Friday Evening Fun

Last night we went to the Annual Midnight Madness event that takes in the town I grew up in. (Our city's neighbour).
It's a fun event. They close down all the downtown streets, the stores are open, there's a sidewalk sale, there's tons of food booths and activities. It's a big party, there are a million people. It's a fun, though crazy event.
The highlight of the evening for us? There was a firetruck there. And, they were offering rides in the aerial extension part of the truck - you know the thing the fire fighters ride in to get to the top of buildings. Mike saw this from a mile away and said Matty would love it. True. So we went over. And waited for about 45 minutes.
We told Matthew about 20 times that it was a long wait, but he was quite determined to stay in line. So we did. It was the first time that I've seen him be so patient about something. He had a blast waiting. He was chatting with another little boy ("Maybe we'll go so high up we'll be in space?" and "Maybe we'll be taller than dinosaurs" were my favourite discussions).
And then we made it to the front of the line. By the time I got there I was wondering how much we would have to pay. But it was FREE! Awesome.
Because Matthew is little (and because he was technically too little but I somehow got around that) one of his parents had to go up with him. I'm not quite sure how it was decided that parent should be me considering that I am not great with heights. But, on we went.
It was a blast.
We went up 35 feet or about 3 stories. We saw everything. It was an amazing experience. Matthew was in awe. Not only was he hanging out with one of his heroes, a firefighter, he was IN A FIRETRUCK.
And then I looked down. And looking back up at me was our the photographer for the community newspaper. So, when we got off the truck he asked for our names. My fingers are crossed that that picture will be in the paper. I just think that would be amazing to show Matthew what he looked like from way up high.

The other bizarre moment was when I was in Starbucks.
I was waiting in the super long bathroom line. Like many Starbucks, this one has one men's washroom and one women's washroom. The bathroom line was primarily women, and it was somehow decided by the hilarious and feisty teenage girls in line that we were going to have some equality. So, as we made our way through the line both men and women were directed into either washroom. We ignored the signs on the door and just went one at a time.
The moment of hilarity occurred when a man who was clearly used to getting his way walked around the line of about 25 women to use the men's room.
He got to the front of the line and got sent right back to the end of the line after being given a somewhat stern and hilarious lecture about gender equality courtesy of a 17 year old girl. Love it! And, then Matthew started shrieking "Mommy" while Mike and my dad were in line. I kept glancing back and smiling at him and trying to signal him to be quiet.
This same traffic directing, gender equality pushing teenager convinced the six teenage girls ahead of me in line to let me in front because "her child is freaking out and she looks tired".
And suddenly I love teenagers!!!
No, really. I do.

Since I'm not going to BlogHer ...

I'm not going to BlogHer. Truthfully, I'm not exactly in the group of people who are crying about it. It sounds like tons of fun - meeting bloggers, drinking wine, learning some stuff. I'd love to hear some of the panelists.
However, I also know that from my financial standpoint, me going to BlogHer would mean not going on vacation with my son, not having the little trip I had with Mike, etc. It's a priorities thing, and I'm totally okay with what I'm putting first. (please don't take this as, if you are going to BlogHer, that I think your priorities are off).
But ... for those of us who aren't going, who are just kind of envious, there's something fun and exciting.

A blogger who I read often has created her own contest - for those not going to BlogHer. A pity party of sorts where you could win a Coach purse. And, even if you don't, you can still download the button so you are almost as cool (cooler?) than those going.
I love contests. Especially this one.
Cheer up everyone!
And, happy Friday.

Melt Down in Aisle 5

Last night Matthew and I went to the grocery store. We had a few things to pick up.
One of the things I was looking for was packaged fruit salad. Matt has been bringing breakfast to school lately, and really wanted fruit salad. So we hunted for it.
Unfortunately for me the lunch box size fruit salad is in the same aisle as marshmallows and bags of raisins. (just an aside - why would packaged fruit salad not be next to canned fruit salad?)
Marshmallows ("Smarshmallows") and raisins are one of Matt's favourite foods. I sometimes buy them.
Last night I didn't want to. He was already getting a treat when I was buying him the fruit. We'd already had pizza. Enough is enough. Lately I'm realizing I give in a lot, and I'm trying to be firmer about all his whims.
So, when he grabbed a bag of marshmallows off the shelf I said no.
About twenty times.
He freaked out. And I waivered.
Guess what he did? He plopped the bag of marshmallows into the basket and then went to get a bag of raisins. When I said no he proceeded to have a meltdown. Again.
Lesson learned. If I let him get one thing after I say no and he then wins the argument and gets what he wants he will figure out that bad behaviour gets rewarded.
Yes, I have read this a million times. I'd just never realized that a) I was giving in to this and b) he had figured out that screaming wore me down.
So there we were in the middle of the grocery store, me having a lightbulb moment and him screaming at the top of his lungs.
I gave him 2 warnings to stop screaming or we would get neither the raisins nor the marshmallows. His response, of course, was scream louder. I gave him one more warning. More shouting. And then in one swift move I plopped the raisins and marshmallows on the shelf, picked the basket up with one hand and my screaming child up with the other.
It was not my most glorious moment.
I was THAT frazzled mom. The one who can't stop her child's screaming. Who is trying not to scream herself, and who frankly doesn't care that half the store is staring at her.
For a moment I was afraid someone would think I was kidnapping him, but his screams of "You are a MEAN MOMMY. Bad mommy. I wanted Marshmallows and I am maaaaaaaaaaaad at you mommy" probably warded off any worries about that.
And we made it to line. And I paid, impressively, with a screaming, writhing preschooler in my arms.
When we finished paying I carried him over to the flower department, and I pointed out the helium machine. And, as quickly as the meltdown started it stopped. I put Matthew down. He smiled at me and told me he wasn't mad anymore.
And then he said "but, Mommy, I really wanted the marshmallows and raisins and I was mad that you said no."
I looked him in the eye and said "I'm sorry you were mad, but we don't always get what we want." And, I'm not kidding you, a woman, about my mom's age, walked past me and gave me the thumbs up when she heard me say that.
And suddenly it was all okay.
Matt grabbed my hand and decided we should go home for some raisins and chocolate milk. I agreed.
And, I learned my lesson. I'm not going to give in so often. Really. I'm not.

I'm So Ready for a Vacation

I can tell I'm ready for a vacation.
I've had it with work. Generally I like my job. I like the team I am on, and I like what I do. But, really lately I'm just not feeling it.
Take for instance today. We did the Big Bike Ride. I love it. It's fun. You ride this huge bike around Toronto screaming shouting and dancing to music. What's not to love. But, I just didn't care this year. I groaned about it. I whined about it.
I was in a bad mood.
Of course once I got my team outfit on, and I had an excuse to wear lulus at work, it got much better. And, by the time I was on the bike I was a crazy woman, screaming "woo hoo" at all the people staring at us (pictures will follow). But leading up to it. Blah.
We had a team meeting and it turns out that I'm not the only one feeling this way. We're all a little ready for vacation. We've all had the fleeting thought of calling in sick and enjoying the day. My solace is knowing that at least I'm not alone.
So I'm biding my time. I realized I'd hit the point of disinterest when instead of working I actually insisted on doing a mini-makeover on a colleague who never wears make-up. (it was fun and she looked good.)
Luckily I leave for vacation next Friday. I can't wait!!! I've planned out my route to Vermont, I'm packing this weekend. I can almost smell the mountain air. I am dreaming of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Cold Hollow Cider Mill and the Stowe Recreation Path.
Less than 2 weeks. The anticipation is building.

Will Wonders Never Cease????

I had a doctor's appointment today.
After the usual peeing in the cup and height measurement it came time for the scale.
And the number wasn't bad. Not bad at all.
And then it happened. My doctor reviewed my chart, looked at my weight, did a double take, reviewed my previous weights and then turned to me and said:
"That's a phenomenal weight. I'm impressed."
No comment on dropping a few more. No suggestion about further dieting. Her only comment was to keep doing what I'm doing.
Okay ... so unfortunately I am not cured, and I can't start eating fast food every day. But, I do have an urge to go celebrate over a Big Mac.
Anyone interested?
Actually, I have to admit that I really was just encouraged to go home and eat salad or something. The rest of the weight I want to lose is for vanity, and I may as well admit that I'm somewhat vain.
The only weird thing about the appointment is that I have high blood pressure, and it makes no sense to anyone since it's higher than when I was heavier, drinking more coffee and eating crap. The irony is that on Wednesday I'm taking part in The Big Bike For Heart and Stroke at work. At least I'm raising money for an organization that may end up solving this bizarre problem.
(don't worry - I'm not about to keel over)

It Isn't easy Being Three ...

On Friday i got called home from work because matthew was sick.
Poor thing.
My husband picked him up, and when he got him he was suffering from some sort of flu. Rough, but survivable. Things got much worse as his day went on.
Before he even made it home he fell down some stairs and scratched his leg.
Then we got him home.
While I was trying to think of something yummy yet healthy (and not illness inducing for him to eat) he asked me if he could try towing my flashlight with his helicopter.
I was feeling very accomodating. I probably should have looked before saying yes because he put the (gigantic) flashlight on the counter, hooked the helicopter up to it, and decided to see if the flashlight could fly.
It can't.
It bonked him in the head and almost knocked him out.
Once he recovered from the head trauma we had some yummy lunch. He wanted a raisin bagel, and proceeded to eat just the raisins.
Yum.
And then on to the afternoon fun (who says a sick child needs a nap?)
We decided to play with Rosie Rose Petal the beloved kitten. And, what's fun for kittens to do. Play in umbrellas of course!!!



















Don't worry - the kitten was enjoying the umbrella ride. She kept hopping in. Fun times!!!!
Of course, I decided some outdoor play was in order.
Of course, yet another injury ensued. This time a major scrape on his leg. Don't ask me how. I was watching the entire time. I really don't know!
After all of the excitement of the day Matthew finally, FINALLY decided that he would sleep. Of course, all of the play tired Miss Rosie out as well, so they had a lovely nap on the couch.
And, as for me ... exhausted!