My kids started school this week. They start with a short week to ease everyone back in, which I think is smart. But I’m planning a very low key weekend so we can all recover.
Last night was parent orientation for 2nd grade DD. I’m concerned about the amount of homework stuff they have. Like 3 days a week, read 20 minutes. 3 days a week do Reflex Math until they “get a green light”. I don’t know how long that takes. And M-Th they will have worksheets that “should take no more than 30 minutes.” That seems EXCESSIVE. I mean, DD is fast, so worksheets take her like 5 minutes. But for God’s sake. They are 2nd graders.
A sweet thing. They had kids write us notes, then we could write back so they would see our notes today at school. The little boy who sits beside DD didn’t have a parent there. His mom is the girls athletic director and was working at a volleyball game. Dad travels a lot. So DH wrote a note to this little boy so he would have something today. It basically said how proud DH and I are of the great young man he’s becoming and we hope he has a great year. I thought that was so sweet of DH.
Post by mustardseed2007 on Aug 23, 2019 9:18:20 GMT -5
mommyatty , I love that, and so sweet that your DH noticed and thought to do it!!
Last night DS had multiple total melt downs. He's exhausted from being in school all day. We had him go straight to bed after his bath, poor kid. And poor us.
This weekend I have a big bike workout which I'm not looking forward to because it's going to be hard. DD has a birthday party, which DH will handle. Then I have to take my car in and then take DS to a playdate with a new kid in the class. I'm looking forward to that actually.
Sunday I've got my long run and then I'm just sticking to staying home, doing chores and doing swim lessons. Next weekend we start back at gymnastics so I'm going to do as little as possible this weekend.
Hopefully a good weekend planned. I am going to pick up groceries and wine tonight and chill after practice. DS has to work tomorrow, but DH is off for the weekend.
We have a party to go to Saturday night, but of course I have to navigate the children's social lives before I have my own. DD has a youth group movie night so I need to get her there and back or she may spend the night with a friend. DS is coming with us, but will be going to a friend's house most likely who lives down the road.
Sunday I plan to grill and cook with DH and chill since I will be out of town for work next week. I am trying to avoid them eating chicken nuggets and frozen pizza the entire time I am gone.
Post by covergirl82 on Aug 23, 2019 9:23:11 GMT -5
mommyatty , don't even get me started on homework. DS's teacher (4th grade) at the open house said to expect 40 MINUTES of homework a day (which does include reading). I don't understand why kids need more school work, when they are already at school for 7 hours a day. Let them be kids for goodness sake!!! Not to mention that on nights when the kids have a practice, game, or lesson, they may not have time for homework.
Tonight the kids are going to the local YMCA for a "Safe at Home" class (for kids who are starting to stay home by themselves). While they are there, DH and I are going to go to dinner.
Tomorrow morning DH and DS are going golfing. I think DD and I will go to the farmer's market and then grocery shopping. Then we all have haircuts in the afternoon.
Sunday is church and then the rest of the day will be spent getting ready for school, and I'm also going to start making a list of what we need to pack for our trip to see SIL and family in Memphis on Labor Day weekend.
Anyone been to Memphis and have suggestions of kid-friendly things to do? SIL's kids are 8 (almost 9), 7, 3, and 2.
Going to see a show tonight, then heading up to my parents' for the weekend tomorrow morning. Our last hurrah at the lake this summer and my folks are keeping the kids for Monday and Tuesday as well because of childcare coverage issues. It'll be a nice way for the girls to wrap up the summer and the weather is supposed to be beautiful.
I think Sunday I'll come home early afternoon so that I can clean their bedroom, swap over all the clothes and sizes, and get things ready for school to start next week.
I have bunco night tonight. Soccer games tomorrow and in-laws visiting for the weekend. So, yup another busy weekend on the books. I am glad I took last weekend to do nothing but clean and ride bikes to the park. Speaking of which DH took them scootering and biking to the park last night because I was home late from my chiro appointment, so that was really nice. Today is picture day and DH spent the morning telling the kids they can't wear their choices (wedge shoes with sneakers in the backpack and long sleeve t-shirt with change of clothes in the back pack). Like dude chill they have changes of clothes with them if they get hot or the shoes are uncomfortable and pictures are usually in the morning.
Post by librarychica on Aug 23, 2019 10:46:58 GMT -5
It’s my off Friday! Hooray! After I dropped the kids I went to an advanced barre class and rocked it, if I do say so myself. Then stopped by the vet for flea meds and got to play with an adorable lab. Now waiting for AC repair man (under warranty thank god!). I live for off Fridays.
Tomorrow we have dog training class, h is taking DD2 to a birthday party and I’m taking DD1 with my to a housewarming party for a coworker. H flies out again Saturday nights and Sunday the girls and I have no plans but DD2’s swim lessons. I told DD1 she could invite a friend over to play.
Post by supertrooper1 on Aug 23, 2019 10:53:11 GMT -5
I took today off for the cable guy who is at my house now and for divorce mediator meeting this afternoon. Then it's date night. BF (I think I can call him that now) and I are doing something tomorrow but we don't know what yet. It's supposed to be raining so it will probably be something indoors like bowling or a movie. Sunday I have a family reunion.
supertrooper1- I vote we call him Beau. I used to think it was both hilarious and adorable when old southern ladies we knew would talk about when they were young and how their beaus would behave. But being a 70s child, I always thought about Bo Duke from the Dukes of Hazard when they said that.
This is the last weekend before school starts and the weather is going to be gorgeous. Tomorrow, we'll head to the gym and then to the soccer field for soccer appreciation day. There will be games, a bounce house, skills competition, and a raffle. We'll probably get some lunch there too. Then we'll meet my friend and her baby for an early dinner. I'm hoping we can sit by the fire tomorrow night and roast some marshmallows. On Sunday, my parents want to take all of their grandkids out for brunch. We'll probably spend the rest of the day prepping backpacks. At some point I have to get my syllabus and class website up for my grad school class. Then Monday is the first day of school for DD and DS1. I haven't decided if I'll work from home or take the day off. There is so much to do at work and we just got another important contract.
Took DD to the pedi gastro today, they are running tests for celiac including genetic testing, which is good. And what I had hoped for. Apparently she is also constipated, and needs chia and flax seeds. I also got a lecture because my primary doctor did not do an endoscope when he should have on me. I’m tired at doctor appointments.
Our lovely Kindergarten FB group has gone the wayside of mommy groups (not this one thankfully!) of people arguing about whether to talk to the teacher or just tell your kid to eat fast or tell the superintendent about kids not having time to eat lunch, which has been going on probably since I ate lunch in school as a kid- they are notoriously short.
The latest is that the car line is out of control. It is taking a lot for me not to tell them if they could unclench from their precious for a moment and let them take the bus. There are a lot of families too close to be served by the bus, but it's August and there is no reason why they can't walk. One mom, and she is really nice, but she is going 3 times a day to drop off and pick up including half day K, why? I mean who has time for that even if they are technically a SAHM, which I don't entirely understand because my friend keeps telling me she has a production company? I guess I don't understand what my friend is trying to tell me.
In other weird news, a client who is notorious where I work for talking to all the young Pages (read under 18) about inappropriate topics- I saw at a cafe having lunch with another youngling (ew) who was clearly not a relative.
A guy came in wanting a notary for a document that requires 2 signatures, um sorry the other person has to be with you. You can forge her signature.
And Trigger Warning-
A man not identified in the press committed suicide in the park where we have soccer practice right before the practices, so they all had to move elsewhere. I feel bad for everyone involved like the family etc., but I also can't imagine the park trying to deal with that too. Luckily we practiced the day before, but I bet there are a lot of families that I know that were set to go that day. And games are there on Saturday. It's just a weird week.
Quiet weekend here, luckily, after the first week of school (and because we're out of town next weekend). DH and I are going to the Padres game tonight with his work tickets and sitting in the fancy seats. Tomorrow gymnastics and then maybe I'll invite our good friends over for swimming and dinner if DH consents. Maybe beach Sunday, and my tennis lesson.
I have wanted new living room furniture for awhile and I think we're going to do an IKEA couch because 3 little kids. I want to take the kids down to check it out, since DS1 is unreasonably attached to our current couch. I may bribe him with ice cream.
DS2's daycare is closed next week so it's going to be a crazy week of pieced-together childcare. Me on Monday, a babysitter Tuesday/Wednesday, my dad flying cross country a little earlier than their planned visit so he can watch him Thursday, then vacation Friday.
Post by covergirl82 on Aug 23, 2019 13:55:21 GMT -5
phdmomma, DD can struggle with constipation, so I started adding ground/milled flax seed into pancakes, muffins, and waffles. You could also easily add it to smoothies or yogurt. I haven't tried adding chia seeds to the kids' food, but I mix chia seeds into yogurt and leave it overnight in the fridge and then add granola and dried cherries in the morning to take to work for breakfast. The chia seeds soak up some of the moisture from the yogurt and almost creates a tapioca-like consistency (and I do like tapioca pudding).
Solo weekend with the kiddos. DH will be back next Friday. I have a friend comming over tonight. My mom might be taking DS for a sleepover. That would be great, but I don't think she will come through. Groceries, meal prep and laundry this weekend. Fun Stuff! hahaha
DS is wetting the bed once every couple of weeks. I am not sure how to help him. He is only four and everyone had told me not to worry until he is 8, but I am tired of cleaning pee sheets.
On the pooping kids topic, a LOT of kids just don’t sit long enough and end up getting constipated as a result. We made DD sit on the toilet for 5 minutes after every meal, and she magically cleared out.
She was so constipated that she was wetting the bed because there literally wasn’t room for her bladder to expand. Dr told us to start giving her a laxative. She was terrified of that (one dose gave her terrible diarrhea), so sitting and trying seemed much better to her.
TLDR: Flax isn’t going to work if your kid isn’t sitting there trying hard to poop.
mommyatty, I think DD is better at it now, but I used to have to make her sit 2 minutes after she thought she was done to see if there was more poop and try to push multiple times during those 2 minutes. Now she can tell me there is more or she is completely done.
I just realized that my fantasy football draft is the same night as back to school. The whole reason I started playing was to have a way to get to know coworkers outside of my division, so that benefit is 100% eliminated by skipping the live draft.
Post by erinshelley21 on Aug 23, 2019 20:25:31 GMT -5
phdmomma in case you can't get the flax and chia in her, DS's constipation issues have been resolved with a small cup of juice in the morning and children's fiber gummy bears. We limit his binding foods quite a bit too.
Post by erinshelley21 on Aug 23, 2019 20:32:07 GMT -5
Longest Friday ever. Legit worked until 5:15 and I don't like that. DH wanted to "go somewhere" which ended up being to dinner 30 minutes away. Fine, but he was very irritated that we were going to get home at 8:30 and the kids needed bathed still. Your idea, bud.
Tomorrow we are working on the new house. My mom has offered to come help with the kids. I'm interested to see what that consists of and for how long. Its nice of her to offer and I greatly appreciate it, but she helped me with the kids while I bought a shower and I ended up catching DD trying to climb out of the cart while DS tested every glass shower door Lowe's had. My mom was posting a picture of DD on social media.
Sunday will be getting our current house in order. I need to catch up on organizing papers, start packing and figuring out what we are taking with us to MIL's.
I appreciate the ideas. She did say that I should make DD sit on the potty to try and poop after meals for 10 minutes. I typically eat chia seeds in almond milk for breakfast ( major gluten free fiber), but they are kind of slimy texture wise. She mentioned putting the chia and flax seeds into smoothies. So, does anyone make smoothies and have one their kids like?
phdmomma - I used to make this one a lot for myself and DD2 would steal it.
1/2 avocado or 1/2 cup Greek yogurt Handful of spinach if on hand 1/2 Apple Scoop of frozen blueberries or mixed berries Scoop of frozen Dole tropical fruit Ground flax seeds Then fill the ninja cup with water
It was sweet, and the avocado gave it a nice creamy texture.
DH went to play paintball all weekend. My mom offered to watch DD and have a sleepover lastnight. Ladies I've had 24 hours of kid free time. I've watched chick flicks, painted for fun, slept in late and just chilled. Picking DD and my parents up in a few and taking them out to dinner as a thank you.
On the pooping kids topic, a LOT of kids just don’t sit long enough and end up getting constipated as a result. We made DD sit on the toilet for 5 minutes after every meal, and she magically cleared out.
She was so constipated that she was wetting the bed because there literally wasn’t room for her bladder to expand. Dr told us to start giving her a laxative. She was terrified of that (one dose gave her terrible diarrhea), so sitting and trying seemed much better to her.
TLDR: Flax isn’t going to work if your kid isn’t sitting there trying hard to poop.
We need to start getting serious about this. I think this is part of our problem. Did you guys ever use miralax?
mustardseed2007- Miralax is what we used once. It gave DD explosive diarrhea at a small dose. It actually cured her problem because she decided sitting and pushing was a preferred alternative!
Post by librarychica on Aug 25, 2019 8:23:30 GMT -5
I impulsively invited a new neighbor and he daughter to “drop by” this afternoon after they invited us into their beautiful house and yard Friday evening. No idea whether they will but I am cleaning anyway. I regret this choice.
I was supposed to run this morning and slept in until 6:30. Since I knew I wouldn't be able to hit the road until 7 at the absolute earliest, I am now doing my long run on the treadmill. Which means I am currently charging all my devices and drinking coffee in anticipation of said run. Procrastinating basically.