DDA Chapter 4

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Bernadette - There might be a certain charm to a snowy barn. As long as I am HERE, where it is nearly 80 degrees!
My bosses are going away and the grandparents are coming to look after Princess. They don't want my help. The previous nanny actually told me that whenever there are grandparents around that I won't be working because they like to have Princess to themselves. But I am still paid my full salary for those days. This is the first job I have had where BOTH sets of grandparents cherish their time with my charge. Quite a refreshing change!
Apparently DS is doing well with drumming, and he always made perfect scores in Art. I wish PE wasn't required for the whole year in 7th grade because he would have liked to do another semester of Art. PE gags me. And since he is so small I am envisioning a rough year for him in PE next year.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Hi, everyone! It's tough to catch up after a long weekend!

I had a great time at the Storytelling Conference. There were some fabulous workshops, and 2 great keynote tellers. We got to listen to Donald Daviss (fabulous), and David Novak (also fabulous!). I also had a chance to listen to a storyteller from the Czech Republic. It was fascinating to hear some Czech folk tales!

I now have a full blown cold, and I'm hating it!!! Taking the meds makes me feel all spacy, and out of it! Ick!!!! Oh well. If it keeps me from coughing and sneezing, I'll take it.

Your weekend sounds like such a great time. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well.

Hey there...hope everyone had a good weekend!


Robyn, your trip report is great. Alyssa and I have really enjoyed looking at your pictures! Keep us posted on those Ohio plans, though I'm not sure what kind of "shape" Jen and I will be in.

to everyone else!

I will definitely keep you all in mind! I think that you will be in fine shape, Jennifer may need a little help (which I'd gladly help out with) It would be great to get Alyssa and Molly together!

Snow pictures! I didn't bother to buy Matty any snow boots this year, since Alyssa only wore her boots once last season. Thus, I had to improvise when we played outside the other day.

Great pics. I'm afraid we'll have no snow pics this year

Hi, Amy! Cute pics!

Glynis, I am sorry you aren't feeling well! I hope you are able to kick your cold quickly!

DS claims he has no homework, except to read a book of his choice for 20 minutes and write a short summary. He forgot to turn in his summaries last week and he had a "0" when I checked his grades. He said he turned it in today. He has another "0" for annotations on a story. He said they weren't finished, but she never asked for them. Then he said he turned them last week. Then he said he asked her about them but she didn't answer him. Then he said they aren't finished, he can't finish them without the book, and she won't take them now because it is too late so he won't bother to finish! He drives me absolutely mad!
Apparently the Science teacher never found that paper he said he turned in while the substitute was there, so he really needs to re-do that.
I also need to e-mail his social studies teacher because I think there is more to this project due next week than he has shared with me. The thing that bothers me about that one is that she didn't give them a paper outlining the requirements of the assignment, so I have to take his word for it. Obviously he is having trouble keeping his stories straight these days, so I need to hear from the teacher EXACTLY what this project entails.

Oh, Elizabeth. Middle school has not been a great experience for you. I hope he can make up some of those assignments.

I emailed the duck tour people to see if there were any group rates for whenever we go..

here is the response:
Hi,

Thank you for your interest in Ride The Ducks of Philadelphia. The group rate starts at 20 people. The group rate is only good Monday through Thursday, and select times on the weekend. The rate is $21.00 per adult and $14.00 per child. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks!

That seems like the Baltimore Ducks- the group rate was like 50 cents cheaper.

Hope things went smoothly for your SIL!


You would know it had been a barn. I'm not sure you want to see a picture right now with all the cold, wet, white stuff on the ground.


So if he brought the sick kid and you got sick he'd still want you to take the kid while you were sick right?


DH will get a taste of what it will be like when Emma is in school all day next year (which reminds me I think we still need to do that paperwork....) when I take her to WDW in May. He'll be alone from 8:30 when Joe & Emma get on the bus til 2:50 when Lizzy gets off the bus.


Poor Leighanna. I'm sure Emma will have to pack her lunch next year as she is the pickiest eater ever. Joe on the other hand LOVES the school lunch. He was out sick a while ago (with a fever or something-still had a good appetite) and he wanted my DH to serve him what was on the school menu. He's my good eater!

Belated Birthday wishes for Leighanna. I'm afraid I forgot when I lost my big multiquote. Her party looked like lots of fun!!!!!

Our schools have switched to one day per month for birthday celebrations and absolutely no homemade items ever.



No PBJ's at our schools with all the peanut alergies. All the kids snacks (eaten in the classrooms) have to be peanut free and they prefer prepackaged items. If it isn't individually packaged you're suposed to send in the ingredient list. The kids leave their backpacks in the hall until the nurse can inspect their bags.


Are the bosses going away? You should have gone to WDW!


LOVE all your pictures!!! Your Sully picture was great!!!

I too have witnessed that behavior at HSM. Thankfully when I was alone. It would have been downright scary if I had the kids with me.

You can NOT ever travel with them!!!!!


NICE!!! I too would just use a transfer for light shirts. I've had good luck with them. And like Elizabeth said I think I would like it without Mickey too.


I can not believe how cold it was for you when Joe & I were there right before you and it was in the 80's during the day and 60's at night. When I take Emma for her 7th birthday it will be that week. But that is the thing about January-you just never know. When we were there for Joe's 3rd birthday we had temps in the 30's.

How was the Tonosama? It looks good. I won't tell if you don't. I think there will be a few adult meals in May.




Sounds like a great weekend!

Good luck with your cold! I know exactly what you mean about the cold meds. You can't breath without them but can't think with them.



How cute! I'm sure Matty had a great time!!!



Good luck!!!!

I can see this happening with Lizzy too. She is so scatter brained for a smart kid. DH keeps telling me she's the artist.

Crazy, stupid people!

The dinner was pretty tasty. I think we used a total of 2 "kid" CS credits the entire trip. And they were on the last day for breakfast as we had 9 left!

Wait til you hear about my experience at Epcot with an adult.

They are going this coming December and wanted us to tag along. Well for one there is no way I can swing that financially unless the money tree makes itself visible but more than that their oldest DD, while I love her dearly, would drive me and my girls crazy after a day. She is a nervous Nelly and doesn't do rides. Not to mention that she is a little spoiled and gets what she asks for about all the time. Mine- not so much but it wouldn't be a great situation day in and day out.

I'm glad you had a good weekend! I hope you are feeling better soon :




Robyn, I'm still loving your TR -- and the pictures are all adorable!

Thanks!! I could have posted a ton more, but I refrained.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Bernadette - There might be a certain charm to a snowy barn. As long as I am HERE, where it is nearly 80 degrees!
My bosses are going away and the grandparents are coming to look after Princess. They don't want my help. The previous nanny actually told me that whenever there are grandparents around that I won't be working because they like to have Princess to themselves. But I am still paid my full salary for those days. This is the first job I have had where BOTH sets of grandparents cherish their time with my charge. Quite a refreshing change!
Apparently DS is doing well with drumming, and he always made perfect scores in Art. I wish PE wasn't required for the whole year in 7th grade because he would have liked to do another semester of Art. PE gags me. And since he is so small I am envisioning a rough year for him in PE next year.

It's so nice to see that there are some people out there who really like spending time with their kids/grandkids.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Should we be concerned about hotels for this weekend??

oo i didnt think about that--good thinking..

 

[lovesdumbo]

Bernadette - There might be a certain charm to a snowy barn. As long as I am HERE, where it is nearly 80 degrees!
My bosses are going away and the grandparents are coming to look after Princess. They don't want my help. The previous nanny actually told me that whenever there are grandparents around that I won't be working because they like to have Princess to themselves. But I am still paid my full salary for those days. This is the first job I have had where BOTH sets of grandparents cherish their time with my charge. Quite a refreshing change!
Apparently DS is doing well with drumming, and he always made perfect scores in Art. I wish PE wasn't required for the whole year in 7th grade because he would have liked to do another semester of Art. PE gags me. And since he is so small I am envisioning a rough year for him in PE next year.

Sounds like your bosses like to spend more time with your charge more than the old ones. And is sounds like Princess is a whole lot nicer to be around than some undisciplined children.

They are going this coming December and wanted us to tag along. Well for one there is no way I can swing that financially unless the money tree makes itself visible but more than that their oldest DD, while I love her dearly, would drive me and my girls crazy after a day. She is a nervous Nelly and doesn't do rides. Not to mention that she is a little spoiled and gets what she asks for about all the time. Mine- not so much but it wouldn't be a great situation day in and day out.



Thanks!! I could have posted a ton more, but I refrained.

Lizzy can be a nervous Nelly. She always gets "sick" (doesn't feel well) when ever we travel. In Aug 06 when my friend & her DH came Lizzy was freaking out about the lightning (so everyday) and my friend's DH tried everyday to explain it to her and how she shouldn't be afraid. He would spend no kidding like 30 to 45 minutes a day explaining what it was and how it happened. It was driving me crazy. BUT for as nervous and shy and timid as Lizzy is she LOVES all the thrill rides. I didn't do too many thrill rides til I had to with her and I actually like them now. I really want to encourage that side in her as it is so out of character for her.

Last year she freaked out about how dry it was at home and how it our new apple trees were going to die. I wonder where she got that from.

Almost every trip my friend from FL and her DD come to see us and we do get along great but I was ready to strangle her DD(8) who wouldn't cooperate for a group photo in the T's I made for all of us in November. I even made one for my friend's friend. I was annoyed with the photographer too as he didn't do too much to make us look like a group but I guess he figured why bother. Thankfully she's usually a pretty good kid-especially as she's gotten a bit older but I wasn't feeling well that day and I really disappointed. I'm sure there have been times when my friend wanted to strangle one or more of mine. We've never done more than a weekend together so I'm sure that helps.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks!! I could have posted a ton more, but I refrained.

Stop refraining!!!!!!!

 

[Tammi67]

Glynis - I hope you feel better soon.

Robyn - great installments of the TR. The pictures are fabulous.

Jen - are you taking a head count for the duck tour.

Amy - the kiddos are getting so big. Don't you have any hand-me-down boots that Matty could have worn? I'm sure they would be princesses or something of the like, but he wouldn't know the difference!

 

[Tammi67]

Great pics. I'm afraid we'll have no snow pics this year

Bite your tongue, woman! If we get dumped on it's all your fault!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

In my first job the maternal GPs were incredible - so very thoughtful and nice and they loved being with the kids. The paternal ones, eh, not so much. Nice enough people, but not terribly hands-on.

In my 2nd job the paternal GM was wonderful and would always help watch the boys, but her health was declining. The maternal GPs lived far away and when they did come to visit they were completely self-absorbed. They would pop in on their way to do something else, stay 10 minutes to totally discombobulate the kids, then they would leave.

Brother & Sister's grandparents weren't too bad. The paternal GPs were wonderful, but they didn't like to be taken advantage of. They stood up for themselves and I think that made my ex-bosses mad. The maternal GM lived overseas so she was only around sporadically. The maternal GP was kind of pompous but he wasn't a bad guy. He would lend a hand in a pinch.

Both sets of Princess's GPs seem like really, really nice people. We met the maternal GPs at Thanksgiving, then the paternal GPs came to help while I was at Disney in December. I like all of them - which hasn't ever happened before! They all call and chat with me about Princess if my bosses aren't home. Princess isn't big on the phone - she will listen and smile but she won't speak. She is the only grandchild on the maternal side, and the only girl on the paternal side so she has more love than she knows what to do with!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Bite your tongue, woman! If we get dumped on it's all your fault!

No, it's YOUR fault! You and that groundhog.

 

[KMH1]

.

Amy - the kiddos are getting so big. Don't you have any hand-me-down boots that Matty could have worn? I'm sure they would be princesses or something of the like, but he wouldn't know the difference!

Nope! We honestly don't get that much snow in Cincinnati, so I didn't buy Alyssa any boots until last season. I purposely bought them big, so she still fits in them, and Matty got stuck with the Cookie Monster slippers.

Thanks for all the compliments!

Robyn, I agree, it would be fun to get together!

Bernadette, I thought my kids didn't cooperate for pictures.

Theresa, please check in soon!

Hope everyone is having a good night.

 

[Tammi67]

No, it's YOUR fault! You and that groundhog.

Stupid rodent!

 

[Tammi67]

Nope! We honestly don't get that much snow in Cincinnati, so I didn't buy Alyssa any boots until last season. I purposely bought them big, so she still fits in them, and Matty got stuck with the Cookie Monster slippers.

Well if I would have known......I have several too small pairs collecting dust around here. Boy boots even!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I need Anne Marie's "beat your head on the wall" smilie.

DH said we got a check in the mail today from State Farm for $33. Huh. That is the amount they made us pay to have the car re-titled from Nissan to State Farm. Guess they refunded it.

NO, they didn't, and DH didn't bother to READ the papers!

It is a check to the county tax assessor, along with instructions that WE are supposed to go to the office and re-title the damn car ourselves! But SOMEBODY cashed the check I wrote for $33 in January! IF DH had bothered to READ this stuff I could have talked to the insurance office about it when I called them AGAIN this afternoon about the bill. But Youngster was the only one there, and she doesn't understand anything anyway.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Sounds like your bosses like to spend more time with your charge more than the old ones. And is sounds like Princess is a whole lot nicer to be around than some undisciplined children.


Lizzy can be a nervous Nelly. She always gets "sick" (doesn't feel well) when ever we travel. In Aug 06 when my friend & her DH came Lizzy was freaking out about the lightning (so everyday) and my friend's DH tried everyday to explain it to her and how she shouldn't be afraid. He would spend no kidding like 30 to 45 minutes a day explaining what it was and how it happened. It was driving me crazy. BUT for as nervous and shy and timid as Lizzy is she LOVES all the thrill rides. I didn't do too many thrill rides til I had to with her and I actually like them now. I really want to encourage that side in her as it is so out of character for her.

Last year she freaked out about how dry it was at home and how it our new apple trees were going to die. I wonder where she got that from.

Almost every trip my friend from FL and her DD come to see us and we do get along great but I was ready to strangle her DD(8) who wouldn't cooperate for a group photo in the T's I made for all of us in November. I even made one for my friend's friend. I was annoyed with the photographer too as he didn't do too much to make us look like a group but I guess he figured why bother. Thankfully she's usually a pretty good kid-especially as she's gotten a bit older but I wasn't feeling well that day and I really disappointed. I'm sure there have been times when my friend wanted to strangle one or more of mine. We've never done more than a weekend together so I'm sure that helps.

Stop refraining!!!!!!!

Emma pulls the "I don't feel well" when there is something she doesn't want to do. She had tummy issues in preschool and kindergarten. We've since found that it is more of a mental than physical thing with her but she tries to pull that card every once and a while.

But just think that you'll never forget that day! I will always have this ideal scenario in my head and reality never lives up to it so I completely can commiserate with your disappointment.

The problem is that you can only add 26 pics per post. That's why I split the last day up. And forget about smilies.

Glynis - I hope you feel better soon.

Robyn - great installments of the TR. The pictures are fabulous.

Jen - are you taking a head count for the duck tour.

Amy - the kiddos are getting so big. Don't you have any hand-me-down boots that Matty could have worn? I'm sure they would be princesses or something of the like, but he wouldn't know the difference!

Thanks!!

At least the new baby won't have to wear princess hand me downs.

Bite your tongue, woman! If we get dumped on it's all your fault!

I would love to get dumped on. I absolutely get so irritated when they forecast the snow and we get nothing. I need those days so I can be kid free. You know- mental health days!

In my first job the maternal GPs were incredible - so very thoughtful and nice and they loved being with the kids. The paternal ones, eh, not so much. Nice enough people, but not terribly hands-on.

In my 2nd job the paternal GM was wonderful and would always help watch the boys, but her health was declining. The maternal GPs lived far away and when they did come to visit they were completely self-absorbed. They would pop in on their way to do something else, stay 10 minutes to totally discombobulate the kids, then they would leave.

Brother & Sister's grandparents weren't too bad. The paternal GPs were wonderful, but they didn't like to be taken advantage of. They stood up for themselves and I think that made my ex-bosses mad. The maternal GM lived overseas so she was only around sporadically. The maternal GP was kind of pompous but he wasn't a bad guy. He would lend a hand in a pinch.

Both sets of Princess's GPs seem like really, really nice people. We met the maternal GPs at Thanksgiving, then the paternal GPs came to help while I was at Disney in December. I like all of them - which hasn't ever happened before! They all call and chat with me about Princess if my bosses aren't home. Princess isn't big on the phone - she will listen and smile but she won't speak. She is the only grandchild on the maternal side, and the only girl on the paternal side so she has more love than she knows what to do with!

How lucky is she to have 2 great sets of GP's.

Nope! We honestly don't get that much snow in Cincinnati, so I didn't buy Alyssa any boots until last season. I purposely bought them big, so she still fits in them, and Matty got stuck with the Cookie Monster slippers.

Thanks for all the compliments!

Robyn, I agree, it would be fun to get together!

Bernadette, I thought my kids didn't cooperate for pictures.

Theresa, please check in soon!

Hope everyone is having a good night.

I am sure Alyssa and Molly would be an interesting combo. Since Alyssa is the eldest I bet she has a similar personality to Mo's best friend who is also the eldest. Everything is orderly and her way. Emma has the same characteristics too. It's funny to see Sydney get frustrated trying to corral Mo into doing what she wants and Molly wants no parts of it. But they love each other to pieces.

 

[lovespoohbear]

since we have 3 jens here i am not sure which one to thank for the flowers. i cried all morning and was calming down and then the flowers arrived and i started all over again. i did take a picture of them and will post the tomorrow.

i wanted to tell you my attendant's, desirae, dream she had the other night. she dreamed she and i were at her obs office and she was getting an ultrasound. they counted sacks and she had 8. she said she freaked and asked if she could just have 4. she did say it was 4 girls and 4 boys. she said with that plus a gut feeling she thinks shes having twins. we will see wednesday

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Gail just called and told me that she has a mouse living behind her sofa. Yikes I am sure there is more than one and I bet they will be here soon.

Stupid rodent!

 

[Tammi67]

I would love to get dumped on. I absolutely get so irritated when they forecast the snow and we get nothing. I need those days so I can be kid free. You know- mental health days!

I am quite familiar with mental health days!

 

[Tammi67]

Gail just called and told me that she has a mouse living behind her sofa. Yikes I am sure there is more than one and I bet they will be here soon.

Do you have a cat that she can borrow?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My check was cashed by State Farm Bank. They then cut a check to the tax assessor and mailed it to me, so I am still out my same $33. But this deal of going to the tax office to have the vehicle re-titled is a crock! I *think* part of the problem is that I wasn't listed on the original loan, and the new loan is joint. But I don't see how this is our responsibility.

In case anyone ever considers refinancing a vehicle to knock less than 2% off the interest rate I would say JUST PAY THE HIGHER INTEREST!