puh8suwrux's Journal
The weekendNov 09 2009 09:18
The visit with my parents went really well. We managed to avoid disagreements between Mr. Rux and my dad - difficult since my parents' "change." They got the electricity fixed quickly (it was a loose wire in the outlet behind the piano - Mr. Rux had looked at it before, but not from the necessary angle), we got the difficult Christmas lights put up while they were there to watch the kids (and it was a beautiful day Saturday), got the roof patched, and then we bought a fire pit and had a wonderful wienie roast Saturday night.
The difficulty came after they left. They always insist on leaving Sunday morning so they don't feel obligated to go to church with us, and maybe so they don't drive on the Sabbath. They always arrange it so they drive Thursday night, spend the night somewhere, then drive the rest of the way Friday, and that way dad only has to take Friday off.
But when they leave, #1 is inconsolable. This time it didn't hit until they had been gone for a few minutes, and we were trying to get ready for church. Mr. Rux was in a bad mood because A) he didn't sleep well the night before and B) he hates and resents any inconvenience caused by my parents. Nothing cheers #1 up, not even the brand new dress she was so excited over (she ends up drooling all over it - something she does when she is upset).
We go to church, thinking that DOING something will help - she usually looks forward to it. But she doesn't even stop crying to say hello to her friend. After I take #1 out to the cry room, Mr. Rux comes out in a huff and says "Let's just go." He's really harsh on #1 at this point, who is still crying. He thinks she is just using it as an excuse to not do things she doesn't want to do, and that once class started (something she really likes), she would calm down. But he didn't want to reward her with class if she wasn't going to sit quietly for 20 minutes through the shared portion of the service.
I don't know that I agreed with him. I think her grief was very real, and of course, her boredom made her focus on it. But he was saying things like "I really don't want your parents coming again." I was thinking that at least my parents come visit and help us do things. His mom is pretty much housebound now, but even when she wasn't and we lived two hours away, they didn't come visit.
He calmed down after we were back home and #1 stopped crying, and sorta apologized for being a jerk. I cleaned up a little bit and let him relax by himself, and then we went to the store to get a headlight lamp for the car and a movie, so he was able to get that fixed, and then we relaxed together after dinner.
On another note, #2 is driving me crazy, with the constant questions. One thing I just can't figure out how to respond to: "Is peeing exercise?"
They are both trying to figure out what exercise is, and what foods are good for what parts of their bodies. I'm trying to teach #1 that we need to eat from at least 3 food groups when we have a meal, but I need to reinforce her idea of food groups, because that is a bit shady. I'm thinking that grouping cut-outs from magazines might be a fun and useful exercise. I've started fixing at least 3 vegetables, and letting her pick two to put on her plate, and that seems to be working pretty well (with her AND Mr. Rux!)
#1 has decided she would like a Princess Tea Party for her 6th birthday, with just a few girl friends. I thought I'd shop some of the thrift stores for mix'n'match tea items, and give all the girls a real tea cup and plate as a favor. Need to do some reading to think of some other ideas. Her birthday is 5 days after Christmas, so we will probably have it early to mid December - so not much time!
I need to start counting my calories again. I haven't done it in several weeks, and I've been eating badly. Time to really watch things before we leave for Thanksgiving.
Today I need to get things clean again - counters, sinks, and floors. And if I have time, then I can go through a box of toys in the garage. Need to make room for Christmas stuff! I've told the girls that whatever they choose to give to Goodwill, I will give them money to spend on a new toy. Exchanging a few boxes for one thing seems like a good deal. And then there's all the stuff I can sneak by while #1 is at school!! I just have to get it past #2 - who is still attached to the infant carseat (uses it for the dolls), and the tricycle that she bumps her knees on the handlebars.
Going to be a good day today. It is partly cloudy and warm now, but a cold front is expected to bring rain and cooler weather. Now that I have lights in the kitchen, and the roof is patched - looking forward to a storm!
princess tea party what a grt idea can i come |
(ltmq) No, peeing is not exercise--it consist of relaxing the muscle. You should keep your journals. Some of them, like this one, have a very poetic feel to them. You are a natural writer who has a firm grasp on the emotions and complexities involved in being a wife, mother and daughter. You should seriously consider writing a book. (Have you ever read: "I Don't Know How She Does It" by Allison Pearson? I think you have much of the same feel to your writing.) Anyway, I admire your determination to make it all work. Great job. dk |
Thanks, guys! I'm working hard at making life better for all of us, and as I do that I feel more successful and find I am a happier person. What an excellent circle to find oneself in! Diane - thank you, that means a lot to me - I love writing, but I honestly have not attempted anything contemporary (for some reason the aspect is daunting - perhaps I'm afraid it is easier for the reader to see I've got something wrong??) And I've only started journalling since I've been on CC - it is an amazing outlet! |
I should be cleaning too! I don't know if it will get done though. We'll see. I think kids need to learn that they have to let go of some things. Its one of those life lessons. And getting money to boot. As far as getting the eating under control, remember, its a one day at a time thing. You'll get there. |
You don't have to write a novel. People love to read short stories about daily life. Tea parties for little girls are the greatest thing. If you need help planning things just ask. Well you are at the thirft store get a pretty table cloth or two. I am working on getting my portions in control again as well. Hard right now as my scale died and $15 might not seem like a lot to replace it, but right now it is. |
Sounds like you have been busy as usual. :) When my little ones were first learning about food groups, I used construction paper with the group named. They got to cut out things and glue them to the right paper. Later I laminated some cute food cut-outs and stuck a magnet on the back of them. I put them on the fridge for the kids to sort and play with. I also had those plastic groceries to play store with and we worked with those. In one of my early childhood education classes, we made prop boxes and they are the best! It's just a container filled with necessary toys for "theme" activities. Construction had the tool belt, hard hat, building blocks, lincoln logs, plastic tools, etc. We would decorate the outside of the box. It was so easy to keep toys organized!! Stack the boxes or line them up on a wall and rotate them. That way they never get bored with toys and you can pull things out and replace as needed or eliminate. :) I wanted to stand up and hug my instructor after taking a daycare organization skill and applying it in my own home. I'm sure you know how wonderful it feels to find something that makes life so much simpler. I'm feeling wordy today...but one last thing...love the tea part idea! |
. you are a grt mother i hope you no that . i hate storms. its freezing here today jack frost showed his face xxx
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