Wednesday, December 26, 2007
running smoothly
Things are running smoothly with Alyssa in Fl and Jack here. Jack is loving be the "only child" and the quiet as well. Alyssa is loving all the action in FL. She has friends down there, now her cousins, and she has lots of activity. Its a perfect arrangement for the break. Yesterday FElix even joined Jack and I in the game of "sorry" .Today Jack is at camp. We really needed to get him out of the house. The weather around here has changed. from drought to rain almost every other day now. We were going to visit the JCC yesterday, but the weather was icky. Instead Felix had Jack watch the movie "ghostrider". Its PG13, so I am not so sure that was a good idea, but Jack never seems to get nightmares over these type of movies and shows. If Alyssa was around it could not even be on the TV. Jack has watched "the great race" with Felix as well. The only thing is that Jack likes to talk while a movie/TV is on. Also Jack is nto good at losing a things. Sorry is the perfect game to teach him about the fun of playing, not winning or losing. Its part game of chance and sometimes you get sent back to "start". He needs to learn not to get too upset over this.
The worse part is all the work I have to do. I was suppose to have New years off, but I have to work, as someone could not work that day, so I switched yesterday. I would not have minded working yesterday as I am was home anyway and had it planned. Now I really cannot go out for NYE.
Oh, and all our packages arrived on Monday. We dont do Xmas, so it was not that important (memory for camera, new corded phone, a late gift for Alyssa that was priced right, and a book).
I will give amazon.com some credit. This Dec I ordered a bunch of stuff from them. It had been a while. I found it easy and the prices good.
The worse part is all the work I have to do. I was suppose to have New years off, but I have to work, as someone could not work that day, so I switched yesterday. I would not have minded working yesterday as I am was home anyway and had it planned. Now I really cannot go out for NYE.
Oh, and all our packages arrived on Monday. We dont do Xmas, so it was not that important (memory for camera, new corded phone, a late gift for Alyssa that was priced right, and a book).
I will give amazon.com some credit. This Dec I ordered a bunch of stuff from them. It had been a while. I found it easy and the prices good.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Alyssa's first solo plane ride.
Alyssa went to FL this morning for break. She flew for the 1st time by herself. I knew that she needed more excitement than hanging around here all break. One day out and she was already going stir crazy. My brother and his family will also be coming to FL. With Alyssa 9 now, it was time. I had called Delta and made sure that everything was all set.
I got up at 5:30 this morning. Alyssa had left most of her clothes over thanksgiving. I packed her backpack with books, some clothes for her cousins, a notebook and pencil, her mp3 player, and one webkinz. Also was a card with my parents numbers on it.
The news talked about how busy the airport was going to be. THe wait for security was already 1/2 hr at 6:30! her flight was at 9:40. WE left the house at 7am. Traffic was not that bad and we got to the airport around 7:45. We did wait for regular checkin as I had an envelop for an unaccompanied minor , needed my boarding pass, etc. They tried to see how many people in regular check in could use the kiosks. WE probably got into the line around 8... and was done before 8:30. Then the security line! It was really bad. Now my friend, who was also flying out that day, only had a 5 minute wait because she had a stroller. We probably got thru around 9am. Note that along the way we passed the chapel and Alyssa asked what that was for. I decided not to answer that question (the real answer is that when tragedy strikes they use it)
Anyway, I got her a starbucks mocha frap, and a choc choc muffin. WE got to the gate and she drank the frap, but said she did not like the muffin. I asked her to eat, but she said when she got there my parents would probably feed her. She was suppose to arrive around 11:30. The took her and this other girl , who was 11, onto the plane first. There were two other kids who fly by themselves. a 13 year old and a 5 year old boy. Anyway the other mom of the 11 year old was very nervous. she was nervous about flying, about her child flying, and about being alone (single mom) for 2 weeks. She was happy that our kids were together. they put all the kids flying alone at the back of the plane. Alyssa thought it was to put them closer to the bathrooms, but its so that they dont leave the plane before everyone else and that they are accompanied. The flight attendant keeps their paperwork. Meanwhile, they board the plane and so many people ran up last minute. I guess others did not think about long lines today! It was amazing to watch.
About 5 minutes later the plane pushes back and turns. It just sits there. I think its because of traffic. I was told that we needed to stay near the gate until the plane takes off--at least on the website it said so. This guy who helped push the plane back came back into the terminal and then he hear that there was a problem with the plane. He told me and the other mom that they were bringing it back to check it out. So they bring the plane back and find a bad "starter" on one engine. Meanwhile it was going to be about 1/2 hr. So I ask if they can now bring food to my child. They said they would, so I bought some stuff. meanwhile, the girl next to Alyssa had a cell phone and was always talking to her mom. So I talked to Alyssa. she was fine! Eventually they found out if was going to be more than 1/2 hour so they said that anyone that wanted to leave and get lunch, etc could . They took off Alyssa and that girl. Alyssa wanted lunch, so I got heer pizza. But the funny thing is that she wanted to get back on the plane. I told her to wait around. This was all exciting to her. Meanwhile that great guy kept telling us what was going on the whole time. he was even the one to bring food to my child earlier. When we wanted info and he was not busy he was always giving it to us, aka what they were replacing, why it was taking long to find the part, etc.
At one point one of the delta employees got the other 2 kids off. They had no money with them and no parents. The 13 year old was connecting, so I understand, but the 5 year old! and I guess they could not reach his parents? The delta employee bought them lunch. I would never leave a 5 year old like that! The re boarded the plane again and by 12:30 they were in the air. We did wait to make sure this time. I headed home. Traffic was awful. I got home around 2. Meanwhile the whole time I called my parents and felix to fill them in. My mom got Alyssa and she was just fine and says that she has no problems flying by herself. She was a bit nervous on takeoff, but I guess having the other kids around really helped. I KNEW she would do good. She knew as well. She said that she was nervous before camp and loved it and knew this would be the same. So on one hand my daughter can be very mature, but then like last night, she can completely melt down over a computer game not doing what she wants. She is like two people sometimes!!!!
Now it makes life a bit easier to send Alyssa places, aka to Fl and to NJ. Myself or my parents don't have to fly with her. We were willing to have one of my parents fly back with her if it did not work out.
I got up at 5:30 this morning. Alyssa had left most of her clothes over thanksgiving. I packed her backpack with books, some clothes for her cousins, a notebook and pencil, her mp3 player, and one webkinz. Also was a card with my parents numbers on it.
The news talked about how busy the airport was going to be. THe wait for security was already 1/2 hr at 6:30! her flight was at 9:40. WE left the house at 7am. Traffic was not that bad and we got to the airport around 7:45. We did wait for regular checkin as I had an envelop for an unaccompanied minor , needed my boarding pass, etc. They tried to see how many people in regular check in could use the kiosks. WE probably got into the line around 8... and was done before 8:30. Then the security line! It was really bad. Now my friend, who was also flying out that day, only had a 5 minute wait because she had a stroller. We probably got thru around 9am. Note that along the way we passed the chapel and Alyssa asked what that was for. I decided not to answer that question (the real answer is that when tragedy strikes they use it)
Anyway, I got her a starbucks mocha frap, and a choc choc muffin. WE got to the gate and she drank the frap, but said she did not like the muffin. I asked her to eat, but she said when she got there my parents would probably feed her. She was suppose to arrive around 11:30. The took her and this other girl , who was 11, onto the plane first. There were two other kids who fly by themselves. a 13 year old and a 5 year old boy. Anyway the other mom of the 11 year old was very nervous. she was nervous about flying, about her child flying, and about being alone (single mom) for 2 weeks. She was happy that our kids were together. they put all the kids flying alone at the back of the plane. Alyssa thought it was to put them closer to the bathrooms, but its so that they dont leave the plane before everyone else and that they are accompanied. The flight attendant keeps their paperwork. Meanwhile, they board the plane and so many people ran up last minute. I guess others did not think about long lines today! It was amazing to watch.
About 5 minutes later the plane pushes back and turns. It just sits there. I think its because of traffic. I was told that we needed to stay near the gate until the plane takes off--at least on the website it said so. This guy who helped push the plane back came back into the terminal and then he hear that there was a problem with the plane. He told me and the other mom that they were bringing it back to check it out. So they bring the plane back and find a bad "starter" on one engine. Meanwhile it was going to be about 1/2 hr. So I ask if they can now bring food to my child. They said they would, so I bought some stuff. meanwhile, the girl next to Alyssa had a cell phone and was always talking to her mom. So I talked to Alyssa. she was fine! Eventually they found out if was going to be more than 1/2 hour so they said that anyone that wanted to leave and get lunch, etc could . They took off Alyssa and that girl. Alyssa wanted lunch, so I got heer pizza. But the funny thing is that she wanted to get back on the plane. I told her to wait around. This was all exciting to her. Meanwhile that great guy kept telling us what was going on the whole time. he was even the one to bring food to my child earlier. When we wanted info and he was not busy he was always giving it to us, aka what they were replacing, why it was taking long to find the part, etc.
At one point one of the delta employees got the other 2 kids off. They had no money with them and no parents. The 13 year old was connecting, so I understand, but the 5 year old! and I guess they could not reach his parents? The delta employee bought them lunch. I would never leave a 5 year old like that! The re boarded the plane again and by 12:30 they were in the air. We did wait to make sure this time. I headed home. Traffic was awful. I got home around 2. Meanwhile the whole time I called my parents and felix to fill them in. My mom got Alyssa and she was just fine and says that she has no problems flying by herself. She was a bit nervous on takeoff, but I guess having the other kids around really helped. I KNEW she would do good. She knew as well. She said that she was nervous before camp and loved it and knew this would be the same. So on one hand my daughter can be very mature, but then like last night, she can completely melt down over a computer game not doing what she wants. She is like two people sometimes!!!!
Now it makes life a bit easier to send Alyssa places, aka to Fl and to NJ. Myself or my parents don't have to fly with her. We were willing to have one of my parents fly back with her if it did not work out.
Monday, December 17, 2007
LAX....
I know I have been lax about posting here. I do have so much in my brain, but then I never feel like writing them down here. I wish I could just think things here. Anyway, alyssa leaves for FL on Friday. I cannot wait. WE both need our space. Her daily emotional outbursts drive me CRAZY!. And lately Jack has not been very well behaved either. I think he had a cold that did not help. I also think that having some quiet time will be helpful.
The big thing is history repeating itself. I was an older sister to a younger brother, who was more "charming" than I. Not everything is the same, but I see Alyssa on one hand, wanting her brother to not be around, but then again, pulling him when she needs him. This sends him mixed messages. Next therapy session, I will have both of them together.
keeping it short.
The big thing is history repeating itself. I was an older sister to a younger brother, who was more "charming" than I. Not everything is the same, but I see Alyssa on one hand, wanting her brother to not be around, but then again, pulling him when she needs him. This sends him mixed messages. Next therapy session, I will have both of them together.
keeping it short.
Monday, December 10, 2007
time to get back to normal...
What a crazy few days its been.. starting on Wed, Alyssa's bday!!!!
My parents came to town. I took time off of work and I brought stuff into Alyssa's classroom for her bday. I was already not feeling well though. I brought in pumpkin CC muffins , regular CC muffins, and choc, CC muffins. I read about chanukah. I got my parents and that night we took Alyssa to American Girl to get some items that she had $ for. Also, my parents gave the kids some $$ for chanukah. JAck calls my dad "the money man". We had dinner at American girl. Alyssa brought her doll. She had a great time.
Thursday I went to work, but my stomach sucked. I was in the bathroom all day and I barely could eat anything. I felt as if it was a bug, since I already starting feeling bad Tuesday night/Wed. CAme home from work and rested until we went to my friend's house for dinner/chanukah. My dad enjoys talking to my friend's DH.
That night, as we left my friend's house (8pm, which was rather late!), Alyssa completely lost it in the car because I would not give her the DS to play with. I know she barely plays with it, but I was tired and did not want to change games for her. She has to understand when I say no, that I said no. She started to throw thing (penny) at me. She was teh 3rd row and my mom and myself were in teh 2nd row. Of course, my mom, the calm peacemaker, tried to talk Alyssa out of it. This meltdown, then turned into a "woe is me" session. I believe it was related to the following things.
1. Alyssa had been coughing that day. there was a lot of stress over whether she should go to my friend's house because she has as toddler and doesnt want him to get sick. She has older kids so she understand that germs come, but tries to avoid them otherwise. So did Alyssa have a cold or not.... Over the next few days she still coughed and seemed a smidge stuffy, but then again we had our heat fixed and the humidifier turned off. No big runny nose, so who knows.
2. When we opened Chanukah presents, I had brought the wrong jewelry box. the one I brought was empty. the ones with her earrings was at home. She knew she would get them , but still.
3. Overtired.
Anyway, friday morning felix took teh kids to school. no bus, as with the grandparents around, and the late nights, it was crazy. my stomach was holding stuff down, but I still did not feel good and I stayed home . I wanted to get Work from Home working. . They switched software and now it no longer works. I have tried and tried and worked with IT. I get an Error 741, which means that encryption thing is missing on my end, but what? I have been over everything. At lunchtime I did take my mom to the school to read to Jack's class. FElix was going to have to do this, but I felt well enuf to that. meanwhile that afternoon, my mom got her nails done while my father bought all types of food (mostly fruit) and stuff I had at the supermarket. I hate to waste food and I was annoyed, but what can I do.
Now to bring up the big thing with my dad. When I was a kid I was afraid of him. He would threaten the belt and was very strict. He is always on my case now about my yelling, which I admit I do a bunch (I feel like noone is listening to me and its a very hard habit to break...). But he seems to think that this came out of nowhere. He doesnt remember that when I was a kid he would yell. that he had a very loud voice, that as a teenager would wake me up, even if I was not up yet. I dare not say anything, as he will just deny it.. Anyway , it really bothers me.
Friday night we had to go to synagogue for dinner, then kids service, the regular service, where Alyssa was to do stuff with her 3rd grade class. Neither kid really wanted to go, but we had to go. That was another late night (10pm!), that we had to do. I wish we could have skipped, but religion is important.
Sat morning the kids were up at 7 (of course!). My parents were busy and Felix took off to his torah study. Alyssa got angry at Jack for not playing the video games correctly (monkey ball). She had one of her big meltdowns. it turned into "I dont want to even go skating to show my grandparents". Anyway, I wanted her to go into "timeout", aka to her room to calm down. At this point my mom tried to get involved and wanted to calm talk to her. I told my mom that all the therapists/etc have said that we need to ignore her and let her calm down on her own. This is waht I was told. Anyway , my mom rolled her eyes,.... but yet, 5 min later Alyssa came out and apologized to her brother. Felix came home with "auntie". She , of course, got my kids all wild. I politely asked her to leave, as she was seeing the kids on Sunday and my dad was having ard time with all the noise. She wasnt doing it. I kept asking. Felix was not helping, as when it comes to her, he has no backbone. We had to leave to skating/airport and I did not need this!
We ended up at skating and my parents did see her. I STILL dont feel great.
I take the kids to the store to pick up the cookie and ice cream and stuff for A's party at 3:30.
my parents are taken to the airport from Felix.
My frustration here is also that Felix is now home all day. I feel having him home makes our house even more cluttered and messy. I am constantly trying and losing the keep the house neat battle (I have someone for the "cleaning" ). I also feel that he helps some, but not enough with the kids.
The next entry will be about Alyssa bday party. it went very well, but was exhausting to me, as I was not 100%!!!!
Sunday was crazy as I had 2 million errands to run, and we had felix's friends over for chanukah since we skipped thanksgiving. I have to be honest that I dont like entertaining. Too much work to clean up afterwards , setting up, etc. Its not having the people, but all the work.
My parents came to town. I took time off of work and I brought stuff into Alyssa's classroom for her bday. I was already not feeling well though. I brought in pumpkin CC muffins , regular CC muffins, and choc, CC muffins. I read about chanukah. I got my parents and that night we took Alyssa to American Girl to get some items that she had $ for. Also, my parents gave the kids some $$ for chanukah. JAck calls my dad "the money man". We had dinner at American girl. Alyssa brought her doll. She had a great time.
Thursday I went to work, but my stomach sucked. I was in the bathroom all day and I barely could eat anything. I felt as if it was a bug, since I already starting feeling bad Tuesday night/Wed. CAme home from work and rested until we went to my friend's house for dinner/chanukah. My dad enjoys talking to my friend's DH.
That night, as we left my friend's house (8pm, which was rather late!), Alyssa completely lost it in the car because I would not give her the DS to play with. I know she barely plays with it, but I was tired and did not want to change games for her. She has to understand when I say no, that I said no. She started to throw thing (penny) at me. She was teh 3rd row and my mom and myself were in teh 2nd row. Of course, my mom, the calm peacemaker, tried to talk Alyssa out of it. This meltdown, then turned into a "woe is me" session. I believe it was related to the following things.
1. Alyssa had been coughing that day. there was a lot of stress over whether she should go to my friend's house because she has as toddler and doesnt want him to get sick. She has older kids so she understand that germs come, but tries to avoid them otherwise. So did Alyssa have a cold or not.... Over the next few days she still coughed and seemed a smidge stuffy, but then again we had our heat fixed and the humidifier turned off. No big runny nose, so who knows.
2. When we opened Chanukah presents, I had brought the wrong jewelry box. the one I brought was empty. the ones with her earrings was at home. She knew she would get them , but still.
3. Overtired.
Anyway, friday morning felix took teh kids to school. no bus, as with the grandparents around, and the late nights, it was crazy. my stomach was holding stuff down, but I still did not feel good and I stayed home . I wanted to get Work from Home working. . They switched software and now it no longer works. I have tried and tried and worked with IT. I get an Error 741, which means that encryption thing is missing on my end, but what? I have been over everything. At lunchtime I did take my mom to the school to read to Jack's class. FElix was going to have to do this, but I felt well enuf to that. meanwhile that afternoon, my mom got her nails done while my father bought all types of food (mostly fruit) and stuff I had at the supermarket. I hate to waste food and I was annoyed, but what can I do.
Now to bring up the big thing with my dad. When I was a kid I was afraid of him. He would threaten the belt and was very strict. He is always on my case now about my yelling, which I admit I do a bunch (I feel like noone is listening to me and its a very hard habit to break...). But he seems to think that this came out of nowhere. He doesnt remember that when I was a kid he would yell. that he had a very loud voice, that as a teenager would wake me up, even if I was not up yet. I dare not say anything, as he will just deny it.. Anyway , it really bothers me.
Friday night we had to go to synagogue for dinner, then kids service, the regular service, where Alyssa was to do stuff with her 3rd grade class. Neither kid really wanted to go, but we had to go. That was another late night (10pm!), that we had to do. I wish we could have skipped, but religion is important.
Sat morning the kids were up at 7 (of course!). My parents were busy and Felix took off to his torah study. Alyssa got angry at Jack for not playing the video games correctly (monkey ball). She had one of her big meltdowns. it turned into "I dont want to even go skating to show my grandparents". Anyway, I wanted her to go into "timeout", aka to her room to calm down. At this point my mom tried to get involved and wanted to calm talk to her. I told my mom that all the therapists/etc have said that we need to ignore her and let her calm down on her own. This is waht I was told. Anyway , my mom rolled her eyes,.... but yet, 5 min later Alyssa came out and apologized to her brother. Felix came home with "auntie". She , of course, got my kids all wild. I politely asked her to leave, as she was seeing the kids on Sunday and my dad was having ard time with all the noise. She wasnt doing it. I kept asking. Felix was not helping, as when it comes to her, he has no backbone. We had to leave to skating/airport and I did not need this!
We ended up at skating and my parents did see her. I STILL dont feel great.
I take the kids to the store to pick up the cookie and ice cream and stuff for A's party at 3:30.
my parents are taken to the airport from Felix.
My frustration here is also that Felix is now home all day. I feel having him home makes our house even more cluttered and messy. I am constantly trying and losing the keep the house neat battle (I have someone for the "cleaning" ). I also feel that he helps some, but not enough with the kids.
The next entry will be about Alyssa bday party. it went very well, but was exhausting to me, as I was not 100%!!!!
Sunday was crazy as I had 2 million errands to run, and we had felix's friends over for chanukah since we skipped thanksgiving. I have to be honest that I dont like entertaining. Too much work to clean up afterwards , setting up, etc. Its not having the people, but all the work.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
some good days.....
We are having some days where Alyssa is cooperative and behaves really nicely.yesterday was one of those days.. She was daydreaming and did forget to get off the bus , but other than that, she was overall a sweet nice girl. Sunday was a WHOLE nother story. But we are getting good days and are starting to make good decisions. I think the omega 3/6/9's are helping. She is also trying new foods lately (veggies), BUT at the same time she is very picky with old foods. For example.
She can tell when the health club started to make the Mac and Cheese differently. Now she wont it it.
We got differant ravioli (frozen versus fresh) and she did nto like the other type
We put a bit of milk in her hot cocoa and she had a fit.
Last night Jack tried to pitch an "Alyssa" but with him all I have to do is threaten to take away his Nintendo DS and I am all set.
The new few days will be crazy!!!!! my parents are coming tomorrow on Alyssa's bday. I am also mystery reader in school and bringing stuff in. Tonight Hanukah starts. I am all set for that.
On friday our synagogue has something going on with the 3rd graders. Then Sat is Alyssa' bday party and Sunday we have people coming over for latkes...
I cannot wait until monday.
She can tell when the health club started to make the Mac and Cheese differently. Now she wont it it.
We got differant ravioli (frozen versus fresh) and she did nto like the other type
We put a bit of milk in her hot cocoa and she had a fit.
Last night Jack tried to pitch an "Alyssa" but with him all I have to do is threaten to take away his Nintendo DS and I am all set.
The new few days will be crazy!!!!! my parents are coming tomorrow on Alyssa's bday. I am also mystery reader in school and bringing stuff in. Tonight Hanukah starts. I am all set for that.
On friday our synagogue has something going on with the 3rd graders. Then Sat is Alyssa' bday party and Sunday we have people coming over for latkes...
I cannot wait until monday.
