This past weekend, Kevin and I left Matthew in the hands of Oma and Nuze (with whom he had a SPECTACULAR time), as we headed south for my dads retirement party. Now, I will be completely honest- I was not really looking forward to this event. Sure, I was looking forward to seeing my family (I don't often get to visit with my brothers and sister, and aunt and uncle), I was looking forward to a night away, but I was not really looking forward to spending hours sitting in a restaurant listening to my fathers co-workers give the spiels I had heard at many a retirement party: "You were a huge asset to our company, you will be missed" "Thank you for all your hard work" and so on and so on.
This however, was not like any retirement party I had ever been to, and these speeches were not the run of the mill so long and good luck talks. This was a truly fitting and remarkable tribute to a just as remarkable man. I learned some things about my father that I hadn't known before. I saw that my fathers coworkers were so much more than just people who shared an office space or an Operating Room. By listening to them talk about my father, I saw how truly they loved them, how much he means to all of them, and how every single on of them sees my father as part of their family. I learned that all of these people had become a part of our family, though when I was a kid, I never knew that the people coming over were there because my parents saw them as part of the family- I just assumed he had invited some coworkers or friends over. But I learned, and I saw through the teary eyes, that this was so much more than a job that my dad is leaving. For the past few years we have all been pushing my dad to retire, asking him "why aren't you retired yet?" "why haven't you put in your letter yet?" But now I see why it took him so long to put that letter in- it is really really hard to say goodbye to the people you love, to the people that really are your home away from home.
They talked of my dad as a professional, as an innovator, as an educator, and as a friend. Everything they discussed as my dad the Doctor, I also saw as my dad, the Father. His hard work, his determination, his desire to always be learning something new and to bring others along to learn it too. These are all aspects of his life that he shared with his children, as well as his coworkers. So I was able to see just how great of a man my father is- not just as a father, but as a Doctor as well.
Of course it wasn't all serious and sappy- there were some truly hilarious, dead on accurate roasts of my father as well. Things that would lose all humor when put into words- but that, for anyone who knows my father, would have them doubled over in laughter pain, wiping the tears from their eyes.
Good Luck Daddy! Enjoy your move to New England! We are so proud of you!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Quick Catch-Up
I realize it has been a week since I've written anything. Sorry, Laziness is a good answer though- as is illness. Its been a pretty quite week overall.
Today is a day full of stocking the fridge, and some major cleaning up, as Kevin and I are heading south to the Garden State for Dad's official Retirement Party (This time next week, he will be retired, and they will be getting ready for their permanent move to New England!!!) Matthew is going to spend a fabulous weekend with Oma and Nuze, who have plenty of fun planned (I think a trip to his favorite place, the aquarium, is on the cards). I know the weather is supposed to be a little on the nasty side, but hopefully it will not dampen any fun they have!!
I have been battling a bit of a stomach thing the past few days, and so am certainly not feeling 100%, but I am hopeful that I will be feeling much better by party time- so that I can fully enjoy all the hard work that went in to this awesome celebration. Now- to get the house cleaned- and to get packed!!
Today is a day full of stocking the fridge, and some major cleaning up, as Kevin and I are heading south to the Garden State for Dad's official Retirement Party (This time next week, he will be retired, and they will be getting ready for their permanent move to New England!!!) Matthew is going to spend a fabulous weekend with Oma and Nuze, who have plenty of fun planned (I think a trip to his favorite place, the aquarium, is on the cards). I know the weather is supposed to be a little on the nasty side, but hopefully it will not dampen any fun they have!!
I have been battling a bit of a stomach thing the past few days, and so am certainly not feeling 100%, but I am hopeful that I will be feeling much better by party time- so that I can fully enjoy all the hard work that went in to this awesome celebration. Now- to get the house cleaned- and to get packed!!
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Silly Mommy Moment
So I know everyone is expecting news on the pre-school open house, since I've been talking it up to everyone. Well- there will be no news, and here is why:
Many weeks ago when I called the pre-school to get information, they sent me a packet and said "oh we're having an open house on Oct. 16" Great. I called Wednesday to confirm "are you having an open house tomorrow?" "Yes, we are from 6:00-7:30" "Do we need to pre-register?" "Nope- just show up". Great, I snagged a sitter for Matthew and Kevin and I planned on meeting at the school. With great anticipation (can you believe I was actually nervous- actual butterflies nervous- this is only pre-school!) I pulled into the parking lot, Kevin was running late. I enter the door and wait in line behind the other parents, I notice that everyone is signing in, but then I hear suspicious words coming from the sign in lady- she asks the mom two in front of me "Did you get this flier about our fall harvest gathering home in the backpack?" then she asks the lady in front of me "do you know which room your child is in?" I'm thinking- this is weird, but proceed to sign-in. So she asks me "Do you know which classroom your child is in" I answer "no, but he'll be in a three year old class" Apparently I still didn't get that this was not what I was expecting.
Yes folks, it turns out this was not an open house for prospective parents- this was Back to School Night- only apparently they no longer call it Back to School Night. So I was not about to enjoy an evening of learning about all the wonderful things my son will be doing if I choose to give them my $150 a month- instead I would be learning about what the kids are already doing. So I called Kevin, told him not to bother leaving work- I was heading to pick up Matthew. I did get a decent look around the school though, it looks really nice- all the things that the former pre-school teacher in me like to see- lots of artwork, musical instruments, Spanish writing, very clean, and a bathroom for every class! (this is a major plus- Not fun to potty train kids if you are having to run down the hall with them all the time). The parents all seemed very nice, as did the teachers- so I am sure we will be giving the school another look. This time I'll confirm ahead that I should be coming!
While I was on that adventure, Matthew was enjoying movie night with his friends. This was the cutest thing ever- the three kids enjoyed a yummy dinner of fish sticks and yogurt, then curled up on a blanket in the living room- in their pj's- surrounded by pillows and big fluffy stuffed animals, each with their own bowl of popcorn, and watched the Lion King. Then, once I got back- the moms all ordered Pizza and got a kick out of watching our three little ones. How adorable they looked. Sure they didn't sit still for the whole movie (though I think E-K would have, but the boys were too distracting) but it seems like a fun tradition that is being started.
Many weeks ago when I called the pre-school to get information, they sent me a packet and said "oh we're having an open house on Oct. 16" Great. I called Wednesday to confirm "are you having an open house tomorrow?" "Yes, we are from 6:00-7:30" "Do we need to pre-register?" "Nope- just show up". Great, I snagged a sitter for Matthew and Kevin and I planned on meeting at the school. With great anticipation (can you believe I was actually nervous- actual butterflies nervous- this is only pre-school!) I pulled into the parking lot, Kevin was running late. I enter the door and wait in line behind the other parents, I notice that everyone is signing in, but then I hear suspicious words coming from the sign in lady- she asks the mom two in front of me "Did you get this flier about our fall harvest gathering home in the backpack?" then she asks the lady in front of me "do you know which room your child is in?" I'm thinking- this is weird, but proceed to sign-in. So she asks me "Do you know which classroom your child is in" I answer "no, but he'll be in a three year old class" Apparently I still didn't get that this was not what I was expecting.
Yes folks, it turns out this was not an open house for prospective parents- this was Back to School Night- only apparently they no longer call it Back to School Night. So I was not about to enjoy an evening of learning about all the wonderful things my son will be doing if I choose to give them my $150 a month- instead I would be learning about what the kids are already doing. So I called Kevin, told him not to bother leaving work- I was heading to pick up Matthew. I did get a decent look around the school though, it looks really nice- all the things that the former pre-school teacher in me like to see- lots of artwork, musical instruments, Spanish writing, very clean, and a bathroom for every class! (this is a major plus- Not fun to potty train kids if you are having to run down the hall with them all the time). The parents all seemed very nice, as did the teachers- so I am sure we will be giving the school another look. This time I'll confirm ahead that I should be coming!
While I was on that adventure, Matthew was enjoying movie night with his friends. This was the cutest thing ever- the three kids enjoyed a yummy dinner of fish sticks and yogurt, then curled up on a blanket in the living room- in their pj's- surrounded by pillows and big fluffy stuffed animals, each with their own bowl of popcorn, and watched the Lion King. Then, once I got back- the moms all ordered Pizza and got a kick out of watching our three little ones. How adorable they looked. Sure they didn't sit still for the whole movie (though I think E-K would have, but the boys were too distracting) but it seems like a fun tradition that is being started.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Whirlwind
Wow! What a whirlwind of a weekend! Going in, I didn't feel like we had much planned... apple picking and a nice breakfast with Oma and Nuze, but it turned in to so much more! Saturday we went apple and pumpkin picking as planned, and we ran a few other errands while we were out. As usual, Matthew could not have cared less about the actual picking of apples, he was far more interested in the Tractor that we got to ride to and from the orchard. So, I picked all the apples while Matthew and Daddy snacked on some yummy ones that I picked for them, and watched the tractor go back and forth, eagerly awaiting our turn. He was slightly more interested in the pumpkins, but there was no tractor there to distract him, so we picked our pumpkins, bought some Indian Corn and some hard cider made from their apples and off we went. Of course, we've been eating the apples non-stop, I'm not sure they are going to last the week- even though we have 2 dozen of them!
Sunday we went to celebrate Nuze's birthday with some yummy French Toast and Blueberry Muffins. After a filling and delish breakfast we headed down town to snag a good spot for the Columbus Day Parade. What a parade! Nuze calls it "not bad for a rinky-dink town parade" but I tell you- at almost three hours long- this was one heck of a parade, Macy's look out! Sure there were no giant Snoopys floating in the air- but it was so great to see that the entire town (and many neighboring towns) got involved and had a part in the parade. Matthew loved it, loved the whole thing, he just sat on his curb and watched everything, the fire trucks, the police cars, the ambulances, and all the people who couldn't resist his adorable face and gave him lots of goodies. What fun!
Monday we took it easy, ran some errands, and took Daddy to Matthews favorite park where the boys spent some good time on the see-saw (Matthew's favorite park activity). It is a good thing, we have a fairly laid back week this week. Flu shots tomorrow, and a pre-school open house on Thursday (I can not believe it is already this time). A nice follow up to a fun filled busy weekend.
Sunday we went to celebrate Nuze's birthday with some yummy French Toast and Blueberry Muffins. After a filling and delish breakfast we headed down town to snag a good spot for the Columbus Day Parade. What a parade! Nuze calls it "not bad for a rinky-dink town parade" but I tell you- at almost three hours long- this was one heck of a parade, Macy's look out! Sure there were no giant Snoopys floating in the air- but it was so great to see that the entire town (and many neighboring towns) got involved and had a part in the parade. Matthew loved it, loved the whole thing, he just sat on his curb and watched everything, the fire trucks, the police cars, the ambulances, and all the people who couldn't resist his adorable face and gave him lots of goodies. What fun!
Monday we took it easy, ran some errands, and took Daddy to Matthews favorite park where the boys spent some good time on the see-saw (Matthew's favorite park activity). It is a good thing, we have a fairly laid back week this week. Flu shots tomorrow, and a pre-school open house on Thursday (I can not believe it is already this time). A nice follow up to a fun filled busy weekend.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Yay! We eat again!
Though I am slightly afraid this post will jinx the major progress made in the past few weeks, it is just too exciting not to share. It seems that Matthew is starting to again warm up to the idea of eating, especially veggies and other foods he previously wouldn't touch. While it is still difficult to get him to eat the veggies on his dinner plate, I have found that while he helps me prepare dinner, he actually eats a lot. The other day when we were making salads to go with our pasta, he actually ate most of his salad! Ok- so the spinach and lettuce were not high on his list, but they did get tried. We've even started adding carrot sticks to our afternoon snack repertoire, and he is actually eating them.
There is still a long way to go, as he does still look at most foods and say "no like that", but we are making major progress, he is now, at the very least trying things that are put on his plate. Even if all he does is lick the food, then say "no like", he is trying it and we are counting that as a major step!
So what worked? Well, a few things-
1) I gave up on making him something different. I realized that if he didn't eat lasagna, and I always made him a yogurt and sandwich if he didn't want lasagna- he would never even try it because he knew he'd get a sandwich. So I stopped doing that, and got over the "he's going to starve" mentality. I listened to my pediatrician- he will not starve, he will eat if he is hungry, and sometimes he went to bed without a single bite of dinner.
2) I just kept offering. Everything you read says "it can take a toddler 25 exposures to even try a new food" and I really think we were well above 25, but I just kept piling his plate with whatever was for dinner, even if I knew he would refuse it again.
3) I brought him into the kitchen. As soon as he became my sous-chef, I found that he was trying a lot more. Maybe not at the table, but certainly during the cooking process, he was at least taking bites of things and trying them.
4) We didn't make a big deal. Every instinct tell us when your toddler eats a veggie- give lots of praise, they will see that it is good. But research suggests that maybe this isn't true, maybe they won't keep doing it. Better advice- just ignore. Although I was beaming on the inside with every bite of broccoli that Matthew ate, I kept a straight face and just kept on eating my own veggies. Though it sounds counter-intuitive, I saw that this method led to a lot more veggie eating than the lots of praise method.
I plan on keeping up these strategies to hopefully add more variety into his diet, not just veggies- but soup, meat, oh the possibilities seem endless. Today he munched on home made sweet-potato chips. (yumm!) and although he proclaimed "no like this veggie chip" he did keep eating them!
There is still a long way to go, as he does still look at most foods and say "no like that", but we are making major progress, he is now, at the very least trying things that are put on his plate. Even if all he does is lick the food, then say "no like", he is trying it and we are counting that as a major step!
So what worked? Well, a few things-
1) I gave up on making him something different. I realized that if he didn't eat lasagna, and I always made him a yogurt and sandwich if he didn't want lasagna- he would never even try it because he knew he'd get a sandwich. So I stopped doing that, and got over the "he's going to starve" mentality. I listened to my pediatrician- he will not starve, he will eat if he is hungry, and sometimes he went to bed without a single bite of dinner.
2) I just kept offering. Everything you read says "it can take a toddler 25 exposures to even try a new food" and I really think we were well above 25, but I just kept piling his plate with whatever was for dinner, even if I knew he would refuse it again.
3) I brought him into the kitchen. As soon as he became my sous-chef, I found that he was trying a lot more. Maybe not at the table, but certainly during the cooking process, he was at least taking bites of things and trying them.
4) We didn't make a big deal. Every instinct tell us when your toddler eats a veggie- give lots of praise, they will see that it is good. But research suggests that maybe this isn't true, maybe they won't keep doing it. Better advice- just ignore. Although I was beaming on the inside with every bite of broccoli that Matthew ate, I kept a straight face and just kept on eating my own veggies. Though it sounds counter-intuitive, I saw that this method led to a lot more veggie eating than the lots of praise method.
I plan on keeping up these strategies to hopefully add more variety into his diet, not just veggies- but soup, meat, oh the possibilities seem endless. Today he munched on home made sweet-potato chips. (yumm!) and although he proclaimed "no like this veggie chip" he did keep eating them!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Weekend
Yes, I know it is Wednesday and I am just now getting to posting... I've been lazy the past few weeks, I won't deny it.
The weekend was fun, although not as planned. It seems the weathermen were a little bit off on the weekend forecast. We had decided to go apple/pumpkin picking on Sunday because it was supposed to be a bit cooler, and just "cloudy with a slight chance of sprinkles" however, what that turned into was a day full of torrential rain! So obviously, apple picking was out. We were really looking forward to this, but instead will we go this coming weekend, granted the weather stays clear. (Forecast says it will, but who knows what that means!)
So instead of going apple picking, we went to Target to get a Halloween Costume for the little man, and to Matthew's favorite store- Lowes- to get some new hardware for the hutch that Kevin is refinishing. I can not wait until it is done- it will look so nice in our living room, and be the perfect hideaway for the laptop. We also took a stop by Kohls to pick-up a few Christmas gifts for the little man. Yes, I know it is only October, but when you see something- you need to grab it!
Monday Kevin took the day off of work, and so was FINALLY able to join Matthew and I at swim class. It was the first day of this swimester, so I was a tad worried that Matthew would be a little upset, since it has been 6 weeks since his last class; but he did phenomenally! We also have a new teacher this fall, and as much as I love our old teacher, Ms. Laura, the new one, Ms. Katie, is awesome, and promises that all of the kids will graduate the program before the swimester is over. (They need to graduate, in order to move on to getting in the pool without mommy classes- big step!) Already, in the first class, the kids spent 95% of the time without mom, we all sort of hung out on the side and chit-chatted while the kids sat patiently on the steps and waited for their turn with goggles, kickboards, and the big boat! It should be a fun few months.
The weekend was fun, although not as planned. It seems the weathermen were a little bit off on the weekend forecast. We had decided to go apple/pumpkin picking on Sunday because it was supposed to be a bit cooler, and just "cloudy with a slight chance of sprinkles" however, what that turned into was a day full of torrential rain! So obviously, apple picking was out. We were really looking forward to this, but instead will we go this coming weekend, granted the weather stays clear. (Forecast says it will, but who knows what that means!)
So instead of going apple picking, we went to Target to get a Halloween Costume for the little man, and to Matthew's favorite store- Lowes- to get some new hardware for the hutch that Kevin is refinishing. I can not wait until it is done- it will look so nice in our living room, and be the perfect hideaway for the laptop. We also took a stop by Kohls to pick-up a few Christmas gifts for the little man. Yes, I know it is only October, but when you see something- you need to grab it!
Monday Kevin took the day off of work, and so was FINALLY able to join Matthew and I at swim class. It was the first day of this swimester, so I was a tad worried that Matthew would be a little upset, since it has been 6 weeks since his last class; but he did phenomenally! We also have a new teacher this fall, and as much as I love our old teacher, Ms. Laura, the new one, Ms. Katie, is awesome, and promises that all of the kids will graduate the program before the swimester is over. (They need to graduate, in order to move on to getting in the pool without mommy classes- big step!) Already, in the first class, the kids spent 95% of the time without mom, we all sort of hung out on the side and chit-chatted while the kids sat patiently on the steps and waited for their turn with goggles, kickboards, and the big boat! It should be a fun few months.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Welcome Back Fall
After a completely lousy, rainy, almost summer like weekend, it seems that the Fall weather has returned! Yeah says me! I love Fall. I've even started to take notice of the color changing that is going on in the neighborhood around us. Most of the trees are still pretty green, but every few trees, you see one that is a brilliant red or a flaming orange, so beautiful.
The BBQ last weekend was a success, despite the rain and humid weather. We were stuck inside, and while I've always found our house to be spacious enough, we learned that with 10 adults and 8 children, it gets a little crowded. We had an absolute blast though, and we are so thrilled that we have finally all been able to get together, many more gatherings will definitely be in the cards.
Matthew seems, over the past week or so, to have reached the pinnacle (or at least I hope its the pinnacle) of terrible two-dom. It has been a really, really rough week. Hence there have been no posts. Nothing that needs lots of explanation, but lets just say it involves a lot of throwing, a lot of running away, and a lot of thinking that time outs are all fun and games. (thereby doing away with the whole point of time out) Kev and I have been forced to look at our discipline tactics, and perhaps make some changes so that in the future the coloring on the furniture, and the throwing crayons all over the house can be avoided to begin with, as opposed to punished after the fact.
This weekend should be a fun one, being the first weekend in October, it is time to go pick our pumpkins, and of course all of the delicious apples, which means next week will involve home made applesauce, apple pie, and lots of yummy apple snacking. yumm yumm yumm. Hooray Fall!
The BBQ last weekend was a success, despite the rain and humid weather. We were stuck inside, and while I've always found our house to be spacious enough, we learned that with 10 adults and 8 children, it gets a little crowded. We had an absolute blast though, and we are so thrilled that we have finally all been able to get together, many more gatherings will definitely be in the cards.
Matthew seems, over the past week or so, to have reached the pinnacle (or at least I hope its the pinnacle) of terrible two-dom. It has been a really, really rough week. Hence there have been no posts. Nothing that needs lots of explanation, but lets just say it involves a lot of throwing, a lot of running away, and a lot of thinking that time outs are all fun and games. (thereby doing away with the whole point of time out) Kev and I have been forced to look at our discipline tactics, and perhaps make some changes so that in the future the coloring on the furniture, and the throwing crayons all over the house can be avoided to begin with, as opposed to punished after the fact.
This weekend should be a fun one, being the first weekend in October, it is time to go pick our pumpkins, and of course all of the delicious apples, which means next week will involve home made applesauce, apple pie, and lots of yummy apple snacking. yumm yumm yumm. Hooray Fall!
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