Winnie the Pooh

Anticipation

I was just remember the day I stood in line, at the bookstore waiting to see Winnie the Pooh. My older daughter, who was 4 years old at the time, learned about the visit from her preschool 2 weeks prior. WHY DO THEY ANNOUNCE THESE THINGS 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT AND TO A SMALL CHILD... I would never know! Everyday prior to the "Stuffed with Fluff" bear visiting our town, she made sure I know he was coming. She watched her Winnie the Pooh videos daily and insisted I read the Pooh stories at bedtime. So, you can imagine my relief, finally, standing in line waiting to see this bear.

The Line
We arrived at the small bookstore 10 minutes before Pooh's appearance and stood in a long line. The line end outside the door, weaved around the book stacks and ended at a platform set-up, similar to the kind you see at the mall for Santa. However, with the shelves high, and the crowd so dense, it was difficult for an adult to see Pooh on their tiptoes. So, my daughter only had the view of legs, purses and other children. She spent her time talking to me and children around her about her excitement of seeing Pooh. I spent my time trying to breath and fanning myself in hopes I wouldn't faint. However, I was assured, if I did faint, I would not hit the floor. I would of remained on my feet, held up by the people pushing against me. I am not exaggerating... if the fire marshal showed, that bookstore would of being shut down.

The Grand Finale
After being in line for 2 hrs (again, not exaggerating) and trying to bribe my daughter to leave, I can now see Winnie. Only 4 more kids to go! I can breath again, and hopes of lunch was in my future. I lifted my daughter up so she can see him too. However, the wait ended there and then in my arms. She looked at Pooh... her eyes widened... and I could read her mind - that bear was hugh! The Winnie the Pooh we know, is smaller than Christopher Robin and Christopher Robin, should be the size of a normal small child... right? This bear was NOT POOH! As soon as I put her down, she started making her way back through the line and out the door. I heard, "Excuse me... excuse me...." and saw the line parting, but no daughter. Thank goodness a friend recognized her and held onto her until I was able to catch up.

No tears, no discussion she just said, "I'm hungry". And we left.

Lessons learned:
1. I will not introduce Disney to my toddler until she is a teenage
2. I will ignore my child's pleads to stand in long lines to see humans in suits
3. Next time I will pack a lunch and send my husband

Peanut Allergies Part 2

The following is a comment from a post I wrote in the Fall of 2008, Nut Free School? Save Mr. Peanut:

"WOW. I came across this post as I was researching peanut free preschools for my peanut allergic son. I really want to throw up. You people who feel that your rights have been violated by potentially saving the life of a child should be ashamed of yourself. It may take you a little more effort to make your kids lunch but try to put yourself in our shoes. The moms that have to pack a lunch for their kid and hope they don't die. I couldn't agree more that we need to teach our kids to handle their allergies and not eat other snacks. And I can worry about my child, even though he is still only 3 and isn't capable of being fully aware of what his allergies mean. But I can't be in charge of all the other kids in his future classes that may eat peanut butter and then come touch his pencil and cause him to go to the ER. I realize that if you are not living with the allergy you truly don't understand what can cause reactions, etc. But it blows my mind that you can be whining over having to pack something that won't hurt, potentially kill, somebody elses child. Along the same lines of teaching our children what they can and can't eat, the same could certainly be said for a parent whose kid will only eat one kind of sandwich. I mean really? So because you haven't taught your kid to eat a well balanced meal, my child should have a potentially life threatening experience? I am going to pretend that you were having a bad day when you wrote this and don't truly believe that a school shouldn't do everything they can to keep each and every child who attends safe. If that means that your kid can't have peanut butter, that is a small price to pay."

Sharon please read my post again... My post doesn't really match my title. My frustration is more about living in a community that doesn't account for vegetarians. I am sorry for your struggle and worries. Hopefully you will find a peanut free school for your son. However, I want to say, when someone is struggling to change, usually they hem and haw, belly ache and complain. These are the people you want to support, educate and not verbally attack. The people you should fear are the ones you know who need to change and they say nothing. With this in mind, my daughter tells me that kids are still bringing items with nuts to school despite the strict rules. We continue to struggle with figuring out lunches, but we have not once taken a peanut or nut into the school.

Also, to be clear my oldest daughter is in high school and my youngest is in preschool. Both schools are peanut free and I was complaining (but I have moved on since) about my oldest daughter's school. That is where I am torn not... with the preschool.

"I'm Eloise and I am 6"

(Dear Abby,)

I have been working with Little Bean on saying, "I am 2" or "2 and a half" ... but I have failed. And now she has changed her name to her favorite book hero!

When people ask Little Bean's age, her reply is one of the following:

1. 6 years and 4 months
2. 5 and a half
3. "I'm Eloise and I am 6!"


Do you think I should just give up?

Okay... I'm not so sure. After working with daughter #1 on how to tell time when she was 8,9,10,11 and 12 years old... I gave up. It just was not happening. The expensive watches and cheap plastic clocks just did not work for her.
The problem is today, as a teen, she still can not tell time! Or even understands the concept of time. She wakes up late for school, she leaves late and has no idea when she should be home when out with friends. She uses her lack of ability to her advantage.

So, all the age related scenarios go through my head... like rated R movies, driving, drinking and voting. She will be like her sister and work it to her advantage.

So, I guess that answers my question.

Sorry for wasting your time with such foolishness. ;)

Running with Ease

I am not a runner. However, when I read an article in Self magazine about running 3 miles with ease (by Danny Dreyer), I thought I would give it a try. The short article gave techniques on breathing, foot placement, arms and so forth to help you increase your chances of reaching 3 miles. (personally, I couldn't help but think of Pheobe Buffay from "Friends" and her interesting running style... but don't worry, you won't look like Pheobe if you use Mr. Dreyer's techniques properly... hmm I guess you won't worry if you don't know who I am talking about anyway).

SO, guess what? I am running 3 miles! Never in my entire life have I ever ran (knowingly) 3 miles, until now!
I have arrived!
As a high school athlete - I dreaded any conditioning. Couldn't run a mile to save my life... well that was until my coach made the rule "if you're lapped you have to run another mile". Needless to say, I ran 2 miles for a couple of weeks.
As a college athlete - forget it! Actually, I didn't make it pass "hell" week.
As a professional athlete - yeah,well, if I liked conditioning back in high school, I could of been a million dollar pro athlete. (note to self: brainwash, teach Little Bean to enjoy running).
As an over-weight adult - I can jog 3 miles while watching tv, movies and/or the news. (oh I should try running while eating popcorn too!)

Now, I will go read Danny Dreyer's book, ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-free Running and shoot for a higher goal... actually, I need to go finish the bathroom first.

Wow! Thanks Val!
You are so kind.... now I really feel guilty about neglecting my blog these past couple of months!

Update on the bathroom

Okay, redoing this ugly bathroom is taking much longer than expected! Thank goodness I have the help from my best friend, since my husband is swamped at work!

Anyway, I learned why the contractor (we were originally considered for this job) didn't want to pull up the floor. I was amazed that pulling up the vinyl flooring and the paneling was actually quite quick and easy. Repairing the sub-floor, took a little time and creativity. I guess the contractor and all the home depot and Lowes staff were right, "You never know what to expect until you clean out (or demolish) your bathroom".

So, know we are onto putting up drywall on uneven, non-plumb walls.
...So far...so good.