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We made it back in one piece! Our trip went pretty well. It was a bit more crowded in the Magic Kingdom than I expected, but better than if we went at Christmas. John's favourite ride was the Indy Speedway (what a surprise!). We didn't make it to Epcot, but were able to get to the other parks. We went on Safari at Animal Kingdom, and did the animation tour at MGM. We had breakfast at MGM on Monday, and John wanted to go again. Poor guy didn't understand that reservations were required. All in all it was a fun trip!
We had a blast down in Lancaster. I'm so glad to have this little yearly getaway with my girlfriends. We shopped till we literally dropped on Friday, and then had an excellent dinner over at Miller's. Saturday we toured around the little towns. It was unfortunately really busy on Saturday, but we just decided to move on to other sites. We ate way too much junk food and laughed a lot. It's a nice treat to do this every year.
Tomorrow we head out for Florida. I haven't been in 3 years. This will be John John's first trip to Disney. I'm excited, and I know he is. He's been a little on the testy side and some days have been a struggle. However I know this is exciting for him. It will be fun to see his reaction to the park. Will post more after we return.
I'm so excited that we are heading out in a few hours. I desparately need this time away. Yesterday just about killed me. Day starts off with John John being a brat, and me yelling. Take him to school, and get a parking ticket, thank you very much. Two evals scheduled, and both were cancelled. Then after Cub Scouts John John was his absolute worst. All I can say is "THANK GOD I"M HEADING OUT!"
I so deservie this trip! This is the 3rd year in a row we are heading to Lancaster. I know this is going to be difficult for Val because her mom died two months ago, and she always took care of Ben and Nia while we went. Sad to think it was me last year who had just buried my last parent. I don't want to trip down memory lane here as in a lot of ways I'm over the day-to-day grief I had last year. It's still a tough pill to swallow, but even tougher realizing that life goes on.
I'm excited to get away for a few days without my John's. John has travelled for almost 5 weeks this fall, so I deserve 3 days. They are heading up to John's parents while I am away. I don't mind one bit on that. Then next Friday we head out for Disney World. Busy busy month!
John came home last Monday and it's nice to have him back. His laundry sat unwashed till he realized that he needed to do it. Sorry Charlie, the laundry fairy ain't doing 3 weeks worth. Of course it's still in the basket needing to be folded. Makes him realize that I do some things for him the rest of the year.
As I type dh is flying high in the sky back home. I am excited to have him home as almost 3 weeks away is a long stretch. I am also trying to not be too annoyed that he planned the last 3 days of his trip enjoying some R and R in Hong Kong. I know he worked hard and flew a lot over this trip, but in some ways I'm kind of thinking why couldn't he come home to relax. I guess that will make my trip to Lancaster less guilt induced.
I have also made a decision to not invite guests here while John is away. My dear husband thinks it gives me a break, but in all honesty it causes me more stress. John John acts like a goof and doesn't listen when we have people here. I feel like damage control is just not worth it. Plus when John was in India John John was fantastic. I will get a sitter if I really feel a desire to get out. I am done with guests when John is away.
But of course I can because it's my blog! Last night was the Cub Scout's Halloween party. John had fun. They did a cute job and it was a nice evening activity. John comes home in 4 days. We are ready for his return. We also have John's sister coming down today. It's nice to have guests but in some ways I would rather not. Oh well. Guess it makes them feel better knowing they are helping me out. I just hope John John doesn't act like a complete idiot. I'm getting geared up for my girl's weekend to Lancaster. My getaway!!
Seriously, I am just not creative, and can never think of witty titles. I remember in High School and University trying to create witty essay titles. Sadly, I feel I am just a literal gal and catchy titles always elude me. So, if you are searching for headliners that draw your attention, don't look here.So, the in-laws arrived Thursday afternoon to spend quality time with John John. I don't know why he has to act the way he does when they are here. I feel like they are quietly commenting behind their back that I have no control of him and am a terrible parent. John usually ignores almost every rule and does what he wants. Plus he is spoiled by them and damage control takes a while after visiting. On top of that the tv stopped working. I have absolutely no clue how to fix it. We came home Thursday afternoon and the screen was blue. I called Time Warner and they rebooted to DVR box, but it wasn't that. My father-in-law pulled and replugged in wires but still not tv. It is frustrating to John John because he can't watch his shows, and my father-in-law also is not happy. So, he brought down a little tv and has watched some sports on it. He's a true tv addict. At least John John hasn't totally melted down and has been fine without the television.Tomorrow the in-laws head back home. We have a couple of days and then my sister-in-law comes down. I sure hope my son doesn't act as terribly. One can only wish.
Forgive me for being a tad on the sarcastic side. John's parents are coming down on Thursday to visit. I do not have my buffer of dear hubby, so it shall be interesting. For the most part my in-laws are great people. They will be there at the drop of a hat to help, and are very generous. My father-in-law rushed over to help my dad out the night mom died, and he stayed with him at the hospital till she was pronounced dead. BUT, I always find it a tad annoying how they completely ignore me when they are with John John. I am planning on doing an evaluation Sunday morning, and might go out by myself for a bit. I tend to hold my tongue and try not to intervene when grandma and grandpa take over. I do this because they are John's only grandparents, and he loves them dearly.
No, it wasn't a crazy awful week. Just the usual running around, and accomplishing what needs to be done. John is a little disappointed that his friend Casondra couldn't come over for a playdate. I'm listening to him play school, which at times can be hilarious. They say imitation is a form of flattery. His teacher should be impressed. I laugh when he says, "Now I'm handing out the crayons, and you can't whine and complain about which crayon you get". "No trading". Better than last year when he would become psycho teacher, and yell "Go pull a card". John is just too funny.Here's a cute picture of my son John and kitten (although not much of a kitten!) Tom. Aren't they precious??
I am ready to take over as a single parent. I wish sometimes my husband would stop making comments like having his parents down will give me a break. I enjoy the company, but honestly handling John John is not a problem. He makes me feel incompetent when he says I need someone to help me out. I am really mentally preparing myself to be completely ignored the whole time they are here. Guess that's just my hang up. We have decided to change our Disney trip and go over Thanksgiving. John John will only miss 2 days of school. It looks like Disney will be less crowded, and we can save some money going then. I'm excited. I haven't been to Disney in 13 years. The last time I went was in 1993 with my parents. We met friends from Kingston and had a fun day. I can't wait to see John John's reaction to Disney. I think he'll have a blast.
I had a feeling I would get used to dear hubby being home. In just one week he is off again. I hope John John is as good as he was for the last trip. I know he's excited to have his grandparents come and visit. He will have many activities planned I'm sure. Yesterday was Yom Kippur, day of Atonement. We had a meal over at our neighbour's, and John was very good. He is such a little charmer! He looked so cute in his new oxford shirt and khaki pants. He came to synagogue for a bit, and went to the children's service. I guess I need to keep taking him. It was weird seeing both of my parents names in the book of remembrance.
Let me preface my thoughts by saying I really truly love my husband. He is a wonderful human being, and a great father. However, he just returned from India Tuesday night and has been a bit of a pain. First he calls me at 4:15 on Tuesday from Washington saying he might not make his flight home. Okay, no big deal, can handle that. It gets resolved and we happily pick him up at 6:30. Then he gets ticked at John John and yells. Wait a minute dear, you were just away for what 2 weeks, and you are upset with John John?? I don't think so. Now he's on my case for ignoring my cough. Okay, maybe you are right but sometimes you don't need to throw it in my face.
Of trip #1 that is. To be honest it really hasn't been that bad. John is a thousand times easier to take care of as he gets older. I certainly don't miss the days of taking John to the airport and having John John screaming and crying in the backseat. The only time that seems to be long is the weekend. This weekend will be busier. John John has a birthday party to go to on Saturday. I'm still not sure if I like John's fall travel schedule. He comes home on Tuesday, and will be home for 2 weeks. Then he leaves again for another 2 1/2 weeks. So, on the one hand it will be nice to have him home, we still have another trip looming. I was kind of thinking that maybe next fall he just goes for a month. We shall see. Work is slowing down. I am losing kids, and at the moment don't see any new ones coming my way. I hope the lull is short lived. I like the break, but need the money.
It's that time of year. John leaves for India tomorrow night. I guess I should be happy that he's only going away twice this fall. However it's still hard and John John and I miss him. We are taking John to the airport after swim class. John's friend Alex will come with us and after the airport we'll have dinner at Chuck E. Cheese's. Not what I consider gourmet cuisine!This past weekend was nice. We went to Saratoga on Saturday for dinner. We shopped at Target to get some last minute things for John's trip. We also went to Pet Smart to get some flea stuff. Both cats have fleas. Never had to deal with them with Mckenzie. Tom is sitting here by the computer at the moment. He doesn't like to miss out on things!We close the pool on Thursday. We haven't swam in it in a few weeks. It's bittersweet closing it up, but no sense keeping it open when we aren't swimming. Countdown till next swim season!
School began yesterday, and John John was ready. All weekend he was a handful. By Tuesday he had settled down, and was anxious to get going. We took a quick tour of where his new classroom would be with his friend Emily. Then we all had lunch together at our house. The first day went well, and John came home all happy. We got the FM system all straightened out. Sue came in to school today to show Mrs. Watrobski how to work it. John is going to miss Sue this year. She was such a wonderful teacher. I know she's going to miss him too. She will consult with Mrs. Watrobski this year.My husband flies out Tuesday night for India. Hard to believe it's that time of the year. I know his travel season will be lighter, but it's still time away. At least I have one trip to look foreward to in November.
It's hard to believe that summer break ends this week. John finishes daycamp on Friday. He's enjoyed it and it's been a different activity for him. Today they went to Pine Lake Beach again, and John was very excited to go. He had the day planned out! John is going to buy his SpongeBob ice cream, and then with the rest of the money play in the game room. He was excited to go swimming at the beach too, but it seems ice cream and game room have high priority.We made a last minute decision to go to Ottawa for Jamie Jr.'s 6th birthday. Still not sure if we are going to leave Friday night or Saturday morning. The party is at 3 on Saturday. In some ways it would make more sense to go up Sat, and come home Sunday. We shall see. We do owe Jamie and Sandra because they came down for both of my parent's funerals. I have Friday off work as I don't have any visits to make or evaluations to do. Nice to have some time to myself. We all have Monday off for Labour Day, and then John starts school on Wednesday. Not sure what we'll do on the Tuesday yet. We shall need some activity.I'm a little meloncholy this week. I guess it's understandable.
One year ago today was the last time I saw my father. It is so hard somedays still to believe that he is gone. This was the last "first year" difficult time to get through. For the most part I'm over the everyday sadness I felt in the beginning. This week was tough because it was the week dad had his stroke. We all spent the week at the hospital hoping for a miracle, but it never happened. I remember on the Friday morning we spoke with the doctor in charge of dad and he was amazed that dad had made it that far. We thought that dad had turned a corner and may make some sort of recovery. John and I went out to lunch just to get out of the hospital for a bit. When we came back we found out that dad's internal organs were shutting down, and he was slipping away. Just remembering those last few hours are hard. Watching dad die was an extremely difficult thing to do, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Being there so he wasn't alone was exactly what he always wanted. We broke many hospital rules that week as we never left his side. I miss you dad.
Yes, that would be dh's comment, and then do nothing about it. I guess when I'm in a PMS mood everything irritates me. It annoys me when he says "we need to vaccuum", and walks away. I love my husband, I really really do. He's wonderful with John, and very generous with his time. However he can be lax with tidying up and doing housework. I'm up in our computer room listening to John John and his friend Alex fight. They usually get along really well. Guess we are all in moods today. Yesterday was the Mason's picnic. It was a nice afternoon. We forgot the bathing suits, so John John borrowed one. It was a little on the big side, but it was okay. John John loves the water. He goes to camp tomorrow. I hope he has fun. It will be nice to not have to rush home to relieve the babysitter. It will also be nice to not have to get him till 4:30.Tomorrow marks 1 year of dad's final week. One year ago today (Sunday) was the last time I had a conversation with him. I can't really consider his saying "yes" a final response.
Did I ever mention I am terrible at coming up with witty titles? I truly suck at being original. Today was back to work day. I checked in at the office, and to let Jody know I'm ready for more evals if need be. Those evals are always good extra cash. She was telling me about all the crap going on in the office, and if possible to stay away till things are better. Nice. Oh well, in all honesty I don't get in to the office that often. This week is another not much time to dawdle anyway.It was nice seeing my kids. I think that's what I love about my job. Working with little ones can be so fun and I get lots of hugs and kisses! I lost one kid while I was on vacation, but to me it's not a huge loss. She was a strange one. I will miss some of the kids that will go on to preschool soon. Not much else to report. Tomorrow I shall light a candle in memory of my dad. It's the Jewish anniversary, and the actual date is August 26. I might just light another candle then. I am finally feeling like I'm not going to burst into tears every time I think of dad. It's still a lonely feeling.
Tomorrow I return to work. I shouldn't complain because I had a nice vacation. Sometimes I wish we didn't need the extra income, but unfortunately we do. I'm proud to say that we are doing well financially and finally able to save money. I also know that the money I inherited helps, but I still wish my father were here. John John has a break from activity this week. Next week he goes to the YMCA day camp for the last 2 weeks of summer. He'll probably have a fun time. They go swimming, play in the gym, do arts and crafts and field trips. Then on the Wednesday after Labour Day he begins first grade. John's a little nervous about doing homework, but it should be fine. Just have to get him on track to do it every day after school. Oh the battles we shall face!Hubby is feeling better after a little summer cold. I behaved and didn't bother him as I was sick twice this year. I had the flu in February and strep in March. I hope this year is better and I don't get sick. Fingers crossed. In just less than a month hubby leaves for India. September and October shall be busy with him gone. At least John John is easier to handle now that he's older.
