OK, I was going to drift off into a story about this past weekend. We went 'up North' to Pinetop, AZ to get out of the heat and it ended up raining most of the weekend. We went up with another family, we have 3 boys, they have 2. So this post was going to be all about the 5 lads, ages 5-13, all staying in one room together, having a blast, giggling, playing, watching movies, etc...and stinking up the place. By the end of our stay, we could hardly walk into the room between the smelly feet odor, the 'stink bombs' they were dropping all weekend, and less than attractive armpit odor. Combined required a gas mask to merely open the door.
But then I thought, eewwww, I've been known to chat about some pretty rank things and can carry on for lengths about them but I think the above paragraph is about all that is required for you to get the idea.
So let me get into the more pleasant of the weekend memories.
As I said, it rained, but it gave our 2 families (who are very close by the way) a chance to really get to 'be' with each other. I was able to enjoy a card game with my dear friend and her 13 year old son whom I know, but don't really know. Getting to sit with him and enjoy the game was great to see him in inter-action and talk with him, tease with him, and well...because the turd was beating me, threaten him.
Also, my friend spent some time with my youngest, 5, doing puzzles with him and a little activity book. And you know what I learned about her from that experience? She is a wonderful, patient teacher! And my son loved the attention from her!
We interacted with the other 3 also in card games, activities, etc but also to watch them getting to know each other. They have spent the last 2 1/2 years together since we moved to the neighborhood and became friends but being enclosed in a house due to the rain really made everyone step up their game to find something to do, to entertain ourselves and each other, and to become involved with each other on a different level. My friend's oldest (13) and my middle son (9) got into a riveting game of Monopoly that lasted several hours. The 13 year old spent much of the time teaching my 9 year old how to play, suggesting great moves like 'you should sell this or that property to me'(which we later discovered may have been the 9 year old's downfall, listening to his opponent-but who were we to intervene in such a cleverly disguised innocent game of Monopoly). Seriously, though, they played great together, one teaching, the other learning and obviously they loved it because the game went on for hours...and then they started another one!
I guess what I'm saying here is that it would be great if we could all take a step back for a moment and really see who we are with and what they are about. Enjoy every moment and celebrate each other.
Thus, not as gut-splitting and knee slapping as I'd promised but as for day one of week one of summer vacation today, there will be plenty to write about soon!
Until then...
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Where've you been?
Good question! I realized after what I thought was one of the funniest posts I've ever put on the internet that I should work on my business blog and keep things moving along the social media highway.
Who knew it would be almost 2 months before I got back to the basics. I've missed some hilarious events worth posting in these past several weeks, many that fall just short of knee-slapping, roll on the floor, call your girlfriends type stuff.
So it is with a heavy heart that I announce that as I am typing this now, I'm at a loss for some clever familial events that require blog notation. And I'm hungry. Does anyone think clearly on an empty stomach?
I shall blast through the pantry in search of some tasty treats to satisfy this growling distraction and plan to have some wonderfully eye popping, lip curving, gut chuckling piece to get you through until I can post something more meaningfully funny.
Who knew it would be almost 2 months before I got back to the basics. I've missed some hilarious events worth posting in these past several weeks, many that fall just short of knee-slapping, roll on the floor, call your girlfriends type stuff.
So it is with a heavy heart that I announce that as I am typing this now, I'm at a loss for some clever familial events that require blog notation. And I'm hungry. Does anyone think clearly on an empty stomach?
I shall blast through the pantry in search of some tasty treats to satisfy this growling distraction and plan to have some wonderfully eye popping, lip curving, gut chuckling piece to get you through until I can post something more meaningfully funny.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A business trip...
So last week was crazy! We left on March 14 (Saturday) for a vacation on the beach in Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco for those of you who don't speak English- LOL- I cracked myself up there).
We returned on March 18 (Wednesday) and the next day I had to fly to Vegas for the most amazing Business Conference.
I leave my 3 boys in the tender loving care of their father, my husband who had plenty for them to do, kept them so happy and busy (golfing and playing baseball) that they were chipper and delightful when I talked with them (only once) in my absence.
Upon my return 3 days later, Saturday, I blast through the door expecting jubilation and cheers (not really but it's good for the story-really I thought maybe a bountiful hug). My 11 year old slowly drags himself off the couch and swaggers over to me in what could have been a marathon of molasses, but smiled greatly as he gave me a good hug and squeeze. Worth the wait! My 4 year old is hollering 'Hi Mom' and bounding forward like a clumsy puppy about to pounce and topple me over. He jumps in my arms and gives me an enormous hug and big ol' kiss on the cheek. He even spoke the words, 'I missed you!' (Did I mention jubilation? He's my favorite now!)
Um, looking around I realize I'm missing one. Well he's decided to hang with his 8 year old buddy around the corner and shortly after my arrival calls Dad to see if he can spend the night, a wish that was granted.
I'm tired enough not to really care and know I will see the joy on his face the next day as he comes home with the delightful expectation of seeing his long lost mommy.
Sunday morning, my 9 year old arrives. I call him to me and give him a big hug and announce, "I missed you! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!" To which he replies, "What do you mean?" Uh, really? Seriously? The rest of the conversation goes down like this:
me: I've been gone since early Thursday morning.
9 year old: You have?
me: Yeah, you didn't notice?
9: Where were you?
me: I was in Vegas at my business convention
9: Ooohhhhh yeeeaaaahhhhh! (giggle) Yeah, I did miss you.
Right, he did! But with the revelation that I actually had been gone, he did reacquaint himself with me in terms of a massive hug.
The good, they are fine without me. (read-I'm thankful that they are strong and happy enough to miss me but not be distraught at my absence)
The bad, they are fine without me? (read-maybe a little distress would be ok?)
The ugly, they are Fine without me! (read-Ok pretend misery and perplexity would be absolutely accepted!)
We returned on March 18 (Wednesday) and the next day I had to fly to Vegas for the most amazing Business Conference.
I leave my 3 boys in the tender loving care of their father, my husband who had plenty for them to do, kept them so happy and busy (golfing and playing baseball) that they were chipper and delightful when I talked with them (only once) in my absence.
Upon my return 3 days later, Saturday, I blast through the door expecting jubilation and cheers (not really but it's good for the story-really I thought maybe a bountiful hug). My 11 year old slowly drags himself off the couch and swaggers over to me in what could have been a marathon of molasses, but smiled greatly as he gave me a good hug and squeeze. Worth the wait! My 4 year old is hollering 'Hi Mom' and bounding forward like a clumsy puppy about to pounce and topple me over. He jumps in my arms and gives me an enormous hug and big ol' kiss on the cheek. He even spoke the words, 'I missed you!' (Did I mention jubilation? He's my favorite now!)
Um, looking around I realize I'm missing one. Well he's decided to hang with his 8 year old buddy around the corner and shortly after my arrival calls Dad to see if he can spend the night, a wish that was granted.
I'm tired enough not to really care and know I will see the joy on his face the next day as he comes home with the delightful expectation of seeing his long lost mommy.
Sunday morning, my 9 year old arrives. I call him to me and give him a big hug and announce, "I missed you! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!" To which he replies, "What do you mean?" Uh, really? Seriously? The rest of the conversation goes down like this:
me: I've been gone since early Thursday morning.
9 year old: You have?
me: Yeah, you didn't notice?
9: Where were you?
me: I was in Vegas at my business convention
9: Ooohhhhh yeeeaaaahhhhh! (giggle) Yeah, I did miss you.
Right, he did! But with the revelation that I actually had been gone, he did reacquaint himself with me in terms of a massive hug.
The good, they are fine without me. (read-I'm thankful that they are strong and happy enough to miss me but not be distraught at my absence)
The bad, they are fine without me? (read-maybe a little distress would be ok?)
The ugly, they are Fine without me! (read-Ok pretend misery and perplexity would be absolutely accepted!)
Monday, March 9, 2009
My husband's 12 hour ordeal....hee hee hee
Our middle son was having his 9 year old sleepover party with 3 buddies. We'd taken the lads out for birthday dinner extravaganza (Rootbeer/pizza). We had our 3 plus the 3 birthday friends plus another friend for our older son (I see a pattern here - we are glutton for punishment in the boy department). They had pizza, rootbeer and pazookie-if you don't know what a pazookie is then you need to google it now and do yourself a favor and head to the nearest restaurant that serves them.
Really, stop reading and go do that now. They are awesome and this blog isn't going anywhere. You'll thank me (and then curse me when you step on the scale). :-)
Now for the rest of the story...
As you read on, you'll understand why I asked you to eat the pazookie first. For those of you with weak stomachs, now is a good time to phone a friend or ask the audience for help to decide if you should read further. I'm about to get gross...we are talking about boys here.
We get home and the lads run around outside, scampering, playing, jumping on the trampoline to their hearts desire (pizza, pazookie, rootbeer). And here it comes, not what you think! No, our 4 year old blasts in the house shouting that he has to go 'poo poo'. I scramble after him fearing an accident since he was in such a hurry. He's been known to 'forget' when he gets to busy in play (other kids around greatly increases his forgetfulness) and runs in the nick of time to the bathroom. He gets in there, jumps on the toilet and to my surprise, there is little surprise, a trace of what was to come in his underwear. While he's finishing his business (minus the newspaper) I holler out to my husband to please bring me some new underwear and pants. Yes, I was that nice, saying please and all. I didn't get a response so didn't think he'd heard. I holler again with the utmost of respect in my voice (I heard utmost respect in my voice, not sure what he heard). He finally comes in with underwear and pants and announces that he was busy picking up the poop trail that was left from the door to the bathroom (albeit 3 little poops, but a trail non the less). Oh, and his face...that could be on the priceless commercials.
We happily went about our way after our chuckles of the situation wore down (maybe more my chuckles)and watched some tv whilst the lads played some more (pizza, pazookie, rootbeer...jiggle, jiggle).
I'd been enduring a sinus headache (enduring, suffering, anguishing-poor me) all afternoon/evening. Around 9:15 I headed to bed after we'd given the lads their 45 minute warning. PJ's were on, tv sleep timer set, all snug on the air mattress, we were in control! I'd been in bed around 25 minutes when my husband sneaks in to announce that one of the young friends had an upset stomach...here it comes, yup, he puked. :-)
Thankfully when he'd announced his tummy intentions, my hubby had the presence of mind to wisk him down the hall to the bathroom (yeah, same one) where he released the joys of the evening...twice. Time to take our little friend home.
Phew! But not quite over. The next morning, I went to the gym just as the kids were stirring upstairs. I'd planned on picking up some donuts on the way home (umm...vomit not good enough indicator that sugar could be reduced?) but hubby, great as he is, said he was making eggs/bacon. Off to the gym to rid myself of some toxicity that could soon be replaced by bacon!
I came home to a most wonderfully cleaned kitchen and breakfast area (cleaning after cooking is not my husband's forte). As I commented on how great everything looked and was so excited to walk into a delightfully clean kitchen, he announced that the kitchen wasn't the only thing that was spotless. He'd also had to clean up puke from our dog in our oldest son's bedroom! Yes, his duty was far from done as the internal organs of 2 boys and a dog unleashed their violent attack on his presence.
A 12 hour poop and puke patrol!
Perhaps a new title is in store, Father PnP.
The joys of husbands/fathers getting slammed with what naturally is turned to us moms gave me hours of yuks and cheer!
But I'm sure my day is coming...and probably sooner than I think.
Really, stop reading and go do that now. They are awesome and this blog isn't going anywhere. You'll thank me (and then curse me when you step on the scale). :-)
Now for the rest of the story...
As you read on, you'll understand why I asked you to eat the pazookie first. For those of you with weak stomachs, now is a good time to phone a friend or ask the audience for help to decide if you should read further. I'm about to get gross...we are talking about boys here.
We get home and the lads run around outside, scampering, playing, jumping on the trampoline to their hearts desire (pizza, pazookie, rootbeer). And here it comes, not what you think! No, our 4 year old blasts in the house shouting that he has to go 'poo poo'. I scramble after him fearing an accident since he was in such a hurry. He's been known to 'forget' when he gets to busy in play (other kids around greatly increases his forgetfulness) and runs in the nick of time to the bathroom. He gets in there, jumps on the toilet and to my surprise, there is little surprise, a trace of what was to come in his underwear. While he's finishing his business (minus the newspaper) I holler out to my husband to please bring me some new underwear and pants. Yes, I was that nice, saying please and all. I didn't get a response so didn't think he'd heard. I holler again with the utmost of respect in my voice (I heard utmost respect in my voice, not sure what he heard). He finally comes in with underwear and pants and announces that he was busy picking up the poop trail that was left from the door to the bathroom (albeit 3 little poops, but a trail non the less). Oh, and his face...that could be on the priceless commercials.
We happily went about our way after our chuckles of the situation wore down (maybe more my chuckles)and watched some tv whilst the lads played some more (pizza, pazookie, rootbeer...jiggle, jiggle).
I'd been enduring a sinus headache (enduring, suffering, anguishing-poor me) all afternoon/evening. Around 9:15 I headed to bed after we'd given the lads their 45 minute warning. PJ's were on, tv sleep timer set, all snug on the air mattress, we were in control! I'd been in bed around 25 minutes when my husband sneaks in to announce that one of the young friends had an upset stomach...here it comes, yup, he puked. :-)
Thankfully when he'd announced his tummy intentions, my hubby had the presence of mind to wisk him down the hall to the bathroom (yeah, same one) where he released the joys of the evening...twice. Time to take our little friend home.
Phew! But not quite over. The next morning, I went to the gym just as the kids were stirring upstairs. I'd planned on picking up some donuts on the way home (umm...vomit not good enough indicator that sugar could be reduced?) but hubby, great as he is, said he was making eggs/bacon. Off to the gym to rid myself of some toxicity that could soon be replaced by bacon!
I came home to a most wonderfully cleaned kitchen and breakfast area (cleaning after cooking is not my husband's forte). As I commented on how great everything looked and was so excited to walk into a delightfully clean kitchen, he announced that the kitchen wasn't the only thing that was spotless. He'd also had to clean up puke from our dog in our oldest son's bedroom! Yes, his duty was far from done as the internal organs of 2 boys and a dog unleashed their violent attack on his presence.
A 12 hour poop and puke patrol!
Perhaps a new title is in store, Father PnP.
The joys of husbands/fathers getting slammed with what naturally is turned to us moms gave me hours of yuks and cheer!
But I'm sure my day is coming...and probably sooner than I think.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Umm...am I not cool?
Hello Dear Friends of the blog who are at the edge of your seats wondering what delightful word treats I have for you next.
This time it's about boys. And I have 3 of them, and a husband, a brother, 2 brothers in law, and a father in law. My mother in law and I are the only of the female brand in our family and we like to refer to ourselves as the Queen Mum and Lady D (which is another story that almost got me into trouble...later for that one).
Here we go; we live in a neighborhood thick with little boys (because having them rampant in our family wasn't enough apparently). So my oldest has a group of buddies over which is pretty typical and they are running around playing in the back yard. Usually when the kids have friends over and it's lunch time, I do a head count and make extra whatever we are having for whoever is nearby playing.
My son had recently discovered the absolute joy of calling friends and brothers, 'Dude'. (they grow up so fast!) So all the buddies are outside and I'm hearing, "Dude," this and "Dude" that. Now I have been calling the lads 'Gang'. As in, 'Hey Gang, is anybody hungry?" or "Be careful by the pool, Gang", or "Time to go home, Gang"; you get the picture.
On this particular day, understanding the need for the 'cool factor' of mom-hood, I went out and announced, "Hey, Dudes, everybody ready for some dinosaur chicken?"
Ummm, ok, picture 7 boys, 11 and under running around my yard playing baseball and suddenly stop like one of them had just discovered that they have to go home and play with a sister. A dead stop by all 7! Finally, a brave soul (and the oldest soul), Michael, pipes up and says, 'Uh, Mom's don't say Dude.'
Oh the shame of it! Imagine if you will the cool meter plunging to the depths of ridicule for my dear beloved sons at the disgrace of their mother making the deepest of vocabulary faux paus in front of the neighborhood friends. Yikes, make that Double Yikes.
So I quickly tried to recover by saying, "Michael, good to know. Thanks for straightening that out. I'd hate to be known as the mom who is waaayyyy uncool. Is there anything else that mom's don't say?" Michael said, "no, that's it." So we all go in and have lunch and they headed back outside to play. But then Michael pops back in. Uh-oh! He says, "Mrs. Hershey, thanks for lunch. And we really like it when you call us Gang".
Cool again!
This time it's about boys. And I have 3 of them, and a husband, a brother, 2 brothers in law, and a father in law. My mother in law and I are the only of the female brand in our family and we like to refer to ourselves as the Queen Mum and Lady D (which is another story that almost got me into trouble...later for that one).
Here we go; we live in a neighborhood thick with little boys (because having them rampant in our family wasn't enough apparently). So my oldest has a group of buddies over which is pretty typical and they are running around playing in the back yard. Usually when the kids have friends over and it's lunch time, I do a head count and make extra whatever we are having for whoever is nearby playing.
My son had recently discovered the absolute joy of calling friends and brothers, 'Dude'. (they grow up so fast!) So all the buddies are outside and I'm hearing, "Dude," this and "Dude" that. Now I have been calling the lads 'Gang'. As in, 'Hey Gang, is anybody hungry?" or "Be careful by the pool, Gang", or "Time to go home, Gang"; you get the picture.
On this particular day, understanding the need for the 'cool factor' of mom-hood, I went out and announced, "Hey, Dudes, everybody ready for some dinosaur chicken?"
Ummm, ok, picture 7 boys, 11 and under running around my yard playing baseball and suddenly stop like one of them had just discovered that they have to go home and play with a sister. A dead stop by all 7! Finally, a brave soul (and the oldest soul), Michael, pipes up and says, 'Uh, Mom's don't say Dude.'
Oh the shame of it! Imagine if you will the cool meter plunging to the depths of ridicule for my dear beloved sons at the disgrace of their mother making the deepest of vocabulary faux paus in front of the neighborhood friends. Yikes, make that Double Yikes.
So I quickly tried to recover by saying, "Michael, good to know. Thanks for straightening that out. I'd hate to be known as the mom who is waaayyyy uncool. Is there anything else that mom's don't say?" Michael said, "no, that's it." So we all go in and have lunch and they headed back outside to play. But then Michael pops back in. Uh-oh! He says, "Mrs. Hershey, thanks for lunch. And we really like it when you call us Gang".
Cool again!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Internet, texting and social media-what's happening to our kids?
Ok, so here's the deal. I heard from a friend that his daughter was 'dumped' in an email or text-he's a guy, he couldn't remember. Had I spoken to her mother, I would have gotten the entire scoop, whether text or email, how many characters were used and what exactly was said. That's beside the point, but since it came up, a point non the less I felt like making about dads and moms.
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, back to the story, this situation got me to thinking as I have 3 boys of my own. I wondered how they will navigate the trials of dating and 'going with' someone and how to end the relationship in a civilized manner. Yes, you are reading this correctly, with no holds barred, I do not think texting or emailing or any other form of impersonal breaking up is appropriate. Maybe it's because I'm a mom (and of the female gender) but I guess I think people deserve more. I think those psychological types call it 'closure' and maybe that's what I'm thinking. But speak in plain english and tell your significant other that you are through, the timing isn't right, you don't like the way they chew with their mouth open...whatever, just speak it preferably with them in the same room but even a phone call is better!
Our kids are inundated with what social media yet I fear that when they get out of our homes and into the real world, they will not know how to act and behave because all they did was conduct their friendships and relationships online or in text messages. Yes, they are going to school and are involved in extra curricular activities, but what are we teaching them about meeting new people and acquiring a tolerance for someone that is not like them outside of the confines of their schools and comfortable groups within those schools? When they go off to college and get a dorm room mate, will they be capable of sorting out their differences and compromising with each other to live? Will they be able to learn something from each other by recognizing and embracing their differences in the small confines of a dorm room or apartment?
Nothing beats a face to face personal relationship and friendship. This is how we learn to accept each other with all our faults and flaws. It's so easy to let people go via our impersonal texting and social computing. Do we really get to know someone on the internet? Isn't it true that in reality, if you get to know someone on the internet, you make a point to get to know them on a more personal level even if it's by phone or better yet meeting?
I guess I have no answers here, just tossing a bunch of questions. But I want my kids to grow to have strong relationships built on more than a wireless connection. I want them to understand personal interaction and how to conduct themselves in the presence of others. And I want them to be able to diffuse situations in all their relationships by understanding the human spirit and that not everyone is like them.
I'll look forward to any comments here.
Thanks and back to business!
Dawn
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Migraines
Ok, here it is, plain and simple...they STINK! And I have one right now. So before I throw up in my mouth (sorry!) I'll go lay down and consider chopping my head off to relieve some of the pain.
Thanks for listening.
Dawn
Thanks for listening.
Dawn
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