A rough(ed up) day for the boys

Keeton had a rough day today.  It started with him waking up and climbing into bed with us (that isn't all too unusual).  Somewhere around 5 he woke up crying, flinging himself all over the place.  I know the time because I looked at the clock annoyed (I feel bad about that, now) thinking that I only had one more hour before my alarm went off.  So, around 5:45 he starting screaming and holding his left ear...anyone who has kids knows why...

 So, we were up at that point.  Jeff took him downstairs to rest on the couch while I got ready for work.  Jeff ended up being the lucky guy to tote both kids to the ped's office since I had a meeting in the afternoon.  We both knew Keeton had an ear infection, but when Jeff called to say his eardrum had actually burst (he had fluid coming out of his ear), I felt like the crappiest mom ever...

Not only that, but some bully-two year old literally mauled Keeton while Jeff was signing him in at the doctor's office--he has scratches all down his face, and just barely missed Keeton's eye.  I asked Jeff how that could possibly have happened and he said the kid was there with many other siblings--too many for mom to watch effectively and was essentially picking on any kid within his range of motion.  I guess he punched a kid right after he scratched Keeton. 

 So, Keeton got antibiotics and a baggie full of Neosporin for his face.  Jeff got a dinged car door--yep, leaving the office, a girl got out of the car next to Jeff and whacked her car door into Jeff's car. He was mad and once in his car, rolled down his window to point out to the girl's mom (who apparently "hid" in her car pretending she didn't see anything) what had happened. Getting no response, he drove off...

Not a good day for either of the guys, and I have to admit the whole thing left me with the question of why parents don't own up to their kid's behavior and at least get them to apologize for their actions, rather than acting as if they are completely in another world.

Buying “anything” takes a long time

Tonight we had to make a trip to Kohl's to spend a gift card that was due to expire Saturday.  Lately, taking Keeton anywhere is a monumental pain in the. . .

So, we are always so excited to go somewhere with him--especially in the evening, after a full day of daycare, a full day of work for us, after pulling him kicking and screaming from the swingset where he had no intention of leaving and putting him in the car to go to a store where we just need to buy "something", "anything".  In otherwords, there is no plan and we try to never go anywhere without a plan, mainly because plans are much faster, in and out situations.

 So, we get to Kohls' and Keeton is in high spirits--ready to dash across the crowded parking lot; who cares about cars?  I am already seething by the time we get to the doors, but figure I might be okay--Kohl's has those shopping cart/stroller combo-deals and they have seatbelts!

 Amazingly, both kids want to get into a cart, so off we go.  They were completely entertained as Jeff and I pushed them down the aisles--laughing and screeching (but happy screeches, so those aren't a battle I fight).  This lasted until we reached the toddler department (approximately 4 minutes).

Now we are shopping like the contestants on the old tv show "Shop till You Drop"--as though there is some timer ready to go off in 70 seconds, signaling us as the losers--consilation prize is two cranky toddlers.  Jeff took Keeton to the toy section so that Ella and I could find the "something",  "anything" quickly.  After settling on a dress for church, we made our way to the toys, then to the shoes, then to women's...still  no Jeff, no Keeton. 

Eventually, I hear them coming (Keeton, anyway).  I think we are leaving and Jeff sees the dress.  He makes no comment; he doesn't like it...it is too "long" (huh?  remember that when she is 16).  So, dilemma--buy the too-long dress or go back to battlefield, with the timebomb (Keeton) in tow. I suggest we scrap the buy "anything" plan and get the kids underwear--Ella needed some and Keeton might one day decide he doesn't  like diapers.

 After 10 minutes trying to locate the kids' "underwear with characters on them" section, complete with Jeff's annoyed comments about the layout of the store, we are once again off to the check-out.  Check-outs are my nightmare.  If hell is a place of one's biggest annoyances, it might be checkouts where I am trying to contain multitudes of whining toddlers.  Keeton and Ella plop their underwear selections (Diego and Minnie Mouse, respectively) on the counter, Keeton runs down a few aisles (Jeff takes chase), Keeton tries out a few straws on some coffe-like travel mugs (this is why you are supposed to wash things first--toddlers slobber on them in checkout lanes), and we finally pay and leave.  And yes, I did stop him on all the above activities...

In the car I sigh a relieved breath and realize it only took us and hour and a half to buy "anything", not bad.  Looking back to the kids, Ella has opened her underwear and has one pair on her head--"Look!  I have underwear on my head!"  Of course, Keeton does the same, but he just plops a pair on top of his head--no intricate fitting of leg-band elastic over the ears like Ella has done.

 Jeff and I laugh and Ella, annouces, "I am a booty-head!"  Then, "No, I'm a butt face!" 

Hmm, maybe we shouldn't egg her on...this could come back to bite us in the proverbial booty...kindergarden is one year away, but the kid has a scary memory.  I can only imagine the teacher phone call on that one...

Overhauling

Bear with me as I redesign this site.  I finally remembered (or painstakingly forced myself to relearn) how to log back into my cpanel and use my ftp software to upload new themes and change a few things.  Anyway, you may see some "raw" links and I won't have picures appropriately sized (maybe not even posted) for a few days.  Thanks for the patience!

Daddy kicked me, but it only hurt a little

Ella was super excited today to go to the soccer store and pick out pink and white soccer shoes and shin guards for soccer starting this week.  Of course, Jeff was in his element, too (shoes, sports, what more could he ask for?).  The very instant we were back in the car she had to put on the shin guards.  They look kind of strange when paired with Crocs, by the way.  I kept looking back at her, with her pink and silver guards -- feet propped up on the back of Jeff's seat, thinking how quickly she grew up.   Before we could make dinner she had all the soccer gear on and Jeff took her out to the garage to kick a ball at her shins (yes, really, he did and please don't call child protection).  Even though we've been prepping Ella for "soccer reality", meaning that she will probably get kicked or shoved, we are pretty sure that her easily bruised ego and sensitive nature will cause her to burst promptly into tears the second another kid does any of the above.  So really,  Jeff's intentions (a little barbaric as they may seem) were to show her that her shin guards will help her legs not get hurt if she gets kicked.  I guess it worked, because Ella proclaimed that, "Daddy kicked me, but it only hurt a little."

Adding on

I thought everyone might be interested in knowing that in a few days we are adding an addition to the crazyiness (i.e. Bloom household).  Mollie, a 2 year old English Setter is on her way from Wisconsin...yeah, because life isn't hectic enough without more dog hair, more dog toys, half chewed stuffed animals stolen stealthily from the kids, and more sad doggy eyes to peer at us as we try to enjoy a peaceful dinner (well, nevermind...there really is no such thing here anyway).  However, I have to admit that Mollie's pictures sort of did us in and there is something dutifully loving about a dog--especially, I can imagine, a dog who has never really had anyone to take care of her or stare at, drooling on their legs at dinner.  So, we are starting a new adventure & we will keep you posted.  If you want to see pictures of Mollie, you can find her here: http://www.englishsetterrescue.org/adoptable-dogs/A1680.html.  We'll keep you posted!