Tag Archives: Family

There will be much worse, but…

18 Jul

I know things are going to happen to our kids that we aren’t going to like.  I know it would be best if I deal with them accordingly at the time and then push them out of my mind.  But I just can’t seem to shake that a little girl (brat) spit at Nia.

It happened at the end of her gymnastics class on Monday.  During the last 10 minutes, the kids get to play in a big  pit that’s filled with foam squares.  Nia has a blast.  She can jump in like a madwoman – she can get buried under the blocks – all we hear are giggles – tons of giggles.  On Monday though, the little girl (bully) came out crying and walked over to her mom (miserable looking woman).  I had no idea at the time why she was crying.

It wasn’t until we were in the car that I asked Nia – “Why was that one girl crying?”

Nia – “She spit at my face.”

Andrew’s mom and Me – “WHAT?!?!”

Our reaction made her think she did something wrong and she put on a sad face.  I told her I wasn’t mad at her I just needed to know what happened.

Apparently, the girl (meanie) wanted a certain block but Nia was playing with it.  Nia said the girl (terror) began throwing blocks at her head and then spit at her face.

She said her cheek got a little wet but the rest of the nastiness landed on that girl’s (spitter’s) chin.  Nia said the teacher saw what happened and made the girl (who the heck taught her to spit at people anyway?!?!) leave the pit and say she was sorry.  That’s when the teacher walked her over to her mom.  Nia didn’t even act like anything was wrong.  Even after she told me what happened I asked her if she liked the girl (her mom better watch out) and she said, “When she doesn’t spit at me.”

Why can’t I be like that?  Nia could care less and I’m all distraught.  I want to believe that the girl (undisciplined) was just kind of jealous because she usually gets all the attention but there was a different teacher that day so she wasn’t given special treatment.  Also, Nia had her hair in a French braid that wraps in a circle and looked like a princess and was getting some extra attention because of it.  Maybe those things along with the block incident put that girl (just a kid) over the edge.

I might just be making up excuses but for some reason it feels better to do that than to think someone was mean to my little sweetie (not always innocent) because she didn’t like her.

What makes me even more crazy is that this is only the beginning of wanting to protect my kids from the spitters of the world.  What the heck am I going to be like when she comes home crying because someone made fun of her because she’s not wearing the right brand of shoes.  Or worse, the boy she likes doesn’t like her back.

I know she’ll survive and all the let downs make you stronger – but come on – she’s my baby.
 

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Underwater Explorers

9 Jul

The Georgia Aquarium ROCKS!

Whale Shark!

Today the Valles Family and our good friends from home (West Virginia), Chris and Julie, explored the awesome attraction.  It was a ton of fun and I can’t wait to go back!  Nia and Nate really had a blast.  Just take a gander at the pics and video.  Nate went crazy for the penguin!

The Fish are EVERYWHERE!

Checking Out the Fish

Tuckered Out Nate

Tuckered Out Nia

Looks Like Them, Huh?

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Celebrating the 4th

5 Jul

I knew people marked July 4th in lots of different ways but today I discovered a whole new way to celebrate.  While some people were firing up the grill to share the day with family/friends/neighbors and others were living it up at festivals – we loaded up the kids and had a blast exploring IKEA.

It was a complete spur-of-the-moment decision.  (I was the reason for the spur and Andrew loves me so much he said yes – plus I think I was driving him a little crazy because I kept telling him every time I saw a commercial for IKEA – it was a sign!  we were supposed to go TODAY – I’ve seen those commercials plenty of other times but this time I knew it was TODAY that we had to go.)  I couldn’t believe how many people were there!  Most of us were donning red, white and blue on our clothes – I made an effort to find a red ponytail thingee for my hair.  So, at least that was patriotic right?

The trip to IKEA meant we would have to give up our steak and shrimp dinner and settle for another 4th feast (subs for mom and dad – Mickey D’s for the kids) but I think it was worth it.  We got some much needed (and cheap!) frames and a nice framed picture for our spare bedroom.  Will it be a Valles family tradition?  I doubt it – but it made for a good memory!

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Fun and Sun at the Park

2 Jul
Picnic Time

 

Bird Watching

 

Teeter Totter Princess

 

Super Nate!

 

Squeezing Down the Slide

 

Daddy Spinning Daughter

 

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When You’re a Wife and a Mom

21 Jun

I was recently thinking about all the funny things that happen to me now that I’m a wife and a mom.  Things that I probably wouldn’t have even considered doing before the kids or the hubby. I may make it sound like I’m complaining, I’m really not.  I treasure every gross, annoying, tiring and space-invading event that happens to me. For example, when you’re a wife and a mom:

  • Your body parts are no longer your own.  Andrew slaps my butt – now Nate slaps my butt. And, even though they are now closed for business, Nate still tries to reach down my shirt from time to time.  I feel so used.
  • Nothing is ever boring.
  • I no longer get grossed out when it comes to snot or boogers – even the really gooey ones.  I’ve watched Andrew blow his nose in the shower by holding one nostril to empty the other one.  I cannot rest until I’ve made sure every last yucky green guy is removed from Nia and Nate’s noses.  I will shove tissue after tissue up there and when that doesn’t work, I admit it, I pick their noses.  (Of course, making sure to let them know THEY are not allowed to pick their own noses.  What a good example I am, huh?)
  • I’m sure you’ve heard this one before but I can no longer go potty in private or in peace.  The kids follow me in most of the time and I’m forced to waddle off the toilet because I have to save the boy from falling over the bath tub or getting into the trash.  Even when the kids aren’t in there with me, the dog comes in and stares at me, breathing his warm, smelly breath in my direction.  It about drives me bonkers and I end up taking my frustration out on him.  I ask him, “Do you freakin’ mind?!?!”  He just keeps breathing on me.  Perv dog.
  • I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner almost every day.  Before married life, I pretty much only cooked some Ramen noodles or a tuna sandwich.  I was pretty much petrified to really cook a meal.  Now, I love it.  Especially when Andrew and the kids say “mmm.”  I never would have thought I would love cooking like this.  There is just something about it that makes me feel like I’m taking care of my family.
  • I’m at home during “talk show” time during the day and I don’t even get to enjoy it. I just feel bad watching tv when I should be reading to the kids or playing with them or taking care of house stuff.  Besides, who really wants to watch Ellen dance anyway?  Well, actually I do. I’ve tried recording the show but it’s just not the same.  There’s just something about watching a talk show in the middle of the day that makes it even better.  I can’t really explain it…I guess that’s why they’re scheduled to air then right?
  • You remember which sock is missing its partner.  It doesn’t matter whose sock it is.  If I see a pink ruffled sock at the bottom of the hamper, I say “there it is!” because I remember I washed a pink ruffled sock last week and couldn’t find its match.
  • It’s really hard to diet when you’re constantly surrounded by delicious food you’re not supposed to eat.  Cheese puffs, fudge-striped cookies, ice cream, frozen chicken nuggets with ranch dressing, french fries…

I could keep going but those are probably the best examples.  I wouldn’t trade in my titles for the all the peace and quiet and sanity in the world.  I feel so blessed and loved every day and it is because I’m a wife and a mom.  Thanks fam!

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One Lady, So Many Roles

13 May

She’s a Mother – so confident and in charge – able to raise her children through the hardest of times and able to discipline them just by shooting them a look – she’s proud to say her kids are well-mannered, well-behaved and well-kept (well, most of the time anyway) – she’s the one you don’t want to disappoint – endures much grief as her children go through the “you’re not being fair” or “I hate you” stage and still manages to love them with her whole heart

She’s a Momma – stops what she’s doing to respond to her child’s smallest request (“momma, could you put this dress on my Barbie?”) – acts goofy to get a giggle out of them and to hear them say “oh momma – you’re so silly” – lets you spit the food you just chewed and didn’t like into her bare hand – wipes your runny nose with anything she can find and sits up next to you on the couch after you threw up in your bed (that of course, after cleaning up the mess)

She’s a Mom – sacrificing her sleep on the nights you have friends stay over and sometimes joins in on the laughing and movie watching – she cooks up the tastiest food and making sure to whip up enough to feed anyone who shows up at the dinner table – she’s her kid’s biggest cheerleader, always talking about their accomplishments and never judging them for their failures or mistakes – she thinks you’re beautiful even with that perm and pimples

She’s a Mommy – always there to kiss a boo-boo and make it better – always there to cry with you when your heart is broken, suffering with you – shows you unconditional love and what it means to love someone more than you love yourself  (ready to give her life to keep yours safe) – the first one you want to talk to when you are feeling sad – she soothes her children with her embrace or just by humming them a song – makes you remember you will always be her baby

Lovin' Honey

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Is it White Russian Time Yet?

9 May

You bet your butt it is!

After several Nia fits that led to me taking toys away from her and putting her in time out, Nate continually hitting me and Nia and thinking it’s funny and the dog who’s acting strange after deciding he wanted to chew up 3 plastic toy golf clubs and devour them – I went for the fridge and cracked open a cold one.  My man really loves me – he bought me the ready-made kind so I don’t even have to stress over mixing up one for myself!

Am I an alcky?  I really don’t believe so, it’s not like I get all shit faced or anything – but I do know that the fridge is fully stocked with my favorites (thanks to Ginger for suggesting Mike-aritas) and just about every day around 4:30 I feel the need to enjoy one.  Especially today…
 

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Because of the Kids…

5 May

I hardly ever get to venture out by myself.

I don’t know how to act when I do get to venture out by myself.

I hardly ever have a moment (second?) of silence.

I usually have to clean up a big mess or pull a choking hazard out of the boy’s hand when I do get a moment of silence.

I have to pick up the stuff (toys/hangers/clean clothes/breakable objects) I just picked up.  (And then pick them up again.)

I’ve lost weight from having to chase them and clean up after them all day.

I gained weight because I needed to keep them (and me) happy when they were in my belly.

My hair is super dark brown now and the grays are popping out like crazy.  (Who/what else can I blame? My hair wasn’t this way before the kids!)

I “look like a mom.”  At least that’s what a former high school classmate told me the night before our 10 year reunion.

I look like a mom and wonder “what’s wrong with that?!”

I cannot take a shower, go potty, talk on the phone or sit down for a meal in peace.

My showers, potty times, phone conversations and meals are more entertaining/interesting.

I do things I haven’t done since I was a kid – color, play Candyland and Memory, do cartwheels, blow bubbles, swing.

I realize I shouldn’t do half of the the things I hadn’t done since I was a kid.

I laugh and smile every day.

I rub my head and sigh every day.

I get the best good night kisses and sweetest hugs.

I get slapped in the face and tortured by tantrums.

My days are NEVER boring.

I couldn’t tell you what’s happening in the world but I could tell you what SpongeBob did or the words to the third Cinderella movie.

I couldn’t imagine life without them – because of them, I am me.

Whee!

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Our Little Comedian

31 Mar

Ever hear a 4-year-old tell a joke?  It goes a little something like this…

“Momma I have a joke.”
“Ok sweetie what is it?”
(These are all delivered with perfect inflection.)
“There was a spoon and it fell in the sink and then it was yucky!”
“The doggy laid down and then he sneezed!”
“Nate has a diaper on!”
(I was told several more “jokes” during the day but I think you get the point – they all pretty much state the obvious…)

What makes the super-sweet jokes even more funny is how Andrew laughs at them.  He lets out the loudest, craziest laugh – it’s so ridiculous that is is HILARIOUS. I hope she always wants to make others laugh.  Our little comedian.
 

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Betrayed by Our Dog

21 Mar

Ok – I know I need to get a grip and forgive and forget already but every time our dog Joey barks now I fill up with disappointment/disgust/disbelief – feelings that are just plain silly to feel for poor old Joe-Boy.

Some Guard Dog

I can’t help it though.  He barks at NOTHING but won’t bark at the criminal jerks who broke into his dad’s car?!?!  He barks at people who are supposed to be/allowed near our house but not at those who are not?  I mean come on!  Part of my frustration is due to the fact that his bark sounds so mean and is so loud – you can hear him several streets over from ours – but it did us zip when we needed it most.

You may think I’m overreacting – maybe I am – but maybe if you had a better idea of what I witness him bark at on any given day – maybe then you could at least somewhat understand why I feel the way I do.  Here’s just a few of the things that he feels the need to let out his heart-stopping, breath-taking bark at:

  • The UPS truck that comes three to four times a week
  • The mail lady every time he sees her white truck driving down our street
  • Nothing
  • The neighborhood dogs
  • Birds flying
  • Someone’s car brakes squeaking blocks away
  • Nothing
  • Andrew when he comes home from work
  • Us when we leave the house
  • The neighbors he sees everyday coming and going from their houses
  • A doorbell/dog/cat on television
  • Nothing

He doesn’t bark at:

  • Things/people he should!

Please don’t get me wrong – I love our dog so very much.  He is a big, soft, cuddly, lovable bear of a pup and he’s super good with the kids.  It really bothers me to feel this way and I know I will get over it soon – for now though I can’t help but curse about him under my breath every time he woofs when he doesn’t need to. Nia even screams at him to be quiet when he barks!  Sometimes I even think horrible things like – someone better be trying to get in the house.  Of course I don’t really mean it – besides he wouldn’t bark at them anyway!

Part of the Fam

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