Scared Crapless

Let me preface with Chay had a guys' day watching the Packers Bears game.

There's nothing like walking around my home completely comfortable and safe giving my girls a bath when I walk into my dark bedroom and find my passed out husband under the covers with only his socks showing. I didn't hear the garage opener, didn't hear him stagger through the house or clunk by the hallway to fall into bed.

How freaky is that?

Questions, questions, questions. "Mommy, how I made?" "Mommy, how this (house) made?" "Mommy, I have a hole by my butt!"


My, My. I was hoping I'd have a few years cushion before I'd have to tackle these types of questions? Curious, inquisitive -- great qualities; just tough to answer.

So to answer "Mommy, how I made?" I tried "Well, Mommy and Daddy love each other and we made you because we LOVE you."

"But how I get here?" "Well, when you were a tiny baby still growing and not big enough yet, you were growing in my tummy."

"Oh."

NEXT DAY...Olivia telling Madeleine..."Madeleine, I LOVE you! and when you were a tiny baby you were growing in my tummy!".

Hmmm...

Ritalin isn't for everyone

Olivia's been tantrum-free for 5 months and it's been great. Well, something or someone has recently triggered her emotion and frustrations and I'm at my ends on how to effectively deal with her. 30 to 45 minutes of ongoing crying and no understanding in sight or willingness to listen is draining. Really, how can this be normal? Madeleine has tantrums but they're over in 5 mins. No matter what I do or say, there's nothing that can calm Olivia or bring her back to reality. It's usually the little details that touch her off. She was carefree all summer and having it all come back is ... exhausting.

Last week I volunteered at preschool and at the end of the class, she freaked out over some creeping game. I had no idea what that was or what she was even talking about. She was whining/crying and refused to move off the carpet. After 10 mins, I had to ask the teacher if she knew what Olivia was asking for. Fortunately, the teacher knew and was very nice to play a quick game of Mouse Creeping. It's not something they play every day at end of story time before parent pickup so i have no idea what set her off. Regardless, after the game she was completely content and went about the rest of the day.

So I have to ask? How should I have reviewed this with her and explained that her behavior was unacceptable. Instances like this make me clueless and frazzled. If her teacher wouldn't have told me, I think I would have had no choice but to carry her out of there.

Then there are peaceful times. Right now Madeleine's napping so Olivia has quiet time. She's been singing to herself while playing quietly in the playroom; completely content. A preschool parent recommended Ritalin isn't for everyone. (The parent is a psychologist.)

Hope it helps!

Tinker Bell

Olivia & Madeleine have been anxiously awaiting Tinker Bell, pixie dust, and all her fairy friends. We got a preview DVD with the Sleeping Beauty dvd a few weeks ago and with all the commercials --- we (including me!) just had to get Tinker Bell Tuesday. This led to my bright idea of having a Tinker Bell movie party for Olivia & Madeleine and friends on Halloween day since preschool is out.

Everyone had a good time. The girls and I assembled Tinker Bell goodie bags with pixie stix, tinker bell stickers, mini candy bars and glo bracelets for trick-or-treating. Mini-brownies w/ sprinkles and grilled cheese sandwiches. What more could you ask for? It was nice gathering of moms loading up on chocolate treats and unloading SAHM woes and little girls dressed in princess costumes and prancing around.

The downfall of playing hostess? Too busy to take pictures!