we weren't disappointed. With the day mostly done we decided Space ship Earth would be the last ride. It's come a long way since I was there in 95 and we all had a good time, especially afterwards powering a city and building a body. Back on the monorail and the big blue bus home. Dominos pizza for dinner, and most of the packing done for our move back to the campground tomorrow. Glad we've designated tomorrow as an off day, we've been very busy and since the temperature is steadily climbing we're hoping for some pool time!