Counting Money & My Hair

Jay has 2 whammies against him in terms of his learning, he has me and Mike. Don't get me wrong, Mike and I are good parents and we love our boys but Mike has always had problems with reading and spelling. I, on the other hand, have always had problems in math. My mom almost fainted 12 years ago when I got my workers comp job and she realized I would be processing payroll and writing huge checks. So far, I haven't screwed up so I know there is hope for Jay. But that poor kid..........not only is he struggling in reading but he's having a heck of a time counting money too. Tonight he and Mike sat at the bar and counted money for 45 minutes. It was painful to watch because I could remember myself in 1st grade thinking I was going to go into adulthood and not know how to count money. Overall, Jay is good in math but counting money and making change is another story.

On another separate subject but still on the subject of mothers. What is it with daughters needing their mothers approval with their hair? My mother reads my blog daily so I know she'll get a kick out of this. Over the weekend my mom tells me I need to push my hair back from my face so she recommened I buy a head-band so, of course I did (against my better judgement). My sister told me on Saturday night when I wore the head-band that (quote), "Amy your hair looks like shit." Today, I wore the head-band again and by 9:00 I had a raging headache. I emailed my mother to tell her I did not appreciate her hair advice. Her response to me (and I quote again).........."Well did you get any compliments on your hair......and sometimes beauty hurts."

Easter Eggs

We died easter eggs this weekend. Jay used green and blue and his fingers now look like he has gangrene!

What I Love About A Small Town

Tonight was one of those nights that I am reminded of why I live in a small town and why I love it. It's good to get those reminders because living in a small town does have its disadvantages. After dinner tonight I took the boys to the park. This park is so small (but the boys love it) that I can sit on a bench and see my children at all times. Plus there is a huge fence around the park so they can't get out anyway. Jay's friend from school was there so they happily played together. When Jay's friend left the park, I saw this little girl and her dad walk hand and hand home because home is only a couple of blocks away. After playing at the park (in the nice weather) we went to the local ice cream shop. I ran into my good friend and neighbor, Laura, and her girls. We ordered our ice cream and sat and ate it with Laura and the girls. We were surrounded by old people who were also just out enjoying a nice night. You can always tell that old people just like to sit back and watch when young children are around. I heard some of them chuckle at some of the things Nick would say (Imagine that?). It was a nice leisurely evening in my small town!

An Uneventful Week

I don't have much to write tonight. Jay and Nick have not provided me with any stories lately and Nick has "toned" down his penis talk. Jay is on spring break. He never complains about going to daycare but he's starting to get a little old for daycare. Thankfully, he has split the week up between staying with Aunt Mimi, Nana and me on Friday so he only had to go to daycare 2 days this wee. He enjoyed going to the zoo today with Nana.
I am just anxious for Friday. Next week is my last week in Workers Compensation. I can't believe it. I have worked in that department for almost 12 years. I got married and had my babies working for the same boss in the same department and truthfully I have really loved that job. It's been good to me and I've formed a lot of friendships. My depature will be bittersweet for me, I'm sure.

Cha Ching

My blog for today has nothing to do with this picture of Nick. I just thought this picture was hilarious. Only Nick would be dressed in an undershirt, underwear, winter boots and his safety glasses (the thumbs up was just the "icing on the cake") to work in the shop with his dad.
I took Jay back to the eye doctor today. He was diagnosed with what is called convergence insufficiency (man, I hope I spelled all that right) in December 2008. In other words he has trouble tracking words on a page (hence all his problems with reading). He had made progress earlier this year but today was not so good. He had trouble following objects so we have to start the eye exercises again. He was also prescribed reading glasses today. I was in first grade when I got my glasses too. Jay didn't seemed the least bit bothered that he had to get glasses. He was excited to pick them out and I was having fun helping him until they gave me the final price of $300!!!!!!!! I literally gasped. As a parent you do what you have to do, especially when it comes to your child succeeding in school or their health. I just wasn't prepared to make the first installment on his college tuition with a pair of glasses (ha).

A Friend & Family Weekend

We had such a nice weekend. On Friday night the boys and I went to visit our good friend, Debbie. Between Debbie and I we have 5 boys! Most people would think that putting 5 boys together (that range in age from 7-2) would be a recipe for disaster but it never is. Our boys play together so great and truly enjoy seeing each other.

On Saturday night, Kim and I "swapped" kids. Lauren spent the night with us and Nick spent the night with his Aunt Mimi. Jay and Lauren are so cute together. Jay is very patient and kind with her. She played in the yard with us last night getting "down and dirty" with her Uncle Mike and cousin, Jay. I am so blessed to have such good friends and family.

Nickel Pickel and Bath-time

Jay had Cub Scouts tonight with Mike so it was just Nick and I! We enjoyed our evening and as usual, he made me laugh!

Nick's Obsession with the "P" word

Nick did it again tonight. Mike was working so the boys & I took a nice stroll over to the neighbors house. My neighbor, Jeff and I were chatting, enjoying the nice weather and watching our kids play. Nick was having trouble with a button on his shirt. Jeff leaned down to help him and commented to Nick that it looked like he had a full belly. Nick then belted out (very loudly, I might add)............."MY DAD HAS A BIG PENIS." Jeff and I laughed out loud and I think I turned every shade of red. Thankfully, Jeff has a good sense of humor and has 4 year old twins so he knows that kids can say some crazy, off the wall things.
Once again, my Nickel Pickel has proven that we just never know what he's going to say!

PS - Oh Yeah.......after we got home from being outside all evening, Nick decided to poop in the bathtub. It was "lovely."

The Church Mint Man

Every Sunday when the boys & I go to church there is an older gentleman who greets us with a mint (and no, he's not trying to tell us we have bad breath, he passes out the mints to everyone). The boys look forward to this when we go to church. So today, after I got Nick settled in the nursery, Jay & I sat down to enjoy the service. As soon as we sat down Jay got the most horrendous look on his face & he was almost in tears. I immediately asked him what was wrong and he didn't say.....I had no idea what his problem was but I thought my 7 year old son was about to have an all out crying fit if I didn't get him out of church. I took him out to the narthex and he was able to tell me his mint was lodged in his throat. He was still breathing and not turning blue but I was a little panicky. Then Jay acted like was he was going throw up all over the narthex so I took him outside. By this time the same older gentleman who had given Jay his mint came out to see if we were okay. Jay appeared to be okay so I went to get him a drink of water to help the mint dissolve.
Thankfully Jay was okay. I think the mint had just lodged itself and was very uncomfortable. Needless to say it was quite a church service for us. I doubt Jay will eat another mint any time soon.

Okay, I'm an idiot with my prior blog.........it was meant to say....good times with Aunt Mimi and cousin, Lauren at the Discovery Museum.

Discovery Museum

Good times with Aunt Mimi and cousin, Lauren at the Discovery Museum.

Strengths

Recently Mike & I attended a conference with Jay's teacher. Based on a questionaire that Mike & I filled out and his teacher filled out, it concluded that Jay is at high risk for ADHD. I debated whether or not to write about this but it's been consuming me for days which has now turned into weeks. At home, Jay really doesn't display any ADD or ADHD characteristics. This is a boy who can sit down on the tile floor for up to an hour and put puzzles together, play a memory game or sit quietly at his lego table and tinker. It wasn't always this way but I've seen a huge growth in Jay's maturity. I could go on and on but the truth is, I just don't know and I'm struggling with that. At this time we have not discussed this with his peditrician. Part of me thinks that if we try the medication and it helps him then we have done just that, helped Jay which is a positive thing but the other part of me is completely baffled based on some of the things I read about ADHD. Jay is a good mix between Mike & I. We both struggled with learning disorders in school and in our adult life we've learned what works for us and what doesn't. I had to laugh because in the recent conference we had with Jay's teacher, I was diligently taking notes (I have trouble processing auditory information) and Mike was listening, processing every word she said. Even a week later Mike could tell you eveything that was discussed in that conference. I, on the other hand, would have to get my notes. My good friend, Mary, reminded me of something very important the other day.............Focus on your strengths! Mike & I would not be where we are today if we hadn't of focused on our strengths. I know for a fact that when I landed my claims job almost 12 years ago that my boss hired me because of my personality. Then, when I recently found out I was accepted for a new job in Public Affiars the first thing this supervisor told my current supervisor was, "Amy was so personable." My personality did it for me again. And something like your personality is so simple, at least it is to me anyway. I'm already trying to get across to Jay that he'll have to work harder than everyone else but as my grandma says...."That's just the way it is." Jay has so many stregthens that I know will lead him throughout his education and later in life.

Boys & Trains

Sometimes & I do mean sometimes my boys actually get along and tonight was one of those nights (so I have to capture it on camera as it rarely happens). They re-built Nick's train table together and I never heard any "fussing" the entire time. Miracles really do happen!!

10 Signs That You're The Mother of Boys!!

-You can't walk 10 feet in your own home without tripping over trucks or cars
-You can identify all kinds of construction equipment
-Burping and farting no longer gross you out
-You walk into church covered in snow (from snowballs) in the winter time
-You have given up all hopes of your boys trying to avoid those muddy puddles
-You get the sudden urge in August to stop on a country road to find the perfect caterpillar
-You make sure you call weeks in advance to get hair cuts scheduled for your boys
-You wonder if the toliet seat will ever be "yours" again
-You hope they grow up to be good, honest men
-You love, love, love them & all the dirt that comes with them

Jesus & Jay

On Thursday Jay apparently did not have a very good day at school. That evening I was driving the boys home from daycare when Jay tells me that Jesus talked to him and told him that tomorrow (Friday) was going to be a much better day. Then he asked me if Jesus could send us letters in the mail. I told Jay that I was glad Jesus had spoken to Jay but that No, Jesus was not able to send us letters through the US mail. Ha.

TGIF

Thank goodness it's Friday! Today has been a really good day. First off, the temperature got up to 72 degrees today. I had to run errands this afernoon and I noticed that people were so friendly. The warm, sunny weather really helps to improve peoples moods, mine included.
This morning I found out that I got accepted for the developmental opportunity in Public Affairs. My official title will be that of a Public Affairs Specialist. I will be doing a lot writing which I'm looking forward to. The job starts on March 30 and runs through November. The plan is that I will return to my claims job in November unless something becomes available. I'm really excited about this new opportunity but nervous too. I've been working claims for almost 12 years now so this will be a big change for me but one that I welcome.
Jay has been complaining of a sore throat for awhile now but I thought it had cleared up. Today, I finally took him to the doctor and sure enough he has strep throat. I felt really bad that I had waited. He's on medication now and should be better by tomorrow. You would never know he was sick. He's not running a fever and running around like he always does.

Afternoon Hugs

Every night when I get home from work the boys run to me with big hugs yelling "Mommy!!" Or, so I thought both my boys were doing this. It suddenly occurred to me this week that Jay doesn't do that anymore. In fact sometimes I actually have to go looking for him in the house to greet him in the afternoons. He's usually hiding playfully from me, ready to jump out and scare me rather than hug me. I know that Jay still ran to me when I would get home from work when he was Nick's age but I'm wondering when it stopped. It's bittersweet because although he no longer runs to me after work with big hugs I still get to tuck him in bed at night and he still likes me to read to him. After I read to him I rub his feet (his choice over having his back rubbed). It's our nightly ritual. Only I know how much Jay likes it when I rub between his toes (don't ask me why he likes this but it relaxes him, go figure). He also still has to go to bed with the "blankie" he's had since birth so there are still some "little boy" things about Jay that I'm savoring because I know soon enough these days will only be a memory and I'm left wondering where did all the time go? I wish I could slow time down for a little while because soon Nick, my baby, won't be greeting me at the door anymore either. But then when I fast forward my life to another 7 years, knowing my two boys they will probably be greeting me at the door with farts & burps asking me what I'm making for dinner, after they ask me how my day was! Ha.

Happy Birthday Nana

Today is my mom's 58th birthday. We celebrated this weekendwith a party........A beach party, that is. Kim made pina coladas (Gosh, I hope I spelled that right) and they were yummy. We had kabobs, potatoes, pineapple salad and my grandma's famous red velvet cake. It was a really good time. We are so blessed that we all live so close and can spend birthdays and holidays together. Happy Birthday Mom!!