cony island karaoke #1, originally uploaded by lomokev.
I was thinking a lot about my past today. There were ups and downs, but I don’t regret any of it. I decided to karaoke my favorite songs from my early twenties that made me get through the tough times. Isabelle also sang a song that signifies to me that these children are my life.
The children and I visited the National Harbor after getting my son from sleepaway camp. One of the main reasons that we headed over there was to check out the new National Children’s Museum that had opened up, or so I thought. Unfortunately for us, they still had not officially opened up. The girl told us that they were going to have a workshop soon in a bit.
While we waited, we went to check out the man who is coming out of the Earth. This was something that I remember when I was a kid, so I am glad that my children are also able to experience this amazing sculpture that is part of my childhood memories.
After we left out of there, we headed to get some gelato. Cebastian got strawberry; Isabelle got lemonade; and I got french-vanilla cappuccino.
It was time for us to go to the National Children’s Museum for the class. It turned out to be about fireflies. If you don’t know already, fireflies are disappearing. There is a program called Ready, Set, GLOW to teach children about how fireflies are going extinct and enlist their assistance.
“Ready, Set, Glow! has its origins in NCM’s commitment to creating experiences that engage kids with the outdoors in fun and exciting ways. NCM Manager of Science Programs, Linda Coulombe, participated in a meeting hosted by the Museum of Science, Boston to discuss ways in which the National Children’s Museum could collaborate in the public dimension of anentomological research project led by Fitchburg State College and Tufts University. With the help of the Museum of Science, Boston, the research would result in a Citizen scientist project.”
Cebastian decided to go to the reading station, while Isabelle and I created portrait of fireflies flying in the night. We learned that male fireflies are the ones who fly around to attract the female ones who are on the ground. They only live one week, so their whole purpose is to procreate. They want to have children try and find fireflies at night. If they do see them, they want them to count how many they see. Children would use these special tracking sheets, and then upload the completed ones to the Museum of Science in Boston.
To have your child help, go to this link: http://www.readysetglow.org/beascientist/
More information on fireflies disappearing:
I am definitely going to have my children participate in this effort. If they are part of volunteering in helping the Earth, then maybe they will make have more of an initiative to make a difference when they are adults.
Cupcake Party, originally uploaded by dreamingindc.
Today was Cebastian’s Cupcake Party to say goodbye to his last days of First grade. Tomorrow is Isabelle’s Kindergarten graduation, and she will be heading to Cebastian’s school. I know that before the week is over, I am going to cry knowing that my children are one day not going to be children. They will one day be adults and have their own families and lives.
I have always been overprotective of my children, so I don’t know how I am going to let them go. I wonder if I am going to be the meddling mother who is always trying to tell them what to do, even when they are 50. Eventually, I will have to though and hope that I gave them the skills to be functioning adults. My paranoia with something happening to them is over extreme, so I am not sure how I will do this.
Scary thing happened yesterday that tested this:
I come to my son’s babysitter house, and I see him crying outside her door saying that no one was home. Her kids weren’t on the bus either. I called her and emailed her saying that I will make sure she never watches children again. It’s sad that this woman is a mother and is so inconsiderate. However, my sister says that maybe something happened to her, so I should call the police. I am still debating cause I don’t want to waste the police’s time on checking up on this woman, and finding out she was just being negligent.
This situation stressed me out because all the “what-if” scenarios that ran through my head. Someone could have taken him or he could have gotten hurt. Luckily he did what I always told him and just sit where everyone can watch him and not move.
I think I am overly paranoid and protective of my children, but they are my everything: my companions, my true loves, my happiness, and I can keep going. My life without them would have no meaning.
Cebastian and Isabelle,
I know that one day I will have to let you go, so that is why I am now living in the present and not thinking about the past or future. I want you to know that having you has been the best part of my life. Life before you didn’t exist. I will always love and be proud of you.
Love,
Your Mom
Originally uploaded by dreamingindc
When do you introduce your significant other to your child(ren)? I have only had two people meet my children: First, was someone I knew for over a year, and we dated for nine months or so; and second was someone I dated for three years, and the kids still know. I have a huge issue with my ex. Every time he meets someone, he has them around my children. He is now on the tenth one.
This morning while I was getting the kids and I ready for school/work, my daughter says, “Hope is really nice.”
“Who’s that?”
“She is daddy’s new friend.”
I was ready to scream. This guy doesn’t know when to quit. He only has the kids four days out of the month, and he doesn’t even bother to see them more than that. You would think that he could just tell her that he will see her the 26 days out of the month when he pretends he is a 22-year old man. No, seems he can’t.
I wrote him right when I got into work:
“Just heard from the kids today that you have another girl around them. I am sick of it. This is the 10th girl, and it needs to stop. Unless you are going to marry this girl, and you have been dating her for over six months, I don’t want her around my children. I don’t want Cebastian to turn out like you, and I don’t want Isabelle thinking it’s ok for men to do that”
He ignored my IM because he is going to continue to do it.
I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel that this will cause some issues with the children later when it comes to their future relationships because of this man not being able to think with the right head. How do I make him realize that having every random girl you date around your children isn’t healthy for them?
I usually wait six months before introducing someone to my children, and now that I am thinking marriage, I won’t unless we have discussed being together for the rest of your lives. I hope that one day my ex realizes that this is the best policy.
Originally uploaded by dreamingindc
Screaming and crying, my daughter stood in line for her soccer pictures. It has been the third time that she has begged to be in an activity, and then refused to participate. After ten minutes of this, I turned to the coach and the other mothers, and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this anymore.” They gave me hugs and said that they understood, but I wondered if they really did.
One of the life lessons that I want to teach my children is to not give up. Even if they don’t succeed the first time, they have to continue going until they finally get it right. I want them to be functioning adults who will strive to always achieve their dreams. However, I feel like I gave up and this will cause her to turn into someone who will easily give up whenever the going gets tough. It’s something that is bothering me, and I don’t have the answers to this issue.
The first time Isabelle wanted to do soccer, I registered her. She didn’t want to go near anyone until the 5th game. After that, she was playing soccer with her team. Later, she asked to be in ballet. Her friend from her Kindergarten class was in the same class. For a month, I ran to get her to class with no success. The teacher would come in, look at me, and solemnly shake her head. I decided that I couldn’t do it anymore, so I took her out.
She asked to be in soccer again, and here we are. What frustrated me so much this time was that it was the same coach and girls from last year. Also, she played for a few practices, and then decided one day to no longer participate. It was to the point that it would ruin my weekends. After the 7th attempt to have her participate, I decided that enough was enough.
I feel like I have given up on her, but I couldn’t do it anymore. Hopefully, my endurance will be something that she remembers and she will learn to not be a quitter. However, I am not sure it will.
