One Decade Down

Hard to believe...my baby turned 10 today. A totally new chapter begins in our lives today. No longer a child, now in double digits. A pre-teen... Soon he will no longer have child issues. He'll have more complicated problems for me to solve. Those that aren't as easily solved by a kiss and an I love you. Although, knowing him, he'll always take them. Now agewise, I could technically have older children, but I don't. So having a ten year old makes me feel old. He's been a great child so far; I can only pray that it continues. So, as we move into the next decade of his life, one probably with the most changes, I say "strap on your seatbelts, it could be a bumpy ride." 10 years, junior high, he's growing up fast. Wish you could stop time and just keep them your "baby" forever. You want to shelter them and protect them from any hurts that of course come with growing up. All you can do is be there and guide them. Hope I do a good job.

Lightbulb Moment

Have you ever had one of those lightbulb moments? Today I had one. I was on the phone with my husband and he made a statement. Things finally clicked in my head as to where he was coming from. When you haven't been around someone for a few weeks it is difficult to comprehend things via short phone conversations. Especially when he and I are constantly surrounded by people. And, by the way, I hate that bluetooth stuff. Makes him sound like he's in a wind tunnel and I miss probably 50% of what he's saying. After he made his statement, which was in reality not big and momentus, just a passing comment, I finally got it. I had been wondering what he had been thinking and planning. He had not been brought up to speed on new developments and had been working on things from a different angle... Guess there is a parallel universe. We're travelling in the same direction only parallel to each other not with each other. Hopefully we can get back on the same planet and be able to be on the same track (even the same town would be good right now). Oh well, just one of those odd moments when you finally go "I got it". It may be that you don't agree, disagree or even understand it. You just got insight into another person's line of thought. Just getting that is enough for me...

Too Bad

Do you have any idea how much I would love to say "Too bad, you had your chance?" They are pushing the two year old, Sarah, away. She cannot go into their room unless she is very quiet. That's the quiet room. Now it's extending to other areas of the house. She cannot be two. She has to use her quiet voice all the time, even outside. Whenever they see a photo of David they get all excited, but not so with Sarah. She got so excited when her grandmother came home from work, even falling off the bed to go and see her. She was greeted with "you need to use your quiet voice". A little while later Sarah was going to be taken outside to ride her bike. It took longer to dress her than the time she spent on her bike. She was brought back in and I was told that she wouldn't play with her while she was in this mood. They then swapped her for the 10 year old. I would love to tell them as we are leaving to move across country, "too bad, you had your chance to get to know her." She is such a loving and sweet child and they are missing out. I don't think across country is far enough...

Line in the Sand

Where do you draw the line? My two kids and I are staying with my parents for a good part of the summer (or shorter I hope). My parents have now taken to overstepping their grandparent role and are assuming the parental role with my kids. They have decided to study for meetings with my son. Last week we hadn't prepared for a Tuesday night meeting. After we came back my son was asked about it. He looked confused when she asked if he had been prepared. She said she would take over the studying with him. I interjected and said I didn't have the material, remember we are just visiting. She basically ignored me and said we'll address it next week. Today she came in from playing outside with my daughter. She didn't like the way my two year old interacted with her and said she would no longer play with her. I think it took me longer to get her dressed than the whole time she played. Instead, while I am putting my daughter down for a nap they snag the son and decided to prepared for the meeting with him. That is so not your place. But how do you intervene when you are in their house? How and where do you draw the line in the sand? I was not given the material to go over the info for tonight. That's how they are using it to get around me. Driving me crazy... How do I put a stop to this?

Positive Side

On the plus side, I am now having some undivided attention with my daughter. Because I can't leave her at her grandparents she now comes everywhere with me. I heard her in trouble again because she was looking at stuff in the driveway and rearranging things. (They were having a garage sale). I gathered up my purse and bundled her into the car and off we went. Took her to the mall and we spent about 3 hours together. She was sweet and as good as can be. We ate pizza and I even got her an ice cream cone. So, her grandparents' loss is totally her gain (and mine too). We had so much fun together. Earlier I had let her ride her bike across the street to the park, so today we had lots of one-on-one time. And she totally thrives on it. My son would rather hang out here and be doted on. As he is older and quieter he is the doted on favorite. But with Sarah having her own attention, even if it is from her mom, she is coming into her own. Good for her, she deserves it.

Shhhhhh!

I don't think I've ever heard shhhhh, or be quiet, don't, or stop it as much in the past two weeks (only 2 weeks, seems so much longer) as I have in the last few years put together. It's interesting because my two year old doesn't seem to have the tantrums she used to (hopefully she's totally outgrowing them), but her loudness comes from excitement or arguing with her brother. Yet she is staying in a house that is to be "quiet". I hear them talking to her telling her she needs to be quiet or she'll be sent outside-not just the room, but the house. (Who says that to a toddler?) She can't upset their kitty. If Lilah gets upset she'll run outside. Now I know the pecking order over here, the kitty, the 10 year old, then the 2 year old. How do you tell a two year old she has to be quiet all the time? It's like telling her not to be 2. Driving me insane. I found a place to watch Junior's fight, and ended up having to take her with me. I had gone downstairs and was leaving, but heard that "be quiet" lecture again. Sure enough she was banished out of the room and the door locked behind her. She was standing in the hall all by herself. Her grandfather was on his computer totally oblivious to her. I listened to the interaction as the quiet lecture continued after the door was again opened. Within a few seconds she was banished outside again. Of course she's yelling and banging on the door. Her brother is safely inside, while she is locked, yes locked, out. I put an end to the whole thing by saying I'm just taking her with me. And it was so much better for her. "Grandma" Vicky even watched cartoons with her at her house. Sarah loved having the attention. Just let her be 2 and stop stifling her. If it's loud because she's screaming in anger or because of a tantrum that's one thing, but because she's enjoying life, give me a break.

Junior

Tomorrow (or today), Wednesday the 16th my nephew has his first televised fight. He was supposed to have his second match last Friday, but his opponent never showed up. Unfortunately, that cancelled the entire boxing line up. Apparently they needed 18 rounds. Junior fights 4 and with his opponent a no show they were only at 14, so all the matches of the night were scratched. I know nothing about boxing; this is what I'm told. Junior is supposed to be a rising star so another promoter snagged him for a fight for tomorrow. It's at Pechanga Casino in Temecula and happens to be aired on the FSN. No, he's not the main attraction. I am getting a crash course in boxing, so what I do know is the main fight is last, with a few lead-ins ahead. There are a total of 5 fights. Junior is in the Welterweight Division. I had to pick this up from the Pechanga site. He is the TBA since he was just added after his fight was cancelled. Unfortunately, my parents don't get FSN, so I am going to see if I can see it at a friend's house. My parents are very anti-boxing so I can't even tell them why I'm going to try to get out of the house. I am not a boxing fan, but I am a fan of my nephew. Of course the fights start at 5:30, but aren't aired until 8:00, so I'm sure I'll hear the results before. Junior is 1-0, his opponent is 3-0. If Junior doesn't do so well, at least I can be prepared. He has trained hard and once he found out this match is being televised has stepped it up. He doesn't want to look bad in front of such an audience. As a loyal aunt, I'm going to have to watch the fight. I do hope he does well, I'd hate to see him all bloodied up. So, hopefully I'll find a venue to watch my nephew, but no, I'm not bringing the kids. Blood, guts, and gore isn't something I want them to get a crash course in. Guess I'll have to say I'm out for a "spa" evening...