Eclipse Day Randoms, Vents, Celebrations

[akafred]

Happy Eclipse Day! What are you guys up to today? I am WFH in the am and then heading to DD's school after lunch to watch the big event.

Celebration: Had fun with DH solving the mystery box.

[campermom]

Yesterday I did my 5 miler and started feeling sick afterwards, and chalked it up to dehydration. But then I started running a fever and slept while my toddler napped. My throat hurts and it hurts my chest to cough so everyone will head to the dr with me today.ETa DS1 had bronchitis last week so I think I caught whatever he had.

It's my last week of summer break and DH was called away so I parented solo all weekend and now have to do it again all week. I was really looking forward to getting my haircut for the first time in like 5 months on Thursday night. I can't bring the kids bc I am getting it dyed dark too (!) so I'm really hoping I can find someone to watch them.

I have no eclipse glasses 😩
Got any links for the easiest way to make something for my oldest two....pinhole something or other?

[sudokufan]

campermom, you really just need 2 sheets of paper, and poke a hole in one www.theverge.com/2017/8/9/16109520/how-to-diy-pinhole-projector-solar-eclipse-cardboard-paper-budget-safe

I'll probably do that since I'm at work today during the eclipse. DS's school apparently isn't doing anything special, but we'll only have about 80% coverage. I'm honestly hoping they'll just keep the kids inside - he's 4, he'll get to see the next eclipse, not worth risking him looking when he's not supposed to and hurting his vision for an 80% eclipse.

Celebration - I got a new car. SO SO pretty, and so much easier to install DS's car seat. Although, the new car makes his seat look ratty, and now I want to replace it.

[twinmomma]

No real eclipse excitement here. I basically lied to my kids and told them they have to watch it on TV in other parts of the world, but they were still psyched about that. Apparently there's an episode of Puffin Rock (random Netflix show) all about an eclipse, so they already know about them? We're not even in an impressive area for coverage so it'll be cooler on TV anyway. We'll see if DH lets them be outside when it gets "dark" or if he just goes with the TV plan.

[covergirl82]

Last night I made the kids each an eclipse viewing box - the cereal box one. We'll see if they get to use it. It's supposed to be pretty overcast here today, plus we're in the 80% eclipse area.

Celebration - DH was gone this weekend on a trip with some friends, so I took the kids up to the town where my parents have a "cottage" (my grandpa's house that my mom got when he passed away). We had a great time - we went to the beach, went mini-golfing, went to the playground, and just spent time with my parents. It was really nice.

Vent - We got home around lunch time yesterday so I could catch up on laundry and cleaning. I don't think I sat down between noon and 6:30 pm except to eat and briefly fold some laundry, so I'm tired from that.

[justcheckingin73]

We are 6 hours north of eclipse totality. I think we'll get about 80% but it's supposed to be cloudy today so it will be interesting what we will see. I have no glasses either so I may be doing the pinhole trick.

Had a pretty good weekend. My husband's company hosted a summer work event at Arlington Race Course on Saturday. It was perfect weather and we enjoyed the free food and booze but didn't do any betting on the horses. Yesterday my dd slept over at a friends house and I got ds into bed earlier so I was in bed before 9. I was so tired. I'm looking forward to school starting this week so every night will be an early bedtime.

[rere]

The kids are both watching the eclipse at school with glasses. We are having a potluck? I plan to watch through my selfie view on the phone.

Vent: I am not back into the swing of school and forgot to wash Dds uniform shirts. Into the dryer with a laundry sheet it is.

Vent. I was reminded again this weekend some people aren't my friends. I was ghosted several yrs ago and never got a clear answer. Several friends acknowledged that it happened, but went with I guess the queen bee to try to stay in good graces. They are all friendly enough, but every once in a while I am reminded that I am out, like when they post a pic of their girls night 2 doors down. Why is it so hard to find good adult friends? They kids are going to be doing their own things in a few years, and I'm going to need a hobby or something.

[jlaok]

We'll have about 80% totality. I bought glasses for DH and I to view at work and the kids' school got glasses for the whole school. I'm excited that the kids (especially DS) will get to see it. Heck, I'm pretty excited to see it.

[mellym]

Celebration: We had a really nice weekend. We went to an authentic Italian restaurant with our best friends Saturday night and then came to our house to play games while our kids slept. We haven't done that in over 5 years. Trying to make the most of our time before we will have an infant in the house. We went to the beach yesterday and had a fun day. I got to sit on a chair for a 30 minute stretch of time.

Vent: Getting more nervous and anxious about DD1 starting K. The school isn't good on communication and the secretary blew me off about DD's dairy allergy. Told me to track the nurse down at Open House - not very helpful for my anxiety to not have any idea of their procedures until a few days before school starts. Hoping I can schedule a meeting with the nurse and her teacher before school starts but there will be very limited time since "they won't be there to talk to me until Open House."

My SIL is a teacher so she has the summers off. She asked DH and I if we even enjoy our summers. How can we enjoy them when we both work full time and are so busy on nights/weekends. It doesn't sound enjoyable to her. We were both dumbfounded, like what? Most people have jobs where they need to work year-round.

[polecat8]

We had a good weekend - playing in the sunshine, walking/biking at some local parks, wading in the creek. I am working from home today so I can watch the solar eclipse with the kids later. We are in the 80% eclipse area. It is pretty cloudy and starting to storm here, so I hope it clears up this afternoon or the kids and I will be bummed. The kids really want to use their eclipse glasses (and so do I).

Celebration: DS1 is getting the hang of potty training. He was dry almost all day yesterday. He had one accident yesterday because we were at the park with no bathrooms in sight - but he was in a pull-up. Hopefully we can get rid of the diapers for him soon!

Vent: I was supposed to go to lunch today with one of my oldest friends from high school. She cancelled because she has to go to a funeral. I'm bummed. I've been trying to make plans with her all summer, but she has been too busy for me. But part of me wonders if she doesn't want to hang out with me. I know she'll make excuses if she doesn't want to hang out with other people (because she told me she does that). She's been off all summer since she is a teacher and I've tried various days and times, but nothing. It makes me sad because we were so close in high school and college. We are in different phases of life - she just got married last fall and I've been married for 15 years and have 3 kids. I don't have a lot of friends because I'm so busy with my family and work.

rere, I agree with you...finding good adult friends is hard...

[phdmomma]

It was a rough weekend, but will hopefully lead to some health answers for DD (2.5). She has been pretty sick for the last two weeks, and is finally on the upswing, but has some really sore joints, and the antibiotics they put her on after a blood test didn't seem to do much. I went with her to the lab to get a bunch of bloods draws this weekend to test for things like lyme disease (we live in an area with ticks that carry this), and a host of others. Her joints are really sore, which is weird for her. And I finally got the doctor convinced that something is up. Saturday afternoon I got a call, telling us to proceed directly to the Children's Hospital because they thought that it was kawasaki disease based on some off the chart immune response results, which can damage the heart, and needs to be treated with IvIg. We needed an echo-cardiogram to be sure, we stayed overnight and whatnot, and thankfully they ruled it out. But we still don't know what is up, and are waiting on a ton of other blood tests to come back, and will need more in a few weeks. They don't know if this is the start of something chronic or whatnot. On the plus side, because they ruled out kawasaki, we got to go home, and she is cleared to do whatever she feels up to.

On one hand, I'm anxious to figure out if this is something that is one time or the start of something chronic, and we won't know for awhile. I'm grateful though that I finally convinced our doctor that something is wrong, and this wasn't just a little bug. I'm grateful that we live five minutes from a large university children's hospital, where they took really good care of us. Right now I'm just trying to be grateful that we have resources at our disposal to dig into what is making her so sick. So far we have ruled out cancer and kawasaki disease, and are waiting on the rest.

[akafred]

rere be careful with your phone. Some are saying the sun may fry your sensors.

[saraml13]

No real plans for the eclipse since today was the first day at a new daycare and I didn't know how that would go. It's cloudy and we're in the 80% totality, so I think it will be kind of a bust here.

Celebration: I hosted my sister's baby shower at a restaurant yesterday. It went well and everything turned out nicely, other than some minor guest and seating drama.

Vents: My sister is kind of a princess and a squeaky wheel. At her request, I brought DH's nice camera to the shower to take some pictures. I took as many as I could (about 35) while also hosting, dealing with some drama, and taking notes of all the gifts she opened. I sent her the pictures last night, and all she did was complain that there weren't enough pictures of her friends and that I didn't immediately have a few photos that my MIL took on her phone.

[k3am]

I'm not as excited about the eclipse as I should be. DC is keeping all the kids inside for the entire thing, so we'll both be in the same boat. I'm contemplating at least walking outside and not looking at it, but don't know what the real point is.

Despite coming into the office for 5 hours yesterday, we had a nice weekend. They're always too short.

[k3am]

Vent: I realized yesterday that neither of us are going to be taking part in DD's first day of JrK - DS's surgery is scheduled that day, so she's spending the night at a friend's and they'll be dropping her off. Oops.

I know it's not a big deal, but I still feel bad about it.

[phdmomma]

k3am , That's the kind of mom guilt that I try to release. Like I do the best I can, and that's got to be enough. DS is going into 5k in a couple weeks, and they are having a coffee on the playground for all of the new parents after drop off. Neither DH nor I are going, and DS will be taking the bus that day. Classes start that day at the university where I work, and I need to teach, and DH has travel. I just try to hit the things I can, and do my best with the rest. I would look at it as you are already taking care of the kid that needs you the most in that moment, and there will be/ have been other moments when your DD was that kid.

[rere]

Aug 21, 2017 9:18:44 GMT -5 akafred said:

rere be careful with your phone. Some are saying the sun may fry your sensors.

Well darn. I got the idea from the news. Maybe need to research before this afternoon.

[sudokufan]

I found some cool pictures of tree shadows during eclipses: petapixel.com/2012/05/21/crescent-shaped-projections-through-tree-leaves-during-the-solar-eclipse/
I think that's more interesting to me than not looking at an 80% eclipse (I don't have the glasses), so I think I'll try that.

k3am, let that mom guilt go. My mom STILL beats herself up over falling asleep and missing my kindergarten "graduation" ceremony. I'm 42. And I don't even remember kindergarten, much less that damn ceremony. I remember all the other moments she WAS there for.

[covergirl82]

phdmomma, T & P for your DD. That is hard to not have an answer. When DS had his first confusional migraine, which was severe, last November, I remember how unsettling it was to sit in the ER room and have the chief pediatrician not sure what it was. I was also thankful to live close to a good children's hospital and know he would receive great care with providers who all specialize in children's health. Please keep us posted.

[xctsclrx]

I am back from vacation with a bunch of stuff to catch up on. DH is at home today. He stepped on something in the ocean and had to go to the doctor to get all of it dug out of his foot. He has the fun medicine.

We have about 97% of the eclipse here. I don't really care. I have been through one before when I lived overseas. I will probably go outside for fun, but I won't be looking at it. It amazes me how much things are different. Now people are warning you about the pets and such. Back then it was literally don't stare directly at it for too long.

[callmekd]

I have my glasses! (My brother bought a 4 pack and had an extra. The rain clouds are gone and a bunch of us are heading to the top of the parking ramp at 1pm.)

[covergirl82]

I do have a random / confession: I still haven't cleaned out the kids's backpacks from the last school year! I guess that is one of my to-do's for this week since school starts next Monday...

[2chatter]

Today was the first day of school. I felt oddly bereft as I was leaving the elementary, then realized every other year DS has left with me. So I stopped for "coffee and kleenex" and am now jittery as I don't usually drink caffeine.

I didn't get glasses but one of my friends did, so I invited myself to her house and now we are going to have lunch and see the eclipse. I will work this evening after the kids crash for an hour. Excited about my day, now!

[judyblume14]

I'm travelling for work through Wednesday. The mothers' rooms at our headquarters are much nicer than at my satellite office. It's my first trip away from DD2, and the first time I've been away from DD1 for more than 1 night in a long while. Sigh, I miss them a little bit.

This is mostly a meet-and-greet trip, meeting my new boss/team, and going to a goodbye happy hour for my old boss. I'm excited to eat dinner without kids for two nights in a row! I will be working through the eclipse. Will probably congregate with others by the window... I think it's like 85% here.

[sudokufan]

My DC JUST now texted parents to let us know they planned to keep the kids inside from 1p-4p. I guess better late than never on the planning?

[traveltheworld]

I didn't give any thought to the eclipse until this morning when I was about to send DS off to his wilderness day camp and saw on a Facebook group some moms debating whether or not they should keep their kids indoor. Then of course I somewhat panicked, since DS will be outside all day. I gave specific instructions to DH to ask the camp counselors what their eclipse plan is. Luckily, other people have given this more thought than I have. His camp is scheduling a whole morning's events around this - including making eclipse glasses, have an expert come in to give a talk, and other games etc.

I have no scientific curiosity whatsoever so I'd likely just be working in my office.

Weekend was great - pretty low key with the kids.

[186momx]

Eclipse..I couldn't find glasses and couldn't talk my dad into closing the office so DD and I are at work and going to watch it online as I don't want to chance her looking at the wrong thing at the wrong time. We have about 99.7% totality but the sky is so smokey it is going to look weird.

Vent: All the media hype about the eclipse made it so it sounded smarted to stay home all weekend and we stocked up the weekend before and it all turned into nothing. We are having more wildfire issues than eclipse traffic issues. I have seen aerial views of some of the big events and they look wild but other than slower traffic no major issues. Both DH and DD were so annoying all weekend and neither of them liked being stuck home and "bored".

[librarychica]

I am picking DD1 up early to watch it in the yard. If the clouds stay away it should be a decent partial eclipse view. If not, we will watch it anyhow.

I feel very eyeroll-y about the school canceling all outdoor events from 1-4.

Otherwise it is my day off and in hanging with the toddler. We took the dog to the vet (I swear she's had more follow ups than when said toddler fractured her leg) and then we went to the park and had lunch. I'm timing her nap to fall over the main eclipse, though, as I don't think she will take "put these glasses in and keep them on" as well as her big sister.

[librarychica]

Also,

[freezorburn]

This is Kindergarten Jump Start week at my son's school. It's basically a week of half-day orientation. DS has been so excited! Drop-off went smoothly, a huge improvement over the massive separation anxiety of preschool drop-offs.