Wish for 2013

My hopes and dreams for the year 2013

We have been living in our place at University of Chicago since September of 2006. I thought we were only going to live here for one year and then move to the suburbs. If you read the first sentence you know the second sentence didn’t happen. I admit that it has been nice for my husband to walk to work. Our little community has a lot of amenities. If I don’t like what is happening here, I can just drive about 20 minutes up Lake Shore Drive and I have the city at my calling. We can even take the train and go into the heart of the city and not pay for parking.

So why would we want to leave all of this? Well we live in a 2 bedroom apartment with 3 kids. Currently they are sleeping together in one bed but the older one keeps growing. Soon he will no longer fit in the bed as we have them situated. If we were to add another bed into their room, there would not be enough space. We have 2 dressers and of course some toys. They only way next is to go up, but I don’t know how that will be received. We do have a great outdoor space but I feel as we live in a bubble or fishbowl. There are three other taller buildings that surround us and we are constantly being watched. It is a great space for the area we live and it is ours. It would be nice to have more space. But more space will come at a price.

If we move out to the suburbs, then my husband will have to commute and that will take a drain from our family. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to gain something in return. We will of course get more space, more bedrooms, a yard, and possibly a pet. Yes, we do have a cat now but we can not get a dog—which the kids are really asking.

Yes I will miss all of the amenities Hyde Park has to offer, but one thing we won’t miss is lack of security. It is a shame that our neighborhood is one that is preyed upon. Numerous thefts, violent acts, and who knows what else. You can not walk out of your house and talk on your cell phone or listen to music. Sure they have amp up their police force and have a “safety” person on some corners, but crime still happens.

Will it be safer in the burbs? Who knows but I have lived in the burbs of Chicago all my life and I have really never encountered anything.

So why talk about this now? My husband may be up for tenure this year. Yup, finally right? Well I say maybe because he doesn’t have much funding and well his committee members said that was one thing he needed. He is applied for a few grants and will know by the end of January. If he does not have funding it is possible that they will postpone putting him up for one more year. I don’t know if I can stand to be here for one more year, but we shall see. Even if he goes up , he won’t know his fate until the middle of December.

We look forward to pursing our tenure goal and hope everything goes our way. Goodness knows that my husband certainly has worked so hard for it and really deserves a break. 

Christmas 2012

My mom made Christmas a special time for us and it was always my favorite holiday of the year. I am hoping to pass this tradition down to my children.

I try to put up the Christmas tree around Thanksgiving weekend and leave it up until New Years. The best part is putting up the decorations, ornaments, and lights. This year I was pleasantly surprised that the kids wanted to help and they did a great job putting the “unbreakable” ones where ever they could reach it. I of course put the valuable and breakable ones higher on the tree. Of course I turn on the Christmas music while doing this task to get us in the spirit.

Here is a list of things we did this year to make things special:

-Winter Wonderland-a very magical place of Christmas land at Navy Pier in Chicago, which has blow up slides, ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl and other rides. We go ever year and the kids love it. I can’t wait until they are old enough to ice skating.

-Baking-we make treats for Daddy’s employees at lab. The kids had a good time making sugar cookies and decorating them. We also made pumpkin bread and chocolate chip cookies. As the kids get older, I am willing to make more as long as they help.

-Books-I read special Christmas books like how do snowmen celebrate Christmas and the little drummer boy.  Of course Twas the night before Christmas.

-Christmas lights outside-this year I surprised the kids and decorated the trees outside. It was a special treat for them.  Of course we drive around the neighborhood by my parents for them to see the lights on the houses.

-Ornaments-my aunt bestowed a ornament to me each year until I was about 18. I am doing the same for my kids and purchasing them an ornament each year.

-Spending Christmas eve at the grandparents-this year we were home and did not go to Indiana. We had the kids open their presents earlier and a little each day. I didn’t want them to get overwhelmed with a bunch of gifts at one time. I wanted to give them the chance to play with their toys a little each day. I planned for the kids to have a great time with their cousins and grandparents. We baked cookies, did some crafts, played with the dogs, and just hung out. The kids woke up to presents from Santa and Grandma’s sticky buns. We then proceeded to make Christmas dinner with tons of food. Grandma and Grandapa along with Aunt Teri surprised us by making homemade ravoli’s with grandma Barber’s sauce. It was very delicious. Aunt Teri also got some desserts from an Italian bakery. The cookies were the best.

Unfortunately, we did not have a white Christmas. It did snow just before but there was a light dusting and it didn’t stay.

What did the kids get this year? We try hard to incorporate learning materials as well as fun toys. It is no fun for a child not to get any toys.

Braedon-he wished so much to get a crystal lego sweeper but Lego stopped making them. Of course they are out on the market but were $300. Instead he got: glow-in the dark truck, remote controlled truck, lock box to hold his secret pirate storage chest, crystal growing kit (which he loves and crystals are very hot topic), the first set of sugar creek gang books, connect four game, and gross science kit. Also, the transam hallmark ornament.

Sebastian-It is hard getting him gifts because his birthday is the 1^st of the month. He asked for the power miners lego lava traz and of course it was reasonable so we got that for him. He got a remote control dinosaur that Jillian broke less then 1 hour since it was open. It is no longer useful . He also got sequence game, Billy & blaze books, my little ponies, and a maze ball.

Jillian-She ended up getting clothes. A bunch of dress up princess dresses and shoes. Her cousins gave up some of their Barbies and a Barbie Train. Jane Eyre and other books, and of course some hello kitty items. She got a jacket, dress, and a wallet.

I write this as a momento to for my children when they ask me what did they get or how did we celebrate. As I get older I am sure my memory will fade and possibly one day I won’t be around to tell them about their childhood.

We try hard to make memories and give our kids a childhood to remember. For a happy child will be a happy adult.

Love you always,

Your mother

Art

I have added art to our curriculum. I purchase a book called:Teach art to kids. I thought it would be a good way to get them to do interesting things and techniques real artist incorporate in their design.

Today's assignment was to do demonstrate lines. The book suggested they draw lines, but the kids do not really like drawing..just yet. :) I am trying to get them interested in art, shapes, and drawing by making it fun.

So I had some strips cut out and I explained the direction the strips needed to go. Of course some need to be placed diagonal, horizontal, and vertical. They had fun with the glue and I did by best by not allowing it to go all over the place.

Here is what they came up with:

The yellow one is Jillian's, the red one is Sebastian, and the blue one is Braedon's. I just love how each one is different and shows a bit of their personalities.

Sebastian turns 6

Dear Sebastian,

My little man is 6!! I still can’t believe that my 4 pound little bundle has turned into the most sweetest and wonderful little man. You are definitely a force to reckon with each day. You challenge us with your curiosity and your spirit.

You love, love, love video games just like your father. Your favorites are minecraft, grand theft auto, starcraft, and generals. You love guns and anything to do with army. Your dad bought you and your siblings a be-bee gun. You love to go shooting with your father at grandma/grandpa Durkee’s house in Frankfort.

You still give us a hard time pretty much everyday. You have always had to have things your way and if you don’t, you make things tough for us. You repeat a word over and over until you get what you want. For example, chocolate milk….you’ll say it over and over and over….etc. When you don’t get your way you begin to whine and cry. Sometimes you just outright wail. There are times when you need to eat and your blood sugar is out of whack.

We had your birthday party at a place called pump it up. It is an inflatable slide place. You had a ton of people who came and most of them were from our homeschooling coop.You asked for a ninjago lego cake for your birthday.

Gifts: ninjago legos, Lincoln logs, money, gift certificates, my little ponies, army stuff, knights, power miner legos, starwars legos, rumbler, windmill and gift certificates.

You don’t have any real favorite foods but you like some fruits, love chocolate, and anything sweet. You like sushi, fish, and chicken nuggets.

There are times when you are the sweetest and most thoughtful child. You can be very loving at times and my little cuddle bear.

You have such great determination when you want something that if you use this to your advantage you will go far.

We love you so much and want only the best for you.

Happy 6^th birthday.

Love, Mom and Dad

Grandfather's Clock

As I sit here on a warm crisp fall night, I hear a clock chime 7 o’clock. This clock actually happens to be my grandfather’s clock. It is a Herman Miller clock given to him for his retirement from the railroad. The Durkee men were known to have immaculate degeneration, a disease that would affect their eyesight. There was a time in my life where I would visit my grandfather on a weekly bases as he lived in Schereville, IN. I would do odd jobs for him and he would take me to lunch. I really only wanted to try and keep him company. He eventually moved closer to my father in Mokena, IL. There was a time when Rich and came home to visit during the holidays. Grandpa was upset because he couldn’t hear his clock and wanted to get a new one. 

We took him all around to search for one he would like and then we haggled with the owner over the price. Well it wasn’t long and Grandpa did not like the new clock. I Unfortunately, he was unable to sit up or move around. The infection finally took over and he passed away.

He was 92 when he died.

When I was little, I remember playing with this wind up clock that was red and had a school house theme. There was a song that played along with it and it wasn’t until recently that I found out.

It is: My Grandfather’s Clock

My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf,
So it stood ninety years on the floor;
It was taller by half than the old man himself,
Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born,
And was always his treasure and pride;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.
CHORUS:
Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick),
His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick),
It stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.
In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,
Many hours had he spent while a boy;
And in childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know
And to share both his grief and his joy.
For it struck twenty-four when he entered at the door,
With a blooming and beautiful bride;
But it stopped short — never to go again —
When the old man died.
CHORUS
My grandfather said that of those he could hire,
Not a servant so faithful he found;
For it wasted no time, and had but one desire —
At the close of each week to be wound.
And it kept in its place — not a frown upon its face,
And its hands never hung by its side.
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.
CHORUS

It rang an alarm in the dead of the night —
An alarm that for years had been dumb;
And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight —
That his hour of departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,
As we silently stood by his side;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.
CHORUS

Although Grandpa’s clock is one that can sit on the shelf, the song still holds true. Some might say that my Grandpa was a grouchy and grumpy old man. I saw a different side of him. If you just take the time to get to know someone, you might be surprised.

He was a great man and provided well for his family. He was a loving Grandfather as one could be. He loved baseball, music, and boots.

So as the clock struck this evening, I smile a bit because I know that is him chiming in to say hi.

Braedon turns 7

Dear Braedon,

I can’t believe that you are 7. A lot has changed in one year. You are the most kindest, reasonable, logical, and loveable little boy. I shouldn’t say little boy as you are almost as tall as me. You are about 1 foot smaller than I am. I know that you will be taller than I am, but will you be taller than your father?

You love to play with legos. Normally, your father or I put them together, but recently you did one yourself. It was a little car from the Dino set. I was so proud and you were so thrilled. We bought you a Pirates of the Caribbean Black Pearl boat. You and your father started to assemble it, but you lost interest after a bit. Me and your father had to finish it. So far it has remained intact even with your brother and sister around.

We gave you a birthday party you wanted. We jumped and played at a bouncy castle place. It was very fun. 

We invited your cousins and friends from coop. Last year you had girlfriend named Artemis but she didn’t return. We have only been at coop one week and you have a new girlfriend. Her name is Veda. She is super cute and sweet. She came to your party and the two of you played and played.

You are doing so well with your school work. Each day I love teaching you something new and discovering what you already know. There are times when you don’t want to do the work, but you melted my heart when you said, “Mom when are we going to do our math and geography?” I try to do a little each day with you. I want you to learn and be excited as much as possible. Again, I love the fact that we kept you home to do school. The thought of someone else being able to see you reach milestones would break my heart.

Speaking of milestones, the day after your birthday you lost your 6^th tooth. It seems as though one comes out and another one is loose. You do already have another one just starting to wiggle a little.

Your favorites: the color blue, minecraft, lego video game: batman, harry potter and starwars, starcraft game, angry birds video and toys, you love to drink milk or baba’s.

Gifts for you birthday: you got lego dinos, lego watch, lego spaceshuttle, batman mask, drawing book, some books to read, lego power miners,  and of course the boat.

You are an amazingly creative and talented child. You value right versus wrong and take things to heart when something is meaningful. You get emotional when things you are misunderstood or being scolded for something you didn’t do. When you want something and we say no, if you really want it you make a deal or a logical argument. Most of the times you end up getting what you want.

I am delighted to be your mom and watch you grow up into this wonderful boy. You are so helpful and kind to your siblings. You are concerned and compassionate about others. I wish you the best 7^th year and can’t wait to see what you accomplish.

Love—your mom

Braedon's first purchase--legos

Its been a long time coming. The kids see some coins on the ground and run to collect them. One would think they would put it into their piggy banks, but not mine. They put straight into their wallet.

Braedon has been hoarding his money for a while. He has been claiming that he would buy something with his money, but never has. I also think he forgets about bringing his wallet. It wasn't until Sebastian brought up the idea of bringing his wallet.

Before we set out to Target to stock up on household items, I had them count their money. Braedon helped a little and S didn't care (he just wanted "stuff"). I thought oh boy this is going to be a great learning lesson for both of them.

As we walked in, they both started begging me to take them to the toy section. After gathering up a few items, we headed upstairs. They looked around a bit and then asked me what could they get. Braedon had $15and more than S because he had "tooth-fairy" money. Yup losing 5 teeth pays off. Poor S only had $3. Again, another lesson that saving your money can get you better toys.

It took a while to get S his toys which he finally agreed to 3 hotwheels police cars. B finally settled on a Dino small lego set. I had to run out of there before each of them asked for the millionth time if what could they get for their money. I tried to explain to them but they just weren't hearing me or didn't care to hear me.

We went to the grocery store where I proceeded to lock the keys in the car and subsequently standing around for while waiting for assistance. Taking 3 wound up kids to Target, grocery store, and locking the keys in the car exhausted me.

When we arrived home, all I wanted to do was to put away the groceries and do nothing. Of course here comes B asking me to put his lego vehicle together. I politely asked him to see if he could start and if he had any problems to ask for assistance.

I never expected him to put it together by himself! He was so proud of himself and it gave him the sense of power.

Later that evening, S of course demolished B's car. B was upset and asked Dad to rebuild it. Dad forgot and the next morning Braedon rebuilt all by himself.

I can't wait until he gets more legos and see his ability to read directions to build something amazing.

Hello Kitty

Dear Jillian,

I never really knew Hello Kitty growing up. I saw her picture on many different things, but I was never really into her.

I am unsure of how you were introduced. I know it starts with your love for kitties in general. Your Dad helped further your interest when he bought you "baby kitty". I'm sure it also helps that you pretend your are a kitty and want to be petted.

So we've nurtured your love for Hello Kitty by purchasing a few items. Word had spread that you loved Hello Kitty and more items were purchased as gifts for holidays and birthday.

Your obsession has now taken over your clothing choices. You will not wear any dress unless it has Hello Kitty. Hence, I purchased 2 special dresses for you which you refer to as your "pretty dresses" or "princess dresses". Here is where you act like a girly girl until you want to run around outside in the mud.

We have also purchased special Hello Kitty shoes for you because your Aunt started this trend when she bought you a pair for your birthday. You love them and will wear them all of the time....even to bed.

Now you won't wear anything unless it has Hello Kitty. All of your shirts must be HK. I tried to put some jeans on you the other day and you wouldn't wear them. I am wondering if I put HK on them if you would change your mind?

I have purchased some iron-ons and patches to adhere to some clothes I purchased for you. Again, I am hoping that they will make you change your mind wearing them.

Loving Hello Kitty is the most precious thing and we enjoy seeing your personality shine. You light up when you see HK and do a great impression of a cat.

Today you said to me, "You can be the mommy kitty and I can be your baby" and then snuggled up with me. It was super cute and melted my heart. You won't be this way forever and I wanted to document this while I had the chance.

Love,
Your mommy kitty

Braedon's Broken Arm

Dear Braedon,

One day the topic of "Have you ever had a broken bone" will come up via talking with your friends or girlfriend. I prided myself on not having any broken bones and also can thank my parents for passing down good genes.

Your father, however can not claim this and nor can you now. Your father broke his leg when he was around 1-2 years of age. It was not of his own doing, he crawled under a moving rocking chair and well his uncle smashed his leg. This is not the only time he has broken something. While during his senior year at Indiana University, your father was playing a heated game of basketball. He jumped up to block a shot and his opponent smashed his hand into the backboard. Your father then had to drive himself to the Emergency Room in his BMW which was a stick shift. You guessed it, he had to drive with his busted right hand.

I am one of those helicopter moms people write about all of the time. I hoovered over you and your siblings to make sure you weren't hurt. I would run around the playground watching you like a hawk to ensure your safety.

You were a very cautious little boy and still are. You wouldn't climb anything unless you were sure you could do it safely. Even today you will not do anything that you think might harm you.

Technically you didn't break anything, but you did fracture your elbow. To be more precise your Lateral Epicondyle. It happened just as we were gathering you and your siblings for bed time. We have a routine where we all meet up in the bathroom. I was in the other room getting things prepared for you and I heard your father ask if you if you were alright.

There was a pillow with a star on it we had lying on the couch most of the time. It happened to be lying on the floor. Somehow you stepped back and fell over it. You put your left hand down to break your fall. In doing so, your humerous either hit your radius or ulna or it hit the ground making a fracture.

Instantly you did not look right or feel well. We were unsure of what happened to you but you insisted that you just wanted to go to sleep. We checked on you throughout the night but you didn't wake. The next morning, I could see that you still weren't doing well. You wanted to lay down in bed with your Father and you were "babying" your arm. It was swollen with a very mild discoloration.

It happened to be a Sunday and I knew the only place we had to take you was the hospital. We double checked with your doctor and the confirmed that if you needed a cast the ER was the place. I was very nervous because you hadn't had the need to see a doctor for anything.

You of course were very brave. They gave you some Tylenol when you arrived and that was the only medication you received during this entire process. They took you in for X-rays and you didn't cry although it hurt. When the pediatric surgeon came in to put your cast you were brave. It was only when they split your cast so that it could expand as your arm swelled, did you then cry. It was a very loud and scary machine. I looked like a saw and it looked as though it was going to cut you. Only until after the doctor saw that you were terrified, did he explain to you that it wouldn't hurt you.

We had been there for about 7 hours and you were tired. I was tired. We thought we could get out of there with just the cast but then the doctor returned informing us you might have to have surgery.

There was a long battle between your doctors and parents regarding what was best for your arm. They wanted surgery and we wanted you to have time to let your body heal naturally. Ultimately we won. You did end up having 4 different occasions of X-rays, which I felt was too many, but we wanted to comply with the doctor. We wanted to make sure you were healing properly.

After 6 weeks, your cast came off and you babied your arm for a bit. That is natural thinking you might hurt it again. Time has passed and you have full range of motion with your elbow. You haven't really given it any thought.

I couldn't believe that you had to have a cast and that my baby was hurt. I am grateful everything worked out and you are well on your way to 7.

Love,
Your mommy

What to do on a rainy day....

When I was a little girl, we lived in Frankfort Square, IL on Acorn Drive. I loved it when it rained during the summer time. It was warm but, the rain made it the prefect temperature.

There was a sidewalk across the street from our house that had a dip in between two slabs. It made the perfect place for water to pool. It made the best puddle ever.

If it wasn’t thundering or lightening, I would beg my mom to let me play outside. I remember the clear-bubble umbrella she bought me. I didn’t need wellies either; I would just go out with my bare feet. I would jump up and down in the puddles. I would make the biggest splashes. I was wet, muddy, and had a huge smile on my face.

The sidewalk that made the perfect puddle would be all murky filled with water and dirt but I loved every minute of it.

I wanted my kids to have the same experiences I had with rain, puddles, and umbrellas.  I made it a point to get them all the rain gear they needed to make their own joy (of course when they aren't playing in the backyard without their clothes--my nudists). So no matter what the weather was outside (hot or cold), I would let them play in the rain. Of course as long as it isn’t thundering or lightening. 

 

I wish we had a place that they could have a huge puddle like I had but, it is the little things that count. :)