I'm off today, yay. To take the kids to an indoor water park with a bunch of new first graders, boo.
Celebration: I just tried three new uniform skirts on DD from the uniform resale. All three have basically been tailored to my extremely skinny daughter. So I don’t have to take her to the tailor this week! If we buy new skirts, in order to get them to be long enough to cover her butt, the size we buy means the waist is literally 4-5 inches too big.
Vent: I need to learn to relax about taking days off. I will hit 10 years with my company this year, so I now get 4 weeks of vacation. It’s mid-August and I’ve taken 8 days. Our vacation is use or lose, and you can carry one week forward for use in the first quarter of the new year. I always surrender vacation time. And I generally feel on the edge of burnout. Those things are related.
Pretty good weekend. I really enjoyed catching up with my friend Friday night. DS had a big weekend with the football game and birthday party. Mom took both to the movies yesterday, so I spent the time running errands, canning a few tomatoes, and grilling some chicken for meals this week, kind of relaxing.
Vent: I think I have mentioned that a friend and I got ghosted from a group several years ago. There have been several other friends that have been pulled in an out of this group over the year. I just refused to go back into that situation. Thanks to social media, I saw that they took a bus trip this weekend to go see a band. It still stings. Mainly because, these two ladies in particular, treat people like playthings that can be discarded and picked up again. But they are always in the middle of everything. And people talk about how bad they treat everyone, but here they all are, on the bus, smiling for a picture. Maybe I'm an asshole. Maybe my husband is. But we will never know, because all of these people are nice to your face and tell you how great you are, but then think nothing of leaving you out in the cold. I am thinking some of these Real Housewives shows are on to something. When they have a problem, they scream and fight, but at least they are all in the know about what the problems are.
Post by covergirl82 on Aug 20, 2018 8:35:29 GMT -5
mommyatty, whew! You're a brave one for taking a bunch of first graders to a water park!
Celebration: Weekend was good, but a lot busier than I had expected. Saturday we ran a couple errands in the morning and finished up school-supply shopping. Then in the afternoon we took the kids to a "family fun center" where they have go-carts, mini-golf, trampolines, an indoor ropes course, arcade, etc. It was about $60 to do 3 "attractions" (excluding the trampoline part) plus $5.00 for the arcade center. It felt like such a waste of money to me, but the kids had fun. Then we went to watch two of DS's friends at a soccer tournament as it was close to the fun center and then went to Steak & Shake for dinner. Sunday was church (I had to teach the K-2 class, so that was kind of stressful) and then we went to DH's cousin's house for a pool party and grill out.
Vent: Weekend was a lot busier than I expected (especially for originally having no plans on Saturday). Somehow I managed to squeeze in doing my laundry and the kids' laundry (DH does his own), but that was all I was able to do. So now I have to squeeze in cleaning the bathrooms throughout the week. DH did vacuum Saturday morning, so that helped.
Celebration: Yesterday was amazing! I went to a festival where we did a 5k walk, 1.5 hours of yoga outside next to the river in a big lawn, and then a half hour of guided meditation outside with some close friends. It was the most wonderful, calming, nice day. Weather was perfect, the vibe was so relaxing and positive. I got my tarot cards read and it was eerily accurate to where I'm at in my life right now. The whole thing just made me feel so zen and lovely. It was truly a perfect event with perfect timing for me right now. One of the women I went with is also getting divorced right now and we were crying and smiling and just generally geeking out on the whole thing. We're already planning to do it again next year when it comes back around.
Vent: STBXH just keeps trying to bring me down with his attitude. He's very "woe is me" about how his life will shake out and I just keep reiterating that it is not my weight to bear and these are all things that are happening based on his choices. Which then pisses him off and makes him act nasty to me because I'm no longer playing his games. I'm choosing to surround myself with help and support and look at the bright side while he pushes everyone in his life away and wallows. Not my problem, that's his choice. But he keeps trying to make me feel guilty for it.
Post by justcheckingin73 on Aug 20, 2018 8:52:06 GMT -5
It was a busy weekend but it was a good busy. Lots of family time finishing up school shopping and a big trip to Costco to get a bunch of snacks for lunches and sports. DD has XC practice after school everyday until 5:30 so I’m sure she’ll be starving.
We got some pool time in our new pool and I was surprised it wasn’t freezing - actually felt nice. DD had time trials on Friday, a haircut and run a thon on Saturday with a sleepover after. I did 5.5 mile run and threw a beef roast in the crockpot on Sunday. I invited DSS over and then two of DDs friends showed up too so I’m glad I made a lot.
The kids go back on Wednesday and I took Thursday and Friday off to enjoy my quiet house and get ready for our kitchen remodel. As stressed as I always am over summer with the kids home and trying to work, I always miss them.
We ate out a few times (poke was awesome at a new place) and I grocery shopped and DD’s soccer swim party was fun.
The puppies have really given my days some structure that was lacking - random thirty minutes of wandering around are now walks. It’s great. Neighbors came to meet them resulting in beers every day - which impeded late afternoon errands, but, who cares, it was fun.
Whelp- I got a "check hybrid" on my car and then it totally died on the way to the pool. We had it towed to the dealership since local mechanic won't touch hybrids. I might be buying a second new car a month after my first one. I should have known this would be the year that everything breaks based on when our heat went out for basically 2 weeks on and off in -30 degree temperature (at night, real temp not wind chill) right around the first of the year.
Minor trigger
Then we went to Great Wolf for the night, so that was fun if not a bit exhausting. I couldn't go down the big slides with the kids, and I probably could without them. I think the news is giving me anxiety because the apple news app has like 3 kids death of horrific causes every day. So I finally deleted the app from my phone. Ugh can't even read the news anymore.
DS has Soccer at 6pm tomorrow. Curriculum night is tomorrow. I could go to the K curriculum night which is 5-5:20, and make it to soccer. But I actually already know the curriculum I think from when DS was in it.
2nd grade is 6:20-6:40. So I kind of would like to go to that. And to make it more complicated, they don't want me to bring kids if possible. I could drop DS at soccer, go to curriculum night and then pick him up, but I would have to bring DD. I think I could get away with bringing her as she is very well behaved, and they won't turn me away. It's just the timing of it all. Like how do I clone myself and be two places at once?
I could get a babysitter, but it is more of a timing issue and less of a babysitter issue, I think... Like I need DH to be home and take both kids to soccer, while I do both curriculum nights, but I can't ask because of his new job. And my neighbors have practice on a different night, and other friends their mom isn't home until late, so they have the same issue as me where the dad might want to do both. And my babysitters are all 14 and don't drive.
Because it's Monday I finally got off my ass and went for a run before work today. And realized that someone left cute little chalk messages for the kids all the way to school. It was so entertaining reading them on my run. Until I got to one where they drew over the border of the sidewalk square and I didn't notice the fact that there was a 1" lip on it and... down she goes. So now not only did I get up at 4am after 3 hours of sleep, I also have scraped/bruised forearms, hands, knees, and my back is tweaked.
So yeah, hello Monday. You haven't been missed.
mommyatty, I did not realize people actually get their uniforms tailored. We've just been sending DD with a ridiculously oversized uniform in order to have it long enough to cover her ass.
That leads me to another question. DS is a ring bearer. His pants are size 10 and are tight in the waist but long. Should I get them shortened or just call it a day? It's a super casual wedding in the middle of the woods. Like attire is casual as in people can wear jeans. But the bride is obsessing over the bride and groom outfits and the kid's outfits. Apparently I can't make decisions without asking the group, but my H is terrible at most questions that I have.
I'm off today, yay. To take the kids to an indoor water park with a bunch of new first graders, boo.
Celebration: I just tried three new uniform skirts on DD from the uniform resale. All three have basically been tailored to my extremely skinny daughter. So I don’t have to take her to the tailor this week! If we buy new skirts, in order to get them to be long enough to cover her butt, the size we buy means the waist is literally 4-5 inches too big.
Vent: I need to learn to relax about taking days off. I will hit 10 years with my company this year, so I now get 4 weeks of vacation. It’s mid-August and I’ve taken 8 days. Our vacation is use or lose, and you can carry one week forward for use in the first quarter of the new year. I always surrender vacation time. And I generally feel on the edge of burnout. Those things are related.
This morning NPR told me that employees who use their vacation GG promoted more/earn bonuses and are happier. So my goal is to use all of mine! I get 100 hours + a plant shutdown week for the holidays and I’ve never used all of it. This is the year! Join me!
I don't know that I used all my vacation, but I used everything that did not roll over- birthday and personal time. All my vacation time and sick time rolled over. So eventually the board said it was too much on the accounting books for all the employees, so now we can only roll over a week. So I will have to be more timely about using it.
I usually do a few days off when the kids are out of school which isn't really a vacation but family time, and I save $75 a day in childcare. Then we do a spring break vacation, a couples vacation, and a family summer vacation so that is 3 weeks. I am not sure if we will have a to add more than that. I have monthly accruals so it is just always adding to it.
Post by librarychica on Aug 20, 2018 9:45:12 GMT -5
Celebration: this weekend I learned that DD1 shares my love for air hockey and ski ball.
Vent: I am in lice hell and I’ve had a headache for like 7 days and really need to get my prescription adjusted (because my insurance changed and my old one is no longer covered) but I can’t seem to remember to actually make the damn appointment.
Relatedly, H can’t seem to make his vasectomy appointment. I may ask his admin to do it.
waverly - I would leave DD with the sitter and take DS to practice then go to second grade night. I started probably two years ago with weekly sitters because DH was never here. We now have an after school sitter instead but he’s awesome and is also our when needed sitter. Could you get one of your sitters to do one night a week, moving the night when needed? It’s sanity, seriously. I could run, work out, run errands, do a HH - I got to be an adult and not resent DH for being gone/unreliable when in town AND I had easy coverage for kid stuff that popped up, like PTA board meetings and GS council meetings.
Celebration: this weekend I learned that DD1 shares my love for air hockey and ski ball.
Vent: I am in lice hell and I’ve had a headache for like 7 days and really need to get my prescription adjusted (because my insurance changed and my old one is no longer covered) but I can’t seem to remember to actually make the damn appointment.
Relatedly, H can’t seem to make his vasectomy appointment. I may ask his admin to do it.
I will likely have to make H's phone call and then I don't know because they would need to speak to him. Hand it off to him somehow. I want it done for peace of mind, but will stay on the pill. So I am in no hurry and now with the new job I know he doesn't want to take off work. So maybe in the winter.
Post by erinshelley21 on Aug 20, 2018 10:42:23 GMT -5
Vent: I'm still a little salty about having to leave my weekend away early. I was basically just a warm body yesterday, slept all night Saturday night, took 2 naps yesterday, and barely left the couch. I'm feeling better today but still a little groggy. I also had a client call and tell me they want to stay with the company they are currently with and not move with me. So that sucks a little bit even though it's part of it.
Celebration: It's my birthday week! I have a couple of small celebrations on the calendar for the week so I'm really looking forward too it. Dinner and shopping with the family tomorrow, double date with another couple tomorrow, and then cake with my family on Sunday. It's my last year of my 20's and I'm unbothered by it. So far the thought of turning 30 does not make me sad in any way.
This morning NPR told me that employees who use their vacation GG promoted more/earn bonuses and are happier. So my goal is to use all of mine! I get 100 hours + a plant shutdown week for the holidays and I’ve never used all of it. This is the year! Join me!
I'm required to take two weeks of consecutive time off annually. Year 1, it was my maternity leave, year 2, I didn't take it and had to write a letter of explanation to our BOD (DD needed brain surgery and a coworker was on leave for cancer and we only had a team of 4 at the time), and year 3 was my first year doing it. It was great at the time.
This weekend was ok, pretty low key. After trying to order DS shoes online, we're having to return like 3 pair to zappos. So we go to 3 places: academy, the nike outlet and dick's. None of them have anything in DS' size.* WTF world? But it was nice to shop with the family actually.
I had a really fun trail run on Sunday. 8.5 miles through the forest and I needed it so bad.
Vent: Today was DS' first day of early drop off to meet his tutor and DD's first day of prek. H took DS to school and said he was coming back to take DD to school with me on her first day, but he never did. What the actual fuck? Like, fine if you don't come, but can you tell someone something?
And DD was throwing a fit about going to school without her brother for the first time. Like he first day of school picture is of her back b/c she's pouting. Whatever. Spoil my fake pinterest mom moments, why don't you. She did eventually go in to her class and seemed to be doing fine.
*ETA: correction. The nike store had every size of an ALL WHITE nike shoe with a black swoosh on it. LOL no. That would last less than 2 seconds.
DD is freaking out about any flying bug almost panic attack. Basically she is refusing to go outside without being huddled next to an adult and having nightmares about bees. Today will be interesting since she is at ad club and they spend large chunks of the day outside. I pre-warned the staff this morning so will see how things go. I hope she can get over this quick since she has horse camp next week.
Ran into the head custodian at DD's school yesterday and DD was so excited to talk with her and she told DD who her teacher is since she was told to only prep one 2nd grade room. DD has met the teacher at other events and she seems nice so will see how meet the teacher night goes next week.
Post by sandandsea on Aug 20, 2018 12:30:04 GMT -5
We found out SILs leukemia has returned. She was over 100 days post bone marrow transplant and was doing so well, until she wasn’t. Ugh. Cancer sucks is the understatement of the year.
I realized the cabinet makers measurement was off on the vanity for our bathroom remodel over the weekend. Thankfully he’s embarrassed and fixing it and the price should decrease for the smaller size but this better not put him more behind schedule. He said 4-6 and has already changed it to be 8.5 weeks. It better not be more.
The shower door guy is coming today to measure so I’m now working from home the rest of the day after 1.5 hours in the office this morning. Idk why they couldn’t have told me a time on Friday when I asked as I could have saved myself an hour commute this morning.
Post by sandandsea on Aug 20, 2018 12:31:45 GMT -5
This weekend was nice though. Dh worked Saturday so I had two of ds’s friends over for a play date which makes it easier for everyone.
And Sunday dh insisted I go to urgent care for my toe so I did. Sitting in a waiting Room alone on my phone for 40 minutes was kinda nice. . And my pinky toe is broken but there’s nothing to do for it so I’m still just ignoring it.
Post by traveltheworld on Aug 20, 2018 12:53:04 GMT -5
Our weekend was pretty low key. DH was/is out of town, and after having my BFF, her husband and their baby at our house for 10 days, with various friends from our old city visiting throughout that time, it felt really quite / lonely when it was just the kids and I for the weekend. I was feeling a bit low. I guess having everyone visit made me realize how little inroad we've made in making friends in this city - and we've been here for over a year.
DS has a kindergarten friend who lives a few doors down from us, and his friend, plus all 3 of his siblings, came over yesterday afternoon to play. So that was good. I've noticed that DS seems to do much better with kids that are older. He played with the 10 year old enthusiastically, and hardly played with his own friend, the whole time.
Weekend was quiet as DH and DD1 were camping, so just me and DD2. It was pretty low key.
Vent: I told DH to give DD1 a little autonomy - let her do things alone camping (within reason). He took this to mean let her run things. So she's covered in mosquito bites, because she didn't want to use bug spray. She ate nothing but goldfish crackers and cheese and cracker packs all weekend, because she didn't want the fruit I prepped before they left. WTF DH?? She's 8! She doesn't get to make decisions like that!
Confession: School starts in 2 weeks. After finally getting my brain to relax and let go of last year, it's all bubbling up in my mind again. I'm getting irrationally angry reading FB posts about how awesome the the teachers are in our town. Some are, but many are not. The smart thing for me to do would be to unfollow the groups, but I can't look away...
Post by traveltheworld on Aug 20, 2018 14:19:41 GMT -5
My Monday random - I know we've talked about this here a hundred times, but now that DS is getting ready for grade 1, I can't seem to figure out how I can fit everything into his/our schedule. I was trying to plan out our day, and it just seems impossible. How do you fit in 20 - 25 minutes of piano practice, 20 - 30 minutes of math (he wants to do math enrichment classes, he's weird), 10 - 20 minutes of school work, 30 minutes of reading (for fun), extracurricular activities 3 afternoons/nights a week, AND go to bed by 8 p.m.? I don't even get home till 6. I keep re-working his schedule, but there's just no time.
Weekend was low key and getting ready for school to start on Wednesday for DD. Then we started Monday off right with DS1 getting up at 5 am and proceeding to wake everyone else up. I wish I could bottle that kid's energy. So I worked from for a little bit and then DD and DS1 had their yearly doctor checkups. DS1 got shots today, so I'm hoping that will take him down a notch. We are meeting my parents for dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday. Then I have a soccer coaches meeting because I'm the head coach for DS1's team.
My Monday random - I know we've talked about this here a hundred times, but now that DS is getting ready for grade 1, I can't seem to figure out how I can fit everything into his/our schedule. I was trying to plan out our day, and it just seems impossible. How do you fit in 20 - 25 minutes of piano practice, 20 - 30 minutes of math (he wants to do math enrichment classes, he's weird), 10 - 20 minutes of school work, 30 minutes of reading (for fun), extracurricular activities 3 afternoons/nights a week, AND go to bed by 8 p.m.? I don't even get home till 6. I keep re-working his schedule, but there's just no time.
Yep. We are limiting his extras now (just gave notice at swim) and he does aftercare where they will help with homework and do reading time. We also read before bed together. We also get home at 6 but bedtime is 9 for my first grader.
My Monday random - I know we've talked about this here a hundred times, but now that DS is getting ready for grade 1, I can't seem to figure out how I can fit everything into his/our schedule. I was trying to plan out our day, and it just seems impossible. How do you fit in 20 - 25 minutes of piano practice, 20 - 30 minutes of math (he wants to do math enrichment classes, he's weird), 10 - 20 minutes of school work, 30 minutes of reading (for fun), extracurricular activities 3 afternoons/nights a week, AND go to bed by 8 p.m.? I don't even get home till 6. I keep re-working his schedule, but there's just no time.
Does your aftercare arrangements do any homework/reading? This is heaven when we work late!
I know last year DD had very little homework. It was more about sight words and reading than work pages or projects. I would limit piano to non-extra nights and maybe cut the time amount down to 15. At least to start you may have to drop the fun reading down to weekends only to get everything in.