Friday Randoms/FFFC Etc

[mustardseed2007]

I just have to post b/c it's SNOWING IN HOUSTON. 

So...watch out, it might be the end of the world. 

[twinmomma]

I hope you survive the flurries mustardseed2007

I have my first PTA event this weekend since joining! I'm helping set up for our big Santa Breakfast/Festival of Trees tonight and the event is tomorrow. I volunteered for set up and break down since it seems pretty overwhelming to actually help run anything during the event itself. I'm easing myself in.

And tomorrow we're supposed to do family pictures with my kids and my niece so we can give them to family for gifts, but now it might snow too much for SIL to make it. It's just a JCPenney groupon, so we can easily reschedule. But I was hoping to check it off my list.

[2chatter]

Biggest thing - the kids having all
Night games leaves the days open. Coolest thing ever - we scheduled an appointment to see Santa at his workshop in the square of a nearby town. I am
sooooo excited about no line and the set up of this place.

DH’s holiday party is Saturday. I’m repeating a LBD from a few years ago and IDGAF. I’ll let you know how many people wear jeans and how many wear formal
gowns this year....

[mae0111]

DH is leaving Sun morning for a business trip, back Tues night, leaving again Thurs morning until late Fri night. I had all kinds of fun ideas for stuff to do with the kids, but since they don't listen and can't behave, we won't do them.

Our elf disappeared last night, horrified by the children's behavior, probably won't be back this year. 4 year old was rattled. 8 year old was unphased and immediately began arguing about shoes and why she should not have to brush her teeth. Maddening.

[twinmomma]

mae0111, Have you tried "natural consequences" with the 8 year old? Like, don't want to wear your shoes? Fine. Go outside with no shoes on. Have cold, wet feet. Sucks to be you, but it was your choice.

[mae0111]

Dec 8, 2017 11:03:06 GMT -5 twinmomma said:

mae0111, Have you tried "natural consequences" with the 8 year old? Like, don't want to wear your shoes? Fine. Go outside with no shoes on. Have cold, wet feet. Sucks to be you, but it was your choice.

We have threatened natural consequences, but she typically follows through at the very last minute.

DD2 refused to get dressed one day, so she had to walk her sister to school in PJs. She has not seriously fought with me about getting dressed since.

[2chatter]

Just discovered that our former lender released our escrow money from 2013 as unclaimed property. I argued to the death about this at closing. Then gave up and accepted I was wrong. Hello 3K windfall!

[katrine05]

We have our work team Christmas lunch today. In the previous 8 years I've been here they have always let us go home after we're done, but this year the said we have to come back to the office. Boo. We aren't too happy about that.

Not too many plans this weekend. Probably going to our town's Christmas market tomorrow, DD has a birthday party Sunday afternoon.

Just the regular grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning. Most likely some Christmas baking and crafting.

[leap]

Everyone in my house has nasty cold. DD1 was sent home from school Wednesday with a slight fever and stayed home yesterday. She is back in school today and at least no one else has had a fever. Tonight I plan on getting everyone to bed early because tomorrow is crazy. It's ice show day, which pretty much takes up the entire day. The girls have a practice and lesson in the morning and then there is an afternoon show followed by the evening show. It is a long, long day but the girls always seem to think it's fun.

Sunday is going to be recovery day. We may go to the movies or maybe just watch a Christmas movie at home. Maybe do some Christmas crafts. Maybe pick up a donation toy for toys for tots.

[waverly]

DD has a terrible cough, but no phone calls from pre-school. DS is doing OK. DH will be back in town at 1:30 thankfully.

We have gymnastics and are supposed to have plans with friends, but we still need to decide if they are coming to us or we are coming to them.

Sunday I have to work and then I have Monday off. I guess maybe wrap presents?

[mustardseed2007]

Random: DD (age 3) hated the snow. It was so funny! She told us "don't touch it!!" and "get me out of here". Good thing she lives here I guess. This probably won't happen again before she's 13.

DS' birthday party is this weekend. Normally I'm all keyed up but this year I'm not. I have everything purchased and we're doing it at a bounce house place. The only twist is that we did add a glow in the dark "add on". But it just seems like NBD. I'm looking forward to him having a fun party.

One thing, I am NOT looking forward to him being 6. It seems so old vs. 5. He's like an elementary kid now and I can't handle that.

Sunday afternoon our artist friend has asked DS to paint on a large canvas to start her holiday picture that she does each year. I'm just so excited.

[akafred]

I have been downright neglecting DD in terms of attention and exercise/stimulation. Hoping to remedy that some this weekend. Her school is doing Parents DAY out instead of night so we will do an escape room and last minute shopping and lunch. Then we will all go to a school benefit put on by one of her classmates' mom who is a singer/songwriter. Should be fun! Sunday is probably work :/. But not 17.5 hours like last weekend. Also we need to do our gingerbread house sometime.

[2chatter]

mustardseed2007 - that’s a kid for a warm climate reaction for sure! Excited y’all got snow - we just had 27 degree temps and zero fun stuff. Thankful though that the kids are at school!

[traveltheworld]

I'm working from home this morning, it's so nice to get to sleep in a little bit. I'm also going to pick DS from kindergarten and one of his friends and his mom are coming over this afternoon for a play date, so I'll finally get to meet one of the moms.

My Friday random: 2chatter's post about talking to boys about not hitting girls post reminded me that my DS seems to be on this "boys are awesome and can do everything, girls cannot" thing lately and it really bothers me. I don't know where he is getting it from. Definitely not from home. It started with how he, DH and some of his boy friends can whistle, and no girls he knows can whistle, then it's expanded to stuff like "boys are stronger", or "run faster", etc. We correct and explain to him every time, but it's just strange and annoying.

[meagain]

My youngest dd was suspended from school yesterday.  They don't want her coming back this semester.  She suffers from anxiety, depression and ODD.  She has always been a handful but this school year has been ridiculous.  Apparently she has just not been going to class and hanging out at the office all day.  I thought that we has solved that problem but she has been doing it for weeks and no one bothered to tell us.  Then yesterday she was on the second story looking down into the atrium and asked the principal if she would die if she jumped.  They took that to mean she threatened  suicide and she wasn't safe.  (turns out that's not what she meant she just wondered).  I have known for awhile that they wanted her out of school because she is such a problem and now they got their wish.  What do we do now?  This is the only public school in our area.  She is already on the waiting list for a day treatment program but we have no idea when this will happen.  It is so overwhelming.  I just want to be able to help my girl and I feel like I am failing her.  


I had an interview this morning.  I feel like it went well.  I really want this job because the benefits are good and I think I would only have to work one job.  I wish they could just tell you on the spot.  I suck at waiting.  My family really needs me not to work so much not to mention I need to sleep. I'd appreciate any prayers and job mojo you could send my way.

[akafred]

meagain, ((hugs)). My DD has anxiety that looks like ODD as well as other dx. I'm so sorry. That completely bites. I think the first thing you need to do is address whether she has a 504 and/or IEP and if they need to be tweaked. As for suspension, is that a violation? Or is it under the 10 days or whatever it is allowed? After that I think it is manifest determination? I think Auntie on the SN board can probably help. (Didn't tag her in case you didn't want that).

Do you do podcasts? I cannot recommend the AT Parenting Survival podcast highly enough for parents of kids like ours. She is incredible and really "gets" it. It has helped me a TON with my DD. There is a private FB group also that is great.

[erinshelley21]

meagain, no advice, just hugs and good vibes on the job front!

[rere]

Good vibes to you meagain.

My class service project to give a Christmas party for the special needs class was a huge success! We made cards, ornaments, and decorated cookies with no major meltdowns. The kids had a great time.

I am going to a bunco party with a friend since Dh is working tomorrow night. I am hoping to set up something for Ds to do since Dd is going to a friend's house. He said something about not having friends which hurt my heart. He is trying to find his place in a big school and all his friends from grade school are a year older.

Sunday, I am adopting myself into a huge family Christmas candy party. There are 14 kids total with children and grandchildren. This is always so fun for me and the kids.

[erinshelley21]

mae0111 I hope you have a better weekend than you're expecting. I had another though. Do you get one-on-one time with each kid? Your oldest sounds a lot like one of my nieces and if she gets one on one time with MIL their relationship improves drastically. I know its hard to coordinate, but maybe you can go do one of those fun activities with one kid at a time?

Our weekend plans are pretty boring and I'm so excited after the madness of last weekend. I have a nasty cold that has already made it down into my chest, so I'm hoping to be lazy tonight and let DH do most of the parenting since he works tomorrow.

Tomorrow the sorority I am joining is hosting a Christmas craft thing for kids so I'm hoping DS and I feel well enough to go while my mom watches DD since DH will be at work.

Sunday we may try to see Santa. I feel like this will take forever and at least half the family will end up crying lol.

[divanerd]

It's snowing in Georgia!

[2chatter]

meagain - I would fight that. Our state has a grant for 504 and IEP build and enforcement issues - does yours? I had a specialist work with me on crafting DD’s and our ped met with me, too. Find yourself an advocate and fight! Would this event qualify you for STD? If you can get them
to agree that suicidal ideation resulting in expulsion - even when WRONG - requires intervention, you may be able
to skip work and be paid in full.
Good luck on the new job, too!

[mae0111]

erinshelley21 - I probably don't get enough. Our 1:1 time is usually focused around sports. I coach, and this season, I'm spending a ton of time just with her because she can't hear the head coach over the basketballs echoing around the gym. So at least 2 hours a week, more if it's warm enough for us to practice outside.

The problem is that no matter what we do, it's never enough. She wants more and more and more. So if I, say, play basketball with her for an hour, then try to clean the kitchen, the tantrums will start. We can't just play a board game, or go out to lunch. It has to be a whole day, with several activities planned. It's just not feasible

[meagain]

Thank you. I will check out that podcast akafred. She does have an IEP for behavior. I was so angry when I went to pick her up and the asst. principal was so I don't know condescending. He kept saying this is a mental health issuse. No shit sherlock. We did go to the crisis intervention which is where she explained that she just wondered not that she wanted to jump.

Again, thank you. I will be following up with her caseworker and the school.

[erinshelley21]

Dec 8, 2017 15:54:05 GMT -5 mae0111 said:

erinshelley21 - I probably don't get enough. Our 1:1 time is usually focused around sports. I coach, and this season, I'm spending a ton of time just with her because she can't hear the head coach over the basketballs echoing around the gym. So at least 2 hours a week, more if it's warm enough for us to practice outside.

The problem is that no matter what we do, it's never enough. She wants more and more and more. So if I, say, play basketball with her for an hour, then try to clean the kitchen, the tantrums will start. We can't just play a board game, or go out to lunch. It has to be a whole day, with several activities planned. It's just not feasible

Do you tell her the plan for the day throughout the Day? DS loves knowing what we are doing and my brother was that way too and they don't like surprises. So, for DS on our way home every night I run through what we are doing "mommy is going to change clothes and then make dinner. You can play while I do that and after dinner it's bath, playing, books and bed." I had to do it last Saturday with running errands, getting ready for parties and going to a Christmas party. I sounded like a broken record but the tantrums were minimal.

[akafred]

Dec 8, 2017 16:05:38 GMT -5 erinshelley21 said:

Dec 8, 2017 15:54:05 GMT -5 mae0111 said:

erinshelley21 - I probably don't get enough. Our 1:1 time is usually focused around sports. I coach, and this season, I'm spending a ton of time just with her because she can't hear the head coach over the basketballs echoing around the gym. So at least 2 hours a week, more if it's warm enough for us to practice outside.

The problem is that no matter what we do, it's never enough. She wants more and more and more. So if I, say, play basketball with her for an hour, then try to clean the kitchen, the tantrums will start. We can't just play a board game, or go out to lunch. It has to be a whole day, with several activities planned. It's just not feasible

Do you tell her the plan for the day throughout the Day? DS loves knowing what we are doing and my brother was that way too and they don't like surprises. So, for DS on our way home every night I run through what we are doing "mommy is going to change clothes and then make dinner. You can play while I do that and after dinner it's bath, playing, books and bed." I had to do it last Saturday with running errands, getting ready for parties and going to a Christmas party. I sounded like a broken record but the tantrums were minimal.

We go so far as to have a calendar. It lists the chores that need to be done each day and any special activities like sports practice. In the summer we keep a calendar all summer that shows what camps are which weeks and she marks it off. It really makes a difference for anxious kids to know what to expect.

[erinshelley21]

Dec 9, 2017 9:10:49 GMT -5 akafred said:

Dec 8, 2017 16:05:38 GMT -5 erinshelley21 said:

Do you tell her the plan for the day throughout the Day? DS loves knowing what we are doing and my brother was that way too and they don't like surprises. So, for DS on our way home every night I run through what we are doing "mommy is going to change clothes and then make dinner. You can play while I do that and after dinner it's bath, playing, books and bed." I had to do it last Saturday with running errands, getting ready for parties and going to a Christmas party. I sounded like a broken record but the tantrums were minimal.

We go so far as to have a calendar. It lists the chores that need to be done each day and any special activities like sports practice. In the summer we keep a calendar all summer that shows what camps are which weeks and she marks it off. It really makes a difference for anxious kids to know what to expect.

I think my kid would love one. He just can't read yet lol

[akafred]

erinshelley21, when DD wasn't really reading yet I made her calendars with pictures. I still put pictures on the camp calendar. Not so much onnthw weekly one with chores etc, but you def could. I just use Exfel to make a grid and pull in images from a Google search.

[mae0111]

erinshelley21, akafred - excellent ideas, thank you! She loves making check lists, but usually abandons them pretty quickly. Maybe if we put the list in her planner, it will stick.

[supertrooper1]

Yesterday was my nephew's birthday party at my parent's house. The last gift, my SIL had my nephew and niece open together. It was a gift bag that had a bunch of baby items in it and the last thing was t-shirts that said big brother and big sister. I don't think her or my parents really got the reveal, but I knew as soon as the diapers were pulled out of the bag.

So many feels about it. I asked how far along and they didn't know, but were guessing 4-6 weeks. Due to my loss history, I was freaking out inside for them because both of my losses were at 6 weeks and because of that, I worry for people who tell before the 2nd trimester. It was an accident for them because my SIL lost her IUD and didn't know. So of course it's going to help me make an appointment faster to get my new IUD since mine is almost expired. But I had no jealousy feelings, which just reinforced in my mind that I'm OAD.

[186momx]

Quiet weekend at home. Lots of freezing fog and icy conditions so are plans of going to the zoo got cancelled as it just didn't sound fun anymore.

Update from conference Thursday night. DD is this rock star, Bright, engaging, loves to read, and is so funny even when she isn't trying to be. Talked about TAG but both agreed she is challenging herself on her own so far. Plus she does really bad on tests so it would be more stressful than anything. Reading is low first grade but that is more because she skips small words and changes can't to can not so looses points. In theory she is probably reading at a 2nd or 3rd grade level.

The choking incident was one of her friends pulling on her hood which then chocked her. Guess her and the other kid are super close and just had a snit and forgot to use words.