Monday Vents and Celebrations

[sandandsea]

Jul 31, 2017 13:00:02 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

Jul 31, 2017 12:54:27 GMT -5 mustardseed2007 said:

How do you get your kid to wear a puddle jumper though? Neither of my kids ever did. With DS it wasn't that bad b/c it was just him, but if DD would wear one it would take so much pressure off. 

He never really had the option not to if he wanted freedom and he likes the freedom. And he liked the turtle on it and all the other kids wear them too (at hotels and water parks) so peer pressure.

[mellym]

Jul 31, 2017 12:54:27 GMT -5 mustardseed2007 said:

Jul 31, 2017 10:43:28 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

When I'm in that situation I have the older one wear a puddle jumper. He can totally swim but in case he gets tired or too ambitious it helps with the peace of mind and I can focus on the baby.

How do you get your kid to wear a puddle jumper though? Neither of my kids ever did. With DS it wasn't that bad b/c it was just him, but if DD would wear one it would take so much pressure off. 

mustardseed2007, both of our kids wear puddle jumpers (2.5 and 5).  We require that they wear them in the pool or lake (esp the lake because I can't see them if they go under).  If they take it off, they get out of the pool.  They usually put it back on right away because they want to swim.

[twinmomma]

Vent: I asked DH to handle signing us up before/after care today. He cannot seem to understand that while the program happens AT school, it is in no way affiliated with the school. A private daycare comes over and handles it. He has called me three times and argued with me about why we can't just use the same health records that the school already has. I don't know what is so hard for him to understand. My instructions were to call the daycare place, ask how to sign up, and get the paperwork all set. Not difficult. Did not in any way require him to call me multiple times. This may have sparked my thread about a personal assistant.

[186momx]

We do the $25 supply fee for school and I would rather have to shop for supplies. The teachers don't get the money to spend. They are required to submit a wish list prioritize to the school and the school then buys bulk supplies. Last year DD's K class only had training pencils so think highlighter thick pencils to use and DD's handwriting went from amazing to unreadable by the end of the year. We finally are back to where we are before K started in writing as we've been working on it all summer. Crayons and markers were generic and mainly broken/dried out by open house in October and when I asked about new stuff her teacher said that had to last all year.

Her school has about 140 families and 120 of those families are in need of assistance. The school offers a weekly food pantry for all students on Friday, free fresh vegetables on Wednesday and every family got a food box at winter break if you were in need or not. I really feel like our $25 supply fee went to this and not supplies.

These are the scissors DD was using last year www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=3J%2f5jzQp&id=F230B78907901C179EBA19000D3B9326C73D495A&thid=OIP.3J_5jzQpwdsQ5p6dRIoQSQEgDY&q=old+fashion+kid+school+scissors&simid=608030760735212218&selectedIndex=3&ajaxhist=0

[leap]

DD1 broke her collarbone at the pool yesterday. She was running down a grass hill, tripped and kind of somersaulted. We were having such a great time before it happened, too. Ending the afternoon in a damp swimsuit at urgent care was really not part of the plan. She is a really tough kiddo, though. No crying or anything. Even now she's trying to play it off like it's no big deal, but I think she's in more pain than she's letting on. 

I'm working at home today and she's lounging and watching TV. She thinks she can go back to camp tomorrow, but I'm not so sure. She didn't sleep well last night and seems pretty content to just lay on the couch. Maybe we just need to see how tonight goes. I guess she could always try it and if it's too much I could go get her. Such an unfortunate thing to have happen in the summer.

[2chatter]

I survived the river trip! It was super super fun.

I went to my sister's mom's funeral and they hadn't organized anything for after so I bought BBQ for 15. Way better than flowers.

Now I'm waiting on a file and buying mooore paint for DD's project.

DS did great at drop off at his new school. Can't wait to pick him up and hear all about it!!

[mae0111]

@leap - did they give your DD a figure 8 strap? I got one when I broke my collarbone years ago and it made a ton of difference in my comfort level. It stabilized my collarbone so that it didn't move around all over. Much better than a sling. If I wore it, I felt pretty normal after a few days.

www.braceability.com/broken-clavicle-collarbone-brace?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2JTtrKW01QIVi0oNCh2Qcg3kEAQYASABEgIofvD_BwE

That's a painful break, though - much worse than my pelvic fracture. Poor kid.

[traveltheworld]

We had a good weekend. Ran errands on Saturday, then went to a fruit farm yesterday with the kids. They had a blast. Then DH and I dropped the kids off with my mom for a few hours while we biked, block by block, in the neighbourhood that I want to buy in. I was having some anxiety about committing to buying the house we put an offer on, but after biking for close to 2 hours and looking at every street, I've concluded that we should buy the house. Out of all the houses in this neighbourhood, there are less than 10% that would be acceptable from a location and price point perspective, and that's not counting the interior, and the fact that almost no one sells here. I feel good about the decision. Now I'm very excited about moving into the house in 4 weeks!

Another celebration: I booked my first international work trip. I'm super excited about traveling business class and getting to sleep in a hotel by myself for a few nights without the kids interrupting. I look forward to that even more than being in an European city. I have such small dreams.

[leap]

mae0111, they told me they don't really use a brace anymore because they've found it doesn't do anything to aid in healing. I broke my collarbone when I was a teenager and wore a similar brace. I hated it! I thought it was horribly uncomfortable. Maybe they've improved? She seems to be doing well with the sling and she does not seem to be in as much pain as I expected. I remember being in a lot of pain and she just seems mostly ok.

[librarychica]

Celebration: I found a new play place just in time for a tropical storm. It was a sanity saver on day 3 of all-day rain.

Celebration 2: I survived a level 2 barre class today.

Vent: I survived but my left hip is killing me. Also, since camp is out, our childcare schedule between now and the first day of school in two weeks is downright bizarre and it is stressing me out.

[librarychica]

leap, I hope your daughter feels better! What a crappy end to the summer.

[thatsfancy]

Came home from vacation on Saturday and had enough time to unpack/do laundry that day. Sunday we had a bday party that both kids could attend. DH stayed home to cut grass and pack for his 2 week work trip. Please keep your fingers crossed that my kids stay healthy this go round. Every time DH goes away, one or both kids fall ill.

Vent: same as kimberlybb. Back at work after vacation, never fun.

[mae0111]

Jul 31, 2017 15:32:36 GMT -5 leap said:

mae0111, they told me they don't really use a brace anymore because they've found it doesn't do anything to aid in healing. I broke my collarbone when I was a teenager and wore a similar brace. I hated it! I thought it was horribly uncomfortable. Maybe they've improved? She seems to be doing well with the sling and she does not seem to be in as much pain as I expected. I remember being in a lot of pain and she just seems mostly ok.

Its great that she's feeling ok! The brace didn't help me heal, but my break was bad enough that the bones were sticking out and moving around (gag). The brace just kept everything still. I loved that thing / I was afraid to give it up because I was in so much pain without it. Maybe it wouldn't have worked as well if it was a different sort of break.

I hope your DD is back to normal soon!

[msn06]

Celebration: My girls weekend was amazing. We did our annual summer camp. All of us got together and drank, played games, and talked. It was fabulous we also all recognized drunk slip n slide sounds fun but should actually be done since we don't heal as well as we once did.

In two weeks we close on the new house. It's so close to being 100% done I can't wait.

Vent: I'm frustrated with the little things that need to be done on the house. It feels like they aren't going fast enough.

[mellym]

leap, sorry to hear about your daughter's break. Hope it heals quickly.

[HeartofCheese]

Vent: Got the sensory eval back for DS and he was below average in every category. The evaluator noted that he was very unfocused on the tasks and it may have affected his performance, however, her suggestions still focused on things like "practice writing." Shouldn't the suggestions have been focused on how to engage him?

[leap]

mae0111, your break sounds horrible. I don't think her break is as bad. She is back at camp today and really happy to be there. I think she was terribly bored at home yesterday. I guess we'll see if she makes it the whole day. I am back in the office and kind of wish I was working from home. I'm amazed at how much I got done yesterday.

[akafred]

I'm a terrible person. DD is "that kid." But there are a couple other "that kid"s in her class. The worst is this kid B, and B and DD are absolutely horrible together. Such amplifiers! And I found out this morning he will not be at school anymore! I have great empathy for his mom and I feel bad for rejoicing, and I am sure that she is making the best decision for him, but at the same time I am THRILLED he won't be there this year!

[twinmomma]

akafred Not a bad person at all. DH and I are jumping for joy that the girls' "best friend" from daycare will be at a different elementary school. She's a major cause of bad behavior in our house and I can't wait to be free of it!

[mae0111]

Can I add another vent? Background: my kids, DH, and I are at the very bottom of our extended families' priority lists. Like, my did didn't come to DD's 2nd birthday party because my nephew had a baseball game. They've forgotten to invite us to things like a Christmas Eve party and Easter lunch.

DD is making her First Holy Communion next May. It's a big deal. It always happens in second grade, and it always happens in May. There is always a big celebration immediately after the church. I can't pick the date - church assigns it, and she makes it with her whole class.

My sister just got engaged. She had not booked the date as far as I knew, so I shot her a text to remind her about the First Communion. She responded that she booked her wedding. For the date that is typically First Communion weekend. So not only will I have to possibly miss my sister's wedding, my whole family will miss DD's big day. DD has been looking forward to this since she was 3. I'm trying to negotiate with the church but my hands are pretty tied.

Nothing is ever about my family. I always have to scramble to accommodate everyone else. I'm having a pity party. Boo.

[2chatter]

mae0111 - that would really upset me. We have had kids miss THE DAY but do all the prep with their group. Is DD at all interested in that? They do it like an infant baptism (in terms of service schedule) on another Sunday.

And...have you discussed this trend with your family? They may not be receptive but it may help, too.

[mae0111]

Aug 1, 2017 15:11:47 GMT -5 2chatter said:

mae0111 - that would really upset me. We have had kids miss THE DAY but do all the prep with their group. Is DD at all interested in that? They do it like an infant baptism (in terms of service schedule) on another Sunday.

And...have you discussed this trend with your family? They may not be receptive but it may help, too.

I don't want her to miss the day. I think that, if the conflict is unavoidable, we will miss the wedding. The wedding is a 2 hour drive plus a ferry ride to an island. It's not an option for her to go to the ceremony then rush off to the wedding. Plus, DH's family would come in for it - 5 hour drive for them. We couldn't take off on them.

It sucks, but everyone had known about the Communion for at least 2 years.

My family will not be receptive. I've tried discussing it. They think I'm Jan Brady - middle sister.

[2chatter]

mae0111 - that stinks. I'm laughing because my middle really IS Jan Brady (we don't speak but I bought her lunch yesterday because her mom died and I went to the funeral). She says things like "you are so spoiled - you go to finish college" (she dropped out and didn't tell our dad, and moved into this guy's trailer. Yes, she chose a dude with a trailer over a college education). Your examples are nothing like that - baseball game over second Birthday is insane to me.

Does anyone else wonder which of their children will resent them for something legit as an adult? I already wonder how I am going to screw up. That could be a whole thread.

[k3am]

2chatter, I'm convinced that any future spouses/SO's of my children are going to dislike me as much as I dislike my IL's. I'm also convinced I'll just start every family gathering with them out with a bottle of wine, and maybe then they won't hate me so much. It would go a long way with my inlaws.

[mellym]

Aug 1, 2017 14:53:26 GMT -5 mae0111 said:

How does your sister react when you call her out especially when she knew that date was booked for your family? I can't imagine booking a wedding date before checking conflicts with immediate family members (our parents and brothers).  Will she be mad if you don't show up?

[akafred]

In the course of 2 minutes I had responses to 2 email requests telling me my time request was unreasonable, followed by someone coming over saying, "Whatever drugs you are on, send them my way" and then storming off -- it was not a shared joke situation. Sigh.

[mae0111]

Aug 1, 2017 16:02:37 GMT -5 mellym said:

Aug 1, 2017 14:53:26 GMT -5 mae0111 said:

How does your sister react when you call her out especially when she knew that date was booked for your family? I can't imagine booking a wedding date before checking conflicts with immediate family members (our parents and brothers).  Will she be mad if you don't show up?

She just said, "well, let me know!" because I'm waiting for confirmation from the church.

She's pretty self-centered. I'm only a little surprised that there's an issue. She will definitely be mad, but I will be mad too, since my parents will miss DD's big day. So I guess we'll be even.

[186momx]

mae0111, I would send out save the date notices to your entire family as soon as you get the date and hopefully before your sister gets her wedding notices out.
I feel bad for you and your DD knowing that they play favorites. Plus from my own experience it is so obvious when one side of the family is missing from big events. For my DD it is DH's side of the family that is always busy or backs out last minute for some odd reason so we've stopped having big family b-day parties/events.

[rere]

Don't you just love when the husband turns things around on you. "I don't think a missing piece of chicken warrants a phone call. I said sorry." You said my bad and you're the one who stole my lunch. Don't act like I am the one that did something here.

[billie]

OMG are you serious rere's husbabd