Thanks, honey.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Six years and counting....
Jim and I just celebrated six wonderful years together, and I love him as much now as I did then. (Probably, more...especially when he takes care of those stinky diapers. Pee-eew!) We had a wonderful dinner out to celebrate, while Mom-mom and Pop watched the girls. A very nice treat indeed. Also very nice are the flowers that Jim gave me.
Thanks, honey.
Thanks, honey.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Parenting in Public
At a meeting I attended recently, I was once again reminded how difficult it can be to be a good parent in public. And by "good parent" I mean a good disciplinarian. It's hard enough to do the right thing and discipline your child at home, especially if it means stopping what you're doing to deal with the problem. But when you're in public, there are a whole other set of obstacles.
Like worrying about disturbing other people if your child starts to tantrum when you tell them no, or worrying that people will think that you have no control. Or even worrying that you might appear too strict.
The issue I encountered at the meeting, had a little bit to do with that last one, appearing too strict. No I wasn't worried about appearing too strict, at first. Then one of the ladies at the meeting stepped in.
You see, Maria was wandering around the room. I had given her boundaries. "You may stay in this row, but you can't go into the row in front of us. Don't squeeze between chairs. If you want to sit down, sit down in this row." Now, the women in front of us probably heard me tell her this. But I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, and assume that she didn't know that I had already forbid Maria from wandering out of our row.
But I know that she did hear me tell Maria not to squeeze between the chairs, and try to leave our row the second time that she did it. I know because she was watching Maria, and after I told her to come back to me, the woman said, "It's ok. She's not bothering me."
At which point I wanted to retort, "Ya, but she's bothering ME."
I kept my mouth shut, managed to get Maria to come back without too much fuss, and sat there seething for a minute. Even though I was annoyed at the woman's comment, and her undermining my parenting, I still let it affect how I handled Maria for the rest of the time there.
The third time she tried to leave the row, I gave up trying to get her back more easily, and just gave her that, "don't even try it" look, which was enough to stop her from squeezing all the way into the next row. She just stood there staring at me, stuck halfway between the chairs. She knew that she was getting away with something, and she knew that I should be trying to stop her. But I didn't say anything. I was too tired of fighting her, and I was afraid that the woman would comment again.
It's tough enough to handle a two-year old without having defend your parenting tactics to everyone who happens along.
Like worrying about disturbing other people if your child starts to tantrum when you tell them no, or worrying that people will think that you have no control. Or even worrying that you might appear too strict.
The issue I encountered at the meeting, had a little bit to do with that last one, appearing too strict. No I wasn't worried about appearing too strict, at first. Then one of the ladies at the meeting stepped in.
You see, Maria was wandering around the room. I had given her boundaries. "You may stay in this row, but you can't go into the row in front of us. Don't squeeze between chairs. If you want to sit down, sit down in this row." Now, the women in front of us probably heard me tell her this. But I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, and assume that she didn't know that I had already forbid Maria from wandering out of our row.
But I know that she did hear me tell Maria not to squeeze between the chairs, and try to leave our row the second time that she did it. I know because she was watching Maria, and after I told her to come back to me, the woman said, "It's ok. She's not bothering me."
At which point I wanted to retort, "Ya, but she's bothering ME."
I kept my mouth shut, managed to get Maria to come back without too much fuss, and sat there seething for a minute. Even though I was annoyed at the woman's comment, and her undermining my parenting, I still let it affect how I handled Maria for the rest of the time there.
The third time she tried to leave the row, I gave up trying to get her back more easily, and just gave her that, "don't even try it" look, which was enough to stop her from squeezing all the way into the next row. She just stood there staring at me, stuck halfway between the chairs. She knew that she was getting away with something, and she knew that I should be trying to stop her. But I didn't say anything. I was too tired of fighting her, and I was afraid that the woman would comment again.
It's tough enough to handle a two-year old without having defend your parenting tactics to everyone who happens along.
Camping at French Creek
Okay, so these are a little old but I finally got time to post them. Hope you enjoy.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Glad I'm not there anymore....
Bishop Trautman, of the Diocese of Erie, PA has issued a statement on the motu proprio that widens the use of the Tridentine Rite of the Mass.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
More BS Party
Ok, so I lied. I realized that I have no time tomorrow for blogging, so I posted the pictures tonight, despite the fact that my husband is now turning off lights, and leaving me in the dark still staring at the computer. Hope you all enjoy the effort.
Fourth of July BS Party
This year, thanks to Steve we had a grand time on the fourth, picnicking and boating at his uncle's cabin. And luckily for us all, I got quite a few pictures of the festivities. I'll post a few tonight, and maybe some more tomorrow. If you want any specific pic emailed to you just let me know.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Home again, home again....
We're back from our whirlwind New England tour. We managed to see some old college friends, tour Mystic, CT and Boston, MA. Along the way we passed through parts of 7 states (not counting PA). We stopped at least 6 or 7 times to calm Amelia and or eat and stretch. I learned exactly how much I love PA drivers, whose idiosyncrasies are at least known to me, as opposed to drivers in other states, who may at any moment do something horribly unexpected to me, but something which is obviously a tacitly agreed upon deviation from the rules amongst drivers in their state. For example the tendency to come zipping up the entrance ramp at full speed and 'merge' without paying any attention to who may or may not be on the roadway already, and especially not considering whether or not you may be causing them to brake rapidly to avoid crashing into you. So much fun!
The trip was made even more exciting, from the outset, when Maria threw up on the morning of our departure. So we spent awhile deciding whether to go or not. Obviously we went, but we spent alot of the first day or so looking anxiously at Maria for any sign of a repeat performance. Aside from not eating much, she was fine for the rest of the time. But then Amelia, got sick on Friday night, and hasn't been quite right since. There's nothing like a stomach bug to make a trip more interesting.
We did manage to have fun though, seeing various ships and historic buildings, watching "Dory" fish at the aquarium, pushing buttons a the Museum of Science, riding the train with a stroller and two kids, finding the elevator at the subway stops, eating lots of good food (far away from the subway and it's "aroma") and generally passing out with exhaustion in the "number room" each night. We met quite a few friendly Bostonians, who we very helpful in giving directions and advice about how to navigate the city and find good food. We also met a couple with two kids, who are training to be missionaries in Africa. Even their three year old was learning French in preparation for their mission. Meeting such interesting people makes traveling that much more fun.
I could say more but I'll stop now, and let the picture say the rest.
(Pictures in separate post)
The trip was made even more exciting, from the outset, when Maria threw up on the morning of our departure. So we spent awhile deciding whether to go or not. Obviously we went, but we spent alot of the first day or so looking anxiously at Maria for any sign of a repeat performance. Aside from not eating much, she was fine for the rest of the time. But then Amelia, got sick on Friday night, and hasn't been quite right since. There's nothing like a stomach bug to make a trip more interesting.
We did manage to have fun though, seeing various ships and historic buildings, watching "Dory" fish at the aquarium, pushing buttons a the Museum of Science, riding the train with a stroller and two kids, finding the elevator at the subway stops, eating lots of good food (far away from the subway and it's "aroma") and generally passing out with exhaustion in the "number room" each night. We met quite a few friendly Bostonians, who we very helpful in giving directions and advice about how to navigate the city and find good food. We also met a couple with two kids, who are training to be missionaries in Africa. Even their three year old was learning French in preparation for their mission. Meeting such interesting people makes traveling that much more fun.
I could say more but I'll stop now, and let the picture say the rest.
(Pictures in separate post)
Boston - Day 1
Boston Harbor
Walking the Freedom Trail.
Peanut butter, jelly, and banana panini. Yummy!
On the USS Constitution.
Paul Revere statue near Old North Church.
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