Monday Morning

[twinmomma]

Everyone ready for Christmas and school breaks? Home stretch!

[cjcouple]

Noooo   I have so much to do for Christmas but unfortunately I am financially strapped until Wednesday when my bonus comes through.  Mostly I will be pulling cash and buying gift cards but I will need to go shopping and wrap everything I buy. I am dreading it.    I do have all gifts I already bought wrapped so that's good. 

We also have a very busy week ahead.  My oldest son has a couple basketball games, and 2 final drivers ed classes, My youngest also has a couple basketball games and Karate Graduation.  

My kids go to school ALL week - Friday is a half day.  I truly love Christmas and am looking forward to the week off.  I'm just a bit stressed out about not being finished and having so much to do before.

[mae0111]

Happy Monday!

Both kids are home today because they both had fevers yesterday. It's 2 hours past their normal wake up and they're both still in bed. I snuck in about an hour ago to take temps and both seem to be OK today - just wiped out I think. I'm on Day 3 of almost no voice and it's getting annoying. I end up with a headache by the end of the day because I'm basically yelling all day to be heard.

I need to pick up a few more gifts this week - just gift cards and things like that. I am making a list of all food-related things for Christmas Eve, Christmas breakfast, Christmas dinner, and for meals for guests after Christmas.

My sister, true to form, announced that they will likely not attend Christmas at our house because we are all sick, even though Christmas is almost a week away. I've already purchased the really expensive beef tenderloin assuming she, her DH, and their 4 children (3 college and one HS - so basically all adults) would be attending. Her anxiety around sickness is absolutely through the roof and I just can't get upset with her. DH is pissed on my behalf, but I just can't get worked up about it. I imagine that my dad will opt to spend the day with them out of convenience (they are 5 mins away, I'm 30 mins away), and again, I just can't get worked up about it.

I'm struggling to focus on anything work related this week. Nothing is pressing, my boss never wants to meet to discuss anything so I probably won't work much. I need to make some cookies and start prepping more for guests. Maybe do a craft with my sick kids if they want to.

I hope everyone has a great week!!!

[twinmomma]

We had a really great weekend. We made a big effort to have family time and do a lot altogether with the kids. All of us were feeling the sadness of losing a friend's mom. It should have felt busy and crazy, but it was all just fun to be together.

Then this morning beau and I got in a stupid argument. I'm waiting for him to come back from school drop off so we can talk it out. His son was supposed to make a holiday card for his Secret Santa person at school. They both forgot about it until this morning. He had about 20 minutes to make something, which is more than enough time to draw a picture and make a homemade card. But beau immediately jumped to asking the girls if they wanted to make it for him since they like crafty things. I put my foot down and said no, this was his son's homework and he needed to do it himself. So beau's son got pouty that he had to an art project instead of watching tablet and beau is mad that I "planted my flag" and didn't encourage the kids to "help each other out." Now he's making all these passive aggressive comments about how we don't have to help each other apparently and that it's nice to do things for other people. He's making it into a much bigger deal and turning it into this whole moral discussion when to me, it's simple - kids need to do their own work. We're not teaching them to "delegate" to peers for homework they don't like or don't want to do. I'm so annoyed.

[sdlaura]

DS3’s daycare provider is closed this week but my older 3 still have school through a half day Thursday (then schools are closed till 1/9). Although DS2 got my cold/cough so I’m debating if he’s coughing too much to go to school (it’s 7:15 am here). We’re having a brand new babysitter come for DS3 today and tomorrow since DH and I still have work stuff.

This afternoon is the softball end of year party and most of the coach gifts I ordered either got delayed in shipping or I got sent the wrong thing. I did end up making softball themed holiday ornaments for the girls to sign as one of the thank you gifts for the coaches - since that’s one thing that hasn’t arrived yet that I tried to order - and I’m proud of how they turned out. Although I was doing that at 10 pm last night when none of my kids’ Christmas gifts are wrapped yet

Weekend was good. TK singalong Friday was adorable, took all the kids to the zoo Saturday and that was a lot of fun, then yesterday was two basketball games and haircuts. Plus some cookie baking. Strangely there seemed to be no one out everywhere we went this weekend - was everyone inside baking cookies??

[rere]

Ds is home! We had a great time seeing Avatar and out to dinner Saturday. Sunday was busy with decorating and cooking.

I need to get through today and a Zoom inn the morning, then off till the first off the year.

I am trying not to lose it in Dh, but I have had it with him lately. He doesn't listen, and blames it on being forgetful. Even in conversations, he really only converses with himself sometimes. He say something, I put in my statement, he doesn't acknowledge, just continues along the same vein with his conversation. Then last night, he ate the last 2 oreo balls. What I am mad about is I made them, made sure I had all his favorite candy. Those are my favorites. I would never take the last 2 of something without at least asking if he wanted one. When I said, you seriously took both, he thought it was funny. It's just a symbol of how he is becoming more of an inconsiderate ass, and doesn't consider me at all.

[mae0111]

twinmomma, for what it's worth, team you. I definitely make my kids do their own work. Once in a blue moon, they will jump in to help each other with a fun school project, or maybe quiz each other on vocab or spelling in the car (we try to make use of the 25 min car rides to school), but otherwise, they're on their own.

It would be one thing if the girls HELPED him - gave him ideas or gathered materials - but asking them to do it so his DS could hang out and watch his tablet? Hard no.

[librarychica]

twinmomma, I’d be pretty livid honestly. I hope he’s more reasonable when y’all talk. Maybe he didn’t see it as “homework” but even so, your girls don’t need to be doing his son’s gifting or admin work either.

Speaking of arguments, H and I got into a major fight Saturday about groceries. Yup, groceries. Marriage achievement unlocked.

Otherwise we had a nice weekend, a little quieter. We went to a cookie exchange, H and DD2 made some really fancy cookies for it. I did some cleaning and prepping for the holiday. DD1 went Christmas shopping with my mom.

Oh! This morning my MIL texted me to enjoy my first day of vacation. I laughed. I am not on vacation. It’s been 15 years and I have yet to get her to understand that just because she and both SILs are teachers that not all women work a teachers schedule. My kids are happily at camp this morning.

[polecat8]

My dad is finally home from his spine surgery! He came home on Saturday, so DD, DS1, and I went over to get him settled. He is so happy to be home in his own bed. We also made pizelles while we were there.
Yesterday, the kids and I went to my company holiday party at my boss' house. It was so nice to see everyone and enjoy some great food. DH stayed home because he wasn't feeling good.
Then the vomiting started when we got home. DD and DS1 threw up (1 made it to the bathroom, the other did not). DS2 had a poop accident and DH has a lower GI bug. DS2 was fighting some GI bug all last week. He was sick last weekend, then ok during the week, and then sick again on Friday. DH and I have done so much cleaning, sanitizing, and laundry and I'm just over it. Somehow I have not had it (knock on wood everywhere). Everybody needs to get better ASAP!

[twinmomma]

mae0111 , librarychica , We talked it out. I think he was more mad about how I handled it. It was very much a backseat driver type situation - I was sitting in my office trying to get stuff done and yelling at them to knock it off and that's not happening. Definitely did not approach it well but I was multitasking and mornings are chaos. He acknowledged that he took it as a personal attack and got very defensive. I clarified that we have different definitions of help too. If his son needs help with homework, to me that means I'm going to sit next to him and prompt him through it all. I will not do anything for him or give him answers. To beau, "helping someone out" means taking a task off their plate. Which for adults, sure. But not school work for kids. We're ok now. It was just a really shitty way to start the day.

ETA - and librarychica, he definitely didn't view it as "real homework" but I told beau that to me, something assigned by the school is school work for that kid, regardless of how fluffy it might seem. Art projects teach handwriting skills, creativity, and he has to think of someone else to make them a card. Just because it's not a math worksheet doesn't mean it can be brushed off. But, admittedly, I was kind of a hard ass about my approach. 

[mae0111]

Add me to the list of stupid SO fights - which was an achievement, since I can't even talk to fight. We were arguing over the seating configuration for Christmas dinner. He wants to jam 15 people into a room made for 8, and I don't. We didn't resolve it, so it should be interesting to see what happens.

[waverly]

twinmomma, I totally agree with you. And I feel like there is a sexist component of hey let the girls do this task instead of having a boy do it because it could be perceived like pp said as "gifting and admin" work that men perpetuate as "women's work".

Overall our weekend was good. I spent a lot of time counseling DH, and he finally decided between his 2 job choices, so hopefully it works out for him. I just need to stop being someone's counselor. The neighbors cancelled their party due to illness which was a bummer. Second year that has happened, and now they rescheduled for a weekend that I was thinking about having DD's party, so I may move her party. It was never set in stone anyway, but it is also the same weekend that my other nephew is turning 18 and having a party. So whatever....I am giving up on that for now.

We are supposed to get like a foot of snow on Thursday/ Friday, and I am feeling behind on everything.

[sandandsea]

I’m on the home stretch. Kids have school until Thursday and we fly out Friday at dawn, just in time for the big storm that’s hitting while we travel. Wednesday I’m volunteering for the winter party at school and Thursday afternoon is dss rescheduled rained out bday party. Today and tomorrow are jam packed at work. I’m so happy soccer is on break so I can pack in the evenings.

I’m down to one gift to arrive for everyone that still need to be wrapped and put under the tree and then we are good to go.

[supertrooper1]

DS is with his dad for his first week of winter break and he comes home late on Christmas Eve. I have a few stocking stuffers to pick up and maybe hit Costco this week. It snowed an inch or two over the weekend, but everything turned to ice with temps in the teens. I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere for a couple days.

The weekend was good. I went to the walk-in clinic on Friday as suggested by my doctor. I was still testing positive for strep, so another round of antibiotics. She didn't think I was contagious anymore and I was feeling fine, so Beau and I ran some errands, went to the casino, and the gym. Low key but nice weekend.

[cjcouple]

Dec 19, 2022 10:21:13 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

DS3’s daycare provider is closed this week but my older 3 still have school through a half day Thursday (then schools are closed till 1/9). 

that's a long break.  My 2 have half day on 23rd until 1/3

[waverly]

Oh and my sister has invited me to 3 events all 2 weeks apart all in the middle of winter where it is a 5 hour drive. I put no in my RSVP for the first event. Apparently they had to cancel it and take her H to the hospital and today he is having emergency gallbladder surgery. So glad I didn't go to that.

The second event is Christmas and we are supposed to get a foot of snow right before it (Thursday/ Friday), so I said no due to the weather. And she replies we need to keep an eye on the weather and go from there. No, I actually said no. So we are not keeping an eye on the weather. They don't get my subtly sometimes. I am trying to be polite. But I don't do driving in snowstorms anymore. I've done it way too many times and always feel like we are all about to die, so how about no.

[erbear]

Shit went down hard for me at work last week and I resigned my admin position contingent on my boss / work bf refusing to do something we all know he should do. So he’s mad at me, and this is hanging over my head but I’m on winter break, and my kids are at my MIL’s until Wednesday so I’m chilling in a coffee shop trying to avoid my boss’s phone calls 😂

[k3am]

Dec 19, 2022 11:46:36 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Dec 19, 2022 10:21:13 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

DS3’s daycare provider is closed this week but my older 3 still have school through a half day Thursday (then schools are closed till 1/9). 

that's a long break.  My 2 have half day on 23rd until 1/3

We have this same break, entirely different part of the state. It helps that we're in CA, so no one needs to worry about snow days. We also start REALLY early in the year (early to mid August, depending on the year). 

DD had her final winter performance on Saturday. This one was so much easier - show up at 2:30, get just her team of ~ 15 girls ready, skate at 3:30, and we were out of there by 3:40, compared to the prior weekend which show up at 11:30, a massive cluster of trying to get close to 60 girls hair braided, sewn, and bows sewn in, lighting rehearsal, show, and finally home around 7:30. Side note, DD is one of the newer members on the team - it's unclear to me how I am the only parent from her team that "knows" how to braid and sew hair, considering most of them have had more time to learn. 

Yesterday was a lazy day. DS's rash has now migrated to his face, 4x the dose of Zyrtec wasn't working, so we tried double doses of benadryl every 4 hours, which also did nothing for his rash, but did help him catch up on some much needed rest. I'm still honestly shocked that school hasn't said anything about this rash...

[callmekd]

E is home with me. He had a fever and was lethargic all weekend. Guessing it’s influenza. He’s mostly better today but we kept him home.

My H gave notice at his job this morning. I’m trying not to panic. It’s a very toxic public service job and he is miserable - to the point where it’s impacting our marriage and our kids.

[186momx]

Winter break starts today, and DD doesn't go back until the 4th. She is down helping at the office, and it is nice having her back. Busy week and I'm just waiting on a couple items to arrive in the mail and then need to finish up wrapping. DH did not shop for me or take DD shopping for me. DD took a couple of my amazon purchases for myself and wrapped them, so I have two tiny beauty supplies under the tree. DH has about 8 boxes and DD of course has a number of them. I've been getting the FabFitFun boxes and haven't gotten into anything from the winter box. Should I wrap a couple of those items for myself? DD gets really upset when I have nothing to open and in years past, she has given me her own gifts to open. To make this even more complicated DH wanted to know when I Was going to get the stockings out. I said I wasn't. He couldn't understand why, and I said do you plan on filling my stocking and he said no, and I was exactly I'm not filling my own and it looks weird having just DDs full.

DD, the dog and I leave Friday for an overnight to see my BFF. She is visiting her grandma for the holidays about 3 hours from me so we are meeting them for winter beach walks, pool date at the hotel, and coffee date. I'm so stinking excited. 4 more sleeps until Friday!

[sdlaura]

Yes cjcouple , it just means I spend $1000 on a week of camp for my older 3 kids so that I can get back to work on 1/3! But I think in the future, once DS3 is easier to fly with, we'll likely travel into early January since most other people aren't traveling that week. Could be a good off-peak time for a ski trip or whatever.

[mommyatty]

My kids got out last Thursday (half day) and go back Jan 4. It’s a long break. But this year it feels too short.

I’m trying to take vacation. I have at least one meeting pretty much every day except this Thursday and Friday. It’s insane.

[vasc]

We’ve been on a Disney cruise and just got off the boat today. Now we are in Legoland Florida for two nights.