I have spoken a lot about bullying on my blog, because it is important to me. I was bullied from ages 8-18 and I hated it. I was picked on for absolutely anything that kids could find to pick on me about, and they continued to bully me all through school because I let it get to me. I would be picked on for my hair being too thick, for being to chubby, for having glasses and braces and even for being adopted. The bottom line is, kids are cruel and unfortunately, the only thing those being bullied can do about it is to stand their ground and not let it visually shake them. Easier said than done, right?
I absolutely despise April Fool's Day. It's not even a hatred, it's DESPISING it. When I was younger, I thought I was the only one who hated the day. I felt like I was the only one among millions of people who loved the "Holiday". As I grew older and was unashamed to voice my hatred, I realized that more people, than I actually knew, hated the day as well. I didn't feel so lonely anymore, but still wanted to sleep all day on April 1st.
While at work (haha) I was browsing through some blogs and saw this post by http://herbadmother.com/2011/02/they-said-shut-up/. She brings up some valid points that I have thought about many times before. There are so many people who frown upon being a stay-at-home mom. Trust me, I have been in the middle of that argument before. When my oldest was born I had been thinking about being a stay at home mom for as long as I possibly could. I was criticized and put down about spending time with my daughter (how dare I!!) from many colleagues, friends and even family members. I was told that with my smarts and my education, why am I going to waste my talents being a stay-at-home mom?
Occasionally, mommy bloggers will get a bad rap for many reasons. Some say we are too demanding, others say we should not get paid for our hobby and some even say that we neglect our children in order to either get good "material" for our blog or to spend hours on our blog. None of which is true! There are also mommy bloggers getting fired from their jobs or even children getting expelled from school because of innocent things bloggers are saying. Is this a reasonable reason for expulsion or to be let go from your job? Not unless the things being said are damaging to the children involved or something fiercely damaging to the job or employer. With some of the stories I'm hearing, parents are being penalized for writing such innocent stories about their children, about school functions or even a simple statement about their job. To me, it's absolutely absurd! True, there are some people who do not understand blogging or even the internet, but they are making rash decisions without even consulting with the parents or employee. There was one story I recently heard, where a pre-school aged child was expelled for her mother venting about an ordeal she had gone through at her daughter's school. The mother wrote nothing damaging and she did not name any names or specific places. Blogging is for venting and is an outlet for emotion and writing how you feel. Just as an artist paints or a musician sings or composes music. If we can't write about how we feel and if we can't let our emotions out through our writings on our personal domains, how can we do it?
Alayna is going to be 5 in a little over three weeks and we're looking for places for her 5th birthday party. We usually end up going into Staten Island for her parties, since that is the closest large city to us (other than NYC) with [usually] decent priced party venues. We have had all of her birthday parties in various places around there, for the exception of her first birthday. (Which I stupidly held at our house.)
We picked up a magazine today that has most of the party places and while looking through it, we found a Spa birthday party place that had just opened. Alayna, of course, wanted her party there because they did hair, make-up, manicure, pedicure, etc... My 5 year old is the epitome of a sparkly princess girly girl. She wants to be a princess when she grows up, she constantly asks me to do her make up, curl her hair, all she wants to do is wear pink and sparkly princess dresses... This party was right up her alley. So when we got home we went online, certain we were going to have her party there, to look up the price... We soon changed our mind. (With much protest from the little princess.) The party was $699 for 10 kids. SIX HUNDRED NINETY NINE DOLLARS!! (And that doesn't include a lot of things, we soon found out.) As much as I love my daughter and as much as I want to make her birthday 100% special, I just don't have $700 to throw around for a 5th birthday party.
Looking around at the other websites of places around the area, I realized that kids parties are just too expensive. The majority ran from $499-$699. Unfortunately, for someone living paycheck to paycheck, someone who is unemployed or a single parent working her ass off to do the best for her kids, that's impossible. If you really take a good look around, even people who seem to have money or be financially comfortable, they're having the same money problems. Who can afford those parties?
Doing more research I finally found an indoor amusement park that is easily accessible from my town that includes a good amount of things. It's only $159 for a 1.5 hour party and 10 kids. That is plenty for us and that's probably where we're going to end up booking the party. I'm just very sad that I couldn't give my daughter the princess spa party she wanted. She finally understands, after I sat down and spoke to her about finances and why we couldn't have the party there, but on the other hand I know she is still disappointed. What little girl wouldn't be?
I really think that parties should be affordable. Especially in this economy when unemployment is higher than ever and finances are at an all time low.
I'm going to mix two lovely things today... A great new "meme" called Monday Miscellany and Monday Mingle! I found out about Monday Miscellany today and it just seems like so much fun. I'm always so random in my blogs, and this gives me a reason to be! So without further adieu, Monday Miscellany! (Monday Mingle vlog is below this, so if you're here for that..it's here!)
1.
As much as people complain about Apple Computers for their shitty warranties, their lack of insurance for iPhone and their overpriced merchandise, I have to love them. I am a Mac Geek. I've been using Macs for almost 10 years and I've had an iPhone since the first generation. I love their products and have hardly any complaints. Today, the worst thing happened. Well, one of the worst.
You see, I have a Macbook that I got in 2007. It was my first Macbook (Even though I had a G4 before this) and it was the love of my life. It got me through quite a while before I upgraded to a newer Macbook. (Thanks to tax refund checks and birthday gifts. Ha!) I had always kept the first Macbook I got (I've had for almost 4 years) because it had my Photoshop, graphic design stuff, iTunes (with all my music) and it's the computer I use for my iPhone. It still worked like a charm... Until today.
I turned it on (or attempted to) in hopes to finally download the new update for my iPhone. I turn it on...nothing on the screen. I do a hard reboot and I see a very scrambled screen that is partially black. I freak the hell out. I mean freak out as in start sweating, shaking, NERVOUS BREAKDOWN-esque. The first thing I do is call my local Apple Store... They set up an appointment for me to come in and have it looked at. Ok... So I go. They take me right away and the first words I hear are..."Oh no, your screen is shattered." Um...HOW THE HELL DOES MY SCREEN GET SHATTERED IF I KEEP IT IN A SAFE PLACE AT ALL TIMES? They answered that since it is almost 4 years old, it can happen with age. GOOD THING - It can be fixed... I ask how much. Ready for this?
$445.00
Is that really a good thing Mr. Apple Bar Technician? So, I tell him to go ahead with the repairs, since that Macbook has a lot of stuff on it that I need. I'll come up with the $445. Maybe the money tree in my back yard will magically grow $500 within a week. *eye roll* He was very kind and said that when it's repaired, all I have to do is put down a down payment and I can pay off the rest. Well, thank you Apple Bar Technician. You are now my new best friend. It will be fixed within a week.
2.
My trip that I am taking this coming week has been moved up. I was supposed to leave early Monday morning and come back Tuesday evening... I got a call today that it would be easier to leave Sunday morning. After a talk with my mom and realizing that we really don't have anything to do on Father's Day, we both agreed Sunday would actually be better. It just adds one more night of homesickness and missing my little lovies. :( They're just excited that they can have two whole days of special day trips with my mom and my uncle. Ha! I hope they'll miss me just a little bit!
3.
We are having a yard sale on Saturday, know what that means? This week will be hardcore cleaning until we can't stand cleaning anymore. I note this as a good thing because I really have so much that I need to get rid of. So many baby things, electronics, furniture and so on. Maybe I can pick up some extra pocket change. Except, my kids don't understand the concept of: You have too many toys. You have to go through your toys and sell what you don't want or don't play with anymore. They find this agonizing and torturous. Oh yes, I mean blood curdling screams torturous. Torturous as in it will kill them to sell some of their toys. Of course, when I bring up the subject of whatever money they make from selling toys we can use towards fun day trips this summer or a small trip to Toys R Us, they change their tune. I'm still dreading going through their toys with them because I know the argument will ensue again. What's funny is we just watched an episode of Caillou yesterday where he had to go through his toys for a yard sale... Oh the irony.
4.
Dear Alayna decided she doesn't want bangs anymore. We never actually got her bangs as they just grew in that way when her hair grew in as a baby/toddler. She decided she wants to let her bangs grow out so she can be "bangless". Hey, less trouble for me to cut them, but I don't think she's gonna enjoy it when her bangs are in that "in between" stage and in her eyes all the time. Let's see how long the "i don't want bang" thing lasts. I give it two more months.
5.
Olivia is already telling me what she wants for her birthday, which is in December!! So far, on her list, she has a new Pillow Pet (a dog, to be specific), her own Nintendo DS, she wants Imagination Movers tickets (even though we have no idea when they are going to go on tour again) and more flip flops. Yes, she wants flip flops in the winter. She is starting to talk more and be able to communicate what she wants... The joys of TWO chatterboxes in the house. lol
6.
I'm still waiting for a package that was supposed to arrive this past weekend. On the shipping information it says it has been rescheduled...um?? I kind of need it before I leave on Sunday. Here's to hoping the "reschedule" still gets it here in the TWO BUSINESS DAYS I paid for it to get here. If not, my angry self will be calling the company and try to get reimbursed for the express shipping fees I paid. Yeah...
7.
I'm addicted to Hanson's new CD. Addicted as in listening to the CD at every minute I have that I can listen to music. It's making me even more hyped for the concert I am going to in mid July. I NEVER get tired of Hanson. They have been my true band love since 1997! (AND I AINT ASHAMED! lol)
Once upon a time I had two kids that were complete angels. I would praise my girls on how they would both go to sleep on time and how they would eat anything that was put before them. Teeth would be brushed, hair would be brushed, clothes would stay on all day... Everything was perfect. My girls were the two most behaved kids that I could know of.
About a month ago, that all changed. I understand that Olivia is going through the terrible 2's, but Alayna is adding to it so much so that I can hardly handle it. Tonight I had to walk out and take an hour break because I was about to have a breakdown. My mom completely understood and told me to just take a break. Tonight was the worst it has ever gotten, I was so tempted to e-mail super nanny.
#1. I know my kids aren't bad...it's just a phase, but it's a phase that better end soon. Olivia is in the phase of taking off her clothes and walking around naked. I constantly tell her to put her clothes on, but she just takes them off again. I understand that babies go through that phase, but Alayna decided she wanted to do the same thing -- unacceptable. I took her blankie and her favorite webkin away and told her to put her clothes on or she wouldn't get it back. After 45 minutes of screaming, she finally put her clothes back on.
#2. We were running out of toothpaste for the kids, so when I was at Stop and Shop I found Hannah Montana toothpaste. The girls both love Hannah Montana, so I picked it up. As I got home, Olivia wanted to brush her teeth. So I put some on her toothbrush and helped her to. Well, when Alayna saw that I had put "her" Hannah Montana toothpaste on Olivia's toothbrush; screaming ensued...and I mean SCREAMING! Kicking her feet, throwing things, trying to pull the toothbrush out of Olivia's mouth... Time out #2 for Alayna today.
#3. The kids were watching Buddy The Elf (Their favorite movie...Yes, I know it's April ha!) and I had made them popcorn. They ate the popcorn but THREW the kernels EVERYWHERE. They were kicking them around and throwing them when I got in there... Time out for both of them.
#4. I'm in the kitchen washing the dishes and I hear the sound of something being spilled... I walk into the living room and a box of Macaroni and Cheese (that I got for one of my friends because it had peace signs on it) was spilled ALL OVER THE FLOOR. Cheese packet and noodles. I walk in there and fall on my butt because I slipped on noodles... (Thinking back, the falling is funny...but not the fact that it was everywhere.) I started to sweep it up and Alayna KICKED THE DUST PAN. They went everywhere AGAIN. This was the last straw for me. I tried ALL I could to get them to stop and to behave, I do all I can...I use every last bit of strength and energy I have, but when I put Alayna in time out, she kicked me in the face and ran into the kitchen. That almost broke my glasses. My mom could see I was getting upset and told me to just go take a break, she would calm them down for me. Which I am grateful for.
Why are my kids like this all of a sudden?? They're such good kids. I do everything for them. I get them whatever I can get. I know they're grateful that I do all I do for them, but why won't they just calm down and respect me right now? I feel like I'll never past that phase. I feel like it will be like this for years. I just want to sit down and cry. :( I needed to vent...
Tonight, I made a chicken, bacon and ranch wrap with a salad. :) Everyone else was having turkey leftover from Easter, but I knew if I ate ANY turkey, I would have to have stuffing, cranberry sauce and other really bad bad foods. I totally can't do that to myself! lol My dinner was actually VERY filling and VERY delicious. I used Morningstar Farms Veggie bacon, because I wanted to try it and I'm not too fond of turkey bacon, and it actually tasted JUST like regular bacon. I was shocked! If you're interested in the recipe, you can read it in this post on my weight loss blog. :) Yum, yum yum!!
The weather today neared the 90 degree mark. It was just absolutely gorgeous. I enojyed it because there was no humidity and actually a very nice breeze. :) Unfortunately, we couldn't get the kids out because Olivia is getting over being sick and Alayna ran a high fever last night. For myself, I'm sick too. Mom's don't stop when they're sick! They CAN'T stop!
I'm sure all mommies have had to deal with the oh so fun fight with Tylenol liquid and their toddler/young child. The child always wins and the Tylenol ends up everywhere BUT where it's supposed to be. That was my last night.
The fight over the liquid Tylenol was more than I could handle at 3 am, being sick myself. After I cleaned up the medicine that ended up all over the wall and floor, I stuck her in a bathtub with my mom to sponge her down while I ran out to the A&P to get melt-a-ways. Those are ALL she would take. Hey, at least it's medicine, right? It worked. She was a little "blah" today, but she feels slightly better now. I'm the one who feels like I have the flu. I feel worse tonight than I did last night. I just hope it doesn't last long.
Eating healthy is making me a grouchy person. lol I want to eat McDonalds and Burger King and Taco Bell... I know I can't. I know I have to get on eating healthy and I can't slack off and cheat. I get so down on myself because I lost so much weight, then turned around and started eating bad around the Holidays again. Even though I only gained back 8 pounds, I feel like I gained back a million. What's more important to me is the way I feel, rather than the numbers. I just want to feel and look great. (By my birthday!) It's one of my goals.
This morning has ALREADY been insanity and it's not even noon. I got a call from Verizon this morning, that my mom requested a warranty replacement for our Verizon Hub and she hadn't sent back the original. They said if they didn't get it by Friday, we would be charged. :( So, therefore... I had to run out at 9 AM to FedEx-Kinkos to get that out to them A.S.A.P.
While I was out, I returned some things at Old Navy that were too big on me and completely forgot that I wanted to get a new sweater in a smaller size. It's useless to do now that I got my money back, because I'm not going to be able to get the sale price.
I also have to get two birthday presents, where I have no idea what I'm going to buy. This is just going to be another day from hell. I'm exhausted and would love to just lay down and take a nap.
29 year old single mom of two little girls, blogging her way through life. Lives in New Jersey and is obsessed with going to New York City. Self proclaimed theater geek.
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