daddy's birthday

The kids are so funny when it is their parent's birthdays. Last year, Coop was laying in bed with me one morning and I said "tomorrow is my birthday" and he quietly whispered "can I be invited, mom?" . So. Cute.

Tomorrow is Eric's b-day and all week we have been counting down, since the kids have it written on their calendars. Today Syd said "tomorrow is daddy's birthday and he's going to get a jump house" ( like Syd's last birthday). I texted Eric and told him about about this new development...then Syd said "I hope I'm invited". To them, birthday means party. To us, its just another year older and a day of eating cake and feeling fat and bad about it the next day. Good times!

Candy Girl

Poor Syd, she is so deprived. Her most recent quote is "I didn't have any _____ today". It started with vitamins. When I would get my vitamins out in the morning, the shaking of the bottle would remind her that she hadn't had hers yet today....so "I didn't have any vitamins today". Of course, she not QUITE correct on her today vs yesterday vs 2 minutes ago time frame. Because, if I shake the bottle again, she will look right at me and say "I didn't have my viatmin today" WHILE SHE IS CHEWING THE ONE I JUST GAVE HER. Ok you get the point.

She also has a problem with candy, as in, I'm pretty sure she's addicted to the stuff. She will hide behind a chair and unwrap a piece of candy that she found and quickly eat it before someone finds out. She hasn't, however, figured out that she needs to throw the wrappers away. She's not that stealth yet. Which reminds me of the story of how I brought home an advent calendar, the kind that everyday you open a door. After she figured out there was chocolate behind every door, I found her under the piano opening and eating EVERY door for the entire month. Sorry Jesus!

Which brings me to Easter...Syd got up around 6:30 and I convinced her to stay in bed another half hour just with the threat of the Easter bunny possibly still being here. Finally she got up, found her basket and started stuffing in the candy. I tried a new strategy today...just let her have as much as she wants and when she's done, THEN take it away and dole it out 1 piece at a time, as we usually do. So she eats for awhile and when she's done I take it away.
Half hour later...I shit you not: "I didn't have any candy today"

I attribute it to the candy coma she must have been in because surely she is not that dumb.

Debby Downer

So the kids have the entire week off of school and we havento plans to do anything. I tried to pick up a lot of hours at work but then I was just annoyed that I was working a lot and pissed at the staffing as usual.
Today was not a good day. I was annoyed and pissed off in general and that was compounded by 2 different worrisome/stressful events that are happening to people that I am close to. Domestic violence and Cancer...maybe the two worst words ever. I am just so sad today. I am an emotional person anyway so when I went to visit said friend with the newly diagnosed "c" word, I turned into a puddle. Especially since as soon as I got in the door she grabbed me and hugged me hard while we both started crying and she whispered "I'm so scared". Even now my eyes are welling up thinking of it.
The other situation makes me sad and very angry too, especially since I am related to her. I feel helpless. I don't want to be a downer but this is my life today and I need to get it out...

On the other hand, Coop knew that I was sad and came right up to me and said "I love you, mom and I'll love you forever...even when I'm 16".

That smell

Poor Cooper! I heard him tonight while he was laying in bed...heaving. Eric ran him to the bathroom but Coop said he was "scared" to throw up in the toilet so it went everywhere else...tub #1. 30 minutes later I hear it again but this time it was all over the carpet all the way to the bathroom. tub #2. laundry load #2. Everytime he pukes he tries to "catch" it in his hands. This grosses me out to no end.
Eric says "aren't you a nurse...don't you deal with this stuff everyday?" well, yeah but we don't feed our patients chicken and noodles for this very reason AND I get to LEAVE when my shifts over. here, I just have to smell it for days!
He is so pitiful when he throws up, it breaks my heart. I just hope Syd doesn't end up with the same thing...she REALLY doesn't understand.
anyone know of a great carpet cleaner? We need one on speed dial

letters from Syd

Sydney is constantly scribbling things, taking up entire pieces of paper, and then giving them to people or wanting to send them to friends. When I ask what it says, she never disappoints. Today I received a small piece of paper.
me: what does this say?
Syd: dear mom, I love you, you can chase me now and then chase me again.

she is so cute I can't stand it