There is a kid in Rachel's class named Marat. His mom, a single woman, adopted him from Greece. Since kindergarten he has been somewhat of a troublemaker, although not serious. However, some of his recent behavior is questionable.
A couple of months ago, Rachel reported that Marat was showing kids his nipples. I think he got sent to the principal for that.
A week or so ago, he was showing kids his belly button -- he's an "outie" -- and, according to Rachel, figured out a way to launch crumbs from it.
Then, this past week, Rachel said, he went up to her during gym class and said, "Wanna see my butt crack?"
"Eeew, NO!" she said, and that made him back off.
Both Drew and I are wondering what is wrong with this kid. His mom seems like a perfectly nice woman; she's one of my favorite class moms. Sigh.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Rental House Adventures, Part 2
So...we managed to get through the day without a) a functioning oven b) a functioning microwave, c) a functioning toaster. Thank God Auntie Rachel had a good attitude about this. Lots of jokes about how she left corrupt, crazy Nairobi to find Third-World conditions right here in the good ol' USA.
Drew called the rental company, which of course is not open on weekends. He did get the emergency service on the phone, and they helpfully suggested that we try to make things work with extension cords. And that, Dear Readers, is when we discovered that THE KITCHEN'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS ON EXTENSION CORDS. Apparently the house's owners, when they put in a new microwave, neglected to rewire the kitchen like they should have (the neighbors have told us that the dad tried several DIY projects, then ended up going to the neighbors for help because he f----d things up). Have to wonder why they put their daughters and their nanny in danger with wiring the kitchen via electrical outlets that appear to have failed after years of too much electricity running through them. Can't wait to get an electrician in here, have them blanch in horror at the not-up-to-code system, and then having the owners pay for what they should have done years ago.
So, Rachel Jones went upstairs after breakfast to take a jet-lagged nap that has now lasted for more than eight hours. Drew and I went out separately to run errands, with Drew taking Little Rachel for some sandal-shopping (supposedly it is going to be in the mid-80s later this week and sunny), and then Drew and I went to a Thai place for dinner. It is raining and cold, and the only thing that saved today was cupcakes for dessert at Wham! (an 80s group) on the radio. Hoping for better tomorrow.
Drew called the rental company, which of course is not open on weekends. He did get the emergency service on the phone, and they helpfully suggested that we try to make things work with extension cords. And that, Dear Readers, is when we discovered that THE KITCHEN'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS ON EXTENSION CORDS. Apparently the house's owners, when they put in a new microwave, neglected to rewire the kitchen like they should have (the neighbors have told us that the dad tried several DIY projects, then ended up going to the neighbors for help because he f----d things up). Have to wonder why they put their daughters and their nanny in danger with wiring the kitchen via electrical outlets that appear to have failed after years of too much electricity running through them. Can't wait to get an electrician in here, have them blanch in horror at the not-up-to-code system, and then having the owners pay for what they should have done years ago.
So, Rachel Jones went upstairs after breakfast to take a jet-lagged nap that has now lasted for more than eight hours. Drew and I went out separately to run errands, with Drew taking Little Rachel for some sandal-shopping (supposedly it is going to be in the mid-80s later this week and sunny), and then Drew and I went to a Thai place for dinner. It is raining and cold, and the only thing that saved today was cupcakes for dessert at Wham! (an 80s group) on the radio. Hoping for better tomorrow.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Sweet little girl
Last night as I was kissing her before going to sleep, Little Rachel said, "Mom, please don't be jealous that I'm not paying as much attention to you because Auntie Rachel is here. I don't see her that often."
I was too taken aback to even say, "It's okay, sweetie, I understand."
Tonight, when Big Rachel crashed (she's still on Nairobi time, several hours ahead of us) and Drew was upstairs, Little Rachel came outside, where I was still sitting enjoying the warm and mosquito-free night, climbed onto my chair and crawled into my lap and we had a nice cuddle. I told her how much I love cuddling.
"I'm sorry I haven't been paying enough attention to you," she said.
"It's okay, sweetie, I understand," I said.
"No, it's not okay," she replied.
And then she kissed me multiple times, said she had to get on up to bed, and left.
I completely adore this kid.
I was too taken aback to even say, "It's okay, sweetie, I understand."
Tonight, when Big Rachel crashed (she's still on Nairobi time, several hours ahead of us) and Drew was upstairs, Little Rachel came outside, where I was still sitting enjoying the warm and mosquito-free night, climbed onto my chair and crawled into my lap and we had a nice cuddle. I told her how much I love cuddling.
"I'm sorry I haven't been paying enough attention to you," she said.
"It's okay, sweetie, I understand," I said.
"No, it's not okay," she replied.
And then she kissed me multiple times, said she had to get on up to bed, and left.
I completely adore this kid.
MacGuyver this, baby
I had planned a beautiful outdoors Shabbat dinner tonight, as the weather is going to turn after midnight and tomorrow is forecast to be rainy and breezy, with a high of 60 degrees (ugh). It isn't supposed to get nice again until the middle of next week.
I got out the lamb at 5 p.m. after Big Rachel and I picked up Little Rachel from school today. I rubbed it with a mix of oil, lemon, marjoram, sage and garlic and popped it in the oven -- only to realize that I had gotten a big lamb -- eight pounds -- and the cooking time would have to be doubled, meaning we wouldn't be eating until 9. So, I made an emergency call to Dan, my catering partner, and he gave me instructions on how to cut the cooking time. So, I relaxed a bit and watched funny videos with Rachel and Rachel until about 7:20, when I checked on the meat. (I had called Drew and told him not to rush home from work, that dinner wouldn't be ready until about 8 or even 8:30).
Right after I called him, I looked at the oven -- it was out. So was the microwave. So was the refrigerator; the light was off. I tried to turn on the toaster -- nothing.
I called Drew back; he told me to check the fuse box. All looked okay, and we still had electricity in the rest of the house.
When Drew got home, he tried troubleshooting, to no avail. He called the rental company's emergency line and after they talked for a while, the electrician said the company would have to send someone to check things in person. Meanwhile, I was worried about losing the lamb (which was almost done, but not completely) and making plans to eat out.
And then our brilliant Little Rachel suggested the grill.
Yorkshire pudding was out (unfortunately I had already made the batter), but Drew took out some frozen challah, plugged our toaster in outside, fired up the grill and we finished off the lamb there. Then we discovered we could still use the stovetop if we used matches near the burners, so I was able to make the asparagus dish I had planned on.
So...we didn't eat until 9. But we were outside, the food was great, we had other candles besides the Shabbat ones, and we had chocolate-chip cake for dessert. Everyone was happy and Big Rachel said, "I so admire how poised you are," and I told her that compliment meant the world to me.
Tomorrow we grumble about not having an oven, and all the things in this house that are falling apart, but...tonight we rescued Shabbat dinner, and we got to eat outside, and we all talked and laughed and played word games, and it was just what I wanted it to be.
I got out the lamb at 5 p.m. after Big Rachel and I picked up Little Rachel from school today. I rubbed it with a mix of oil, lemon, marjoram, sage and garlic and popped it in the oven -- only to realize that I had gotten a big lamb -- eight pounds -- and the cooking time would have to be doubled, meaning we wouldn't be eating until 9. So, I made an emergency call to Dan, my catering partner, and he gave me instructions on how to cut the cooking time. So, I relaxed a bit and watched funny videos with Rachel and Rachel until about 7:20, when I checked on the meat. (I had called Drew and told him not to rush home from work, that dinner wouldn't be ready until about 8 or even 8:30).
Right after I called him, I looked at the oven -- it was out. So was the microwave. So was the refrigerator; the light was off. I tried to turn on the toaster -- nothing.
I called Drew back; he told me to check the fuse box. All looked okay, and we still had electricity in the rest of the house.
When Drew got home, he tried troubleshooting, to no avail. He called the rental company's emergency line and after they talked for a while, the electrician said the company would have to send someone to check things in person. Meanwhile, I was worried about losing the lamb (which was almost done, but not completely) and making plans to eat out.
And then our brilliant Little Rachel suggested the grill.
Yorkshire pudding was out (unfortunately I had already made the batter), but Drew took out some frozen challah, plugged our toaster in outside, fired up the grill and we finished off the lamb there. Then we discovered we could still use the stovetop if we used matches near the burners, so I was able to make the asparagus dish I had planned on.
So...we didn't eat until 9. But we were outside, the food was great, we had other candles besides the Shabbat ones, and we had chocolate-chip cake for dessert. Everyone was happy and Big Rachel said, "I so admire how poised you are," and I told her that compliment meant the world to me.
Tomorrow we grumble about not having an oven, and all the things in this house that are falling apart, but...tonight we rescued Shabbat dinner, and we got to eat outside, and we all talked and laughed and played word games, and it was just what I wanted it to be.
Auntie Rachel is here!
Rachel Jones has arrived, jet-lagged and a bit shellshocked, from Kenya and so far we are having a wonderful time. She came in Thursday afternoon, I picked her up from the airport and we drove straight to Kapnos Taverna, a great Greek restaurant in Arlington, and had dinner (and, um, drinks. We were both pretty relaxed by the end of the meal!). Then we went across the street and bought a bunch of treats -- cupcakes, mostly -- and came home.
Little Rachel was SO excited to see Big Rachel -- she ran up and gave her a hug, and said, "I'm SO glad you're here! I missed you!" as only a heartfelt, sweet, 7-going-on-17 girl can. Big Rachel read to her and put her to bed while I ate a cupcake for dessert.
I ended up falling asleep reading at 12:30 a.m. and I didn't wake up this morning until 10 a.m. I guess I need the sleep.
Little Rachel was SO excited to see Big Rachel -- she ran up and gave her a hug, and said, "I'm SO glad you're here! I missed you!" as only a heartfelt, sweet, 7-going-on-17 girl can. Big Rachel read to her and put her to bed while I ate a cupcake for dessert.
I ended up falling asleep reading at 12:30 a.m. and I didn't wake up this morning until 10 a.m. I guess I need the sleep.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Auntie Ruth!
So great to see Aunt Ruth (Rachel's term), who was in town to visit Uncle Dan this weekend. We met at a local restaurant for brunch, and Rachel showed her a series of books she is reading about Lulu, a character in fiction that Drew and Ruth remember but that I, weirdly, do not.
Rachel loved seeing Ruth, but they had to cut it short because Rachel's final Shir Joy (synagogue chorus) meeting was today. They had pizza and each chorus member got a cool gift -- a magnetic flashlight -- which Drew said pleased Rachel no end.
Rachel has a swim lesson at 2:30 (this was decided only last night) and I am home until I leave for work in an hour.
Rachel loved seeing Ruth, but they had to cut it short because Rachel's final Shir Joy (synagogue chorus) meeting was today. They had pizza and each chorus member got a cool gift -- a magnetic flashlight -- which Drew said pleased Rachel no end.
Rachel has a swim lesson at 2:30 (this was decided only last night) and I am home until I leave for work in an hour.
Baby talk
I asked Rachel if she really wanted to go to the baby shower that Syd had asked her to attend, because she kept insisting that "I told Sydney I'd go, and you keep saying that I need to be polite," so she didn't want to refuse the invitation.
"Do you REALLY want to go?" I pressed.
"Sure. I want to see all the cute baby clothes," she exclaimed.
"You know, for someone who doesn't want kids, you seem to like babies an awful lot," I said. "Why don't you want to have kids?"
"They grow up," she said darkly.
Can't argue with you there, kid.
"Do you REALLY want to go?" I pressed.
"Sure. I want to see all the cute baby clothes," she exclaimed.
"You know, for someone who doesn't want kids, you seem to like babies an awful lot," I said. "Why don't you want to have kids?"
"They grow up," she said darkly.
Can't argue with you there, kid.
A break in the weather
Crazy weather we're having here. Springlike one day, cold and windy the next, rain for the past 15 days (interrupted by sun breaks now and then). Longing for a return to some normalcy, whether it's cold or hot.
Yesterday we took advantage of a sunny, warm-but-not-too-warm day -- 70 degrees -- and raced outside to do some gardening (after I woke up at 9:30). I had wanted to take Rachel to a career expo fair, for pre-K to high school, but it was so nice outside that I decided we really should be outside and not indoors. Nicole had invited Rachel to accompany Sydney to a baby shower for Sydney's dad's girlfriend, who is having their baby girl soon, but I think Rachel needs a break from Syd -- or at least, needs to make friends outside of Sydney all the time -- so I arranged for her to have a playdate at Ivy's (her parents, Billy and Jenny, are, sadly, divorcing. That means Ivy, her brother Liam and Jenny won't be going with Billy to Copenhagen, and will be moving a 10-minute drive away. Hoping that Rachel and Ivy will revive their friendship).
Around noon, we started cleaning up the garden. Rachel eagerly offered to help me, and she did a really good, consistent job of weeding the front with me while, at her suggestion, Drew mowed in the back. Then, when he was done, we switched, and Rachel and I weeded the back while Drew mowed in the front.
At one point, Rachel said she needed to go to the bathroom. She took so long that I was sure that she had left for good because she was bored and tired -- but no, as Drew told me later. She was using that time to clean the bathroom, unasked, because it was part of her chores and she wanted to get it done. I was extremely impressed!
And when we weeded in the back, Rachel was fantastic. Never once did she complain about the heat or about being tired. Her self-appointed task was to strip the flowers from the thyme plans (which are taking over the kitchen herb garden, along with the sage), and she did a great job. Twice she said, "I love gardening with you, Mommy," which was music to my ears, and I told her that I loved working outside with her. As I moved on to a different section of the garden, I suddenly thought: "These are the best days of my life," which I made sure to to tell her when I went upstairs that night to give her a kiss. "Thanks, Mom," she said, smiling. I hope I'm giving her memories she'll keep forever.
Then, just after I walked her over to her playdate with Ivy, the temperatures dropped, the skies opened up and we got RAIN. That meant that Rachel stayed at Ivy's for most of the afternoon and I started cleaning inside for Rachel Jones, who is visiting us this coming Tuesday through the end of the month.
Drew went to Ivy's to pick up Rachel just in time for Taylor, her swim teacher who was babysitting for us, to come and start babysitting while Drew and I went to the annual auction for McKinley. We actually won something on our bid -- $55 for four kids to do an hour of jump time at a trampoline place hear our house. We figure we'll do it as an end-of-the-school-year celebration for Rachel and three of her friends. Plus, we bought a mustache-topped cupcake home for her. She's such a good kid, we like doing nice things for her whenever we can.
Yesterday we took advantage of a sunny, warm-but-not-too-warm day -- 70 degrees -- and raced outside to do some gardening (after I woke up at 9:30). I had wanted to take Rachel to a career expo fair, for pre-K to high school, but it was so nice outside that I decided we really should be outside and not indoors. Nicole had invited Rachel to accompany Sydney to a baby shower for Sydney's dad's girlfriend, who is having their baby girl soon, but I think Rachel needs a break from Syd -- or at least, needs to make friends outside of Sydney all the time -- so I arranged for her to have a playdate at Ivy's (her parents, Billy and Jenny, are, sadly, divorcing. That means Ivy, her brother Liam and Jenny won't be going with Billy to Copenhagen, and will be moving a 10-minute drive away. Hoping that Rachel and Ivy will revive their friendship).
Around noon, we started cleaning up the garden. Rachel eagerly offered to help me, and she did a really good, consistent job of weeding the front with me while, at her suggestion, Drew mowed in the back. Then, when he was done, we switched, and Rachel and I weeded the back while Drew mowed in the front.
At one point, Rachel said she needed to go to the bathroom. She took so long that I was sure that she had left for good because she was bored and tired -- but no, as Drew told me later. She was using that time to clean the bathroom, unasked, because it was part of her chores and she wanted to get it done. I was extremely impressed!
And when we weeded in the back, Rachel was fantastic. Never once did she complain about the heat or about being tired. Her self-appointed task was to strip the flowers from the thyme plans (which are taking over the kitchen herb garden, along with the sage), and she did a great job. Twice she said, "I love gardening with you, Mommy," which was music to my ears, and I told her that I loved working outside with her. As I moved on to a different section of the garden, I suddenly thought: "These are the best days of my life," which I made sure to to tell her when I went upstairs that night to give her a kiss. "Thanks, Mom," she said, smiling. I hope I'm giving her memories she'll keep forever.
Then, just after I walked her over to her playdate with Ivy, the temperatures dropped, the skies opened up and we got RAIN. That meant that Rachel stayed at Ivy's for most of the afternoon and I started cleaning inside for Rachel Jones, who is visiting us this coming Tuesday through the end of the month.
Drew went to Ivy's to pick up Rachel just in time for Taylor, her swim teacher who was babysitting for us, to come and start babysitting while Drew and I went to the annual auction for McKinley. We actually won something on our bid -- $55 for four kids to do an hour of jump time at a trampoline place hear our house. We figure we'll do it as an end-of-the-school-year celebration for Rachel and three of her friends. Plus, we bought a mustache-topped cupcake home for her. She's such a good kid, we like doing nice things for her whenever we can.
Restaurant Shabbat
In an effort to expand our social circle, we met a family from synagogue -- whose son, Drew, is also in Rachel's class at McKinley -- for dinner at Silver Diner. Drew has an older sister, Jody, in fifth grade, and managed to get through most of dinner without the kids getting too raucous (except at the end, when we were getting ready to leave and Rachel, Drew and Jody decided to "stalk" each other).
As we were waiting for my Drew to get his car 10 minutes away (Shana and Mark, the parents, had given Rachel and me a ride over) Mark kindly played tag with Rachel, Drew and Jody. I have never seen Rachel more worn out or happy after running around. She had a fabulous time, and hopefully we can all get together again sometime.
That night I had weird chest pains that prevented me from putting Rachel to sleep. It hurt mostly when I lay down. They seem to have gone, so hopefully that's a good sign.
Book presentation
Thursday was the day of Rachel's big book presentation. I came five minutes late, so I missed the first kid who had done hers, but I was there in plenty of time to see Rachel.
It was interesting to see the other kids do theirs. Several seemed to have rehearsed beforehand, and dressed up for the occasion, and their presentations were very polished and informed. That's when I realized that a) I should have gotten up early that morning to supervise Rachel's clothing and hair; she wore a pair of jeans that had holes in them, and her hair looked like she hadn't brushed it; and b) I should have insisted we rehearse, or that she talk more about the book she read (it was about pyramids) to us beforehand. That caused a whole reexamination of my thinking -- that I should take a more active role in her learning, which Drew takes care of most of the time because of my work schedule, which is nights but also days for reporting, writing and pitching stories.
Rachel did a good job, although she seemed a little shy and soft-spoken. She was way better, however, than at least two of the boys, one of whom, when asked by Ms. Burke if he could say something about the volcano he had built, said he preferred not to. His mother, who was off to the side, had to coach him through the whole thing.
Real grades start next year, so I'm hoping to be much more involved in Rachel's education in the fall.
It was interesting to see the other kids do theirs. Several seemed to have rehearsed beforehand, and dressed up for the occasion, and their presentations were very polished and informed. That's when I realized that a) I should have gotten up early that morning to supervise Rachel's clothing and hair; she wore a pair of jeans that had holes in them, and her hair looked like she hadn't brushed it; and b) I should have insisted we rehearse, or that she talk more about the book she read (it was about pyramids) to us beforehand. That caused a whole reexamination of my thinking -- that I should take a more active role in her learning, which Drew takes care of most of the time because of my work schedule, which is nights but also days for reporting, writing and pitching stories.
Rachel did a good job, although she seemed a little shy and soft-spoken. She was way better, however, than at least two of the boys, one of whom, when asked by Ms. Burke if he could say something about the volcano he had built, said he preferred not to. His mother, who was off to the side, had to coach him through the whole thing.
Real grades start next year, so I'm hoping to be much more involved in Rachel's education in the fall.
Lunch date
Rachel invited me to meet her for lunch Wednesday. Which really meant sitting with a table of chattering kids, but it was fun nonetheless -- more fun than I thought it would be.
I ended up getting into a staring contest with three of them -- Rachel (who lost quickly), Gabrielle (who kept snapping her fingers in front of my eyes to distract me, but it didn't work) and Addie, who held out the longest and almost made me lose, even though I pointed out that I was wearing contact lenses and was thus at a disadvantage.
I asked all of them when they expected to get their own cellphones, and the consensus seemed to be age 10 -- although Rachel volunteered age 16 (which is what Drew and I hope to stick to, although we're not sure if that's realistic). And THAT led to a discussion about ear piercing -- I told all of them that I'd gotten my ears pierced when I was in 7th grade, and it hurt, and keeping the holes open was such a pain that I ended up letting them close up and now I wear clip-ons.
Meanwhile, Trip -- the smartest and most together of the boys -- was sitting close by and when I looked over, he had gotten ketchup ALL OVER his shirt from the chicken tenders and ketchup that he'd been eating. I handed him a tissue and he tried to wipe everything off, but it was a hopeless cause.
Sometimes I forget how young they really are.
I ended up getting into a staring contest with three of them -- Rachel (who lost quickly), Gabrielle (who kept snapping her fingers in front of my eyes to distract me, but it didn't work) and Addie, who held out the longest and almost made me lose, even though I pointed out that I was wearing contact lenses and was thus at a disadvantage.
I asked all of them when they expected to get their own cellphones, and the consensus seemed to be age 10 -- although Rachel volunteered age 16 (which is what Drew and I hope to stick to, although we're not sure if that's realistic). And THAT led to a discussion about ear piercing -- I told all of them that I'd gotten my ears pierced when I was in 7th grade, and it hurt, and keeping the holes open was such a pain that I ended up letting them close up and now I wear clip-ons.
Meanwhile, Trip -- the smartest and most together of the boys -- was sitting close by and when I looked over, he had gotten ketchup ALL OVER his shirt from the chicken tenders and ketchup that he'd been eating. I handed him a tissue and he tried to wipe everything off, but it was a hopeless cause.
Sometimes I forget how young they really are.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Playdate
Rachel and Sydney are scheduled to have a playdate on Wednesday after their Brownies meeting. I'm generally not a fan of playdates because they interfere with homework and bedtime, but there's not much I can do when I'm at work (which I will be tomorrow night; I had tonight off).
Today when I picked up Rachel from school, Nicole said that Sydney had asked if they could have a playdate tonight. I sort of made an exasperated sound -- two in one week is too much, and I am really trying to broaden Rachel's base of friends because I think that Sydney monopolizes her time (and yes, Mom, I sound like you did when I was much younger).
I told them they could choose between tonight and tomorrow, but not both days. Rachel got very upset and I said, "If you act that way, then we won't have a playdate either night."
They chose tomorrow. Thankfully Nicole had said to Syd that since I wasn't working tonight, we had planned to have a family dinner, which was true, and one of the reasons I didn't want to host a playdate -- I would have felt obligated to have them both over for dinner, and I didn't have enough food and wanted it to be just a family night. Luckily Nicole was gracious enough not to press the point.
As we walked home, Rachel was still in a bad mood, and said that I had ignored her when we walked to school this morning (I had tried to catch up with Billy, the father of Ivy and Liam, because I hadn't seen him in a while) and I was ignoring her then. No I wasn't, I said. Just then, we spotted a tiny mouse near the construction site. It was so cute -- it looked to be sleeping, although Rachel thought it was hurt. She took a few pictures with her cellphone.
When we got home and I asked if she was upset that she wasn't having a playdate, she said no. "I really wanted to read and cuddle with you," she said, but she didn't want to say that aloud and hurt Sydney's feelings. Totally understandable. I didn't make a big deal about it, but I was happy she said that because I wanted to spend time with her alone, too. Later tonight when I was putting her to bed we agreed on a secret wink she'd give me if she's in a similar situation with Syd again.
And tonight turned out to be lovely -- it was cool and not rainy, so we had dinner outside wearing fleece and sweatshirts. I made asparagus with penne, and we unfroze a babka I had made months ago and had that for dessert. Rachel showed Drew how she had gotten me on Instagram a few days ago, and Drew said, "The time is soon coming when Rachel will be our tech support."
"That day has already come," I observed.
Then I read with Rachel in bed and sang her two songs, and tried to convince her that she wasn't too serious ("I'm too serious," she said, when I suggested that she could become a camp counselor someday after she asked me if I had ever been one). So we had a talk about being serious vs. being responsible, and how the latter doesn't mean that she's not a fun person, she just follows the rules. I told her that she's a goofball and that she makes Daddy and me laugh a lot and we love being around her. She started giggling then, remembering a story Drew told over dinner about the slide shows his parents had when he was a kid, and how one slide was "Look! There's Drew being chased by a lobster!" (Not really, but it was pretty funny, anyway. He actually was being chased by a goose.) Both she and I had a good laugh before I said goodnight.
Today when I picked up Rachel from school, Nicole said that Sydney had asked if they could have a playdate tonight. I sort of made an exasperated sound -- two in one week is too much, and I am really trying to broaden Rachel's base of friends because I think that Sydney monopolizes her time (and yes, Mom, I sound like you did when I was much younger).
I told them they could choose between tonight and tomorrow, but not both days. Rachel got very upset and I said, "If you act that way, then we won't have a playdate either night."
They chose tomorrow. Thankfully Nicole had said to Syd that since I wasn't working tonight, we had planned to have a family dinner, which was true, and one of the reasons I didn't want to host a playdate -- I would have felt obligated to have them both over for dinner, and I didn't have enough food and wanted it to be just a family night. Luckily Nicole was gracious enough not to press the point.
As we walked home, Rachel was still in a bad mood, and said that I had ignored her when we walked to school this morning (I had tried to catch up with Billy, the father of Ivy and Liam, because I hadn't seen him in a while) and I was ignoring her then. No I wasn't, I said. Just then, we spotted a tiny mouse near the construction site. It was so cute -- it looked to be sleeping, although Rachel thought it was hurt. She took a few pictures with her cellphone.
When we got home and I asked if she was upset that she wasn't having a playdate, she said no. "I really wanted to read and cuddle with you," she said, but she didn't want to say that aloud and hurt Sydney's feelings. Totally understandable. I didn't make a big deal about it, but I was happy she said that because I wanted to spend time with her alone, too. Later tonight when I was putting her to bed we agreed on a secret wink she'd give me if she's in a similar situation with Syd again.
And tonight turned out to be lovely -- it was cool and not rainy, so we had dinner outside wearing fleece and sweatshirts. I made asparagus with penne, and we unfroze a babka I had made months ago and had that for dessert. Rachel showed Drew how she had gotten me on Instagram a few days ago, and Drew said, "The time is soon coming when Rachel will be our tech support."
"That day has already come," I observed.
Then I read with Rachel in bed and sang her two songs, and tried to convince her that she wasn't too serious ("I'm too serious," she said, when I suggested that she could become a camp counselor someday after she asked me if I had ever been one). So we had a talk about being serious vs. being responsible, and how the latter doesn't mean that she's not a fun person, she just follows the rules. I told her that she's a goofball and that she makes Daddy and me laugh a lot and we love being around her. She started giggling then, remembering a story Drew told over dinner about the slide shows his parents had when he was a kid, and how one slide was "Look! There's Drew being chased by a lobster!" (Not really, but it was pretty funny, anyway. He actually was being chased by a goose.) Both she and I had a good laugh before I said goodnight.
The Seven Dwarfs
I'm working only until 11 p.m. this week, which means I get to walk Rachel to school every morning.
Yesterday, out of the blue, came this:
"I wonder who gave birth to the seven dwarfs?"
"I don't know," I answered. "They just sort of appeared."
"Who would name their kid Dopey?" she said. "He probably got teased in school a lot."
Yesterday, out of the blue, came this:
"I wonder who gave birth to the seven dwarfs?"
"I don't know," I answered. "They just sort of appeared."
"Who would name their kid Dopey?" she said. "He probably got teased in school a lot."
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Dressing
When I picked Rachel up from school on Friday, she had this to say:
"Sorry I'm wearing my pants backwards."
"Why am I not surprised?" I said. "You're the kid who managed to forget to wear underwear once. What kind of person forgets to put on her underwear?"
"MOM," she said, exasperated. "It was a BUSY DAY."
"Sorry I'm wearing my pants backwards."
"Why am I not surprised?" I said. "You're the kid who managed to forget to wear underwear once. What kind of person forgets to put on her underwear?"
"MOM," she said, exasperated. "It was a BUSY DAY."
More technology
Rachel and her friend, Dani, played at the playground after their swim lessons and before Rachel's 5 p.m. party at her friend Madeline's house. Drew said that Rachel seemed a bit put out and disappointed that Dani didn't want to stay at the playground as long as she did.
She later told Drew: "I think I know why Dani didn't want to stay at the playground. Some people with a lot of devices would rather watch videos or play on their devices. I'm glad we're old-fashioned." (We are old-fashioned, apparently because we only have seven devices -- our two computers, three cellphones, one TV and a Kindle.)
Of course, just as I thought that we appear to be raising our own little Jane Austen, she insisted on getting on Drew's computer tonight and spent half an hour writing on her classroom blog (it was only three sentences, but she spent a lot of time hunting and pecking for keys. Gotta get her into a typing class when she's old enough because I can't imagine getting through life without being able to touch type, like I'm doing right now).
And she said that when she gets a laptop, she wants it to be purple, with pink keys.
She later told Drew: "I think I know why Dani didn't want to stay at the playground. Some people with a lot of devices would rather watch videos or play on their devices. I'm glad we're old-fashioned." (We are old-fashioned, apparently because we only have seven devices -- our two computers, three cellphones, one TV and a Kindle.)
Of course, just as I thought that we appear to be raising our own little Jane Austen, she insisted on getting on Drew's computer tonight and spent half an hour writing on her classroom blog (it was only three sentences, but she spent a lot of time hunting and pecking for keys. Gotta get her into a typing class when she's old enough because I can't imagine getting through life without being able to touch type, like I'm doing right now).
And she said that when she gets a laptop, she wants it to be purple, with pink keys.
Calling home
So, I called Drew and Rachel during a break from work -- easier to do on Sundays than during the week, because Sundays are usually pretty quiet.
"Mommy, are you going to surprise me by saying you're pregnant?" Rachel asked out of the blue. "Are you pregnant?"
"How would you feel if I were?" I said.
"YAY!!!" she squealed. "I'm going to have a baby brother!"
"I'm not pregnant, last I checked," I said. "Would you be mad at me if I was?"
"Yes," she answered firmly. "I would give you silent treatment for the rest of my life."
Good thing pregnancy is not in the cards, at least from Rachel's point of view. Seeing all the families with multiple children at brunch today (while Rachel was in religious school), it was hard not to think of how fun two could be -- especially when we picked up her friend, Dani, from school and brought her to our place for lunch and then swim lessons and a playdate. Hearing them chattering in the background was so nice, just like having twice the fun with TWO daughters.
"Mommy, are you going to surprise me by saying you're pregnant?" Rachel asked out of the blue. "Are you pregnant?"
"How would you feel if I were?" I said.
"YAY!!!" she squealed. "I'm going to have a baby brother!"
"I'm not pregnant, last I checked," I said. "Would you be mad at me if I was?"
"Yes," she answered firmly. "I would give you silent treatment for the rest of my life."
Good thing pregnancy is not in the cards, at least from Rachel's point of view. Seeing all the families with multiple children at brunch today (while Rachel was in religious school), it was hard not to think of how fun two could be -- especially when we picked up her friend, Dani, from school and brought her to our place for lunch and then swim lessons and a playdate. Hearing them chattering in the background was so nice, just like having twice the fun with TWO daughters.
Happy Mother's Day!
I awoke to Rachel and Drew bringing a tray into my room with flowers, gifts and cards. What a wonderful way to start Mother's Day!
Rachel wrote a "quintrain" that went like this:
Mother
Caring, Smart
Reading, Gardaning, Cooking
Is there when I need her
Lisa
And a card that said:
Marvulous
Optamistic
Magnifacint
Majestic
Young
And a heart that said, "I love you Mommy!"
And a googly-eyed picture of me.
Drew's gift was a box of Mozart CDs, which I love because I'll be able to refresh my classical music collection and give us all something new to listen to on Shabbat. Yay!!
Also got lovely flowers from Tia Daniella whose message to me charmed Rachel when she figured out what our nicknames for each other are. I couldn't help sighing that she'll miss out on the benefits of having a sibling. Oh, well...
Rachel wrote a "quintrain" that went like this:
Mother
Caring, Smart
Reading, Gardaning, Cooking
Is there when I need her
Lisa
And a card that said:
Marvulous
Optamistic
Magnifacint
Majestic
Young
And a heart that said, "I love you Mommy!"
And a googly-eyed picture of me.
Drew's gift was a box of Mozart CDs, which I love because I'll be able to refresh my classical music collection and give us all something new to listen to on Shabbat. Yay!!
Also got lovely flowers from Tia Daniella whose message to me charmed Rachel when she figured out what our nicknames for each other are. I couldn't help sighing that she'll miss out on the benefits of having a sibling. Oh, well...
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Report card
Rachel brought home a great report card, as usual. Some highlights:
--Areas of difficulty: Using capitalization and punctuation appropriately (eh, e.e. cummings wrote lowercase, so should I care about this?)
--Areas of strength: Computes accurately in mathematics (YAY!!) and reads independently
Ms. Burke (her main teacher) had comments:
--Rachel continued to make progress this quarter. She remains an enthusiastic learner and frequently participates in class discussions. She demonstrated a good understanding during our study of Ancient China and has enjoyed our science unit about weather. In reading, she successfully completed a Navigator unit about Jumanji in which she studied vocabulary, mad inferences and discussed the characters. She continues to be a voracious reader but has recognized the appropriate times to read in class. While still a bit of an apprehensive writer, Rachel enjoyed completing a research project on pandas. She learned the elements of a paragraph and successfully utilized them to complete her milt-paragraph report. Rachel demonstrated a good understanding of the math concepts we studied this quarter and seems to enjoy the subject. For the next quarter, she will continued to practice her subtraction fact fluency. Rachel continues to be a joy to have in class and I look forward to her continued growth during the last quarter of second grade!
S. Byrne (Spanish teacher):
--Rachel is an active part of our class. She often participates and helps those around her. She is attentive and organized. I enjoy having her in my class.
M. Locke (Music teacher):
--Rachel is doing well in music class. She made excellent academic progress during our instrument family unit, identifying instruments by sight and sound, learning how each is played and what materials they are made of. Rachel is a pleasure to have in class, continuing to follow our music rules and participating fully in music songs and activities. She asks great questions and looks to build her musical knowledge. We look forward to presenting our musical to the school community on May 26!
--Areas of difficulty: Using capitalization and punctuation appropriately (eh, e.e. cummings wrote lowercase, so should I care about this?)
--Areas of strength: Computes accurately in mathematics (YAY!!) and reads independently
Ms. Burke (her main teacher) had comments:
--Rachel continued to make progress this quarter. She remains an enthusiastic learner and frequently participates in class discussions. She demonstrated a good understanding during our study of Ancient China and has enjoyed our science unit about weather. In reading, she successfully completed a Navigator unit about Jumanji in which she studied vocabulary, mad inferences and discussed the characters. She continues to be a voracious reader but has recognized the appropriate times to read in class. While still a bit of an apprehensive writer, Rachel enjoyed completing a research project on pandas. She learned the elements of a paragraph and successfully utilized them to complete her milt-paragraph report. Rachel demonstrated a good understanding of the math concepts we studied this quarter and seems to enjoy the subject. For the next quarter, she will continued to practice her subtraction fact fluency. Rachel continues to be a joy to have in class and I look forward to her continued growth during the last quarter of second grade!
S. Byrne (Spanish teacher):
--Rachel is an active part of our class. She often participates and helps those around her. She is attentive and organized. I enjoy having her in my class.
M. Locke (Music teacher):
--Rachel is doing well in music class. She made excellent academic progress during our instrument family unit, identifying instruments by sight and sound, learning how each is played and what materials they are made of. Rachel is a pleasure to have in class, continuing to follow our music rules and participating fully in music songs and activities. She asks great questions and looks to build her musical knowledge. We look forward to presenting our musical to the school community on May 26!
Busy Saturday
Drew was at the gym Friday night and I stayed up waaayyy too late watching the "Godfather" movies, so we woke up quite late on Saturday. While Drew went to run errands, Rachel and I worked on her book project -- a diorama depicting pyramids and a camel to go with the book about pyramids that she read and will report on in the next couple of days -- and of course I will attend the presentation.
I helped her glue sandpaper to the bottom (to represent sand) and shape the clay into pyramids. We took toothpicks to scrape lines in the clay to make them look like bricks, and then we colored them in with black marker, and painted a blue sky and sun. She directed; I just helped. When I suggested music, she put in her Taylor Swift CD. ("1989," the year Ms. Swift was born.)
At one point Rachel said, "This is the best Saturday ever."
"Why is that?" I asked.
"Working on my diorama with you and blasting Taylor Swift in the background," she said.
I couldn't have agreed more.
Afterward, despite her dramatic grumbling, we went upstairs to declutter her room. We filled up a huge trash bag's worth of papers and other junk from her desk, and emptied out her bookcases of books she doesn't read anymore -- meaning there are now NO MORE LIBRARY BOOKS ON THE FLOOR OR DOUBLE-STACKED BOOKS. So I'm not upset every time I walk into her room.
Then, after Drew got home, he mowed the lawn -- bless his heart -- and then we all settled in to eat pizza and sushi and watch "Les Miserables." Rachel liked it, although toward the end she got as overwrought as the movie. In retrospect, she was probably a bit too young to watch it, which I apologized to her for. I ended up having to sing and cuddle her to sleep, and left my fleece next to her so she'd smell it and think of Mommy. Hope that helps.
I helped her glue sandpaper to the bottom (to represent sand) and shape the clay into pyramids. We took toothpicks to scrape lines in the clay to make them look like bricks, and then we colored them in with black marker, and painted a blue sky and sun. She directed; I just helped. When I suggested music, she put in her Taylor Swift CD. ("1989," the year Ms. Swift was born.)
At one point Rachel said, "This is the best Saturday ever."
"Why is that?" I asked.
"Working on my diorama with you and blasting Taylor Swift in the background," she said.
I couldn't have agreed more.
Afterward, despite her dramatic grumbling, we went upstairs to declutter her room. We filled up a huge trash bag's worth of papers and other junk from her desk, and emptied out her bookcases of books she doesn't read anymore -- meaning there are now NO MORE LIBRARY BOOKS ON THE FLOOR OR DOUBLE-STACKED BOOKS. So I'm not upset every time I walk into her room.
Then, after Drew got home, he mowed the lawn -- bless his heart -- and then we all settled in to eat pizza and sushi and watch "Les Miserables." Rachel liked it, although toward the end she got as overwrought as the movie. In retrospect, she was probably a bit too young to watch it, which I apologized to her for. I ended up having to sing and cuddle her to sleep, and left my fleece next to her so she'd smell it and think of Mommy. Hope that helps.
Nighttime routine
The other night, I walked in to Rachel's room to read and cuddle and sing...to find her with a kids' version of Shakespeare. "Look, Mom! I'm reading Shakespeare's 'King Lear'"! she said, adding that she tends to like the plays where the characters die.
That night I sang "Solidarity Forever," which she described as "basically an ad for unions," which is set to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Shakespeare and "Solidarity Forever." I call that a great night.
That night I sang "Solidarity Forever," which she described as "basically an ad for unions," which is set to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Shakespeare and "Solidarity Forever." I call that a great night.
Friday, May 6, 2016
Shabbat sing!
Rachel's synagogue chorus, Shir Joy, did their last performance of this Hebrew-school year tonight at a family service. I love watching her perform, even if it seems like she's not always into the song and she doesn't always look like she remembers the words.
One of the things we're starting to do again is singing at night. When I'm home, I read with her in bed, then she washes and brushes her teeth and changes into her jammies, and then I grab the "Rise Up Singing" songbook and choose three songs to sing.
Tonight I chose "The times, they are a-changin'" by Bob Dylan; the 2nd-graders are singing it for their end-of-the-year performance on May 25. That's the production in which Rachel plays Rosa Parks, and I can't wait to see it.
One of the things we're starting to do again is singing at night. When I'm home, I read with her in bed, then she washes and brushes her teeth and changes into her jammies, and then I grab the "Rise Up Singing" songbook and choose three songs to sing.
Tonight I chose "The times, they are a-changin'" by Bob Dylan; the 2nd-graders are singing it for their end-of-the-year performance on May 25. That's the production in which Rachel plays Rosa Parks, and I can't wait to see it.
Class volunteer
I had a bad experience the last time that I was the "Mystery Reader" in Rachel's class -- the kids know me so well because I've done it so often that the clues that Mrs. Burke gives out aren't any fun for them to try to decipher, and so they weren't very enthusiastic the last time I came. I told Mrs. Burke I'd be happy to surrender the last few times I'd agreed to volunteer to read.
This week, however, I did volunteer to help Mrs. Burke with laminating, inserting things in folders, etc. -- it's a weekly thing that parents can do to help her out with the amazing amount of paper that is generated every year. I came in for a half hour and ended up stringing yarn through paper birds that the kids had colored, so they will easily hang from the ceiling. Rachel looked happy to see me although she didn't run over and hug me, probably because her friends were around.
Today, though, she said, "Thanks for volunteering." And we made a date for me to join her and her friends for lunch next Wednesday.
This week, however, I did volunteer to help Mrs. Burke with laminating, inserting things in folders, etc. -- it's a weekly thing that parents can do to help her out with the amazing amount of paper that is generated every year. I came in for a half hour and ended up stringing yarn through paper birds that the kids had colored, so they will easily hang from the ceiling. Rachel looked happy to see me although she didn't run over and hug me, probably because her friends were around.
Today, though, she said, "Thanks for volunteering." And we made a date for me to join her and her friends for lunch next Wednesday.
Knitting club
Apparently the staff members of Rachel's extended-day program have started a Knitting Club. (Kind of wish they were into chess or other math-related activities, but I can't dictate their hobbies.) Rachel took up the skill with enthusiasm, and last week came home with a cute little bag made of wool that she had knitted ALL BY HERSELF! It had a drawstring and everything, and I was so impressed. Except for a few wonky threads, it looked terrific. It's a light purple and looks so cool; I can easily see a twentysomething woman carrying it around town and into clubs.
It also would look very cool on the wrist of an almost-50-year-old woman. Just sayin'...
It also would look very cool on the wrist of an almost-50-year-old woman. Just sayin'...
Les Miserables
Rachel has developed a fascination bordering on obsession with Les Miserables. While I was jamming on election coverage a week ago, she and Drew were at the library and she went to the section for 5th-grade books and picked up a kid's version of the story. She and Drew talked about it, and she is fascinated with the characters and the plot.
Drew rented the movie last weekend, but Sydney got bored a few minutes in, so we deferred watching it until tomorrow night. It is long, but we'll start it early enough so Rachel can get adequate sleep. I hope the depressing/scary parts aren't too much for her.
Drew rented the movie last weekend, but Sydney got bored a few minutes in, so we deferred watching it until tomorrow night. It is long, but we'll start it early enough so Rachel can get adequate sleep. I hope the depressing/scary parts aren't too much for her.
Problem-solving
Rachel is doing a book project, and for her big presentation next week she will be making a diorama with pyramids, sand, etc. (We went shopping at Michael's for supplies on Tuesday, and she kept saying over and over, "I love going shopping with you, Mom." When we were planning the shopping trip, I asked her why she wanted me to pick her up early to do so and she said, "First, so I can can spend quality time with you." Had to wince at that one.)
One of the things I let her buy was a plastic treasure chest, which really doesn't fit into the theme, but I persuaded myself it did because, what the heck. She was enchanted with it and carried it everywhere, including to school (which I would have vetoed).
On Wednesday, when I called from work, she got on the phone and I could hear the trepidation in her voice. Turns out that she left the treasure test in the library during class one day, and Tasia (a former kindergarten and first-grade classmate), allegedly pocketed it (she was supposed to have brought it to the school's lost and found).
So, on her own, Rachel worked out an arrangement for getting the treasure chest back. She told Libby, who shares a bus with Tasia, and Libby was going to tell Tasia that the chest she took had been Rachel's. And if that didn't work, Rachel said earnestly, "I'll pay for a new one."
When I told her that would be fine, she sounded relieved. "Did you think I'd be mad?" I asked her.
"I thought you would scream at me," she replied.
Still processing that fear of hers, but I was impressed by her take-charge attitude. As it turns out, someone else saw the treasure chest, realized it was Rachel's and put it back in her desk.
One of the things I let her buy was a plastic treasure chest, which really doesn't fit into the theme, but I persuaded myself it did because, what the heck. She was enchanted with it and carried it everywhere, including to school (which I would have vetoed).
On Wednesday, when I called from work, she got on the phone and I could hear the trepidation in her voice. Turns out that she left the treasure test in the library during class one day, and Tasia (a former kindergarten and first-grade classmate), allegedly pocketed it (she was supposed to have brought it to the school's lost and found).
So, on her own, Rachel worked out an arrangement for getting the treasure chest back. She told Libby, who shares a bus with Tasia, and Libby was going to tell Tasia that the chest she took had been Rachel's. And if that didn't work, Rachel said earnestly, "I'll pay for a new one."
When I told her that would be fine, she sounded relieved. "Did you think I'd be mad?" I asked her.
"I thought you would scream at me," she replied.
Still processing that fear of hers, but I was impressed by her take-charge attitude. As it turns out, someone else saw the treasure chest, realized it was Rachel's and put it back in her desk.
Tech talk, Part 2
Rachel told Drew the other day that she thinks she knows why Syd's parents don't buy her as much stuff as we do -- that they're spending money on all the TVs and devices they have.
They have 3 Tvs, an iPad, a Kindle, a Novi (a kid's tablet), and their smartphones.
So she thinks they don't have money to buy extras.
They have 3 Tvs, an iPad, a Kindle, a Novi (a kid's tablet), and their smartphones.
So she thinks they don't have money to buy extras.
Tech talks
Rachel announced to Drew the other night, when she was in the tub: "Daddy. We need to talk about something that could change the entire future of our family."
She said, "First, every time when someone in the family needs to talk about something involving technology, we're going to call it 'Technology Talk.'"
So they had their first technology talk in the tub.
She announced her plan how she's going to save up enough money to buy her own cellphone:
"I got $200 for my birthday last year, right?"
Drew said yes.
"And if I get $200 this year, and another $200 next year, then I'll have $600, right?"
Drew said, "Uh...huh."
Then she said, "Then I can take $500 from the bank and use it to buy my own cellphone."
Drew could tell she was very proud of herself for thinking of that on her own.
But then Drew said, "Well, there's a little problem with that." And that's when he explained the monthly bill for phone service, without with the cellphone was useless.
She asked how much it would be, and he said about $50 a month.
She said, "Well, I could give you all my allowance every month and not spend it on anything else."
He said, "Even if I raise your allowance to $3 a week, that would only be $12 to $15 a month. What about the rest?'
She said, "YOU can pay the rest."
Drew said that, "but your allowance comes from my pocket anyway. So really, I'd be giving you money so you could turn right around and give it back to me anyway."
She gave that kind of embarrassed look and acknowledged he was right. And he said he'd a defer a discussion of cellphone into the indefinite future. And he said that assumed that she would even GET any birthday money this year, which she can't count on.
She said, "First, every time when someone in the family needs to talk about something involving technology, we're going to call it 'Technology Talk.'"
So they had their first technology talk in the tub.
She announced her plan how she's going to save up enough money to buy her own cellphone:
"I got $200 for my birthday last year, right?"
Drew said yes.
"And if I get $200 this year, and another $200 next year, then I'll have $600, right?"
Drew said, "Uh...huh."
Then she said, "Then I can take $500 from the bank and use it to buy my own cellphone."
Drew could tell she was very proud of herself for thinking of that on her own.
But then Drew said, "Well, there's a little problem with that." And that's when he explained the monthly bill for phone service, without with the cellphone was useless.
She asked how much it would be, and he said about $50 a month.
She said, "Well, I could give you all my allowance every month and not spend it on anything else."
He said, "Even if I raise your allowance to $3 a week, that would only be $12 to $15 a month. What about the rest?'
She said, "YOU can pay the rest."
Drew said that, "but your allowance comes from my pocket anyway. So really, I'd be giving you money so you could turn right around and give it back to me anyway."
She gave that kind of embarrassed look and acknowledged he was right. And he said he'd a defer a discussion of cellphone into the indefinite future. And he said that assumed that she would even GET any birthday money this year, which she can't count on.
The boy/girl/animal name game
Rachel has devised a new game that we all play at the dinner table: It's going down the letters of the alphabet and naming various animals, girls' or boys' names. So, one round will be all girls' names (Abigail, Beth, Catherine, etc.); one round will be boys, another will be animals.
When someone gets stumped, like with Q or Z, the others start humming the tune from "Jeopardy," and then the others pick it up.
Drew always seems to win. But Rachel is very generous at giving Mommy hints, usually while Drew is starting to clean up in the kitchen.
When someone gets stumped, like with Q or Z, the others start humming the tune from "Jeopardy," and then the others pick it up.
Drew always seems to win. But Rachel is very generous at giving Mommy hints, usually while Drew is starting to clean up in the kitchen.
WHCD
So, while all of the rest of my journalism colleges In the Known Universe were partying it up at the White House correspondents' dinner, Yours Truly was having a dance party with Rachel and Sydney, whose mom determined that she was ready for a sleepover at our house (although I had my doubts).
We all had a big pillow fight before bed -- Syd, Rachel, Mommy and Daddy -- and poor Rachel wanted to keep it up after 10 minutes, but Drew and I said firmly that the girls had to go to bed early because Rachel had Hebrew school the next day.
A few minutes later, Rachel came down and said that Sydney couldn't sleep because her mom usually cuddles with her and reads a book, and I offered to do the same, but Syd was adamant that she wanted to leave. I came upstairs and told her matter-of-factly: "Sydney, you knew this was going to be the case when you ASKED to have this sleepover," but she didn't appear to be moved.
Drew texted Nicole, Syd's mom, but got no answer. He went out to get us both food (I had met a friend for a late lunch and wasn't very hungry) and I stayed home.
While he was gone, Rachel came downstairs again and told me that she had made Syd laugh and was telling her stories, and Syd had yawned, meaning that she was getting tired. By the time Drew got back, both girls were asleep (which is around the time that Nicole texted us back).
Things were fine; Drew made them chocolate-chip pancakes the next morning and we got Rachel to Hebrew school, then Drew and I had brunch.
We all had a big pillow fight before bed -- Syd, Rachel, Mommy and Daddy -- and poor Rachel wanted to keep it up after 10 minutes, but Drew and I said firmly that the girls had to go to bed early because Rachel had Hebrew school the next day.
A few minutes later, Rachel came down and said that Sydney couldn't sleep because her mom usually cuddles with her and reads a book, and I offered to do the same, but Syd was adamant that she wanted to leave. I came upstairs and told her matter-of-factly: "Sydney, you knew this was going to be the case when you ASKED to have this sleepover," but she didn't appear to be moved.
Drew texted Nicole, Syd's mom, but got no answer. He went out to get us both food (I had met a friend for a late lunch and wasn't very hungry) and I stayed home.
While he was gone, Rachel came downstairs again and told me that she had made Syd laugh and was telling her stories, and Syd had yawned, meaning that she was getting tired. By the time Drew got back, both girls were asleep (which is around the time that Nicole texted us back).
Things were fine; Drew made them chocolate-chip pancakes the next morning and we got Rachel to Hebrew school, then Drew and I had brunch.
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