Wearing him out

May 27, 2012Leave a comment

I have achieved the ultimate feat. I have conquered. I have prevailed.

I tired Mario out today!

He got stuck with his mom all day while Maria got to hang with Emi and Eli. Eli had a dance recital at the Rife Center (big time!) and Sherri called me to see if Ri wanted to go. That is a no brainer. Time with Emi and Eli versus time with mom and Mario. Yeah, E&E every time.

Mario and I dropped off Maria at 9:45 am. On the way over to their house, Maria tried to teach Mario some letter recognition. She is a born teacher taking after all of her Heile aunts. She showed me Mario’s “grades” when she got out of the car. She had a letter on the left side of the page and then anything from an “A+” to a “F-” on the right side of the page. SHe reported to me that Mario had way too many grades under a “C” and two “F-s”. I really needed to work with him if he was going to get better. Yes, Ms. Teacher.

Mario and I headed to Giant Eagle first to get a watermelon for tomorrow but ended up with $90 worth of groceries, too. Next, we swung down to Target to buy him a scuba set since he has been wanting to wear scuba gear for ages (a man after Papa Rod’s heart). After Target, we unloaded the car and got on our bathing suits. He agreed to a stroller ride to the pool so that I could get in a little run. I was drenched by the time we arrived since it was already 88 degrees out at noon. We “fought” in the pool throwing each other around and swimming away from each other. We dove off the low dives (Mario loves doing cannonballs now). We played in the baby pool. We stayed for an entire three hours, which is long for us, and especially me since I entertained him the entire time. We got a piece of pizza before we left and chowed it down on the picnic table. All of the carbs added to the exercise must have done it. Mario was out within five minutes of hitting the stroller seat. I walked around town for an hour in order to let him sleep (as soon as you take him out of the stroller, he wakes up – he was like that even as a baby). He finally woke up, and was in a lovely, cranky, “where am I” mood. We walked in the house and he fell to the floor in the mud room. He was still tired! I could not believe my eyes. This boy has not taken a nap for us in months, and even if he does, it is usually not longer than 45 minutes and he wakes up energized as ever.

When he finally did get up, he was still exhausted. I took a shower and he played on the computer. We both looked like we had gotten run over by a mack truck. We picked up Maria at 6 pm, and came home to veg. We read some books, played in the sprinkler, took a quick bike ride, and both of them were asleep by 10 pm! I know most parents are saying “10 pm? That is ridiculously late for kids!” But not for mine – especially Mario. His normal bedtime is 11 pm or after (even more so when Jon is gone). And he still wakes up at 6:30 am. He is super-human. But not today – I wore him down to the bone. Of course, I had high hopes that I could watch Veep or Girls on HBO after they fell asleep but I can barely keep my eyes open. Seems that he wore me to the bone, too. Rrrrr!

The life of a pinball

May 26, 2012Leave a comment

Mario and I met up with Maria and her friend and friend’s mom at 9:30 am at Stauf’s. The rest of the day is a blur. Thank god for iced coffees.

We walked down to the parade on First Avenue – the same place we go every year – nearly parallel to our old house but two streets over. We sat with Amy and Gracie and Joe and made a sign saying “Go Mets” in honor of Zach. Zach is on the Mets baseball team this year; Amy was so excited to see him in the baseball truck with the other soon-to-be second graders. All I could do was think of Mario in that truck three years from now, and the only visions of him were ones of him pelting people with tootsie rolls. There is always one or two little squirts that engage in such activity each year; last year, Mario got pelted in the eye by someone. So hopefully that horrific experience forever scarred him and he won’t engage in such behavior.

The parade was fun this year because we knew so many kids in it (and they limited the politicians)! After an hour parade, we gathered our two hefty bags of candy and walked a mile back home. Maria walked the entire way with me holding Mario. She is a machine (she did it in sandals; even I would have complained). We made a pit stop at the library to take a computer break. Maria played Go Girls Games and Mario played Ben Ten. I got a little reading time in, which was just the break I needed. Middle-school kids were signing up younger kids for the reading program. Maria asked to sign up. I was excited about her initiative. She asked to do it last year, too, but she could not read on her own and she wasn’t that into it. I am hoping that her ability to read better will lead to her reading more this Summer. She picked out a Junie B. Jones book and a couple more random ones. Let’s cross our fingers….

We plodded our way home from the library in the 88 degree heat. We immediately threw on our bathing suits, grabbed our goggles and towels, and jumped in the car. We had to drop the stroller off at the bike store because Mario and I bust a tire on our stroller ride earlier that morning (there was a loud firecracker-like bang and Mario yelled “Cool!”). Once at the bike store, Mario spotted a sweet red and black bike with training wheels. He jumped on it and flew around the store. I looked at the tag and it was expensive. How can a kid’s bike be over $100? Really? But I have had such bad luck with used bikes for him – none of them are steady or ride well – and it has caused him to get scared about riding. I do not want that with as much as Maria likes riding. So, I decided to bite the bullet and get it reasoning that he will have it for the next few years.

We left the store for the pool, which was absolutely packed since it was opening day. Mario and Ri went off the low dive and high dive, respectively. Mario tried the high dive but second guessed it after getting on top (I don’t blame him). He will jump off by the end of the Summer, I am sure. We only lasted at the pool for about 45 minutes; I was exhausted and luckily, the kids probably were, too.

Once home, we made bowls of cereal and rested in front of a Ben Ten on tv. Within ten minutes, Maria was snoozing on the couch. I tried to move her but she was solid dead weight – there was nothing waking her up. Mario, meanwhile, was wide awake and insane, jumping all around the room and acting like random aliens. I let him play on my computer while I went out and mowed the grass and watered the flowers. Then I came in and cleaned out the Study a bit in order to move our new desk in it. I was in cleaning mode. You’d think that it may have been wise to put my feet up and nap a bit with Ri, but that would have been too easy. Gotta keep the momentum going – once I sit down, I am useless for the rest of the day.

Maria finally woke up – two hours later – and she was a piece of work. Pissed off at the world. She stomped across the kitchen moping and pouting and crying. I left her alone and she finally buried her head in my chest and rested for a few minutes. Then she finally morphed into the Maria we know and love ready to ride her bike and play. We got Mario off the computer (not an easy task) and headed off on his new bike. He rocked it out on his bike almost keeping up with Maria. We had hoped that the Art Hop would offer a bouncey house or kids’ music but it only offered a couple of vendors selling necklaces. We dealt with our disappointment by going to the church park. I played tag with Mario and Maria climbed up the top of the slides (her favorite thing to do at the park). Amy and Joe met us up at the park with the kids and they all played for a bit. We all looked like zombies. It was comical. The day felt like three days. We finished the night off with Orange Leaf and a bike ride back home.

When we pulled in the driveway, there was a spectacular slice of moon looking down at us. We all stopped and gave reverence. Then, Maria shouted “Mario’s old bike is still at the library!” So, what else to do but jump in the truck and head to the library to pick up his bike. We finally got into the house at 10 pm. Maria wanted to read Junie B. Jones, and Mario was listening to music on my phone so I didn’t fight it. I just let them be and relaxed over a bag of Cheez-Its, and Maria later joined me.

What a whirlwind of a holiday Saturday. I swear to myself as I sit here tonight that tomorrow will be low-key day but I know myself better than that. We will be off and running – but not until 7:30 am.

Time with my little guy

May 26, 2012Leave a comment

Trade your expectation for appreciation and the world changes instantly. Tony Robbins

I woke up with Mario this morning. Maria got to see a late movie and sleep over with a girlfriend. Mario agreed to take a stroller ride with me if I let him get donuts at Tim Hortons. I allowed him to get donuts if he agreed to eat a graham cracker with peanut butter beforehand (I knew if he did that he would not even be hungry for much of a donut and I could eat the rest!).

Much to my amazement, Mario spent the entire stroller ride talking to me and finding all sorts of animals along the way. He spotted birds and squirrels and a rabbit sitting in a yard. Of course, it was a game to him that he had to win. Every time he found an animal, he’d pump his fist in the air and yell “I win!” But it was much better than having him play on the iPad, which is usually what he wants to do. He even talked to me about what he learned at school this week (do you know what anemones do, mom? I do!).

I am so appreciative of this time with my little guy – totally unexpected and wonderful. It started my holiday weekend off on a much-needed good note, and changed how I viewed my tiny little world this morning.

Life doesn’t get much better – donuts, fresh air and sweet chats with my guy. Now, we can’t wait to add Maria to the mix!

Smile and Better the World

May 25, 2012Leave a comment

What a coincidence to find an article that details the benefits of smiling at people after Maria and Mario both exhibited such behavior on our bike ride tonight. An older couple approached us as we rode down the street. I told Maria to watch out for them and as they walked past her, I heard her say “hi” to them. They smiled at her and continued towards us. When they walked by us, Mario waved and said “hi”, also. They smiled again and said “good evening” to us both. As they walked away from us, I heard the woman remark “Nice kids.”

Ahh, “nice kids.” Good to hear every once in a while…. When we stopped at the light, Maria turned around and told me how she smiled and waved at the couple that walked by her. I commended her for being so polite and sweet. Of course, Mario needed to chime in right away and inform me that he said hi to the couple, too. He added “they smiled back at me, too, mom.”

I appreciate this study. I know that I always feel better when I give a stranger a smile as I pass them – even if they don’t return the smile back. And when a stranger gives me a smile first, it usually makes me smile at the next person I see. Domino effect. It steps up my mood elevator and makes me take a step back and contemplate whether the issue I may be stewing over or anxious about is really worth it. I explain the article I read to Maria and Mario, and they both look at me and smile. The kind of smile that reminds me of some ancient buddha’s smile – a smile appreciating that I finally found some nugget of truth and good that they have known for a long time.

A Pop Tart to toast the last day of school

May 25, 2012May 25, 20121 Comment

Maria could not have expressed more joy about the last day of school. She appropriately christened it this morning with a strawberry pop tart and a bike ride to school. There were no dresses on her last day (she has more of her mom’s style in her than she realizes).

She wore her running shorts and a casual tank top with her hair pulled back in a pony tail (thank you Maggie for brushing through her hair this morn).

And i gave her another treat this morning and biked with her to school. Mario still fits in the “baby” seat on my bike (I told him he will always be my baby and he agrees to let me hold him until he “gets bigger” (whatever age that means!)). Maria thought it was so cool to bike together and said excitedly “when dad gets back, he can use your bike and we can all bike as a family!” She is our pack dog, for sure.

When we arrived at school, she allowed one quick picture by the side of the building. When I asked her for one in front of the doors where her friends congregate, she said “no way!” She saw the look in my eyes that I would get one any way, and bolted for the door. The only voice that stopped her in her tracks was Mario’s yelling “Maria, wait!” When she looked back, he waved goodbye and she sweetly waved back before heading in the door and up the stairs for her last day in first grade.

I knew she wouldn’t ignore her pack mate.

Ten Reasons to be grateful

May 23, 2012May 23, 2012Leave a comment

Top Ten Reasons to be Grateful for Today:

1. Waking up to Maria snoozing away like a baby giraffe laying perpendicular to me in my bed with her head tucked into my legs and her legs sprawled out over the end of the bed.

2. Watching Mario’s “I’m Sexy and I know it” video on my phone – he is banned from hitting the bars until he’s 30.

3.Eating Reese Peanut Butter Puffs and a chocolate easter bunny for breakfast!

4. Watching “mini me” (Maria) bike to school in her running shorts and t-shirt and look both ways before crossing the streets! You go girl!

5. Biking into work in 55 degree weather; I can’t believe it will be 93 degrees this weekend.

6. Drinking an iced decaf americano with milk and cinnamon and seeing a clip of Usher’s “Oh My Go-” video on tv. Love that song.

7. Hearing the joy in my mon’s voice when she called at 1 pm to tell me she got off work early and picked up Lou from doggie daycare.

8. Looking at the colorful array of flowers that I get to pot tonight. Hopefully at least a few live after my touch.

9. Soaking in Jon’s voice and hearing him say “I love you.”

10. Giving a smile to the janitor in my building who responded with a boisterous “It’s a grand beauty of a day, ma’am!” amen, sir.

Optimism triumphs

May 22, 2012May 22, 2012Leave a comment

I love this drawing. I am lucky to err on the side of optimism most of the time when something is not going as planned. But I do have my days when pessimism creeps in, and fortunately, I have my family and friends to steer me back on the “O” path.

The other morning, I opened the shades and saw a dreary morning sunrise. I let out a sigh and walked downstairs to make Maria’s lunch. Mario looked outside a few minutes later and shouted down to me “It’s a beautiful day, mom!” My optimist.

Last night, Maria and I biked to Giant Eagle for allergy medicine. When we walked out the sliding doors, the sky was dark gray. I looked at Maria and told her we may be biking in the rain. She looked up at me in disbelief and said “Mom, we are right by our old street. We could just go to our old neighbors’ houses and wait for the rain to pass.”

And… my other optimist. Of course, this was after Maria cried about how horrible life was and how much she hated me because I made her bike to Giant Eagle before Orange Leaf!

Open House

May 21, 2012May 21, 20121 Comment

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Maria hosted Granmda Ionno, Mario and me at her Open House at school. She had a clipboard with a checklist of everything she had to show us before the night was over. We got to listen to other Fairy Tale about a big bad dog and a cat, watch her slide show on the blue morpho butterfly and learn a lot of desert facts. She has accomplished a lot this year, and has especially excelled in her reading. I can’t believe how well she is reading compared to the beginning of the year.

She is a very good student and listens to her teacher. She rarely ever gets in trouble, and when she does she feels horrible. I think she is one heck of a student. While Maria was showing us her shoebox 3-D project (the blue morpho butterfly one that I helped with) she detailed how a girl in her class made fun of it. She seemed really hurt by the girl’s comments, and for one minute, I felt like approaching the girl and giving her a piece of my mind. I asked Maria if she told the girl how it made her feel and she told me she just walked away from her. Maybe a better move in this instance since I can tell the girl is a piece of work. The mama bear comes out in me when I am told of those situations.

Grandma Ionno tried to get up a few times to check on Grandpa but Maria begged her to stay and listen to her reading or watch her slide show. She loves having family there to watch her. After the event, we went to Panera for dinner. Mario talked about inappropriate things and Maria talked about how it seems “like only yesterday that Mario’s hair was really thin.” God love her – she cracks me up with her 60-year-old quips, and god love him, he is just insane. When we came home tonight, she set all of her paperwork aside from school in order to show Jon when he returns home from out-of-town. She was so heartbroken when she learned that Jon would not be able to attend her event but he made it up to her by promising her a double chocolate frozen drink at Starbuck’s. He knows how to make up for his absence.

Is it really only 10:30 am?

May 20, 2012Leave a comment

The kids and I went to Cincinnati last night for a family wedding. Grandma Meg and Peepaw joined us for the festivities along with Meg’s sisters and their kids. Meg’s sister, Mindy and her husband Danny hosted the gala for their daughter Amy. Amy is a down-to-earth, sporty, happy gal who seems utterly smitten with her new husband, Todd. Todd seems like a carbon copy of Amy (minus the “gal” and add “guy!”). They smiled throughout the wedding ceremony and had a blast at the reception (Todd did a dirty dance in front of Amy before taking off the garter and Mario and Maria were completely entranced).

Mario played around with four or five boys who all knew each other from Todd’s side of the family. They did not invite him in but Mr. Mario asked his Aunt Kathy if she would introduce him to the boys, which she did, and it was over from there. He fit right in when he wanted to play with them (the only bit of crying came when he collided with an 80 pound kid and got knocked into the side of the door). Maria was perfectly happy not conversing with any kids, but rather, hanging out with the adults. She sat with Meg’s cousin, Suzanne and her husband. She enjoyed ribbing Suzanne’s husband about anything she could, and sitting close to Suzanne to talk about video games. After Suzanne, she moved onto Kathy’s stepson, Miles and his fiancée, dragging Miles on the dance floor and out to the pond. They were all wonderful with her, and very patient.

After the wedding, we headed to my mom’s house to spend the night. We petted Lou for a while since we had never been with him in his house. He loved the kids. We woke up at the break of dawn (6:45 am) and played with Lou and his tennis ball for an hour before getting ready to hit the road. We had to go to Target first since Mario’s flip flops rubbed his feet wrong. Next came McDonald’s for some quick breakfast. Then, French Park.

My old childhood park that I used to frequent with my best friend, Beth. I love walking through that park. My mom was quite impressed with it, too (as was Lou). The trails are magnificent – patches of shade with huge fairy tale trees covering you, patches of bright sunlight with wildflowers, and patches of dark with troll bridges and ferns everywhere. We walked the creek for a long time, too. It had just enough walks to jump from to not get soaked but high enough standing water for the kids to get good splashes. At the end of the trail, Maria took a good fall trying to climb onto a boulder and got a good chunk of skin off of her elbow and knee. Nonetheless, as I always report, she is a machine and once the initial shock and cry hit, she was a trooper heading back to the car and into Grandma’s bathtub.

On the way home, neither mom nor I was coherent. We were exhausted from what felt like a “long day.” So how was it only 10:30 am? Ridiculous. There should be some rule that when kids get up so early and your day starts while most people are in REM sleep, you get to fast forward the clock 4 hours. When we got home, the kids took and bath and played around. Then we had to head up to Marx Bagels for some bagels and cream cheese (my favorite!).

After bagels, we hung outside with Lou while the kids “spied” on us. Julie got home in the meantime, and the kids begged to stay to see Baby Gracie. She arrived a bit later and walked in the door exclaiming “Mary!” How could I leave before hearing that punker-wunker call my name!? The kids played downstairs while I cleaned and talked to Liz and Julie and helped Julie move coffee tables and tvs all around. We left CIncy around 3:30 and within ten minutes, both Maria and Mario were sawing logs. Out cold. So I debated stopping at Pottery Barn outlet at Washington Courthouse but I could not resist. When I stopped the car, and wiggled their legs to get up, they both bellowed “No!” They cried and hit the seats with their feet. They were pissed (now they get a taste of their medicine when they wake me up everyday at 6:30 am)! We finally made it into Pottery Barn (Mario on my right hip and Maria dragging beside me) only to find no good selection of rugs. Ugh!

So, I treated them to McDonald’s Playland. The Washington CH Playland just got renovated and it is actually quite nice. Mario, again, made friends immediately with two other boys who were brothers. Maria decided to stay by her mom because her side hurt from her fall. After letting Mario play for a half hour we took off for Columbus. Maria begged me from the back seat to let her give Mario the horn I bought him. I bought it for him a week ago and told him if was good all week, he would get it. Maria convinced me he had been good since he did not scream in the middle of the wedding, and he said “thank you” when Grandma Lolo gave him food. Pretty high standards, heh?!

As soon as we stepped in the door, Maria grabbed the horn and gave it to Mario. The whole neighborhood knew about the present because he honked it incessantly for ten minutes straight. We hooked it on his bike (with training wheels) and took a two-mile bike ride to our old house and back. When we got home, the kids rested to a tv show while I mowed the grass (which looked like the grasslands). When I finished the lawn, Maria and I played baseball. Mario watched his last Ben Ten. We wrapped the night up with mac-n-cheese and chicken and two books about telling the truth and a pig going to camp. Does it get any better than that?

When I headed outside to take out the lawn clippings, my neighbor commented about how she couldn’t believe that I could mow the grass and water the lawn in such a speedy time. I told her about our entire day and she laughed hysterically. “Do you ever stop,” I believe she asked, but I was already at the top of the driveway grabbing the last lawn bag to put out front.

Sunday afternoon stupor

May 20, 2012May 20, 2012Leave a comment

Three little munchos lying in bed
Taking a break and resting their keds.

It doesn’t get much cuter than this scene
You could eat them up like juicy red jelly beans.

Pretty soon they will be annoyed with each other
Yelling “get away from me brother!”

But for today we will stop and stare
Because moments like these can be quite rare.

And at least we’ll have proof in the future
That you at one time were in a love stupor!

"MOM!"

Adventures in the Life of a Working Mama

Category: Family