Rumbling in my soul….

It isn’t often that I write a post that isn’t chock full of sarcasm or witty banter (if I do say so myself).  But today, I had a revelation.  Ok, I lied. The revelation happened months ago but I wanted to tell you about it today.  It’s simple, really.  When my two boys wake up, they tell me they are hungry. We head downstairs and choose from what seems like too many options for breakfast.  We eat. We clean up. We play. They tell me they are hungry for a snack. We head to the pantry so they can pick out of the options in the snack bucket.  Soon lunch time arrives… you get the idea.  Not once have I ever wondered what I will feed my kids. Not once have I been concerned that they aren’t getting enough to eat and how it will affect their minds while learning.  I know, I know… you are thinking it’s a #firstworldproblem.  But BOOM! There’s the revelation.  There are kids in my neighborhood, in my city,  who may not have the options for breakfast. They may not have ANY options for breakfast or lunch or dinner.  BOOM. It just kind of smacks you in the face, right?  How is that ok? 

It’s not ok.  There are children everyday that we interact with who may not have enough to eat.  There are teachers I know who want to bring snacks or breakfast for kids who aren’t able to afford or able to bring their own.  Those teachers are heros, by the way. Unsung heros.  But it’s not about that. It’s about the fact that my kiddo told me “Mom, a few of my friends in school don’t get to eat breakfast.  I get breakfast, Mom.  I’m pretty lucky.”  Yep, kiddo you are lucky.

The rumbling in my soul is the need to help those less fortunate.  The rumbling in their tummies is a different story.

So help me.  Help the kids who need a little hero in their life.  Join me in the fight to erase Childhood Hunger. 

Over 8,000 restaurants have signed up to participate in the Dine Out For No Kid Hungry from coast to coast. Now, we need your help in making sure that you, your friends, and your family make the event a success by visiting participating restaurants during the month of September, especially the week of Sept. 16-21.

To start the week with a bang, we’re holding a TwEAT OUT all day on Monday, Sept. 16. Join in the fun and help spread the word about Dine Out For No Kid Hungry on Twitter and Facebook!

When: Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, 9 a.m.—9 p.m. ET

What: twEAT OUT for No Kid Hungry

How to Participate:

• Sign up on Thunderclap to spread the #NoKidHungry message simultaneously on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr: www.nokidhungry.org/thunder

• Check out the full list of resources at https://www.nokidhungry.org/page/goorange.

• On Twitter:
• Follow @DineOutNKH and @NoKidHungry, and retweet messages about the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry from those two accounts.
• Use the hashtag, #NoKidHungry, in all your tweets.
• Sample messages:
  • Tweet this: Dine out for #NoKidHungry! Visit nokidhungry.org to find a supporting #restaurant near you!
  • Tweet this: Eat, Tweet, Help End Childhood Hunger! On 9/16, use #NoKidHungry & twEAT Out

• On Facebook:
• “Like” the No Kid Hungry Facebook page.
• Share news about Dine Out For No Kid Hungry with your Facebook friends:
  • Share this: Love food? Love #NoKidHungry? Join thousands of restaurants coast to coast and dine out for No Kid Hungry! Visit nokidhungry.org to find a restaurant near you.
  • Share this: Join us! September 16 we’ll eat, tweet, and help end childhood hunger! On Twitter? Join us in the twEAT Out for #NoKidHungry!

Not on Twitter or Facebook? That’s okay—you can find No Kid Hungry on Instagram and Pinterest, too!

 

 

Join me. Be a hero.

Holding back the tears…and eating cupcakes

Today is the day. You are off to great places. You are off and away. I’m off to eat my feelings about you going to Kindergarten.

Luca is currently in his new Kindergarten class and I presume swooning over his teacher or loving the fact that he gets to wear a belt to school. It’s the little things that mean the most. I am at the kitchen table, working and looking at the clock. I can’t wait to see his face and hear all the stories- even the long ones (he gets that from his momma). I can’t wait to hear what he did and what opinions he has created already (he gets that from his momma as well). I was a fan of school and could not be more excited for L to experience the same thing. So why am I eating a cupcake at 9:30am? Well, because it is here and the kids are not. First mistake.

I have come to the conclusion that I am in disbelief that the babe I just brought home is now exposed. Exposed to the world and learning sight words that he will soon be able to read to me. Exposed to great things like service for others. Making new friends. It is amazing to me how the babe I just brought home can so easily write his name and add an “xo” because his daycare teacher taught him that. It is amazing to me how the babe I just brought home gave ME a tutorial about putting on a belt so “your shorts won’t fall down, Mom.”

I cannot wait to see him today.

I know the routine will get better. Like the fact I woke him up at 6am and his feet didn’t touch the floor until 6:50. I know that will get better. I know packing lunches will get easier and he will take over that task soon. I know there are days soon where I will be traveling and miss the routine. But for now… I am soaking it in. And dunking the cupcake in milk.

The guilt smells like garbage….

It’s gorgeous here in Brea, California. I’m parked under a palm tree at the hotel pool with hardly anyone around. As a few cool people would say, “JFDI“. Just Focus, Do It…. I’m primed, ready to focus. A benefit for me is that the actual pool is closed. Something about having to ‘clean it and sanitize after…’ I didn’t ask for more details. Had it been open, this pool rat would have worked past the feeling.

The feeling? The feeling is guilt. Guilt that I’m out here when my fantastic co workers smell fish in the break room. I hope that smell is fish. Guilt that my kids and J aren’t here with me. But to be honest, I would have paid a sweet Benjamin to get my pool cleaners to slap some quick on it so my kids would stop whining about being patient while they cleaned the pool. Guilt that Disneyland is 30 miles away. Guilt that I haven’t reminded someone not to pick their nose or stop biting their brother. I should be happy about the lack of nose picking. To be clear, I’m sure it’s still happening in Kansas but as the saying goes, if a tree falls in the forest..or something along those lines.

But the guilt is still there.

Luckily, I snap out of it… by the smell slapping me in the nose. The sweet smell of garbage and it’s removal in the 100 degree heat. It’s not all glam while traveling, folks. One can only collect so many min bottles of shampoo and body wash. Side note: Don’t bring toiletries when visiting my house. I got you covered. The lack of outlets in my room have forced me to work outside.

It feels like 80. This Kansas girl loves California… and my hair does too.

Rumor has it that the pool is open in 2 hours. I may work past the feeling and pretend to enjoy it. Wait…a Target behind the pool? I smell trouble.

Life is not a crisis….

I ran across a blog post today that made me stop.  I know that sounds corny and really there isn’t an snarky thought in there.. really.   When Luca was little and was sick with tummy issues that we had only begun to learn about; I happened upon this blog. 

To be clear, there is no way I am comparing her blog or her life experience to mine. Mine was temporary and her is not.  But every once in a while, I go back there and read. She is an amazing writer.  I’m not here to push religion or any type of beliefs on anyone else… to each their own and whatever floats your boat and such… 

But read this.  If you are a mother who hurried your kids out the door this morning.  If you are a mother who raced through bedtime. If you are a mother who feels that “life is crisis’.

My favorite line is “And my tone is typically closer to, ‘We are being chased by an escaped convict” than “We are running 5 minutes late to a play date at Chic-fil-a.'”  Classic. 

Read it.

http://angiesmithonline.com/2013/03/rushing-pausing-subtext-series/

 

Rhinos, Housekeeping and Katrina and the Waves…

Quite the headline, right? Oh yes. The events of the past few days have been eventful.

-J has thrown around his charm or ability to chat it up with a few Spanish speakers. Because of that talent, my kids have enjoyed free breadsticks, free pop and free churros. I might rent him out when we get back home.
-For not being a strict scheduled trip, we were racing the clock last night to meet Mickey and the princesses. Talk about stress. Now I know how it feels to meet the queen. Waiting and waiting and then boom, there they are and you really hope your deodorant is still working. Come on, you know what I am talking about.
-The moment when you are in line to meet princesses and you realize your boys are the only testosterone in the room. And the camera guy wearing the while polyester riding crops? They took his man badge away when he clocked in. Poor guy.
-So much amazing people watching. Best was the 18yr old girlfriend catching a ride on her 72 yr old boyfriend’s Hoverround scooter. Love AND efficiency.
-Just now my kids were singing ‘Walkin on Sunshine’ by Katrina and the Waves. I love them. Our hotel neighbors might have a different opinion.
-The safari at Animal Kingdom was great. However, I only came home with shots of animal fannies. To which my kids starting singing about rhino butts. 100% sure our hotel neighbors hate us.
-Our schedule has been nutty and pool time has been sparse. My fish, L, is not loving that. So I made the kids run in the sprinklers at 11pm last night. 110% sure the resort hates us.
-M ordered hot cocoa for dinner tonight. And the waiter brought it! And now I can’t feel my tongue. Freakin’ hot cocoa.
-We got pillow pets for the boys tonight. There was a lot of scheming to get them to be a surprise. When the boys found them, they were so excited! Nana asked who gave them the pillow pets. L responded ‘Housekeeping!’. Maids and Santa always steal our thunder.
-Fits of rage in between photo ops have been more frequent today. Always awesome. Really makes me rethink the child leash idea.
-As we are walking back to our room last night, the boys start spouting lines from Alvin and the Chipmunks. ‘Aawwwwk-ward!’ Hilarious…and then the 50th time, not so much.
-Lizards. everywhere.
-The beach is tomorrow. Pray for us.

Ducks and all….

I’m surrounded by snoring babes who smell like chlorine and who fought sleep like little warriors tonight. There is so much to take in and we haven’t even left the property yet.

Their day was full of firsts.
First plane rides (2 flights each, in fact);
First time seeing tadpoles at the lake;
First time swimming in a pool with ducks;
First time seeing lizards scurry across the sidewalk (My first time trying to explain why one poor fella met his flat fate on the sidewalk);
First time trying to understand why we don’t pet squirrels (creepy giant ones who aren’t afraid of humans);
First time throwing a tantrum in Pepper Market;
And first time comprehending that Mickey lives here, too.

I always miss my kids but I was so excited to see their little crunchy faces and hear their voices today. Although, I didn’t expect to have to explain why a giant 20 foot tall statue of a lizard was dressed as a woman. One of my firsts today, I suppose.

We spent the evening (30 min) swimming with ducks, tiny teeth chattering, blue lips, big smiles and all. Once I started thinking about duck poo in the water; our fun was over. Also, L bringing me someone else’s bandaid helped facilitate that decision.

Here’s hoping day #2 is fun filled, and squirrel free.

Panic in the pictures….

Do you smell that? That is panic… sheer panic. There is not enough time in the next week to get all that Pinterest demands I do to have a great family vacation. That sounded more sane in my head. We are headed to Disney World next week. To clarify, I will be in Orlando starting on Sunday and enjoy sweet sweet solitude with 2500 of my closest peers at a conference. Then the boys, J and my (amazing, yet unscarred) parents are flying down to meet me to stalk Mickey.

Mickey and I are having a love hate relationship. I enjoy how much my kids love him. I hate that everything with his face on it costs 14.99 and up. Really Mickey? Give the girl a break. Never mind, I’m married to a guy who can’t tell his kids no. Heck, he bought a box of fruit for $90… only to make the fruit guy at the door go away. We.Are.Screwed.

I can’t handle it…. I feel like we are heading to a remote island with no Target (oh the horror)… do we have enough shampoo? It’s not like I have a car.. and spending $25 on shampoo shaped like Jake and the Never Land pirates is NOT an option (J- I’m talking to you, buddy). If my kids come back smelling like chlorine, don’t judge. And if I come back smelling like rum.. don’t judge.

Rum smells better than panic.

Once upon a time..

Luca: “Mom, let me tell you a story…once upon a time there was a daddy tiger, a mommy tiger and two little tigers. The daddy tiger had an ipad in the forest. The mommy tiger said the little tiger couldn’t watch it because he lost his ‘pivledges’. The other little tiger stole the ipad and the mommy tiger didn’t know it. And maybe a starburst’…..

Teo woke me up this morning by trying to climb up the bed and saying ‘the huns are coming! while grasping for blanket handles. Then a few seconds later, he (acting like a lion) growls at me ‘Don’t touch my son’…a la Mufasa from Lion King.. The kid has watched Lion King and Mulan one too many times.

You are 5

Tomorrow Luca turns 5. I’m sure I blinked and missed 3 years somewhere… This boy who has been counting down the ‘sleeps’ until he turns 5 is quite the character. He has always acted like he is 35. The vocabulary, the imagination, the lack of a job and living with his parents….all something a 35 year old might have. This boy of mine wears a size 13 shoe. He really is the human L. He is eating me out of house and home and is always hungry. He is still shy but once he warms up..watch out. Kind of like his momma..

He is the main reason I started this blog and provides most of the fodder for it. He made it ok for me to go to work with crunchy smudge on my shoulders or to take off early from work, just so we can hang out. He made it ok to sit and watch Austin and Ally on Disney…even when he has already left the room.

He informs me about where my obliques are located and does a little song about his quads. He knows why we have bones and how we get energy. He knows all lyrics to a lot of songs he shouldn’t and makes me laugh each time….Thank you Taylor Swift. He is as passionate about berries as sweet tarts…and is so proud that he can pour orange juice for his brother. He has become a fierce protector of his little brother and equally a fierce tormentor of him.

He imagines with great detail and storylines. He loves to call people and talk about their day…most of the people we actually know. He loves to just BE with his dad. He loves to negotiate and give you options….mostly to get to stay up later. He loves his grandparents and gets so worried when they are sick. He is the #1 grandchild and loves to be the leader of the Faddis grandkids.

He informs you of details or directions in traffic that you might overlook. He is aware of where we go and how fast we get there…and knows what speeding means. I choose to take that as a good thing. He knows how to get beads in AND out of his nose. I choose to take that as a good thing as well.

He is our blessing.

Happy Birthday Luca….you are the best thing.

Those Cheerios are NOT for eating….

In the last hour, I am positive that my parenting has been judged multiple times.

Could it be because my children were screaming bloody murder in the car wash? Note to self: wash care solo next time.

Could it be that I fed my dog Cheerios and then found my kid eating them out of the dog food bowl? After I got after him for it, he looked at me like I was crazy. Granted, I know its a mixed message but still, I have parenting standards and eating out of the same bowl as the dog is one of them. Note to self: buy the stinkin dog food.

Could it be when we were getting dinner tonight at a Chinese restaurant and M took off like a shot? I was in mid order so I sent L to retrieve him. L came back with just M’s bear hat so it looked like M had been scalped. I stopped my order and found M suctioned to the wall behind the door to the kitchen. One door swing and M would have been like a bug on the windshield. Note to self: buy a leash for the kid.

What time is bedtime? Now? ok….