Granny Lin sent the kids some Easter treats… These are chair covers that Owen immediately co-opted for a hat.
Category Archives: Owen
Movie night seating
I know I am not alone…
I know I am not alone, but please reassure me: I feel like I need a vacation from my kids because everything they’re doing lately is annoying me and I feel like all I do is get upset or frustrated and I’m becoming that mom that yells or gets mad at everything and I feel bad and I’m tired of it. #parentingishardletsgoshopping #parentingishardletsdrinkwine
This morning it was Katie practically screaming trying to turn off Alexa unsuccessfully six times in a row. Which I could hear clear as day from upstairs in my room.
And Owen not getting in the shower when I asked and then blaming Katie for bothering him (wasting 10 minutes).
And Katie wanting to play songs on Alexa but picking songs that irritated me.
And Owen needing me to wash his lunch container RIGHT NOW because he didn’t take care of it the previous night like he’s supposed to do. And his backup container is also dirty because he hadn’t taken care of that one, either.
And Owen forgetting AGAIN that he needs to let the dog outside as soon as he lets her out of her crate (we’ve told him this 427 times). I told him if he can remember every thing about every Pokemon he can remember to let the dog out.
And Katie whining when I told her her iPad time was over (after she’s been watching all morning from probably 6:30-8).
And Owen moving as slow as molasses in everything when he’s running late even though I keep telling him he has X minutes until his school alarm goes off and he has to be out the door to the bus.
And Owen waking though the living room holding the grapes to put them away. WHY?! HE WAS LITERALLY FOUR FEET AWAY?! Oh, probably because he didn’t immediately see me and freaked out wondering where I was because that’s what he does which makes me INSANE on a good day.
And Owen needing to hunt for his socks after his alarm has already gone off.
And that was just from 7:45-8:45.
The day continued with almost everything that Katie did or said annoying me. Including her being nosy in my bedroom and ruining two Easter surprises because she couldn’t stop looking in bags and drawers—even after I warned her! (Which then resulted in lots of whining because she was upset that she ruined her surprises.) Lather, rinse, repeat.
As soon as Tom walked in the door I was off duty and pouring myself a big glass of sangria. But then of course Daddy doesn’t do the playground (and it was nice out) so I was back on duty. 😐
Thankfully days like this don’t happen too often but when they do they really really suck.
Kidisms 39
Katie was trying something new for dinner. We always ask for a thumbs up, thumbs sideways, or thumbs down.
Katie: I wish I had three thumbs so I could put three thumbs up.
One of Katie’s chores is to feed the cats. I noticed this morning that their bowl was empty.
Me: Katie, the kitties need food.
Katie: Aww, I’m sorry little one.
Owen was telling us about the fun run [the boys were the spectators while the girls ran, and vice versa].
Katie: All the ladies had to get claps from the boys.
I told Katie she may have to take a nap to catch up on some of her sleep.
Katie: So I have to put ketchup on my eyes?
I asked Katie to fill the pets water bowl. She was excited.
Katie: Owen! Look what I get to do for the first time. Omigosh. I get to put in kitty cat water.
Football PJ twins
When Katie and I were clothes shopping for her and Owen the other day, I saw these PJs for Owen and they also happened to have Katie’s size and she said she wanted them. I asked if she was sure she wanted FOOTBALL pajamas and she said yes, she wanted to match her brother. 🙂
So tonight they went up to get their PJs on and we hear giggling as they’re coming down the stairs… And then we see this.
Both proud and upset—the joys of parenting.
Owen just came upstairs and told us he was ready to learn to light a match. (He was interested a few months ago and I tried teaching him but he got too scared.) After I told him we could try later today, he almost immediately admitted that he had been playing with matches downstairs. After the prerequisite (and repeated) talk about fire being very dangerous and me being disappointed in him, he then admitted that he actually lit one then blew it out. So, I was completely proud of him for fessing up AND actually being brave and lighting a match…yet obviously upset that he did something he knew was dangerous. #joysofparenting
Of course, he gets them all riled up right before bedtime.
What a perfect night…
The weather was so awesome that we ate dinner outside and then just hung out. Tom rarely posts on Facebook so you know something was seriously good if he does…
Had a great Spring day. Took the kids out Pokémon hunting in the morning. Wood working followed by little league practice (pitching to an awesome group of kids), grilling flank steak and drinking really good beer on the deck and watching my wonderful kids play together and read bed time stories.
Truly I do not know if life can get any better. Life is great!
Owen was reading to us (getting his daily reading homework done!) and then it got dark so he was reading by iPhone light. The two books he picked to read to Katie were Hooray for Diffendoofer Day (Seuss) and The History of the American Flag. 🙂
Goofing around together:
Maddie and the Pokémon cards
Maddie and Owen have been friends since kindergarten but have never been in the same class! They do ride the same bus, though, so see each other every day. She will stop by to see if Owen is home and wants to go to the playground. He was at baseball practice when she stopped today, so when he got home I sent him up to her house and they went to the playground. After he asked if she could come over. Of course! And what did they do? Look at and talk about Pokémon cards for an hour!
Nice day for a walk with the boy!
After this we shall need wine.
My friend Caitlin convinced me to go outside my box and travel 30 minutes to take the kids to an indoor play area. The kids had fun; I got to catch up on my reading. 🙂
Kindergarten Reunion
Owen was invited to a sleepover at his friend Nick’s house (they have the day of tomorrow for a teacher work day). Another friend came over and the mom sent me this picture. They were all in kindergarten together and Owen and Nick are in the same class this year. (Owen has also played baseball with Xander.)
This is the type of thing that I am really going to miss when we move. 🙁
He complains loudly about reading to her but once he starts he has fun.
A quick Pokemon catch at dinner
Nic’s birthday party!
Oops! This was from last Sunday, March 12. I’ll move it to that date shortly.
Xander, Owen, and Nic (left to right) were all in kindergarten together. Jayden just moved here in January and is in Owen’s class (and lives one street over from us!)
Jersey Kids
I wanted a picture of Katie in this outfit so I could hopefully post it with an old pic of Owen…but she refused to leave Tom’s side. 🙂
I finally got her alone.
And the best photo comparison I could manage (apparently I never took a picture of him when he was wearing the matching pants).
Boosterthon Fun Run Success, Year 2
Owen’s school participated in the Boosterthon Fun Run again this year and once again Owen ran all 35 possible laps! The weather was unseasonably cold (with the first snow day and two 2-hour delays this very week!) so the run had to move inside. They turned it into a “glow run” which was cool…but made for a horrible time taking pictures.
But first, as we were waiting to enter the gym (each grade level ran at a different time), Owen came by doing his weekly chore: delivering lunch boxes to the cafeteria! As soon as he saw me, he hid behind the door (as seen in the second photo). What a stink!
Each classroom was announced and took a lap around the course and then lined up.
Staff ready to mark each lap!
Katie ready to make some noise and cheer!
The boys’ cheering section.
Getting ready to run!
This year they just got a sticker on their shirt instead of writing on the shirt itself. Owen actually ran more than the 35 laps, but a lot of kids did—the laps were much shorter this year because it was just one loop around the gym.
Overall, Owen earned $266.50 for technology for his school!! YAY OWEN!
This is the extent of us celebrating today.
Some holidays I do things for…but this is NOT one of them. All the kids’ stuff came from Grannie Lin. 🙂
Unexpected 2-hour delay!
There was no snow and we didn’t think there was any ice…but for whatever reason, the kids had another 2-hour delay today. So I just decided to take a sibling pic for the heck of it.
And now a 2-hour delay!
It was still a little icy so we had a 2-hour delay. I love that they sit together!
Our first snow day!
And really, it was more of an ice day as we only got 1-2″ of slushy snow (and it was called last night with just the threat of snow and ice). But, Tom had a 3-hour delay which he turned into a telecommute day so everyone was home!
Friends invited us over to play in their yard and go sledding on the hill behind their house.
On our way!
This is what sledding looks like when you can still see grass. 🙂
Cool icicles off the top of the fence!
Owen loses Liam on a bump!
The kids were having a blast, even though the snow wasn’t great.
I wish I’d been recording when Owen slammed into the signpost so he could see just how close he was and why we tell them to be careful. We’d warned them all to try and steer clear of the trees and sign and to ditch the sled (roll off) if they came close…but of course that didn’t happen. I held my breath as I realized Owen was going to hit the post and there was nothing I could do to stop it… In the span of about three seconds, he hit the sign and slid forward, his knees stopping short of the sign by inches—and then he toppled over himself with his head and shoulders missing the post by inches. He immediately gave a thumbs up and then I could breathe again. As I’m sure you can imagine, the sled was quite damaged…
Our reenactment of the sled carnage (though he was actually 180° from what is pictured).
Time for a group picture!
Afterwards we came inside to warm up and play. Even though Owenlooks somewhat annoyed in this pic, he was having fun and is such a good sport.
PJ day and a new shirt
Owen’s class earned pajama day for Boosterthon pledges…and Katie has a new shirt.
Laundry transfer fail
This is what can happen when you ask your 8yo to switch his laundry (remove pants from dryer and move clothes from washer to dryer and start it). Keep in mind he’s successfully done this before.
You will notice that in addition to all the socks that never even made it into the dryer, the dryer door isn’t. even. shut. (so it never turned on). Yet he did remember to turn the dryer to permanent press and put in a dryer sheet.
Spirit Day: Bow Ties or Ties
I happened to be shopping at Kohls earlier in the week and found a clip-on tie on clearance. Score! Owen asked if he had to wear it with a fancy shirt. I said no. Hence the tee.
Owen’s 8-year well-visit
Yeah, we’re a little late this year. For some reason I was thinking we didn’t have to do yearly visits anymore… I tell you my brain is NOT the same these days. 🙂
The kids kept busy playing I Spy and messing around. I’m not exactly sure what they were doing here but they were having fun! The best part was when they thought they heard someone coming to the room, one would yell POSITIONS! and Katie would run to the chair and Owen would hop up on the table. 🙂
Height: 55″ — was 53″ at 7y
Weight: 85# — was 85# at 7y
Apples in his eyes
Subtitled: Our imaginative boy…
Both phones were turning on so the Apple logo was on both… And he did this. 🙂
Dress like a character from your favorite book day!
We slacked and didn’t plan ahead so we went with an old standby!! Katie was bummed she didn’t get blue hair but I haven’t done a test on her super blonde hair and didn’t want to potentially dye her hair.
Our White House
We finished it before vacation but never got around to taking the photo.
Kidisms 38
We were going to a bowling birthday party.
Owen: I hope I get a strike. [pause] What’s a strike again?
The kids were playing go fish all on their own.
Owen: Do you have a 6?
Katie: No. Go to the fish area.
Me: Katie, when did you become a big kid?
Katie: Ugh. Mom. At grandma’s.
Me: At Gram—???
Katie: WHEN I TURNED FOUR.
Katie: Mama, I love this kitty.
Owen is getting slightly more adventurous.
That’s his friend Jackson on the roof. Before this year there was no way Owen would have climbed up there.
