Vanilla Icing

Waiting Around

Today we had Verizon Fios installed.  As is typical of anyone coming to one's house to do some work, we got a time frame--8am to 12pm.  The guy actually was early--but then he stayed for nearly 5 HOURS.  A lot of work is involved with bringing a fiber optic (?) line down from the main line to our house and installing everything.  It was a bit of a drag sitting around waiting for him to get everything done but I worked on this  'Romantic Crochet Shawl' that I was attempting.  But....then I ran out of yarn before I could get it to a length that would work for me.  Maia benefited.

It's not a very good photo, but you can sort of see that the pattern is a more open diamond like design.  Maia also wasn't very obliging because she had just gotten home from school and wasn't exactly happy (more on that in a moment).

Back to the Fios Guy.  When he finally finished installing everything, he walked me through the set-up on all of the computers which was a major bonus considering getting a PC, a Mac deskstop, and little Mac (the laptop) all working is no easy feat.  Or at least it wasn't when we signed up for Comcast--but with Verizon it seemed to be pretty easy and took less than five minutes.  We now have the fastest internet I have ever seen anywhere before AND we at long last have a home phone (again).  And...today I got to try tennis for the first time ever!  A friend who has been promising to teach me finally had some available time that matched up with my available time.  We didn't concentrate too much on me getting things perfectly (like serving into bounds--but I was getting better at that towards the end!) but focused a lot on hitting it back and forth.  It was a LOT of fun.  I want to do it again.  No, I NEED to do it again soon.  I can honestly say I have never played any type of sport that I actually enjoyed before trying tennis today.  Does tennis count as a sport?  It involves hitting a ball with an implement so in my book it counts.  If it wasn't for my friend watching the time, I really think I would have kept going and forgotten completely that the kids were at school.  The only fly in the ointment was that the grip on his tennis racquets was waaaay too big for me and was really making my hand cramp up at the end.   When I went home, I looked up online how to measure one's hand for a tennis racquet and apparently my grip is smaller than an average woman's.  Great.  (Eyes rolling.) Probably means it's more difficult to obtain the proper size raquet.

Tristyn and Maia came home from school both relieved to be home for different reasons.  Tristyn was relieved because all he wanted to do was play with the Legos he brought home from Missy's house last night.  He had managed, without much trying, to sweet talk his way into bringing them home.  Maia was relieved because she was SOOOOO THIRSTY.  And very upset.  Her teacher didn't call on her when she raised her hand to ask if she could get a drink!  It was the end of the world!  She could have almost died!  Her insides were all dried up!  Maia continued in the same vein for some time--actually until we got home and I poured her and Tristyn pink lemonade and gave them each a cupcake for a snack.  (Hey, who wants to be healthy all the time?  A 'rough' day at school calls for a cupcake.)

Both of them got to play Legos for awhile until it was time to leave for Tristyn's piano lesson.  Maia was upset because she only got to play at school four times today and for only a teeny tiny  bit and Tristyn tried to cheer her up:

t--Look on the bright side--
m--NO TRISTYN I'M TALKING TO MUMMY!!
t--Maia, Look on the--
m--I'M TALKING TO MUMMY.  MUMMY I ONLY GOT TO PLAY FOUR TIMES TODAY AND--AND--
t--Look on the bright side, Maia, I only
m---(great screeching sound emitted from her mouth, causing me to swerve a bit in surprise and alarm)
t&m---AGGGH!!!! You're gonna kill us Mummy!!!! AAAGGGGHHHH!!!
Me--(very testily) I didn't even go over the line.  Maia, Tristyn is trying to talk to you.  Let him finish  what he  is trying to say.  (I was very curious as to what he was going to say.)
m--hmph!
t--Look on the bright side (obviously a new phrase he's working very hard), Maia, I only get to play one time a day.  At recess.  And they made us play in the grassy field today.  And NOT the cement field.  I don't like the grassy field because there is no shade.
m--Maybe you should come back to kindergarten Tristyn.  (very, very serious tone here)
t--WHY WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT!
m--Because, then you'd get to play 4 times a day

!!!!!

Maia is very much fashion and hair conscious even at the age of nearly 6.  Every night (even prior to school starting) she lays out her outfit the next day.  Since school started she's added her socks and hair things to her 'tomorrow outfit.'  And a bottle of lotion next to the pile of clothes so she doesn't forget to put it on her arms and legs in the morning.  The last two nights she's pestered me to do her hair so it will be curly for school the next day.  Not a fun task.

   


On the plus side, while I do her hair Tristyn reads us two chapters from our current Junie B book which is good practice.  Then, when I'm finished I read two chapters before tuck-ins.  I must need more practice, though, because Tristyn always reads along with me and points out my mistakes!

Now What?

The first full length school day was today for both Tristyn and Maia.  Luckily, we had no disasters like yesterday morning but I barely was able to get a picture taken!  Maia spotted a little girl with her mommy walking down our block and was up and off like a light down the steps to meet her new friend.  By the time I put the camera back inside, locked and shut the door they were fast friends.  They literally skipped ahead talking and talking while Tristyn followed them and the mom and I followed all three. 

And....they are in the same classroom!  It was so cute.  At the school yard they held hands as they walked over to where their teacher was waiting and kept holding hands the entire time they were waiting for all of their classmates to show up.  Katie (Macy's (not sure how to spell it yet)mom) and I didn't even get hugs goodbye or anything!  Tristyn dashed inside and I didn't even get a goodbye from him either.  I guess that's a good thing though because neither child was upset at being at school. 

I came home, jumped on my bike and rode over to Frick Park for about an hour.  Then I came home, cleaned the house, including mopping and vacuuming, did 4 loads of laundry including putting everything away.  I mowed the lawn, showered, actually cooked myself lunch and put everything away.  I'm updating this blog earlier than usual..and all I have to say is.....

Now What?   I'm not used to being home alone during the day AND being able to get everything done that I wanted to in just a few short hours.  I might make myself a cup of tea and work on the outline of my next book.  Yeah, that sounds good.

Lunch was lonely. =(

Disaster!

Although there was a two hour delay, today was Tristyn's first day of school.  Everything was going smooth this morning--breakfasted, washed up, dressed, etc--when disaster struck.

Tristyn ran upstairs to get his new shoes that I just bought him THREE weeks ago.  I emphasize the three, because it is relevant in a moment.  He put them on and started crying.  Alarmed, I ran over to him asking him what was the matter. 

His shoes were too tight.  The very same shoes that were a nearly a full size too big THREE weeks ago.  His toes were squished, the sides of his feet were all squeezy--There was no way he could wear them to school.  Being a boy who doesn't care much about shoes, his only other fitting shoes were his Crocs.  I suggested he wear them just for today and we would take his shoes back to exchange them this afternoon right after school but he wasn't happy about that.  In fact, he cried harder.  Great big crocodile tears.  Tristyn kept saying they weren't allowed to wear Crocs to school.  He was so worried he'd get in trouble.  I felt awful; what a horrible way to start off the first day of school!  Who would have thought that he would have such a sudden growth spurt.  It made me feel like such a bad mum.  =(   Finally, I was able to convince him that it would be all right and I would talk to his teacher and tell her what had happened.  (I talked to both his teacher and the principal and both were very nice about it and helped him feel better)

Tristyn was too upset to pose for a picture this morning (I'll get one tomorrow when both kids have their first full day of school)and told me that for the blog that R2D2 would stand in for him. 

Maia and I did some typical things--playing, treadmill (well I did that, Maia watched a cartoon) lunching with Missy and shopping--before it was time to pick Tristyn up from school.  Thankfully, the incident of the shoes was long forgotten when he came out of the door all smiles.  He had a good day and made one new 'good friend' that he played with at recess (as his grass stained jeans can attest) and sat across the table from at lunch.  Only 3 of his friends from last year are in this year's classroom and one was absent!  On the first day! Tristyn was a little worried about that but I told him it was likely that his friend's family probably were on vacation somewhere and hadn't returned yet.

Third graders are the oldest children in the primary school and Tristyn was very proud that third graders have to be extra good because all of the little kids look up to them.  (Clever move on the teacher's part, eh?)  Anyways, his day went very well and he's actually excited to go back tomorrow.

We successfully exchanged his shoes at the mall and because of a current sale the store was having, his new shoes were eligible for part of the buy one get the second one for 88 cents sale.  I was able to get Maia a pair of black ballet flats that I'm hoping doesn't become suddenly too small overnight. 

After wandering around the mall for a little bit checking out various sales and making a stop in the toy store, the kids and I went to the indoor play area at the one end of the mall.  Maia made a new friend right away and Tristyn teamed up with some boys his age to chase the girls.  We killed time here untiil Rick called.  He met us over at the food courts and we had a quick dinner before he took the kids home and I went over to Barnes & Noble to pick up part of Maia's birthday day gift.  We are planning to celebrate her birthday one day early--kind of combining it with a Labor Day Picnic.  Not sure on all of the details yet but it should be fun!

After Orientation...

Last night, Maia and I were talking about today and what she would be doing at Kindergarten Orientation.  I told her that probably she'd get to meet her teacher and some new friends, maybe hear a story and draw some pictures.  She asked me what I'd get to do. I told her that probably I'd not have any where near as much fun as she would--I would only get to meet the teacher and some of the other parents.  Says Maia,

"You and all the grown-ups will just go blah, blah, blah, blah?"

Yes, Maia, that was it exactly!

Of course, now that today was a school day, the kids seemed to somehow know it (though Tristyn's radar got messed up or something because he didn't have school today) and didn't want to wake up.  Normally they are up at about 7 a.m.  Today, I had to pry them out of bed at 7:45.  Maia made the mistake of leaving evidence behind---She apparently was up late coloring, cutting and glueing papers!  There were crayons, gluesticks and paper scattered all through her bed with her and on the floor.  Luckily the kid-scissors had fallen to the floor. 

I made Tristyn an English Muffin and Maia cinnamon toast for breakfast, but before too long Maia came upstairs and told me she only ate one bite because her "tummy was feeling a little bit funny.  I think I'm a bit nervous, Mummy."  She was very dedicated to getting ready.  Maia put lotion on her legs (she 'stole' my bottle of cherry blossoms), got dressed and asked me to paint her nails hot pink.  Then, we went outside to say goodbye to Tristyn and Rick as they left for the office and take some pictures.

Maia just can't resist the camera.  My friend, Jon, just pointed out to me that I focused on the sidewalk and not her.  =(  Well yeah, now that he pointed that out, that's almost all I notice about this picture now!  I had the camera set on 'automatic' -- there are too many options for focusing and they are all denoted by a little teeny tiny picture that means absolutely nothing to me as a way of differentiating them.  Sigh.  One day, I will have perfect photo taking skills.

Orientation went well.  Upon signing in and getting Maia's packet, we walked over to a desk where there were all of these little green leaves spread out.  Maia had to find the one with her name on it and take it with her until it was explained what is to be done with it. The way attendance is taken everyday is by each child finding their leaf and putting it on the tree.  It's also a way to teach them responsibility as it's one of their 'tasks' they do every day when first arriving at school.  Other tasks include putting your coat/backback on the peg, putting your lunch (if one was brought from home) in the proper spot, and taking your folder (that will be presented to each child on wednesday) and placing it in the proper place.

The children were given two pieces of paper and we went to sit down at a little table.  The classroom does not have desks; the children sit at little round tables that have seating for 4-8 people.  (Not sure how many will be sitting at each because children AND parents were sitting at them today)  On one piece of paper, Maia had to write her name and draw a picture of herself on it.  On the other piece, she had to draw a picture of her family and write their names too.  Maia can write 'Mummy, Dad, and about half of Tristyn from memory.  I helped her with the rest.  I must say I felt a little silly writing all of these names: Riley, Bob, Layla, Eddie, Mole (turtle), red fish(tristyn's beta) and tinkerbelle (maia's beta).  Her picture was very crowded; we have quite the zoo!  I feel bad saying this but I was glad she ran out of time before she could draw a picture of Nicki (our sometimes dog) or draw a picture of the ant she stuck in a bottle yesterday for a pet because I was getting a little embarrassed.  It seemed all the other children only had one or MAYBE two pets at most.  =S  I don't see what the fun is in only having one, but hey, to each his or her own. 

I got to fill out all of the boring stuff.  Emergency care cards and the like.  And I had to listen to the teacher talk about stuff that was....boring.  Like how the snack calendar works.  Or how to send in a note from home.  I kept trying to help Maia color in her picture but she wouldn't let me!

After all of this talk, us parents were given the boot and made to go to the cafeteria for more....BORING TALK.  We had to listen to the principle, the nurse, the guidance counselor and even the PTO President talk.  And talk.  And talk. 

Guess what Maia got to do.  Listen to a story!  Sing a song!  Have a snack!  Get a free book!

On the way home, Maia was very excited.  She made a new friend.  Conversation is as follows:

Maia:  I made a new friend Mummy!
Me:  Ooooh...Did you??  What is their name?
Maia:  Can't remember.  (wrinkles nose in thought)
Me:  Well, was it a boy or a girl?
Maia:  A girl.  And, Mummy!  She had a butterfly on her front.
Me:  A butterfly!  Wow!  Was it that little girl who had on a pink dress?
Maia:  No....
Me:  The little girl who said hello when we first came in?
Maia:  Yes, yes, yes!!  That's her.  Do you know her name?
Me:  Yup, it was Julie.
Maia:  Yeah, that's it.  (looks bored, as if she knew this all along)
Me:  Oh okay.  She looks very nice.  I bet you'll be good friends with her.  And on Wednesday, you can make friends with everyone else.
Maia:  No, I can't.
Me:  Yes, you can.
Maia:  No, I can't.
Me:  Yes, you can.
-
-
- 
-This goes on for a little while because we are being silly and giggling.
-
-
-
Me:  Yes, you can.
Maia: No, I can't.
Me: Well why can't you?
Maia:  BECAUSE BOYS ARE YUCKY!

Duh.  How could I have not seen this one coming?

Kindergarten Orientation is Today

Rick and I alternated bike riding yesterday morning.  I think he was somewhat more successful than I, because he came home tired and happy.  I came home tired and annoyed.  Annoyed, because at the park there were so MANY people there....with their dogs....NOT on leashes.  There were several times I had to slow down to almost a stop and one time I did actually have to stop!  Though, the time I actually had to stop was because of a large group of people standing in the middle of the trail that refused to even take 3 steps to the right. =(  It's very bothersome because I don't ride very fast in the park out of respect for other people and their families and dogs, but surely it shouldn't be too hard to share the path?  The park is for everyone to use.  Everyone and their LEASHED dogs.   There are signs that even remind people of the consequences of not following the law.  But, since there is no one to enforce the law no one follows it.  And really, a dog is going to be so happy to be at the park that'll he'll enjoy it even if he is on the leash.

Okay, I apologize for that bit of a rant.  I'm a little grumpy over here.  I've had a terrible night of sleep and I think (well, really, this is Rick's reason I"m sharing but I think he's probably right) it's becasue Maia has kindergarten orientation today.  It's only an hour long and I get to be there with her the entire time but I can't help being nervous anyway.  I'm not sure why I'm nervous but I am.  In preschool, she did fine and really enjoyed it to and there's no reason for this not to be the same.  But I'm still nervous!   Maia isn't nervous at all.  She's excited.   And a wee bit mad, because she does NOT want to go to orientation and does NOT want to go with me.  Maia wants to go all by herself and for all day.  I'd definitely say she is ready!

If only I had slept this well!!

Here Mouse-y, Mouse-y, Mouse-y.....

The other day I heard quite a lot of meowing coming from outside.  Usually it means "Let me in.  Now."  But this time, I could hear something 'else' in the tone of this meow.  It was Layla and I thought I'd try to snap a picture of her and I grabbed the camera on my way to the front door.

I couldn't figure out why she was licking her lips but then I looked past her.

Look what she brought me!  I figured the picture was 'clean' but I'm sorry if it's too much.  She was really proud of herself.  She walked over to the mouse, batted it with her paw, then looked over her shoulder as if to say "It's yours" then she stalked off to go catch more unsuspecting mice in the garden.

Eddie seemed to sense that Layla had left something 'good' for me and spent quite a lot of time howling--i mean meowing- at the door to try to convince me to let him go outside and investigate.  I didn't let him out.  He's never brought anything home yet and I didn't want to crush his sensitive ego.

 

Shh!  Don't tell him these aren't real!

River Play

We purchased a new wire for the camera today!!  Since I have quite a few pictures to share, I will keep my words brief.  Today consisted of treadmill, housework and playing with the kids for me.  The kids of course played all day.  After lunch, the kids and I worked on our Top Secret.  With luck, it will be ready to show everyone sometime next week. 

To escape the heat, Rick suggested that we go up to Ohio Pyle this afternoon.  It was a good suggestion =)

Waiting for Rick to put on

I found it amusing to spot this guy talking on his cell phone seemingly oblivious to the beauty around him.  I prefer to think that he was sharing it with someone on the phone by describing what he was looking at.

The river was fairly empty; only a few people were on it.  Rick is on the far right.

I have no clue what Rick is looking at.  Hey!  We're upstream!

Surf's Up!! 

Finally!  It's time to swim!  Mean Mummy that I am I made them wait while I took some pictures of Rick.

Near the rocks we were sitting (and climbing) on is a giant eddy that is perfect for wading and swimming in as long as you don't go out too far.  Tristyn, Maia and I did go in deeper but only after I put the camera down.  I was too wary of dropping it in the water! Eventually, Rick tired of playing in the first rapid and came to shore.

Tristyn's first ever paddling!

Maia went next.

Everyone was very tired as it was very late, but not too tired for ice cream on the way home!

Pretty as a Peach

Three days left (or 4, depending on how you count) of summer vacation left.  Sort of.  Kind of.  Maia has kindergarten orientation on Monday, but it's only an hour long and I get to attend it with her.  Tristyn starts on Tuesday, but he has a two-hour delay and Maia doesn't go.  It's not until Wednesday that school will be in session for everyone at the regular time.  I got Maia's letter for her classroom assignment today so that was a relief because I haven't been able to reach the Admin office the last two days and I was getting worried.

I discovered last night a type of burn that hurts almost as bad as the burn one gets when homemade jelly at the jelling point lands on you and sticks.  As Junie B. would say...."and its name is called that Boiled Potato."  While pouring out a pot full of potatoes that had been quartered and boiled in preparation for mashed potatoes into my colander, an errant potato sailed through the air and landed on my foot.  It was so tender that when it connected it basically turned itself into mashed potatoes all through my toes.  Not even Bob would come to my rescue (as he has other times when food goes flying)--it was THAT hot.  I danced around trying to shake it out from between my toes never thinking to put down the hot pot, grab a cloth and wipe it off.  =(  Luckily, Bob did help with the cleanup.

Sweltering.  You know what that's in reference too.  I'll leave it at that.

Candyland becomes a whole new game when your son elects to use a tiny toy robot as his marker instead of the regular game piece.  I was surprised Maia didn't put up a fuss.  Tristyn claimed that a robot could move faster than the other pieces could and darned if he wasn't right!  He made it to the Candy Castle first and then him and his robot dashed up the stairs.

I scrubbed the front porch today.  What a task!  Dirty soapy water was everywhere before it was through.  But now, bare feet can run on it without getting filthy.   Riley and Bob didn't appreciate the Lysol scent left behind and very gingerly walked across the porch wrinkling their noses the whole time.

Lunch was a bit hurried because I was too busy coming up with a recipe for tonight's dessert and made this:

...and its name is called that Peaches and Cream Cake. =P  It's a french vanilla cake with chopped fresh peaches in a peach glaze on top of it capped off with a vanilla butter cream (made with all butter because remember? shortening is icky.  even if the recipe only calls for 1/3 of the fat to be shortening) icing.  The whole thing is kept in the refrigerator to keep it cool and refreshing.  It is surprisingly light, too.

Tristyn's piano teacher still hasn't forgiven me for the missed lesson we had about a month or two ago even though I paid him for the lesson we didn't show up for.  He now calls me 45 minutes before the lesson under the pretense of 'reminding' me of some thing or another.  Today it was to remind me that the lesson time has changed.  (I know...this IS the third week at this time!)

Good thing for the treadmill.  It's really pulling its weight around here lately.  I didn't want to be thinking about squeezing in a workout all day so I ran on the treadmill this morning and a good thing too!  It rained just as we were finishing dinner, making it all but impossible to go biking or blading.  Maia did get to try out her new raincoat though:

Tristyn is doing a rain dance.  I think.

 

Day 3

and still no sign of the camera wire.  The light gray wire that connects the big obnoxious camera to my dear little mac is STILL missing and it's all my fault.  It's all my fault because I am the one who uses it and just tosses it willy nilly to the side when I'm done with it.   It's really driving me crazy.  I've looked everywhere.  I had these adorable mouse-y pictures to share too.

This whole week so far it's done nothing but rain and I've been stuck on the treadmill.  I'm longing to get out on my bike or on my rollerblades in some sunshine but it seems like that is never going to happen.  It's also frustrating --and I know I've probably already mentioned this either here or elsewhere--because this is the last week before school starts and I had all of these wonderful outdoor activities planned.

Monday was fairly cool and it caused Maia and I to both wear light sweaters around the house.  That was a nice break but then the weather has been increasingly more humid.  The sugar in the sugar bowl looks 'wet' and is sticking together.  Ditto the salt.  The banisters on the staircases feel sticky to the touch.  The list can go on and on.  It's not even particularly hot; just uncomfortably humid.

Tristyn and Maia had a playdate on Monday afternoon at Kelly's house.  She has 3 boys, one of which is just about Tristyn's age who gets along great with him.  Maia was stuck playing with 'boys' toys' but she didn't seem to mind.  We had a good time.

Tuesday brought about the doldrums.  The kids and I were both a little grumpy and everyone seemed to pick a place to barricade themselves and ignore the others.  Even my little shadow, Maia, went off to play in her own little world.  Rick sent me out to the bookstore last night where I picked up a much needed new book to read.  I also made stops at Giant Eagle and Costco and started stocking up on things for the kids' school lunches. 

Today, so far, has been fairly productive. Missy stopped by for lunch and brought some of her mother's yummy homemade salsa over.   There has been laundry getting done, sandbox playing, lawn mowing (in between drizzles), and other assorted housework.  The mobile Maia and I made needs some repairs since Eddie made a flying leap at it and tore half of it down.   Right now, we are waiting for the mail to come with hopes that it will bring Maia's  classroom assignment letter because Tristyn's came yesterday and we still haven't received hers yet. =(

Pizza! Pizza!

We had plans to go kayaking today but with the rain coming down and the persistent chill we elected to go see a movie instead.  Afterwards we made a few stops and then, as we were running out of time we hurried to grab a bit to eat.

Where?

At the restaurant equivalent of a public restroom.

What restaurant is this you ask?

Cici's Pizza.

Once again, I was reminded you get what you pay for.  We chose it because others have recommended it to us, it was low-priced (usually nice after all one's errands consist of shopping) and it was buffet style--which meant no long waits.

It was dirty--food, utensils and garbage were everywhere.  Dropped on the floors.  Spilled on the tables.  Scattered over the buffets.  The first five forks I pulled out of the bin were dirty and/or greasy. 

It was crowded--in an unruly-the-masses-are-milling-about sort of way.  Any attempt to get up and move across the room was an exercise in agility.  It reminded both of us of a junior high school cafeteria.

I could keep going..but I'll spare everyone.  Suffice to say we won't be going back.

Ever.