The Day I Spent More Than I Planned

Today was election day so the schools were closed to be used as poling places.  I had planned a month ago to take the boys on an outing to DC today, but then the government shut down, but then it re-opened, but then No.1 got sick, but then No.1 felt better, so we went!

I had planned on taking the train.  I have never been on a train, neither have the boys (with the exception of amusement park trains and the subway).  Both boys are enamored by trains (well, No.1 says he's not really into them anymore, but he still plays with Thomas), so I thought it would be a special treat.

We walked up to the platform and I purchases a two ride ticket from the machine, activating one ride immediately.  There was a couple on the far side of the track and a single lady on our side.  I asked the lady if she was familiar with the system.  She wasn't.  So, I called the train people on my cell (there are no workers at the train station, everything is electronic) to ask what side of the track I had to be on to go to DC.  The lady asked when I was planning on traveling.

"Um, right now."

"Oh, well, we stopped running our trains at 7:40."

"Well, the website said there are still two more trains.  One at 8:40 and one at 9:02."

"Those are Amtrak trains we have a deal with for later commuters, but you have to have a 10-trip pass then upgrade a $3.00 ticket to ride Amtrak."

"But I just purchased a two-ride pass and activated it."

"You can get that refunded.  But you might have to purchase a ticket for your children.  They can ride our trains for free under 10, but Amtrak charges for 2 and older."

(In tears now) "So, I'd have to purchase Amtrak tickets for my boys?  They can't ride with one of your tickets and the $3 upgrade?"

"I don't know what Amtrak's rules are regarding that, but I think you'll have to purchase tickets."

"Ok, well, thanks."

I was so upset.  I had planned this for, like I said, a month.  I researched it.  I talked to someone on the phone about the train runs.  I had packed a daypack.  I was ready.  The boys were excited.  And now my plan was falling apart all because the train's website said nothing about partnering with Amtrak during those runs (or at least it is unclear because I still can't find reference to such).

I couldn't just go home.  So, I put my $22.20 2-ride pass in my wallet, pulled out my card, and purchased a $101 10-ride pass.  I figured it was good for a year and we'd most likely go again.  I had planned on taking the train because it would be cheaper than driving half way up, parking in a garage, and buying subway passes.  It turned out to cost way more.  But some things are worth it.  Oh, and it turned out I didn't need to buy tickets for the boys or even upgrades for them (another more traveled passenger came to my aid with that info).

I could have just gone home and we could have taken the trip another day, but I really felt like today was the day to do it.  Turned out to be perfect.

We pulled into Union Station and our DC adventure began.  The Postal Museum was right there by the station and the boys had fun learning about the Pony Express, train mail cars, the Inverted Jenny, and creating their own stamps.  We walked to lunch at a great Mexican place a gentleman on the train recommended.  Then we headed to The Mall and hit up the Native American museum (they have a great kids section, too bad the igloo building was closed) then the American History museum.  We walked through the sculpture garden and bought No.1 a Washington DC Minecraft shirt from a street vender then headed home (on the commuter train, this time).

Sometimes plans don't go as planned, sometimes we end up spending more than we planned, sometimes it's all worth it.

So, here's to changing plans.

Here's to fun times.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Sacrificed My Fingers

Well, it should really be The Night I..., but I have a theme going on here, so we'll just go with it.

Anyway, tonight I threaded a hooked needle and went to town sewing together parts of a Sonic the Hedgehog I crocheted for No.1's birthday next month.

Holy Cow!  I never knew you could get nerve damage from stitching.  My fingers were either numb or tingling by the time I was done.  But, it'll all be worth it.

When I made a train for No.2, No.1 asked when I was going to make him something (let it be known that I have in the past crocheted a blanket and two Minecraft characters for him).  I get it, though.  He can see the time I put in to my creations and he wants to feel like he's worth some of that time.  I hope he's thrilled.

So, here's to little surprises.

Here's to lots of time.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Didn't Go to Church

Last night I had every intention of going to church, but then No.1 vomitted.

I am usually the kind of person who goes to church no matter what.  No.1 was born on Monday and I was back to church that Sunday.  I've gone to church with a migraine because I had a duty to fulfill.  I've left my husband at home with a sick child because I had a meeting to attend.  As I write this, I can see how screwey it looks but it worked...for me.

Well, today, I changed that.  It wasn't about me.  No.1 was sick and would need me.  Daddy just wouldn't do.  So, I ran to church early to drop some stuff off, talk to some people about a meeting, and went back home.

No.1 sort of loafed around all day playing Minecraft and spending some time on the pot.  Turned out he didn't really need me to help him wipe his bum or cool his forehead, he just needed me to be there.  He needed me to ask how his tummy was feeling.  He needed me to look at his creations he'd built in the game.  He needed to hear me pray for him.  He needed me. Period.

I am glad that I made the decision to put my church duties aside.  Family should always come first.

So, here's to making family the priority.

Here's to being there.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was So Happy It Was Over

Soccer is done!!!!  Hooray!!!!!!!

Today was the last game of the season and no one could have been happier than me, except maybe No.1.  We now have our Tuesdays and Saturdays back which means more family time, more play time for No.1, more gas in our car.

As I was reflecting on our week, I really noticed that No.1's schedule has more schedule than not and 6-year olds need some free time to just play and explore.  Well, tonight I think he really felt the weight of his rather rigorous schedule lighten.  He played Legos, he ran around outside, he made paper airplanes.  He just seemed more free.  And I loved watching him do whatever.  He was being a kid.  It was refreshing.

Sometimes I make No.1 do things just because I know that it is good for him (clean his room, gather trash, practice piano), and sometimes I make him do things just because I want him to try it out (eat kale, play a new game, practice piano), and sometimes I make him do things because I sort of hope to live vicariously through him (take dance, join gymnastics, practice piano - oh, wait I did that).  Of course, I don't truly want to live vicariously through my child, I'm not a crazy stage mom (dance was really a movement class and the only thing in town offered to tots, gymnastics was because he is a crazy climber and has no fear), but I do sometimes have him do things because I want him to do them.  Still, I need to evaluate every activity I have him involved in and only keep him going if it really is what is best for him.

I don't know that he'll be involved in a team sport in the spring, but he will start swim team at the beginning of summer (he's taken lessons since 2, but needs something to push his development in the water - oh, and he actually loves swimming; it's like play).  I am happy he played soccer.  He learned a lot about being a member of a team, but I'm ok if he never wants to step on a soccer field again :).

So, here's to no more soccer.

Here's to giving things a try.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was On Call

This morning at 3:58am the cell phone rang.  I always get anxious when someone calls so early (or late).  In the 2.352 seconds it takes to answer the phone, about 26 "worse case scenarios" rush through my mind.  Luckily, this call was a happy call:  my neighbor was in labor and her girls (2 and 4) were coming over.  By 4:10am the dad and midwife had delivered the girls to my basement futon and went back home to help deliver a new baby boy.

This mother is such a wonderful example to me and I felt so blessed to help out during such a beautiful time.  As I have become friends with this mother down the street over the last year (almost exactly), I have marveled at her parenting skills.  She is so calm and patient.  At first she seems like a bit of an introvert, but is really full of life and love.  She is extremely talented and enjoys sharing her gifts with others.  You can just feel the love she has for her husband and children and can't help but be happy and peaceful when you are around her.

It is partially because of this mother that I have really started to examine my own parenting on a daily basis.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to do better each day.  I am grateful for good examples of women around me.

So, here's to new days.

Here's to new and old friends.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Let Him Have a Go

Happy Halloween!  The boys are pirates this year so I transformed our Radio Flyer into a pirate ship with the help of some brown packing paper, tape, temper paint, a broom, a toddler sheet, pvc piping, and a little 2-year old boy.

No.2, half naked due to a pull-up mishap, wanted so much to help paint the faux wood on the packing paper.  He grabbed the paintbrush, opened a little jar of paint, swished it around inside and put the brush to the paper.  I realized that while I was focusing on what I was painting, he had been watching me and learning.

I never taught No.2 how to open paint, I always just put it on the paint pallet and give him the brush.  I never taught him how to paint with sweeping movement, I was fine with his sloppy squiggles and crushed paintbrush bristles.  Today, he learned how to do those things by watching, so I let him have a try at painting some water on the edge of the boat.

I wonder how much my children have learned from just observing me.  Have they learned to speak kind words or gossip about others.  Have they learned how to cheerfully do what is required of me or grumpily put dishes away.  Have they learned how to help others or tactfully come up with excuses.  Unfortunately, I know they have not learned every wonderful thing from me, but I hope they've picked up a few.

So, here's to taking notice.

Here's to teaching better.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Turned 35

If I were pregnant, which I'm not, but would like to be, I'd be considered "Advanced Maternal Age".  35 isn't old, is it?  Although I do have several greys and my joints are not as spry as they once were (although I can still get both feet pretty close to behind my head), I don't particularly feel old.

I have watched programs on Discovery channels about aged parents.  60-year old women having twins and the like.  Now, that's Advanced Maternal Age!

I guess I don't feel my age because I think that people who are in their mid-30's should have more than just 2 kids or their kids should be in middle school.  Because of this misconception, I oftentimes find myself relating to two completely separate decades of people:  I am friends with 20-somethings because we can talk about our children, and I'm friends with 30/40-somethings because we can relate as individuals.  That's not to say these relationships don't sometimes cross, they most certainly do, I just don't know which group I truly fit in with.

I know it's silly thinking I need to fit in with one or the other.  I know I don't.  But I sometimes feel like the go-between.  I feel like a Jack of all trades, master of none.  I'm sure there are reasons for that, some a psychiatrist wouldn't even be able to draw out of me (detour - I am a pretty normal, non-traumatized person), but if I truly think deeply about it, I guess I like it this way;  I get the best of two worlds.

So, here's to getting two for the price of one.

Here's to another year.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.