Archive for the ‘family’ Tag
May 03 2010
We’ve always done the same kind of party for each of the kids’ birthdays: the night before the festivities begin we fill enough helium balloons to encompass a room, shiny streamers are strung, and presents wearily wrapped. The day of, the first one to rise wakes up everyone else. Then we lumber into the living room as a group, where little eyes grow wide at the multi-color floating orbs and presents wait to be unwrapped.
Later in the day, my family comes over for a quaint get-together. My brother had to work this time, he’ll be over later this week instead, so it was a late afternoon with my parents. J fixed hot dogs on the grill, Buzz opened more gifts, then it was time to sing “Happy Birthday” with candled chocolate cake and ice cream.
I hear of these soirees with extravagant themes and houses full of relatives eager to celebrate. We don’t have a close extended family, to say the least. The last time I saw any aunts, uncles or cousins was at a funeral 7 years ago, most of whom I didn’t even recognize. I sometimes worry if I’m doing my kids a disservice by not having that. We all worry about something, right?
But then they’re happy and they’re loved and they know it. That’s what counts. Buzz had a great time, without any idea of what he might have been missing. We’re in the same boat, actually, because I never had that kind of party growing up, either. I was lucky if my grandparents even sent a card. At least my children will never have to worry about that. Their grandparents think they’re pretty awesome. I tend to agree.
March 16 2010
When we had Buzz’s evaluation for speech therapy last Thursday, the other kids spent the time with Grandma and Grandpa. Obviously, it’s best if Buzz didn’t have any other distractions, and his brother and sister getting into everything would have definitely been a distraction.
I was making waffles for Jedi that morning. Although, to be fair, Eggo made the waffles, I just heated them up. But that takes a lot of work. Like button pushing and everything. I’m worn out just thinking about it.
As I’m slaving over his waffles, I let Jedi in on the day’s plans.
“Grandma and Grandpa are going to be here to spend some time with you later.”, I said cheerily, hoping he might take the news better that way. Not that he had any reason to react harshly, I was just afraid he may have been getting tired of seeing them since they’d been over quite a bit recently.
“Why?”, he wondered.
After I explained where we needed to go with Buzz and why, I asked for Jedi’s take on the situation. More to be polite and continue conversation, since it was going to happen whether he liked it or not. Apparently, however, all my worry was for naught.
“Yeah, that’s good.”, he replied. “I like spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. They’re a lot more fun than you.”
Let’s see if I ever make him waffles again.
March 15 2010
We had another dinner celebration on Saturday for my dad’s 77th birthday. Since my brother was coordinating this go round, it was supposed to take place at his apartment. It would have been too easy if it actually did.
On the way over, my parents get a flat tire and pull off to the side of the road. Which they tried to call me about, but I couldn’t find my phone in time. When I called back, I heard about 2 seconds of my dad snapping in the background before he accidentally hung up on me. Something’s up, I thought, so I called back again. It went straight to voicemail. And again. And again.
A few minutes later, my brother calls. “Mom and dad are trying to get through to you.”
You know, if people would ANSWER THEIR PHONE.
Luckily, by that point, some guys had stopped to help. We tell them we’re on our way over to them anyway, in case they need anything. They call again a few minutes later to say they were able to make it back home. Fine, we’ll stop off to get you a can of Fix-a-Flat and we’ll be over.
My brother calls. Change of plans, obviously. They’re bringing the food and everything over to my parents’ house.
My parents’ house, which hasn’t been kid friendly in a long time. My parents’ house, with all kinds of knockables and breakables and hazardous chemicals lying about. My parents’ house, which we usually try to avoid for these reasons. My parents house, which is about to be taken over by 5 kids ages 8 and under, not including Abby since she wouldn’t leave my side. Everybody else was running crazy. All of this for a couple sloppy joe sandwiches and potato chips, which of course my kids refused to eat. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD. AGAIN. I’m going home.
March 08 2010
Today is my dad’s birthday.
He’s 77 years old.
Most likely, my dad is older than your dad. My dad could even be older than your grandfather. I’ve dealt with this my entire life. During my school years, I would even flaunt his age like show and tell. I was very shy as a child and this was something safe to set me apart from the rest. Though he never appeared to me to be as old as he was. Even still, I can tell he’s getting older, just not that old.
My dad and I were never the closest growing up. Given his age, he has always been set in his ways and hard to talk to. He has a rough exterior, and I was afraid of making him mad at me. Thus, if I ever wanted to go out or do something, I would always ask my mom. If it was something that required my dad’s approval, she would ask him for me.
Growing up and moving out and having kids of my own, now, I can take a step back and see him for what he is. Yes, he is set in his ways. Yes, he is rough around the edges. But I also know that he loves me very much. And I love him.
I didn’t know what to get him for his birthday this year. What do you get a man that has 77 years worth of everything? So we made him dinner, with chocolate cake topped with two 7 candles. Because 77 individual candles might have burnt down the house.
He knows nothing about this space, but I still want to say happy birthday, dad. I hope there are many, many more.
February 19 2010
During my pregnancy with Buzz, and then Abby, too, I had dreams about all the photo opportunities ahead. The reality is, I’ve been more concerned with surviving. When Jedi was an only child, I remember photographing his every inconsequential move. Back when everything, even the simple act of eating a cookie, was amazing and cute. While it’s still mostly amazing and cute, it’s also now a lot of work and shouldn’t I get him down off the table first?
Thus, a lot of memories haven’t been recorded.
This is especially displeasing to my mother, who is constantly urging me to “get a picture of that!”. “You should keep that camera around your neck”, she tells me. Usually when the kids are in the midst of less than stellar behavior while I’m on the phone with her, which seems to happen often.
For example, my mom has said I should have gotten pictures of:
Abby hitting the cat
Abby trying to ride the cat like a horse
Abby sitting on her brother’s face
Abby kicking her brother in the face
The boys dragging each other around by their shirts
She says she wants a representation of them “just being kids”. Apparently, that means beating the crap out of one another, and sometimes the cat for good measure. However, I don’t believe the degree of desperation in their howls would shine through enough on film. I’m thinking I should just make a video instead.
I'm Crystal. A 30-something mom to 3 young kids living in the Midwest USA. When I'm not chasing my children, I'm a freelance writer and web designer. I like to tell stories from our days and share what we enjoy...
