Saturday, October 09, 2010
Duchess takes a tumble
So Duchess finally agreed to do something physical. She is taking tumbling. And she is a HOOT. The kid is so not cool with exercise these days but man oh man it's so funny to watch her just not quit. She may have been red faced running those laps around the mats, but she ran hard. She may have moaned and grumbled aloud about doing the stretches that will make tumbling easier, but she did it.The best part....when the instructor asked the kids if they were tired, everyone raised their hands including Duchess. He then send them on laps. He flat out told them in drill instructor voice that cheerleaders didn't get tired and that is what he was gonna make them, lol. So when they all got back, red faced and exhausted and he asked them again, is anyone tired.....nobody raised their hands except the little redhead next to Duchess, after a couple more laps....he asked again and Duchess looked over at this poor kid and very clearly and loudly said....
"If you raise your hand, I'll hit you"
She is totally Dave's kid.
Labels: Burb living, Duchess
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Challenges Galore
Duchess and I are doing one on one math right now. Since we began homeschooling in the middle of the Christmas break, I ordered them their corresponding years worth of books through Abeka. So we make sure to do reading and math everyday while doing work on the other subjects throughout the week.What really has me boggled is Duchess' math abilities. Her teacher when we parted ways gave me her progress report and her year end goals. She was working on subtraction. First grade subtraction. So even though we began our homeschooling journey in the middle of the year, I had Duchess start at the beginning of her 1st grade math book so that we could see exactly where her abilities were and if she needed any additional help before we moved on to harder things.
She nailed the addition and subtraction: in the weeks since we began HS or mommy is in charge of your education: as I like to call it, Duchess has shown signs of being a sponge.
In January, we began money counting, today she made 100% on her final money counting review. This past weekend, she counted up the cash in Dave's wallet for fun. Today she informed me sadly that all I had in my purse was $1.24 so I should hit the ATM. :) The kid is all about it. We also covered before and after numbers, skip counting by 2, 5, and 10's. She got that too.
In Feb., we began time counting the old fashioned way. She quickly grasped the hour hand, although we had to stop using my wristwatch as an example cause the second hand was too distracting for her, she'd continue to change her answer as it went clicking by. She then got the half-hour, 15 minute intervals and this past week she nailed the minutes totally. Today she took her big time test after we did review with flashcards. She kicked it's ever loving butt with 100%. Starting to get a little scary.
Today, I decided while looking through the book to move her ahead a couple chapters past the time/money/addition/subtraction reviews to greater/than less than. I wanted to challenge her and decided to use new stuff and intermingle it with reviews weekly on the previous stuff to keep it fresh. So I sat down and drew out a greater/than less than chart. Except my chart had little teeth and tails showing how the "mouth" side was always hungry for the bigger number and the "tail" side was pointing to the littler number. She thought this was hysterical and we cut out a greater/less than sign out of our foam paper and set down to play some games. She got it. Then she blew through her practice test. Ouch, sponge.
So I pulled out the big guns. I set up the double digit addition with the occassional carry to see if I could wipe that "I got this" grin off her face. Ummm, I got her. Except after the first one, she didn't need my help and proceeded to nail the entire list. Big time sponge.
So I sent her off to color and play while Princess and I sit down to go over her math. Lord help me, but honestly I see why teachers have problems keeping kids' attention in school. My baby is literally a sponge and it's more of a challenge to me to keep her interested and learning than it is for her to figure it out and move on. She keeps this up and I'm gonna have to spend some of my evening times brushing up on MY math to keep up.
Labels: Duchess
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Ole Girl
Duchess today in response to my wondering aloud why it took her 6o million tries to actually do what I asked her. The kid has serious focus."Mommy, this ole girl has a terrible memory"
Umm sweetie, you are seven.
But I'm impressed with your vocab!
Labels: Duchess
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
oh my girlie
So Duchess had her Christmas program tonight. Fantastic....only complaint, the general NOISE produced from over 300 parents of first graders and a million little kids let loose in the gym during the kids performance. Insane people....keep your kids under control.....borrow my spoon, my belt or even my shoe!
Otherwise my baby was great. She's the punk in the pink plaid with the pink hat.......go baby go
Labels: Duchess, family smamily
Monday, August 17, 2009
Oh My Duchess
Just yesterday you were tiny, 7 lbs and 7 oz with a full headfull of jet black hair and rosy fat cheeks......And now, you steal my breath away.
And you're 6.5 years old starting First Grade this week.
You know a secret kid, mommy doesn't spend one second worrying about you finding your way. You are the kid that makes her own way, other people be damned.
Rock on kiddo
Labels: Duchess
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Duchess rocks again
Duchess has never been interested in really well anything. She is her own planet, and I just love that about her. No peep pressure for her so far, nope. Beats her own drum, all that jazz. Well during this past week with our obsession over softball (and my aching, well everything) she decided to give it a try. After she beat the ever loving crap out of the tball stand, we gave up and started pitching to her.N-A-T-U-R-A-L
She started right handed because her mom's an idiot who forgets that she's a lefty. Yep, call CPS now peeps. (pics out of order cause I'm too tired to care)
But she connected, alot.Then we moved to left handed batting. And starting going into the neighbors yard to get our balls. The kid was having a serious case of beginners luck. Princess was disgusted. It was hysterical.
What was more hysterical was the "look" she wears when playing. I'm still trying to put my finger on who she gets this from, but man she is competitive. Hello! So batting for her equals, "I hate you" looks, followed by "keep talking bigshot and I'll eat your heart" which quickly led to "you stay here, I'm going to get my gun" looks.
It's not everyday you learn something about your kid. Nor is it everyday that she hits facing the wrong direction and cleared the porch of people (jumping off left and right sides like rats from a ship) as she pegged one straight at us, thankfully it hit the side of the house instead of a window.That freaking rocks. I could use some agression release........where's my bat?
Labels: Burb living, Duchess, family smamily
Saturday, July 04, 2009
In Passing....with Duchess
This kid cracks me up........I passed her in the hall this morning as I was stumbling myself back to the shower and she was tugging on a light pink "Earth day" shirt while already wearing a pink, orange and red striped skirt.
Her response to my "look".....?
"Well I've always had the best taste in clothes. " Snap!
Two hours later, I'm reading the news at the bar and she is digging in the dishwasher for a cup. She lifted the sifter and wants to know what it's for.
Explained that it was for sifting flour.
"Wow, it gets the honey out of the flowers?"
So while I was scratching my head trying to figure that one out, she took off.
Need a new sifter, mine's in the back yard crammed full of flowers by the time I got to her.
Labels: Duchess, family smamily
Monday, May 25, 2009
Mommy's Graduate
My baby is on her way to 1st grade.....
First, I didn't think she'd actually get up there and say her part, she's notoriously shy when she wants to be.....most of the time, if she doesn't know you well, she'll just look at you talk and then walk away when it's her turn.
Second, I swear I did her hair before she went to school. I'm not sure what happened, I think perhaps she rolled in dirt and then went through a wind tunnel.
Third, I'm so glad she didn't adlib her part for "U", cause she'd been working on some very interesting things to add.......thank you Jesus for hearing my prayers.
Labels: Burb living, Duchess
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Patriotic? Then Watch This....
Oh my baby does sound purty.......or it just could be cause I'm her mom....
Preparations for the Kindergarten graduation are underway.
Labels: Duchess, family smamily, Great Parenting 101
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Waiting on Duchess....
Every morning there is something that threatens to throw us off schedule. And that just won't do. I have this horrible thing about being to work on time or early. Thank you Ms. Soliz, this job requirement has lasted 9 years!So each morning, I wake early and get myself ready about 20 minutes before the kids get up and then it's on.....
This morning it was Duchess and Murphy.
After breakfast she disappeared, and this is where I found her. Dragging Murphy out from under her bed, where she hids her Little Pet Shops. He likes to eat them. We find dismembered pet shop animals often.
So I finally got her into the livingroom where her clothes were laid out. Then returned to find this.
And this....... which after realizing that she'd wasted 20 minutes scolding the dog, we had exactly 17 minutes to leave the house exactly on time. So as cute as they were, I had to put my foot down.
Don't feel too bad for him. He's got a nicer room than most people. His own stylish carpet. A chicken, a bone and some snacks, and he's by the tv so he can watch movies all day on repeat.It's highly unprofessional to be late to work.
Extreme measures!
Labels: Duchess
Monday, February 23, 2009
Not Smiling Anymore
Poor Duchess is sick, and can't go back to school till the fevers go away. And they ain't going anywhere, damnit!So gotta figure out how best to write that email:
"Can I bring sick Duchess to work today?"
or
"Send work and Dr. Pepper, home with sick Duchess today"
or how about
"I've told you that I have kids right? Well........"
Sigh...........looks like however I write it, I'll be working remotely while watching Disney and fetching snot rags and tea for her all day.
I kinda like the idea, she's awful cuddly when she's sick.
Labels: Duchess
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Ewwww
A reason to keep yellow rubber dish washing gloves in your house at all times.Duchess doesn't flush........ever
And when asked to put the box of nail polishes away.....
She accidentially knocked them into the toliet.
With pee water!
Tongs just won't work here peeps.
I'm done. Going to play Ninendo DS till my eyes bleed.
Labels: Duchess
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Duchess is 6, I need drugs
The blizzard came a day early so we managed to pull off Duchess' birthday party. What fun. Thankfully since the kids weren't skating around at 20 mph, I was able to get lots of shots. Duchess welcomed her 6th year with a cowgirl party.
I'm loving the new hat daddy got her, but for me it's the mud splashed boots that really work this pic. This kid really is fearless. I so wished we lived in the country and could get her a real horse of her own. She just adores them.
So they played games like "needle in the haystack".
Simon Says with Dad.....
Stick horsey races.....
And cake, there was a huge horsey cake.....and ice cream. Meadow Gold ice cream is now my fav. I had three bowls.
Presents were a huge hit. Scooter from mom and dad made a splash!
Blow baby! One left!
Princess was on hand to keep things running smooth as we got to feed all the animals. Incident free except one adult got headbutted by a goat while trying to feed the babies.
Then, then.........then........they brought out the big guns. Duchess got to feed, nuzzle and pet a real live 17 year old pony. What a sweetie. Brought him right into the room!
Boot stomp was a fun game.....
Lots of prep work on that one, but it was a hoot. Boy can those girls scream.
I love the sisters' shot.
Another visit to the animals.....
Last pets to the pony.....and it was a day.My girl had a great birthday.
Now, instead of trying to top an ice skating and cowgirl party next year for the girls, we're gonna have home parties. We figure we'll alternate each year. Wimps that we are........
Labels: Duchess, Great Parenting 101
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Big 1-0
Turning 10 is quite the bid deal......and we did it in a blizzard, on ice. Everyone should have at least one ice skating birthday, what fun. Thank you boss for the discount too.
Turns out Princess is pretty good at ice skating. Although some of her friends needed coaching, and thankfully Cec came out, she's my preggers hockey playing momma friend. Go girl.
Okay so alot of her friends couldn't skate. But notice that at this point, Princess is skating backwards......does not get that from her momma.
The Man was nice enough to provide all the blurry pics, take pity on me.
And by the by, who gives a 10 year old fake nails for her birthday? Not I.....although we did misplace the karaoke CD's we bought to go with it. I've tossed this house twice, no sign. Not good! Princess was born 10 years ago this Christmas morning. Her's is my favorite birth story of ever. The Man and I were living it small back then. Little apartment, perfect sized for us with a nursery set up awaiting our princess. Warm California was experiencing a slight cold snap. The Man had given up cigs and wanted to step out for a stoggie after dinner. So I waddled out with him and sat on the steps outside while he puffed away. When done, he reached down for my hand and I refused to let him pull me up. Cause I'd wet myself, or so I thought. Turns out my water had broke. How utterly embarrassing for both of us. (and unlike my aunt told me, I didn't have a little glass bottle of pickles with me to drop and mask it) So when we got to the hospital, we walked and got drugs and walked and walked. Till we stopped at the elevators to call the folks on the payphone. I'm pretty sure that afterwards my mom spent the entire night in her rocking chair crying back home.
It was about this time that labor hit and I realized I was completely unprepared to have a baby. So I tried to crawl into the elevator and go home. So The Man (navy to the core) got in my face and told me to "suck it up and stand up and let's go have a baby".....the first and last time he's ever spoke to me like that. I tore him up.
After the drugs kicked in and I stopped telling everyone in the room that he was illegitimate (ba*tard got me pregnant, it was his fault), they had to make me put the playing cards away to actually push.
I've never been the same. She may look like him, but she's all me. It scares the living crap out of me. But back to the big 10.
All in all, a great time had by everyone. Especially since I stayed off skates, spending my time rescuing her little friends who fell and couldn't get up. Poor things. It was quite the comedy show. In a blizzard. Wonderful timing.
So next up: Duchess is turning 6 tomorrow. Where did the time go? Oh wait, I remember...
Just 6 years ago I was going to go into labor in the middle of the night. Then make it to the hospital too late for drugs. Then climb up the doctor's tie until he gave me straight shots of morphine, then deliver a sweet, black haired little chub who took one look at me and screamed. Love at first sight. Right about the time that my bestest friend in the world was leaving messages on my cellphone demanding to know where I was, cause she was gonna kill me for worrying her, when she was actually three floors beneath me working at her desk. Also, I'm pretty sure in my undrugged, semi-natural birth state that my mother was on speaker phone at some point in this, poor thing. I was not at my best.
Duchess came into this world with a bang. She was early too, probably the last time in her life she'll ever be early for anything.
And her birthday party? Saturday at the local Farm. Cowgirl style, all indoors except the covered pony rides. And once again, a predicted blizzard.
Irony, peeps, irony.
Leaving you thinking those deep thoughts as I finish up my last half week in my classes. Two finals, two papers and some homework due by Saturday. Cross your fingers (and legs) for me.
Labels: Duchess, Great Parenting 101, Princess In All Her Glory
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
(Mental Eyeroll)
Tonight after making the rush after work trip to pick up Jade before the dealership closed, I remembered that we had literacy night at Duchess' school. Which we thought was a manditory meeting. Whatever. So I met the kids and The Man there.It was in actuality a meeting for the teachers to laminte that they only had 2.5 hours a day to teach our kindergarteners. Therefore it was to teach us parents how to jump in and assist in our teaching our children.
Sight word practice, every night. Reading (for grades), every night. Working on their names, every night. Sounding out simple words, every night. The list went on. I got a headache. And I realized just how much I miss California, Texas and Louisiana schools. They actually taught my kids. What I did at home was extra work, not "necessary for the development of my child or else they'll be stupid forever" work. OMG! I have to get off this subject before I shake something loose.
Anywho, while listening to my lecture, I mean speech, oh what ever, I noticed that Duchess' classroom was decorated with little paperpeople, decorated in high fashion for Halloween. We completely forgot that they'd sent the paperperson home with instructions to completely dress them (with real clothes!) for fun! And so on the ride home (cause I may have stood up at the 1 hour mark and walked out with my kids) I told Duchess that we would finish hers to take to school.
The instant we step foot in the house, it was on. The kid wouldn't let me get my other shoe off. So we got busy.
Duchess had already "helped" by coloring some of her person and adding a face (with the worse grill I've seen in a long time), so I sacrificed a barbie outfit and got busy.......
What this kid doesn't seem to appreciate is that I DON'T SEW. Ever. I pay people to hem, reattach buttons and so forth. Ripped pants? Toss them. I don't do sewing. So for me to hunt down a kit and actually sew this outfit on this doll is huge.
Now the hard part was hair. I tried to cut some hair off of their dolls for this, but they had a fit. Weenies. So The Man shredded some white rope, and when we ran out of glue? We used spray adhesive that The Man uses when working on cars. Ghetto fabulous.....When the hair was attached, we then weighed it down with my trusty ever-present lotion bottle. (Hey I'm dry!)
Then rather than have me bleed all over the damn thing, The Man jumped in to finish the sewing. Thank you to his grandma and the Navy for teaching him to thread a needle. And come on, really has he ever been more studly than watching him sew a dress on a paperdoll for his precious Duchess?
When it was all said and done?The Bride of Frankenstein.......appropriate I think, it matches her grill.....
Although Duchess says "she's a Barbie".
You say Po-tat-o, I say Tator.........
Labels: Duchess, Great Parenting 101
Monday, October 20, 2008
oh baby......
When I get stuck taking pictures without my camera, I'm usually using my crackberry. So that explains the sub par pictures, not be confused with the sub par rental.So today since I had the day off with the kids, I actually had time to go with Duchess to see her in action at karate. Usually I get blow-by-blow from Princess as Duchess goes over from after school care while I'm still at work.
I had no clue what I was missing........
The kid is a tiger. Except, she stops in mid-move to fix her hair, or tidy her gei, or worse, pick her drawers out of her butt, my personal favorite. It is hysterical. If you ever wonder why Duchess gets away with murder, well..........she's the baby..........
And she's cutthroat. I am quite serious. She has no problem kicking you when you're down. This is the same kid who smacked another kid on the playground with her belt cause he was being bad. OMG, did I just admit that outloud. Her excuse? Her reasoning? He was being a turd. And it's not like I hit him hard. I just tapped him, he didn't even cry mom........(and only a FYI: note was sent home, asking me to please not include a belt in her outfits, turns out the kids take them off and use them as whips, swords and snakes....great) OMG......... this is also the same child who when her sister broke apart a double popcicle and offered her 1/4 of the thing, she immediately poked her in the eye with stick. She was 3 when that happened. Except, this kid has something in her that will keep her out of the pen........ The kid has heart.
Tonight when she prayed, holding both mine and Princess' hands........she said this......."Heavenly father I thank you for this day. For my friends and family. For my doggie. For my blankey and for my mom. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. Also Lord please let me grow up to be a good adult. I want to be a great mommy like mine. Amen"
I had to leave the room and have myself a good cry.........
I love you too baby.......cause I know deep down, that you get that vindictive steak from your momma.
P.S. Maybe one day I'll explain why you can never wear those cute little pink belts to school anymore sweetie.........
Labels: Duchess, Great Parenting 101
Monday, July 14, 2008
Duchess gets Active.....
My girls are not as enchanted with our new house as I am. See there is no cable, no satelite, nothing but movies on their tvs. They think it's the work of the devil and as Duchess says we should move, but no it is the work on their mother.I'm determined that these girls get more active and get more done than just be tv zombies (no offense to those of you parenting tv zombies). In the month that we have been in the new house, with no cable, no satelite and the devil........I've noticed that Princess is reading more of her books. She is also riding her bike through the neighborhood and meeting other kids. Duchess however, is still wandering around the house all sad and lonely, no smurfs, no dragon-tails.....momma what is there to do?
Well since she just started karate this past week full time, The Man decided to show her how to practice at home the moves she was learning in class.
Ignore my dirty house, but I ain't cleaning up jut so I can take a picture. Besides, saturdays are my chill day. Anyway.........she started off showing The Man her new thing, the latest and greatest karate move ever as shown to her by the smartest karate-r in the world.She actually fell over after she completely that roundhouse..........
After sighing in disgust, The Man jumped into show her the problem spots........boy I need to turn my lights on when I'm shooting inside huh?
The we tried to next logical step, keep your balance and kick the pillow..........but you'll notice that she is holding onto the couch too?
But after almost n hour of instruction and work, my baby did it. She stood straight up and kicked straight ahead, and promptly fell over......
But she got up again, with a smile.........
I'm loving that she has something to go and do each week now. I hate that she'd have to sit in the car with me and wait on Princess to finish with this or that, now she is getting active too.
Labels: Duchess, family smamily
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Just Like Daddy
So Duchess came home from school today, covered in her usual three pounds of sand from the play ground, with sparkly silver shoes that smell like fish (which is funny since she doesn't fish) and her little orange skirt and top combo. Just adorable.....We chatted and we drove home happy to be together after all the usual "I missed you today" as she tells me.
It was once we got home and she was changing into her night clothes that I noticed it.......
"Honey, what's on your belly?"
"um nothing"
Seems my baby lifted her shirt today and using a red marker, drew a huge butterfly on her belly.....
"Cause Daddy has a tattoo and I wanted one too"
Sigh.........The Man announced that this was his Father of the Year award........
My people are always entertaining
Labels: Duchess, Great Parenting 101
Saturday, May 03, 2008
We encourage our kids to be real. Therefore some of the subjects in our house are a little unbearable sometimes. But there is something to be said for a kid with honesty, right.......
Overheard from in my house last night:
"Come quick, I pooped a wildcat........bring a gun"
Then the gentle hiss of a lysol can.......
Real life happens here!
Labels: Duchess, family smamily
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Boogers are Matter Too
So Princess brought home her science book over the weekend for homework. Since that is done she has spent the afternoon playing at a friends. Nice. That has given Duchess quite the extra parent time.She has helped mom make dinner. She's helped dad replace a part in Mimi's car, then test drive it. She has played with her toys and has investigated her sister's room. Hence, the science book that she's been dragging around the house "reading".
So since we're all sitting on the couch chilling, she has conned The Man into reading her the science book. Third grade science rocks by the way. No wonder Princess carries a 100 in this class. Pretty cool poop.
Except Duchess is stuck on areospace stuff and the body stuff.
"Mommy, brains are pink."
"Mommy, electro-processing is big business" The Man helped her pronounce the word.
"Mommy, matter, space and energy make up the universe."
And when busted picking and EATING a booger when The Man wasn't looking....
She assured me,
"Mommy, boogers are matter too"
Well I should have known that huh?
Labels: Duchess, family smamily, Great Parenting 101
