Well I can hardly contain my excitement now that we are finally moving towards summer! Now, if only the weather would cooperate. Anyhow, with the onset of (quazi) summer comes outdoor soccer season. This is the first year we have both boys enrolled. Buddy is in the U5 division and Little Man un the U4. This means being committed to spending Monday AND Thursday evenings on the soccer field. Rain or shine.
Now, I know that organizing hunderds of children and their overbearing parents must be a really, really painful task. This is exactly the reason why I do not offer my services for these things (sad but true). BUT......you knew there would be a BUT in here......what the hell is the issue with people? We signed up the kids months ago. Like in February. And waited for eons before finally getting some communication in the form of a very convoluted email message. Despite the fact that we had signed up for Mondays and Wednesdays we were expected to join the "opening weekend" festivities which, conveniently, coincided with Super Husband's Grandmothers 90th birthday celebration. Hmmmppph. Needless to say we could not make it. This meant we forefeited meeting the coach and team lead as well as getting their uniforms in advance.
So here we find ourselves Monday night rushing to the field for Buddy's first game. This was after reading the details no less than THREE times with BOTH myself and Super Husband trying to figure out who they were playing against and what the format was. Apparently it really didn't matter after all because we ended up on the opposite side of the field that it indicated on the map but hey....that's okay. So we arrive 10 minutes early all set to go because we wanted to be able to meet the team lead and of course get his uniform all squared away, however, when we get there we are advised that the uniforms are with the team lead and ours has yet to show up. It became clear as time went on that the team lead had no intentions of showing up so while the other kids ran around in their red and purple uniforms, Buddy sported his street clothing. I felt so bad for him but in all honesty he didn't mind and had fun. Once the game ended, I marched over to the coordinators and the conversation went something like this:
Me: Hello. Excuse me. My son is on the Red Team and.....
Girl: [interrupting] Oh. Yes. The RED Team. We are having issues with that.
Me: Apparently
Girl: Sorry. We have been trying to get in touch with that person. We will figure something out for next week.
Me: Ummmmm....okay.
So that was that.
Next up: Thursday night with Little Man.
This was even more fun. Showed up in pouring rain. Confirmed that surprise upon surprise his team lead decided not to come. Fantastic. What the hell is wrong with these people? You sign up to be a parent volunteer as a team lead and then pick and choose when it is convenient to you???? Not cool! Did any of us enjoy the cold or wet? Nope. But we dragged our butts there anyway for the kids. And I didn't have anyone else's kids depending on me!!
GRRRRRR!
The talk of the evening was that one of the two other kids that actually showed up from Little Man's team has the same name as Buddy. Which is unusual as it is not a common name. The mom asked me what Buddy's middle name is and guess what....same also. I felt like they had violated us in some mysterious way. For the record, Buddy is a full year older than their son. So he's the original :) The funny thing is though.....as bad as I feel admitting this.....the kid was super annoying. More specifically the parents were super annoying. We are now going to have to work hard for the rest of the season to avoid the Buddy #2 (or Buddy Imposter as we like to refer to him).
Hopefully next week we will actually make some headway on uniforms.
June 7, 2013
May 17, 2013
I'm Still Here
Oh dear.....I officially suck at updates.
Anyway, I was taking a look at our finances (yes, again) and made a happy revelation.
In less than 2 years (21 months, to be exact), we have:
Paid off more than $46,000 in debt and increased our assets by $24,000....which means we are $70,000 richer now than we were then.
I am very proud of our accomplishments. Looking at it this way is motivating and shows how every little bit counts. I am trying to stay focused on the positive because the reality is....we still have about $20,000 in debts. Sigh.
What else is new, you ask?
Hmmmmm. Buddy is awesome and almost done JK. Meanwhile, Little Man is getting himself beyond excited to start JK in September. He asks each and every day. Is it time? I respond no and he immediately launches himself into tantrum mode yelling, pumping his fists and lamenting, "But s takes a looooong tiiiiime"! I try to stifle my laughter but I love his enthusiasm. We will see how excited he is when he has to eat packed lunches........
Anyway, I was taking a look at our finances (yes, again) and made a happy revelation.
In less than 2 years (21 months, to be exact), we have:
Paid off more than $46,000 in debt and increased our assets by $24,000....which means we are $70,000 richer now than we were then.
I am very proud of our accomplishments. Looking at it this way is motivating and shows how every little bit counts. I am trying to stay focused on the positive because the reality is....we still have about $20,000 in debts. Sigh.
What else is new, you ask?
Hmmmmm. Buddy is awesome and almost done JK. Meanwhile, Little Man is getting himself beyond excited to start JK in September. He asks each and every day. Is it time? I respond no and he immediately launches himself into tantrum mode yelling, pumping his fists and lamenting, "But s takes a looooong tiiiiime"! I try to stifle my laughter but I love his enthusiasm. We will see how excited he is when he has to eat packed lunches........
April 4, 2013
Finance Update
Well, well, well. It's creeping close to the 2 year anniversary of our life changing decision to sell our home and take on living the renters life in order to pay debt (and move within a reasonable distance to work).
When we made the decision to do this, our intention was to simply get finances (debt) a little more manageable and then buy a new place. I can now say the plan has changed. When we moved into the apartment (shudder) we had an astounding amount of liabilities. $74,211.91 to be exact. No wonder I couldn't sleep at night.
Well, at this point I am happy to report that while we still have debt it is getting much more manageable. We have paid off 43,809.91 in just over 1.5 years. Pretty freaking awesome! At the same time we have increased our assets (retirement savings) and we are very happy to be in a place where our living expenses are declining.
Last year, our child care costs = $2,400/month
This Year = $1,300/month
September 2013 = $700/month
We have been working to pay off our term loan that runs us $950/month (choke, gag, barf) and if all goes well that will be paid in full by the end of August freeing up almost a grand per month!
In addition, I just found out our car insurance has decreased by a whopping $50/month. Why? Who the fuck knows! But I don't care!
At this point, we are hoping that effective September 2013 we will be able to allocate >$1,500 per month to savings so we can finally buy a house again. Although, truth be told....I'm quite content to stay in our current (rented) home. I'm in no rush to move again :)
When we made the decision to do this, our intention was to simply get finances (debt) a little more manageable and then buy a new place. I can now say the plan has changed. When we moved into the apartment (shudder) we had an astounding amount of liabilities. $74,211.91 to be exact. No wonder I couldn't sleep at night.
Well, at this point I am happy to report that while we still have debt it is getting much more manageable. We have paid off 43,809.91 in just over 1.5 years. Pretty freaking awesome! At the same time we have increased our assets (retirement savings) and we are very happy to be in a place where our living expenses are declining.
Last year, our child care costs = $2,400/month
This Year = $1,300/month
September 2013 = $700/month
We have been working to pay off our term loan that runs us $950/month (choke, gag, barf) and if all goes well that will be paid in full by the end of August freeing up almost a grand per month!
In addition, I just found out our car insurance has decreased by a whopping $50/month. Why? Who the fuck knows! But I don't care!
At this point, we are hoping that effective September 2013 we will be able to allocate >$1,500 per month to savings so we can finally buy a house again. Although, truth be told....I'm quite content to stay in our current (rented) home. I'm in no rush to move again :)
March 12, 2013
50 Shades of Awkward
Yes, I know it's been 2 months since my last post. It's not for lack of trying. I *think* about posting much more frequently than I actually post. Does that count?
Awhile back we spent the day over at the in-laws. Luckily I get along well with them so this is not a painful event. I do consider myself lucky in that regard.
Anyway, we are over there and I get into a conversation with my father-in-law about e-readers. He had bought a tablet recently and wanted to know if I had ever read an electronic book on my iPad. So, excitedly, I pulled out my iPad and demonstrated to him that I had a Kindle app. I opened it up quickly not thinking and of course it immediately opens up the book I am currently reading: 50 Shades of Grey. Oops. I then closed it quickly but it was too late....
FIL: Oh! Reading a little bit of S&M I see!
Me: Uhhhhh.....ya......little bit
FIL: I've heard all about it
Me: Uhhhh...ummmm.....it's not that great. It is poorly written (this is my attempt to move the conversation away from the subject of the book)
FIL: Well S&M is very popular now as a result
Me: Ummmm....oh. Is that right?
FIL: Yup. Those sex shops are selling out of all their S&M stuff
Me: Wow. Interesting.
FIL: You know that reminds me of the family trip we took one summer
Me: <Blank Stare>
FIL: Yup. Super Husband and I stopped for gas and when we went inside to pay the back of the gas station was a sex shop. FULL of S&M.
Me: I'm surprised Super Husband never mentioned that fond memory
Father-in-law then proceeded to call Super Husband into the conversation to ask if he recalled the S&M store. Apparently he did not. Thank goodness the conversation ended there. At this point we gathered the kids and left for home.
Awhile back we spent the day over at the in-laws. Luckily I get along well with them so this is not a painful event. I do consider myself lucky in that regard.
Anyway, we are over there and I get into a conversation with my father-in-law about e-readers. He had bought a tablet recently and wanted to know if I had ever read an electronic book on my iPad. So, excitedly, I pulled out my iPad and demonstrated to him that I had a Kindle app. I opened it up quickly not thinking and of course it immediately opens up the book I am currently reading: 50 Shades of Grey. Oops. I then closed it quickly but it was too late....
FIL: Oh! Reading a little bit of S&M I see!
Me: Uhhhhh.....ya......little bit
FIL: I've heard all about it
Me: Uhhhh...ummmm.....it's not that great. It is poorly written (this is my attempt to move the conversation away from the subject of the book)
FIL: Well S&M is very popular now as a result
Me: Ummmm....oh. Is that right?
FIL: Yup. Those sex shops are selling out of all their S&M stuff
Me: Wow. Interesting.
FIL: You know that reminds me of the family trip we took one summer
Me: <Blank Stare>
FIL: Yup. Super Husband and I stopped for gas and when we went inside to pay the back of the gas station was a sex shop. FULL of S&M.
Me: I'm surprised Super Husband never mentioned that fond memory
Father-in-law then proceeded to call Super Husband into the conversation to ask if he recalled the S&M store. Apparently he did not. Thank goodness the conversation ended there. At this point we gathered the kids and left for home.
January 16, 2013
Happy Belated New Year...and Other Lamentings
Gah! Why are there always too many things to do and not enough time? I am lamenting the speed of life these days. When I was young, I recall days lasting FOREVER. Hours upon hours of nothingness. No to-do's, demands or resentment of not having "time". When did that all change? Looking back to even 5 or 6 years ago - pre children....I remember thinking I was busy. And tired. And had too many demands. Yes, these feelings were valid and I do not want to diminish that but seriously....I had no idea. I was clueless to the fact that I would walk down the aisle AND have two babies in the span of just over 2 years. Fast forward to today. Super Husband and I are both full time working parents of two very busy little boys. After factoring work, child care and related tasks, household management and sleep....we are left with a grand total of: 1.5 hours/day to do anything else. This includes watching TV, connecting with Super Husband, hobbies, exercise....
It kinda blows.
I am struggling to understand how other families manage their time.
It's impossible not to compare to others. This is something I continue to "work on". We have very good friends (that we adore) but I hate to admit I am green with envy when I compare our situation to theirs. Now, I know I should not....but I am compelled. I cannot help myself. These friends had parental support when they embarked on their post secondary education. They both graduated debt free. They got good jobs (and worked hard) and saved for a modest house in a good location. They are now in their late 30's and are mortgage free. They have great parental support and a great balance. They have full access to a cottage at their disposal and, during winter months, a condo in Florida free of charge. They have parents who want to look after their children at any time and the means to hire sitters and take dates. They also have house cleaners come in once a week. As a result they have lots of dates. They are both active and train and run marathons. Trips to the spa are part of the regular routine. I can't even seem to manage 30 minutes on my treadmill or slap a coat of paint on my toes while squatting on the bathroom floor. I have issues.
I need to start to "make" time. Sure I do spend some evenings camped on the couch but damn it I'm tired! I've been up catering to endless demands since 5:30am! I need a good kick in the ass, apparently.
*sigh*
This is not to say I don't love or cherish what we have. I have a beautiful, healthy family. And that's something that is more valuable than I can say. We are working towards achieving our financial goals and I am proud of what we have accomplished so far. It's a long journey to the top of this mountain, though.
I am so thankful for all we do have and frankly my family makes me howl with laughter (when I am not super irritated by them). For example, this morning I was in the bathroom looking in the mirror and Buddy came in:
Buddy: Mommy, I have to go pee!
Me: OK. Go for it.
Buddy: (pulls down pants and starts peeing) Wow! My penis is getting reaaalllly long!
Me: Well....you are growing all over
Buddy: Ya, but....my penis! It's so big...and long!
* Enter Little Man who runs into the bathroom like a tornado *
Little Man: Let me see! I want to see your penis! Can I see?
Buddy: It's really big
Little Man: Ooooohhhhh....yes. Mine is big too.
<end conversation>
And so it starts...yes, I live in a house of penis. I am warned this will only escalate as the years go by. Yikes.
It kinda blows.
I am struggling to understand how other families manage their time.
It's impossible not to compare to others. This is something I continue to "work on". We have very good friends (that we adore) but I hate to admit I am green with envy when I compare our situation to theirs. Now, I know I should not....but I am compelled. I cannot help myself. These friends had parental support when they embarked on their post secondary education. They both graduated debt free. They got good jobs (and worked hard) and saved for a modest house in a good location. They are now in their late 30's and are mortgage free. They have great parental support and a great balance. They have full access to a cottage at their disposal and, during winter months, a condo in Florida free of charge. They have parents who want to look after their children at any time and the means to hire sitters and take dates. They also have house cleaners come in once a week. As a result they have lots of dates. They are both active and train and run marathons. Trips to the spa are part of the regular routine. I can't even seem to manage 30 minutes on my treadmill or slap a coat of paint on my toes while squatting on the bathroom floor. I have issues.
I need to start to "make" time. Sure I do spend some evenings camped on the couch but damn it I'm tired! I've been up catering to endless demands since 5:30am! I need a good kick in the ass, apparently.
*sigh*
This is not to say I don't love or cherish what we have. I have a beautiful, healthy family. And that's something that is more valuable than I can say. We are working towards achieving our financial goals and I am proud of what we have accomplished so far. It's a long journey to the top of this mountain, though.
I am so thankful for all we do have and frankly my family makes me howl with laughter (when I am not super irritated by them). For example, this morning I was in the bathroom looking in the mirror and Buddy came in:
Buddy: Mommy, I have to go pee!
Me: OK. Go for it.
Buddy: (pulls down pants and starts peeing) Wow! My penis is getting reaaalllly long!
Me: Well....you are growing all over
Buddy: Ya, but....my penis! It's so big...and long!
* Enter Little Man who runs into the bathroom like a tornado *
Little Man: Let me see! I want to see your penis! Can I see?
Buddy: It's really big
Little Man: Ooooohhhhh....yes. Mine is big too.
<end conversation>
And so it starts...yes, I live in a house of penis. I am warned this will only escalate as the years go by. Yikes.
December 12, 2012
Happy Birthday, Little Man!
Holy Smokes...where does the time go? I know, I know....all parents say that but really. It's astonishing. I find myself in moments of panic when I think about how my boys will soon be all grown up and not want to hang out with their mommy anymore (wah)! So unfair! I try to remind myself of that reality when they are doing something that makes me want to thrust myself off a bus travelling at a very high speed.
Anyway, yesterday was Little Man's 3rd birthday. I guess he's not a baby anymore. Or even really a toddler. He's a little boy.
To celebrate we had a little family party on Saturday complete with "Monster Truck" theme. He was thrilled. On Sunday we set off for a night at Great Wolf Lodge. Yes, again. Yes, I recall our last trip to Niagara Falls was a disaster. But we don't learn from our past so we went again.
Overall, we had a good time. The boys had a ton of fun and Buddy was now over the oh-so-critical 42" mark so he could go on some "big" slides. He was thrilled. Little Man....not so much. We will hold off on another trip there until he also hits the 42" milestone.
Of course, none of our excursions happen without some drama.
Drama #1: Dinner Debacle
We decided to purchase the "all inclusive" meal package. This meant we had buffet dinner, breakfast and then lunch at one of their fast food-ish outlets. Perfect. Well our first meal was dinner and got the boys all hooked up with food. Buddy was as good as gold but Little Man wanted no part of it. Took about 1.25 bites and announced he was "done". Followed by sliding under the table an endless number of times. All the while, Super Husband and I are trying to alternately eat and grab more food for Buddy who apparently hadn't eaten in a month or so you might think with all the food he put away. We finally bribed Little Man with dessert and I ran off to fetch a pudding cup. Came back and after taking one bite, Little Man coughed and then barfed. All.Over.the.Plate. Amazing, really. He got the ENTIRE contents of his stomach (mostly juice) neatly deposited on his plate. Also amazing was the fact nobody seemed to notice. Super Husband promptly jumped up and announced he was taking Little Man up to the room. Leaving me and Buddy with the pukey plate. What the hell was I to do? Act casual, of course! I managed to disguise it with a mound of napkins and all the other crap on our table. When the waitress appeared I told her to be very careful as we had an "accident". She was none the wiser. We made a hasty exit.
Drama #2: Sucky Sleep
Poor Little Man recovered from dinner but then had a cough that would not quit. We finally got them into bed and it was clear neither would sleep due to being in the same bed and coughing. So we split them up. We all layed in bed for the next 1.5 hours listening to Little Man cough. Thankfully, it eventually stopped and we all dozed.
I woke up a couple of hours later only to find that Buddy had wedged his head under my pillow. In a moment of panic I put my hand on his back to ensure he was breathing. I could not feel a thing. No movement. I could feel true panic set in. I loudly whispered: Buddy? Buddy? BUDDY! Nothing. Now I'm in a full meltdown state. I reach over and grab him with both hands and start to shake him. Not in a gentle way. He casually rolled over and continued to sleep while I nearly burst into tears thanking my lucky stars he was just soundly sleeping. Let me tell you - I was terrified. I honestly feared the worst. Now I am reminded as to why I never co-slept. I love my clildren but I HATE sharing a sleep space with them. We all (with the exception of Buddy) woke up tired and grumpy.
Overall, we had a good time and as always I was happy to return home and put them in their own beds for the night :)
Anyway, yesterday was Little Man's 3rd birthday. I guess he's not a baby anymore. Or even really a toddler. He's a little boy.
To celebrate we had a little family party on Saturday complete with "Monster Truck" theme. He was thrilled. On Sunday we set off for a night at Great Wolf Lodge. Yes, again. Yes, I recall our last trip to Niagara Falls was a disaster. But we don't learn from our past so we went again.
Overall, we had a good time. The boys had a ton of fun and Buddy was now over the oh-so-critical 42" mark so he could go on some "big" slides. He was thrilled. Little Man....not so much. We will hold off on another trip there until he also hits the 42" milestone.
Of course, none of our excursions happen without some drama.
Drama #1: Dinner Debacle
We decided to purchase the "all inclusive" meal package. This meant we had buffet dinner, breakfast and then lunch at one of their fast food-ish outlets. Perfect. Well our first meal was dinner and got the boys all hooked up with food. Buddy was as good as gold but Little Man wanted no part of it. Took about 1.25 bites and announced he was "done". Followed by sliding under the table an endless number of times. All the while, Super Husband and I are trying to alternately eat and grab more food for Buddy who apparently hadn't eaten in a month or so you might think with all the food he put away. We finally bribed Little Man with dessert and I ran off to fetch a pudding cup. Came back and after taking one bite, Little Man coughed and then barfed. All.Over.the.Plate. Amazing, really. He got the ENTIRE contents of his stomach (mostly juice) neatly deposited on his plate. Also amazing was the fact nobody seemed to notice. Super Husband promptly jumped up and announced he was taking Little Man up to the room. Leaving me and Buddy with the pukey plate. What the hell was I to do? Act casual, of course! I managed to disguise it with a mound of napkins and all the other crap on our table. When the waitress appeared I told her to be very careful as we had an "accident". She was none the wiser. We made a hasty exit.
Drama #2: Sucky Sleep
Poor Little Man recovered from dinner but then had a cough that would not quit. We finally got them into bed and it was clear neither would sleep due to being in the same bed and coughing. So we split them up. We all layed in bed for the next 1.5 hours listening to Little Man cough. Thankfully, it eventually stopped and we all dozed.
I woke up a couple of hours later only to find that Buddy had wedged his head under my pillow. In a moment of panic I put my hand on his back to ensure he was breathing. I could not feel a thing. No movement. I could feel true panic set in. I loudly whispered: Buddy? Buddy? BUDDY! Nothing. Now I'm in a full meltdown state. I reach over and grab him with both hands and start to shake him. Not in a gentle way. He casually rolled over and continued to sleep while I nearly burst into tears thanking my lucky stars he was just soundly sleeping. Let me tell you - I was terrified. I honestly feared the worst. Now I am reminded as to why I never co-slept. I love my clildren but I HATE sharing a sleep space with them. We all (with the exception of Buddy) woke up tired and grumpy.
Overall, we had a good time and as always I was happy to return home and put them in their own beds for the night :)
November 27, 2012
Well Hello, Santa!
Sunday marked my office's annual Children's Christmas Party. They do a great job and a good time is always had by all. Of course the kids just wanted to have fun but I had my Mommy Agenda and insisted that fun could happen AFTER the Santa picture.
I envisioned a lovely picture of my two beautiful boys sitting on Santa's knee, gazing into his eyes and telling him exactly what they were hoping he will bring them on Christmas Eve.
Instead, I had two terrified little boys who refused to come within a 4 foot radius of the man.
Not to be deterred, Santa proclaimed that both Super Husband and I should sit on his knee. Not being one to pass up an opportunity to schmooze with the big man, I obliged. Surprisingly...so did Super Husband.
So it came to be that the family descended upon the poor man. Notice that Super Husband and I look thrilled while the boys do not. In fact, Buddy is so distraught he cannot bring himself to even face the camera. Little Man is holding himself together by a thread with the promise of a chocolate treat to follow the picture.
Oh well, there's always next year!
I envisioned a lovely picture of my two beautiful boys sitting on Santa's knee, gazing into his eyes and telling him exactly what they were hoping he will bring them on Christmas Eve.
Instead, I had two terrified little boys who refused to come within a 4 foot radius of the man.
Not to be deterred, Santa proclaimed that both Super Husband and I should sit on his knee. Not being one to pass up an opportunity to schmooze with the big man, I obliged. Surprisingly...so did Super Husband.
So it came to be that the family descended upon the poor man. Notice that Super Husband and I look thrilled while the boys do not. In fact, Buddy is so distraught he cannot bring himself to even face the camera. Little Man is holding himself together by a thread with the promise of a chocolate treat to follow the picture.
Oh well, there's always next year!
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