So my most wonderful friend and first wife, Amanda, talked me into joining her for a spa day at the Body Suite. You see, she was getting a weekend without her husband and daughter and she planned to take full advantage of it. She decided to do a full day of spa-wonderfulness. I was originally just going to join her for part of the day as she had invited other mommies to come along, but then I just bit the bullet and decided to do the whole day thing too. And the best part was we decided to take Friday off of work to do it. So not only were we totally pampered, but it was like playing hooky too.
The day started with me showing up at her house and we made breakfast together. Her husband and a friend were still at the house, so we all ate together. Then off we went to the Spa. We started out together in the dry sauna room. There’s nothing like getting to know a friend while you’re sweating, naked (except for a sarong), and in a little box of scorching heat. I was slightly (OK really) annoying at first because I couldn’t relax. I was running through my list of things I should be doing instead of sitting in here. It took me a good 20 minutes to start to relax. Amanda was very patient with me – although she might use that against me later.
After escaping the heat of hell, we had to go our separate ways. Amanda went off for her massage and body scrub. I went off for my first ever manicure and pedicure. I was so worried that I’d be laughing the whole time my feet were being touched, but it was actually very relaxing. The spa is right on the bike path over looking the ocean down by Cannery Row. So as I was being made beautiful, I got to watch all the interesting people go by. After our first sessions, we met up again for lunch. There is a cute little café located in the same building as the spa and we got to pick out what we wanted and they brought it over. The food was great and we both were well on our way to blissdom.
Next, I went for my massage and body scrub and Amanda got a facial. The massage was wonderful. I’ve had a sea salt back scrub with a massage before, but this time I was getting a full body sugar scrub - which by the way tastes pretty good when you accidentally get some in your mouth in the shower (more on this later). Anyway, this was a total body scrub and at one point I felt a little weird. So I’ve flipped over onto my back and am face up. I’m totally relaxed and may have even snored a little – who’s to know for sure. Then, all of a sudden, whoosh a hand towel is now covering my, uhm let’s say chest and the sheet is pulled down to my waist. Then boom my belly is starting to be scrubbed/massaged with sugar. Now as most of you know, I’m carrying a lot of my weight that I still haven’t lost (someday, someday) right in my belly and it’s a jolly, jelly, Santa type belly. Needless to say, I came back to reality quickly and abruptly, but was able to get back to my blissed out relaxed state once the initial shock of a stranger intimately touching my belly wore off. And as I was getting my hands massaged for the second time that day, I thought to myself – “I should massage Greg’s hands when I get home tonight, so he can experience just a little of the joy I’ve had today.” And I did indeed give Greg’s hands a massage when I got home later that night.
Now, I’ve got to go take a shower and get all the sugar off of me before I can go for my facial. It’s not as easy to get sugar off your body as you might think. I really had to rub it off to make sure it was all gone. I was doubled over in the shower rubbing my calves and the water was dripping down my head (while the blood rushed to it) when I shot upright – got a little dizzy and got some sugary water in my mouth. It’s not easy to steady yourself when you’re completely relaxed, but I didn’t fall over or injury myself.
I had a little time between the shower and my facial, so Amanda and I got to chat again while she was having her mani & pedi. She was sort of making fun of me for the huge grin I had on my face. I don’t think it was that big, but whatever. So we were trying to decide where to go for dinner when we were done. Then Victoria is ready for me and off I go to my facial - again another wonderful, blissful, relaxing experience. When it was all over, I felt like I was walking on air. I didn’t even think about the kids and didn’t feel guilty about that fact either.
Amanda’s officemate and friend, Renee, joined us for the end of the day. The two of them where waiting for me in the lobby. The first thing out of Renee’s mouth was, “I see what you mean about the grin.” So maybe Amanda was right. I was grinning from ear to ear, but I couldn’t feel it. I couldn’t feel anything but wonderfulness and bliss. And I got to this state without the aid of chocolate. : )
So we decided to go out for dinner, but Renee could only stay for a drink and had to get home. The dinner wasn’t part of the original plan, so I had to call Greg and make sure he was okay with the kids. We had a great meal and great conversation. I ended up getting home around 9:00 pm and again didn’t feel the least bit guilty about my day of pure self indulgence. I’m feeling completely renewed and reenergized. Now I get what they say about the fact that Mommies have to take care of themselves first, so that they have something to give to their families. It’s like the oxygen masks on the plane – place your mask on first before helping those around you.
I’ve decided that we have to get together once a month and have a Mommy Day – no kids, no husbands, no guilt – maybe not a full day at a spa, but at least dinner or a movie or a bike ride or whatever we discover recharges our mommy batteries. I think it’s made me a better mom and wife this week.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sibling Conversations
This morning on the car ride to school the following exchange happened out of the blue.
Liam: “I love you Beeeeannaaaa.”
Brianna: “Luv Eam”
Liam: “You want kiss?”
Brianna: “Kiss Eam”
Liam then grabs Brianna’s hand and kisses it. Brianna then makes a kissing sound. I assume she blew him a kiss. I can’t really see her when I’m driving.
Then they both start laughing.
Brianna: “GRRRRR”
Liam: “Ahhh, a monster mommy! There’s a monster!”
Brianna starts laughing again
Brianna: “My car! My car, Eam!”
Liam: “No, Beeanna. Mine”
Brianna then throws something at Liam as she yells at him, “MINNNNNEEEEEEE.” Liam then hits Brianna’s arm.
Such great love and such great turmoil during our commute.
Liam: “I love you Beeeeannaaaa.”
Brianna: “Luv Eam”
Liam: “You want kiss?”
Brianna: “Kiss Eam”
Liam then grabs Brianna’s hand and kisses it. Brianna then makes a kissing sound. I assume she blew him a kiss. I can’t really see her when I’m driving.
Then they both start laughing.
Brianna: “GRRRRR”
Liam: “Ahhh, a monster mommy! There’s a monster!”
Brianna starts laughing again
Brianna: “My car! My car, Eam!”
Liam: “No, Beeanna. Mine”
Brianna then throws something at Liam as she yells at him, “MINNNNNEEEEEEE.” Liam then hits Brianna’s arm.
Such great love and such great turmoil during our commute.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Parent Teacher Conference
I just got back from my first parent teacher conference. It didn’t last too long and went relatively well. The reason Mrs. Hord wanted to meet with me (Greg is in DC right now) is because Liam isn’t picking up on his letters very well. He started the year only knowing L. In the month he’s been going to school he’s only added – A, X, x, o, i, a
So he still doesn’t recognize all the letters in his name, although sometimes he can spell it.
She’s so concerned that she’s requested that the speech specialist evaluate him. I also met her today and Liam will be evaluated tomorrow. So Mrs. Hord gave me some ideas to help work on his letter recognition. Now I’m going to go out and buy Leap Frog’s Letter Factory and implement some other suggestions.
She also told me that he’s a little slower in the morning to finish his worksheets and much faster in the afternoon. Guess what they do in the morning? - English. The afternoon is math. He loves the math stuff, which is just sorting and patterns so far. He’s always asking to make patterns or let’s sort this stuff. So maybe he’ll just be a math wiz.
I asked how he was doing with share day, since he has to get up in front of the class and speak. I was worried about his shyness. But she said he does great – that socially he’s doing very well. He does well with rhyming. Basically he’s doing great in all areas but letter recognition, which is why she thought there maybe some other reason that he’s not getting his letters and why he’s seeing the speech specialist tomorrow. I’ll let you know if anything comes of that.
So if you spend any time with Liam be sure to play letter recognition games with him and make it a lot of fun, please.
So he still doesn’t recognize all the letters in his name, although sometimes he can spell it.
She’s so concerned that she’s requested that the speech specialist evaluate him. I also met her today and Liam will be evaluated tomorrow. So Mrs. Hord gave me some ideas to help work on his letter recognition. Now I’m going to go out and buy Leap Frog’s Letter Factory and implement some other suggestions.
She also told me that he’s a little slower in the morning to finish his worksheets and much faster in the afternoon. Guess what they do in the morning? - English. The afternoon is math. He loves the math stuff, which is just sorting and patterns so far. He’s always asking to make patterns or let’s sort this stuff. So maybe he’ll just be a math wiz.
I asked how he was doing with share day, since he has to get up in front of the class and speak. I was worried about his shyness. But she said he does great – that socially he’s doing very well. He does well with rhyming. Basically he’s doing great in all areas but letter recognition, which is why she thought there maybe some other reason that he’s not getting his letters and why he’s seeing the speech specialist tomorrow. I’ll let you know if anything comes of that.
So if you spend any time with Liam be sure to play letter recognition games with him and make it a lot of fun, please.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Dream House?!
So my mom had this great idea that when my dad retired and/or she retired they would build a play house for the kids. Well, that day has finally arrived. Home Depot delivered a huge amount of wood this weekend. My dad did the “ground breaking” last weekend and this past weekend he laid the foundation.
Now when my mom and I first started talking about this, it was going to be a simple little wood house with a door and window. Then she added flower boxes under the windows. Oh and a porch, so the kids can sit on the porch in rockers or a porch swing or something. Now I’m use to my mom building on her ideas and thinking it won’t take anytime because – Hey they do entire room makeovers in an hour on TV. Yes, this is how she thinks – and to be honest I kind of think along the same lines only not as bad.
Well, I found out this weekend what my dad actually plans on building. First he removed the grass from the area in the yard the playhouse will be built upon. OK. Then he spent hours and I mean hours getting it leveled and sinking the concrete corner blocks to tie the foundation to. Maybe a little extreme, but it gets better. Not only is he putting drywall on the walls, but he plans to insulate the thing too. He has some leftover Corian counter that he’s planning on using. He’s putting siding on the outside and shingling the roof. When mom and I teased him that the kids are going to out grow it in three years, he said no they're not. Which explains why he had asked me last week how tall Greg is – he’s building it big enough that we can stand inside?!
Yes, my parents are crazy and yes my kids are totally spoiled by them. I think this is why I’m such a manners nut. At least if my kids are going to be spoiled rotten they will know to say please, thank you, and you’re the bestest grandparents in the world.
Oh tomorrow’s the big day – My first parent teacher conference with Liam’s teacher. I’ll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately, Greg’s in DC this week so he’ll miss it.
Now when my mom and I first started talking about this, it was going to be a simple little wood house with a door and window. Then she added flower boxes under the windows. Oh and a porch, so the kids can sit on the porch in rockers or a porch swing or something. Now I’m use to my mom building on her ideas and thinking it won’t take anytime because – Hey they do entire room makeovers in an hour on TV. Yes, this is how she thinks – and to be honest I kind of think along the same lines only not as bad.
Well, I found out this weekend what my dad actually plans on building. First he removed the grass from the area in the yard the playhouse will be built upon. OK. Then he spent hours and I mean hours getting it leveled and sinking the concrete corner blocks to tie the foundation to. Maybe a little extreme, but it gets better. Not only is he putting drywall on the walls, but he plans to insulate the thing too. He has some leftover Corian counter that he’s planning on using. He’s putting siding on the outside and shingling the roof. When mom and I teased him that the kids are going to out grow it in three years, he said no they're not. Which explains why he had asked me last week how tall Greg is – he’s building it big enough that we can stand inside?!
Yes, my parents are crazy and yes my kids are totally spoiled by them. I think this is why I’m such a manners nut. At least if my kids are going to be spoiled rotten they will know to say please, thank you, and you’re the bestest grandparents in the world.
Oh tomorrow’s the big day – My first parent teacher conference with Liam’s teacher. I’ll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately, Greg’s in DC this week so he’ll miss it.
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