Monday, August 27, 2012
First Day of Kindergarten!
Here's the big man on his first day of school. He cried as I was getting ready to leave him at daycare, which of course made me cry, but it didn't last long. Can't wait to hear about his first day!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Where did summer go?
I can't believe that the end of August is so close and we're heading into fall. I've already been thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas; using the slow-cooker for dinners; football games; and cool evenings around a campfire. That said, the fall is going to be a little dfferent for us this year. As of next Monday, we will have a kindergartener on our hands. JD's also signed up for soccer, which means Saturday games after labor day (of course that's if he decides he's going to participate...there's a story coming...wait for it.)
Last week I started taking JD to All About Kids Learning Center, which is the daycare his buddy Connor goes to. I wanted him to get a feel for being out of the house from 6:30 until 4 and also to get used to the place since he'll be going for before school care. I figured there'd be some crying and drama, but I was pleasantly surprised by my brave little man. He did great! He went Wednesday, which was a field trip lunch to Captain Dan's seefood restaurant, and he also went Friday. Today is the only day he's going this week and the field trip is to the local bowling alley and he's been dying to go bowling again, so that worked out great. Tomorrow is kindergarten orientation where we'll see his classroom and meet his teacher and find out anything else we need to know before school satrts on Monday.
Eveyone keeps asking if he's excited and honestly, I don't know. I keep telling him, like a little countdown, how many more days till school starts and he just says okay. I mean, really, he has done this before at Carrolltowne the last 2 years, so maybe it's no big deal to him. The other thing everyone asks is how I am. Um, okay. Is it weird not to feel all upset that he's growing up. The only thing I really feel about it is stressed at all the added work I get...making lunches, getting him up and dressed and to daycare, helping with homework. Yeah, his dad can help, but let's be real people, it's gonna all fall on mom. Maybe I'll get a little teary eyed as I drop him off at daycare on Monday, but having worked full time since he's been about 3 months old, I'm used to being away from him during the day. I'm more excited to hear about his first day and all the following days and what he's learning.
As for soccer...well, we're two practices in and it's not going so well. The first practice last week was called short due to lightening. Of course that was about 10 minutes after JD decided to participate (after standing around for the first 20 minutes!) This week was worse. He spent the entire practice standing on the sideline watching. We'll try again next week, but it's kind of rediculous. Had a huge debate amongst facebook friends last night on wehether it's okay to let them quit or should you make them stick it out. Our decision at the end of that was we'll try again next week and go from there. Maybe after being at school and playing with other kids at recess, he'll be more likely to participate.
It's also time for the MD Rennfest to start up. We'll miss the first few weeks and probably only go a handful of times this year, because of soccer, a camping trip to Gettysburg and also a trip to Richmond for a wedding.
Let the fun begin!
Last week I started taking JD to All About Kids Learning Center, which is the daycare his buddy Connor goes to. I wanted him to get a feel for being out of the house from 6:30 until 4 and also to get used to the place since he'll be going for before school care. I figured there'd be some crying and drama, but I was pleasantly surprised by my brave little man. He did great! He went Wednesday, which was a field trip lunch to Captain Dan's seefood restaurant, and he also went Friday. Today is the only day he's going this week and the field trip is to the local bowling alley and he's been dying to go bowling again, so that worked out great. Tomorrow is kindergarten orientation where we'll see his classroom and meet his teacher and find out anything else we need to know before school satrts on Monday.
Eveyone keeps asking if he's excited and honestly, I don't know. I keep telling him, like a little countdown, how many more days till school starts and he just says okay. I mean, really, he has done this before at Carrolltowne the last 2 years, so maybe it's no big deal to him. The other thing everyone asks is how I am. Um, okay. Is it weird not to feel all upset that he's growing up. The only thing I really feel about it is stressed at all the added work I get...making lunches, getting him up and dressed and to daycare, helping with homework. Yeah, his dad can help, but let's be real people, it's gonna all fall on mom. Maybe I'll get a little teary eyed as I drop him off at daycare on Monday, but having worked full time since he's been about 3 months old, I'm used to being away from him during the day. I'm more excited to hear about his first day and all the following days and what he's learning.
As for soccer...well, we're two practices in and it's not going so well. The first practice last week was called short due to lightening. Of course that was about 10 minutes after JD decided to participate (after standing around for the first 20 minutes!) This week was worse. He spent the entire practice standing on the sideline watching. We'll try again next week, but it's kind of rediculous. Had a huge debate amongst facebook friends last night on wehether it's okay to let them quit or should you make them stick it out. Our decision at the end of that was we'll try again next week and go from there. Maybe after being at school and playing with other kids at recess, he'll be more likely to participate.
It's also time for the MD Rennfest to start up. We'll miss the first few weeks and probably only go a handful of times this year, because of soccer, a camping trip to Gettysburg and also a trip to Richmond for a wedding.
Let the fun begin!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Where does he come up with this stuff?
Last night my friend Lisa told me her daughter loved the Wee Chefs camp that JD also went to earlier in the summer. She also told me they are having a special Chirstmas version...one evening in early December for a few hours. So as JD is getting in bed, I say "Listen bud, Miss Lisa told me that Addie loved Wee Chefs and they are having a special Christmas one in December." He stops dead in his tracks and says "Keep talkin'!" ROFL Have no idea where he heard that. I asked if he wanted to go and of course he said yes. He's so excited to do Wee Chefs again and to have a friend going with him this time.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Casting away our troubles for a week...
We just got back from a week in Ocean City, MD at the Castaways RV Resport and Campground...and when we left, we rebooked for next year! Obviously we had a a great time. LOL
We arrived on Sunday, July 8 and luckily used the speedy check in option, which meant less things to do when we registered. They had our packet all ready to go and showed us to our site. We were a few yards away from thier beach and the tiki bar. Our only problem was that we couldn't put the awning on the trailer out becasue of a tree. Luckily we have an easy-up tent and put that over the picnic table...problem solved. Spent the rest of the day checking things out and them met up with the Magees (Scott, Missy and Hunter...friends from home who told us about the place). We had a pretty bad storm go through on Sunday night and some rain into Monday a.m., but until the following Saturday, that's all the rain we had.
Monday:
I got up after the rain stopped and went for a run on the road to the campground. When I got back JD had decided to try out the kids camp they have from 9 am to 11 am everyday. The kids play games and make crafts and are supervised by staff. Reece couldn't resist the golf cart rental, so we had a golf cart for 3 days. He and JD had fun riding around. We spent the rest of the day either on the beach or at the pool. JD loved being in the water, which is great since he's still learning to swim.
Tuesday:
We got up early and went to the beach with the Magees at low tide. Walked out on the sand bars to look for sand dollars and clams and other critters. After about 45 min, Reece and I walked back, becasue JD didn't want to go so he waited for and watched us us on the beach. Missy, Scott and Hunter fround 3 sand dollars and a snall horseshoe crab. We then went to O.C. to the board walk and did we walk...from the inlet to the Kite Loft. Reece had to buy a new trick kite and then had to go use it right away. It looked cloudly that morning, but it got HOT. While he was wrapping up, JD went down the wodden stair to the beach and got s huge splinter in his finger. Now we have to walk all the way back to the inlet with a crying child...or make that I had to carry the crying child all the way back to the inlet. Finally decided to go to the Coast Guard Station to see if we could get some first aid...the guy who helped us with JD was great, even with all the screaming he did. He removed the splinter (had to use a needle to break the skin, hence the scremaing) and then we took JD for ice cream. JS slept the whole way back to the campground, thank goodness becasue there was traffic from an accident on the bridge. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool swimming.
Wednesday:
We were up early for our SuperFun Eco Tour from Assateague Island. This group of guys are awesome and very passionate about what they do. We kayaked on the bay side of the island, where pelican flew overhead, and stopped to get out in some shallow water. They caught crabs, grass shrimp, orange sponges, lug worm egg sacks (aka, sea snot...and it really does look like snot) and some small fish amd told us about each of them. After we got back we again went to the pool, but finished up early to get ready for dinner with the Magees and the McCollums, who were staying in OC that week. We got steamed crabs and shrimp and JD, Hunter and Addie had fun running all over the play ground.
Thursday:
I decided to try the fitness room and used the eliptical. Nice, since I haven't used one since I gave up my gym membership after having JD. We went to Assateauge National Seashore for a good part of the day. Played in the waves and flew our kites. JD was getting pretty brave near the water. I was standing behind him holding his hand and he kept stepping us closer to the water. Even though I was watching the waves one caught us off guard and knocked us both over. He was okay and got right back up for more. So glad he's getting over his fear of the waves and ocean. We got a close up look at some of the ponies that were in the parking lot. I have to say, people are stupid....they were getting really close to the ponies and there are signs everywhere that tell you not to do this. There are even photos of pony bites in the bathrooms. Guess some people like to learn the hard way. Tonight we sat on the beach near the tiki bar where they had live music until quiet hours started. Brought our cooler of beer and got a few frozen drinks from the bar...just like the original Seacrets...Pain in de Ass and Dirty Bananas. Yum! Once it got dark, we gave the boys glo-bracelets so we could see them and they pretended they were element power bands to fight each other. They had a blast.
Friday:
It was back to OC early to hit the boardwalk for Ficsher's Popcorn and saltwater taffy to bring home for gifts. We found a great pizza place called Piesanos...just like pizza I grew up having in NJ. We went back to playland to win some more tickets so JD could pick a prize and then headed home. Spent the afternoon at the campground down the road called Frontier Town. They have a great water park and we played mini-golf too. Spent another night on the beach listening to a band and they boys having power band duels. I could get used to this!
Saturday:
We started packing up a little and Reece set our stuff up on the beach. Just as JD and I came down I noticed tthe dark clouds movning in and it started to rain. Decided to meet up with Missy, SCott and Hunter for lunch and Pizza Tugos and then headed back to do some more packing. We set the boys up with a movie that night and Missy, Scott, Reece and I hung out and had a few drinks...yeah, we had quite a few drinks this week!
On the way out Sunday we scheduled for next year and were able to get the site next to use, without a tree in the way of the awning. Yay! The Magees will be there too! Made it home around 2-2:30 and did some un packing and got ready for the coming week...back to reality. :-(
We'd recommend the campground to anyone...nice sites, friendly staff, shuttle to OC and Assateague, programs for the kids, events scheduled all week, a camp store that wasn't over priced, thier own beach, a tiki bar and a deli onsite...they've got thier bases covered. Will have to get some pictures up soon!
We arrived on Sunday, July 8 and luckily used the speedy check in option, which meant less things to do when we registered. They had our packet all ready to go and showed us to our site. We were a few yards away from thier beach and the tiki bar. Our only problem was that we couldn't put the awning on the trailer out becasue of a tree. Luckily we have an easy-up tent and put that over the picnic table...problem solved. Spent the rest of the day checking things out and them met up with the Magees (Scott, Missy and Hunter...friends from home who told us about the place). We had a pretty bad storm go through on Sunday night and some rain into Monday a.m., but until the following Saturday, that's all the rain we had.
Monday:
I got up after the rain stopped and went for a run on the road to the campground. When I got back JD had decided to try out the kids camp they have from 9 am to 11 am everyday. The kids play games and make crafts and are supervised by staff. Reece couldn't resist the golf cart rental, so we had a golf cart for 3 days. He and JD had fun riding around. We spent the rest of the day either on the beach or at the pool. JD loved being in the water, which is great since he's still learning to swim.
Tuesday:
We got up early and went to the beach with the Magees at low tide. Walked out on the sand bars to look for sand dollars and clams and other critters. After about 45 min, Reece and I walked back, becasue JD didn't want to go so he waited for and watched us us on the beach. Missy, Scott and Hunter fround 3 sand dollars and a snall horseshoe crab. We then went to O.C. to the board walk and did we walk...from the inlet to the Kite Loft. Reece had to buy a new trick kite and then had to go use it right away. It looked cloudly that morning, but it got HOT. While he was wrapping up, JD went down the wodden stair to the beach and got s huge splinter in his finger. Now we have to walk all the way back to the inlet with a crying child...or make that I had to carry the crying child all the way back to the inlet. Finally decided to go to the Coast Guard Station to see if we could get some first aid...the guy who helped us with JD was great, even with all the screaming he did. He removed the splinter (had to use a needle to break the skin, hence the scremaing) and then we took JD for ice cream. JS slept the whole way back to the campground, thank goodness becasue there was traffic from an accident on the bridge. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool swimming.
Wednesday:
We were up early for our SuperFun Eco Tour from Assateague Island. This group of guys are awesome and very passionate about what they do. We kayaked on the bay side of the island, where pelican flew overhead, and stopped to get out in some shallow water. They caught crabs, grass shrimp, orange sponges, lug worm egg sacks (aka, sea snot...and it really does look like snot) and some small fish amd told us about each of them. After we got back we again went to the pool, but finished up early to get ready for dinner with the Magees and the McCollums, who were staying in OC that week. We got steamed crabs and shrimp and JD, Hunter and Addie had fun running all over the play ground.
Thursday:
I decided to try the fitness room and used the eliptical. Nice, since I haven't used one since I gave up my gym membership after having JD. We went to Assateauge National Seashore for a good part of the day. Played in the waves and flew our kites. JD was getting pretty brave near the water. I was standing behind him holding his hand and he kept stepping us closer to the water. Even though I was watching the waves one caught us off guard and knocked us both over. He was okay and got right back up for more. So glad he's getting over his fear of the waves and ocean. We got a close up look at some of the ponies that were in the parking lot. I have to say, people are stupid....they were getting really close to the ponies and there are signs everywhere that tell you not to do this. There are even photos of pony bites in the bathrooms. Guess some people like to learn the hard way. Tonight we sat on the beach near the tiki bar where they had live music until quiet hours started. Brought our cooler of beer and got a few frozen drinks from the bar...just like the original Seacrets...Pain in de Ass and Dirty Bananas. Yum! Once it got dark, we gave the boys glo-bracelets so we could see them and they pretended they were element power bands to fight each other. They had a blast.
Friday:
It was back to OC early to hit the boardwalk for Ficsher's Popcorn and saltwater taffy to bring home for gifts. We found a great pizza place called Piesanos...just like pizza I grew up having in NJ. We went back to playland to win some more tickets so JD could pick a prize and then headed home. Spent the afternoon at the campground down the road called Frontier Town. They have a great water park and we played mini-golf too. Spent another night on the beach listening to a band and they boys having power band duels. I could get used to this!
Saturday:
We started packing up a little and Reece set our stuff up on the beach. Just as JD and I came down I noticed tthe dark clouds movning in and it started to rain. Decided to meet up with Missy, SCott and Hunter for lunch and Pizza Tugos and then headed back to do some more packing. We set the boys up with a movie that night and Missy, Scott, Reece and I hung out and had a few drinks...yeah, we had quite a few drinks this week!
On the way out Sunday we scheduled for next year and were able to get the site next to use, without a tree in the way of the awning. Yay! The Magees will be there too! Made it home around 2-2:30 and did some un packing and got ready for the coming week...back to reality. :-(
We'd recommend the campground to anyone...nice sites, friendly staff, shuttle to OC and Assateague, programs for the kids, events scheduled all week, a camp store that wasn't over priced, thier own beach, a tiki bar and a deli onsite...they've got thier bases covered. Will have to get some pictures up soon!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Learning to be hungry....
I decided to join a co-worker on her pre-boot camp diet. It's called The Fat Smash Plan and it's by the doctor from Celebrity Fit Club. The guy who runs the boot camp suggests it on his website. It's a 4 phase program and the first phase is the most restrictive. So, for the past 8 days (today is day 9) we couldn't have meat, cheese, bread, white potatoes, whole eggs/egg yolk, dessert/sweets, soda, coffee, caffiene, pretzels/tortilla chips, fried food, fast food...I think that's it. Anyway, I've been getting pretty creative with beans, brown rice, egg whites, yogurt, all fruits and veggies (except avocado), skim or low fat milk (which I hardly ever drink), tahini paste (process with chickpeas and lemon = hummus), hot unsweetened cereal (i.e., oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat), water. I've lost 2 lbs since the beginning and have put a major dent in my sweet tooth. I've even got the boys eating whole wheat bread (even though I can't yet)...Reece's idea. He said if JD eats it, let's stick with it.
Tomorrow, I can add back to the list of food you can eat for any given day: 3 oz of lean meat or fish, unsweetened dry cereal, 1 oz of cheese, coffee (YAY!), 1 whole egg, 1/2 avocado, and peanut butter! There may be a few others, but these are the ones we're excited about. LOL So this phase lasts for 3 weeks...which will include our OC beach week. We'll see how I do. Gonna really try to stick with it as close as I can. Fresh fruits and veggies for snacking and with meals....not too many desserts/treats...BUT, how will I resisit the yummy Seacrets frozen drinks at the bar at the beach in the campground???!!! Well, if they are like the ones at the main Seacrets Bar in downtown OC, then their price will keep me from drinking more than a few.
Switched back to running and P90, since that's what seemed to work the best for me. They have water aerobics and Zumba at the campground and I can always bring my running shoes for a morning jog.
Looking forward to turning around how and what we eat at home and to our week at the beach. Oh yeah...not gonna give up steamed crabs while we're there either. :-)
UPDATE: Lost 5 lbs from June 18 to July 6 and it really wasn't that hard to follow. It really did lessen my sweet tooth. However, being on vacatino and drinking lots of beer didn't help. Getting back on track with Phase II food list.
Tomorrow, I can add back to the list of food you can eat for any given day: 3 oz of lean meat or fish, unsweetened dry cereal, 1 oz of cheese, coffee (YAY!), 1 whole egg, 1/2 avocado, and peanut butter! There may be a few others, but these are the ones we're excited about. LOL So this phase lasts for 3 weeks...which will include our OC beach week. We'll see how I do. Gonna really try to stick with it as close as I can. Fresh fruits and veggies for snacking and with meals....not too many desserts/treats...BUT, how will I resisit the yummy Seacrets frozen drinks at the bar at the beach in the campground???!!! Well, if they are like the ones at the main Seacrets Bar in downtown OC, then their price will keep me from drinking more than a few.
Switched back to running and P90, since that's what seemed to work the best for me. They have water aerobics and Zumba at the campground and I can always bring my running shoes for a morning jog.
Looking forward to turning around how and what we eat at home and to our week at the beach. Oh yeah...not gonna give up steamed crabs while we're there either. :-)
UPDATE: Lost 5 lbs from June 18 to July 6 and it really wasn't that hard to follow. It really did lessen my sweet tooth. However, being on vacatino and drinking lots of beer didn't help. Getting back on track with Phase II food list.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A new rule...
This happened a little while ago and I never posted about it. It's too funny not to share. I had been reading a book called "How to Tuck in a Superhero" that I found on Pinterest and a friend recommened. It's about a woman who has 5 sons and the crazy life they have and the crazy rules she never thought she'd ever have to make. I laughed alot reading it and then I had to laugh at myself, because I had the "I can't believe I had to make that rule" experieince. One day at grandmom's, JD decided he didn't want to put underwear on when he got dressed, so when he got home, he decided he should. When I got home, that's all he was wearing...his underwear...backward. Okay. So later in the evening I saw him taking small toys and things and putting them down the front of his underwear (remember, they're on backward so he's got lots of room). Okay. Then he comes to me in the kitchen and tells me how much he likes collecting things and walks off to the living room and starts removing his "collection." And I'm in the kitchen listening..."I've got a car, and another car, and a bunny, and a block, and a truck and a trash can (from his Trash Pack toys)...and a PIECE OF CHEESE, and..." "What?! Please tell me you don't have cheese in there" I call to him. He comes to the kitchen with a big goofy grin and a mashed up Kraft Single, still in the wrapper...that he had "collected". (I had asked him to put it away earlier after he took out more pieces than he could eat and left it on the coffee table.) So, I told him, "New rule, no collecting food in your underwear!" Really.
Life is never dull.
Life is never dull.
And the summer madness begins...
We're 6 days into June and I'm already updating calenders and checking dates, seeing where we can squeeze everything in. Then on top of that, how do we pay for it. Fun, fun!
In the next 4-5 weeks, we've got soccer camp and then Wee-Chefs camp for JD; a playdate with friends after work; dinner with a friend (hopefully); a scrapbook crop day; Swinefest (BBQ and beer festival in Frederick, MD); Father's Day; 4th of July and our week at the beach. I'm also trying to find time to get together with April and Karen and their families while April is visiting from FL. It's been a few years since I've seen her and it would be nice to see them and meet their new little boy.
It's kind of looking like Rennfest is going to be a short season for us this year with JD starting before school care the last week of August and having to pay $200 a month. Granted, that's not alot compared to what we could have been paying for the last 5 years in regular daycare, but with the new truck payment and Reece back to smoking, it puts a dent in the "fun" funds. I think I need to go through a bunch of the baby stuff we had for JD...the big stuff like strollers, exercisers, and such...and get it to a consignment shop to sell. That should help a little with the "fun" funds.
In the next 4-5 weeks, we've got soccer camp and then Wee-Chefs camp for JD; a playdate with friends after work; dinner with a friend (hopefully); a scrapbook crop day; Swinefest (BBQ and beer festival in Frederick, MD); Father's Day; 4th of July and our week at the beach. I'm also trying to find time to get together with April and Karen and their families while April is visiting from FL. It's been a few years since I've seen her and it would be nice to see them and meet their new little boy.
It's kind of looking like Rennfest is going to be a short season for us this year with JD starting before school care the last week of August and having to pay $200 a month. Granted, that's not alot compared to what we could have been paying for the last 5 years in regular daycare, but with the new truck payment and Reece back to smoking, it puts a dent in the "fun" funds. I think I need to go through a bunch of the baby stuff we had for JD...the big stuff like strollers, exercisers, and such...and get it to a consignment shop to sell. That should help a little with the "fun" funds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)