Fifteen years of mischievous smiles, sparkly blue eyes, laughter, sweetness, silliness, love.
I do so love this boy of mine.
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| then... |
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| now... |
Showing posts with label alex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alex. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
15
My boy Alex turned 15 today...
Fifteen years of mischievous smiles, sparkly blue eyes, laughter, sweetness, silliness, love.
I do so love this boy of mine.
Fifteen years of mischievous smiles, sparkly blue eyes, laughter, sweetness, silliness, love.
I do so love this boy of mine.
Friday, June 29, 2012
f.r.i.d.a.y. five
4:35
It's Friday! Who knew? This summer vacation stuff makes the time seem to fly by just as much as it stands still. How can that actually be? I guess because it's like every time I look at the clock I am surprised that it's like, late afternoon almost dinner time-ish already, and then again, somehow I feel like we've been doing a lot of nothing, which makes it feel kinda draggy. I am anti-scheduling things to death, but during the summer I need to keep the kids busy. I refuse to have them sitting around watching TV and telling me they are bored all day. Except today. Because it is so freaking hot, as soon as I open the door I feel all melty. Plus Alex has a girl over (!) so I can't really leave to go do something fun or swimmy because I definitely don't want a 15 year-old boy/girl free-for-all going on. I need to supervise.
4:42 Time's up. Happy weekend!
It's Friday! Who knew? This summer vacation stuff makes the time seem to fly by just as much as it stands still. How can that actually be? I guess because it's like every time I look at the clock I am surprised that it's like, late afternoon almost dinner time-ish already, and then again, somehow I feel like we've been doing a lot of nothing, which makes it feel kinda draggy. I am anti-scheduling things to death, but during the summer I need to keep the kids busy. I refuse to have them sitting around watching TV and telling me they are bored all day. Except today. Because it is so freaking hot, as soon as I open the door I feel all melty. Plus Alex has a girl over (!) so I can't really leave to go do something fun or swimmy because I definitely don't want a 15 year-old boy/girl free-for-all going on. I need to supervise.
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| Alex and a few friends |
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My spectacular method of supervision is having the little kids periodically make their way through the room that Alex and the girl are hanging in. You know, just to make sure they're behaving. Kara is pissed because she thinks I am easier on Alex than I was on her at that age. Which is fairly accurate I guess. I'm not sure why. Well, she was the guinea pig! I tested everything out on her, poor kid. She did turn out pretty decent though, so I guess I did something right. I still absolutely worry about Alex though, don't get me wrong. I can't stand the fact that my boy is old enough to be semi-dating. Teen-aged girls these days are like predators! Did I mention that Alex was invited to the prom by a senior?? He just wrapped up 9th grade! Sheesh. Anyway, it makes me think back to being a teenager myself, and boy do I feel sorry for the moms of the boys I dated. Ugh. If only I had a time machine... |
4:42 Time's up. Happy weekend!
Friday, April 20, 2012
the great spank debate
Oh relax.
RELAX judgey. I'm not a spanker.
Well, a very rare, hardly even occasional spanker.
I was one of those "I'll never spank my kid," moms. Yes I was.
That was when I had my first kid though, and she was a freaking angel. Well, most of the time. Besides, when she wasn't an angel, her offenses were far too minor to merit a straight up smack on the buns.
I think the only time she was ever spanked was when she was about 6 and she convinced her 3 year old cousin to hide from me and her parents - and not come out from hiding when we called. We ran up and down the street yelling for them, scared to death that they were stolen by bad guys right out from under our noses. That spank was given out of straight up terror.
But Alex, my little buddy. He was such a challenging kid for a chunk of time. I was so unsure of how to parent a challenging kid. I just did not know what to do with him. I mean, he was kind of aggressive, and we aren't aggressive at all. I never spanked, we don't hit, smack, push... we don't yell, we never really even fight. Honest to Cod with four kids, none of them have ever felt the angry punch of a sibling unless if you count from a punch from a rousing game of Punch Buggy.
So I was taken aback when he was hitty as a toddler. I was all like, "Where did he learn that?!" "What am I doing wrong?!" "How do I fix him?!"
I tried everything. I got right down on his level and talked to him, tried reasoning with him. I read books, I talked with other parents, experimented with time-outs and various other methods of dealing with an aggressive kid. I had to be hyper-vigilant when there were other little kids around, and it could be stressful and exhausting and embarrassing. I felt like I had to be super aware so I could head off an attack that was potentially building up, and I could never just relax.
Alex wasn't really very verbal for a while. He wasn't slow by any means, he mimicked words and all of that normal stuff, he just didn't exactly form coherent sentences as quickly as my first child. But the good thing was, he was extremely transparent. I could tell from across the room when he was getting frustrated and getting ready to wind up and smack his cousin off of her chair.
That's when I typically hopped in and redirected his attention, stepped in and helped him get his message across. When I actually recognized why he was aggressive, it made a ton of sense. When putting myself into the mind of an almost three-year-old who couldn't say, "Hey that's MY truck! I was using it first! Give it back!" I finally grasped the frustration he must have been feeling. Because he couldn't yet verbalize his feelings of anger or upset, he'd just knock someone off their seat, smack them or scream in their face to get his point across.
Prior to recognizing that, I remember swatting him out of sheer frustration. Frustration because he just whaled someone for no apparent reason. Again. And nothing that I did or said seemed to get through to him. In all honesty, spanking didn't do any more than the other methods that I tried.
But then, I'll never forget this one time when he was being particularly aggressive with his cousin. I was angry and spanked him and set him on the stairs for a time out, and he looked up at me with tears in his eyes, on his little red cheeks, and it killed me. Killed me. He was looking at me like I hurt him. I was his mom and I was supposed to help him, not hurt him. All of a sudden, I was devastated and horrified. In fact, I will admit it gives me a tear in my own eye when I think of that moment. It was a light bulb moment, and it completely changed the way I dealt with him in his moments of naughtiness.
And he is such a joy. I just love my boy. He's such a good, kind, funny charismatic kid. I truly enjoy him, and I feel guilty that I didn't figure him out sooner. I feel guilty that I just assumed parenting him would be just like parenting his older (easier) sister. I feel guilty that I lost control, and went against my belief that spanking a kid does nothing more than teach them that the bigger, stronger people can get away with hitting and being aggressive when it suits them.
At the end of the day, it was all about being aware. Paying attention so I could step in and redirect his attention when I noticed him getting frustrated. It helped tremendously to get down on his level and put myself in his shoes. Not that there was any justification for his aggression other than the fact that he was learning how to deal with his emotions, but I finally understood. And when I quit making it about me (why wouldn't he listen to me? what am I doing wrong?) and made it about him, I got it. And when I got it, I was able to help him work through his anger - and it worked.
It really worked.
There was a lot consistency. A lot of, "Use your words," and "I'm counting to three..." those were the most often used phrases. In fact, years later, all I have to do is hold up one finger from across the room at ANY of my kids (yes, including my 14 1/2 year old son), together with the evil eye, and they will quit whatever it is that they are doing to bug me, like immediately. Communicating very clearly.
So, I'm not pro-spanking. I am not saying that I wouldn't swat my kid if I felt it in the moment, or that I am sitting here judging spankers. But I do think it can easily get out of hand, and I won't use it as a way to get my kids to behave or listen to me. I know how it feels to feel frustrated with your child, to be at your wits end - but I believe there are always other ways of approaching things.
Yes, I was spanked as a kid. Yes, I was scared of getting spanked, and no I do not think it harmed me. My spankings weren't lose your mind ass-whippings, they were more like the, "wait til your dad gets home," kind of spankings that had you sweating in your room til you heard your Dad pull up. Which is when you quickly put on every single pair of underpants you owned (to cushion the spank) and prayed it wasn't going to be a bare hiney spanking.
I do firmly believe that a healthy fear of your parent is a good thing on many levels. But I don't want my child to fear that I am going to physically hurt him if I am angry with him. I want him to wonder what the heck I could do if I'm angry with him. And that's where the healthy fear comes in. Fear that if they push my buttons too hard, I could lose it.
And never discount the evil eye, it really does go a long way if you use it correctly.
RELAX judgey. I'm not a spanker.
Well, a very rare, hardly even occasional spanker.
I was one of those "I'll never spank my kid," moms. Yes I was.
That was when I had my first kid though, and she was a freaking angel. Well, most of the time. Besides, when she wasn't an angel, her offenses were far too minor to merit a straight up smack on the buns.
I think the only time she was ever spanked was when she was about 6 and she convinced her 3 year old cousin to hide from me and her parents - and not come out from hiding when we called. We ran up and down the street yelling for them, scared to death that they were stolen by bad guys right out from under our noses. That spank was given out of straight up terror.
But Alex, my little buddy. He was such a challenging kid for a chunk of time. I was so unsure of how to parent a challenging kid. I just did not know what to do with him. I mean, he was kind of aggressive, and we aren't aggressive at all. I never spanked, we don't hit, smack, push... we don't yell, we never really even fight. Honest to Cod with four kids, none of them have ever felt the angry punch of a sibling unless if you count from a punch from a rousing game of Punch Buggy.
So I was taken aback when he was hitty as a toddler. I was all like, "Where did he learn that?!" "What am I doing wrong?!" "How do I fix him?!"
I tried everything. I got right down on his level and talked to him, tried reasoning with him. I read books, I talked with other parents, experimented with time-outs and various other methods of dealing with an aggressive kid. I had to be hyper-vigilant when there were other little kids around, and it could be stressful and exhausting and embarrassing. I felt like I had to be super aware so I could head off an attack that was potentially building up, and I could never just relax.
Alex wasn't really very verbal for a while. He wasn't slow by any means, he mimicked words and all of that normal stuff, he just didn't exactly form coherent sentences as quickly as my first child. But the good thing was, he was extremely transparent. I could tell from across the room when he was getting frustrated and getting ready to wind up and smack his cousin off of her chair.
That's when I typically hopped in and redirected his attention, stepped in and helped him get his message across. When I actually recognized why he was aggressive, it made a ton of sense. When putting myself into the mind of an almost three-year-old who couldn't say, "Hey that's MY truck! I was using it first! Give it back!" I finally grasped the frustration he must have been feeling. Because he couldn't yet verbalize his feelings of anger or upset, he'd just knock someone off their seat, smack them or scream in their face to get his point across.
Prior to recognizing that, I remember swatting him out of sheer frustration. Frustration because he just whaled someone for no apparent reason. Again. And nothing that I did or said seemed to get through to him. In all honesty, spanking didn't do any more than the other methods that I tried.
But then, I'll never forget this one time when he was being particularly aggressive with his cousin. I was angry and spanked him and set him on the stairs for a time out, and he looked up at me with tears in his eyes, on his little red cheeks, and it killed me. Killed me. He was looking at me like I hurt him. I was his mom and I was supposed to help him, not hurt him. All of a sudden, I was devastated and horrified. In fact, I will admit it gives me a tear in my own eye when I think of that moment. It was a light bulb moment, and it completely changed the way I dealt with him in his moments of naughtiness.
And he is such a joy. I just love my boy. He's such a good, kind, funny charismatic kid. I truly enjoy him, and I feel guilty that I didn't figure him out sooner. I feel guilty that I just assumed parenting him would be just like parenting his older (easier) sister. I feel guilty that I lost control, and went against my belief that spanking a kid does nothing more than teach them that the bigger, stronger people can get away with hitting and being aggressive when it suits them.
At the end of the day, it was all about being aware. Paying attention so I could step in and redirect his attention when I noticed him getting frustrated. It helped tremendously to get down on his level and put myself in his shoes. Not that there was any justification for his aggression other than the fact that he was learning how to deal with his emotions, but I finally understood. And when I quit making it about me (why wouldn't he listen to me? what am I doing wrong?) and made it about him, I got it. And when I got it, I was able to help him work through his anger - and it worked.
It really worked.
There was a lot consistency. A lot of, "Use your words," and "I'm counting to three..." those were the most often used phrases. In fact, years later, all I have to do is hold up one finger from across the room at ANY of my kids (yes, including my 14 1/2 year old son), together with the evil eye, and they will quit whatever it is that they are doing to bug me, like immediately. Communicating very clearly.
So, I'm not pro-spanking. I am not saying that I wouldn't swat my kid if I felt it in the moment, or that I am sitting here judging spankers. But I do think it can easily get out of hand, and I won't use it as a way to get my kids to behave or listen to me. I know how it feels to feel frustrated with your child, to be at your wits end - but I believe there are always other ways of approaching things.
Yes, I was spanked as a kid. Yes, I was scared of getting spanked, and no I do not think it harmed me. My spankings weren't lose your mind ass-whippings, they were more like the, "wait til your dad gets home," kind of spankings that had you sweating in your room til you heard your Dad pull up. Which is when you quickly put on every single pair of underpants you owned (to cushion the spank) and prayed it wasn't going to be a bare hiney spanking.
I do firmly believe that a healthy fear of your parent is a good thing on many levels. But I don't want my child to fear that I am going to physically hurt him if I am angry with him. I want him to wonder what the heck I could do if I'm angry with him. And that's where the healthy fear comes in. Fear that if they push my buttons too hard, I could lose it.
And never discount the evil eye, it really does go a long way if you use it correctly.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Time does not fly with 40 kids in the yard.
I mentioned here that Alex was going to have a little back yard bash for his birthday. I think I also mentioned that I was not excited about it. But I survived! I'm a survivor!
First of all, time does not fly when you have about 40 teenagers in your yard. I looked at the clock a minimum of 497 times in three and a half hours. Well. Make that four hours, because several kids accidentally showed up 1/2 hour early.
My biggest problem is worrying that something bad will happen to one of those maniacs under my watch. Thankfully, only one kid got hurt. Physically. Not sure about emotionally, because with lots of teenage girls comes lots of drama, but I think everyone was pretty happy. So one girl fell and had some bleeding, and crying, and got hovered over by a few other well-meaning *drama queens girls. I neosporin-ed and band-aided her up pretty good and she got over it. Hopefully her parents don't sue me. At least I have a good attorney at my disposal.
Also, I only heard of one making out incident. Hey. One out of forty hormonal kids isn't that bad! I only had to send my husband out once to change inappropriate music on the ipod. And only one girl accidentally ran into my screen door (subsequently breaking it). She thought it was open. She was mortified, poor thing. She smacked into it so hard she bounced backward and almost fell off the porch. My only question is, "Who walks into a house with such gusto?"
Just a tip - apparently, a lot of kids Alex's age think it's funny to smash cupcakes into each others faces at parties. I'm guessing a lot of mothers do not think it's funny. At all. From this day forward, I am not frosting any cupcakes ever again. Because let me tell you what a pain in the butt that is to clean up after.
(yeah. not so funny.)
One final thing. If your kid is begging for an itouch or an xbox 360 or something equally expensive, just throw him a birthday party! Kids these days give big money for presents! Let me tell you, it's not the measly five bucks you gave when you were a kid either. I was shocked. Alex literally received $510. from friends at this party, and that doesn't include the actual presents from kids that he opened. Yikes. I guess inflation even hits in birthday parties, because I'm still only giving 10 or 15 bucks! Who knew I was such a cheapskate??
I think I am going to throw myself a birthday party. I could really use a new vacuum. Wanna come over?
* ps - my own kid was a teen-age drama queen herself, so I get to make fun of those girls. Since I had to suffer through the drama myself. And now she is a drama/theater major in college! Go figure!
First of all, time does not fly when you have about 40 teenagers in your yard. I looked at the clock a minimum of 497 times in three and a half hours. Well. Make that four hours, because several kids accidentally showed up 1/2 hour early.
My biggest problem is worrying that something bad will happen to one of those maniacs under my watch. Thankfully, only one kid got hurt. Physically. Not sure about emotionally, because with lots of teenage girls comes lots of drama, but I think everyone was pretty happy. So one girl fell and had some bleeding, and crying, and got hovered over by a few other well-meaning *
Also, I only heard of one making out incident. Hey. One out of forty hormonal kids isn't that bad! I only had to send my husband out once to change inappropriate music on the ipod. And only one girl accidentally ran into my screen door (subsequently breaking it). She thought it was open. She was mortified, poor thing. She smacked into it so hard she bounced backward and almost fell off the porch. My only question is, "Who walks into a house with such gusto?"
Just a tip - apparently, a lot of kids Alex's age think it's funny to smash cupcakes into each others faces at parties. I'm guessing a lot of mothers do not think it's funny. At all. From this day forward, I am not frosting any cupcakes ever again. Because let me tell you what a pain in the butt that is to clean up after.
(yeah. not so funny.)One final thing. If your kid is begging for an itouch or an xbox 360 or something equally expensive, just throw him a birthday party! Kids these days give big money for presents! Let me tell you, it's not the measly five bucks you gave when you were a kid either. I was shocked. Alex literally received $510. from friends at this party, and that doesn't include the actual presents from kids that he opened. Yikes. I guess inflation even hits in birthday parties, because I'm still only giving 10 or 15 bucks! Who knew I was such a cheapskate??
I think I am going to throw myself a birthday party. I could really use a new vacuum. Wanna come over?
* ps - my own kid was a teen-age drama queen herself, so I get to make fun of those girls. Since I had to suffer through the drama myself. And now she is a drama/theater major in college! Go figure!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Shouldn't there be some sort of cutoff?
I'm not a heartless Mom.
I think I am a Mom full of heart.
Except I hate that my son is having a huge birthday party.
Shouldn't there be some sort of cutoff date for when a friend birthday party is no longer applicable? (obviously family birthday parties are forever) I mean, Alex just turned thirteen. I guess that is milestone-ish. Because he is now a TEENAGER, as opposed to the day before he turned 13, when he was just a lowly 12 year-old. So now I think I should get a break from teen parties til he is at least 16, which I suppose is another milestone-ish birthday. Because then he can almost drive? WOO HOO! Then we can celebrate 18, because then he can officially vote? And 21 for sure. 21 is big. Because then he can officially drink at a bar without having to show his fake ID. Yeah.
So anyway, I will have upwards of 40 kids milling around (the outside of) my house. Boys and girls. Alex has a lot of friends. I'll be spending 3 1/2 hours trying to keep them from making out and playing spin the bottle and stuff like that. Because apparently that's what 13 year olds do at parties. Even if they claim they are playing Manhunt. Take my word for it. You can't trust those little punks. I guarantee they are playing Make out Manhunt, where they somehow change the rules so that kissing is involved. (I just made that up. But I don't even doubt that they would do that for one second)
I remember when Kara had her 13th birthday party, it was boy/girl, and all of a sudden this girl (who was a littleslutty advanced) and boy were noticeably missing. So I sent my husband around to track them down and they were kissing behind a shed! Those tricky teenagers. You really have to keep your eye on them. Meanwhile, Kara was still playing Barbies at that age.
ps - what is the protocol on that? do you tell the parents? do you like, holler at them? do you just stand there til they notice you and embarrass them?
So what if you do if you find aslutty girl trying to makeout with your cute little innocent son?? Because of course your innocent son is easily led astray by pretty girls. He is such a follower. And he so notices the pretty girls.
And have you noticed that 13 year old girls have gotten much cuter then when you were 13? I mean, I had a boy haircut and a pudgy belly when I was thirteen. And I wore sweaters with embroidered initials on them and knickers. In my defense, knickers were very stylish in the 80's! I got them from Saks 5th Ave in the city! Gosh! So my point is, the girls that Alex is friends with definitely do not look like pudgy little boys in ugly sweaters and short pants.
Well anyway, I have a plan. I agreed to a backyard bash. We'll have a bonfire, music and food. I know they'll play Manhunt (Hopefully not Revised Make out Manhunt), and really, kids that age just want a place to hangout, talk, listen to music and kick around together. Right?
Let's all say a little prayer.
I will let you know if I survive.
I think I am a Mom full of heart.
Except I hate that my son is having a huge birthday party.
Shouldn't there be some sort of cutoff date for when a friend birthday party is no longer applicable? (obviously family birthday parties are forever) I mean, Alex just turned thirteen. I guess that is milestone-ish. Because he is now a TEENAGER, as opposed to the day before he turned 13, when he was just a lowly 12 year-old. So now I think I should get a break from teen parties til he is at least 16, which I suppose is another milestone-ish birthday. Because then he can almost drive? WOO HOO! Then we can celebrate 18, because then he can officially vote? And 21 for sure. 21 is big. Because then he can officially drink at a bar without having to show his fake ID. Yeah.
So anyway, I will have upwards of 40 kids milling around (the outside of) my house. Boys and girls. Alex has a lot of friends. I'll be spending 3 1/2 hours trying to keep them from making out and playing spin the bottle and stuff like that. Because apparently that's what 13 year olds do at parties. Even if they claim they are playing Manhunt. Take my word for it. You can't trust those little punks. I guarantee they are playing Make out Manhunt, where they somehow change the rules so that kissing is involved. (I just made that up. But I don't even doubt that they would do that for one second)
I remember when Kara had her 13th birthday party, it was boy/girl, and all of a sudden this girl (who was a little
ps - what is the protocol on that? do you tell the parents? do you like, holler at them? do you just stand there til they notice you and embarrass them?
So what if you do if you find a
And have you noticed that 13 year old girls have gotten much cuter then when you were 13? I mean, I had a boy haircut and a pudgy belly when I was thirteen. And I wore sweaters with embroidered initials on them and knickers. In my defense, knickers were very stylish in the 80's! I got them from Saks 5th Ave in the city! Gosh! So my point is, the girls that Alex is friends with definitely do not look like pudgy little boys in ugly sweaters and short pants.
Well anyway, I have a plan. I agreed to a backyard bash. We'll have a bonfire, music and food. I know they'll play Manhunt (Hopefully not Revised Make out Manhunt), and really, kids that age just want a place to hangout, talk, listen to music and kick around together. Right?
Let's all say a little prayer.
I will let you know if I survive.
Monday, August 16, 2010
huge aspirations
Me: "Kieran, what do you think you want to be when you grow up?"
My (almost) 15 year old nephew Kieran: "Well, I am pretty sure that I will be a theoretical physicist. Either that or a professional soccer player."
Me: "What about you Axe?"
My (almost) 13 year old son Alex: "I'm definitely going to be a professional magician. And a poker player."
Friday, July 9, 2010
tractors and levitating
"Thanks for dinner Mom. I'm going out front to ride my tractor for a while." the 4-yr-old girl.
"I'm going upstairs to practice levitating." the 12-yr-old boy.
"Well, I guess I'll just go to my room then." the 21-yr-old girl.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Tween Idol
So Tuesday night was the big Tween Idol event at the middle school. After about 80 kids auditioned, there were 5 kids chosen from each of the middle school grades (5th-7th) to compete against each other for the trophies, and of course the coveted title of TWEEN IDOL. The 5 kids from each grade sang individually on stage with music (kind of like karaoke) in front of the whole auditorium, and it was PACKED.
First of all, I was so impressed with how brave and confident those kids all were. I can't even imagine getting up on stage alone and singing in front of an audience full of peers and adults. I also liked that the kids weren't afraid to go outside of the box and sing songs off of the current pop charts. Besides Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, there was a girl who sang Nancy Sinatra, and a boy who did Run Around Sue. There were the Beatles and Journey... it was really fun!
So back to the process - after the 5 kids from each grade had their turn singing and being judged by the panel of teacher/judges, they left the stage and the audience voted for the best performer in each grade.
After the winner for each grade was announced, the three winners had to go up individually for another round and sing a different song, competing against each other for the title of Tween Idol.
Alex sang the song "I'll Be There," by the Jackson 5. I thought he did SUCH A GREAT JOB. I was so proud of him - he had tons of applause and cheering. He was the cutest thing ever when he got up there, I could just tell he was really nervous. His vocals were on spot, smooth and impressive. I never really knew he had any singing talent, so I was surprised that he just did so well. Every last kid in the 7th grade was really good though, and he did not advance to the final round. He wasn't too disappointed though, he was just proud to have made it as far as he did, and to have been able to get up there and do his thing. He thought the girl who won his grade deserved it and totally cheered her on when she ended up winning the whole competition.
I am so proud of my boy.
First of all, I was so impressed with how brave and confident those kids all were. I can't even imagine getting up on stage alone and singing in front of an audience full of peers and adults. I also liked that the kids weren't afraid to go outside of the box and sing songs off of the current pop charts. Besides Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, there was a girl who sang Nancy Sinatra, and a boy who did Run Around Sue. There were the Beatles and Journey... it was really fun!
So back to the process - after the 5 kids from each grade had their turn singing and being judged by the panel of teacher/judges, they left the stage and the audience voted for the best performer in each grade.
After the winner for each grade was announced, the three winners had to go up individually for another round and sing a different song, competing against each other for the title of Tween Idol.
Alex sang the song "I'll Be There," by the Jackson 5. I thought he did SUCH A GREAT JOB. I was so proud of him - he had tons of applause and cheering. He was the cutest thing ever when he got up there, I could just tell he was really nervous. His vocals were on spot, smooth and impressive. I never really knew he had any singing talent, so I was surprised that he just did so well. Every last kid in the 7th grade was really good though, and he did not advance to the final round. He wasn't too disappointed though, he was just proud to have made it as far as he did, and to have been able to get up there and do his thing. He thought the girl who won his grade deserved it and totally cheered her on when she ended up winning the whole competition.
I am so proud of my boy.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
bye brace face
After 2 1/2 years of furious brushing, flossing, countless lengthy appointments, lots of cold hard cash, sugar-free gum and a mouth ful of metal contraptions, I am proud to announce that Alex has finally gotten his braces removed! No longer can we call him Brace Face, Metal Mouth, Tinsel Teeth or Zipper Lips...
THEN
NOW
So a big shout out to Alex's orthodontist group, who made his teeth look beautiful!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (www.albanybraces.com)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
jillian is killin' me.
So I made the mistake of bringing my husband to Super Wal-Mart with me the other night. Don't get me wrong, I love to go places with him, and I especially like it when we get out together alone, because that doesn't happen too often. The problem is, whenever he comes grocery shopping with me, my bill goes up dramatically. I have this unrealistic goal of getting out of Wal-Mart each week as close to $100 as possible, and usually I am pretty close to that - unless it's a laundry detergent/Pull-Up's week. So when I ring out at over $160 for a weeks worth of what is supposed to be GROCERIES, I blame it on my husband's presence. As I was rounding the bread aisle, he pops up with, among other things, a handful of The Biggest Loser exercise DVD's. He decided he wants to start working out every day to help him get back in shape. So we spend a good 10 minutes in the bread aisle looking through the DVD's he picked out, and we decide on The Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I tell him I will do it too. Jillian is scary, but I love her. She kicks butt.
He started Sunday night. You may have thought I was stabbing him with many knives by the sound of it, but he made it through the 20 minute (I admit) pretty intense workout. I watched, thinking it looked tough, but do-able. Then he got up Monday morning early enough to do it again before work. As I heard him making his way up to the shower, he was moaning with each footstep on the stairs. "Ow. Ow. Ow. Oooohhh..." This went on for approximately 20 stairs, after which I was definitely awake.
So I decided to try it Monday when the kids all left for school. It was hard, but I made it through doing the exercises modified for beginners. I was thinking Alex was being a big baby about the whole thing, because even though I was interrupted for about 10 minutes half-way through by an urgent call from my sister Ali (which really wasn't urgent at all), I felt pretty invigorated when it was done, and I didn't want to cry like a girl with every step I took.
That was yesterday.
Today, after the second workout, my legs are on fire. To quote Ron Burgundy, "Ohhh, its the deep burn!" In fact, I found myself wincing in pain when I reached for a cereal bowl. Did I mention I hate exercising? I guess if I can look even 1/2 as good as Jillian, it might be worth it.
MAYBE.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
streaking and cell phones
My son Alex loves his cell phone. All he talked about for Christmas was an Envy 3. Blue, not red. He researched it, he saved pictures of it to the desktop computer... it was definitely big on the wish list this year. Needless to say, he was beyond excited when he received the one he was wishing for on Christmas morning.
I have found that just the threat of taking it away as punishment is really effective in curbing obnoxious behavior. Most of the time.
Tonight at dinner, Alex was doing his best to irritate me and his sisters. When he took his phone out at the table to answer a text, I decided to take it from him, as it was blatantly going against the old "no-cell-phone-at-the-table rule," and I was about to the end of my patience with his behavior.
"Maybe I will give it back tomorrow if you can behave," I said.
After being subjected to several minutes of alternately begging and trying to butter me up, he asks, "What do I have to do to get it back?"
"If you eat three spoonfuls of peas, I will give it back to you." I said, knowing full well that he could never complete this simple task.
"NO! Nooooooo Mom, you know I can't! NEVER!"
Then, he brilliantly asks me, "If I streak around the house, will you give it back to me?"
"Outside?" I asked.
"Yes!" he answers.
"Sure, go for it Alex." I said while clearing the table. I chuckled to myself again, knowing that he, as a 12-year-old modest boy, would likely never strip and make a run for it - we live in a neighborhood, and though there are no streetlights, we have neighbors on each side of us. It was like, 20 degrees out. There is, in fact, a girl from Alex's class just a few doors down. He would never chance such a thing just to get his phone back.
All of a sudden I hear the garage door slam shut, and my daughter Megan squeals, "Oh my GOSH, he's DOING IT!!!"" Wouldn't you know, I look out the back door, and see his naked behind flying through the yard.
At least he had his sneakers on.
Seconds later, the garage door slams shut again, I meet him in the front hall. Red faced and breathless, he holds his hand out and I hand over the cell phone without a word.
That kid of mine sure has some spunk.
I have found that just the threat of taking it away as punishment is really effective in curbing obnoxious behavior. Most of the time.
Tonight at dinner, Alex was doing his best to irritate me and his sisters. When he took his phone out at the table to answer a text, I decided to take it from him, as it was blatantly going against the old "no-cell-phone-at-the-table rule," and I was about to the end of my patience with his behavior.
"Maybe I will give it back tomorrow if you can behave," I said.
After being subjected to several minutes of alternately begging and trying to butter me up, he asks, "What do I have to do to get it back?"
"If you eat three spoonfuls of peas, I will give it back to you." I said, knowing full well that he could never complete this simple task.
"NO! Nooooooo Mom, you know I can't! NEVER!"
Then, he brilliantly asks me, "If I streak around the house, will you give it back to me?"
"Outside?" I asked.
"Yes!" he answers.
"Sure, go for it Alex." I said while clearing the table. I chuckled to myself again, knowing that he, as a 12-year-old modest boy, would likely never strip and make a run for it - we live in a neighborhood, and though there are no streetlights, we have neighbors on each side of us. It was like, 20 degrees out. There is, in fact, a girl from Alex's class just a few doors down. He would never chance such a thing just to get his phone back.
All of a sudden I hear the garage door slam shut, and my daughter Megan squeals, "Oh my GOSH, he's DOING IT!!!"" Wouldn't you know, I look out the back door, and see his naked behind flying through the yard.
At least he had his sneakers on.
Seconds later, the garage door slams shut again, I meet him in the front hall. Red faced and breathless, he holds his hand out and I hand over the cell phone without a word.
That kid of mine sure has some spunk.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
going to hollywood!
So my little buddy made the Top Five of 'TWEEN IDOL! Yay Alex! According to him, it's like being told, "You're going to Hollywood!" on American Idol. This next phase means that he will be singing his song on stage in front of a packed auditorium. Yikes. Where does he get his guts?? Not from me, that's for sure. Must be his dad, who certainly doesn't mind being the center of attention. In a million years, I would never have the nerve to get up on stage and sing alone in front of people judging me. That is definitely one of my worst nightmares! He is nervous. I am nervous for him. I guess this all takes place in two weeks, so I will post more information as it comes along.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
tween idol and the 80's
So my 12-yr-old son Alex has been trying out for 'Tween Idol. So far he made it past the first two rounds. 'Tween Idol is something put on by our middle school, like an American Idol-type of thing. I guess it's a pretty big deal.
I can't even believe he tried out -- he is so bold - what a little cutie my boy is.
The funny thing is, he loves music from when I was a kid -- (woohoo the 80's are BACK!). The first round, he tried out with a Michael Jackson song, (omg) "The Way You Make Me Feel." I had a poster of Michael Jackson on my wall when I was a teenager. When Alex sang it for me before-hand, he said, "Please don't laugh at me Mom, I am really nervous." It was so cute, and he was actually really good! (I didn't even laugh at him once) The next round, he had to sing two songs, and once again, he went 80's.
(check out the actual "pre-tons of plastic surgery" Michael Jackson in a yellow sweater vest poster I had on my wall)
He then did "Imagine," by John Lennon and then "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey. I swear all of this music he is singing around the house is giving me a constant flashback to my high school dances. I actually think I could live without some of THOSE horrifying memories!! I swear if he belts out Stairway to Heaven I just might pass out on the floor.
80's is just one part of his repertoire though - his ipod is much like my own, filled with everything from (GASP) Barbra Streisand (actually I don't have any Babs, but HE does - LOL) to Metallica to Green Day to the Cure. I love that he loves music, and is open to all kinds. He wants to make chorus "cool," so he and a few of his cool-ish buddies are up front and center on the risers, singing away when they aren't too busy giggling. He's just so confident, it makes me smile. I'll keep you posted on how he does...
I can't even believe he tried out -- he is so bold - what a little cutie my boy is.
The funny thing is, he loves music from when I was a kid -- (woohoo the 80's are BACK!). The first round, he tried out with a Michael Jackson song, (omg) "The Way You Make Me Feel." I had a poster of Michael Jackson on my wall when I was a teenager. When Alex sang it for me before-hand, he said, "Please don't laugh at me Mom, I am really nervous." It was so cute, and he was actually really good! (I didn't even laugh at him once) The next round, he had to sing two songs, and once again, he went 80's. (check out the actual "pre-tons of plastic surgery" Michael Jackson in a yellow sweater vest poster I had on my wall)
He then did "Imagine," by John Lennon and then "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey. I swear all of this music he is singing around the house is giving me a constant flashback to my high school dances. I actually think I could live without some of THOSE horrifying memories!! I swear if he belts out Stairway to Heaven I just might pass out on the floor.
80's is just one part of his repertoire though - his ipod is much like my own, filled with everything from (GASP) Barbra Streisand (actually I don't have any Babs, but HE does - LOL) to Metallica to Green Day to the Cure. I love that he loves music, and is open to all kinds. He wants to make chorus "cool," so he and a few of his cool-ish buddies are up front and center on the risers, singing away when they aren't too busy giggling. He's just so confident, it makes me smile. I'll keep you posted on how he does...
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