pixie crop.
found a new hairdresser and she had me at hello. it can't hurt that she lived in chicago for 4 years and did hair + styled models before coming back to seattle.
i officially feel like the change has been made complete.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
pixie
after about 6 months of working up the nerve, i did it this morning....
pixie crop.
found a new hairdresser and she had me at hello. it can't hurt that she lived in chicago for 4 years and did hair + styled models before coming back to seattle.
i officially feel like the change has been made complete.
pixie crop.
found a new hairdresser and she had me at hello. it can't hurt that she lived in chicago for 4 years and did hair + styled models before coming back to seattle.
i officially feel like the change has been made complete.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
little teeth
Scene: Target - girl's section looking at the Nick & Nora jammies (shhh he doesn't know he's in the girl's section)
Me: Jack - will you wear these jammies with the candy canes and sock monkeys?
Jack: Um, I don't know, they seem kind of silly to me.
Me: Well, what about these purple ones with owls on them?
Jack: Mom, owls are creepy. Did you what two animals I find creepy? Owls & dolphins Mom
Me: Why dolphins?
Jack: Mom, they creep me out cause they have those tiny little teeth. Little teeth creep me out.
Me: So is that a no on the owl jammies - because we could have matching ones, they come in my size.
Jack: That's a no.
I guess another Christmas is passing and my dream of dressing the family in matching flannel pajamas is slowly dying. Unless I want to give up and wear LEGO Star Wars printed ones.
Me: Jack - will you wear these jammies with the candy canes and sock monkeys?
Jack: Um, I don't know, they seem kind of silly to me.
Me: Well, what about these purple ones with owls on them?
Jack: Mom, owls are creepy. Did you what two animals I find creepy? Owls & dolphins Mom
Me: Why dolphins?
Jack: Mom, they creep me out cause they have those tiny little teeth. Little teeth creep me out.
Me: So is that a no on the owl jammies - because we could have matching ones, they come in my size.
Jack: That's a no.
I guess another Christmas is passing and my dream of dressing the family in matching flannel pajamas is slowly dying. Unless I want to give up and wear LEGO Star Wars printed ones.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
1 year down
Who can believe it has been a year? I started my program a little over a year ago, today is actually the 1 year anniversary of my first workout with my trainer. I tried to go back and count how many sessions we have had together, but I got up over 100 decided that was too hard to keep track of. I celebrated by getting up - OK dragging myself out of bed for my 7am circuit training class.Thanks to everyone of you lovelies that I have leaned on in the last year, I have counted on your love and supported and it was a big part of getting to where I am.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
crossroads
i sit here at a crossroads. i realized last night that i have achieved what i set out to do with my weight loss. even the little tiny things in the back of my head that i thought would be nice, but didn't think i would get there.
as of yesterday morning i am no longer in the obese category on the bmi index. i am happily and proudly overweight. in 16 months i have lost 115lbs (that i am aware of) and shaved 20.3 pts of my bmi. looking back i can't believe the way i allowed myself to live for all those years. i still haven't totally figured out how i got there outside of several years of eating too much and not exercising and not putting myself first. what can i say, i am a mom and a wife and sometimes it's difficult to put yourself ahead of your loved ones and take the time you need for yourself.
here are the scary details:
starting weight: 282
current weight: 167
starting bmi: 49.9 (dudes that is almost half my previous body)
current bmi: 29.6
here is what i hope to accomplish in the next 6 months:
shave 8 minutes off of my current 5k time, getting me under 30 minutes.
run kirkland 12k's of christmas
run half marathon in march for my birthday
take the photography class i have been putting off
teach myself to quilt
as of yesterday morning i am no longer in the obese category on the bmi index. i am happily and proudly overweight. in 16 months i have lost 115lbs (that i am aware of) and shaved 20.3 pts of my bmi. looking back i can't believe the way i allowed myself to live for all those years. i still haven't totally figured out how i got there outside of several years of eating too much and not exercising and not putting myself first. what can i say, i am a mom and a wife and sometimes it's difficult to put yourself ahead of your loved ones and take the time you need for yourself.
here are the scary details:
starting weight: 282
current weight: 167
starting bmi: 49.9 (dudes that is almost half my previous body)
current bmi: 29.6
here is what i hope to accomplish in the next 6 months:
shave 8 minutes off of my current 5k time, getting me under 30 minutes.
run kirkland 12k's of christmas
run half marathon in march for my birthday
take the photography class i have been putting off
teach myself to quilt
Saturday, June 5, 2010
day trip
we finally managed to get out of the house and go explore somewhere. i had been wanting to take the boys up to snoqualmie falls to go hiking. when i heard the weather report for this weekend i knew this was our chance. however we were a little disappointed to find out the hike down to see the falls was closed for reconstruction until the spring of 2013 - they must be paving it in gold is all we can figure. after some looking around we checked out old downtown snoqualmie and were pleasantly surprised to find a railroad museum. i guess jack is not yet too cool to climb around on all the old trains.
Friday, March 26, 2010
just average
and very happy to be there. i realized this morning while chatting with randy, i've reached the average american woman's size. i am officially in size 14 jeans as i'm typing this and part of me thinks i might have been able to pull off a 12, i mean who needs to breathe right? lets remember i grew up in the early 90's and if you didn't have to lay down on your bed to put on your still damp guess jeans, your jeans were too big. (my parents never let us wear anything that tight - but i had friends in jr high that sure did)
a year ago
and this wednesday on my way out the door - literally running to the gym
in hindsight i am kind of regretting my "just the face" policy on picture taking these last few years. it was really hard finding a picture of me in the last year that actually illustrated how far i have come.
a year ago
and this wednesday on my way out the door - literally running to the gym
in hindsight i am kind of regretting my "just the face" policy on picture taking these last few years. it was really hard finding a picture of me in the last year that actually illustrated how far i have come.
Friday, March 5, 2010
birthday
happy birthday sarah, i'm so glad we share this day.
i'm starting out my birthday weekend today with a day to myself. it's still pretty early here but we had to get up early to get the boys packed for their skiing trip today. we surprised jack with being able to go with randy and when i told him yesterday that we had to pick up some new ski pants for him he so totally screamed on the inside - even though he was playing it cool on the outside. since i am up so early i am gonna straighten up the house then get in my workout and see where the day takes me. hopefully it will include a mani/pedi + a movie but we will see what comes my way.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
dissapointments and discoveries
last week was the first week during this program where i didn't loose weight, i'm talking nada, not even an ounce. i weigh the exact same as i did the previous week. this was a shock to the system, i was pretty disappointed, i had built it up in my head that this, the week of my birthday, would be the week that i got there. the week i met my goal and that i would finally after all these years be under 200lbs. nope not this week. i was devastated, i had put in the work - extra work even and nope still didn't make it.
this is what i discovered though, i came home, i cried - i mean sobbing crying. then there was this little voice on the inside of my head that kept telling me that i could do this, i am doing this and this is the time to re-focus and push harder. previously if something this devastating would have happened i would have given up, i would have wanted to quit, i would have eaten whatever i wanted to and maybe i would have even convinced myself that this is all the weight my body wants to loose. but not this time. i decided that the weight non-loss was not going to get me down. i ate just like it was any other normal day * i did not feed the feelings!! i got my steps in for the day and sure i was a little sad but i learned that i am stronger then i have ever been and realized that someday in the not so distant future i am going to get to where i want to be. for now i will take being able to do 15 push ups as an accomplishment for the week - even if they are girly style on my knees.
this is what i discovered though, i came home, i cried - i mean sobbing crying. then there was this little voice on the inside of my head that kept telling me that i could do this, i am doing this and this is the time to re-focus and push harder. previously if something this devastating would have happened i would have given up, i would have wanted to quit, i would have eaten whatever i wanted to and maybe i would have even convinced myself that this is all the weight my body wants to loose. but not this time. i decided that the weight non-loss was not going to get me down. i ate just like it was any other normal day * i did not feed the feelings!! i got my steps in for the day and sure i was a little sad but i learned that i am stronger then i have ever been and realized that someday in the not so distant future i am going to get to where i want to be. for now i will take being able to do 15 push ups as an accomplishment for the week - even if they are girly style on my knees.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
ask jack
snippet from our walk to the bus stop this morning:
jack: hey mom, you should go to college
me: oh yeah, what do you think i should do
jack: well, what are your interests
me: i really liked my last job, you know when i worked on phone systems with carlyn
jack: get a degree in that then
me: well it's not that easy buddy, there isn't really a degree for that
jack: what does dad do again
me: he writes software for computers
jack: oh, maybe science
me: i didn't really like science in school
jack: not animal science, some other kind of science then. i don't know mom, but you should go to college.
after telling this to randy i found out this conversation of theirs from saturday afternoon
jack: dad, it seems like your work has been hard lately for you
randy: yeah buddy, it's been hard
jack: do you feel like you are getting enough sleep
randy: no, i've been working really long hours
jack: well, what time have you been going to bed
randy explained the hours he had been keeping and jack's mouth hung agape for a minute
jack: dad, you are older then me so you should stay up later, but you should try to go to bed at 9, i think that would work better for you
sometimes i wonder if life would be easier for us if we would just consult jack on all decisions, he's generally the most level headed of the three of us.
jack: hey mom, you should go to college
me: oh yeah, what do you think i should do
jack: well, what are your interests
me: i really liked my last job, you know when i worked on phone systems with carlyn
jack: get a degree in that then
me: well it's not that easy buddy, there isn't really a degree for that
jack: what does dad do again
me: he writes software for computers
jack: oh, maybe science
me: i didn't really like science in school
jack: not animal science, some other kind of science then. i don't know mom, but you should go to college.
after telling this to randy i found out this conversation of theirs from saturday afternoon
jack: dad, it seems like your work has been hard lately for you
randy: yeah buddy, it's been hard
jack: do you feel like you are getting enough sleep
randy: no, i've been working really long hours
jack: well, what time have you been going to bed
randy explained the hours he had been keeping and jack's mouth hung agape for a minute
jack: dad, you are older then me so you should stay up later, but you should try to go to bed at 9, i think that would work better for you
sometimes i wonder if life would be easier for us if we would just consult jack on all decisions, he's generally the most level headed of the three of us.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
reset
i had my weekly meeting with my dietitian this morning. there is something refreshing knowing that i am going to meet with her every tuesday at 8:30 and see my progress for the week. this week was another 3lb loss (yay me!!) a few more weekly sessions and i should be very close to my mid-way goal. i look back on these last few months and i can't believe:
1. that i am actually doing this and
2. that it is actually working
since starting i have stuck with what my trainer and dietitian have asked me to do and you know what, the weight is coming off. i always thought i was one of those people that was going to be overweight the rest of her life. but i now see that this is not going to be something that drags me down the rest of my life.
today my dietitian extended an offer from the dr who directs the program; he wants to extend my program by an additional 2 weeks because, well basically because they like me best. :) ha, no it is because i have followed the program and have had success. however to get the 2 weeks i have to follow the meal plan from week 2 - which is basically lean protein, veggies and their protein shakes. no biggie right? i am so willing to try, it will be a fun experiment don't you think? so goodbye fruit, goodbye greek yogurt, goodbye grilled artichoke dip and goodbye hummus. see you in a week from now.
1. that i am actually doing this and
2. that it is actually working
since starting i have stuck with what my trainer and dietitian have asked me to do and you know what, the weight is coming off. i always thought i was one of those people that was going to be overweight the rest of her life. but i now see that this is not going to be something that drags me down the rest of my life.
today my dietitian extended an offer from the dr who directs the program; he wants to extend my program by an additional 2 weeks because, well basically because they like me best. :) ha, no it is because i have followed the program and have had success. however to get the 2 weeks i have to follow the meal plan from week 2 - which is basically lean protein, veggies and their protein shakes. no biggie right? i am so willing to try, it will be a fun experiment don't you think? so goodbye fruit, goodbye greek yogurt, goodbye grilled artichoke dip and goodbye hummus. see you in a week from now.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
i'm cool again
i no longer have a cuddly little boy, i am suddenly very unsure of what to do with my own son on most days. i will be the first to admit it, we are too much alike. i feel the inevitable is starting and he is starting to forge his Independence from us and while i know this has to happen, i miss my little guy. the little guy who was so excited about new things, the little guy who thought i was the coolest. this week, i managed to get back into the cool place, even if it is for just a few weeks.
wednesday is jack's early release day from school and it actually was kind of warm and NOT RAINING. i decided that i would walk him home from school and throw his new basketball in the car and we would go shoot some hoops together. after the initial resistance period that now sets in, he realized that this could end up being fun and certainly better then cleaning his room. we played for about half an hour, i got a few shots in and re-cemented my former cool status. i discovered something while we were playing together - this is how i have to communicate with my son now. i can't cuddle with him on the couch, i can't try to coddle him... i have to let him be 7 going on 10 and i have to remember how to be a kid again and let go of some of the mom hangups.
this weekend i tested the theory out again. both days were gorgeous, no rain, almost 50 and mother and son - got along well for the first time in months.
wednesday is jack's early release day from school and it actually was kind of warm and NOT RAINING. i decided that i would walk him home from school and throw his new basketball in the car and we would go shoot some hoops together. after the initial resistance period that now sets in, he realized that this could end up being fun and certainly better then cleaning his room. we played for about half an hour, i got a few shots in and re-cemented my former cool status. i discovered something while we were playing together - this is how i have to communicate with my son now. i can't cuddle with him on the couch, i can't try to coddle him... i have to let him be 7 going on 10 and i have to remember how to be a kid again and let go of some of the mom hangups.
this weekend i tested the theory out again. both days were gorgeous, no rain, almost 50 and mother and son - got along well for the first time in months.
Friday, January 1, 2010
goodbye 2009 hello 2010
a little year in review:
i think we all accomplished a lot this year. my sister surprised me with a visit in feb for our birthdays (best surprise ever) jack grew leaps and bounds, in looking back at some of his pictures from last winter, i can't believe he is the same kid. i don't think i could have got a better kid, seriously. i took some time for me, learned a lot, remembered how strong i am and did something i had been wanting to do for years. so i am starting 2010 61 lbs lighter and 31 inches slimmer which just so happens to be what jack weighs right now. i am excited for the coming year, i can't wait to see what will happen and i hope all of your lives will be filled with blessings and joy.
i think we all accomplished a lot this year. my sister surprised me with a visit in feb for our birthdays (best surprise ever) jack grew leaps and bounds, in looking back at some of his pictures from last winter, i can't believe he is the same kid. i don't think i could have got a better kid, seriously. i took some time for me, learned a lot, remembered how strong i am and did something i had been wanting to do for years. so i am starting 2010 61 lbs lighter and 31 inches slimmer which just so happens to be what jack weighs right now. i am excited for the coming year, i can't wait to see what will happen and i hope all of your lives will be filled with blessings and joy.
Friday, October 23, 2009
first week
i made it through week one and survived my trainer and the new eating regime. now i am even starting to feel pretty confident in my workouts, still just taking each day as it comes and dealing with whatever i need to deal with. long story short, pretty proud of my first week, i lost 5.6lbs. ever imagined what that 5.6 lbs might look like?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
crash
today i hit sugar rock bottom. after 2 days on the protein shake meal replacement plan i have to do for a week i hit the wall and experienced the same emotional roller coaster that b spears must have rode when she shaved her head. for a second i considered it. thankfully my awesome husband walked in the door at that moment and whisked me out of the house to, "get me away from anything sharp or with shearing abilities." on the plus side of things found a super cute new dress at macys and it was like 3 sizes smaller then what i had to try on earlier in the spring. there is a concerning stain on the front, but i am pretty certain i can get that out.
this weekend, a quick trip to vancouver to help find a homecoming dress for a dear friends' daughter.
this weekend, a quick trip to vancouver to help find a homecoming dress for a dear friends' daughter.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
mama bear
Why is it that your first instinct as a parent is to eat the face off of someone that harms your child? Gah! I never thought I could feel as protective of someone in my life. And well lets face it, I am a pretty protective friend and sister. This must be how bears in the wild feel.
For some reason Jack got skipped by the sub when she was handing out her bribery at the end of the day. He ended up getting teased by the other kids because he didn't receive said bribery and is now completely broken hearted. Because he has a lot more of me in him then Randy (Randy never skips a meal or is every shy about making sure he gets treats) Jack didn't say anything. I am certain she just didn't know she missed him but tomorrow he has her again and I am forcing myself to not be the lady coming to school and forcing an altercation with said teacher.
For some reason Jack got skipped by the sub when she was handing out her bribery at the end of the day. He ended up getting teased by the other kids because he didn't receive said bribery and is now completely broken hearted. Because he has a lot more of me in him then Randy (Randy never skips a meal or is every shy about making sure he gets treats) Jack didn't say anything. I am certain she just didn't know she missed him but tomorrow he has her again and I am forcing myself to not be the lady coming to school and forcing an altercation with said teacher.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
midnight jack advice
Randy shared this little story from last night with Jack this morning. I guess it all happened while I was asleep on the couch.
11:30 Jack walks down the stairs
Jack: (whispering) Hey Dad are you down there?
Randy: Yeah buddy, what's going on?
Jack: Um Dad would please get me a glass of water?
Randy: Sure buddy
Jack: Dad, what time is it?
Randy: It's late, it's 11:30
Jack: Dad, maybe you should think about getting to bed.
Randy: Thanks buddy, I'll go soon. Can I help you to bed?
Jack: Sure Dad, thanks for the water.
I really wish I would have overhead that sweet little conversation. Randy howev did not go to bed until 2:40 when I woke up on the couch and wondered what time it is. Silly software developing husbands.
11:30 Jack walks down the stairs
Jack: (whispering) Hey Dad are you down there?
Randy: Yeah buddy, what's going on?
Jack: Um Dad would please get me a glass of water?
Randy: Sure buddy
Jack: Dad, what time is it?
Randy: It's late, it's 11:30
Jack: Dad, maybe you should think about getting to bed.
Randy: Thanks buddy, I'll go soon. Can I help you to bed?
Jack: Sure Dad, thanks for the water.
I really wish I would have overhead that sweet little conversation. Randy howev did not go to bed until 2:40 when I woke up on the couch and wondered what time it is. Silly software developing husbands.
new direction
I've focused most of this blog on Jack, as that has been the direction my life has taken me over the last years. It's honestly been easier putting my son and husband first, so I wouldn't have to work on myself. There were a lot of well intended excuses but no more excuses, I have started making changes. I'm not sure when it happened but through the summer I found myself pushing to do things I never would have done before, there would have been an excuse in it's place. I've been much happier, much more at ease with myself. I think I needed the time to redefine myself - once again and to figure a few things out. I took a large leap this week and put myself out there.
I decided to work on the weight thing, it has really bothered me for years. I would have small successes and then gain everything back and then some, but this time I am doing it right. I have joined a weight management program offered through our health insurance and gym. The program is medically supervised and has had great success, needless to say I am excited that I have made the steps to start. Now that the appointments are all scheduled I just need to show up and do the work. And we all know that I am never late and hate cancelling appointments.
This weekend I started something new, I started a food journal to track what I eat throughout the day. So far so good, who wants to really write down that Friday they had a bad day and ate 20 chocolate almond clusters without even knowing it? I've noticed now that I am on day four and I have stuck to my meal plans that I really am not craving stuff at night any longer.
I will still post little anecdotes about Jack and our days with him, but to keep myself on track I will also be sharing about my progress and inevitable roadblocks and how I get around them.
Two of our meals from this weekend. Mini breakfast frittatas with 1/2 a whole wheat english muffin, 1/4 of a peach with greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. Sunday night we had these cold sesame noodles with sugar snap peas.
I decided to work on the weight thing, it has really bothered me for years. I would have small successes and then gain everything back and then some, but this time I am doing it right. I have joined a weight management program offered through our health insurance and gym. The program is medically supervised and has had great success, needless to say I am excited that I have made the steps to start. Now that the appointments are all scheduled I just need to show up and do the work. And we all know that I am never late and hate cancelling appointments.
This weekend I started something new, I started a food journal to track what I eat throughout the day. So far so good, who wants to really write down that Friday they had a bad day and ate 20 chocolate almond clusters without even knowing it? I've noticed now that I am on day four and I have stuck to my meal plans that I really am not craving stuff at night any longer.
I will still post little anecdotes about Jack and our days with him, but to keep myself on track I will also be sharing about my progress and inevitable roadblocks and how I get around them.
Two of our meals from this weekend. Mini breakfast frittatas with 1/2 a whole wheat english muffin, 1/4 of a peach with greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. Sunday night we had these cold sesame noodles with sugar snap peas.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Soccer
Jack starts soccer tomorrow. This weekend we had to pick up all the stuff he needed to play; shin guards, soccer socks, soccer cleats & well athletic clothes (see this post). I really thought we were past all of the super cute parts of raising a little boy until I saw him running around the park in his shin guards and cleats practicing with Randy.
He is so excited for Randy to come to a game. We were walking out to the car yesterday and we had this little conversation:
Jack: Mom, when is my first game?
Me: Well, you have a practice this Tuesday then you have a game every Tuesday after that.
Jack: (Turns around pulling his arms towards him making a yes! sound) Sweet Mom, Dad HAS to come to that one, it's my first game, he's gonna come right?
Me: I'm pretty sure he's planning on it.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Lunch Account Debable
When your 6 year old offers to pay for the mistake he made with his lunch account, is that when you know you are doing a good job or maybe sometimes take things a little far? It went down like this:
2 days ago:
Note comes home in the folder from school saying Jack's lunch account balance is running low. I also received an email from the online payment system informing me of the low balance. I think to myself, that's odd, he started out the school year with enough money for a month of lunches and he has been taking home lunch 2 times a week.
Yesterday, at the bus stop:
Eash: I think there must be a mistake with Aravind's lunch account, I got the notice home from school saying his account was low and I checked and he has been being charged for breakfast.
Me: Really, that's weird I got the notice too and I know I sent enough money for a month of lunches and Jack has been taking home lunch a few times a week.
Eash: Well Aravind did say he had breakfast a few times with Jack at school in the morning.
Me: Oh Really... (light bulbs and flashes going off in my head - OMG my son is the breakfast buying ring leader)
At this point we reach the part of the walk home where we separate & Jack went with Aravind to play at his house. I get home and log into the online payment system and OMG there are charges for 12 breakfasts on his account. Instantly I think there must be a mistake and almost pick up the phone to call the school, instead I hastily draft an email to his teacher to ask if she keeps records of who is taking lunch on what days and if she has a way of knowing if he really ate breakfast. Then I take a breath, re-read the email and discard it. That would have been one
crazy-mom-in-a-tail-spin sounding email if I would have sent it. Decide the best course of action is to ask Jack about it when I pick him up.
An hour later, walking through the park on the way home:
Me: Jack I have something to talk to you about and I want you to be honest with me.
Jack: (very sullen sounding) OK
Me: Jack, do you have something to tell me about your lunch account? And keep in mind I can log in and look at what you are buying.
Jack: I have been getting breakfast at school.
Me: (OMG! he was just honest with me - OMG!) Jack, you do know how your father and I feel about that right?
Jack: (even more sullen if possible - well this is Seattle, but it was a very sunny day) Big sigh, Yes.
Me: Why are you getting breakfast at school?
Jack: Because they have bagels with ham and melty cheese and they are really good Mom.
Me: Is this why you haven't been finishing your breakfast at home before the bus?
Jack: Yeah, and I'm just not hungry that early, but I get hungry when I get to school.
Me: What do you think we should do about this?
Jack: I think I should pay you back for the breakfasts.
Me: (Not sure what to say & a little confused as this whole conversation took place without any screaming or eye rolling & OMG! he just offered to pay for his lunch, my heart swells with joy and I just want to hug him, but keep up the bad cop act) Well for now you are just going to have to tell your dad about it when he gets home tonight.
Jack: (barely an audible whisper, head hanging down) OK
I guess I am a little concerned that he kept this from us for 12 days (OMG 12 days!) and was smart enough to just omit that from his daily conversations with us, I ask him what he eats for lunch everyday. Also he knew that we didn't want him eating breakfast at school and was doing it everyday for 12 days (OMG! 12 days!). Ahh! I know it's just breakfast, but it could also *just* be something else. The issue is that we have a very smart 6 year old on our hands that may possibly have learned something he shouldn't have learned for awhile. On the other hand, here is a 6 year old little boy that when confronted thought he should pay for the mistake with his own money. Are we too hard on him? I don't know, I do know it is a fine line between being just right and being too hard.
2 days ago:
Note comes home in the folder from school saying Jack's lunch account balance is running low. I also received an email from the online payment system informing me of the low balance. I think to myself, that's odd, he started out the school year with enough money for a month of lunches and he has been taking home lunch 2 times a week.
Yesterday, at the bus stop:
Eash: I think there must be a mistake with Aravind's lunch account, I got the notice home from school saying his account was low and I checked and he has been being charged for breakfast.
Me: Really, that's weird I got the notice too and I know I sent enough money for a month of lunches and Jack has been taking home lunch a few times a week.
Eash: Well Aravind did say he had breakfast a few times with Jack at school in the morning.
Me: Oh Really... (light bulbs and flashes going off in my head - OMG my son is the breakfast buying ring leader)
At this point we reach the part of the walk home where we separate & Jack went with Aravind to play at his house. I get home and log into the online payment system and OMG there are charges for 12 breakfasts on his account. Instantly I think there must be a mistake and almost pick up the phone to call the school, instead I hastily draft an email to his teacher to ask if she keeps records of who is taking lunch on what days and if she has a way of knowing if he really ate breakfast. Then I take a breath, re-read the email and discard it. That would have been one
crazy-mom-in-a-tail-spin sounding email if I would have sent it. Decide the best course of action is to ask Jack about it when I pick him up.
An hour later, walking through the park on the way home:
Me: Jack I have something to talk to you about and I want you to be honest with me.
Jack: (very sullen sounding) OK
Me: Jack, do you have something to tell me about your lunch account? And keep in mind I can log in and look at what you are buying.
Jack: I have been getting breakfast at school.
Me: (OMG! he was just honest with me - OMG!) Jack, you do know how your father and I feel about that right?
Jack: (even more sullen if possible - well this is Seattle, but it was a very sunny day) Big sigh, Yes.
Me: Why are you getting breakfast at school?
Jack: Because they have bagels with ham and melty cheese and they are really good Mom.
Me: Is this why you haven't been finishing your breakfast at home before the bus?
Jack: Yeah, and I'm just not hungry that early, but I get hungry when I get to school.
Me: What do you think we should do about this?
Jack: I think I should pay you back for the breakfasts.
Me: (Not sure what to say & a little confused as this whole conversation took place without any screaming or eye rolling & OMG! he just offered to pay for his lunch, my heart swells with joy and I just want to hug him, but keep up the bad cop act) Well for now you are just going to have to tell your dad about it when he gets home tonight.
Jack: (barely an audible whisper, head hanging down) OK
I guess I am a little concerned that he kept this from us for 12 days (OMG 12 days!) and was smart enough to just omit that from his daily conversations with us, I ask him what he eats for lunch everyday. Also he knew that we didn't want him eating breakfast at school and was doing it everyday for 12 days (OMG! 12 days!). Ahh! I know it's just breakfast, but it could also *just* be something else. The issue is that we have a very smart 6 year old on our hands that may possibly have learned something he shouldn't have learned for awhile. On the other hand, here is a 6 year old little boy that when confronted thought he should pay for the mistake with his own money. Are we too hard on him? I don't know, I do know it is a fine line between being just right and being too hard.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
man dude date
Yes I know it has been forever since my last post. I feel like summer completely blew by us, but it was a blast. Jack and I had lots of fun visiting our family and exploring ND together. Jack is getting settled into the new school year and is loving his new teacher.
Yesterday Jack and Randy had a mini man dude date day. I spent the afternoon and evening hanging out in Seattle with some old friends from high school. Randy really seized the opportunity to get some good time in with Jack and even planned a little surprise in the middle of all of their events for the day. Lunch at Wendy's, swimming at the apartment complex pool (Randy got a leg cramp in the deep end - Jack nearly smoked him in a race), cooking dinner - just for men stir fry, games at chuckee cheese (that was the surprise), a trip to DQ and an impromptu stop at the park to watch a soccer match. I asked Jack if they missed me yesterday and he said, "Mom, we were too busy to even think about you."
Yesterday Jack and Randy had a mini man dude date day. I spent the afternoon and evening hanging out in Seattle with some old friends from high school. Randy really seized the opportunity to get some good time in with Jack and even planned a little surprise in the middle of all of their events for the day. Lunch at Wendy's, swimming at the apartment complex pool (Randy got a leg cramp in the deep end - Jack nearly smoked him in a race), cooking dinner - just for men stir fry, games at chuckee cheese (that was the surprise), a trip to DQ and an impromptu stop at the park to watch a soccer match. I asked Jack if they missed me yesterday and he said, "Mom, we were too busy to even think about you."
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