Christmas C's plus a D

I asked my ex if I could have D on Christmas Day this year, but they already had plans to go sledding that day, so Christmas Eve was our Christmas.  Which was fine, we had fun!!    I wasn't planning on opening presents until after lunch, but when a 5yo keeps asking and asking and asking, well....you just have to give in.  It's Christmas after all.  C was getting her kids on Christmas Eve night and all of Christmas Day, so it was just D, C and me.  The 3 kids opened their presents to each other the day before. 

And, yes, she is missing a tooth!

David was all excited to rip into his presents.  Some of the highlights include, Hot Wheels Crisscross Crash, Bee Pillow Pet, Electric race car track, tons of lego's, Zhu Zhu Ninja pets, a skate board, and new Bakugon's.  

I was also excited to have presents opened, but not mine.  I was excited to see D rip into his, but also C to open hers.  I had heard her mention several times the present I had gotten for her.  I received the box via Fed Ex a while ago - it was a HUGE box and had to figure out where to hide it in this small apartment.  I got creative with D's room to hide it effectively.  I got C a telescope.  I had done research about it and got her one that will be able to see planets, not just the moon.  Now, if only the PNW would cooperate with moving the clouds out of the way, she'll be able to use it!!  I also made her a cookbook.  THOSE are hard to come by these days, but I found one and copied her favorite recipes into it.  Santa brought her the complete Harry Potter series and perfume. 

I also received a wonderful bunch of presents.  D's teacher had the kids make handprint ornaments, a new ring (it's beautiful), 2 photo books (I give up on scrapping and heading directly to Shutterfly.com), gift cards galore, an ottoman foot stool that stores blankets and when you flip the top over you can use as a small table, a video recorder, and blankets.  Santa brought me a new keyboard for my computer, a paper shredder, hole punch, 2 cds, and Hairspray the movie. 

The night previous, we had been to WalMart and C found that the paper jams guitars were on sale, so 3 went into the cart.  D was with us, so we said that the 3rd one was for Madelyn.  Ohhhh, was he mad!!  So mad in fact, that as we were walking out of the store, the Salvation Army bell ringer was dressed as Santa (he was goooood too), so D stopped and talked to him for a minute.  D told him that we were naughty/mean and don't deserve any presents.  WHAT!!??  We were ratted out to Santa by a 5yo!!  We knew that the 3rd guitar was for him, but we couldn't let me know that.

After presents were opened and played with, including the paper jam guitar, we decided to head out for a while.  Off we went to WalMart again.  The Santa was there again, and as we were leaving D once again decided to have a chat with him.  D told him that he no longer needs to bring him a Pillow Pet or Crisscross Crash and that he was mad at us yesterday and that we aren't naughty/mean.  PHEW!!  Glad that D cleared that up with the Jolly Big Man! 

That night, after bringing D to Portland, C and I finished wrapping the presents, watched a movie and went to bed.  The next morning was filled with her kids cheers of delight as Santa had been there and filled stockings to the brim!!  There was no sleeping in that morning, it was time to get up and open presents.  Santa brought a Snoopy Snow Cone machine for CE and Lego's for CM.  They also got DS Lites, tons of games, paper jam guitars, barbies, and nerf guns.  I made my traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast and it was time to get dressed and head to Grandma's for more presents and dinner!  The kids got more presents, a GIANT remote control truck, Barbie camper and pillow pets.  Dinner was yummy and then it was time to go.  We drove the kids up to their Daddy's and headed back to Vancouver for our annual Christmas night card game with the boys.  FUN FUN FUN!!

Gobbling Up the Night

As most people start the Christmas season at Thanksgiving, that's where I'll begin.  Thanksgiving was a small affair.  Just C3, D and me.  Because the 5 of us only eat dark meat, I bought only Turkey legs and cooked them rather than buying a whole turkey.  We had turkey, stuffing, beans, mashed potatoes and pie.  After dinner, C and I plotted out our 2nd annual Black Friday shopping trip, babysitter was hired earlier that week, and caffeine was purchased waiting to be consumed.  Because I had to work the next day for 8 hours, I didn't think that I'd be able to be out all night.  HA!!  This 41yo woman can hang with the big boys - and lack of sleep.  We had gotten that day's paper to be sure that all the stores ads had been looked through.  After dinner, the kids got a hold of the ads and started scouring them for things they wanted. 

C and I started at Toys R Us.  This year they opened at 10pm, so we left the house at 9 to get into line.  When we got there, the line was hella long.  As we were heading to the back of the line, C asked the first person in line what time he had gotten there - midnight Wednesday.  Then she asked the second people in line when they arrived - noon on Thanksgiving day.  So that first person in line waited more than 12 hours for NOTHING...he could've been at home instead.  C forgot to ask what was soooo important at TRU to wait almost 24 hours for.  We were in and out of TRU by 1am.

We headed back into WA and took a 1 hour nap before heading off to Target.  While standing in line the mgr came out and told us that all 14 registers were open in front and 2 registers in the electronics dept. Perfect, the 14 register line will go fast!!  I got into line, but everyone was unsure what line they were in as the rumor started that the line I was standing in was the electronics line, but everyone was being directed to this line, and another employee said that this was the main line.  After much confusion by customers and Target employee's, 2 lines suddenly appeared.  Guess which line I was in?  Not the fast moving 14 register line.  No, when the lines split, I was moved into the slow moving 2 person electronic line.  It took more than 2 hours to leave Target.  UGH. 

By then it was 6am and I decided that I needed to get home and sleep for a bit before the kids got up.  Our babysitter was still there and was staying until at least 9-10am, so there was time for another nap.  C went on her merry way to continue shopping, I went home for a 3 hour nap.  I got up to take D into Portland and took another 1 hour rest (didn't sleep) before heading into work.  I had the closing shift, so the crowds had slowed and I survived on just 4 hours sleep. 

I figure that I can sleep when I'm dead, for now, life is moving fast and I don't want to miss out on the fun things.  I like our "up all night" shopping, we talk to some fun people, see friends while in line and get some great bargains.  C and I were pretty much done Christmas shopping by the end of that weekend.  WOO HOO!!

"Thing" - warning, squeamish pictures ahead

Prior to D and I going to Florida back in May, D has this "thing" on his temple.  What started as what we thought was a boil has manifested into a "thing" that won't go away.  We call it his owie - I've knick named it Thing.  M and I have tried various Dr's and medications and it wasn't until just a couple weeks ago that I decided that it's time REALLY take care of it.  I called OHSU and made an appt with a pediatric dermatologist - for January!!

Thing has been a scab for months.  Not growing, not changing, not healing, so a few weeks ago I picked off the scab in hopes of it to kick-start the healing process again.  Ummmm, no.  The scab had roots on it!! ROOTS!! White long roots!  Grrroooooooossssss!  It only made Thing mad and uglier.  Suddenly a small scab turned into an oozy puss filled large gross THING.   D had longer hair, so hair started to get matted into the ooze.  M finally was able to get D to have his hair cut around Thing so hair stopped getting stuck. 

Scab roots

Roots on the scab - grossssss!

M finally got really worried about Thing and took D back to his dr.  D was put on 1000mg of antibiotics and M was told to get it removed immediately.  This kicked started a week of scrambling on his part and a dr. appt which was then scheduled to a out patient surgery.  D was so scared of having ANYONE touching Thing that we opted to have it removed, washed, examined while D was unconscious.  Today was that day.  7am we checked into SWMC Surgical Center and at 8:30 D was wheeled into the OR.  An hour later the dr came out to talk with us.  She removed the large ugly scab, which revealed a 2cm X 2cm wound.  She washed out the wound, took cultures and performed a biopsy.  We should have culture results in a few days which will tell the dr exactly what meds that D needs to start the healing process - if necessary.  The biopsy results will be back in a week or so.  We'll see the dr again next week and until then, she wants the wound to remain covered. 

D went home with Daddy and is doing just fine.  I'm sad that I'm not taking care of him today, but I know that M will do a good job.  M had movies, food and games all set for D today, but the mommy in me wants him here. 

Thing - before

Thing - after  (still looks ugly)

Waiting in a retail wonderland

Tis the season for shopping and with less than 2 weeks before the "big day", here are some friendly reminders. 

* Be kind to your retail workers. We're making close to if not minimum wage and we are just the worker bee's of the operation. 

* You're going to stand in line.  I don't make the schedules of how many people are on the registers.  Also, the number of employee's in the store is solely dictated upon the sales figures from that date last year.  And, I said DATE - not day.  So, if on a Sunday you don't see many employee's - it's because last year was probably a Monday or something and sales were low.  Contact corporate about that, we are not able to change that in the store.  The extra minutes that you're waiting in line compared to the whole scheme of your lifetime, is a mere blip, so put on a smile, complain about the weather to your neighbor and strike up a conversation cuz you're going to be waiting. 

* Be friendly when we ask you a billion questions.  Would you like a store cc?  Would you like gift receipts?  Do you need boxes?  One of those questions is MANDATORY and the rest are to make YOUR life easier. 

*  Don't yell at us or get angry when you can't find a shopping cart in the middle of a Saturday (true story).  Or when the item you want is no longer in your size.  Yes, you'd be amazed at the small petty things that we get peeved customers demanding from us. 

*  Don't get angry with us when it's 12:15am and we ask you to bring your items to the register to put on hold or to purchase.  No longer are the days where you can waltz into a store 15 min before closing time and shop until you drop.  No, we close at midnight and customers are expected to be out of the store shortly after/if not before.  I'm tired and want to go home.  I have at least 30 min of work to finish after you've left the store - and I'm just the clerk, not mgmt. 

*  If you want to apply for the store cc, then do so.  Don't worry about the people behind you - again, perspective people.  For our store cc, it takes LESS than 3 min to complete the process.  I can finish bagging your items in the time that it takes you to complete the application.  If you want it, then get it. 

*  Please don't come to the register with a cart full of items and THEN decide which items you're going to purchase.  Especially when it's 12:15am!!  I've had people with a shopping cart full of clothes, pull them out at my register and then try to make outfits out of the clothing to decide which items she was going to purchase - while there was a line.  Go to an empty register to do that or figure it out while you're shopping.  I am the one who has to put all the items back into their proper place within the store - AFTER my shift. 

I sound as if I'm one of those crotchety bittys that you get at a store ringing up your purchases - I'm actually not.  I had many compliments on Saturday from customers on how friendly I was to them when we were extremely busy - 5 registers going and a line of about 40 people.  When you are in front of me, you are my customer.  I don't worry about people waiting in line or how long they're waiting.  I'm also not standing having a long conversation with people either.  I get you in, I get you out pretty quickly, but while you're in front of me, you'll never know or feel that you were being rushed. 

Severe fall

A few weeks ago, a former MOMS Club member had a near fatal tragedy happen to her family.  Her almost 5yo son fell out of their 2nd story window suffering severe head trauma.  Luckily, Thomas survived but was/is still in a medical induced coma and facing some major rehab to regain his almost 5yo abilities.   Here are some stats that Becca posted for all of us to remember...

In the United States, 4,700 children fall every year, 70% fall from second or third story windows.

The children that are at risk are:
*impulsive and playful children
*imaginative and curious children
*energetic and persistent children
(sounds like most children, huh?)

Children at highest risk:
boys
under 5 years old
supervising parents are distracted (making meals, entertaining...)

Teach your children about window safety. “Screens keep bugs out; they do not keep kids in.”
*note from Becca – our kids knew this already but “knowing” and acting on the “knowledge” aren't the same thing.

Keep furniture or anything a child can climb away from windows.
*note from Becca – we have window seats below the windows in our kids' room, something we had always thought was cool (great for storage).

Only allow windows to open 4 inches and install a window stop to keep children from opening them further. (Be sure an adult can open them in an emergency).

If you open windows wider than 4 inches, install window guards that can be removed by an adult in an emergency.

Consider planting shrubs or grass under windows to cushion potential falls. The landing surface can greatly affect the degree of injury sustained from a fall.
*Note from Becca – this one sounds silly to me but I can't tell you the number of times I have replayed Thomas' fall in my head and I would give anything for something softer than concrete to have been there for him to land on.

Here are two product recommendations for window safety:
Guardian Angel window guards. 1-800-445-2370 or www.angelguards.com. They look like bars across the windows but can be taken off by an adult in the case of emergency like fire. This product enables you to keep your windows all the way open without sacrificing safety.
Kid Co Window Stop – These keep the window from opening more than 4 inches. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-Window-Stop/dp/B003LZU0PG
(There is also a product that looks more like a cloth screen. It enables you to open your windows completely and holds up to 100 pounds.)

If you have questions, you can contact Jan Berichon at the Safety Store which is located inside the Legacy Emanuel hospital. She is passionate and knowledgeable about children's safety. She spent over an hour talking to me and listening to me cry and had some very helpful suggestions. She encourages you to call or stop by to get information specific to the type of window in your home. Her number is 503-413-2678 and her E-mail is jbericho@lhs.org. I hope this is helpful!

NNDSMHGOOCMo

No, my title is not a typo, nor has D been typing on the computer.  I was reading http://snarkymommy.com/ today and she was talking about months having a National "something to do" all of the time.  National Breast Cancer Awareness, National Blogging Month...something, so I decided that it's National National Do Something Month Has Gotten Out Of Control Month.  THAT's a mouthful! 

Anyways, I commented on the blog and thought it was a funny comment, so here it is: 

Don’t forget: December is NaAssGeBiMo – National Ass Getting Bigger Month from all of the candy we’ve eaten AND all of the cookies, candy and food we will be eating! Which leads into NaNYReWk (National New Years Resolution Week – cuz that’s all the time that they last), but then the REAL month begins: NaF*NYReMo (yes, the well known National Fu** New Years Resolutions Month). 

PHEW – it’s going to be exhausting!!

So, if you have a National Month that you'd like to declare, please feel free to share!!

Jack says WHA?

This weekend was going to be filled with Halloween goodness.  However, the weather did not cooperate with us.  No pumpkin patch this year, which is ok.  D had his drumming class on Saturday, so that cuts a huge amount of time out of the day.  Once we go home and had lunch, off to the store for pumpkins.  Unfortunately, on the way C got a call from work and had to be brought back to her car and off she went. I was brave and took the 3 kids to the store and picked out some GIANORMAS pumpkins!

Today, we carved those pumpkins and here are the results. 

Gut removal team

Mine and C's

CM's, D and CE's

For those who've noticed - I don't put names into my blog of most people.  ESPECIALLY children.  Because C decided to name her kids with C names, I have to include middle initials....CM = boy child, CE = girl child. D, of course, is my child

Thar She Blows!!

No, I didn't go swimming and wash up on the beach.  Har har har.  Instead, I was kidnapped for a Birthday weekend at the beach which included whale watching!! 

  Friday, I had a staff meeting at school and while I was there C came to my house, packed my clothes AND brought Oreo to a friends house for the weekend.  After my meeting, I was instructed to head to C's house.  She took my keys, sequestered me into the house and then after a few minutes ordered me into my car.  Yes, ordered.  We got onto the I-5 and headed south and ended up in Salem.  Hmmmm, where are we going.  C quickly programmed in an address which was located easily - the Oregon Lottery Offices.  HUH!?!  Why are we here?  She still wouldn't say.  Once we walked into the building, she produced a penny and 2 quarters.  Apparently, the lottery has a penny machine!

  After getting our FREE penny (yes, free at the Lottery office) we were off to another unknown destination.  This time we were on the river and heading to the carousel - which has a penny machine too!

I still had no idea where we were headed - the only answer I got was SOUTH.  So, I thought perhaps we were headed to Crater Lake because the only other clue I got was it was something I've never done before.  That is until we headed west after Salem.  We stopped at Spirit Mountain for another penny -Yep, they have a machine too, and used $40 to gamble in the penny slots.  We didn't win anything, but had fun trying!  While there we saw a woman win $1400 on the Lord of the Rings penny slot!  We pulled into Lincoln City after dark, unloaded the stuff at the hotel and went to Mo's for clam chowder bowls.  It was there, I learned that we had 12pm reservations for whale watching the next day.  I was beyond excited!

After a crappy hotel continental breakfast, we were off to locate all of the penny machines and do a bit of tourist shopping.  4 penny machines later, we were stepping onto the boat for our adventure.  SOOO much fun!

We saw about 6 whales that day!  One surprised us and spouted about 30 feet from the back of the boat where we were standing, but we were looking toward the front, so it kind of scared us!!  OMG, it was the greatest experience!  I knew that I didn't get sea sick, but C wasn't too sure.  There were a couple people on the boat tossing their breakfasts overboard, but she maintained her stomach.  YEAH!  However, C didn't feel great after the excursion, so we went back to the hotel for a nap (see my previous blog).  I then whoped some butt in 2 games of putt-putt golf  50-55 and then 54-55!!  WOO HOO!!  As we were trying to figure out where to go have dinner, we saw a beautiful sunset.

The next day was filled with stuff to see and do.  First stop, Newport Aquarium! 

Then we had to enjoy the weather and see the lighthouses.

Down in the cove you see in the picture above, you could walk through the tide pools and see/touch all the different creatures.  I'm much more adventuresome with the touching of creatures than C is.  While down there, we heard the park ranger encouraging people to lick a sea aenonomie - apparently it makes your tongue/mouth go numb.  I'm not allowed (not that I ever would) to lick one b/c I'm allergic to bee's.  THAT would be BAD!!  There are also a few harbor seals who live in the area too.

After leaving Newport, we headed back to Lincoln City to try our luck at Chinook Winds to see if we could win enough to make the weekend free!!  C was up $100, but then the damn Wicked Witch of the West took it all!  (her favorite penny slot is Wizard of Oz).  We arrived back to Vancouver after 9pm, tired and not looking forward to working the next day.  It was a wonderful weekend filled with laughter, excitement and adventure!  Thank you for a special birthday surprise!