School Days

July 12, 2009 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 1 Comment

My little boy is starting school in 6 weeks. I can hardly believe it. I know it is just pre-school but his is a big deal because he will be going to school full days for five days a week. It will be a big change for him and for his sister. Yesterday we got together at a local park with a some of the other families/kids from his class. It was really nice. The families seem very nice and laid back–even those who are on the very upper side of the upper-middle-class. Several of the families are doctors but what is nice about this town I live in is that everyone is pretty down to earth. It was really a great gathering and it was really great to be around families who all have the same wishes for their kids–to give them the best education possible.

We talked about getting together every other week-or even every week until school starts so that the kids can get to know each other. I don’t know how that will work with vacations, etc., but it would be awesome for the kids to get to really know each other. I’m pretty lucky that my kid is social and has been in lots of social stituations and is sue to beting around other kids and makes friends pretty easily. I am excited about school–I am probably more excited than Noah is.

But it reminds me that summer is almost over. That really sucks.

I’ll Stay Out of It Thank You

July 8, 2009 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 4 Comments

We are home for our trip to stay at my MIL’s vacation house in New Hampshire on Newfound Lake. We had a nice time, but it always a difficult place to be and I have finally figured out why it is difficult. A little bit of background on this place. It is just one hour north of Boston where my BIL and his family live. My MIL bought the house as a place for the family to gather and for her sons to use–mostly my BIL because Hubby lived in California at the time that she bought it and that is where she calls home. My BIL and his wife have been the ones to take care of the house and for the first may years my MIL rented it out in the summer to help pay for the house–as houses in that area bring in a good deal of money from rental in the summer. It really is a beautiful place and very nice. Because of this role of caretaker and the fact that my MIL only comes out an uses the house herself twice a year, my SIL views the house as her own and this is where the issues seem to arise. I do want to say that I like my SIL. We talk and are friendly. We certainly would not be “friends” if we weren’t family, but we are family and we get along just fine. But she is difficult to live with. There is a power struggle in the house when both my MIL and SIL are there. It is my MIL’s house but my SIL feels entitled to the house because they do live there all summer and use it nearly every weekend as well. They have been doing it for nearly 12 years now and it is easy to begin to feel as though it is yours. It is hard when you are on vacation and others are going about their regular life. A regular life that is highly regimented and not very relaxing at all. It does put a bit of a damper on one’s own vaction. I could go on and on, but I won’t. I am just happy to be at home where I am not under any scruitiny for letting my kids play or for eating my lunch before I wipe up the crumbs from the table, etc.

The kids had a pretty good time. Noah didn’t quite understand why his cousins–who are 14 and 10–didn’t want to play with him and that caused a few issues for Noah–but he’s a trooper and got over it. Both kids had a good time and Noah loved spending time with his Grannie Sue. All in all it was a great trip–I didn’t exercise at all–don’t want to even get on the scale. I ate pretty good, but I didn’t exercise.

Here are a few pics of the good time that the kiddos had.

40-Months-Old

July 2, 2009 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 1 Comment

Dear Noah,

You are now 40-months-old. I know that means nothing to you–because you’re 3 and that’s a cool age. I think back to when you came home (not quite 3 years ago) and I am amazed at how you have flourished and grown. You and your sister have made me so happy to be a mom–so much so that I am having baby feelings as I love parenting you two so much, I can’t imagine not having more kids. You’d like a brother but you have made it clear that you don’t want a baby brother. You want on you can play with–so Dad and I will stick with our original plan of getting you and Bo-Bo siblings when you’re a little older.

I just want to congratulate you on being completely potty-trained. It is so awesome. I love not having to change your diaper–maybe even more than you love not having ot have your diaper changed. You are a pro at the potty and it’s like you have always just gone on the potty. It frickin’ rocks. You are saving us a ton of money on diapers–thank you for that. Now, I might be able to get the iPhone 3Gs. Just maybe. We do have private school to pay for and even though I am gone a lot—none of my jobs pay me much money. It’s funny now that you are potty trained fully–you often wake up with a slightly wet pull-up where as before you were potty-trained your pull-up was usually completely dry in the mornings–very bizzare. But he we got time for night-time potty training later. Your pricy private school doesn’t care if you pee in a diaper at night.

School…I can’t believe that you are just two shorts months away from starting school. You are excited about the prospect of going to big-boy school and getting to hang out with other kids your age and making new friends. It’s exciting but it hits your mom a little hard in the heart that you actually old enough to go to school. It seems crazy to me, but I do often forget how young you really are–as you carry yourself well and your conversational skills are pretty great. You talk a lot about your ideas–“Mom, I have a good idea…” or “I was thinking mom and I have an idea…” etc. You are full of ideas and plans and it will take you far in life my little man. When I asked you what to get your daddy for his birthday you were pretty sure that he would want a race track and some cars or a badminton set. When asked if those things were for daddy or Noah-you simply replied, “Noah–but I will share them with daddy and he can play with me.” Ah, the ideas.

Now, there is something that we need to address–your new love/desire for sleeping in our bed. I know you are at the age where your imagination runs wild. all. the. time. But you will need to start sleeping in your bed. Your dad and I have come to the conclusion/understanding that you don’t like sleeping in your room by yourself. Your room is upstairs–far away from mommy and daddy, but you were sleeping in your bed fine. I know we took your binky away months ago and that has been great but this whole refusal to sleep in your room in your own bed is getting a little old–although I do love it when you snuggle up against me. I am torn.

You have discovered a love for badminton–thanks Uncles Jay and Curt–and have become quite the baseball player. You have been in your first kayak on Lake Michigan–while you didn’t go far–you loved every minute of it. The love you have for your sister is amazingly strong and you attempt to be patient with her as she attempts to play with you. You are an amazing big brother. You are an amazing son. Your are amazing.

Love you tons,

Mommy

367 Days Home/20-Months-Old

July 1, 2009 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

My little Bo-Bo has been home a year now and I can hardly believe it. There is so much I want to say about her, but I am so busy that I don’t have the time right now to do it. I have 5 minutes while my student are on break, but I just wanted to post a few things about Zoë. She is such a special little gal….

Dear Zoë,

You have a spirit that shines at least as bright as your brother’s–if someone had told me that a year ago I would have laughed at them. But you are just as special as your brother and the people flock to you as they do to him. It’s great. The kids at daycare absolutely love you. As soon as you enter, all I hear is “Zoë, Zoë, Zoë, Zoë!!!” and you laugh and smile and say “Hi.” Too flippin’ cute for your own good.

You still follow your brother and mimic everything he does–maybe even more so now that you are getting older and are able to do more of the things that he can. You try and jump and often propel yourself with such force forward that the opposite happens and you fall backwards. You laugh uncontrollably and your laugh is so bright, happy, innocent and full of life. It is infectious, mischievous and brilliant.

Now, there is one thing that I need to talk to you about–this whole taking your diaper off at night and peeing all over your bed has to stop as does sticking your hand into your pants after you have pooped and then wiping your hands on things and crying that you have poop on your hands. Really–everytime you do this–and it is often (sadly–I promise to pay for therapy later since I have aired your dirty laundry online)I just want to scream at you “Don’t you remember the last time you did this?” You will make me work as a parent.

There is so much to say–you have blossomed into an amazing little girl–with so much spunk and volume. I don’t know how all of that life is wrapped up in your itty bitty body. You make us all laugh and you have learned the art of standing up for yourself with the bigger kids. You spend a bit of time in “time-out” at daycare because you hit a kid who took something you wanted or wouldn’t share with you. right. now. But your joy and spirit ensures that everyone loves you regardless.

I look forward to watching you grow and becoming that stubborn little class clown that you will certainly grow into. You make me laugh and make me want to get up every morning and be the best mom I can be. You deserve it as you are the most special little girl a mother could as for.

I love you baby–more and more each day,

Mommy