This is my new friend. I met him at the gaming shop where Max plays Magic the Gathering.
Neither Larry or I play the game, it was something he learned from a friend. We found a gaming shop, FTW Games, that has Magic tourneys most Fridays and take turns driving Max and sitting around while he plays. It is not terribly close to home, but has a really nice crowd and the owners are very friendly.
The first time I went I met my new friend whom I christened Bob. Bob just quietly stands in the corner, probably looking for droids. Fortunately my droid based phone is not the one he is looking for and I can text friends and goof off to my heart's content. Along with a book, I am able to entertain myself for the four hours I'm there. Too bad Bob is just a shell of a man and as a result not one for conversation.
I just wish I had a better seat than the hard wooden stool that is in Bob's corner.
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Friday, April 05, 2013
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Sunset on a Busy Weekend
Between band, soccer, and lacrosse I logged a lot of miles this weekend.
It all started with a game Friday night. Rebecca's team was invited to be ball girls for the VCU women's match up. The girls were stationed along the edge of the field, each one in charge of a soccer ball. If a ball went out of bounds the nearest ball girl would hand her ball to the player and then chase down the errant ball. It got very cold, but the girls remained cheerful and had a grand time noshing on popcorn during halftime.
Then on Saturday it was soccer games for the dynamic duo, lacrosse tourney for Nate, and a band competition for Jacob. I did soccer duty while Larry dropped off Jacob and took Nate. It was a long day with Jacob's bus arriving an hour later than originally scheduled.
Today I was very thankful that it was not our turn for the Sunday school carpool, I happily pushed Max and Rebecca out the door at 8:30 and enjoyed a few hours of piece and quiet. Larry meanwhile took Nate to day two of lacrosse before heading out for a game of his own. It was up to me to collect Nate, which I did after Rebecca's rare Sunday afternoon game.
Everybody had a good time, but I think they will be glad this busy weekend is over when they head back to school.
It all started with a game Friday night. Rebecca's team was invited to be ball girls for the VCU women's match up. The girls were stationed along the edge of the field, each one in charge of a soccer ball. If a ball went out of bounds the nearest ball girl would hand her ball to the player and then chase down the errant ball. It got very cold, but the girls remained cheerful and had a grand time noshing on popcorn during halftime.
Then on Saturday it was soccer games for the dynamic duo, lacrosse tourney for Nate, and a band competition for Jacob. I did soccer duty while Larry dropped off Jacob and took Nate. It was a long day with Jacob's bus arriving an hour later than originally scheduled.
Today I was very thankful that it was not our turn for the Sunday school carpool, I happily pushed Max and Rebecca out the door at 8:30 and enjoyed a few hours of piece and quiet. Larry meanwhile took Nate to day two of lacrosse before heading out for a game of his own. It was up to me to collect Nate, which I did after Rebecca's rare Sunday afternoon game.
Everybody had a good time, but I think they will be glad this busy weekend is over when they head back to school.
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Parenting On The Fly
Today was spent in the car, driving around and waiting. Mostly for Rebecca, but also for Jake, Nate, and the pantry.
At one point I had just dropped off Jake and was driving Rebecca to her indoor soccer game, and being indoor is very important here. As I was tooling along the highway it hit me, Rebecca had left her gear in the van from this mornings soccer camp at the field. She knew she had a game later and thought it made sense to leave it all in the car. I agreed after we fished out her water jug.
So yes Rebecca had her socks, shin-guards, and cleats on which would be fine and dandy for a rousing game of soccer. But...
She was to be playing indoors on artificial turf.
At a facility that had written in Four inch high letters on the doors "NO CLEATS."
Oops, we had forgotten her indoor soccer shoes and it was too late to go back and fetch them. The only other pairs of spare footwear in the car wee my Tevas and Max's rather battered sandals. To save the day we pulled into a shoe store that was conveniently on the way and got Rebecca a new pair of sneakers. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea until I told her that Nate wore his sneakers to his indoor lacrosse games. Molified she wore her new shoes and didn't look back.
Good thing I hadn't yet done the back to school shoe shopping.
At one point I had just dropped off Jake and was driving Rebecca to her indoor soccer game, and being indoor is very important here. As I was tooling along the highway it hit me, Rebecca had left her gear in the van from this mornings soccer camp at the field. She knew she had a game later and thought it made sense to leave it all in the car. I agreed after we fished out her water jug.
So yes Rebecca had her socks, shin-guards, and cleats on which would be fine and dandy for a rousing game of soccer. But...
She was to be playing indoors on artificial turf.
At a facility that had written in Four inch high letters on the doors "NO CLEATS."
Oops, we had forgotten her indoor soccer shoes and it was too late to go back and fetch them. The only other pairs of spare footwear in the car wee my Tevas and Max's rather battered sandals. To save the day we pulled into a shoe store that was conveniently on the way and got Rebecca a new pair of sneakers. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea until I told her that Nate wore his sneakers to his indoor lacrosse games. Molified she wore her new shoes and didn't look back.
Good thing I hadn't yet done the back to school shoe shopping.
Friday, June 08, 2012
Strange Requests
Actual conversation with Max at bedtime tonight
"Mom, could you wake me up at 7 am tomorrow (Saturday)?"
"No."
Max is taken aback and asks why.
"Because tomorrow is Saturday and I'm not planning waking myself up a 7 much less you."
"Oh, that's right and very reasonable. Night mom."
"Night sweetie."
"Mom, could you wake me up at 7 am tomorrow (Saturday)?"
"No."
Max is taken aback and asks why.
"Because tomorrow is Saturday and I'm not planning waking myself up a 7 much less you."
"Oh, that's right and very reasonable. Night mom."
"Night sweetie."
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Growing Up
Our middle boy is growing up.
He had his big Bar Mitzvah a little over two months ago and yesterday he and I went to the bank and opened up a savings account. I'm proud of the fact that the bulk of his money went to the bank and wasn't just frittered away. He bought a few games, Minecraft being one, and a basic iTouch.
Next up will be a cell phone, which will be very interesting considering how social he is. We are only going to get him the most basic of phones, he only needs to be able to be able to call home. We'll see how that works out.
He had his big Bar Mitzvah a little over two months ago and yesterday he and I went to the bank and opened up a savings account. I'm proud of the fact that the bulk of his money went to the bank and wasn't just frittered away. He bought a few games, Minecraft being one, and a basic iTouch.
Next up will be a cell phone, which will be very interesting considering how social he is. We are only going to get him the most basic of phones, he only needs to be able to be able to call home. We'll see how that works out.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Moments of Hilarity
For the most part our crew gets along. There is of course the endless sniping and requests to go away that Larry and I as parents have learned to tune out. We want our children to not rely on us to settle their differences, they need to learn to figure it out on their own. Mind you we do have some ground rules, no cruelty and no hitting, but for the most part they are able to deal with their differences. It might get a bit loud (hello four loud kids, hence the blog's name), but it's generally fairly mundane.
However once in a while we overhear a real gem. Today Rebecca loudly declared "You're the weirdest brother I ever had!" I'm not sure who it was directed towards, but the capper was the immediate objection by one of the non-accused that he was the weird one.
Around here there is never a dull moment.
However once in a while we overhear a real gem. Today Rebecca loudly declared "You're the weirdest brother I ever had!" I'm not sure who it was directed towards, but the capper was the immediate objection by one of the non-accused that he was the weird one.
Around here there is never a dull moment.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Grrr
Cooking vegetables for certain members of my family can be a rather thankless task. I try to be positive about the whole thing and only require that the picky eaters at the very least try just a small bite of everything on the dinner table.
But some days I feel like even the vegetable itself resents the anti- green things stance.
But some days I feel like even the vegetable itself resents the anti- green things stance.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Life With a Teenager
Today I drove Jake to the train station for his big FIRST Robotics trip to DC.
He packed for his trip without and assistance from me other than supplying clean laundry. We had a very rational discussion of how much cash he should bring for meals. He asked if he should bring his laptop and I recommended no, it would be a pain to lug around and it would not be a good idea to leave it in the hotel room. Jake was a bit disappointed, but understood the reasoning (though was a bit surprised).
All in all he is becoming a very reasonable and responsible human being.
However he did end up leaving his camera in the car and I had to remind twice not to wander off from his luggage. So he's not quite there yet, but my boy is growing up.
He packed for his trip without and assistance from me other than supplying clean laundry. We had a very rational discussion of how much cash he should bring for meals. He asked if he should bring his laptop and I recommended no, it would be a pain to lug around and it would not be a good idea to leave it in the hotel room. Jake was a bit disappointed, but understood the reasoning (though was a bit surprised).
All in all he is becoming a very reasonable and responsible human being.
However he did end up leaving his camera in the car and I had to remind twice not to wander off from his luggage. So he's not quite there yet, but my boy is growing up.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
It Never Ends
For one glorious hour I had no dirty laundry. All three hampers were empty and the last load was in the wash. Everything else was folded and ready to be put away.
Then Nate came home, announced his jeans were filthy (and they certainly were) and stripped them off.
I kinda hoped it would have lasted just a bit longer.
Then Nate came home, announced his jeans were filthy (and they certainly were) and stripped them off.
I kinda hoped it would have lasted just a bit longer.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Love Note
Parenting is a tough gig. The hours are long, you find yourself dealing with disgusting things on a regular basis, and so on. At times you wonder if the little beasts will ever be fit for civilized company.
But then there are the little things that melt your heart and you realize it's all going to turn out right.
Rebecca gave me this little note today. No real reason for it other than that she loves me.
And that is enough for me.
But then there are the little things that melt your heart and you realize it's all going to turn out right.
Rebecca gave me this little note today. No real reason for it other than that she loves me.
And that is enough for me.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Diary of a Snow Day
Everybody went to bed Monday night anticipating a possible snow day from the forecasted Wintery Mix of Doom.
At 5:45 a there was no word from the school board (they have an automated phone blast system) and I had to get Jake up and moving if there was school. Jake was not very happy, but he dutifully got up and showered.
5:52 am first phone call of the morning announcing school was delayed 2 hours. I go stand outside the bathroom door and relay this little nugget of information to Jake after he turns off the shower. His reaction- argh. I go back to my nice warm bed.
6:33 am second cal from the school system basically repeating the first message.
7:30 am I decide to head downstairs. To celebrate the two hour delay I make pancakes. There is much celebration.
7:45 am the school board throws in the towel and calls off school. I find out via FaceBook and just barely nab Jake and Larry before they leave to take Jake to school. There is even greater celebration over this piece of news.
8:00 am third phone call of the day, this one formally announcing the closing of the schools. I am getting tired of all these phone calls.
Larry leaves for work, I retreat upstairs with a book. I figured by giving them pancakes and unfettered TV privileges that I've earned a few hours to myself.
The ploy works.
12:05 pm "Mom, where are you? I'm hungry." I heat up the big family size of mac & cheese that I bought yesterday for this eventuality. There is much celebration and I've bought myself a couple more whine free hours.
2:38 pm piano teacher calls to tell us she has decided not to hazard the drive.
2:43 pm the trumpet teacher, however, calls to say he's still coming at 3.
4:00 pm the trumpet teacher is done and after he leaves I head out to pick up Max's albuterol which should have been ready Monday. The roads are fine, just a bit wet. When I come home I predict that there will be a two hour delay Wednesday morning because of the roads freezing over during the night.
8:30 pm, roughly three hours after my prediction the school board announces on FaceBook there will be a 2 hour delay Wednesday morning. There is much celebration.
10:11 pm final (hopefully) phone call from the schools. School is definitely delayed two hours.
I think tomorrow I'll make french toast for breakfast.
At 5:45 a there was no word from the school board (they have an automated phone blast system) and I had to get Jake up and moving if there was school. Jake was not very happy, but he dutifully got up and showered.
5:52 am first phone call of the morning announcing school was delayed 2 hours. I go stand outside the bathroom door and relay this little nugget of information to Jake after he turns off the shower. His reaction- argh. I go back to my nice warm bed.
6:33 am second cal from the school system basically repeating the first message.
7:30 am I decide to head downstairs. To celebrate the two hour delay I make pancakes. There is much celebration.
7:45 am the school board throws in the towel and calls off school. I find out via FaceBook and just barely nab Jake and Larry before they leave to take Jake to school. There is even greater celebration over this piece of news.
8:00 am third phone call of the day, this one formally announcing the closing of the schools. I am getting tired of all these phone calls.
Larry leaves for work, I retreat upstairs with a book. I figured by giving them pancakes and unfettered TV privileges that I've earned a few hours to myself.
The ploy works.
12:05 pm "Mom, where are you? I'm hungry." I heat up the big family size of mac & cheese that I bought yesterday for this eventuality. There is much celebration and I've bought myself a couple more whine free hours.
2:38 pm piano teacher calls to tell us she has decided not to hazard the drive.
2:43 pm the trumpet teacher, however, calls to say he's still coming at 3.
4:00 pm the trumpet teacher is done and after he leaves I head out to pick up Max's albuterol which should have been ready Monday. The roads are fine, just a bit wet. When I come home I predict that there will be a two hour delay Wednesday morning because of the roads freezing over during the night.
8:30 pm, roughly three hours after my prediction the school board announces on FaceBook there will be a 2 hour delay Wednesday morning. There is much celebration.
10:11 pm final (hopefully) phone call from the schools. School is definitely delayed two hours.
I think tomorrow I'll make french toast for breakfast.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Joys of Parenting
For the most part the kids get along fairly well. There is some bickering, but that is perfectly normal. They can play together and do share things without to much prompting. I try to have them sort things out on their own. When one of them comes to register a complaint about some grave injustice incurred against them by a sibling, my first question is "did you talk to them, do they know that you are hurt/offended." Inevitably they stomp away muttering, there will be a bit of shouting, and then it's over.
Sometimes the interactions are far more hilarious.
Max and Rebecca were both sitting the couch on opposite ends. She was reading a book and he was doing his homework. Periodically Rebecca would clear her throat. Max would then ask her to stop coughing in his direction. This would result in outraged protests from Rebecca that she was not coughing on him and to stop bothering her, SHE WAS TRYING TO READ.
This went on through about 3 cycles before I stepped in.
"Max she isn't coughing on you, she's just clearing her throat."
"Oh, I didn't know."
Then peace reigned over the couch.
Sometimes the interactions are far more hilarious.
Max and Rebecca were both sitting the couch on opposite ends. She was reading a book and he was doing his homework. Periodically Rebecca would clear her throat. Max would then ask her to stop coughing in his direction. This would result in outraged protests from Rebecca that she was not coughing on him and to stop bothering her, SHE WAS TRYING TO READ.
This went on through about 3 cycles before I stepped in.
"Max she isn't coughing on you, she's just clearing her throat."
"Oh, I didn't know."
Then peace reigned over the couch.
Friday, December 17, 2010
I Love My Children Very Much
But today I was reminded why I do not like to go shopping without them.
Jake and Rebecca needed new winter boots, Nate needed a new pair of gloves, and Max- well he just went along for the ride because he's a bit young to be left home alone.
It took three stores to find two pairs of acceptable winter boots. It's always been a challenge to find snow gear down here in the Virginia, but it was particularly difficult due to the recent winter snow event that resulted in the shelves being bare.
The first store was a complete bust boot wise, but I did score on some crazy cheap wrapping paper and Nate found some gloves he liked. He also found a dozen other things he wanted. Max wanted to go to the bathroom and then needed water. We then shuffled outside and headed to the next store which was conveniently located next door.
At the second store Rebecca found a pair she really, really liked. The store was down to one box and miracle of miracles it was her size. As she slid the boots on she declared them to be sooooo comfortable. Yay! One pair found, another to go. Meanwhile Nate found more stuff he wanted. I herded everbody outside and into the car and at some point Rebecca scraped her knee.
A short car ride across two parking lots we arrived at store three. Rebecca was issued a band-aid and we all went inside. After extensive searching we found the one pair of boots in Jake's size (9 wide for those keeping score) and he actually liked them. Then Nate wanted more shoes and Max was again dying of thirst. At this point I was mentally done with the whole thing and just wanted to get out. After I paid for the boots I literally said "Now that you have touched everything in the store it is time to leave."
So it may have been more efficient to take all four shopping, but I won't be doing that again for a long time.
Jake and Rebecca needed new winter boots, Nate needed a new pair of gloves, and Max- well he just went along for the ride because he's a bit young to be left home alone.
It took three stores to find two pairs of acceptable winter boots. It's always been a challenge to find snow gear down here in the Virginia, but it was particularly difficult due to the recent winter snow event that resulted in the shelves being bare.
The first store was a complete bust boot wise, but I did score on some crazy cheap wrapping paper and Nate found some gloves he liked. He also found a dozen other things he wanted. Max wanted to go to the bathroom and then needed water. We then shuffled outside and headed to the next store which was conveniently located next door.
At the second store Rebecca found a pair she really, really liked. The store was down to one box and miracle of miracles it was her size. As she slid the boots on she declared them to be sooooo comfortable. Yay! One pair found, another to go. Meanwhile Nate found more stuff he wanted. I herded everbody outside and into the car and at some point Rebecca scraped her knee.
A short car ride across two parking lots we arrived at store three. Rebecca was issued a band-aid and we all went inside. After extensive searching we found the one pair of boots in Jake's size (9 wide for those keeping score) and he actually liked them. Then Nate wanted more shoes and Max was again dying of thirst. At this point I was mentally done with the whole thing and just wanted to get out. After I paid for the boots I literally said "Now that you have touched everything in the store it is time to leave."
So it may have been more efficient to take all four shopping, but I won't be doing that again for a long time.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Lesson Learned This Weekend
I am not a sleepover kind of parent.
I am a parent that will cheerfully and enthusiastically cater to whatever your birthday cake desires are. If you can envision it and clearly articulate what you want, I'll give it a shot. Nate's "The Horror of Cake War" cake was deemed epic by his friends.
I will go along with an endless Nerf gun battle in the house as long as my bedroom, my husband's study and the dining room remain off limits. I can deal with the eleventy billion foam darts littered throughout the house. I will calmly walk through the fire fight and ignore the darts flying around me. To their credit not a single dart hit me.
But I can't deal with loud voices at 2:00 am, every light turned on downstairs at 3:30 am, and bizarre questions about birthday presents at 4:00. The last bit resulted in my telling Nate that in all likelihood he was never having a sleepover again.
The boys weren't particularly awful or ill-behaved (well except for the question bit at 4:00am and that was my own child), in fact the two guests are a lovely pair of polite and well mannered children. I'm just getting to old to deal with the random interruptions in my sleep and the endless noise. I treasure the peace and quiet that descends on this house every night at 10:00 pm.
I am a parent that will cheerfully and enthusiastically cater to whatever your birthday cake desires are. If you can envision it and clearly articulate what you want, I'll give it a shot. Nate's "The Horror of Cake War" cake was deemed epic by his friends.
I will go along with an endless Nerf gun battle in the house as long as my bedroom, my husband's study and the dining room remain off limits. I can deal with the eleventy billion foam darts littered throughout the house. I will calmly walk through the fire fight and ignore the darts flying around me. To their credit not a single dart hit me.
But I can't deal with loud voices at 2:00 am, every light turned on downstairs at 3:30 am, and bizarre questions about birthday presents at 4:00. The last bit resulted in my telling Nate that in all likelihood he was never having a sleepover again.
The boys weren't particularly awful or ill-behaved (well except for the question bit at 4:00am and that was my own child), in fact the two guests are a lovely pair of polite and well mannered children. I'm just getting to old to deal with the random interruptions in my sleep and the endless noise. I treasure the peace and quiet that descends on this house every night at 10:00 pm.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Full Speed Ahead
Today was one of those crazy "you have four kids that do sports and music" kind of days.
Between waiting for piano to end, dropping off kids for practice, rounding up boy from marching band (took two tries and I'm eternally thankful for the fact he goes to the high school 8 minutes away as opposed to one 45 minutes away) I had to feed said children, sternly remind them to do homework while I was out (I disabled the TV to prevent "accidental" viewings) and go to a Marching Band Boosters meeting.
My life is full of the crazy.
The amazing thing was that we all got to where we needed to be when we needed to be there. Well except for picking up Jake the second time, but then again he was off schedule and I had to shoe horn him in after sports drop off.
Thus is the life of a marching band, soccer, and baseball mom. Now with drums, piano, trumpet, and starting this weekend-guitar.
Between waiting for piano to end, dropping off kids for practice, rounding up boy from marching band (took two tries and I'm eternally thankful for the fact he goes to the high school 8 minutes away as opposed to one 45 minutes away) I had to feed said children, sternly remind them to do homework while I was out (I disabled the TV to prevent "accidental" viewings) and go to a Marching Band Boosters meeting.
My life is full of the crazy.
The amazing thing was that we all got to where we needed to be when we needed to be there. Well except for picking up Jake the second time, but then again he was off schedule and I had to shoe horn him in after sports drop off.
Thus is the life of a marching band, soccer, and baseball mom. Now with drums, piano, trumpet, and starting this weekend-guitar.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
This Is Why I Stay Home
Today was second grade's big field trip to the zoo and as always it was hotter than heck. Normally I would be a chaperon or, at the very least, tag along in my own car. The kids love that I volunteer all the time and with Max's need for digestive enzymes, it makes it a whole lot easier as well.
But not this time, I had other things going on this morning. I couldn't reschedule and I was a wee bit relieved that I wouldn't be out in the 90+ temp. foretasted for today.
Around mid-morning I was back at home, puttering around and collecting trash for a dump run when the phone rang.
It was Rebecca's teacher.
Rebecca was not feeling well. Her face was flushed and she was crying. I instantly new she was suffering from heat exhaustion. Unfortantely Rebecca has inherited my inability to cope with hot weather. I have gotten a bit better over the years, but honestly I wouldn't last very long in the South without ac in the home. I told Rebecca's teacher to take my little petite flower to the gift shop and give her water, after about 15 minutes in the air conditioning she would perk right up. If needed, I could drive over to the zoo and bring her home.
Her teacher thought I probably did not need to come, she would give Rebecca some time to recover and call me back.
Not ten minutes later Mrs. T called back. Rebecca was inconsolable and needed to talk to me. I tried to cheer her up via phone, but it was no use. She wanted to be with her mommy. So I ended up making my first ever "emergency zoo run."
By the time I got there Rebecca was feeling much better and lit up when she saw me. I spent the rest of the day strolling about the zoo with Rebecca.
I'm glad I was able to be there for her and I think just the knowledge I was coming helped her recover, that and the fact I was there for her and not Max.
But not this time, I had other things going on this morning. I couldn't reschedule and I was a wee bit relieved that I wouldn't be out in the 90+ temp. foretasted for today.
Around mid-morning I was back at home, puttering around and collecting trash for a dump run when the phone rang.
It was Rebecca's teacher.
Rebecca was not feeling well. Her face was flushed and she was crying. I instantly new she was suffering from heat exhaustion. Unfortantely Rebecca has inherited my inability to cope with hot weather. I have gotten a bit better over the years, but honestly I wouldn't last very long in the South without ac in the home. I told Rebecca's teacher to take my little petite flower to the gift shop and give her water, after about 15 minutes in the air conditioning she would perk right up. If needed, I could drive over to the zoo and bring her home.
Her teacher thought I probably did not need to come, she would give Rebecca some time to recover and call me back.
Not ten minutes later Mrs. T called back. Rebecca was inconsolable and needed to talk to me. I tried to cheer her up via phone, but it was no use. She wanted to be with her mommy. So I ended up making my first ever "emergency zoo run."
By the time I got there Rebecca was feeling much better and lit up when she saw me. I spent the rest of the day strolling about the zoo with Rebecca.
I'm glad I was able to be there for her and I think just the knowledge I was coming helped her recover, that and the fact I was there for her and not Max.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Ultimate Rock, Paper, Scissors
Pretty much everybody has played rock, paper scissors at some point in their life. It's a fun game, with a definite psychological aspect. After the first throw I pretty much can predict what my children are going to do and win most of the time. And thus maintaining my omnipotent mom status.
Some people take it very seriously, to the point that there is an official World RPS Society. The WRPS Society Championship was held this past November in Toronto. Sadly the page has not been updated with the results of said championship. For the more literary inclined fans of RPS there is The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide available in paperback over at Amazon (some of the reviews are a hoot).
There is also a five option variant called Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard and Spock. And here is how you play:
My kids take up to another level and play Ultimate Rock, Paper, Scissors. Instead of hand gestures that count off to three and then shout out their entry. Their only rules are that you can't repeat (either your own or someone else's entry) and no endless variations on a theme (ie godzilla followed by pink godzilla). After they shout out there is a discussion over which entry reigns supreme.
This weekend I got to hear some pretty hilarious battles.
Deathstar vs Luke Skywalker vs Giant Space Goat. Luke beats Deathstar, but Space Goat eats Luke.
Professor Charles Francis Xavier vs Rock and Roll. Rock and Roll was just bearly given the win.
Exploding sun vs Ethel Merman. Ethel Merman defeats all!
There were a few other memorable wins- crab grass, because nothing can kill it all off. And then there was Rebecca announcing that her forehead hurts. She was given an unconditional win by all three of her brothers.
Pretty much anything can win, you just have to be able to back it up with some good reasoning. I find it fun to listen to and beats the usual squabbling from the back.
Some people take it very seriously, to the point that there is an official World RPS Society. The WRPS Society Championship was held this past November in Toronto. Sadly the page has not been updated with the results of said championship. For the more literary inclined fans of RPS there is The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide available in paperback over at Amazon (some of the reviews are a hoot).
There is also a five option variant called Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard and Spock. And here is how you play:
Scissors cut paper, paper covers rock, rock crushes lizard, lizard poisons Spock, Spock smashes scissors, scissors decapitate lizard, lizard eats paper, paper disproves Spock, Spock vaporizes rock, rock crushes scissors.For a neat graphic on the hand gestures head on over to here and take a gander.
My kids take up to another level and play Ultimate Rock, Paper, Scissors. Instead of hand gestures that count off to three and then shout out their entry. Their only rules are that you can't repeat (either your own or someone else's entry) and no endless variations on a theme (ie godzilla followed by pink godzilla). After they shout out there is a discussion over which entry reigns supreme.
This weekend I got to hear some pretty hilarious battles.
Deathstar vs Luke Skywalker vs Giant Space Goat. Luke beats Deathstar, but Space Goat eats Luke.
Professor Charles Francis Xavier vs Rock and Roll. Rock and Roll was just bearly given the win.
Exploding sun vs Ethel Merman. Ethel Merman defeats all!
There were a few other memorable wins- crab grass, because nothing can kill it all off. And then there was Rebecca announcing that her forehead hurts. She was given an unconditional win by all three of her brothers.
Pretty much anything can win, you just have to be able to back it up with some good reasoning. I find it fun to listen to and beats the usual squabbling from the back.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Where Does The Time Go?
I want to know where all my free time goes.
Oh I admit I spend far to much time staring at my computer screen reading just one more blog, but really where does my time go?
I'm a full time mom and theoretically once they are all in school I should have hours of freedom each school day. And yet I don't.
This week I had to take one kid to the ENT for a check up. I had a pie to bake and bring in for Pi day. (Which really is the most awesome day for me, I bake and I like math. March 14th is full of win for me.) I had to find a small motor and magnets for one child (hooray for Radio Shack) and divvy up change for two others.
Oh and cleats I had to get cleats and drive people to practice, both musical and sports.
Then there is the complex scheduling and figuring out when and where everybody needs to be. The first week of any new activity is always the worst.
So I guess it comes down to that I'm the mom and parents (cause heaven knows my husband has even less spare time) aren't allowed spare time.
And yet in the end it is all worthwhile when you get the big hug and shining smiles when it all comes together. My children do appreciate what we do for them and are very good about thanking us. Once in a while I'll drop the ball, but even then they understand. They see how much we do and realize they that in the end what matters is that they are loved. We expect the best from the them and in return we try to do our best for them.
Oh I admit I spend far to much time staring at my computer screen reading just one more blog, but really where does my time go?
I'm a full time mom and theoretically once they are all in school I should have hours of freedom each school day. And yet I don't.
This week I had to take one kid to the ENT for a check up. I had a pie to bake and bring in for Pi day. (Which really is the most awesome day for me, I bake and I like math. March 14th is full of win for me.) I had to find a small motor and magnets for one child (hooray for Radio Shack) and divvy up change for two others.
Oh and cleats I had to get cleats and drive people to practice, both musical and sports.
Then there is the complex scheduling and figuring out when and where everybody needs to be. The first week of any new activity is always the worst.
So I guess it comes down to that I'm the mom and parents (cause heaven knows my husband has even less spare time) aren't allowed spare time.
And yet in the end it is all worthwhile when you get the big hug and shining smiles when it all comes together. My children do appreciate what we do for them and are very good about thanking us. Once in a while I'll drop the ball, but even then they understand. They see how much we do and realize they that in the end what matters is that they are loved. We expect the best from the them and in return we try to do our best for them.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Poor Babies
Last night was not pretty.
Starting at about 3:30 am Rebecca, Nate, and Jake suffered what could only be food poisoning. Nate staggered into my room sick and miserably announcing that he had thrown up in the hallway. As he stood there all sad and forlorn I told him to go back to bed. I was tired, my bed was all cozy and at 3:30 am I am not the most charitable of people. At 1:30, sure I'll be the sweetest mom ever, but at 3:30am I have been yanked from the depths of sleep and I am barely coherent.
Two hours later Jake showed up. At that point I threw in the towel and crawled out of bed. As I cleaned and consoled three very distressed children I desperately tried to think what could have precipitated this horror. Max, Larry and myself were unaffected, which ruled out dinner. Then I remembered the cut fruit I had picked up at the store the other day. Nate had eaten a ton of watermelon and so had Jake and Rebecca. Max had only nibbled on a piece and then (prudently it turned out) decided he did not want it. I hadn't had any and Larry had only one piece of cantaloupe. The first chance I got I trashed the rest.
Max was fine and merrily went off to school while the rest stayed home. Rebecca was the most sensible and went straight back to bed after a warm bath. The other two flopped about, too ill to do anything except declare their boredom. Repeatedly. With the all too frequent moans of agony from Nate.
They seemed to be a smidgen better. They haven't been sick since the wee hours and I hope at least some of them go back to school tomorrow. Meanwhile Max is just flabbergasted that he is the only healthy kid in the house.
Starting at about 3:30 am Rebecca, Nate, and Jake suffered what could only be food poisoning. Nate staggered into my room sick and miserably announcing that he had thrown up in the hallway. As he stood there all sad and forlorn I told him to go back to bed. I was tired, my bed was all cozy and at 3:30 am I am not the most charitable of people. At 1:30, sure I'll be the sweetest mom ever, but at 3:30am I have been yanked from the depths of sleep and I am barely coherent.
Two hours later Jake showed up. At that point I threw in the towel and crawled out of bed. As I cleaned and consoled three very distressed children I desperately tried to think what could have precipitated this horror. Max, Larry and myself were unaffected, which ruled out dinner. Then I remembered the cut fruit I had picked up at the store the other day. Nate had eaten a ton of watermelon and so had Jake and Rebecca. Max had only nibbled on a piece and then (prudently it turned out) decided he did not want it. I hadn't had any and Larry had only one piece of cantaloupe. The first chance I got I trashed the rest.
Max was fine and merrily went off to school while the rest stayed home. Rebecca was the most sensible and went straight back to bed after a warm bath. The other two flopped about, too ill to do anything except declare their boredom. Repeatedly. With the all too frequent moans of agony from Nate.
They seemed to be a smidgen better. They haven't been sick since the wee hours and I hope at least some of them go back to school tomorrow. Meanwhile Max is just flabbergasted that he is the only healthy kid in the house.
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Plague Is Upon My House
This weekend proved to be interesting.
The soccer players in he family, Jake, Nate and Rebecca all got to play their games before I sallied forth off to a dog club event on Saturday afternoon. Upon my return all seemed well, I was able to see off Larry and Nate before Nate's football game.
Then my little house of cards fell down.
Jake has had a cold for the past week. Nothing serious, he had just your run of the mill runny nose and cough. After Larry and Nate left, a half an hour had barely passed when Jake gave me an update about how he was feeling. With a blanket clutched around his shoulders he uttered the following:
"Mom, I don't feel very good. I get hot then I get cold."
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
A classic flu symptom and here I was stuck at home with three kids on a Saturday afternoon. I really did not want to drag Max and Rebecca along on what could be a potentially long wait at the nearby walk in clinic (aka the house of germs). So I decided to wait until Larry was back to wrangle the rest while I take Jake to the clinic.
And yes, my fears were borne out- Jake has the flu. However because we jumped right on it, he was proscribed Tamiflu and it is really helping him beat the flu. He might even be back in school on Wednesday. Hooray for modern medicine!
Meanwhile Nate was definitely not himself. He didn't eat much on Saturday and wasn't his normal energetic self at the game. This was not a good sign. We packed him off to bed and decided to keep a wary eye on the boy.
On Sunday he was mostly his old bouncy self, that is until the end of the day. He started to complain about a sore throat and didn't have the same amount of spunk (he is a child that positively vibrates with energy if does not have recess at school). It was late and he didn't have a fever so we decided to wait. That's the hardest part of being a parent. You want to make them all better at the first sign of illness, but if you go too soon they'll have a false negative. We needed to wait for a clear sign such as a sudden spike in fever.
Today he was just able to drag himself out of bed and all he wanted for breakfast was toast. He had a hacking cough, looked miserable and felt worse. I looked into those sad brown eyes and told him he could stay home from school, but I was going to take him into the doctors. I wasn't sure what he had, but he needed to be checked out.
And guess what, it turns out he has strep throat. It was such a classic presentation the Doctor didn't even bother swabbing his throat. Nate had the start of an ear infection (which is typical for him and Strep) so we got a scrip for antibiotics and were sent on our merry way.
So between the flu and strep, I really don't recommend your stopping by our house anytime soon.
The soccer players in he family, Jake, Nate and Rebecca all got to play their games before I sallied forth off to a dog club event on Saturday afternoon. Upon my return all seemed well, I was able to see off Larry and Nate before Nate's football game.
Then my little house of cards fell down.
Jake has had a cold for the past week. Nothing serious, he had just your run of the mill runny nose and cough. After Larry and Nate left, a half an hour had barely passed when Jake gave me an update about how he was feeling. With a blanket clutched around his shoulders he uttered the following:
"Mom, I don't feel very good. I get hot then I get cold."
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
A classic flu symptom and here I was stuck at home with three kids on a Saturday afternoon. I really did not want to drag Max and Rebecca along on what could be a potentially long wait at the nearby walk in clinic (aka the house of germs). So I decided to wait until Larry was back to wrangle the rest while I take Jake to the clinic.
And yes, my fears were borne out- Jake has the flu. However because we jumped right on it, he was proscribed Tamiflu and it is really helping him beat the flu. He might even be back in school on Wednesday. Hooray for modern medicine!
Meanwhile Nate was definitely not himself. He didn't eat much on Saturday and wasn't his normal energetic self at the game. This was not a good sign. We packed him off to bed and decided to keep a wary eye on the boy.
On Sunday he was mostly his old bouncy self, that is until the end of the day. He started to complain about a sore throat and didn't have the same amount of spunk (he is a child that positively vibrates with energy if does not have recess at school). It was late and he didn't have a fever so we decided to wait. That's the hardest part of being a parent. You want to make them all better at the first sign of illness, but if you go too soon they'll have a false negative. We needed to wait for a clear sign such as a sudden spike in fever.
Today he was just able to drag himself out of bed and all he wanted for breakfast was toast. He had a hacking cough, looked miserable and felt worse. I looked into those sad brown eyes and told him he could stay home from school, but I was going to take him into the doctors. I wasn't sure what he had, but he needed to be checked out.
And guess what, it turns out he has strep throat. It was such a classic presentation the Doctor didn't even bother swabbing his throat. Nate had the start of an ear infection (which is typical for him and Strep) so we got a scrip for antibiotics and were sent on our merry way.
So between the flu and strep, I really don't recommend your stopping by our house anytime soon.
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