Contributing to the Delienquency of Minors

Over the past few weeks, Jake and I have had several experiences that are leading me to believe that possibly my children's behavioral problems are made worse by society. While I spend much of my life trying to teach my children that they are not entitled to everything they want, those around me seem determined to thwart my efforts.

Take yesterday, for example. After a trip to the museum, Jake and I decided to take them out to eat. Really "out to eat", as in, actually eating inside an dining establishment. Typically, if we "eat out" we lean towards drive-thrus and take-out. Seriously, would you want to eat in public with my kids? Anyway, we certainly didn't choose anywhere super-nice to eat, just a hot dog shop on Marquette's campus. Baby steps. Maybe if a few times a year I take them somewhere like that, they can learn to act like real people when eating out by the time they're 15.

Anyway, so here's where it gets good. We make it into the store, help the kids decide what to order (big decision, corny dog or hot dog) and get them settled at a table. Thankfully, school is almost out and the place was quiet. After ordering, Brooklyn began to whine about wanting chips. We tried to explain that we didn't choose chips today...we had delicious hot dogs...normal parent stuff. The guy behind the counter began holding up a bag of chips for her as we spoke. Yeah, he gave 'em to her, as if the only thing holding us back from giving her chips was the dollar we would have to pay for them. Then, I went to fill up their drinks. Because water is less sticky than root beer, I had chosen to get them water to drink. As I began to fill their cups, again, Brooklyn started in on the whining, wanting soda. Before I could tell her no, the guy behind the counter said, "c'mon, they can have whatever they want!" Arggg! Lastly, as we were leaving, Ty started in on the chips again, he wanted more, or a different variety, or some crazy demand. Jake and I glared at our new friend, and kindly, but firmly, said "no chips". He went behind the counter and picked up a plate of homemade muffins and presented each of my greedy children with one! So undermining...but so "nice". What's a parent to do?

A similar thing happened a few weeks ago. Jake was at Kinkos with Brooklyn and Ty. He had to print off something for school. He had told the kids that IF they were good THEN he would buy a candy for them. They were NOT good, and as he was checking out, they were both sobbing about the loss of their treat and making promises of future goodness. He stuck to his word and didn't buy them candy. Then, the lady working there handed them a candy bar and told Jake that she wanted to buy it for them. She felt bad for them, listening to them cry. Hey lady, are you going to feel bad for them, when they become juvenile delinquents? Will you send them candy in jail? Sigh. I think it has something to do with bleeding heart college-age kids; who have no idea how much they are corrupting my kids. Good thing that the majority of my time is spent places where either I am surrounded by understanding moms (who know better than to never intervene, other than maybe to give ME a candy bar to help ME cope); and older people, who are infamous for unsolicited advice and dirty looks when my kids misbehave. Hey, I'll take it, over indulging my kids!

Bottom-Tier Friends -- Not Card-Worthy

I'm in a quandary this holiday season. One of my favorite holiday traditions is giving and receiving Christmas cards. I have a "special" place where I put all of them up; I can see them regularly and I am reminded of how blessed I am with beloved family and friends across the country. Everyone has their own set of "rules" regarding Christmas cards. Some people, send them to everyone. Some people (like myself) send them to friends and family who are not "close". ("Close" is somewhat relative, as I send cards to members of my church congregation in West Bend Wisconsin, only about 25 minutes away. For me, "close" friends are those that I see on a regular basis; and I make goodies for them instead of a card.) Anyway, card worthiness is certainly an issue in friendship; especially when most of us have many "friends", due to the ease of reconnecting online.

This is where I get to my peeve. I've received several email Christmas cards this year. Love ya friends, but can I say, tacky? Am I not worth the buck or so it would cost you to print and mail a card? How am I supposed to reciprocate? Do I keep you on my Christmas list, or do I create a list of bottom-tier friends for whom our relationship is strictly digital? What do I do with an email card? Am I supposed to print it out myself and put it with my other cards? What about people who have emailed me that I wasn't planning to mail? Is it the same as when I get an unexpected card in the mail and then reciprocate? Do I just hit "reply"? There are no easy answers, although if you get a digital card, you will know that you have been put on my "bottom-tier" list. Am I off on this, or does doing a digital card ruin all of the fun? I just can't help but ask myself, "did they send cards to their 'better' friends?"

Hooray for a New Week!!!

So, to say the least, last week wasn't really the best. When I saw my OB on Friday, he asked me how I was doing (emotionally). It was hard to get a real clear picture of how I'm doing. Yes, I did spend a good part of my week with tears; but a good part of my week was just not so peachy.

On Wednesday, Brooklyn has "early release" and gets out of school one hour early. That day, I went at my regular time to pick her up, and I immediately knew something was amiss when I got to the school and I didn't have to run over anyone to find a place to park. I realized what I had done, and rushed into the office of the school to find Brooklyn. The secretary was useless, and said that any kids that don't get picked up go to the lunchroom. I have a daughter in junior kindergarten, she doesn't even eat lunch, I don't know where the lunchroom is. She rolled her eyes and explained it to me. When I got there, Brooklyn wasn't there either. Panic set in at that point. Another teacher told me some kids had been sent to yet another room. Thankfully, it was there that I found Brooklyn and she was with a teacher's aide that I know from her classroom. Of course, the combination of stress, relief, embarrassment, joy, stupidity, and anger (why didn't someone CALL me?) collided and I burst into tears. Fortunately, Brooklyn was the bigger person in the situation, and she was fine.

The next day, as I was dropping her off for school, I stepped out to help her out of the car and onto the sidewalk. I left Sadie and Ty in the car, it was still running (after all, I was just stepping out). Anyway, the doors locked behind me; with kids, purse, cell phone, and keys all locked in the car. Again, the tears came rolling in and I borrowed a cell phone to call Jake. Jake being the smart one between the two of us (and the smart alec) pointed out that I could instruct Ty how to unlock the doors. After a few minutes of screaming and gesturing in sub zero temps, I was back inside my warm car with my kiddos.

Then, here's the kicker, and absolute salute to my stupdity/bad week. On Saturday morning, I was making oatmeal. I took it (piping hot) out of the microwave, and sat it on the counter. It fell off of the counter and the oatmeal landed on my foot. Of course, I got serious burns all over my foot. It was incredible pain. I'm not a screamer, but I was screaming trying to get the oatmeal off. We didn't want to have to go to the doctor, mainly because I hate it when they say, "yeah dummy, your burnt your foot, keep cool compresses on it...take a few tylenol..etc". Often, a doctors advice is not worth paying for. Anyway, we were putting cool compresses on it and it was still killing me. About an hour later, I was trying to relax in a recliner, and I started to feel faint and nauseated; then I blacked out. Jake at that point decided to take me to the ER. On the way, I continued to feel awful, and managed to throw up all over myself...so embarrassing when I went to the ER.

They treated my burn in the ER, and fortunately were able to give me fluids, meds for nausea, and meds for pain (and a tetanus shot too...ouch...still hurts today). After treating my burn (all they could do was get me out of pain and put on antibiotic cream and bandages...they supposedly have awesome burn cream, but they can't give it to pregnant ladies)...they did an EKG and checked my vitals to see if they could see why I blacked out. Then, I had to go up to their Labor and Delivery unit to have the baby monitored for a few hours (he was fine). In the end, they think that I blacked out for two reasons: one, sheer pain; two, the position I was sitting in may have put the baby on one of my veins and temporarily blocked bloodflow to my brains.

What a story! It's not funny yet, but I'm sure it will be someday. The best question of the day (from the ER doc): "Were you wearing shoes when this happened?" (Duh dude, check out those second-degree burns covering the top of my foot...whaddya think?). He then replied, "You probably would not have been burned so badly if you had been wearing shoes" (Thanks man, you rock. Did you have to go to med school to dispense awesome advice like that? I somehow missed that on the package of oatmeal I was preparing that I should have protective footwear)

Fortunately, I'm getting better (me and my prescription pain killers). I'm hoping for the best this week. On a happy note, I heard a Christmas song this morning that really put me in tune with the season, and maybe took out some of my frustration from last week. After all, last year, it was on December 19 (one day before my 30th birthday, 6 days before Christmas) that I experienced a miscarriage. The song "Where are you Christmas?" really hit home for me last year; as I had a hard time finding joy in the holiday when I was in so much physical and emotional pain. When I heard that song again today, my kids were somewhat happily eating lunch together, and the pains and aches of pregnancy and burns seemed somehow insignificant. Christmas is here.

My Husband's Son

You know when you were a kid, and you misbehaved, and your mom used to say "I hope, one day, when you grow up, that you will have a child JUST LIKE YOU!" Let me just say, in all fairness, this is not a fair statement for mothers to make to SONS. For one day, it will not be your son that will pay the price of your curse, but your sweet daughter-in-law (yeah, the one who willingly took that son off of your hands). I just happen to know someone who is currently bemoaning her current situation, in having to raise a child that is just like her husband.
Today, as I was working on fixing dinner, Brooklyn and Ty were behind me in the dining room. Brooklyn said, "Mom, Ty is playing with the knives! (butter knives, thankfully). Ty then said "No Mom, I'm playing my violin!" As I turned around to confiscant the knives, he was standing with two knives in hand. His eyes were quietly closed and his head was cocked, as he was carefully drawing one knife upon the other, as a bow upon a string. I can't laugh, it will just make it worse!

Pushing Excuses

I'm able to attest to the fact that some behaviors (such as pushing and hitting) must be nature, not nurture. Despite my best parenting attempts, my kids often are use brute force to express themselves, and sometimes, I'm not even sure they're expressing any deep emotions or opinions, but maybe just knowing how good it feels to have some power.

At any rate, I've heard some fabulous excuses this weekend for pushing.

Yesterday, Brooklyn pushed Ty and said: "I wasn't pushing him, I just went through him!" She was emphatic about the difference and positive that her argument was sound.

Today, Ty was standing at the top of the stairs with Sadie and pushed her. I'm seriously paranoid about one of the kids getting pushed down my long flight of hardwood stairs, so I immediately reprimanded him. He then replied, "I wasn't pushing her, I was strapping a rocket on her back". Seriously? He almost had to be to come up with something so creative.

At least Ty and Brooklyn make excuses, trying to cover up misdeeds. Sadie, on the other hand, is 23 1/2 pounds of pure attitude. She pushes everyone, including Jake and I, much more often than any of the other kids. She doesn't make excuses, she never denies it, but confesses as if she were fully justified. What's a mom to do? I'm thinking about pushing back a bit!

Useful Information

For those of you who live here in Milwaukee, be it known that not making a full and complete stop when turning right at a red light WILL get you pulled over. I learned so last night. I was lost, trying to get to a restaurant in the Third Ward. The officer was at the intersection, I totally saw him; but I didn't think about making a rolling stop to turn right at the light. I was lost, and more focused on looking at street signs and figuring out where to go than making a complete stop. Honestly, when those lights started flashing in my rear view, I didn't even know why I was getting pulled over. Fortunately, the office was very kind; offered me only a warning and gave even me directions (then followed me most of the way there, I don't know if he was concerned about me or just checking my story). He simply asked why I did what I did, I tried my best to look pathetic and lost (sticking out my pregnant belly as much as possible). Off the hook! (And no ladies, I didn't even have to resort to crying) Drivers beware and be careful!

Like Mother, Like Daughter, and so it goes

I've been a rotten blogger lately, but I did want to post something of note that made me laugh. Brooklyn's b-day was a few weeks ago; and she was supposed to take birthday treats to her school class. After contemplating letting the grocery store bakery make our goodies for me, I guilted myself into feeling like a "good mom" would make homemade goodies. So, I referred to one of my wonderful friends (Google) to try to come up with some fun, simple cupcake ideas. I won't go into boring details, but I spent way too much valuable time planning cupcakes for a 5-year old to take to Junior Kindergarten. After I completed my cupcakes (which did end up being adorable (and very simple) thanks to butterfly shaped gummies that I found at my local grocery), I called my Mom to tell her. After all, I remember when I was young, my mom often stressed about what for me to take to my class (yes, I remember this, maybe it had something to do with having a birthday 5 days before Christmas). Anyway, I related to her how funny I thought it was that she always stressed about silly b-day treats; and now I was stressing. She then related to me a story about my Grandma's mother, regarding the same thing. As the story goes, my great-grandma was up all night, burning batch after batch of candies on a wood stove for my grandma to take to her school class. It's hilarious to me to see the commonalities of women of all generations. Gluttons for punishment we are, and it's apparently either genetic or a trait that follow the female sex in general. Next time I pull an all-nighter for the sake of being a "good" mom/wife/friend/church member/nut case/perfectionist/over-achiever; I will remember that I am in good company and that it's nothing new!

I'm ALIVE!!!

As you can see from my cute little counter there on the right, I am 27 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I'll leave that as my number one excuse for not blogging. We're all doing pretty well. October was a rough month, I just couldn't keep my family healthy. I'm hoping maybe we've got some credit earned for future illness this winter. (With Brooklyn in her first year of school, I'm afraid not). The kids enjoyed Halloween, and I'm now devising a way to toss out some candy without someone taking note. I am really good at making my kids limit their candy intake, it's ME that's the problem. "Oh, I'm pregnant...I need the extra calories...I worked out today...I'm feeling stressed today, I deserve it!" I try to remind myself that delivering this baby isn't going to do anything for my hips and thighs. At any rate, the candy has to go before the Christmas treats start rolling in.
I will post pictures later (of the kids, not the hips; it was enough the my sister in law posted SWIMSUIT photos of me on Facebook last month...I'm still thinking of how to return the favor...it's pretty hard to match pregnant AND swimsuit)

Getting OLD

This weekend, when we were celebrating Brooklyn and Jake's birthdays, Brooklyn was very excited about "being bigger" and growing up. All day, she was sure that she had acquired new skills, talents, and abilities by becoming 5. She asked Jake how old he was, and he told her. She then counted to 30, and said, "Wow! You went all the way through all of your twenties!" Ironically, I am 10 months OLDER than Jake, but I had a lot of fun teasing him about being "OLD". I'm comfortable in my old skin; I have so much more confidence now than I did way back when. (Also, last year, the day before my birthday I had a miscarriage, so I kinda worked my way out of old jokes). Anyway, Happy Birthday Jake!

Like Father....Like Daughter

Brooklyn loves school and always gives me a recap on the way home. Last week (or maybe the week before) when I picked her up, she said "oh Mom, school was SO long today!" I asked her, "why? what did you do?" She replied, "We had a big meeting with all of the whole school. We had to sit on the floor for a long time, criss cross applesauce ("Indian-style" for those of us raised in less politically correct times). The same people kept saying the same thing like one-hundred times. They kept asking us the same questions. It was so boring! It was so long!" Those of you who know Jake well, know that he claims to be "allergic" to boredom. I think he just has a low tolerance for boredom, like some people can't deal with pain, Jake can't deal with being bored. Apparently, Brooklyn is the same. Who knew such things were genetic? Speaking of that, isn't this weird...Jake has mentioned to me before that he "couldn't" sit cross-legged in kindergarten, and he was always getting in trouble with the teacher because of it. My reaction, as a loving wife, of course was always, "you're nuts! Everyone can sit cross-legged. You're just a baby!" Well, Brooklyn came home her first day from school and that was her only complaint, that it "hurt" to sit "criss cross applesauce". My, what weird genes my husband has. I really should have had him fill out a more thorough questionnaire before I agreed to marry him!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

An ultrasound of our baby BOY!!!
Is it just me, or does his hand gesture indicate a potential problem with respect?

Webb Lake -- Antiquing

We found this awesome antique barn on our way out...I could have spent all day there!

Duluth

On the last day of our trip, we made a drive up to Lake Superior to see Duluth. I wish I had a better camera to catch the views of the barges on the lake. You can see a barge between Sadie and Tyler in the picture with them together; but it doesn't do the barge justice. It was a colder, rainy day; but amazing to see Duluth.

Webb Lake -- Boating

Our kids loved boating. Sadie's favorite was the tube. Brooklyn tried it a few times, but wasn't too excited. Ty just liked to tell the driver to "hit it" and "go faster!". Jake got the chance to waterski and try wakeboarding. Pregnant Nicki just played it slow on the tube with the kids and enjoyed driving the boat.

Webb Lake -- Boating/Fishing

Webb Lake

Most of the pictures speak for themselves...
Once,all week, we got the group all polished up for church.
There was a bald eagle that was nesting close to our dock. I added this pic for my Dad.
We heard that the "cool" place to hang out was the "sandbar" on the other side of the lake. We filled up the boat with chairs, tubes, water toys, and kids (think the Beverly Hillbillies on a boat) and headed over to check it out. I love the girls sitting on chairs in the water!

Webb Lake -- Sunday Morning Drive

On our first morning in Webb Lake, it was a Sunday. Ty woke up early (as always) and Jake took him out for an early morning canoe ride.

Webb Lake -- Black River Falls

We made a trip "up north" with friends at the end of August. It was an incredible trip (thanks guys!). On the way up, we found a fun spot for lunch, with some truly Wisconsin-y "memorials".

August -- State Fair

Okay, I have a confession. As a mom, I feel guilty all the time about not being a good enough mom. Whether I didn't read enough to them today, or they watched "too much" TV, I never do quite enough. As I am going through my photos and trying to catch up on August, I realize maybe we were okay watching a bit of TV...because we did a lot of other stuff. We had a play group at the State Fair. I had a terrible experience last year, so I came more prepared this year. The kids were probably most thrilled about the rides (they were $1, so we could justify a few). I didn't manage to eat ANY fair food. Disappointing, yes, but not as disappointing as paying a fortune for fair food that I can't even enjoy because my kids are crying and whining and hot and tired and grumpy...

August -- Washington County Fair

During August, over a weekend mind you, Jake had the nerve to go out of town. That Saturday, I decided to take the kids up to the Washington County Fair. It was a bit overwhelming alone, and pregnant, but it was better than being cooped up at home.

August -- Zoo

Sometime during August, we made a trip with the cousins to the zoo. The kids had a chance to go to the Sea Lion show (which they didn't seem incredibly impressed with, but my kids ask to go again every time we've gone to the zoo since...like mother like kidlets, the kids were most concerned about refreshments when we were actually at the show). Aunt Katelin surprised us all by finding/capturing a caterpillar. We're really going to miss having cousins so close!

August -- Kohler Arts Center

For playgroup last August, we headed up to the children's exhibit at the Kohler Arts Center. It was well worth the long-ish drive. They have this awesome bubble maker, that the kids loved. They also have every possible craft supply you can think of...free and ready to use. The kids hit paints, colored pencils, crayons, buttons, pipe cleaners, glitter glue, and popsicle sticks all on a few hours...they keep begging to go back.

August -- Milwaukee Public Museum

Every Monday is free at the Milwaukee Public Museum. We hit it up one day last August for a change in pace. We didn't get through much, just the dinosaurs and butterfly exhibits; but the kids had a blast nonetheless. I always get a little teary-eyed at the museum. I did my very first chocolate fountain event here, our first summer in Milwaukee. Thinking about that brings back so many memories: the boredom that moved me to start a business; the excitement of starting a business; the fear of spilling 20 lbs of chocolate on the floor of the museum; being impressed with the food/display at the museum; being in a new city; having my first baby in a few months...I doubt too many people get that emotional at the museum. Funny how memories stick.

August -- Wirth Park

This summer, we were able to make a few trips to one of my favorite swim spots. They have an awesome zero-depth pool; adjacent to a sandy play area and a playground. I have mixed feelings about sand as a mom. I know my kids love sand, I know that playing with sand probably helps brain development or something...but I truly hate the stuff. Here, it's perfect. I can sit on the deck of the pool while they cover themselves in sand. After the kids are done, the pool has a shower area specifically for the sand. That means no sand for me, my car, my house, etc. Win win.