We're on vacation in Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach, NC. It's on the coast, just north of South Carolina. John's good friend from college lives down here with his lovely wife (and 4 dogs).
We got in yesterday at about 2 am so we slept late, hit the gym and then spent the rest of the day at the pool. The girls LOVED the pool and can't wait to hit the beach today. We've already got some cute pics of them and I'll be sure to post them when we get home.
The girls were very good on the way down (8 hour drive). At one point, we stopped to get gas and use the restrooms. As we exited the highway, we explained that we weren't "there" yet and that we were going to use the restrooms. (We're now on the main drag approaching stores, restaurants, gas stations.)
Nat said, "Oh good. I have to pee." Then, a few seconds later, the Golden Arches come into view, "... and I'm hungry."
Daddy and I smiled at each other. "You're hungry?" said daddy. "What do you want to eat?" Slyly she says, "..... um.... hm.... maybe we could have.... hm... a burger?"
Grinning, daddy says, "we don't have any burgers. Mommy, did you pack any burgers?" "No, I don't have any burgers."
Helpfully yet somewhat desperately she says, "we could get a burger."
"Where?" said a coy daddy.
"Um, maybe right there, at "Friendly's" (sometimes she gets her burger joints mixed up.)
No kid can resist the call of the Golden Arches... like a lighthouse on a stormy night, it calls them in.
PS There are Harris Teeter grocery stores here. I was immediately thrilled, knowing some of my favorite blogs post HT deals. Yes, I have already checked the blogs and created a list of things I can get for free or cheap =) Yes, I am so addicted to this that I WANT to do it on vacation!
PPS Yes, I was concerned about posting that we were out of town. Then I realized that any stranger who reads this doesn't know where we live and anyone who DOES know where we live knows there's nothing worth stealing =) haha
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Major Movie Meltdown
So yesterday after church we ate lunch and hit the pool. When we came home, we all decided that we would eat dinner, watch a movie and go to bed. After baths I turned on the TV and saw High School Musical 3 was just about to begin. Nat was THRILLED!
The girls felt compelled to don dress-up clothes during the first musical number and we all danced and danced. It was great.
The only problem was that my girls kept fighting. Someone was crying about something every 5 minutes. Jules punched Nat in the back, Jules wouldn't dance with Nat so Nat pulled her hair.... you know, all that sisterly love stuff. Finally, I'd had enough and gave a tough warning "The next time you two fight, I turn the movie off."
Well, we made it through Gabriella and Troy's first duet when a blood curdling scream cut the peppy background music. I said nothing. I didn't look to see who had done what to whom. I simply walked quietly up to the TV and turned it off.
Immediately, Nat began to cry and scream. "NO! Me want movie!" (she doesn't really talk like that, she just picked this up from a friend and is in a stage, oh well.) The tantrum went on for probably 15 minutes. It could have been more or less. It just felt like forever. I knew she was VERY upset, but I also knew that I had to stand firm or my warnings would never mean anything.
Finally I put Jules to bed, took Nat into my room and we laid down, read a story and we too went to bed. It was around 8:30 pm. We needed it.
Anyway, the whole reason for the story was not an expose on her bad behavior. She really is a very good girl. All kids just have their moments and this was hers. However, I just HAD to share (and preserve for her later years) some of what was said during the tantrum. Of course, I can't remember the exact words as it went on and on, and they were shouted and blubbered through red-faced grunting and tears, but here are some examples:
"Can't you just turn the TV on so I won't have to be upset anymore? "
"I am so mad at you. You are the meanest mother. I never wanted a mother."
"But Julsie did it. She was was being mean. It's so hard with a baby sister. I was thinking we would just have one baby. When I was a little sister, you said, 'we are having another baby' and I just thought we were going to have one baby! Can't we give Julia to someone else? I just get so aspirated with her!"
ME, fighting back the laughter: "You don't really want to give Julia away, do you? Look at her over there."
"But it's just so hard with a little sister! I get so aspirated with her.
ME: "I know, I know what it is like to be the big sister. I was Aunt Jess's big sister. I know, it's hard. They bother you and be mean and then you get in trouble for it. I know it's hard honey."
"I just had it in my mind that we were just going to have one baby. She makes me so aspirated."
"Can't you turn the movie on so I won't be mad at you anymore?"
"Me want movie, me want movie, me want movie."
In the end, we read a story and cuddled. I said, "remember when you watered you flower in the sink and all the dirt came out and filled the sink and you came and got mommy and daddy? You were afraid we would be mad, but we weren't and we were happy you came and told us so we could help?"
"Yeah"
"What if I would have said, 'I never wanted a daughter like you!' How would you have felt?"
"Bad"
"How do you think mommy felt when you said, 'I never wanted a mother like you'? You don't have to answer, just think about it. Just think about how I felt."
Oh Motherhood. The Joys, Trials and Tribulations.
The girls felt compelled to don dress-up clothes during the first musical number and we all danced and danced. It was great.
The only problem was that my girls kept fighting. Someone was crying about something every 5 minutes. Jules punched Nat in the back, Jules wouldn't dance with Nat so Nat pulled her hair.... you know, all that sisterly love stuff. Finally, I'd had enough and gave a tough warning "The next time you two fight, I turn the movie off."
Well, we made it through Gabriella and Troy's first duet when a blood curdling scream cut the peppy background music. I said nothing. I didn't look to see who had done what to whom. I simply walked quietly up to the TV and turned it off.
Immediately, Nat began to cry and scream. "NO! Me want movie!" (she doesn't really talk like that, she just picked this up from a friend and is in a stage, oh well.) The tantrum went on for probably 15 minutes. It could have been more or less. It just felt like forever. I knew she was VERY upset, but I also knew that I had to stand firm or my warnings would never mean anything.
Finally I put Jules to bed, took Nat into my room and we laid down, read a story and we too went to bed. It was around 8:30 pm. We needed it.
Anyway, the whole reason for the story was not an expose on her bad behavior. She really is a very good girl. All kids just have their moments and this was hers. However, I just HAD to share (and preserve for her later years) some of what was said during the tantrum. Of course, I can't remember the exact words as it went on and on, and they were shouted and blubbered through red-faced grunting and tears, but here are some examples:
"Can't you just turn the TV on so I won't have to be upset anymore? "
"I am so mad at you. You are the meanest mother. I never wanted a mother."
"But Julsie did it. She was was being mean. It's so hard with a baby sister. I was thinking we would just have one baby. When I was a little sister, you said, 'we are having another baby' and I just thought we were going to have one baby! Can't we give Julia to someone else? I just get so aspirated with her!"
ME, fighting back the laughter: "You don't really want to give Julia away, do you? Look at her over there."
"But it's just so hard with a little sister! I get so aspirated with her.
ME: "I know, I know what it is like to be the big sister. I was Aunt Jess's big sister. I know, it's hard. They bother you and be mean and then you get in trouble for it. I know it's hard honey."
"I just had it in my mind that we were just going to have one baby. She makes me so aspirated."
"Can't you turn the movie on so I won't be mad at you anymore?"
"Me want movie, me want movie, me want movie."
In the end, we read a story and cuddled. I said, "remember when you watered you flower in the sink and all the dirt came out and filled the sink and you came and got mommy and daddy? You were afraid we would be mad, but we weren't and we were happy you came and told us so we could help?"
"Yeah"
"What if I would have said, 'I never wanted a daughter like you!' How would you have felt?"
"Bad"
"How do you think mommy felt when you said, 'I never wanted a mother like you'? You don't have to answer, just think about it. Just think about how I felt."
Oh Motherhood. The Joys, Trials and Tribulations.
Graduation!
Well, at the end of May, we had our final day of preschool for the year. It was at Mrs. B's house and she did a TERRIFIC job putting together a special day for the girls. She really went overboard.... but that's Mrs. B! First they made their own visors. Then there was an awards ceremony where they received certificates for completing the year. It was signed by all our the mom-teachers and had a picture of the group in the background. It was so cute. Then, as gifts, they received a bag and pink cup with their NAME on it! Inside the bag were tons of goodies including a purse and candy necklace, book of puzzles, and smelly lotion. We then had a wonderful picnic lunch with flower shaped sandwiches. It was a very nice way to end a very fun preschool year. Friday, June 12, 2009
Please Take A Moment...
to pray for the family of Trooper Joshua D. Miller. Trooper Miller was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, June 7, 2009, near the Poconos. He leaves behind a wife, Angie, and three daughters, (16, 12 and 2). A suspect who had kidnapped his own 9 year old son led police on a 40 minute chase. The chase ended when Tpr. Miller used the PIT maneuver to send the suspect's car spinning. As some troopers went to the passengers side to rescue the child, Tpr. Miller, followed by Tpr. Lombardo, approached the driver's side. A gun battle ensued leaving Tpr Lombardo wounded and Tpr Miller fatally shot in the thigh and chest. The suspect was also killed.
Tpr Miller was laid to rest today, one day before his 35th birthday.
Please keep the family and his fellow officers in your prayers as they will certainly be struggling with the loss of this wonderful father, devoted husband, hard working and motivated trooper.
Tpr. Miller is the 92nd Trooper to die in the line of duty in the PSP's 105 yr history. (The last Tpr. killed in the line of duty was Cpl. Joseph Pokorny - near Pgh - in 2005. ) Every time a Tpr. is killed, it is not only a loss to the family and to the State Police, but also to the entire state as a whole.
Do YOUR part to keep them safe. Although you will likely never engage in a gun fight or rob a bank, by speeding and disobeying traffic laws you are forcing the law enforcement agent to put his life at risk. Making simple traffic stops, with cars, trucks and semis whizzing by at 70+ mph, can actually be one of the most dangerous aspects of the job. Now, I've gotten a ticket before too, but in recent years I have really began to think differently about speeding: Is whatever I'm late for really worth risking an officer's life?
For more info on Tpr. Josh Miller and the incident, click here.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
In Case You're Wondering...
I'm still alive.
And so are John and the kids.
I've actually been avoiding blogging since I know I am so far behind. I've been spending my free time going to the gym, looking on-line at houses and floor plans, and worrying. (Maybe I'll ask you all for some advice in upcoming posts.)
Oh, and I have not only been neglecting the blog, but I've been a complete idiot when it comes to honoring people's special days and spending cards. If I've forgotten to send you something on your special day, please forgive me. I have remembered them all... I just can't manage to get myself together enough to send you something. I actually haven't given my mom her mother's day card or gift, my parents their anniversary card or gift, or acknowledged a gift from a friend. Yeah. I feel like a total jerk.
I also forgot about Nat's last day of preschool.
No, I'm not pregnant. =)
Let's see if I can get a pic or two up here.
And so are John and the kids.
I've actually been avoiding blogging since I know I am so far behind. I've been spending my free time going to the gym, looking on-line at houses and floor plans, and worrying. (Maybe I'll ask you all for some advice in upcoming posts.)
Oh, and I have not only been neglecting the blog, but I've been a complete idiot when it comes to honoring people's special days and spending cards. If I've forgotten to send you something on your special day, please forgive me. I have remembered them all... I just can't manage to get myself together enough to send you something. I actually haven't given my mom her mother's day card or gift, my parents their anniversary card or gift, or acknowledged a gift from a friend. Yeah. I feel like a total jerk.
I also forgot about Nat's last day of preschool.
No, I'm not pregnant. =)
Let's see if I can get a pic or two up here.
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