It's Friday! Time to get those gripes, complaints and compliments that you never said out loud on the table.
Dear LaLa,
I know that following directions, listening, and focusing are not your forte so to speak. Yesterday was such a complete joy when you saw the new schedule you kind of took to it like a duck to water. You asked what time it was and knew exactly what you were supposed to be doing. I know it was a big struggle for you and you tried so hard to stay on task. Thank you for listening and trying.
Love, Mom
-------------------
Dear Anyone Who Expects Me to Be Online Today,
Sorry! My buddy Amy from The Bitchin Wives Club is coming up to visit me! We are probably most likely going to sit around and gossip and talk about things such as the fact that I am obsessed with the train wreck that is Charlie Sheen's life, her audition for Britains Got Talent, and the expected "Things I miss about America" that all American expats talk about. Then we will go get lunch before she has to drive back home. So yeah I won't be online today is what I am saying. If you know me well enough you have my phone number if you desperately need to talk to me.
Love, Kat
--------------
Dear Readers,
If you have your own letters, you know the drill, link up!!
Love, Kat
----------------------
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
At A Crossroad
These are some of the quotes I have heard about LaLa since the day she was born:
"Does she ever slow down?"
"She is a lovely child, but how do you deal with the energy?"
"I don't know how you do it. I couldn't."
"I wish I had half her energy!"
Believe me, I wish I had half of her energy too! Here's the thing, I for a long time have suspected that LaLa is not like most children. She is impetuous, has a ton of energy and frankly, the attention span of a gnat. I have also chalked a lot of that up to her age. I have told myself over and over again, "She'll grow out of it," and "A lot of kids can't sit still when they get home from school." Then I see her at a party of her peers and she is still running circles around them. The last party was a disco and she didn't stop dancing a single time. Most of the other kids took breaks from time to time to socialize, La only stopped to get a drink and then carried on dancing, sometimes by herself and sometimes with a group of her girlfriends.
Those of you who have read my blog for a long time know that I have long suspected that she has ADHD, but I am extremely reluctant to medicate. I don't want to change her personality and zombie her. However, upon her recent "well child" appointment with her pediatrician, he brought up the subject of her over activity. I can't remember his exact quote but it was somewhere along the lines of "Wow, she is a darling child but I don't know how you deal with this level of energy all the time!" I wasn't offended by the statement, because as I said, I have heard it before and I have often asked myself the same question. Then I brought up the fact that at 4 years old she was seen by a child psychologist in the US who thought that she may have ADHD, but it was dismissed by her teachers once she started school in the UK. On top of that she makes very good grades, but is a nightmare at home with her behavior.
Understand, I love love love love my daughter. I love her with every fiber of my being. I just don't understand her motivation 99% of the time. I don't understand why when I ask her to get her sock and shoes on so that we can leave the house she goes in her room, forgets why she is there and then comes back with her Barbies, ready to go out and about completely forgetting shoes and socks are required. I don't understand why she can't just walk instead of twirling as she walks all the time. I don't understand why when I ask her to do a small thing she doesn't do it or forgets that I asked her to do it. I am tired of shouting. I am tired of her telling me that I shout too much. I don't want to be the shouty mom. I don't want her to grow up to hate me because I didn't shout at her sister nearly as much as I do at her.
Here is my problem, I hate the idea of medicating her. My husband doesn't believe in ADHD and flat out refuses to even entertain the idea of medicating her. Right now though, I am in a downward spiral. I don't know what to do. Do I let her continue on because her grades are great or do I have her tested for ADHD. I don't know the answer. I don't expect you guys to give me the answer either. I just want to yell it off of my little cliff into the great void of cyberspace.
"Does she ever slow down?"
"She is a lovely child, but how do you deal with the energy?"
"I don't know how you do it. I couldn't."
"I wish I had half her energy!"
Believe me, I wish I had half of her energy too! Here's the thing, I for a long time have suspected that LaLa is not like most children. She is impetuous, has a ton of energy and frankly, the attention span of a gnat. I have also chalked a lot of that up to her age. I have told myself over and over again, "She'll grow out of it," and "A lot of kids can't sit still when they get home from school." Then I see her at a party of her peers and she is still running circles around them. The last party was a disco and she didn't stop dancing a single time. Most of the other kids took breaks from time to time to socialize, La only stopped to get a drink and then carried on dancing, sometimes by herself and sometimes with a group of her girlfriends.
Those of you who have read my blog for a long time know that I have long suspected that she has ADHD, but I am extremely reluctant to medicate. I don't want to change her personality and zombie her. However, upon her recent "well child" appointment with her pediatrician, he brought up the subject of her over activity. I can't remember his exact quote but it was somewhere along the lines of "Wow, she is a darling child but I don't know how you deal with this level of energy all the time!" I wasn't offended by the statement, because as I said, I have heard it before and I have often asked myself the same question. Then I brought up the fact that at 4 years old she was seen by a child psychologist in the US who thought that she may have ADHD, but it was dismissed by her teachers once she started school in the UK. On top of that she makes very good grades, but is a nightmare at home with her behavior.
Understand, I love love love love my daughter. I love her with every fiber of my being. I just don't understand her motivation 99% of the time. I don't understand why when I ask her to get her sock and shoes on so that we can leave the house she goes in her room, forgets why she is there and then comes back with her Barbies, ready to go out and about completely forgetting shoes and socks are required. I don't understand why she can't just walk instead of twirling as she walks all the time. I don't understand why when I ask her to do a small thing she doesn't do it or forgets that I asked her to do it. I am tired of shouting. I am tired of her telling me that I shout too much. I don't want to be the shouty mom. I don't want her to grow up to hate me because I didn't shout at her sister nearly as much as I do at her.
Here is my problem, I hate the idea of medicating her. My husband doesn't believe in ADHD and flat out refuses to even entertain the idea of medicating her. Right now though, I am in a downward spiral. I don't know what to do. Do I let her continue on because her grades are great or do I have her tested for ADHD. I don't know the answer. I don't expect you guys to give me the answer either. I just want to yell it off of my little cliff into the great void of cyberspace.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
No Heat...Once Again
If it isn't one thing, it's another. That's the saying that most closely resembles my life at any given moment. Apparently, Murphy (as in Murphy's Law) has decided to take up residence in my house once again. Fortunately, we don't have any heat at my house right now, so maybe he will take a hike. I doubt it.
Yes, you did read that right. We have no heat. Again. This time I can't even say it wasn't my fault because if I had been observant I would have noticed that my hot water was set to be heated all day, thus depleting all my gas supply in around a month's time. Yes, all my gas, what should normally last 2-3 months, gone. I am guessing that one of the kids hit a button on the boiler controls and set it to heat the water "all day"(usually I heat the water a couple hours in the morning and a couple hours at night). To top it off the gas company says they can't make a delivery for 7-10 days.
So right now we are in a mess. We have hot water because I can run that off my electric, but we have no heat. Last night I spent the night at my best friend's house, but I don't want to move in and take over her house. So, I am weighing my options and trying to decide what to do and hoping that the gas company comes through and we get our delivery before they say we will.
Moral of the story:cut your kids fingers off keep an eye on the gas levels in the tank and check the boiler settings every day.
Yes, you did read that right. We have no heat. Again. This time I can't even say it wasn't my fault because if I had been observant I would have noticed that my hot water was set to be heated all day, thus depleting all my gas supply in around a month's time. Yes, all my gas, what should normally last 2-3 months, gone. I am guessing that one of the kids hit a button on the boiler controls and set it to heat the water "all day"(usually I heat the water a couple hours in the morning and a couple hours at night). To top it off the gas company says they can't make a delivery for 7-10 days.
So right now we are in a mess. We have hot water because I can run that off my electric, but we have no heat. Last night I spent the night at my best friend's house, but I don't want to move in and take over her house. So, I am weighing my options and trying to decide what to do and hoping that the gas company comes through and we get our delivery before they say we will.
Moral of the story:
Monday, January 10, 2011
My Addiction
I have a confession to make. I have an addiction. It isn't one of those addictions that you can make a trip to "The Betty" (Betty Ford Clinic) for. I am addicted to books. I read constantly. When I go on a reading bender you might not hear from me for days or weeks even. Some weekends I won't leave the house because "OMGoodness I just got this new three book series and I have to read it now now now!" And I will read it. The entire series will be done by 9pm Sunday night.
When I get into a book, my husband knows that I will be unavailable. Well, I will cook dinner and attend to the children, but that is about it...and I will do it grudgingly. (DON'T YOU KNOW I AM JUST NOW GETTING TO THE SUB-PLOT!!!) Sometimes The Man even threatens to do the unthinkable to get me to do housework during a bender. He threatens to hide my book. When the last Harry Potter book came out, when I was pregnant with LaLa, I locked myself in my bedroom and only came out for bathroom breaks and to eat- once. I finished the book in 6 hours. Thank goodness cause I was getting hungry.
My addiction isn't even picky. I will read it all- mysteries, chick lit, trashy romance novels with half naked vikings on the cover, memoirs, suspense, science fiction, fantasy. It doesn't matter. I really haven't found a genre that I don't like. I have been on a vampire kick lately (and I really didn't like the Twilight books if you're wondering), but I am sure that will pass. I hear that this apparently is a "fad". I would also like to remind you of Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton, who were writing "vampire books" well before Twilight and True Blood became all the rage. So maybe it won't pass.
I just know I love reading. I will always love reading. It is part of me. Even if my husband has put me on a physical book ban- "no books can come into the house until another book has left the house" or "use your Kindle that's what I bought it for". I will persevere in my quest for words and stories that move me. I might need a new book shelf soon though, it seems my current one is a bit full.
When I get into a book, my husband knows that I will be unavailable. Well, I will cook dinner and attend to the children, but that is about it...and I will do it grudgingly. (DON'T YOU KNOW I AM JUST NOW GETTING TO THE SUB-PLOT!!!) Sometimes The Man even threatens to do the unthinkable to get me to do housework during a bender. He threatens to hide my book. When the last Harry Potter book came out, when I was pregnant with LaLa, I locked myself in my bedroom and only came out for bathroom breaks and to eat- once. I finished the book in 6 hours. Thank goodness cause I was getting hungry.
My addiction isn't even picky. I will read it all- mysteries, chick lit, trashy romance novels with half naked vikings on the cover, memoirs, suspense, science fiction, fantasy. It doesn't matter. I really haven't found a genre that I don't like. I have been on a vampire kick lately (and I really didn't like the Twilight books if you're wondering), but I am sure that will pass. I hear that this apparently is a "fad". I would also like to remind you of Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton, who were writing "vampire books" well before Twilight and True Blood became all the rage. So maybe it won't pass.
I just know I love reading. I will always love reading. It is part of me. Even if my husband has put me on a physical book ban- "no books can come into the house until another book has left the house" or "use your Kindle that's what I bought it for". I will persevere in my quest for words and stories that move me. I might need a new book shelf soon though, it seems my current one is a bit full.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Dear So and So...Good Morning Pfft!!!
It's Friday! Time for Dear So and So... Are you ready to get out your weekly frustrations as much as I am?? In the words of the immortal Diddy "Let's Go!!!!!!"
Dear 7am,
I hate you. I hate you with the fire of 1000 suns.
Still Sleepy, Kat
----------------
Dear Alarm Clock,
You and I have a tenuous relationship to say the least. You wake me up in the morning. I cuss you out. You forget to wake me in the morning. I cuss you out. You keep bugging me every five minutes. I cuss you out. Just remember, no matter what I say I am actually grateful that you wake me up and I really hate 7 am more than you.
Sorry for the Foul Language, Kat
-----------------
Dear Weather in My Part of the UK,
Why is everyone else getting snow and I am getting rain? I am starting to think there is some sort of unusual weather phenomenon that is occurring and my part of England is destined to say unsnowed upon. It isn't fair. I want a snow day. See previous letters for the reason why. (I'm looking at you 7am).
Love, Kat
-----------------
Dear KiKi,
If I catch you riding your scooter in the house one more time I am going to give it to the charity shop. Actually, I'm not, idol threat. I will put it on top of the wardrobe and not let you even look at it though! HaHa take that mouthy four year old!
Love, Mom
------------------
Dear LaLa,
If I had known that threatening to not take you roller skating on Friday would get you to actually go to sleep on time and stay in your own bed all night I would have used it a lot sooner. I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out! Well played, La, well played.
Love, Mom
------------------
Dear Readers,
I hope you all had a really Happy New Year. If you however have some gripes about how this year is starting off so far, be sure to write your own Dear So and So letters. If you have already wrote your letters be sure to link up!
Love, Kat
------------------
Dear 7am,
I hate you. I hate you with the fire of 1000 suns.
Still Sleepy, Kat
----------------
Dear Alarm Clock,
You and I have a tenuous relationship to say the least. You wake me up in the morning. I cuss you out. You forget to wake me in the morning. I cuss you out. You keep bugging me every five minutes. I cuss you out. Just remember, no matter what I say I am actually grateful that you wake me up and I really hate 7 am more than you.
Sorry for the Foul Language, Kat
-----------------
Dear Weather in My Part of the UK,
Why is everyone else getting snow and I am getting rain? I am starting to think there is some sort of unusual weather phenomenon that is occurring and my part of England is destined to say unsnowed upon. It isn't fair. I want a snow day. See previous letters for the reason why. (I'm looking at you 7am).
Love, Kat
-----------------
Dear KiKi,
If I catch you riding your scooter in the house one more time I am going to give it to the charity shop. Actually, I'm not, idol threat. I will put it on top of the wardrobe and not let you even look at it though! HaHa take that mouthy four year old!
Love, Mom
------------------
Dear LaLa,
If I had known that threatening to not take you roller skating on Friday would get you to actually go to sleep on time and stay in your own bed all night I would have used it a lot sooner. I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out! Well played, La, well played.
Love, Mom
------------------
Dear Readers,
I hope you all had a really Happy New Year. If you however have some gripes about how this year is starting off so far, be sure to write your own Dear So and So letters. If you have already wrote your letters be sure to link up!
Love, Kat
------------------
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Is It Wednesday Yet?
No? Only Tuesday? Drat!
This is how I generally feel at the end of school holidays. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids. I just love my kids better when they are in school. There is a rhythm to our life that happens when they are in school. The come home bursting with interesting things to tell me about their day and what they have learned as opposed to fighting every three minutes about who is playing with what toy. I don't care who is playing with it just quit fighting!! I like having the freedom to do all the chores I have for the day in the morning without having a child underfoot. I want my house back in some sort of form of organized chaos as opposed to just chaos.
I do love the beginning of school holidays. I love having my babies home to watch movies and play games. I like to do a bit of drawing with them. I actually like taking my kids out with me to run quick errands at the beginning of the holidays, ya know, when they still have their listening ears on from school. Then as the weeks roll by, two of them this holiday, my nerves start to fray. Their actions become more cheeky. My voice apparently starts to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher. And then I start looking at the calendar on my wall like the enemy. It taunts me with it's numbers and the label of "Beginning of Term". That calendar is an a-hole. My kids are heathens who need to be in school. Mommy needs a break.
Thank goodness school starts tomorrow.
This is how I generally feel at the end of school holidays. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids. I just love my kids better when they are in school. There is a rhythm to our life that happens when they are in school. The come home bursting with interesting things to tell me about their day and what they have learned as opposed to fighting every three minutes about who is playing with what toy.
I do love the beginning of school holidays. I love having my babies home to watch movies and play games. I like to do a bit of drawing with them. I actually like taking my kids out with me to run quick errands at the beginning of the holidays, ya know, when they still have their listening ears on from school. Then as the weeks roll by, two of them this holiday, my nerves start to fray. Their actions become more cheeky. My voice apparently starts to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher. And then I start looking at the calendar on my wall like the enemy. It taunts me with it's numbers and the label of "Beginning of Term". That calendar is an a-hole. My kids are heathens who need to be in school. Mommy needs a break.
Thank goodness school starts tomorrow.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)