Friday, January 15, 2010

disappear- A "Mommy Magic" Story

I have a four year old that is very clever.

He thinks he can make himself disappear and reappear.

He tells me to look away and when I do he runs out of the room. He is convinced I truly believe he has disappeared!

It’s so cute to see him display his magical talent.

This week he decided he was exempt from house rules. He didn’t make his bed or clean up his room. He refused to do it. After two days of toys, and clothes thrown on his floor I decided I had to flex some mommy muscle and get him moving.

“Jace, today is the day!” I cheered.

“Today is the day for what?” he questioned with just as much excitement as I.

“Today you get to make that mess in your room disappear!” I proclaimed with a hint of magical wonder.

He stared into my face with a bit of stupor but quite a bit of amusement.

“You do know how to make things disappear, right?” I questioned.

He didn’t answer. He kept that secret to himself.

“Go see if you can make all the legos disappear in your room.”

Still no answer, just a sly smile.

“Come tell me when your done.“ I stated with complete confidence in his magical ability.

Off he ran into his room.

A few min later a very proud, confident boy strutted into my room and announced he had completed his task!

”What?!!“ I exclaimed in wonder. ”You DID it, already?“

This really fueled the fire. Soon he was jumping up and down begging me to challenge him to another task.

Next came the clothes, trucks, books, dress ups, and finally the bed!

He made them ALL disappear!

I DID IT MOM! I MADE THE ENTIRE MESS DISAPPEAR!

He is so clever!

Something to swallow...

I knew I was onto something!

Today I paid a visit to my Dr.

It has been a month since I was there. Just before Christmas to be exact.

The nurse and I had a good laugh when I stepped onto the scale.

She didn’t believe the scale....I DID!

She had me remove my shoes, empty my pockets and try again.

Same results.

“My, you must of had some great Christmas!” She commented.

The past few weeks flashed through my mind.

Sam was home. That means he did most the cooking!

I dined on bacon, eggs, and pancakes most mornings. Ham, potatoes, bread, donuts, and pies; just to name a few.

One week I was hooked on Root-beer- I NEVER drink carbonation but I was drinking it like water!

The scale was telling the truth. The WHOLE truth. We (the nurse and I) were laughing like little school girls about it.

My past visits to the scale have been 3 or 4 pounds gained for the month.

I am stepping into my 3rd Trimester, so weight gain is to be expected,

Just NOT half the total weight goal!!

I gained 15lbs!!!!

It’s good being pregnant!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Something to chew on

I rushed to the grocery store for one item needed for dinner...Monterey Jack Cheese.

As I hurried to the Entrance a table was set up just outside the doors with a young woman collecting money for the Earthquake victims in Haiti.

As I passed her she kindly said to me, “Please consider this when you leave.”

I immediately knew I wasn’t going to contribute because I was using a debit card and never carry cash.

Then my mind was refocused to getting in and out of the store as fast as I could.

I found the cheese, stood in line longer than I wanted and was soon on my way out.

As I approached the doors, I saw the woman again, and she politely asked if I’d like to contribute. I held up the debit card and said, “Sorry no cash.”

She sweetly replied she understood as I walked away.

Feeling a “little” guilty I wondered if these charities are a success anymore with the wide use of credit cards and debit cards.
I think I’d be more willing to hand over cash if I was ever carrying it.

Just as these thoughts entered my mind and before I got 10 yards away from this woman I spotted a $20 bill in the parking lot!

“You know what?” I called out as I picked it up. “Looks like you just gained $20.”
I returned to her table and dropped the money into her collection box.

I felt good about the exchange until I told Sam about it.

He teased me about taking the easy way out.
“It’s easy to give away someone else’s money isn’t it? No sacrifice, commitment, or risk.”

Suddenly my good deed didn’t feel so good.

He’s right...

It probably would have felt a lot better to ask for cash back when buying my block of cheese and donate my own money.



Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Pregnant


It’s official...I am really pregnant.

Sure I’ve been aware of this condition for the past 28 weeks, but as of TODAY it really counts.

Today I woke up after having 9 hours rest and slowly made it through scripture study and breakfast. I Got the kids to school and plopped down on the couch for another 2 1/2 hour nap.

I was OUT. At one time I awoke to a snort I must have caused as I switched positions. I tried really hard to open my eyes to see what the clock read but they didn’t hold up well. It was easier to just return to the comatose state I came from.

Finally at 11:30am I felt I could give the day another try.

I put on my moon boots and coat and headed for the car before I changed my mind. I desperately needed to go grocery shopping.
Sam called while I was out and offered lunch. I declined, partly because I didn’t think I’d get my shopping complete and partly because I didn’t want him to see me this way.

It doesn’t take much for him to convince me of anything. After a quick stop to Costco I was on my way to meet my handsomely dressed husband in my moon boots and unkept face.

Lunch was yummy. I didn’t realize I was so hungry. I was staring at my empty plate a few minuets later wondering if I was full.

As I watched Sam fidget with his Blackberry, across the table, I wondered what his morning was filled with. Just by his appearance it was obvious he had accomplished more than me.

Would it be fair for him to know what I had been up to all morning?

All I have to say is: “I’m holding the baby.” and I’m excused of any situation. That’s our understood “code word” for pregnancy situations aka: get out of jail free card. I use it often. He always smiles and picks up the slack.

Today I literally feel like I am “holding the baby.“ I feel the weight of it in a different way. My belly makes sudden jumps visible to others, as if this child is kicking it’s way out.

Mom called me after lunch. We laughed about how time has crept up on me.
I have plenty more growing to do the problem is I’m running out of space.


I went swimming again this evening. It felt so wonderful! My body is able to stretch in the water in a way that can’t be done otherwise.
While in the water I was moving...in the locker-room it was a different story.

I had a hard time reaching my feet and a harder time getting them into my socks. When I dressed to my surprise I found my belly hanging out of my maternity shirt!!

Refreshed, nonetheless, I picked my kids up from the play room and headed home for dinner.

I waddled today. I felt it.
Today I feel pregnant!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Swim

It’s January

It’s Cold

It’s Snowy

I’m 28 weeks pregnant

I’m grumpy.

I found a new happy place. I like to swim. I didn’t like to swim when training for Triathlons but the water is the only place my body feels free anymore.

I swim laps for 30min. Since I’m doing this for exercise sake (not a time) I find my mind and body really enjoy swimming.

It’s great to be at the gym and be lost in my own thoughts instead of being bombarded with TV monitors and music.

I just need to get used to my body weight when I climb out of the pool. I’m a little tipsy trying to get back to the locker room.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Business of the Tooth Fairy

When I was a child I loved the fantasy world. I could imagine I was someone else or somewhere else for hours on end.
I loved the magic of Christmas, and especially the TOOTH FAIRY.

I loved the thought that I was going to get a special visitor. It was only for ME. This personal attention went a long way with me.
I would arrange all my stuffed animals on the bed in the perfect spot (because I was sure they came alive while I slept) wear my cutest nightgown and try to look perfect as I drifted off to dreamland, impatiently awaiting to see if the fairy really knew I lost a tooth that day.

I didn’t care so much about the money. I can’t even remember weather I got pennies or dollars. It was more about the mystery of a FAIRY knowing me and visiting ME. When I awoke the next morning and found loot under my pillow my whole body would fill with a thrill of excitement. A FAIRY knows me!! A FAIRY saw me last night!! How did she do it? I didn’t hear a thing!

Last week Jarom lost his front tooth. Two days later he lost his other front tooth and a few days after that Jennica lost a bottom tooth.
The Hobi’s are keeping the Tooth Fairy in business!

 
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Being one that loved the whole Fairy experience as a child, I sure don’t envy her job anymore. I’m not sure why, but I really dislike the thought of that job!

We have a GREAT tooth fairy. Her name is Toothina. (She looks a lot like my sister.)

 
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She is rather punctual, except for one tooth. She missed a visit with Jarom but followed up the next night with a lovely letter and apology. She even responded to a class project for Jarom with a 2 page report and picture explaining her family line and duties. (Photo above)
We learned her Mother was my tooth fairy! And when the Hobi kids have kids her kid will be their fairy. (It stays in the family)

So back to my issue about her job... I find it too intense to have to sneak into their rooms after they have gone to sleep. This must mean a very LATE hour because what kid goes right to sleep when they are expecting a visitor that night??

What would happen if they woke up on her? What would she say? She couldn’t pretend to be tucking them into bed...SHE’S A FAIRY!!
WHat happens when she gets to their bed and she can’t find the tooth! How on earth is she to search under the pillow their huge head is atop of?
And what determines the amount for each tooth? How can she remember what she gave for the last tooth or even the older sibling??

It’s stressful enough for me to keep track of their tooth before nightfall. My kids are usually so excited about the lost tooth that they misplace them. I panic and spend the evening on my hands and knees searching for the tiny tooth so they wouldn’t miss out on the experience later that night.

By my bed time I am exhausted, as I crawl into bed I am thankful the Hobi’s have an awesome Tooth Fairy and pray the kids will stop loosing teeth so quickly and hope they won't catch her that night!

Being a Tooth Fairy isn't what I signed up for! I so glad I chose to be a Mom instead!

** One night the Tooth Fairy had called a substitute to do the job because she was out to a “Fairy Training” Upon returning she found a note on HER pillow expressing the job wasn’t done with the substitute snoring away in bed.
It’s a tough job!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Visit to Santa 09

Today was another magical day.
It started out like a usual school morning but Sam and I had a trick up our sleeve.

The kids were dressed for school and herded into the car, but instead of dropping them off to school I told them I was kidnaping them for the day. Of course they didn't believe me till I actually drove past the school.
Chants and cheers roared from the back seat when we announced we were going into NYC to visit Santa at Macy's.

We spent an hour in line for Santa, which the kids endured very well. There were plenty of Elves and attractions to look at as we wandered through the "North Pole."

Santa was happy to see us. The kids were happy to see Santa. Oddly enough no one had much to say once they were sitting on his lap.

When he asked what they wanted for Christmas Jace answered a hammer (????!!!) Jennica wasn't sure and Jarom mentioned something about his missing two front teeth.

Pictures were taken and we were escorted out into the not as magical land of Macy's again. Throughout the department store there were "Mail Stations" where you could write a letter to Santa and drop it into the mail box. We took a seat and each of us wrote our list. Jennica was still stumped at the wishes to make, Jarom once again asked for Star Wars toys, 3rd year in a row, and Jace requesting that darn hammer!

Next we took to the Subway and headed for China town to enjoy a lunch of dumplings at our favorite Restaurant Joe's Shanghi.

It was a beautiful day in the City. The sky was blue the sun was bright but Christmas was in the air.
The kids had a great time. So did I.

(Click on pictures for larger view)
 
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