Self Aware Douchebag

My 10 year old son is a self-aware douchebag.

I do not call Frederick that.  I don't even let him say that (or try to stop him anyway...), but thanks to his 22 year old uncle (my little brother) he sneaks it in whenever he can because it's used by his favorite uncle. 

Why is he is a self-aware douchebag?! 

Last night Aiden and I were going over his science fair project ideas with him.  The form has to be filled out, detailing the project, and turned in by today.  He is still undecided between 2 different inventions he wants to create.  It was around his bedtime so he was starting to get frustrated and emotional. 

It was around my bedtime....and I was starting to get frustrated and emotional....

He started raising his voice.

I started raising my voice....and then finally told him to just go take a shower and get in bed.  I would be up to read Harry Potter (we're on the 4th book) to him in five. 

He stomped off yelling, "Fine!.  Be that way!  Live my life for me, why don't you?! You decide what I do for my project!"......wow.....If we're living his life for him now, what will we be doing in 6 years when he really is a teenager and decides we're unbearably controlling and he hates us?!....he acts like we're running a death camp and the only thing keeping him out of the gas chamber is a Nobel Peace Prize!....too dramatic?....well, he gets it honest.

So he goes upstairs to take his shower.  I tell Aiden that his son is obnoxious, while I grab a glass of water and head upstairs. 

As I settle into my bed (where we read most of the time) Frederick sits down on the edge of the bed, facing me he says, "I'm sorry I was such a douchebag earlier," while looking me in the eyes.

My heart melted because this is the first time that he has been self aware enough to realize that he was, in fact, being a douchebag.  I know grown....men mostly....that don't have that level of self-awareness.  I sincerely thanked him for recognizing that he was being difficult and told him that we were actually trying to help him and not make his life more difficult.  He rolled his eyes and said, "yeah, yeah.  I know.  Now, can we please just read!"

Awww....that's my little douchbag!

MY GIRLS!

I am so proud of Elle and Colbie! Look at you two! Still blogging! I had almost completely forgot we started this whole thing. I checked it on a whim, and was so delighted to see (and ashamed for my lack of) the new writings!

Well, I also am proud of my own little girl. She still is getting into trouble (but only once a week...and it's always on Tuesdays...I wish I could figure that one out!). She has straight A's and is reading wonderfully.

Since she is currently toothless, the modeling has been slow. But due to her awesome reading skills she got a job doing a voice over job. My husband was super stoked to be in the same recording studio that John Goodman recorded in! Very cool. Nicole still has no appreciation for the cool experiences she is having, but someday she will. She did great.

Last April she could not even do a backbend. She now can do backbend kick overs, back handsprings, and front walkovers. And look, I've learned all this cheer lingo! She trains at the gym 4 days a week. And before anyone can make me feel bad about that they should spend 5 minutes with my daughter. When she's not at the gym she is back flipping through the house. She is constantly flipping, jumping, running, etc. The girl loves it.

She started guitar lessons. I begged her to do piano (which is the instrument I play). But, no. She won't have it. I realized while she was practicing (and I could not coach her at all or help her) that she chose the guitar because she knew I could not do the above! Typical Nicole. She will blaze her own way.

William is doing wonderfully. He has discovered Wii games and video games. OH boy. My (newly four year old) child has to have a limit on his "game" time. I never thought I'd have to say that!

We survived his 4 year old check up. I crossed my fingers and hoped for no new weird issues. But, of course, he has to have something wack a doo. No big deal, but he is anemic and so we have to make sure he gets extra iron vitamins and check his blood in a month. Poor kid. He begs for me to not let people take his blood. Sad, sad, sad. I hope he is not permanently scarred from all this!

He loves preschool and is a perfect student. This child does not get in trouble ever. At home however, he is definitely testing the waters. Gotta love 4!

Speaking of 4, 4th grade is going wonderfully. I love the kiddos! It was an excellent change and I love it. IT is a lot of work, but I know each year I will get better at it and it will become more easy.

Keith is doing okay. Still working on the RV and garage projects. Still stressing about money. Still being a supportive husband in every way possible, including my new diet goals for this year.

We are going on a cruise in June. Which means I have 5 months to get my butt in gear. I have began and am committed to the strictest diet I have ever embarked on. But man, am I motivated! I feel good and strong. I have worked out every day, sometimes two times a day. This is the first time ever I have felt so...determined I guess is the word. I am DONE being fat. This year is my year. Come hell or high water, I will weigh significantly less in June than I do now!

That's all I've got for now! Take care ladies and it is so good to see some old familiar friends responding (TV, Rita, Latte girl, Barb) Love it!

Financial Woes

Yes, it's considered taboo to talk about personal $ issues, but I feel the need to pour my worries out in writing. How is it that 2 adults with college degrees AND respectable jobs AND conservative money sense are in such a tight financial position? I don't splurge on myself with pedicures or manicures, tanning, clothes, shoes, hair color, going out, you name it and I'm NOT doing it. I don't even buy myself books anymore, but go to the library instead. I allow myself ONE zumba class a week, when I used to take 2-3 classes. I do have 2 children in daycare, but it's not like we are paying top-notch prices. (Totally happy with the daycare, by the way, just pointing out that it is a big expense for two little darlings.) My kids wear clothes from affordable department stores and hand-me-downs. My husband and I rarely go out and I have "girls night" maybe 4 times a year. We occasionally do carry-out, but it lasts a good 2-4 meals later. Yikes!! Am I boring you yet? We basically live a pretty dull life. We've decided to cut back on a few things, as there is always room for improvement. However, it just seems like we shouldn't be struggling this much. Who's with me here???

Mocha Madness

I, Colbie, promise to cut back on McDonald's mochas in attempt to save money, calories, and time. I will use that fancy Flavia machine in my kitchen and be happy with it. It will be okay. I can drive past those golden arches without the compulsion to buy expensive coffee-most of the time. I will give myself permission for the occasional treat. Seriously, I've been drinking 2 mochas daily totally $5.00. (I know, I know. The INSANITY!! It could be Starbucks, which costs almost $3.50 for a small!! Before you give me that finger-wag, I have to say that sleep deprivation with 2 children and 10 times the work is justification enough!!) Add this up over a month's time, and the cost is just a wee bit ridiculous. Especially since we are recouping from a few financial setbacks and adjusting to having 2 children in daycare. I can DO this.

What sacrifices have you made for the well being of yourself and family?

No Drama For This Momma

There comes a time when you just get sick of the snarky nonsense and realize what a HUGE space the negativity is occupying in your already-cram-packed life. I'm tired of worrying about meeting obligations of social gatherings, negativity and gossip from so-called "family" and "friends", and jealousy issues. (No LYLAS girls, I am not referring to any one of you, so don't worry!! Your love and support is so endearing!!!) I am going to do what is best for me and my family. It's a 2-way-street, after all. People can come to my house and visit with us also. I don't need to cart myself and my two little ones around just to make everyone else happy or fear that my children will not have a relationship with their family if "I" don't oblige with every invitation. Enough already. Time to breathe.

How have you attempted to eliminate negativity from your life?

Torn

I'm a little on the torn side.  I could use some opinions on the matter.  Aiden and I are ultimately make the final decision, but I need perspective.

My 10 year old son, Frederick (4th grade), is in the strings program at school.  He was completely into it until 2 months ago when he became obsessed with baseball.  That's still another story that I haven't even posted yet.  After his strings Christmas concert he promised (I use the term loosely) family and friends that showed up to support him, that he would indeed keep up with the violin; his ultimate goal to become one of the advanced fiddlers/violinist they enjoyed that night.  He practiced daily without complaint, spoke of his plans to be in advanced strings in 5th grade, go on to fiddling in junior high and then onto orchestra in high school.  Now, do not believe for a second that I'm delusional enough to think that a 10 year old boy will make grandiose plans and then change his mind.  He's done that a billion times, but this had seemed a little different.  He's good at knowing what he likes, what he's good at and committing to it (as you'll find out when I finally write this looming baseball post).  Now that the auditions for advanced are near, and he has this baseball obsession, he's claiming that he may be too busy to do the 1 day a week after school strings rehearsal (30 min. long) because it will interfere with his baseball training.  I informed him that he doesn't even start baseball until the beginning of May and that he would only have a couple of overlapping weeks.  He is involved with Krav Maga and  Archery (which hasn't started yet, but lasts for about 2 months depending on tournaments which are on weekends).  Strings would not interfere with these, but I'm always telling Emily that she has Nicole running ragged because of all the stuff she's in.  I do not want to be a hypocrite, but he never wanted to do Archery or Krav and we pushed him to just try it and he loves both and is great at both.  Do we gently push for him to at least try advanced before he decides he just doesn't want to do it (which is what we are leaning toward since he usually needs a gentle push) or do we just let him finish out his strings "career" (for lack of a better term) not trying to advance further than immediate level? 

To make it simple: I don't want to be a pushy parent, but I want him to remember how excited and determined he was 2 months ago before he started focusing on something different.  I just want him to give it a chance.  What would you do? (insert any sport, activity, etc. for your own children (or future children) and tell me your thoughts?  Thank you in advance for any help, suggestions, swift kick in pants etc.

Footloose

If you know me, or have read this blog long enough, you've realized that my post titles are simply throwbacks to the 80's movie's they're named after.  They rarely have any real importance in the post itself. 

This one is no different.

As I descended the stairs, mere minutes ago, I stepped on the 4th to the last....and kept right on going.  Sliding as if on an icy slope, picking up speed as I headed toward the ground.  One foot still on the 4th stair above, while the other was extended in front of me.  My cute, fuzzy, pink and orange fleece sock staring me in the face, while I decide how I was going to get out of the splits position....never being there before, praying I never was again. I have two thoughts simultaneously; 1) how the F*ck do cheerleaders do this voluntarily, without crying and 2) how can socks this cute not come with a warning?!

*Slippery on carpeted stairs when worn by a klutz who was befooted (like beheaded) in a past life and walks around on stumps.

I spilled a glass of water, probably yelled sh*t and listened to Aiden's monotone voice asking if I was okay, while pointing out that I spilled water....Thanks, I didn't see that....or the step either, apparently.