I've said time and time again that Caroline is her father's daughter. It always strikes at times when I'm not expecting it. Like her father, Caroline is intelligent, less of a talker, introspective, and often wants to be left alone. What someone might mistake for aloofness is really just both of them not seeing the point in wasting their time with something they don't think has any merit. And while Caroline has the female flare for dramatics and silliness, she truly is more like Jason then she is like me.
Case and point, yesterday at recess. I got an email from her teacher that Caroline wasn't very willing to participate in a group activity. Ms. B emailed me because we've been in close contact in regards to Caroline's issues interacting with other kids and her anxiety about feeling like she doesn't fit in. The email wasn't clear exactly what the activity was so when I found out from Caroline that it was an indoor recess game, I was kind of surprised. Since it was so chilly yesterday and the playground was muddy, they stayed inside and Ms. B decided they would play Four Corners. I guess they've played this before and most of the kids like it. Yup, most kids. Not Caroline. I'm still not 100% sure but based on what she told me it sounds like she played half-heartedly trying to get "out" so she could just sit down. I asked her why and she said, "Ugh, it's just a total waste of time. Everyone gets all silly and crazy and runs around and I'd rather just sit at my desk and play with my animal erasers or draw. Why do I have to play a game that gets everyone so crazy? Recess shouldn't be required!"
And the Jason genes strike AGAIN.
Jason wasn't there at the moment because I can only imagine if he was he would have laughed. This is sooooo Jason. If he doesn't see the point in doing something because it seems like a waste of time, energy or just not worth it, he doesn't want to do it. And if he gets dragged into it, he's grumpy and no fun.
Sigh.
I told Caroline that while it might seem pointless the fact that she's excluding herself from the game might seem a little odd to the other kids. And since she is so concerned about fitting in and other kids liking her, by doing something like this someone might think she's "weird." (Her word, not mine.) Unfortunately, I don't think she gets it. Or she's not willing to compromise to fit in.
My friend who is a guidance counselor said that she has the most "friend" issues starting in the third grade and based on talking to Caroline's GC, it sounds like some of this is par for the course but I think a lot of it is also just the way Caroline is wired. I think a lot of it is developmental as the kids hit the 9/10 age mark and they are no longer little kids who get along with everyone. But, I also know that when Caroline is at home and with other kids/families she is entirely comfortable around, we see a different kid. She is super energetic, silly, funny, and talkative. She can be that way in school but I think sometimes she TRIES to be a little different and odd. Who knows if this is something she is doing because she knows she won't be at this school for much longer because when you ask her how she feels about moving she says she'll be happy to leave her school behind. But then on the other hand she'll say that she'll miss certain kids and hopes no one "cheers when she leaves."
I know these are just growing pains and I'm glad she's got a teacher who is paying attention to this kind of stuff. I've already told Jason he needs to just talk to her tonight about it. In the past, they'll talk and he'll share how he feels about things and it's funny to hear what a connection they have. She'll light up and say, "Yeah, that's how I feel too!" and clearly it makes her feel more "normal." I know that is always helpful because no one wants to feel like a weirdo.
Showing posts with label Jason. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jason. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Friday, May 04, 2012
Bike Retrieval
Jason was the neighborhood hero yesterday. He helped the police nab some punk teenagers after he saw them steal a bike from our neighbor's yard - it was kind of exciting.
When I got home, Jason and Bryce were playing catch in the front yard. I went inside to get changed and when I looked outside, I saw Jay talking to our neighbor (Sophia's mom) from 3 doors down. I went outside and asked what was wrong and he said some kids had just stolen a bike from the backyard of our neighbor 2 doors down (Rosa's house) - they weren't home but their bike had been sitting outside next to their deck, not locked up.
Jason said that before I had gotten home, these 3 teenage boys came walking down our street. He said they looked middle school aged (9th grade at the oldest?) and they were fairly well dressed. They had gone back between Sophia and Rosa's house. He heard one of them say something like "there's just woods back there" so he thought maybe they were looking for a short cut or something. At that point they left and I actually saw them at the entrance to our development when I got home a few minutes later. When I was inside, one of the boys came back and kept walking up and down the sidewalk across the street. He would look at Jason and then used his phone to make a call or do something. Jason said he went back between the two houses again and all of a sudden shot out on a bike and hauled off down the street. Jason immediately knew what had happened.
He called the non-emergency number for the police and an officer showed up within a few minutes. While Jason was talking to him, over the radio another officer informed him that they found 3 youths with a bike not too far away. The officer asked if Jason would come with him. Jason agreed and got into the back of the squad car. Now, here's where I wish I'd had my camera.....to see MY law abiding husband get into the back of a police car. Ha! Jason said the officer sped down the road and found two other squad cars with the 3 boys and the bike. The officer told Jason if he wanted to lay down he could so the kids wouldn't see him. Jason did but then sat up but hid his face behind a seat rest and identified the kids as the ones he had seen. The officer put the bike in his trunk and brought Jason back to our house.
Since Rosa and her daughters weren't home, Sophia's mom stored the bike in her garage and the officer gave Jason a paper to fill out for his statement and said he'd be back. Jason wrote his statement and gave it to the officer and he told him that unless Rosa decided to press charges, they didn't have criminal case but that they were informing the kids' parents and I am pretty sure they probably scared the hell out of the kids - they had the one who stole the bike in the back of one of the cars.
So an exciting evening. I think the kids learned a valuable lesson in that they know now why we're always harping on them NOT to leave their bikes out, even just for a little while. They also saw how serious the police took the situation and showed them how easily they can get into trouble. I'm thinking this is a good thing to remember when THEY are teenagers and one of their friends wants to get into some mischief.
I'm guessing these kids were not hardened criminals just a couple of kids that were bored and lacking in supervision. However, the officer did remind us that aside from not leaving things out that can be taken to also remember to shut your blinds when you're not home. He said that if criminals can't see what's inside the likelihood that they will break into your house is much less because they want to KNOW what they are coming in after and not wasting their time. So there's my safety tip for you for this Friday.
When I got home, Jason and Bryce were playing catch in the front yard. I went inside to get changed and when I looked outside, I saw Jay talking to our neighbor (Sophia's mom) from 3 doors down. I went outside and asked what was wrong and he said some kids had just stolen a bike from the backyard of our neighbor 2 doors down (Rosa's house) - they weren't home but their bike had been sitting outside next to their deck, not locked up.
Jason said that before I had gotten home, these 3 teenage boys came walking down our street. He said they looked middle school aged (9th grade at the oldest?) and they were fairly well dressed. They had gone back between Sophia and Rosa's house. He heard one of them say something like "there's just woods back there" so he thought maybe they were looking for a short cut or something. At that point they left and I actually saw them at the entrance to our development when I got home a few minutes later. When I was inside, one of the boys came back and kept walking up and down the sidewalk across the street. He would look at Jason and then used his phone to make a call or do something. Jason said he went back between the two houses again and all of a sudden shot out on a bike and hauled off down the street. Jason immediately knew what had happened.
He called the non-emergency number for the police and an officer showed up within a few minutes. While Jason was talking to him, over the radio another officer informed him that they found 3 youths with a bike not too far away. The officer asked if Jason would come with him. Jason agreed and got into the back of the squad car. Now, here's where I wish I'd had my camera.....to see MY law abiding husband get into the back of a police car. Ha! Jason said the officer sped down the road and found two other squad cars with the 3 boys and the bike. The officer told Jason if he wanted to lay down he could so the kids wouldn't see him. Jason did but then sat up but hid his face behind a seat rest and identified the kids as the ones he had seen. The officer put the bike in his trunk and brought Jason back to our house.
Since Rosa and her daughters weren't home, Sophia's mom stored the bike in her garage and the officer gave Jason a paper to fill out for his statement and said he'd be back. Jason wrote his statement and gave it to the officer and he told him that unless Rosa decided to press charges, they didn't have criminal case but that they were informing the kids' parents and I am pretty sure they probably scared the hell out of the kids - they had the one who stole the bike in the back of one of the cars.
So an exciting evening. I think the kids learned a valuable lesson in that they know now why we're always harping on them NOT to leave their bikes out, even just for a little while. They also saw how serious the police took the situation and showed them how easily they can get into trouble. I'm thinking this is a good thing to remember when THEY are teenagers and one of their friends wants to get into some mischief.
I'm guessing these kids were not hardened criminals just a couple of kids that were bored and lacking in supervision. However, the officer did remind us that aside from not leaving things out that can be taken to also remember to shut your blinds when you're not home. He said that if criminals can't see what's inside the likelihood that they will break into your house is much less because they want to KNOW what they are coming in after and not wasting their time. So there's my safety tip for you for this Friday.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Cough, Cough, Hack
Poor Jason has been coughing for 4 days now. I think he has had the flu. He had a fever Friday through Sunday and body aches. We all got the flu shot/mist but this was the first time he'd gotten it in 7 years (the kids and I have all had it each year). Last week, the kids and I all had a yuck-o cold with some cough and congestion, but nothing terrible. When Jason started feeling bad, he figured he was getting the cold too but instead he got sicker. I was talking to my PhD biochemist friend and she was saying that he probably just didn't have a great immunity built up because it was his first flu shot in years. And it's clear he didn't get the full blown flu as he's on the mend now and didn't get intense fevers/aches. I feel bad for the guy - I slept in Piper's bed on Saturday night (while she was away) and he slept on the couch on Friday. Once he settled down last night he slept without much coughing but I did convince him to take the day off today (Monday) to rest - which he did and he's feeling better.
Soooo glad we got the flu shot/mist!! Hope you got yours too!
Soooo glad we got the flu shot/mist!! Hope you got yours too!
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Poor Daddy
On Thursday evening, Jason went up to bed and I stayed downstairs watching a few Thursday night shows. Sometime around 9:30, I heard Piper start crying and after a minute or two Jason went in. Generally, when Piper wakes up at night, I go in, settle her down and she's back to sleep in less than 2 minutes. I think it's just worked out that it's usually me as a holdover from the breastfeeding days when Jason managed the other two if they woke up and I handled the baby. (Jason is still usually the one who goes in when Bryce wakes up in the middle of the night because he's having a bad dream brought on by having to go to the bathroom.)
Anyway, Jason went into her room and as soon as she saw him she instantly got MORE upset. Cries turned into YELLING. Jason got fed up pretty quickly as she would not calm and left her in the crib. I decided to let her fuss for a bit but Jason decided to go back in after a few more minutes of ticked off Piper. Again, this made her even angrier and as the cries escalated, I went back up just as Jason was giving up again.
I went in and she was soooooooooo upset that I couldn't get her to calm down - she was that worked up. But, I rocked her and started singing our usual bedtime song, "Twinkle Twinkle," and she finally stopped crying. She snuggled up with me trying to catch her breath and she finally relaxed. Clearly, she only wanted me. Poor Jason - he was just trying to help. It's the same story if she gets hurt too - the only person to comfort her is me. (Or if I'm not there she'll want my MIL or mom.) She did something similar once in the middle of the night too. It's all about mommy.
Bryce was like this too, so I'm not surprised, it just makes me feel bad that Jason gets the short end of the stick sometimes.
Anyway, Jason went into her room and as soon as she saw him she instantly got MORE upset. Cries turned into YELLING. Jason got fed up pretty quickly as she would not calm and left her in the crib. I decided to let her fuss for a bit but Jason decided to go back in after a few more minutes of ticked off Piper. Again, this made her even angrier and as the cries escalated, I went back up just as Jason was giving up again.
I went in and she was soooooooooo upset that I couldn't get her to calm down - she was that worked up. But, I rocked her and started singing our usual bedtime song, "Twinkle Twinkle," and she finally stopped crying. She snuggled up with me trying to catch her breath and she finally relaxed. Clearly, she only wanted me. Poor Jason - he was just trying to help. It's the same story if she gets hurt too - the only person to comfort her is me. (Or if I'm not there she'll want my MIL or mom.) She did something similar once in the middle of the night too. It's all about mommy.
Bryce was like this too, so I'm not surprised, it just makes me feel bad that Jason gets the short end of the stick sometimes.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Boys Bathroom
Monday morning as I was in the shower, Bryce busted into the bathroom in usual Brycey fashion (kind of reminds me of Kramer sometimes). The second he spotted me he started talking. I could tell he had to pee because of the way he was walking in circles but typical Bryce, he won't go until he thinks he's ready. Anyway, somehow the topic of how Jason is going to eventually put in a full bathroom in the basement came up. (We have rough ins, it's just a matter of time...) He started talking about how daddy was going to build the bathroom and it was going to be the boy's bathroom and that he and daddy would use that bathroom all the time. (Their, ahem, office.)
So then I asked him what would make it a "boys bathroom" and he said,"
"It would be painted boys colors. Like red and black. And there would be pictures of daddy and his buds on the wall. Like his golf buds. And there would be a picture of me in the middle with his buds because I am his best bud!"
Now if that doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what would. I could hear Jason smiling through the phone when I relayed this story to him when I got to work. Apparently we need to get a photo of Jason's friends with Bryce now. Not that Jay sees his friends that often or play golf very often, but we'll really need something like that for that bathroom someday. Even though we have no time line of when we'll even get started on it. I've got other house projects that are more pressing at this point.
So then I asked him what would make it a "boys bathroom" and he said,"
"It would be painted boys colors. Like red and black. And there would be pictures of daddy and his buds on the wall. Like his golf buds. And there would be a picture of me in the middle with his buds because I am his best bud!"
Now if that doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what would. I could hear Jason smiling through the phone when I relayed this story to him when I got to work. Apparently we need to get a photo of Jason's friends with Bryce now. Not that Jay sees his friends that often or play golf very often, but we'll really need something like that for that bathroom someday. Even though we have no time line of when we'll even get started on it. I've got other house projects that are more pressing at this point.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Like Father, Like Children
The longer I'm Caroline and Bryce's mom, the more I'm finding how much they are like their father. Caroline reminds me a lot of my sister and me but she definitely favors her father in more ways than I realize. And Bryce? Well, I think he's a combination of my brother, his Uncle Jer, and his dad. Usually it takes Jason piping in when I am frustrated by something one of them is doing and telling me that he was like that as a kid.
1. Constant movement - While Caroline is capable of sitting still to watch a show on TV or play a game, at other times she just can't sit still. Mealtime is hard b/c she just does not want to sit very long in her chair. Last night she got up mid-meal just to go in the family room and look at something. When I lamented about how much this drives me crazy, Jason said he remembers very well not being able to sit still. Apparently his grandfather always used to ask him if he had "ants in his pants." And Jason is still a lot like this - he has to be doing something most times and be productive. Bryce is probably even MORE like this than Caroline as he doesn't even like to sit still to watch a show. We find him standing on his head most times and when he's on my lap (A LOT!) he's usually hanging off in some strange monkey-like way.
2. Anxiety - I don't notice this as much in Bryce, but Caroline definitely seems to have some of the slight anxiety issues Jason remembers having as a kid. Jason didn't like birthday parties at all as a kid and while Caroline has had some good experience, there have been a few parties where she had no interest in participating in what the group was doing. She also has anxiety about the things she knows are coming but doesn't quite understand like the hearing/vision screening or kindergarten round up.
3. Touching everything - This one drives me nuts although I do remember my dad yelling at me as a kid for putting my feet on things for no apparent reason. But aside from the kids doing that, they also cannot keep their hands/feet off of one another. Jason said he remembers very well (and his mom too!) that he could NOT keep his hands and feet off of his siblings. He was constantly bothering the heck out of his two younger siblings for no reason. He was tripping them, smacking them, and just doing things to make them nuts. As I write this, Caroline was just reprimanded for not leaving Piper alone. She cannot keep her hands off her and now Bryce has started doing it too. The poor kid is constantly being manhandled by her older siblings. And I can't tell you how many fights we've broken up between Bryce and Caroline because they are touching each other. I know this is a common issue between siblings, but I don't remember it to this degree with my own siblings.
So now we see how much of Jason we see in Piper. She certainly doesn't take after his side of the family looks-wise so maybe we'll see more of his genetics in her behavior.....or not.
1. Constant movement - While Caroline is capable of sitting still to watch a show on TV or play a game, at other times she just can't sit still. Mealtime is hard b/c she just does not want to sit very long in her chair. Last night she got up mid-meal just to go in the family room and look at something. When I lamented about how much this drives me crazy, Jason said he remembers very well not being able to sit still. Apparently his grandfather always used to ask him if he had "ants in his pants." And Jason is still a lot like this - he has to be doing something most times and be productive. Bryce is probably even MORE like this than Caroline as he doesn't even like to sit still to watch a show. We find him standing on his head most times and when he's on my lap (A LOT!) he's usually hanging off in some strange monkey-like way.
2. Anxiety - I don't notice this as much in Bryce, but Caroline definitely seems to have some of the slight anxiety issues Jason remembers having as a kid. Jason didn't like birthday parties at all as a kid and while Caroline has had some good experience, there have been a few parties where she had no interest in participating in what the group was doing. She also has anxiety about the things she knows are coming but doesn't quite understand like the hearing/vision screening or kindergarten round up.
3. Touching everything - This one drives me nuts although I do remember my dad yelling at me as a kid for putting my feet on things for no apparent reason. But aside from the kids doing that, they also cannot keep their hands/feet off of one another. Jason said he remembers very well (and his mom too!) that he could NOT keep his hands and feet off of his siblings. He was constantly bothering the heck out of his two younger siblings for no reason. He was tripping them, smacking them, and just doing things to make them nuts. As I write this, Caroline was just reprimanded for not leaving Piper alone. She cannot keep her hands off her and now Bryce has started doing it too. The poor kid is constantly being manhandled by her older siblings. And I can't tell you how many fights we've broken up between Bryce and Caroline because they are touching each other. I know this is a common issue between siblings, but I don't remember it to this degree with my own siblings.
So now we see how much of Jason we see in Piper. She certainly doesn't take after his side of the family looks-wise so maybe we'll see more of his genetics in her behavior.....or not.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Happy Birthday, Jason!
Just wanted to wish my other half a Happy 33rd Birthday! My guess is he's reading this around 4:30am while I'm still sleeping. I love you!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine's Delight
Jason told me weeks ago that he had Valentine's Day taken care of. It was such a long time ago that I hadn't even realized that V-day was on a Saturday. Not that we're huge V-day people in that neither expects the other to do anything particularly special for the other, but in recent years we've used it as an excuse to get out for a much needed date night. Jason wouldn't tell me where we were going but given that he has good taste in restaurants, I wasn't worried. He'd also secured my parents for childcare, so there was nothing to worry about. (The kids had a ball eating their fave foods - mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets - making potato candy, and entertaining their Bertie & Pop Pop.)
We ended up eating at Roy's a Hawaiian fusion restaurant that Jay and I had been to a few years ago. Excellent food and for V-day they had a special prix fixe that was just wonderful!
So you can imagine my surprise that our V-day dinner wasn't just for the 2 of us, but it was with 2 other couples - Katie & Landon and Binnie & Marcus! What a treat! Not only did I get a night out without the kids at a very good restaurant, but we had a dinner with 2 other couples that we really enjoy spending time with and have a lot in common with - we all have kids aged 5 and under! We ate, laughed and obviously told stories about our kids but being that we're all parents we actually enjoy hearing the funny things other people's kids do.
Major points to Jason and the other husbands for pulling this off for 3 very busy moms! I told Jason that the fact that they all 3 knew us well enough that we didn't need/want some romantic dinner for 2 and that a dinner with all of us together would be even more therapeutic since laughing and commiserating always makes you feel human again.
We've even got some more plans to get together with all 7 kids in the near future since they all seem to get along really well too. Thanks for a great Valentine's Day to Jason, K, L, B, & M!
We ended up eating at Roy's a Hawaiian fusion restaurant that Jay and I had been to a few years ago. Excellent food and for V-day they had a special prix fixe that was just wonderful!
So you can imagine my surprise that our V-day dinner wasn't just for the 2 of us, but it was with 2 other couples - Katie & Landon and Binnie & Marcus! What a treat! Not only did I get a night out without the kids at a very good restaurant, but we had a dinner with 2 other couples that we really enjoy spending time with and have a lot in common with - we all have kids aged 5 and under! We ate, laughed and obviously told stories about our kids but being that we're all parents we actually enjoy hearing the funny things other people's kids do.
Major points to Jason and the other husbands for pulling this off for 3 very busy moms! I told Jason that the fact that they all 3 knew us well enough that we didn't need/want some romantic dinner for 2 and that a dinner with all of us together would be even more therapeutic since laughing and commiserating always makes you feel human again.
We've even got some more plans to get together with all 7 kids in the near future since they all seem to get along really well too. Thanks for a great Valentine's Day to Jason, K, L, B, & M!
Friday, January 23, 2009
5 Year Old Smack Talk
I thought Jason's story about the Wii was too funny not to share (in case you've never read his blog). It's usually about beer and sports, but this one made me giggle.
You can read it here.
You can read it here.
Friday, January 09, 2009
He Just Couldn't Resist
Poor Jay! I really, truly thought he was in the clear as far as this stomach virus goes. Caroline, Bryce and I have been symptom free since Sunday morning. I think he thought so too. But last night at 12:15 I woke up to hear the poor guy sick in the bathroom. MAN! This virus is no joke. Hangs and hangs and hangs around. Tonight, I am scrubbing all 3 bathrooms - not that I haven't already been wiping them down with Clorox wipes regularly and washing my hands like crazy. Of course, there is always the possibility he picked it up at work too, but given the fact that we just had it, it's much more likely he got it from us. (In fact I HOPE he got it from us b/c if he got it somewhere else it could be another strain and the last thing I need is another round of a stomach virus!!!!!!)
So Jay was home this morning listening/watching us in our usual morning chaos. I had to keep imploring to Caroline and Bryce LEAVE DADDY ALONE!! Of course they had a lot of questions for him about throwing up and such - nothing is sacred with a 3 and 5 year old.
I'm really hoping Piper can avoid this and I would guess she's the most likely to be able to since she doesn't go around touching things. We just have to continue to keep washing our hands which isn't an issue for Jay and I, but grubby Caroline and Bryce are a different story.
So Jay was home this morning listening/watching us in our usual morning chaos. I had to keep imploring to Caroline and Bryce LEAVE DADDY ALONE!! Of course they had a lot of questions for him about throwing up and such - nothing is sacred with a 3 and 5 year old.
I'm really hoping Piper can avoid this and I would guess she's the most likely to be able to since she doesn't go around touching things. We just have to continue to keep washing our hands which isn't an issue for Jay and I, but grubby Caroline and Bryce are a different story.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Jason's Inside Out Meatballs
This all transpired on Christmas Eve and at the time, I was more than aggravated since the kids were going Christmas Eve bonkers and we had 3434 things to do. But in the end it all turned out, but it's certainly a story to giggle at for years to come.
On Christmas Eve morn, Piper woke up with a huge glob of an eye boogie in the corner of her eye along with crusty eye lashes and a reddish eye. Pink eye, sweet. The doctor's office said they were slow and to bring her right in. I threw on some clothes and took off and in my haste of getting out the door, Jason asked me if he should go ahead and start the Cocktail Meatballs we were taking to my MIL's for Christmas Eve. I told him the frozen meatballs were in the freezer and he could see the ingredients on the recipe card. Jason usually does just fine with simple recipes and I didn't even think twice about it - the sauce was as simple as it gets.
When Piper and I got home, I could smell them cooking and didn't even peek in at them. Jason mentioned quickly that they were hard to stir up and I looked through the lid and told him that maybe he'd put too many meatballs into the crock. Again, I didn't think too much more about it.
Then, just before we were leaving, I put something into the dishwasher and noticed the chopper was in there. Um, the recipe didn't call for anything to be chopped, just cranberry jelly, chili sauce, lemon juice and brown sugar. Then, I look at them and it dawned on me what he had done......
See, this recipe is for the meatballs to be made from scratch and has the ingredients to make both the meatballs and the sauce. However, I've never made the meatballs - only used frozen ones and made the sauce. Well, Jason took another route. Instead of just the ingredients I listed above, Jason also added breadcrumbs, onions, and......4 EGGS! JASON!!!!!!!!!
I asked him, didn't you think it was odd that you were adding eggs to the sauce knowing Bryce has eaten it before? He said he didn't think about that only the fact that Bryce couldn't have any. Then I asked him how he accomplished this. Here is how he did it:
1. Put way too many meatballs in crock.
2. Pour all ingredients over top of meatballs, including just cracked eggs. (Do not even beat them!)
3. Try your darnedest to stir them up as well as possible but it will be very hard because you've put way too many meatballs into the pot. Don't even consider that if the eggs don't get stirred in well that there will be chunks of eggs in the sauce.
Apparently, he didn't even bother to read the recipe, just the ingredients. Of course, my next question was, did you add the ground meat to the sauce too?? He said, no, he stopped at that. This is truly ironic because literally the day before a few moms were talking on my mom's chat board about if your husband cooks. The answers ran the spectrum and I was proud to say that yes, Jason cooks. Nothing flashy or difficult, but he can follow a recipe and usually does to a T. Heh. Internet curse???
Needless to say, in all of my stress of the morning, I was none too thrilled at the possibility that our contribution to the Christmas Eve meal was ruined. Jason assured me he would handle it when we got to his mom's. He kept laughing periodically about it on the drive there.
Anyway, so we got there and he restirred the meatballs and made sure everything was mixed well and we let them continue to cook. He and his dad tried them a little later and declared that they were truly good and when everyone else arrived, they were well eaten. I tried them but still thinking about the 4 eggs in the sauce and also agreed that they were good. The sauce was obviously thicker thanks to the eggs and breadcrumbs but the taste was fairly the same, although a little more mellow. So I told him he had a new recipe - Inside Out Meatballs - what's on the inside is what's on the outside too!
I appreciate him helping me that morning and even though it seemed like a bit of a calamity, I'm glad we got a funny story out of it in the end and all was well on Christmas Eve. To all a good night!
On Christmas Eve morn, Piper woke up with a huge glob of an eye boogie in the corner of her eye along with crusty eye lashes and a reddish eye. Pink eye, sweet. The doctor's office said they were slow and to bring her right in. I threw on some clothes and took off and in my haste of getting out the door, Jason asked me if he should go ahead and start the Cocktail Meatballs we were taking to my MIL's for Christmas Eve. I told him the frozen meatballs were in the freezer and he could see the ingredients on the recipe card. Jason usually does just fine with simple recipes and I didn't even think twice about it - the sauce was as simple as it gets.
When Piper and I got home, I could smell them cooking and didn't even peek in at them. Jason mentioned quickly that they were hard to stir up and I looked through the lid and told him that maybe he'd put too many meatballs into the crock. Again, I didn't think too much more about it.
Then, just before we were leaving, I put something into the dishwasher and noticed the chopper was in there. Um, the recipe didn't call for anything to be chopped, just cranberry jelly, chili sauce, lemon juice and brown sugar. Then, I look at them and it dawned on me what he had done......
See, this recipe is for the meatballs to be made from scratch and has the ingredients to make both the meatballs and the sauce. However, I've never made the meatballs - only used frozen ones and made the sauce. Well, Jason took another route. Instead of just the ingredients I listed above, Jason also added breadcrumbs, onions, and......4 EGGS! JASON!!!!!!!!!
I asked him, didn't you think it was odd that you were adding eggs to the sauce knowing Bryce has eaten it before? He said he didn't think about that only the fact that Bryce couldn't have any. Then I asked him how he accomplished this. Here is how he did it:
1. Put way too many meatballs in crock.
2. Pour all ingredients over top of meatballs, including just cracked eggs. (Do not even beat them!)
3. Try your darnedest to stir them up as well as possible but it will be very hard because you've put way too many meatballs into the pot. Don't even consider that if the eggs don't get stirred in well that there will be chunks of eggs in the sauce.
Apparently, he didn't even bother to read the recipe, just the ingredients. Of course, my next question was, did you add the ground meat to the sauce too?? He said, no, he stopped at that. This is truly ironic because literally the day before a few moms were talking on my mom's chat board about if your husband cooks. The answers ran the spectrum and I was proud to say that yes, Jason cooks. Nothing flashy or difficult, but he can follow a recipe and usually does to a T. Heh. Internet curse???
Needless to say, in all of my stress of the morning, I was none too thrilled at the possibility that our contribution to the Christmas Eve meal was ruined. Jason assured me he would handle it when we got to his mom's. He kept laughing periodically about it on the drive there.
Anyway, so we got there and he restirred the meatballs and made sure everything was mixed well and we let them continue to cook. He and his dad tried them a little later and declared that they were truly good and when everyone else arrived, they were well eaten. I tried them but still thinking about the 4 eggs in the sauce and also agreed that they were good. The sauce was obviously thicker thanks to the eggs and breadcrumbs but the taste was fairly the same, although a little more mellow. So I told him he had a new recipe - Inside Out Meatballs - what's on the inside is what's on the outside too!
I appreciate him helping me that morning and even though it seemed like a bit of a calamity, I'm glad we got a funny story out of it in the end and all was well on Christmas Eve. To all a good night!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Like Father, Like Son
Bryce is more like Jason than we'd like to believe. Bryce seems to have inherited a bunch of Jason's traits either genetically or via our nurturing. While I don't know if Jason was an early riser as a little kid, he's been an early riser since we've had a relationship. I never understood someone getting up at 5am in high school to do their homework. And I still can't fathom getting up at 4am when you don't have to leave until 6am. But that's me. Well, Bryce also is an early bird by nature. This morning at 6am he was in our room telling us to get up. He told Jason to get up, turn on the light, and go out and get the paper. I guess he knows the routine. (And of course, when Bryce is up, we're ALL up because he doesn't exactly go about anything quietly.)
He also never.stops.talking. And while Jason isn't exactly the most talkative person now, he apparently was as a young child. So much so that my MIL still talks about how she was just want him to be quiet. I always thought Caroline talked alot until Bryce started really talking. Man, wait until Piper starts adding to the conversations.
He also never.stops.talking. And while Jason isn't exactly the most talkative person now, he apparently was as a young child. So much so that my MIL still talks about how she was just want him to be quiet. I always thought Caroline talked alot until Bryce started really talking. Man, wait until Piper starts adding to the conversations.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Humdinger of a Cold
Man, Caroline brought this cold home from school over 3 weeks ago and we're still all afflicted (well, Piper isn't so far). I'd be concerned if it was the same symptoms for 3 weeks, but it seems to be an evolving virus. Started out in the kids like a regular cold and Piper seemed to have a bit of one too, but then it moved down into their chests and that's when I got worried and took Caroline to the doctor. Bryce is congested and has a cough but it's never been as bad for him as it was for Caroline. She still has the cough/congestion but it's way better although yesterday she told me her left ear was clogged. Keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't turn into an ear infection. She hasn't had an ear infection yet (and Bryce has only had 1) but I did get a "just in case" Rx for an antibiotic in case this thing does go down the infection route. (And FTR, I know when NOT to give an antibiotic - I'm all about letting things run their course.)
But poor Jason. Poor poor Jason. The man has had a cough for a week - he started last Tuesday with congestion in his throat and barely had a voice. But that quickly turned into a bad cough. He slept on the couch to save me some sleep on Thursday-Saturday nights (but b/c he slept downstairs I was left to my own devices with waking children, so I really was still disturbed frequently). He returned to our room on Sunday night and was back again last night, but he's still coughing a lot. His cough is TERRIBLE in the evenings and that's after cough medicine and cough drops. He said his head just aches from coughing and last night his back hurt too. I feel so bad for him!
As for me, I don't feel 100% but I don't feel horrible. Congested in my throat and a semi-productive cough - hoping I don't acquire the cough affliction Jason has - but I haven't had it as bad as him yet. Apparently this virus is running through C & B's school too which is par for the course in going to school with more kids. Hopefully they'll build up some immunity now before "real" school starts so they don't have to miss as many days.
But poor Jason. Poor poor Jason. The man has had a cough for a week - he started last Tuesday with congestion in his throat and barely had a voice. But that quickly turned into a bad cough. He slept on the couch to save me some sleep on Thursday-Saturday nights (but b/c he slept downstairs I was left to my own devices with waking children, so I really was still disturbed frequently). He returned to our room on Sunday night and was back again last night, but he's still coughing a lot. His cough is TERRIBLE in the evenings and that's after cough medicine and cough drops. He said his head just aches from coughing and last night his back hurt too. I feel so bad for him!
As for me, I don't feel 100% but I don't feel horrible. Congested in my throat and a semi-productive cough - hoping I don't acquire the cough affliction Jason has - but I haven't had it as bad as him yet. Apparently this virus is running through C & B's school too which is par for the course in going to school with more kids. Hopefully they'll build up some immunity now before "real" school starts so they don't have to miss as many days.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Book Club Memories
Caroline brought home her first Scholastic Book Club book order form yesterday and I think I was more excited than she was. No, I don't think it, I KNOW I was more excited than she was. She had no clue. I got the biggest smile on my face when I pulled it out of her lunch bag and when I showed Jason, he did too.
I remembered how much I loved looking through them and picking something out. Not that I got something every time, but just remembering how much I loved books at that age. I also remember hearing stories about my father and his book orders during elementary school too and how he thought the book "Invincible Louisa" was called "Invisible Louisa" and he was very disappointed when he received the book. (At least that's how I remember the story and I think there was another one like it.)
The book club form even jogged Jason's memory enough to get him to remember something from his youth - a seeming rarity to me since I remember everything. When I told him I'd sit down with Caroline and order her a few books, he said, "Yeah, I remember being excited when the books were delivered and then on the rounds where I wasn't getting anything being kind of sad to see the other kids get something."
So clearly I wanted to make sure Caroline gets a book on her first go at it and I'm sure it will spark her for future forms. Although I will make sure to set a limit the next time. I ordered a $3 dinosaur book for Bryce and for $5 I got a set of two National Geographic books - one on sharks (for Bryce) and one on volcanoes (for Caroline). But when I asked Caroline to pick one book out just for herself, she picked a hardcover book that was $16. But, it's a really cute book and she already has another Ann Estelle book, so I figured for her first order, I'll get her that one.
I can't wait for delivery day!
I remembered how much I loved looking through them and picking something out. Not that I got something every time, but just remembering how much I loved books at that age. I also remember hearing stories about my father and his book orders during elementary school too and how he thought the book "Invincible Louisa" was called "Invisible Louisa" and he was very disappointed when he received the book. (At least that's how I remember the story and I think there was another one like it.)
The book club form even jogged Jason's memory enough to get him to remember something from his youth - a seeming rarity to me since I remember everything. When I told him I'd sit down with Caroline and order her a few books, he said, "Yeah, I remember being excited when the books were delivered and then on the rounds where I wasn't getting anything being kind of sad to see the other kids get something."
So clearly I wanted to make sure Caroline gets a book on her first go at it and I'm sure it will spark her for future forms. Although I will make sure to set a limit the next time. I ordered a $3 dinosaur book for Bryce and for $5 I got a set of two National Geographic books - one on sharks (for Bryce) and one on volcanoes (for Caroline). But when I asked Caroline to pick one book out just for herself, she picked a hardcover book that was $16. But, it's a really cute book and she already has another Ann Estelle book, so I figured for her first order, I'll get her that one.
I can't wait for delivery day!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A Sleep Deprived Father's Comment
Jason said this the other day and it just made me laugh.
Piper had a bad night on Monday night into Tuesday - I had less than 4 hours sleep and Jason got a little more, but it was quite segmented and unrestful. We're not sure what was wrong but we suspected gas after the fact and after she started doing the exact same thing last night, we gave her one dose of gas drops and she returned to her normal self.
Anyway, when we were relaying the night to my mom, Jason says,
"Yeah, I kept thinking that I was going to drive myself the next day to Patient First and get snipped so this doesn't happen again."
(Of course we know they don't do drive through vasectomies at Patient First....)
The things we say/think when we are sleep deprived and wanting our babies to stop crying - not that we're even considering a 4th. (Let's not even THINK about that!!!!!)
Piper had a bad night on Monday night into Tuesday - I had less than 4 hours sleep and Jason got a little more, but it was quite segmented and unrestful. We're not sure what was wrong but we suspected gas after the fact and after she started doing the exact same thing last night, we gave her one dose of gas drops and she returned to her normal self.
Anyway, when we were relaying the night to my mom, Jason says,
"Yeah, I kept thinking that I was going to drive myself the next day to Patient First and get snipped so this doesn't happen again."
(Of course we know they don't do drive through vasectomies at Patient First....)
The things we say/think when we are sleep deprived and wanting our babies to stop crying - not that we're even considering a 4th. (Let's not even THINK about that!!!!!)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
My Push Present
You hear about the notion of a "push present" all the time now for new moms. I don't even think I had heard of the trend when I had Caroline and I certainly didn't expect anything when I had Bryce. So for #3, I wasn't exactly hoping for anything either. But Jason is coming through for me, being the great father/partner that he is.
See, I like beer. I came to appreciate a cold one in college and when we reunited, he introduced me to GOOD beer. As he began dabbling in brewing his own, I learned more. I wouldn't exactly call me a beer snob since an ice cold Coors Light still tastes great on a hot day, but I can certainly appreciate some of the special brews he brings home from the local specialty beer store.
In my past 2 pregnancies, I have craved beer. So much so that I even drank a few O'Douls while I was pregnant with Bryce. I wouldn't say my craving has been as strong with this baby, but I usually will take a sip of whatever Jason is having and that is enough for me. However, a few weeks ago at the rehearsal dinner for my brother and SIL, the dinner was at a local restaurant that specializes in microbrews. And in the late spring, they always have a wonderful Blueberry Ale. While I was happy to be there and enjoy all of our family and friends together for such a festive occassion, I'd be lying to say I wasn't a little sad not to be able to have my favorite beer. I remember having my first Blueberry Ale many years ago and just falling in love with it. It's not fruity at all but it has the best flavor and you can taste the blueberry essence.
Anyway, Jason knew I was a little sad about not being able to have any and so he took it upon himself to figure out a blueberry ale recipe for his next batch of beer that should be ready right around the time baby #3 is born. Now, I'm not taking any to the hospital with me, but you can bet, I'll probably partake in one after returning home. Some say that beer is good for a nursing mom's milk supply, but I think it will be good for my morale too. 9 months of hard work and a good, cold blueberry ale in July. So not only do I get a push present that I'll totally enjoy, it also was made especially for me by my husband who thought to do it on his own.
Cheers!
(Oh and this is Jason's first outdoor brewing experience with his new HUGE pot and propane burner! I love it because my house won't smell like a brewery for a few days afterward.)
Happy Father's Day!
First to my Jason - I'm so glad you're the father of my children. I couldn't ask for a better parenting partner! The kids adore you (and you know what adore means!) and I know how much they already benefit from having such a loving and involved daddy.
To MY dad - I love you dad! Thanks for always being Mr. Fix-it and keeping my car running when I was younger and for helping me with my algebra in middle school. You always make me laugh with your corny jokes or just how you are - I'm so lucky to have you as my dad!
To my father in law, Tom - Thanks for raising such a wonderful son and being such a good role model for him on how to raise his kids! We always appreciate your help so much and it's so great to have such a nice guy to have as a father in law!
Now to call my mom and see how the kids did last night. We had no late calls so that means they didn't get too awfully upset to come home. Plus, when we left them yesterday, they were talking about sleeping together. Ha ha ha! We'll see how that went, although they did successfully take a nap together at Bertie's a few weeks ago.
But I must say, giving Jason a quiet morning was a very nice Father's Day gift! We got to sleep till 7:30ish and have a morning of peace. However, I know how much I want to see the kids now, so I better get moving.
To MY dad - I love you dad! Thanks for always being Mr. Fix-it and keeping my car running when I was younger and for helping me with my algebra in middle school. You always make me laugh with your corny jokes or just how you are - I'm so lucky to have you as my dad!
To my father in law, Tom - Thanks for raising such a wonderful son and being such a good role model for him on how to raise his kids! We always appreciate your help so much and it's so great to have such a nice guy to have as a father in law!
Now to call my mom and see how the kids did last night. We had no late calls so that means they didn't get too awfully upset to come home. Plus, when we left them yesterday, they were talking about sleeping together. Ha ha ha! We'll see how that went, although they did successfully take a nap together at Bertie's a few weeks ago.
But I must say, giving Jason a quiet morning was a very nice Father's Day gift! We got to sleep till 7:30ish and have a morning of peace. However, I know how much I want to see the kids now, so I better get moving.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Blind Love
Jason and I decided, for a number of reasons, that we needed to get serious about our threats to purchase better blinds for the kids rooms. Our two main concerns? Heat and sun! Sun in the mornings for Bryce and sun in the evening for Caroline. Since we moved in 5 years ago, we've had the cheapo vinyl mini-blinds that cost a few bucks in all the upstairs windows. They were fine for privacy but did little to filter out light and heat.We knew we didn't just want those pull down shades because we wanted some flexibility with being able to open/close them. So, Jason did some online checking and found these reasonable ones at Home Depot. They are wood "look" and white and oh my gosh, they look GREAT! He had planned on getting 8 of them for all of our upstairs windows, but while he was deciding what to get, some other customer came by, made a comment about how much she loves hers and ran off with 2 of them - leaving only 6 behind for Jason. So he got 6 of them and managed to install them on both windows in each of the kids rooms.
It was a little cloudy this evening so not the usual blaring sun of 8pm in C's room, but you could REALLY tell a difference and I'm already very curious how they'll be with the midafternoon sun and the heat in Caroline's room.
I'm also very proud of my husband who managed to install 4 blinds and not use a single curse word. See, 5 years ago when he was installing the first round of mini-blinds, I figured out that it was probably one of the most cuss inducing tasks he's ever done. When Bryce went up this evening to see what daddy was up to, I told him he needed to come back down with mommy because I didn't trust him to stay out of daddy's way and I wasn't sure that daddy's mouth could be trusted while installing new blinds. But it seems Jason was able to keep it under control while children were present.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)