Feeling Festive

I saw this gem of a poem in Playette's school folder yesterday and it became an instant family favorite.

I hope that you all are enjoying whatever kind of day suits you best. For us, it's a low-key foursome. For you, it may be a house full of extended family and friends. Or maybe somewhere in the middle or even on the periphery.

Whatever you choose, it's ok. And don't let anyone tell you different.

Holidays can be hard, yo.

And that's why I love "Mr. Turkey". New traditions.

The 700 Club

Apparently, this is my 700th blog post.

That's a lot of rambling over 4+ years.

Nothing profound this evening. I just wanted to do a quick update on the nightlight sitch.

I am super tired and not feeling well, so when the kids go down in a bit, I plan to head right to bed myself.

And then there's no school tomorrow. Gah.

But! I get to go to a Parent-Teacher Conference.

What is that even like when your kid has an IEP? I mean, I've had full-on meetings with the teacher several times so far. Should I just bring donuts and ask her if she watches The Real Housewives to pass the time? Or will we really have things to talk about that aren't the type of things that come up in a team meeting?

I guess that's possible.

But I still want donuts.

Anyway.

The nightlight, round 1.

It's supposed to take like a week to brainwash your kid with this thing completely, so we're obviously not prodigies or slackers because it didn't work. Playette woke up twice. Once at 5 am and again an hour later. The alarm was set for 6:15. We really wanted to set it for 7 (or much later, natch), but the idea is to gradually increase the duration over time so that it's realistic and attainable. That didn't keep us from wanting to cheat though. So we went with the "happy" medium of 6:15. Tonight, we move it to 6:30. In a perfect world, I'd be able to sleep until at least 6:45 during the week. Don't even get me started on my weekend wishes.

While she did wake up and come in our room, she was redirected by BD and that kinda nipped the "party all the time" atmosphere in the bud. Her room didn't look like a rock star hotel debacle by the time I walked by later on.

So that's progress.

The Most Expensive Nightlight on the Block

Ok, so we got it on sale from Amazon, but still. It's got my frugal heart all a-flutter.

But sleep is a big deal around here these days and without it, I am we are crabby and snippy.

I had heard about other, at the time seemingly much older, children with Ds waking up at ungodly pre-dawn hours and disrupting not only their rooms but the entire family, but not my kid. No, my awesome sleeper would never do a thing like that.

I felt for those parents.

And now I am one of those parents.

I wake up to the sound of the Dora guitar more often than I would like.

Plus, with Dez on his own do whatever kinda schedule? We needed to do something. Anything.

So, when BD reported to his first day of work and learned how his co-worker had taught her five-year-old to stay in bed, we jumped on it.

The Good Nite Lite arrived today. I'll let you know how it goes.

Because, y'know, it's not a nightlight, it's a patented behavioral modification device designed to promote a child's ability to get the rest that is critical for healthy development.

Now that's a mission statement that will get a sucka to spend an extra 30 bucks!

If you've used it, I'd love to hear about your experience.

Shoutout

Playette came home from school today with this snazzy outfit folded up inside of her backpack. We were cracking each other up trying it on.

To all of the Pilgrims with cornrows, we salute you!

Life Skills

Sometimes I find myself daydreaming about what Playette will become when she is an adult. How will she spend her days? How will she best contribute to society?

I flip flop from sign language interpreter to teacher's aide to who knows what, but at the end of it all, whatever will be will be.

But she will do something.

This girl is smart. She is capable. She is eager.

=====

On Sunday afternoon, as I was chopping up vegetables to grill (you know, before they all go bad like I usually let them), BD came in the door with our weekly groceries.

I continued what I was doing and then Playette joined me in the kitchen.

"Mommy, need help?"

"Oh, no, baby. I'm fine. But thank you. I need to cut these up by myself."

"Ohhhhhhh. (It's always really long and drawn out like that.) Ok."

I assumed that she then left the room.

But she didn't.

Next to me on the counter was the coffee maker. Next to it is the container that holds the coffee.

She had gone to the center island, retrieved one of the boxes of newly purchased coffee from the mountain of items waiting to be put away, and began to open it.

I said nothing. I just stood there and watched.

After a moment of struggle, she asked for help because she couldn't get box #1 open.

"Mommy? I. Want. Help. Please."

I gave the perforated tab a little pull, but not too much.

She finished the job.

And then proceeded to load all twelve cups into the bottom drawer.

Knowing that was the only drawer she could reach, while she took box #1 to the recycle bin unprompted, I quickly threw those into top two drawers.

She returned and we repeated the process for box #2.

I was so flipping proud.

That was a self-initiated useful contribution to our household. 

=====

So, of course, I have now added "barista" to my list. She'd rock that ish.

True Story

Scene: Yesterday, Bed Bath & Beyond (We call it "Triple B" around these parts.)

I walked up to Customer Service because I was in a hurry and don't know the store layout well.

=====

Me: Excuse me. Could you please point me in the direction of the glasses?

CS: You mean eyeglasses?

Me: BLANKSTARE

*tumbleweeds blow by as I cock my head to the side and wait*

"Is she serious?" I wonder.

She is.

Me: No. I would like to purchase drinking glasses.

CS: Oh. Uh. Go around that way and they'll be on your left.

=====

Am I the only one who does not go to Triple B for corrective lenses?

Please enlighten me.

Also? Why do I leave the house, ever?

Slideshow

If you're interested in seeing the results of the kids' recent photo session, click here!

Courtesy of The Captured Life Photography.

Playette loves watching this. She dances and sings along. She's so vain.

The package I have is one 11x14, two 5x7s, and one digital image.

How the heck am I supposed to choose?!

Any ideas?

Ready to Exhale

So, I made it through the month. 31 posts in 31 days.

And like any long-distance effort, I passed out at the end.

So I've been quiet. Recuperating, if you will.

Watching the impact of the storm, trying not to cry at the devastating aftermath.

Getting angry at peoples' skewed priorities. My own included.

And then eating candy to push down the emotions a little.

I'm sure that I don't have to tell you, but I would be remiss if I didn't include this link.

Of course, there are many, many other ways to help, too.

It's absolutely needed.

=====

In lighter news, and before I completely forget, here are a few of my favorite pics of the kids on Halloween: