What do you do when your kids are stressing you out and driving you crazy?

Change the layout [again].

Eat ramen noodles. Quickest, easiest and yummy way to clog up my arteries. Not the most nutritious [I know]. I tend to eat chocolate too. I'm a stress-eater.

Take them to the library [why? why not to a bigger and a public arena for one or both to drive me crazy there with outbursts and screaming like he did at the park two days ago?]

I rather be knitting. I was happy when I finished Abigail's hat amidst a rough day of unnecessary (and public outbursts from Austin during the week.

Sometimes I don't want to knit. I didn't work on the new project I wanted start all day. Last night, I just have had enough of everything.

Lace-edge Hat

Lace-edge Hat
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease (Berry)
1/2 skein
Needles: US#5
Made for: Abigail

I started it last Saturday, finished it on Wednesday. A fairly quick one-day knit, but I only had time to work on it at night while George would play Gear of War. Results is Abigail looks really cute in it. I just wished she'd stand still for a picture.

Guess What Austin Did

Yesterday felt like a weekend because George ended up working from home.

That was good, right? It did "free" up a a bit of mental break for me.

By the evening, George was really tired and was taking a nap on the couch. I was at the desk, Abigail was actually playing quietly, thus leaving me alone for awhile. Austin was playing house quietly with old keys and closing the bedroom door.

George wakes up and goes to the bedroom. The door wouldn't open. The door is locked. No, it isn't? Is it? From the inside. Austin had pushed the push-lock in. Good thing no one was on the other side. Trust me, it's not like we're letting them play with the doors as they please or not admonishing them when they do, or closing the doors. I was pretty mad.

Abigail is crying for him to open the door. Later she was begging him not to break the hanger as if it was some precious toy. I'm just beside my self shaking my head in disbelief (or in belief). Kids are as predictable as they are unpredictable.

I remembered Robin told me years ago these type of locks have a safety feature in case a child locks himself in -- you use an awl to try to trigger the lock to pop (or a wire hanger like George did). The hanger didn't work. After an hour of using various methods and/or tools, the hammer was the winner. George didn't break the entire knob, just pry some exterior part around the knob. Yeah, Daddy saves the day... again. But I'm sure he'd really appreciate a quiet day and/or night which would be a real treat.

Anyway... Austin said, "Daddy, look what you did... you broke the door!"

How about that? Can you believe this kid??

A Little Night Air

Tonight's evening was concluded with Austin riding his bike and a stroller walk for Abigail down 84th Drive. Austin wore his Spider Man helmet which he's finally getting attached to it. He's got the pedaling down and can slow down by back-pedaling. George shadowed Austin while I pushed Abigail. She got out and walked too.

George stopped by the pharmacy on Queens Blvd to get a new toothbrush. Of course, Austin would get one too. One thing for sure, the kids love to brush their teeth. Abigail was happy with her Hershey bar as they came out of the store (I was watching the bike and stroller). Her little face lit up! Everyone got to eat it.

No one was complaining. No crying or fussing as the walk continued along Main St. Watched the bird-spouting water fountain outside the Eden Rock residence (Abigail was amazed, or puzzled how was it possible?). Watched the lightning bugs (fireflies).

An hour later. Finally, at home, both are starting to yawn. No fussing still, but a quick bath, stories, brushing of teeth, drink of water... Austin was tucked into bed first. Abigail followed soon after.

A nice family walk. A little night air. Works everytime!

Expressing a need

A gist of some of the many things Abigail says and do, expressions. She's very verbal and speaks in sentences. Thank goodness because it clearly helps in expressing her needs, and for us to fulfill them.

Even yesterday, she told Austin when he was whining, "Ge-ge cry like a girl." Ouch, gist of it was boys don't whine.

*most commonly used and helpful

*I want...

*Tired. I want to sleep.
*Nap. Tired.

*I want (fill in choice of drink).
*I want (fill in food).
*I'm hungry.

*I want to go out.
I want to go too.
Mommy coming too.

I love Daddy. I love Ge-Ge. I love Mommy. I love Gram-ma.

I do it.
I do it by myself.
I need help.
*Read. Read please!
Ge-ge, read to me.
Play with me.
I want to color.
I want bubbles.
I want chalk.

Abby walks.
Abby runs.
Abby sitting down.
Abby eating.

I want my pants.
My shoes.
My jacket.
My blanket.
My hat.

Dis-ney World
Flo-ri-da
Mickey Mouse
Sleepy Beau-ty
Pete
Minnie Mouse
Donald Duck
Pluto
Miffy
Little Bear
Dora
Caillou
Mary Pop-pins
Burt
Elmo
Spot
Max & Ruby
I want to see Caillou (name of show).


I'm...
a lit-tle girl.
a baby [when in denial].
Big girl.
Potty.
Wash hands.
Brush my teeth.
I want to take a bath.
I have poop.
Peeing.

Cake
Easy-peasy
I want to read "My World."
Tickle me.

Ge-ge throwing.
Ok, Mommy.
Give me a kiss.

My doll (any toy).
money
Daddy outside [work].
rain cover

Yesterday I was having a bad day with myself more than with them. I was trying to get the essential information over to a new email account, but hard to do with two of them here. Couldn't be done well. I just exported the info for now.

Awhile back, I made the mistake of deleting my other yahoo account without thoroughly combing through all the emails (some I should have kept). I have some accounts linked to that email address. It pretty much screwed up some of the log-ins.

It's the oldest account I have, and I can't remember every thing associated with it -- I'm keeping the leea777 intact. But not for personal email. I've deleted the address book and notepad etc.

********************

At least, I got most of the clothes ferried away, and glued those knobs on the dresser that always coming undone for years. Austin love the knobs.

Anyway, it's a much calmer day. Good. I wanted to them to make their own pizzas for lunch. Austin loves olives on his.

They've been eating more, and it's apparent because both had growth spurts. Abigail likes broccoli, and she's tried yellow and green squashes, chayotes. The local Met and Key Food don't have the really fresh beans or French beans -- always a tad tough to eat. Both love tomatoes and most seasonal fruits. Austin goes cuckoo for watermelon and cherries. They're not really into sodas and juice (even better). Austin drinks a gallon+ of milk a week. Abigail hasn't developed a taste for it or like chocolate milk. I tried giving her soy milk, chocolate and vanilla. But, no go. But she likes yogurt (he doesn't). Both likes cheese & pizza (even better) and ice cream. That takes care part of the calcium equation.

I'm wondering how I'm doing in the calcium department. I "know" I should be taking calcium supplements. I stopped taking the Viactiv a few years ago. Considering I add a cup of milk to coffee (1:1 ratio) in a 16oz cup in every cup I drink (2-3 cups daily), I should be fine, right? Damn, low bone density thing and fractures doesn't good later in life. Better start now.

One Word

Summer camp.

Okay, it's actually two words.

As time goes on, I feel as though I'm not suited to be a parent. Not full-time stay home anymore. Maybe that's why they invented summer camp which basically is a continuation of regular school schedule, but extended form without the academics. A part of me had wanted to send Austin to camp at Pickwick. But money is often a factor.

I love Austin and Abigail more than anything in the world. But my rambunctious offsprings (like most kids) needs other outlets for creative and physical energies. A trip to the park isn't enough (maybe a treadmill or giant hamster wheel?). There's only so much art stuff, crayons and paints, puzzles, games, books you can do. Sometimes, I just need to get other stuff done.

Too much for me to deal with while trying to do dishes or putting clothes away like in the past hour trying to get something done. It's like a mad house sometimes. Have I mentioned zoo? It's a constant stream of activity: noise - I never mind the laughing, but play screaming and yelling, mess, running, climbing the bunk when trying to put things away etc. Everything. They never get tired at all? How is that possible? They're so little in size, but deceptively have super-Duracells in them.

Or the constant toys being pulled out to be played with and not put back (even with reminders before a new toy is taken out). Alot of clothes with inadequate space to be put away, and others sorted in give-aways bags. But Austin and Abigail are doing their what they do best. Aaaaaah!!!

I've written about finding balance blah blah. Honestly, balance is a bunch of bull. You can never really have the balance because once you find some balance to regain equilibrium (some sanity), something else will go unbalance. If good day with them without me going crazy or I'm able to give to them without losing my marbles, that's balance enough. To each day as it comes.

Somehow I do believe other people don't lose their minds or patience with their kids because they're perfect. Or if I do know other moms, they come across as if they never do -- they have it all together. Lissette, Giovanni's mom, was rather down-to-earth. But Giovanni had missed school often, and she has a erratic work schedule. I really enjoy talking with Polly -- stays home, two kids, a boy and girl, Black and Chinese. My sister Betty too.

Will things be better when Austin goes to school from 8:00AM-2:30PM? Anyway, I've digressed.

But, yeah, two words.

Plan for. Save up.