It is a gorgeous day in Maryland today. It is not too hot and definitely not humid. I have had a hard decision to make today. Go outside and enjoy the weather or stay inside and clean up for Grandma's visit. My MIL is way cool but my house is very dirty so I guess I shall go with the second choice.
We just got home from a road trip to North and South Carolina. Lots to share including pictures. We had a great time.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
On a roll
My regular babysitter left in April and since then I have been without. We are fortunate to have my niece here who can watch the kids on the weekends for us. But I would like a sitter for during the week and the summer.
It would be nice to be able to schedule some appointments this summer and know that I have trusted childcare. I have not been actively searching but if something comes across I will pursue it.
I belong to the multiples club and often times people advertise for their sitter to get more work. I did this with my sitter and I referred her to many families. I was able to keep her by finding her more work; otherwise she would have had to get another job.
A person from my group sent out a note that her sitter was looking for other families. I don’t know this person well but I have had some interaction with her. I thought why not give it a chance to see if I like her. I emailed her right away.
The communications have been so sporadic I think I have to list them:
June 1st – My email states how I got her email address and that I was interested in meeting with her. I asked rates and told her the ages of my children.
June 3rd – She emails me back and says she would love to meet us. She wants me to tell her my availability. Her rates are about what I typically pay.
June 3rd – I email her back and let her know I am home most afternoons.
In between these emails, the person from my group sent out another email regarding this person as a sitter. I felt it was my duty to let her know that I was not getting a response from her. I had to double think whether I wanted to have her sit or not. The contact gave her a glowing recommendation and asked that I meet with her.
June 9th – I finally get a note back from her stating that her internet was down. Ok, I know she has an iphone from a previous message she sent. She wants to schedule something for the 16th in the evening.
The week of June 15th was a busy one with baseball practice or games every night. It was the playoff weekend. I never responded to the note above.
June 17th – I get an email with a little attitude of do you want to meet or not. It is ok but just let her know.
June 18th – I decide to give her one more shot. I told her June 21 – 23.
June 24th – I get an email that she couldn’t have come the days I wanted but wants to come tomorrow morning.
June 24th – I respond that tomorrow won’t work and that we are out of town and then have a visitor. I said I would get back to her the first week of July.
June 24th – She emails me back and will be out of town through July 6th but wants to plan on July 12th. If not, then it will have to wait until the following week.
OK, if I am not going to be able to meet her until the end of July then what is the point really? This has been way too difficult which tells me a lot.
Someone told me to FB her. Her wall is protected but this is what I found in her activities: Being Tattooed, Kids, lyrics that explain exactly how you feel, a relationship. no fuss, nobody getting involved. just me and you please :)
My last and final email to her was that I would get back to her sometime in July. NOT.
It would be nice to be able to schedule some appointments this summer and know that I have trusted childcare. I have not been actively searching but if something comes across I will pursue it.
I belong to the multiples club and often times people advertise for their sitter to get more work. I did this with my sitter and I referred her to many families. I was able to keep her by finding her more work; otherwise she would have had to get another job.
A person from my group sent out a note that her sitter was looking for other families. I don’t know this person well but I have had some interaction with her. I thought why not give it a chance to see if I like her. I emailed her right away.
The communications have been so sporadic I think I have to list them:
June 1st – My email states how I got her email address and that I was interested in meeting with her. I asked rates and told her the ages of my children.
June 3rd – She emails me back and says she would love to meet us. She wants me to tell her my availability. Her rates are about what I typically pay.
June 3rd – I email her back and let her know I am home most afternoons.
In between these emails, the person from my group sent out another email regarding this person as a sitter. I felt it was my duty to let her know that I was not getting a response from her. I had to double think whether I wanted to have her sit or not. The contact gave her a glowing recommendation and asked that I meet with her.
June 9th – I finally get a note back from her stating that her internet was down. Ok, I know she has an iphone from a previous message she sent. She wants to schedule something for the 16th in the evening.
The week of June 15th was a busy one with baseball practice or games every night. It was the playoff weekend. I never responded to the note above.
June 17th – I get an email with a little attitude of do you want to meet or not. It is ok but just let her know.
June 18th – I decide to give her one more shot. I told her June 21 – 23.
June 24th – I get an email that she couldn’t have come the days I wanted but wants to come tomorrow morning.
June 24th – I respond that tomorrow won’t work and that we are out of town and then have a visitor. I said I would get back to her the first week of July.
June 24th – She emails me back and will be out of town through July 6th but wants to plan on July 12th. If not, then it will have to wait until the following week.
OK, if I am not going to be able to meet her until the end of July then what is the point really? This has been way too difficult which tells me a lot.
Someone told me to FB her. Her wall is protected but this is what I found in her activities: Being Tattooed, Kids, lyrics that explain exactly how you feel, a relationship. no fuss, nobody getting involved. just me and you please :)
My last and final email to her was that I would get back to her sometime in July. NOT.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I know you missed it!
I know you must be surprised that I have not ranted in a long time. Truth be told, I have had many situations just no time to sit and write. I can't remember most of the situations, which is probably a good thing. But there is one that has been lingering around.
I have a neighbor that I have spoken about many times, I will call her Lizzie. She rarely seems to be happy with anything and she lies a lot. Most recently I posted about her here and here. After the last incident regarding baseball, I decided I needed to get along with her or it would be a LONG baseball season. So I buried the hatchet and that was that. We picked up her child for a baseball game or two and she was able to help me out one time. I did not let it get much further than that.
I noticed that she has many people convinced that she is super Mom who is always willing to do anything for you. Of course, she complains behind their backs about what she has done for them.
It seems like the lies are so silly. For example, the other day she stopped by to drop money off for the bus driver. She made mention of going up to the school with Popsicles on the wrong day. The dry ice gave out and the Popsicles were melted and disfigured. My neighbor who happened to be standing there asked where she had gotten the dry ice. Lizzie mentioned that she got it at the grocery store with the exact location. My next door neighbor had mentioned that she was just there looking for dry ice but they said they did not sell it any more. Lizzie said yes they do that is where I always get it from.
So my next door neighbor just happens to be at the store the next day and asks about dry ice. The cashier said they have not sold dry ice in about 6 months. Now really, what is the deal?
I have so many stories about Lizzie that it would make your head spin. I have such a hard time believing anything that comes out of her mouth.
There is one thing that was the last straw. I collected money to give a gift to our coach. I like the boys' baseball coach and know that he spent an enormous amount of time with our children. My husband was an assistant coach with one other person and then there was one person who took score the entire season. Most of these people were at every practice and game including my husband. The team also had help from several of the other Dads.
Lizzie said that she would get picture frames for the other coaches. She would have the boys sign the matting (which they did), put the coaches name at the top and put the picture in the frame. We agreed to have it completed by the last regular season game. So I made sure I had collected money from everyone and purchased a gift card that morning for the coach.
Lizzie gets to the game empty handed. She said she was having issues with the picture size. She asked if I wanted to wait until one of the following games to present the coach's gift. I told her that I was doing it that day. That is what I had planned on not to mention that I had to make a special trip to get the card.
The next time I saw her, no picture frames. I am sure you guessed that none of the other coaches received their gift. That makes me incredibly angry. If I would have know she was going to flake out I would have taken things into my own hands. I just felt a little awkward since my husband was one of the coaches.
I will always be cordial when I see her. I will wave to her as she drives by my house. But my hope is that our paths will not cross in the future. I don't think her son will be playing baseball in the fall. The boys were on the same basketball team in the winter, so I need to make sure to be a little more involved during evaluations.
I have never met anyone like here. I wonder if there are more people like her out there?
I have a neighbor that I have spoken about many times, I will call her Lizzie. She rarely seems to be happy with anything and she lies a lot. Most recently I posted about her here and here. After the last incident regarding baseball, I decided I needed to get along with her or it would be a LONG baseball season. So I buried the hatchet and that was that. We picked up her child for a baseball game or two and she was able to help me out one time. I did not let it get much further than that.
I noticed that she has many people convinced that she is super Mom who is always willing to do anything for you. Of course, she complains behind their backs about what she has done for them.
It seems like the lies are so silly. For example, the other day she stopped by to drop money off for the bus driver. She made mention of going up to the school with Popsicles on the wrong day. The dry ice gave out and the Popsicles were melted and disfigured. My neighbor who happened to be standing there asked where she had gotten the dry ice. Lizzie mentioned that she got it at the grocery store with the exact location. My next door neighbor had mentioned that she was just there looking for dry ice but they said they did not sell it any more. Lizzie said yes they do that is where I always get it from.
So my next door neighbor just happens to be at the store the next day and asks about dry ice. The cashier said they have not sold dry ice in about 6 months. Now really, what is the deal?
I have so many stories about Lizzie that it would make your head spin. I have such a hard time believing anything that comes out of her mouth.
There is one thing that was the last straw. I collected money to give a gift to our coach. I like the boys' baseball coach and know that he spent an enormous amount of time with our children. My husband was an assistant coach with one other person and then there was one person who took score the entire season. Most of these people were at every practice and game including my husband. The team also had help from several of the other Dads.
Lizzie said that she would get picture frames for the other coaches. She would have the boys sign the matting (which they did), put the coaches name at the top and put the picture in the frame. We agreed to have it completed by the last regular season game. So I made sure I had collected money from everyone and purchased a gift card that morning for the coach.
Lizzie gets to the game empty handed. She said she was having issues with the picture size. She asked if I wanted to wait until one of the following games to present the coach's gift. I told her that I was doing it that day. That is what I had planned on not to mention that I had to make a special trip to get the card.
The next time I saw her, no picture frames. I am sure you guessed that none of the other coaches received their gift. That makes me incredibly angry. If I would have know she was going to flake out I would have taken things into my own hands. I just felt a little awkward since my husband was one of the coaches.
I will always be cordial when I see her. I will wave to her as she drives by my house. But my hope is that our paths will not cross in the future. I don't think her son will be playing baseball in the fall. The boys were on the same basketball team in the winter, so I need to make sure to be a little more involved during evaluations.
I have never met anyone like here. I wonder if there are more people like her out there?
The last day of school
Well, we made it through the last day of school. I was able to get all of my presents purchased and delivered. I (and my boys) am going to miss 2nd grade. My boys had some amazing teachers. They each had teachers that were such a good fit.
When I dropped E's teacher's gift off, she was in tears. She really enjoyed having E in her class this year. I was also able to stop by to say good bye to Jay's teacher. She is such a sweet lady who in my opinion favored Jay just a little. He reminded her of her son when he was younger.
Jay missed his last 2 days of school, which was a big bummer for him. They do nothing but fun stuff on the last few days. On Tuesday, he seemed to get a bad cough and his eyes were really red. My neighbor and husband both thought he had pink eye but didn't have any of the symptoms, except red eyes. So I opted NOT to take him to the Dr. but I didn't send him to school either. Other than a little cough today he seems to be fine.
So today was our first day of summer vacation. We have a lot to pack into 2 months of vacation. I have a feeling they are going to fly by.
Now what to do with all of the stuff they brought home?????
When I dropped E's teacher's gift off, she was in tears. She really enjoyed having E in her class this year. I was also able to stop by to say good bye to Jay's teacher. She is such a sweet lady who in my opinion favored Jay just a little. He reminded her of her son when he was younger.
Jay missed his last 2 days of school, which was a big bummer for him. They do nothing but fun stuff on the last few days. On Tuesday, he seemed to get a bad cough and his eyes were really red. My neighbor and husband both thought he had pink eye but didn't have any of the symptoms, except red eyes. So I opted NOT to take him to the Dr. but I didn't send him to school either. Other than a little cough today he seems to be fine.
So today was our first day of summer vacation. We have a lot to pack into 2 months of vacation. I have a feeling they are going to fly by.
Now what to do with all of the stuff they brought home?????
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Where was I....
A couple of weekends ago, Grandpa (husband's Dad) drove up for a visit. Golf was squeezed in to a weekend filled with baseball. In addition to baseball practice Friday night and a game on Sunday, my husband took Grandpa and the older boys to an Orioles game on Saturday night. They had a good time at the game but I wonder if their favorite part was getting snack food vs. watching the game.
Our tummies are full after a delicious breakfast!
Father and Son!
We did swim in the pool as well. It was a really hot weekend.
Once the game was over on Sunday, the focus shifted to practicing for the playoffs which were this past weekend. There were games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It was double elimination, so once you lost 2 games you were out of the playoffs. We lost both Thursday and Friday. Jay ended up coming home from school on Friday sick. He had a sore throat and a fever. I immediately took him to the Dr. to check for strep (there have been cases in the school) but it came back negative. So he fought a little virus Friday and Saturday but by Sunday was feeling much better.
Where was I....oh yes, then the team had a game scheduled Saturday morning at 9am. Players had to be at the field, a 30 minute drive, by 8:15. The other team decided not to show because they thought it was optional. This is the same team where we had issues with the parents I spoke about here. So the kids split up and played for fun, the umpire had already been hired.
I love baseball season but it was so nice to NOT have to get ready for a game on Sunday. We had a nice relaxing Father's day at home swimming in the pool. The kids lavished their Dad with creations made at school and we purchased him a new watch. He has been wearing the one I bought him over 12 years ago as a wedding gift. I guess it was time to trade him up. He ended up doing a lot of research on watches and finally told me yesterday he was happy with my purchase.
We only have 1 day left of school. Jay is fighting a bad cough now, which the Dr. warned me could happen. They have been seeing a lot of that in the office. He woke up with really red eyes. At first, I thought pink eye, but he was not displaying any of the symptoms. I will continue to watch them and determine whether I need to take him in tomorrow. So he may miss his last day.
And now back to trying to get some stuff done.......
Our tummies are full after a delicious breakfast!
Father and Son!
We did swim in the pool as well. It was a really hot weekend.
Once the game was over on Sunday, the focus shifted to practicing for the playoffs which were this past weekend. There were games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It was double elimination, so once you lost 2 games you were out of the playoffs. We lost both Thursday and Friday. Jay ended up coming home from school on Friday sick. He had a sore throat and a fever. I immediately took him to the Dr. to check for strep (there have been cases in the school) but it came back negative. So he fought a little virus Friday and Saturday but by Sunday was feeling much better.
Where was I....oh yes, then the team had a game scheduled Saturday morning at 9am. Players had to be at the field, a 30 minute drive, by 8:15. The other team decided not to show because they thought it was optional. This is the same team where we had issues with the parents I spoke about here. So the kids split up and played for fun, the umpire had already been hired.
I love baseball season but it was so nice to NOT have to get ready for a game on Sunday. We had a nice relaxing Father's day at home swimming in the pool. The kids lavished their Dad with creations made at school and we purchased him a new watch. He has been wearing the one I bought him over 12 years ago as a wedding gift. I guess it was time to trade him up. He ended up doing a lot of research on watches and finally told me yesterday he was happy with my purchase.
We only have 1 day left of school. Jay is fighting a bad cough now, which the Dr. warned me could happen. They have been seeing a lot of that in the office. He woke up with really red eyes. At first, I thought pink eye, but he was not displaying any of the symptoms. I will continue to watch them and determine whether I need to take him in tomorrow. So he may miss his last day.
And now back to trying to get some stuff done.......
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Strawberry picking and more
Keeping this blog up to date has not been at the top of the list these days. I am trying to wrap up teacher gifts and work on PTA related items I have taken on. Yes, my husband makes a point to tell me I have volunteered for these projects. But needless to say it is taking a lot of my time.
Baseball is still going strong. The boys won a regular season game last week. It was so exciting. This past Sunday the game was so close. The other team won by one point in the last inning of the game. The boys have worked so hard and have improved so much since the beginning of the season. Jay has become a really good pitcher. E is working on his pitching. He is trying to work out how he pitches so that he can remain consistent. Baseball ends this weekend with the playoffs. There is a game Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday morning. I guess a possibility of playing Sunday depending on how we do. Then we will be done until the fall but there are a few baseball camps this summer.
School lets out next Wednesday. We are counting down and ready for a summer break. I still have to purchase teacher gifts. Luckily, all the money is collected so I just need to make it out this weekend to purchase the gifts.
Last week, Tee and I went with friends strawberry picking. We had a really nice time. I did not realize how good the strawberries were going to be.
Tee and his friend putting strawberries in the bucket.
Hard work and time for a rest.
What to do with so many strawberries? We dipped them in chocolate and we made strawberry shortcake. Both were delicious. We are going to go back from raspberries in the next few weeks.
Baseball is still going strong. The boys won a regular season game last week. It was so exciting. This past Sunday the game was so close. The other team won by one point in the last inning of the game. The boys have worked so hard and have improved so much since the beginning of the season. Jay has become a really good pitcher. E is working on his pitching. He is trying to work out how he pitches so that he can remain consistent. Baseball ends this weekend with the playoffs. There is a game Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday morning. I guess a possibility of playing Sunday depending on how we do. Then we will be done until the fall but there are a few baseball camps this summer.
School lets out next Wednesday. We are counting down and ready for a summer break. I still have to purchase teacher gifts. Luckily, all the money is collected so I just need to make it out this weekend to purchase the gifts.
Last week, Tee and I went with friends strawberry picking. We had a really nice time. I did not realize how good the strawberries were going to be.
Tee and his friend putting strawberries in the bucket.
Hard work and time for a rest.
What to do with so many strawberries? We dipped them in chocolate and we made strawberry shortcake. Both were delicious. We are going to go back from raspberries in the next few weeks.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Fairy Tales
I don't normally think that being a parent to twins is difficult. Although as we get a little older there do tend to be issues of why can one brother do or get something that the other doesn't but I think that happens with siblings also. Sometimes I think parenting twins is easier. My kids play the same sports and are always on the same team. I only have to get to one place where as some of my friends are driving all over creation to get this kid there and the other kid in the opposite direction.
The one place I struggle with is at school functions. If the school has a function for a grade, it happens at the same time. It is not fun to split time between the two second grade classrooms.
Every year the kids have what is called an Author's Tea. The kids write and illustrate a book. Each year is a different theme. Last year, they wrote about a vacation or trip they had been on. This year the theme was fairly tales.
The husband and I started off in Jay's class. The teacher was very much into the theme and did a lot of preparation work. The boys were dressed as Knights and the girls as princesses. The children held hands as they walked into the room. A short presentation was made where each kid had a part.
Then the kids were able to read their stories to their parent(s). At this point my husband left to go to E's class.
Jay had a great story named "The Three Knights"
My little monkey!
It was a little stressful trying to split time with the boys. I am sure they would have loved to have had us all in their class for the entire time. But I guess that is what being a twin is about. They have always had to share everything. Luckily, they are fairly easy going boys.
They did a great job on their books and I can't describe how proud I am of them.
When I downloaded pictures today I ran across one of Tee. On Monday, when he was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch we had to wake him for dinner. We brought him to the dinner table and he could not keep his eyes open but was eating. We got such a tickle out of it that I had to get the camera out.
This is Tee eating while still half asleep.
The one place I struggle with is at school functions. If the school has a function for a grade, it happens at the same time. It is not fun to split time between the two second grade classrooms.
Every year the kids have what is called an Author's Tea. The kids write and illustrate a book. Each year is a different theme. Last year, they wrote about a vacation or trip they had been on. This year the theme was fairly tales.
The husband and I started off in Jay's class. The teacher was very much into the theme and did a lot of preparation work. The boys were dressed as Knights and the girls as princesses. The children held hands as they walked into the room. A short presentation was made where each kid had a part.
Then the kids were able to read their stories to their parent(s). At this point my husband left to go to E's class.
Jay had a great story named "The Three Knights"
My knight!
E's story was named "The Three Monkeys". Dad spent a lot of time in the room with E. He heard stories from many of the kids in the class. I heard E loved reading his story and read to many of the parents. He was very excited because the parents signed each book after the child read it.
Dad and E.
Dad and E.
My little monkey!
It was a little stressful trying to split time with the boys. I am sure they would have loved to have had us all in their class for the entire time. But I guess that is what being a twin is about. They have always had to share everything. Luckily, they are fairly easy going boys.
They did a great job on their books and I can't describe how proud I am of them.
When I downloaded pictures today I ran across one of Tee. On Monday, when he was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch we had to wake him for dinner. We brought him to the dinner table and he could not keep his eyes open but was eating. We got such a tickle out of it that I had to get the camera out.
This is Tee eating while still half asleep.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday at last
I forgot to mention it, but Tee had his last t-ball session last Friday. It was fun. The parents were able to pitch to their children and vice versa. Yes, sort of like a game. Tee was the first one up to bat and I was getting a little nervous but on my last ball he was able to hit the ball. The kids won of course.
Glad that the weekend is upon us. We don't have any real plans for the weekend but I am sure it will involve swimming, of course, baseball and trying to get stuff done.
I have been working on PTA stuff for the school that has kept me a little busy. I have organized a school supplies program. Parents can purchase supplies through this company and all supplies for the child will be delivered to the school prior to "meet the teacher" day. Prices are very reasonable. I am so happy that I do not have to think about supplies this summer. It wasn't easy getting this going but I have heard a lot of positive feedback.
I am also working on getting a web portal going for the group. I am not an Internet genius but I guess I will figure it out. Maybe at some point we can get more of an expert to step in and take it over. That is my hope anyway.
We have about 2 full weeks of baseball left and then the tournament. In my opinion, baseball is running about 1 1/2 weeks behind. It has been a long season and I am ready to not have that as a commitment. I am not sure what the fall holds for them. They will definitely play, hopefully, on a non-travel team.
It is going to be a hot weekend with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms each day. The boys had friends over to swim yesterday and it was cut short by thunder (and then storm). They had a great time. Tee loves swimming also. He does not want to wear a life vest so he stays at the steps. I think he will have it down by the time summer is over.
No one has volunteered to step up to collect money for an end of the year gift for EE's teacher. I sent a note out asking if anyone was going to take it on or if I needed to step up. As I suspected, everyone thanked me for taking it on. So I need to get my letters written and envelopes ready.
Glad that the weekend is upon us. We don't have any real plans for the weekend but I am sure it will involve swimming, of course, baseball and trying to get stuff done.
I have been working on PTA stuff for the school that has kept me a little busy. I have organized a school supplies program. Parents can purchase supplies through this company and all supplies for the child will be delivered to the school prior to "meet the teacher" day. Prices are very reasonable. I am so happy that I do not have to think about supplies this summer. It wasn't easy getting this going but I have heard a lot of positive feedback.
I am also working on getting a web portal going for the group. I am not an Internet genius but I guess I will figure it out. Maybe at some point we can get more of an expert to step in and take it over. That is my hope anyway.
We have about 2 full weeks of baseball left and then the tournament. In my opinion, baseball is running about 1 1/2 weeks behind. It has been a long season and I am ready to not have that as a commitment. I am not sure what the fall holds for them. They will definitely play, hopefully, on a non-travel team.
It is going to be a hot weekend with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms each day. The boys had friends over to swim yesterday and it was cut short by thunder (and then storm). They had a great time. Tee loves swimming also. He does not want to wear a life vest so he stays at the steps. I think he will have it down by the time summer is over.
No one has volunteered to step up to collect money for an end of the year gift for EE's teacher. I sent a note out asking if anyone was going to take it on or if I needed to step up. As I suspected, everyone thanked me for taking it on. So I need to get my letters written and envelopes ready.
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