Thursday, August 28, 2014

Makes Me Wish They Went to Private School......

I don't do politics.  I don't get into religous debates and I don't care if you are straight, gay, whateves.  But yesterday the kids came home complaining about their lunches.  They both started buying all the time in junior high because they loved the foods.  Taylor would always surprise me because he would eat things at school that he wouldn't touch at home.  Kudos to the cafeteria peeps I say.

It seems Mrs. Obama has complete control over the public school's menu.  She did away with the Gatorade and replaced it with Snapple.  Ok.  That's fine.  She did away with the bigger cookies that were my daughter's favorite and replaced it with something that Claire described as a hockey puck and tasted like crap.  Yesterday was Asian Food day and both kids said the meat was okay and so was the fried rice but the eggroll was no longer fried and crispy, it was soggy, gross, and fell apart.

Her mission is for kids to eat healthier and hey, if she is wanting them to lose weight it will work seeing as how my kids don't want to eat the food.  But here's the thing.  Neither of my kids need to lose weight.  It makes me angry that she can control what my kids can and can't eat.  I told them they can start taking their lunches if they want so they are going to see what happens as the days go by in regards to what is served and then make their decisions.

Now it's your turn.  What do you think?

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

BATH TIME!

Can anyone else tell Claire used to hate bath time?  Faux hawk and all.

Let My Legs Breathe!

This conversation happened after I got home from work yesterday.

Me:  Hey kids I'm home!  How was your day?

Both of them:   Fine.....

Claire comes around the corner wearing only her undies and a t-shirt.

Claire:  Momma, I'm not wearing pants tonight.

Me:  Why not?

Claire:  *Whining*  I've been wearing them all day!

Me:  Alrightie then.

School Day Seflie


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

12 Year Old Taylor

I wanted to write about this yesterday when it was still fresh on my mind but I got super busy and the day got away from me.  So now I will just have to do my best.

Yesterday was the first day of school.  Claire is now an 8th grader and Taylor is in 7th.  I got behind on Taylor's shots because the doctor's office used to send me notices in the mail but stopped with no warning.  So when we did registration this past weekend, we were unable to get Taylor's schedule because the nurse was holding it hostage until I showed her proof of current immunizations.  I told her I had an appointment Monday morning but she strongly pursed her lips and shook her head no.  I was glad to see I wasn't the only parent because damn that nurse's line was long.

Fast forward to Monday morning.  Our appointment was at 9 but I arrived at 8 to try to get in and out as quickly as possible so he could stop stressing about missing some of the first day of school.  They called us back, the nurse asked us some questions, and then she laid a paper gown on the table and told Taylor to undress to just his skivvies.  She walked out of the room and he looked at me like someone just told him his Playstation blew up along with all of his other games.  I explained to him that the doctor was going to a check up/physical and believe it or not, he had done this before but probably just didn't remember.

He put the gown on while I folded his clothes and then sat stiffly on the table.  I told him it wasn't going to be that big of deal.  He would listen to his heart, his breathing, feel on his tummy, check out his spine, and then check out your package.  He gave me a look that said "are you fucking kidding me?"  I told him all was good, they do did the same thing with your sister.  They just want to make sure you are developing normally down there and see if you have hair yet.  You know, puberty to which he answered "Yes I have hair, see" - as he pulled the hair on his arm.  He went on to warn me that he might punch the doctor while he rubbed up on his manliness but assured everything would be fine.

He asked me if I knew about guys having to get a finger up their butt by doctors and I said yes and that it was checking their prostate.  He asked me if Dad had done it and I said no but he will.  (Of course when we were eating dinner last night, he turned to Bryan and said "So, you looking forward to having a finger up your butt?")

While we continued to wait he asked me where he would be getting his shots.  I told him it would probably be in his arm which he said was good because he thought having to show his butt to someone would make him very uncomfortable.  But then he went on to say if he DID get the shots in his butt he could tell everyone he got shot in the buttocks like Forrest Gump and that he needed to eat ice cream all day. 

The doctor finally came in and did his normal stuff and then he had Taylor lay down.  He squished around on his stomach and then told Taylor he could sit up.  I thought maybe Taylor had lucked out but then he asked some more questions and began to slap on some gloves.  He turned to me and said "Mom, I am going to go ahead and check out his boy parts to make sure everything is ok."  I saw Taylor's face distort into this crazy Jack Nicholson smile he does when he is nervous and trying not to bust out laughing.  He laid back down, doc pulled back his undies and I looked at the wall.

He told Taylor he could sit back up and I glance at Taylor who I am expecting to say Heeerrrreeee's Johnny! any second but I try not to make eye contact because I don't want to set him off and I know he is really trying.  The doctor throws the gloves in the trash, stand in front of me as he speaks directly to me saying Taylor still has a lot of growth to go and he didn't see much hair yet but was common with Taylor being a preemie and being behind in that area.  He turned and addressed us both that his testicles are smooth and he didn't feel anything that shouldn't be there and how that was a good thing because he was checking for cancer.  He told Taylor to check them once a month to which he nodded but I thought he was going to faint.

After the doctor left, he let out a huge sigh and exclaimed how awkward that was!  He said he would have rather have had a girl doctor but when I reminded him what could have happened if it had been a girl he thought was pretty...............  He was all for the guy doctor!!

I got him to school in time for 2nd period so he was a happy camper.

*I tried to get him to take a picture in his gown like his sister did a few years ago but he refused.  This was the best I got.*

Friday, August 22, 2014

Taylor Update

I found out this week that Taylor is going to have to have surgery.  I knew it was unavoidable but I thought it was something years down the road.  Taylor was diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy years ago and we started treatment consisting of physical therapy, Botox injections, casting, and braces.  He ended up graduating from physical therapy when he met all of their goals but has continued to do the rest.  We noticed last time we did the injections and casting we got results but not near as good as we usually do.

We had a follow up appointment with Dr. Woodbury at Texas Children's on Tuesday.  We have been seeing her since Taylor was diagnosed.  She mentioned how tight Taylor was and I told her how he had several growth spurts this summer, so much so that his socks no longer fit him.  Although it is a great thing he is growing, it isn't a good thing for his legs because they are at the point right now where he can't even stand up straight.

Taylor had already expressed to me how he didn't want to do casting or have to wear braces because he is going into the 7th grade and doesn't want to be different.  He also expressed this to Dr. Woodbury and I saw his little face dropped when she said we COULD do another round of botox and casting BUT she didn't think he would get the full benefit from it.  That is when she brought up the surgery and he perked right up.

The surgery consists of 4 little incisions to the back of his calves where the doctor will go in and stretch his tendons.  Taylor will be under when this happens because they said it was super painful.  It will be done as an outpatient surgery so I am happy we will get to take him home.  Something about seeing my babies in the hospital always gets me going.  She said recovery takes about 3 days and then he will have to wear casts for a little bit to get the maximum stretch but at least he can tell kids he had surgery and that it why he is wearing them.

After we finished up and they left the room, Taylor turned to me and said with a big smile, "I get to be a normal boy!"  My heart hurt just hearing that.

*We meet with the orthopedic specialist on Sept. 3rd to get the ball rolling.*

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Since When Did They Become a Boy Band?

Taylor:  What's your favorite boy band?

Me:  New Kids on the Block!!  What about you?

Taylor:  U2

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Happy Birthday Claire!!


I adored the little girl you were and I am so proud of the young lady you have become!  I love you so much Claire Bear!!  Happy 14th Birthday!!!!!  

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

And that's that!

Bryan told me the other day that Claire and her friend Tyler were "fighting".  When I asked why, he attempted to explain but then said I should probably speak to Claire because he would just confuse me.  Below is our conversation.


Me:  So Dad said you and Tyler were fighting.  What happened?  I thought you guys were cool.

Claire:  We were but then people told her I called her a ho so now she wants to fight me.

Me:  Well did you?

Claire:  No, I said she was ACTING like a ho cause remember Mom when I told you how when we were at the skating rink she was kissin on all of these guys that were not her boyfriend?

Me:  Yes I do remember that but you don't really call a friend a ho or that they are acting like a ho.

She is quiet for a few seconds and then with a hand on her hip,

Claire:  Well the truth hurts.


I didn't know if I should be proud or chastise her.  I do love her confidence though.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Ho Hum

I haven't felt like writing lately, as I am sure you can tell with the minimal amount of posts I have put out.  It seems like ever since I got back from FL, I haven't really wanted to.  Before, I would sit down to write and the words would just flow.  Now, it seems more like a chore.  This week has been the worst with Aunt Flo in town causing my mood to fluctuate from happiness to depressed in an hour.  Plus the cramps were terrible yesterday, feeling them even in the small of my back.  Today I am feeling much better and back to my happy self.  Yesterday, I just felt so old.

Things that have been going on with me?  I went to the Beyonce concert with Claire like I had mentioned.  It was loud.  She put on a great show and Claire loved it but I guess I am just too old for concerts now.

Claire is turning 14 on the 14th.  I can't believe it.  She wants colored contacts as well as money to buy a new Playstation since hers broke.  We have been seeing her a lot more since she isn't in her room glued to it.  She asked to have her ends dyed by her friend Lady with Kool-aid.  Sounded scary to me so I directed her to her Dad who told her no since school is starting in a few weeks.

Taylor has actually started gettting blemishes on his nose.  Being a boy, it didn't seem to bother him but as his Mother, I am teaching him how to properly maintain his face cause ew.  Taylor's PlayStation still works so we see less of him, more so since buying him headphones with mic for it that he had been asking for.

Bryan leaves for Atlanta on Sunday.  He will be gone a whole week.  It has been awhile since we have been apart like that.  I am excited and sad at the same time.

I haven't been experimenting much in the kitchen these days.  I haven't wanted to and think maybe it has something to do with my mood.  I did make Hamburger Helper and tacos but that isn't anything new.  Maybe with Bryan gone all next week and all of the cooking up to me, I might want to whip something new up.

Laters Gators.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Have You Ever Shopped at Fitch?

We checked out a new mall this past weekend.  New to us but has been around for years.  We decided to stop in since we were on that side of town though.  Needless to say it was a bit dissapointing with a lot of stores closed and nothing cool like an ice skating rink or juice shop like the malls we are used to have.

Taylor:  This mall sucks.

Me:  Yea, it is a bit boring.

Taylor:  They don't even have an Abercrombie or a Fitch!

Me:  Uhh, buddy that is the same store.  It's called Abercrombie & Fitch.

Taylor:  Oh.