Our Thanksgiving was delightful, full of family and delicious food. I enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday until approximately 1pm on Saturday when Caroline started screaming that Ben's head was bleeding. After almost 6.5 years of intensity, Caroline's screaming doesn't usually ramp up my adrenaline level, but the mention of blood is surprisingly effective at doing that. So, I sprinted upstairs to find that Ben had somehow managed to gouge his head on the corner of Caroline's dresser. After wiping away all the blood, I was relieved to find out that the cut was short in length (only a centimeter). But, it was deep and I knew it needed a stitch or two. Fortunately, Scott was at home, so I didn't have to bring the entire clan on the medical expedition, but Abby volunteered to keep Ben company. I packed some dye-free lollipops and the insurance card. Off we trooped to the pediatrician first, with the hopes they could do one stitch, but they couldn't (boo!), so we ended up in the ER where Ben was able to get "glued" instead of stapled, and all was well. The glue will fall off/dissolve within a week. He was a trooper.
I'm happy to report that we had an incident free Sunday. It is a day of rest, after all.
On Monday morning around 8am, I was putting Caroline's hair into ponytails, as I have been doing for over a month since there are lice at school. And, much to my horror, I noticed there were brownish-black circular things distributed all over her scalp. Dirt doesn't usually ramp up my adrenaline level either, but brownish-black dots that look alarmingly like nits are as effective as the mention of blood. It took about 2 seconds to go from normal morning parenting mood (all business) to shear dread about how many loads of laundry I'd have to do, which neighbors I'd have to call since Caroline played with them, etc., etc. So, I put Abby on the bus, and told Caroline we'd deal with her hair after that. I thought there was a chance some of the brown stuff wasn't lice since she had been tree climbing, so I gave her a bath after the bus came and scrubbed her head. Some of the black things came out, but most didn't and they were definitely sticking to her scalp. We dropped Ben off to school, and then visited Caroline's school nurse for a consult. I was overjoyed (as was the nurse) to find out they were not lice, but we still aren't sure what the dots were. I picked each and every little sticky black thing out of her hair (which was a joy), and off she went to school (late, but lice-free).
So, that was an exciting start to the week.
Oh, then it got a little more exciting when Ben threw up all over the carpet this morning.
Ugh.
What are the chances that Ben will be the only one with a stomach virus this week?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Miscellani Part 2
1. Butter. I am so excited because I fulfilled my lifelong dream of purchasing butter in the shape of a turkey. Don't judge me.
Caroline's reaction to this seasonal delight was, "Wow!! Mom, is that really butter?!" Then, "Is it made of turkey?"
I bought this special butter several weeks ago because I knew it would sell out quickly at Wegmans. I have been hiding it in the refrigerator to keep Ben from poking at the turkey head. So far it is still intact. Ben has a habit of poking at food items when no one is looking, for example Aunt Trish's and Uncle Andy's wedding cake (sorry about that Trish!). And, yes, apparently other people want to buy butter turkeys too. I checked this past weekend and it was sold out. So, I'm not losing it. That much.
2. Cereal. Guess what Caroline's favorite cereal has been for the past year or so? Something sweet or marketed to kids? No. She loves General Mill's RAISIN NUT BRAN. This is the same child who makes me cut the crusts off her sandwiches and will only eat certain colors and shapes of lettuce leaves. Go figure.
3. Fire and Battles. Scott declared that we would be having the season's inaugural fire his past Friday. Although I mentioned to him that we already had a fire when we lost power overnight during the October snowstorm, Scott decided that the first fire "didn't count" since it was for emergency heating purposes. A few days before ignition, we decided to watch a few movie trailers using the On Demand movie selection to try to find a movie that would appeal (more or less) to all five of us. This in itself was a hilarious exercise. Although I knew X-Men was out of the question as an actual family pick, the trailer was rated PG so we turned it on for Ben. He immediately started jumping up and down on the sofa and screaming, "THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE!!!!! NICE AND BATTLE-LY!!!!!" I didn't know the word "battle" could be used as an adverb, and I can't imagine what would have happened if we watched the whole thing. We ended up renting "How to Train Your Dragon" from the library. The movie was surprisingly good, and it featured both fires and battles.
4. Paint. The kitchen painting project is finished! There are a few residual electrical issues that need to be resolved....but most of the house's wiring is still working properly after Scott changed a few outlets......sigh.....I'm sure the electrician will be able to inexpensively figure out why the outlets in Ben's room are no longer working, right?
When was the last time that you moved your stove and saw what was underneath? Well, it's apparently been a long time here. When we moved the stove out to paint behind it, we found the previous owner's oven mitt, knife sharpener, and spatula. Scott declared, "CC, it's Thanksgiving gone wrong under here!" Hopefully we'll fare better on Thursday. But, I have been wondering how is it even possible to lose an oven mitt under the stove??!!!
WOW. In case you were wondering what my kids were up to while I was typing all this, the answer is NOTHING GOOD. Ben just wandered downstairs wearing nothing but socks on his feet and his underwear on his head. He's now dancing naked (except for the socks). Time to stop typing!
Caroline's reaction to this seasonal delight was, "Wow!! Mom, is that really butter?!" Then, "Is it made of turkey?"
I bought this special butter several weeks ago because I knew it would sell out quickly at Wegmans. I have been hiding it in the refrigerator to keep Ben from poking at the turkey head. So far it is still intact. Ben has a habit of poking at food items when no one is looking, for example Aunt Trish's and Uncle Andy's wedding cake (sorry about that Trish!). And, yes, apparently other people want to buy butter turkeys too. I checked this past weekend and it was sold out. So, I'm not losing it. That much.
2. Cereal. Guess what Caroline's favorite cereal has been for the past year or so? Something sweet or marketed to kids? No. She loves General Mill's RAISIN NUT BRAN. This is the same child who makes me cut the crusts off her sandwiches and will only eat certain colors and shapes of lettuce leaves. Go figure.
3. Fire and Battles. Scott declared that we would be having the season's inaugural fire his past Friday. Although I mentioned to him that we already had a fire when we lost power overnight during the October snowstorm, Scott decided that the first fire "didn't count" since it was for emergency heating purposes. A few days before ignition, we decided to watch a few movie trailers using the On Demand movie selection to try to find a movie that would appeal (more or less) to all five of us. This in itself was a hilarious exercise. Although I knew X-Men was out of the question as an actual family pick, the trailer was rated PG so we turned it on for Ben. He immediately started jumping up and down on the sofa and screaming, "THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE!!!!! NICE AND BATTLE-LY!!!!!" I didn't know the word "battle" could be used as an adverb, and I can't imagine what would have happened if we watched the whole thing. We ended up renting "How to Train Your Dragon" from the library. The movie was surprisingly good, and it featured both fires and battles.
4. Paint. The kitchen painting project is finished! There are a few residual electrical issues that need to be resolved....but most of the house's wiring is still working properly after Scott changed a few outlets......sigh.....I'm sure the electrician will be able to inexpensively figure out why the outlets in Ben's room are no longer working, right?
When was the last time that you moved your stove and saw what was underneath? Well, it's apparently been a long time here. When we moved the stove out to paint behind it, we found the previous owner's oven mitt, knife sharpener, and spatula. Scott declared, "CC, it's Thanksgiving gone wrong under here!" Hopefully we'll fare better on Thursday. But, I have been wondering how is it even possible to lose an oven mitt under the stove??!!!
WOW. In case you were wondering what my kids were up to while I was typing all this, the answer is NOTHING GOOD. Ben just wandered downstairs wearing nothing but socks on his feet and his underwear on his head. He's now dancing naked (except for the socks). Time to stop typing!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Early Thanksgiving
Do you ever have one of those moments that you know that you are truly blessed?
You have the realization that suddenly hits square in the chest you that you are one of the luckiest people in the world. And, for a brief moment, your eyes are brighter and your heart beats faster, and all you feel is joy and gratitude.
I don't usually have my camera with me when I have one of those moments. But on Sunday, I did.
You have the realization that suddenly hits square in the chest you that you are one of the luckiest people in the world. And, for a brief moment, your eyes are brighter and your heart beats faster, and all you feel is joy and gratitude.
I don't usually have my camera with me when I have one of those moments. But on Sunday, I did.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Bug off Bug People
True Story:
A few days ago, I received a solicitation phone call from a bug control company wondering whether or not I'd like to take advantage of some reduced pesticide application rates since they will be in the neighborhood treating some nearby lawns.
My first thought, "Which neighbors?" (Because I really want to go knock on their doors and talk some sense into them.)
Instead I replied, "What infestation are you treating for?" Even though I ended my sentence in a preposition, I figured if there is some horrible and damaging creature is on the way, like carpenter ants or termites, maybe I would consider some pest-specific pesticide application.
Bug Person: "Oh, nothing specific. This is a pre-emptive application of pesticide to reduce spring bugs by 70%."
Me: "Wow. 70% of all bugs killed?"
Bug Person (very excited): "Oh Yes! This application will kill all the eggs and larvae of insects in the spring!!
Me: "This chemical will linger in the soil all the way until the spring?"
Bug Person: "Oh yes! Guaranteed!"
Me: "What about all the beneficial insects, like ladybugs, spiders, pollinators (bees), and butterflies?"
Bug Person (pausing): "Well.... it will reduce those too."
Me: "Oh. What areas of my property would you be treating?"
Bug Person (excited again): "EVERY SQUARE INCH! Every bit of lawn, every shrub, every tree, and your house!!!!"
Me: "I don't have a lot of problems with infestation in my vinyl siding."
Bug Person: "We can treat your foundation!"
Me: "It's concrete and steel."
Bug Person: "Everywhere else then!!!"
Me: "You know, I really think it is a terrible idea to apply a nonspecific, broad-band pesticide with unknown long-term toxicological effects. In particular, elevated concentrations of these pesticides in higher trophic levels will undoubtedly affect populations of desirable organisms in my yard, like earthworms and birds. Furthermore, my entire neighborhood lies along a ridge line and is located at the headwaters of not one but two, stream headwaters. Due to the limited stream volume in headwaters, these habitats are particularly susceptible to runoff of pesticides and fertilizers from overly anxious and poorly educated outfits like you."
OK. I didn't really say that. But wouldn't it have been awesome if I had?
Me: "Since you are not treating any particular infestation, broad-band pesticide application is not recommended or warranted in my yard. Please take me off you calling list.
Bug Person: "Blah, blah blah only $49.95 x 10% "friend discount" off per quarterly application.
(So this means my neighbors are spraying poison into their yard REGULARLY! Oh joy!!)
Me: "Thanks for calling." Click.
People......Let's show a little environmental consciousness here. Please don't indiscriminately spray your yards with pesticides unless you are really having a problem with a particular deleterious bug, even if it is really, really cheap to do so. Not only do you kill things that you don't mean to kill, but these chemicals end up in your drinking water. There are so many other reasons to skip pesticide application too, but I'm going to step off my environmental soap box. For now.
A few days ago, I received a solicitation phone call from a bug control company wondering whether or not I'd like to take advantage of some reduced pesticide application rates since they will be in the neighborhood treating some nearby lawns.
My first thought, "Which neighbors?" (Because I really want to go knock on their doors and talk some sense into them.)
Instead I replied, "What infestation are you treating for?" Even though I ended my sentence in a preposition, I figured if there is some horrible and damaging creature is on the way, like carpenter ants or termites, maybe I would consider some pest-specific pesticide application.
Bug Person: "Oh, nothing specific. This is a pre-emptive application of pesticide to reduce spring bugs by 70%."
Me: "Wow. 70% of all bugs killed?"
Bug Person (very excited): "Oh Yes! This application will kill all the eggs and larvae of insects in the spring!!
Me: "This chemical will linger in the soil all the way until the spring?"
Bug Person: "Oh yes! Guaranteed!"
Me: "What about all the beneficial insects, like ladybugs, spiders, pollinators (bees), and butterflies?"
Bug Person (pausing): "Well.... it will reduce those too."
Me: "Oh. What areas of my property would you be treating?"
Bug Person (excited again): "EVERY SQUARE INCH! Every bit of lawn, every shrub, every tree, and your house!!!!"
Me: "I don't have a lot of problems with infestation in my vinyl siding."
Bug Person: "We can treat your foundation!"
Me: "It's concrete and steel."
Bug Person: "Everywhere else then!!!"
Me: "You know, I really think it is a terrible idea to apply a nonspecific, broad-band pesticide with unknown long-term toxicological effects. In particular, elevated concentrations of these pesticides in higher trophic levels will undoubtedly affect populations of desirable organisms in my yard, like earthworms and birds. Furthermore, my entire neighborhood lies along a ridge line and is located at the headwaters of not one but two, stream headwaters. Due to the limited stream volume in headwaters, these habitats are particularly susceptible to runoff of pesticides and fertilizers from overly anxious and poorly educated outfits like you."
OK. I didn't really say that. But wouldn't it have been awesome if I had?
Me: "Since you are not treating any particular infestation, broad-band pesticide application is not recommended or warranted in my yard. Please take me off you calling list.
Bug Person: "Blah, blah blah only $49.95 x 10% "friend discount" off per quarterly application.
(So this means my neighbors are spraying poison into their yard REGULARLY! Oh joy!!)
Me: "Thanks for calling." Click.
People......Let's show a little environmental consciousness here. Please don't indiscriminately spray your yards with pesticides unless you are really having a problem with a particular deleterious bug, even if it is really, really cheap to do so. Not only do you kill things that you don't mean to kill, but these chemicals end up in your drinking water. There are so many other reasons to skip pesticide application too, but I'm going to step off my environmental soap box. For now.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Artichokes
So long (and good riddance) MINT. Hello ARTICHOKE!
Here is sneak peak of kitchen painting project, which will be finished by Thanksgiving. I'm too pleased the mint walls are finally getting covered to keep this project to myself. The flash has made the color look a little more gray than it really is. Artichoke is a much better complement to the counters than the mint. Come to think of it, I'm fairly sure any color would be a better match to the counters than the mint.
Scott and I have already finished patched and painted the ceiling a brilliant white (which was made necessary because of a little flood in the upstairs bathroom caused by my darling Caroline). I don't remember if I blogged about the water pouring out of the ceiling fixture in the kitchen or not, but that wasn't my favorite moment from the past year. I can tell you, though, when a waterfall suddenly cascades from the ceiling, it isn't a happy feeling.
Kitchen progress this weekend will be suspended while I take my Brownie troop camping. These trips always seem like a good idea, until the weekend of the event arrives and I can think of approximately 142 other things I could be doing. But I have such fond girl scout camping memories from my childhood, I really want my children to have those experiences as well. So, camping we will go! In full disclosure, this isn't "real" camping since we will be sleeping in heated lodges, but the sleeping will (hopefully) occur with twelve 8-year olds. Wish us luck
Here is sneak peak of kitchen painting project, which will be finished by Thanksgiving. I'm too pleased the mint walls are finally getting covered to keep this project to myself. The flash has made the color look a little more gray than it really is. Artichoke is a much better complement to the counters than the mint. Come to think of it, I'm fairly sure any color would be a better match to the counters than the mint.
Scott and I have already finished patched and painted the ceiling a brilliant white (which was made necessary because of a little flood in the upstairs bathroom caused by my darling Caroline). I don't remember if I blogged about the water pouring out of the ceiling fixture in the kitchen or not, but that wasn't my favorite moment from the past year. I can tell you, though, when a waterfall suddenly cascades from the ceiling, it isn't a happy feeling.
Better, right?
Kitchen progress this weekend will be suspended while I take my Brownie troop camping. These trips always seem like a good idea, until the weekend of the event arrives and I can think of approximately 142 other things I could be doing. But I have such fond girl scout camping memories from my childhood, I really want my children to have those experiences as well. So, camping we will go! In full disclosure, this isn't "real" camping since we will be sleeping in heated lodges, but the sleeping will (hopefully) occur with twelve 8-year olds. Wish us luck
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Miscellani
1) Slime. Abby had a dentist appointment back on October 25th. For her "prize" she selected a wacky wall-walker toy from the treasure chest after her appointment. I don't know which of my beloved children is responsible, but the little slimy red wall-walker has been stuck at the top of my stairwell since October 25th, about 5 minutes after Abby returned home. It shows no signs of unsticking, and it is too high to reach, even by ladder. Perhaps we should start a betting pool as to when this thing will fall off my wall? I was sure it would only take a day or two, but it's been two weeks already and still holding strong. I was initially a little annoyed, but now I'm fascinated. How can it stick for so long??
2) Pants. Ben has finally outgrown some of his 3T (size 3 toddler size) pants. Yesterday, I went to the store and bought the next size up, 4T. Logical, right? I thought so. Since Ben really loved his blue fleece pants (his "cozy" pants) and I am a creature of habit, I went back to the exact same store (Target), bought the exact same brand (Circo), in the exact same color and style. Ben put his now pants on this morning and they were waaaay too long. So I laid the old pants on top of the new pants and the 4T pants are a full 6 inches longer than the 3T. While I do realize the new ones will probably shrink a little, isn't that kind of extreme? Apparently Ben needs size 3.5T pants. (If you run across these, please let me know.)
(see top of photo)
2) Pants. Ben has finally outgrown some of his 3T (size 3 toddler size) pants. Yesterday, I went to the store and bought the next size up, 4T. Logical, right? I thought so. Since Ben really loved his blue fleece pants (his "cozy" pants) and I am a creature of habit, I went back to the exact same store (Target), bought the exact same brand (Circo), in the exact same color and style. Ben put his now pants on this morning and they were waaaay too long. So I laid the old pants on top of the new pants and the 4T pants are a full 6 inches longer than the 3T. While I do realize the new ones will probably shrink a little, isn't that kind of extreme? Apparently Ben needs size 3.5T pants. (If you run across these, please let me know.)
3) DC. This past weekend we took the kids to Washington D.C. for the first time. We had a lovely visit with my family and the Wright family, toured the Washington Monument (outside), Jefferson Memorial, and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. We didn't spend too much time in anyone place, but we really enjoyed ourselves. Abby wants to be an astronaut when she grows up, so she particularly enjoyed seeing all the rockets, lunar rocks, and space exhibits.
At Dusk
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