Girl Scouts Leaders

As some of you know and others are about to find out I am a Girl Scouts Leader for both Abigail and Emma’ troops.  I have come to learn a few things in the past year and a half about being a leader.  Most of these lessons were learned out of frustration which makes me want to remember them for when Analiese is in kindergarten.

1. It is NOT a one person job.  Do not kid yourself and think that you can take over the world.  You need help.  It is such a relief to finally have one with my daisy troop.
2. The adults ARE worse then the kids.  If it is not mothers who will not leave it is fellow troop leaders fighting like kids.  Adults are much nastier then kids could ever dream of being.  This is too much.  I will not take a side in this current matter.  A friend was hurt and for that I am sad but I do not want to fall into the high school clique mentality as others have.  I think that the adults should act as adults.
3. It is a full time job.  Planning all of the details involved can be overwhelming.  There are a bunch of websites to plan and investigate how to best handle the kids.  All of the fund raising, crafts, field trips and community service are quite time consuming.
4. There is a lot to learn.  There is the old program with badges and patches and now there is the new Journey’s program.  So much to learn and process it is amazing that I can pass it on!

For all that Girl Scouts is I feel that it is a vital part of making girls into productive leaders in society.  I think about that each and every time I think about throwing in the towel.  I pray that one day my daughter will thank me.  I am hoping that I get better at it all.  I am hoping that all of my friends that I am making along the way find it in their hearts to forgive and forget.  I am most of all hoping for three college scholarships!  Oh come on I am just kidding.  Or am I?  Either way I am hoping that I am giving my girls the best experience I can because I know in few blinks of my eyes they will be off to their own lives leaving me behind!

Becca

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Spring Break Survival: Last Day!

Here we are with 21 hours left of this terribly long Spring break.  I do not understand why it is called a break.  I think that the bigger break will come tomorrow when all of the kids head back to school.  I can see why it is a break for the kids but I did not find that it was all that much of a break.  I think that the kids had an alright time.  Here are a few things that we did.

• We went to the park which was great.  Not only did the kids have a great time but they also burned off some of that left over winter cabin fever.
• We had a beauty day where I was able to cut Emma’s hair.  We also did finger nails and toe nails.  The girls had a great time and this gave me great ideas for summer break.  Perhaps we will have theme days this summer.  This will keep the kids interested.
• We had play dates.  The girls have a friend down the street who they played with a lot this break.  I just have one quick question… when did playing become a date?  I remember I used to just go and knock on the door of a friend or two and see who could play.  All of this prearranging is a little stressful!
• We went to our friends house and had dinner and the kids watched movies and played games while the adults had adult time.
• We played Wii for an entire day!  I could not believe how addictive it was.  I think that on a rainy summer day the Wii will come in handy.  We may been have to buy a few more games in order to assure that we can have fun all summer long.
• We got a little more unpacking done.  This was really important.  I am getting tired of all of the clutter.  I just hate living out of boxes.

I think that we could have done more.  I just am not sure that I can sustain all of this entertaining of children all summer long.  How I wish that I could afford camp for the entire summer!  All I have to say to Spring break is “Hit the road jack!”

hit the road jack

Becca

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Spring Break Survival Guide: Day 7

So we are 7 days into Spring break and I have to say that it has gone much better so far then I expected.  I think that we all may just make it out of this one alive.   Today is beauty day.  So far I have cut Emma’s hair.  It had become so long that she was sitting on it.  I had to fix it and make it a little more manageable for a 5 year old.  I have told my children that you need a license to cut hair.  This was because when Abigail was 4 she began to cut her own hair.  Since then we have had times when she cut her hair, Emma’s hair and most of her stuffed pet’s hair.  We had to do something.  So we told her that the law says that you have to have a liscense to cut hair in NY.  Now do not get me wrong.  I know that you do have to have a license but today this became an issue.  As I got out my scissors and began to cut Emma’s hair I was reminded that I should have a license.

After assuring Emma that it was not something that she should call 911 for; I began to cut.  I have to say that she is completely confused as to why it is that I can cut her hair.  I told her that moms can cut their own child’s hair or a friend but only moms.  I think that I have left her in a complete and utter state of confusion!  I hope that she completely understands that it is only something that us mommies can do.  I guess time will tell.

Either way what is done is done and it took up some time.  From here we have plans to do out toe nails in hope for warmer weather and perhaps we will do finger nails also.  I think that by this point the day will be done and daddy will be home.  Let’s hope that he comes home a little early.  I am just about Spring break broken.  I so long for Monday when that beautiful yellow bus pulls up to the bus stop yet again.  I have already begun to pray for a speedy summer.

Matthew looks a little confused                                                                                                    Emma Loves her new style

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Easter Pictures: Spring Break Survival

OK so as I mentioned I am having a hard time with this entire Spring Break thing!  So today my mother and I dressed all of the kids in their Easter outfits and threw them into the car and were off to Sears.  Now I know what you are thinking… why did you head to Sears.  We were off to Sears for Easter pictures.  We have not had pictures in YEARS.  The last time was when the baby was a month old.  For those of you who do not know she will be 2 in a month!  So needless to say it has been a while.

We have never been to Sears so I was a little bit aprehansive.  It was great though.  They had a kid friendly waiting area which I did not have to wait in because they were ready for us when we got there.  The girls did great although it is difficult to make them all smile at once.  Abigail kept trying to make the baby smile and Emma had the fakest smile.  Even with all of these obsticales we were able to come out of the seccion with a few really nice shots.

So day two of Spring Break has been a success.  We did the pictures, went to lunch, had a play date and now we are getting ready for bed.   I am so happy that it is all working out.  I would say that going and having pictures done is a great way to survive Spring Break!  You should give it a try!  I found that it really occupied a lot of time, the kids had fun and we were out of the house.  We will not discuss how much Grandma spent though!  We will keep that part to ourselves!  Either way day two survived.  Nine days to go!

Becca

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Spring Break Survival

Oh my… I woke up this morning and remembered something.  IT IS SPRING BREAK.  Now, the words that are to follow are meant with the most love and affection.   I hate Spring Break.  It is not like Winter Break where we all get involved in Christmas.  This Spring Break thing stinks unless you are going away which we of course are not this year!  I remember back in high school and college when I went away with friends.  We had a blast.  One year was Ocean City another year was Disney.  Now I am home with restless kids, a house to unpack and no plan!  So what is a stay at home mom to do with three kids for eleven days?  I am compiling a survival guide in order to make it though.  I need you help though.  Here are a few questions to get started with:

1. What is there to do that is free?
2. What can I do with no car?
3. Is there any activity that you can think of that a 1 year old, a 5 year old, and an 8 year old?  I am drawing a blank!
4. Is there a magic potion to give children that makes them not whine?
5. How much is it a mother can drink without it being a problem?
6. How can I avoid hearing, “I am bored there is nothing to do.”
7. What fun things can you think of to make the kids tired enough to still go to bed on time?  Oh and I have to be able to do it with my not healed correctly broken foot!

I will spend the day developing a survival guide.  I hope that it works!  Today, I am just going to wing it.  So far we have had 5 fights, Abigail has bitten Emma, Emma has scratched Abigail and the baby is a whining mess!  HELP!

Becca

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Easter Traditions: Dying Easter Eggs

Our Eater Egg Dying Day

Emma and Analiese are all smiles

Abigail with a rare smile

Abigail and Rob having fun together

Emma pouring carefully

Our Left over dye

Our finished product!

I love Easter eggs.  They are a sure sign that Easter is closer then we think.  The kids had a blast.  Everyone was smiling and getting along and for the first time ever we had a lot of fun doing it.  We used two different dying kits and I would have to say that the PAAS brand really does work the best.  The other brand did not fully dissolve and I was not as pleased with the colors.  Either way we have some great looking eggs this year.  We used the clear wax crayon and made polka dots and designs.  Daddy even made an egg that says Eat Me.  I hope that you all have a great time dying Easter eggs this year.  I would love to see some pictures.

I had wanted to make the Easter eggs from an earlier post but it was a little too hard this time.  The kids just wanted to dig in.  I am not sure that I really want them to attempt the leaf ones.  I would try on my own but how many hard boiled eggs does one family need?  I think that 18 is more then enough for this family.  I hate hard boiled eggs as does Rob.  Emma will only eat the middle and Analiese just makes a mess with them..  I do not want Abigail eating them all on her own!

Becca

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The Stomach Bug Returns

As I was saying last week I hate stomach bugs.  I had thought that I had escaped its bite but I spoke too soon. Abigail spent all night Tuesday sick, Emma and I woke up sick and Rob is the only one not infected.  So I will not tell you about this horrible experience.  Yeah right you know that I will!

• Abigail did not get sick in 5 places before making it into the bedroom.
• I was not the one who did the laundry that she created.
• I did not sit there and help her while she was throwing up.
• Emma did not wake up the next morning covered in stomach flu remnants.
• I did not throw up all day that morning.
• I did not call my sister in law to take the baby because I could not take care of her.
• I did not sleep all day.
• I did not ignore my older kids all day who were also sick
• I did not wish I would rather be dead!

All in all I hope that this stomach Flu or bug as I like to call it has worked its way through my family.  I hope that it never comes back.  I am not sure when you spend a week cleaning it all up that the bug will not bite you.  I took the bleach idea and washed my hands obsessively and yet the bug still bit me.  I am amazed by its sneaky ability!  I cannot wait for warmer weather when the mosquitoes are the only bugs biting!

Becca

Update:  Rob was bitten last night!  Now we have all had it… Hopefuilly it will GO AWAY!!

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Easter Traditions

Each year I feel as if Easter sneaks up on me.  I am never prepared.  I am always shopping for things on Easter Eve at 12 am with all of the other people who were clueless as to the date of Easter.  It is a tricky holiday that moves around more then migrant birds.  Each year I forget to check when it is coming.  Often times I realize that it is coming quicker then I think.  So what is the point Rebecca?  Well the point is that I looked on a calender yesterday for the first time.  What sparked me to do such a thing?  I have been reading all about it and everyone is off to Spring break.  When I looked I was shocked!  This holiday has snuck up on me yet again!  I think that forgetting about Easter is my biggest tradition at this point.

There are some other traditions we have as well.  Because I am often clueless as to when Easter is from year to year we do not always have time to fit in all of these traditions.

1. Dying Easter eggs.  I know this is not all that traditional but the kids LOVE it.  I have to admit that I think it is a lot of fun too!
2. Easter egg hunts.   Our town has one, our church has one and my grandmother has one.  It is a fun time to watch the kids on a hunt.  I remember a year or two ago Abigail was actually sweet enough to make sure that Emma had a full basket as well.  It melted my heart and made me think that they really do listen all of those times I lecture about helping others!
3. Asparagus… yes I know but it really is a tradition.  There is never a year that we do not have asparagus with our Easter dinner.  In fact I will go as far as to say it would not be Easter without this odd looking veggie!
4. Egg fights.  This tradition is courticy of my Aunt Pat.  Each person picked a hard boiled egg that looks good to them.  The tap the tops together in a “fight”.  The person who has a cracked egg has to eat it and the other person goes on to “fight” with someone else.  I think that this was her way to get us to eat the eggs as kids but you know what?  IT WORKED!
5. Family is another tradition although it always ends up that my in laws are mad.  We go to my grandmothers each year.  There are not a ton of holiday we spend together so for Thanksgiving and Easter I like to assure that we are with my grandparents.  Some of the family gets upset but I feel as if it is where I need to be at this point in not only my life but my grandparents lives.  Either way we always will spend Easter with family!

So these are some traditions that we have.  What traditions does your family have?  I am so interesting in hearing some of the interesting things that you all do.

Becca

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Stomach Bug

Let me start out by saying that I completely do not understand why it is called a stomach bug.  Is it because it bugs you?  Is it because it comes and flies away quickly?  Is it because someone thought bugs were gross and disgusting and therefore so was a stomach “bug”?   just do not understand how it could have gotten such a name!  Either way I hate it!

Last night (some would call 1am morning) as I was finally off to bed I went in to check on Emma and Analiese before I was to head down the hall to check on Abigail.  When I opened the door Analiese sprang up out of bed as if I scared her.  I laid her back down sang a song and was ready to move on down the hall.  All of a sudden, as I was kissing Emma, Analiese sounded like she was choking.  It was then that I realized what was happening.  I called for Rob who actually came right away.  She was l throwing up now and all I could do was tell her it was alright.  All of this as it hit the floor, her crib sheet her blanket and the stuffed toys on the floor waiting to be put away.

She then started again and thought that it was a great idea to catch it in her hands.  As I was pulling her hand out of the way I was slimmed!  I have to say that I hate throw up.  Did I forget to mention that part.  I am not sure that I have ever met anyone who likes it but let it be known that I HATE it!  I asked Rob to start the bath and he was confused.  He did not think that she needed a bath?  It was everywhere why would I not give her a bath?  Either way he was nice enough to finish cleaning up her bed, the floor and all of the animals.  I was so happy to be the one giving the bath although that was no picnic either.

So now I am sitting here thinking if I get sick I will be so mad.  Every time I get a stomach “bug” as we call it I flash back.  Not to my fun college years but to my many pregnant years.  Throwing up was what I did.  With the first two girls I had to go into the hospital and be re hydrated.  The flash back of the memories is sometimes just too much.  I am not quite over it.

So now I am just praying that I do not catch this bug.  I want to squash it.  I want to fight it and win.  I so do not want to be sick.  As a side note I would like to thank my sister in law for bring  the stomach bug into our house.  If I find the bug I am going to pack it up and send it right back to your house!

Becca

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We Survived!

Well we have officially moved and we even lived to tell about it.  The first few nights in the new house were great.  The kids are loving the room and VERY excited.  The first night the kids were so DIRTY and the hot water was turned off.  Once we turned it upwe started the water and noticed that it was brown.  I was so grossed out!  We ran all of the water for about an hour and then it was clear.  I am sure that the pipes are just old and sitting made the rust build up.  Even still I wonder if it is safe to drink.  By the time that the water was clear the kids were already sleeping by this point.

The today I was all excited that I was unpacking and being productive.  Not an hour into it the the school nurse calls to tell me that Emma was hurt on the playground.  Someone elbowed her in the eye and she has quite a shiner.  I spent all of this afternoon in the ER making sure that her eye socket was not broken.  Thank God it is not but what a waste of about 5 good hours that I could have been unpacking!  Emma is on the mend and will be fine.  I am sure that we will also be unpacked soon.

Becca

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