I have tasted freedom and it is yummy.
Fall's in full swing with Carolyn in school and just Penny at home. This is proving to be a lovely way to live. Everybody kept asking me, "Doesn't Penny miss Carolyn? I bet she's really lonely without her."
To this I answer "Hahahahahahaha." Penny is not lonely. Penny is realizing her fantasy to be an only child, at least part of the time.
And also, Penny is busy. We have activities every day. But two days a week, for two hours, I have no children. Let me tell you, this is a thing of beauty. Without kids, I didn't realize the morning hours, when most normal people are at work or busy with something, are magical. You can do what you want. Everything is open so you can shop, or run errands, or get coffee. You can run or take a long shower. You can sit on the couch.
When I was a just-married reporter working evenings, I had no idea what I had. I sort of felt like a loser when everybody else was at work and I basically had nothing to do. Let me tell you, I don't feel like a loser anymore. I feel liberated.
It's not just the freedom that's got me so upbeat these days. My plate is just full enough. I'm going to start volunteering at Carolyn's school and through my church. I have some freelance work. Carolyn has started swimming again. A mom's group asked me to join.
It's enough to make me think staying home doesn't really start showing its rewards until both kids are in school. Maybe I should just ditch nursing school and start being a full-time do-gooder (just kidding Steve : ).
But right now, still home tending to the family, I feel like I've got it pretty good. Oooh... Gotta go. My shows are on.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Enough with the second child stuff
Sooooo... It appears Penny started preschool.
It was about four weeks ago. And yet, it goes un-noted. There are, for sure, lots of reasons why. Grandpa's dying. Umm... well... I guess that was the main reason.
That and Penny was born the second, more unloved child. Poor Steve forgot the camera the first day of school and took this rather abrupt picture after class.
So yes, it's a case of the "done that/been there" parenting style.
But here's a little insight into our dear Penelope, beginning with an anecdote about her sister (of course). We still need to grill Carolyn daily on her comings and goings. I really have no idea what kindergarten is like for her.
For Penny, she openly recounts every detail of her day. A little mishap with a boy, who took all the baby dolls when she decided to take one anyway, could end up into a 10-minute story. I'm thinking this openness might be a result of asking more educated questions, but I'm positive Penny is more of a storyteller than her older sister.
Since I'm negligent about recording the history of my second child, I'm definitely making up for it by over-enrolling her in activities. We spend most of our mornings attending various activities (swimming, music, preschool) and are pretty worn out come the end of the week.
But on the plus side, Penny knows what a "glissando" is.
It was about four weeks ago. And yet, it goes un-noted. There are, for sure, lots of reasons why. Grandpa's dying. Umm... well... I guess that was the main reason.
That and Penny was born the second, more unloved child. Poor Steve forgot the camera the first day of school and took this rather abrupt picture after class.
So yes, it's a case of the "done that/been there" parenting style.
But here's a little insight into our dear Penelope, beginning with an anecdote about her sister (of course). We still need to grill Carolyn daily on her comings and goings. I really have no idea what kindergarten is like for her.
For Penny, she openly recounts every detail of her day. A little mishap with a boy, who took all the baby dolls when she decided to take one anyway, could end up into a 10-minute story. I'm thinking this openness might be a result of asking more educated questions, but I'm positive Penny is more of a storyteller than her older sister.
Since I'm negligent about recording the history of my second child, I'm definitely making up for it by over-enrolling her in activities. We spend most of our mornings attending various activities (swimming, music, preschool) and are pretty worn out come the end of the week.
But on the plus side, Penny knows what a "glissando" is.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Another bummer
I haven't blogged lately because my grandpa died recently, and it's a total bummer.
He was 94 years old, probably knows where Hoffa was buried, once became a train hobo to D.C. to watch a president get inaugurated, was bald for as long as I've known him, always sent a card and check punctually for your birthday, didn't care much for Democrats (but loved the discussion), always seemed to keep it together even when times got tough – which they did a lot for him, including the death of two of his four children – and was an all-around interesting, great guy.
He also used to tell me "I was born 10,000 years ago, and there's nothing in this world that I don't know." I heard that often enough while I was a kid that I sort of believed it.
Here's a picture of him and Penny when she was a baby. Who knows, maybe he was telling her the same thing. Who knows... Maybe it was true.
He was 94 years old, probably knows where Hoffa was buried, once became a train hobo to D.C. to watch a president get inaugurated, was bald for as long as I've known him, always sent a card and check punctually for your birthday, didn't care much for Democrats (but loved the discussion), always seemed to keep it together even when times got tough – which they did a lot for him, including the death of two of his four children – and was an all-around interesting, great guy.
He also used to tell me "I was born 10,000 years ago, and there's nothing in this world that I don't know." I heard that often enough while I was a kid that I sort of believed it.
Here's a picture of him and Penny when she was a baby. Who knows, maybe he was telling her the same thing. Who knows... Maybe it was true.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Kitten fever
Meet Charlie Brown...
He's our new kitten. Since he woke me up at 5:30 this morning (and also at 2 and 4, but lastly and finally at 5:30) the reason for getting a kitten eludes me. But he's super cute, and already letting the girls play with him and hanging out in the same room as Fife. He seems both nice and fearless, which are good qualities to have in a house with two children under the age of 6.
I think Charlie fits in pretty nicely. Maybe this year for my birthday, I'll resume coffee drinking.
He's our new kitten. Since he woke me up at 5:30 this morning (and also at 2 and 4, but lastly and finally at 5:30) the reason for getting a kitten eludes me. But he's super cute, and already letting the girls play with him and hanging out in the same room as Fife. He seems both nice and fearless, which are good qualities to have in a house with two children under the age of 6.I think Charlie fits in pretty nicely. Maybe this year for my birthday, I'll resume coffee drinking.
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