So today was the day that L had a "play date". Is second grade to old to call them play dates? Anyway, we were all, and I do mean ALL, looking forward to this. The boys were excited because it meant that they got to play the Wii all day in exchange for leaving L and her friend alone. I was excited, because it meant that L was going to be otherwise occupied by someone else for a chunk of time, but also because I was interested to see how things changed when she was playing with another girl for a change. Poor thing doesn't have anyone to play Barbies with, or have tea parties or play dress up. Not that I really know whether or not she even wants to do that sort of stuff, but I figured today would be the day I would find out.
Well, we got back from getting M's trombone (source of many blogs to come, I am sure) with just minutes to spare before the playmate arrived. I think I saw maybe two hairs of her before L had her whisked out to the back yard to "play with" the ducks. Now this is always a touchy subject, not only because playing with the ducks involves slogging around in the poopy back yard, but also because not EVERYONE thinks that the ducks are all That. Fortunately, it went smoothly. Lunch went well (hot dogs and apples, yum), bikes were ridden, scooters were scooted, hide was seeked and up was dressed.
It was at this point that I made my first tactical error. They were having such a good time when the two hours were up, I just couldn't force myself to call it quits, so I called and got permission to keep her around for a couple more hours. Exactly one half hour later, it all started to go down hill. Now, I knew that two hours was the suggested limit for most successful play dates, especially on the first time out. I KNEW it! But we slogged it out for the next one and a half hours, through repeated beggings for cookies (we stopped at one, which apparently is completely unacceptable), arguing over video games, whining over toys, wanting to hang out with me at the kitchen table while I attempted to sew, etc etc etc.
Now all of this was done by the friend. L was a trooper, despite being incensed when her brother M attempted to help said friend at a game on the Wii. I was all proud that he was being so patient and L was P.O.d that she lost again (something all to common for her with her brothers, I'm afraid).But L was otherwise patient with her friend, moving from one thing to another without too much of a complaint and not bossing too much. I was proud of her.
The capper to the day was when it was time to take the friend home. Grandpa had dropped her off and was a bit scattered with extra kids in the car, so after not being able to recall his address right off the top of his head (been there, done that), he said that she should be able to get us back to the house, it was a "straight shot" down Glenwood. Well the minute we got out of the driveway and to the end of our street, she was lost. Well duh! What 2nd grader could find their way out of a box with four other kids in the car talking at her??? Well, after a loop around what I thought was her neighborhood, a stop for gas, and trip back home for my phone (which had actually been in my pocket the whole time)we called her home and found out that, while we were on the right road, we were actually on the WRONG road. Apparently there are three or four roads in this area with this particular name! An hour later she was safely back home and I was drinking a bot....er, glass of wine.
Was it a success? Yeah, I think so. Not exactly the best friend, girl day that I was hoping for, but I would do it again. However, next time, being the second time, we will be very strict with the 2 to 2 1/2 hour time limit. And I think we will hold off on the overnight that they were begging for...is it mean of me to not want to do it until L has a home of her own?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
okay...officially Day One
Okay, first day back with everyone in the house. Wow.
I should stop right there to give it the proper emphasis, but I will go on. Spent the morning trying to figure out B's *&;%^$* Ripstick that I hoped and prayed someone would get him for Christmas. By this morning, he was already asking if he could sell it on Craigslist. I, however, am hooked. Nope, can't move an inch on it, mostly just trying to balance, which from what I hear is NOT the way to learn how to ride it. Apparently you are supposed to place it at the crest of the hill, step on and scream "BLOODY HELL" as you go propelling off into space hoping to GOD that your life insurance is up to date. But as I don't even have a helmet that fits me, I had to be content with hanging on to Ben as he tried to walk me up and down the driveway. I swear I could hear Jerry, across the street, laughing his butt off. Don't worry, Favorite Aunt Laura, I will, I mean, B will prevail and conquer the Ripstick (thank you, thank you, thank you!). But then we took out the pogo stick he got from Nana and Poppy. I ROCKED the pogo stick. Can we say "21 jumps on first try"? Yes, I am a pogo goddess. Something to aspire to.
I am sad to say that I am dying to take down all the Christmas stuff, but as I made fun of Tutu not three days ago, for telling me that she used to have it all boxed up before Christmas evening, I shall have to keep it up until the sixth (aka the 3rd). I swear I hear pine needles dropping in my sleep, though.
As it is now 5 pm, I think that I can safely say that I survived the first day with everyone back. Dinner is planned (not made, but at least I know what we are having) and a movie is going in the VCR as type. The kids were actually quite wonderful last night, our official Family Christmas. B got L a pair of gold earrings that she thinks are quite glamorous, B and N came home to find their beds a foot and a half from the ceiling and I am already curious to find out just how they get all that crap on the floor when they apparently are never on it anymore....M got an upgraded video camera with, get this, NIGHT VISION!!! He is in heaven, or so I suspect since I haven't seen him much since he opened it up. Floki got a chew toy, but then had it taken away as he decided he had to take an unscheduled trip up the street to visit with the little floozy on the corner....Jeff and I got to watch our children interact like actual loving family members for about 30 minutes and it was pure heaven for us. The best Christmas present ever.
I should stop right there to give it the proper emphasis, but I will go on. Spent the morning trying to figure out B's *&;%^$* Ripstick that I hoped and prayed someone would get him for Christmas. By this morning, he was already asking if he could sell it on Craigslist. I, however, am hooked. Nope, can't move an inch on it, mostly just trying to balance, which from what I hear is NOT the way to learn how to ride it. Apparently you are supposed to place it at the crest of the hill, step on and scream "BLOODY HELL" as you go propelling off into space hoping to GOD that your life insurance is up to date. But as I don't even have a helmet that fits me, I had to be content with hanging on to Ben as he tried to walk me up and down the driveway. I swear I could hear Jerry, across the street, laughing his butt off. Don't worry, Favorite Aunt Laura, I will, I mean, B will prevail and conquer the Ripstick (thank you, thank you, thank you!). But then we took out the pogo stick he got from Nana and Poppy. I ROCKED the pogo stick. Can we say "21 jumps on first try"? Yes, I am a pogo goddess. Something to aspire to.
I am sad to say that I am dying to take down all the Christmas stuff, but as I made fun of Tutu not three days ago, for telling me that she used to have it all boxed up before Christmas evening, I shall have to keep it up until the sixth (aka the 3rd). I swear I hear pine needles dropping in my sleep, though.
As it is now 5 pm, I think that I can safely say that I survived the first day with everyone back. Dinner is planned (not made, but at least I know what we are having) and a movie is going in the VCR as type. The kids were actually quite wonderful last night, our official Family Christmas. B got L a pair of gold earrings that she thinks are quite glamorous, B and N came home to find their beds a foot and a half from the ceiling and I am already curious to find out just how they get all that crap on the floor when they apparently are never on it anymore....M got an upgraded video camera with, get this, NIGHT VISION!!! He is in heaven, or so I suspect since I haven't seen him much since he opened it up. Floki got a chew toy, but then had it taken away as he decided he had to take an unscheduled trip up the street to visit with the little floozy on the corner....Jeff and I got to watch our children interact like actual loving family members for about 30 minutes and it was pure heaven for us. The best Christmas present ever.
Day One (unofficially)
Okay all, here we go. After years of trying diaries, calendars, notebooks, etc, I am finally going to go "public" and try the blog thing. My hope is for this to become a kind of Thomassen family check in. If you are trying to keep up with us, and good luck to that, here is where you can start. If you are looking to get some good ideas on what NOT to do with your children, DEFINATELY start here. If you are feeling like you have all the answers and want to help a needy family, PLEASE start here!! If you are bored and not feeling like getting up from the computer just yet, well, feel free to waste some time with me, but bring your own mug of coffee/glass of wine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)