Juggling Act

Since the Tali’s spent most of the summer in Trinidad and summer camps in Philly close either this week or next, we were left with a three week gap of time where I have to both work from home and entertain the boys. I can’t lie, it hasn’t been easy. Mr. 1969 has done a great job of working from home 1/2 days to assist me in getting out to all of my scheduled sales calls.

I also have a great network of fellow parents who (on a day like today where I have an important meeting from noon to 2pm) will take my boys for a few hours so I can get my corporate America on. I am enjoying having them home and the break from them has made me appreciate them all the more. I guess I realized how fast they are growing up and I value being around them a little bit more.

Speaking of time flying, yesterday was our 12th anniversary! On Friday, I woke up with a bad sore throat but I was scheduled for my long run. I shook it off and hit the pavement with my BGR teammates and completed 9 miles. I came home and started feeling progressively worse. My head started hurting, I got a fever, runny nose…I had a dreaded summer cold. I collapsed around 7pm and hit the bed. Saturday morning, Mr. 1969 took the boys out and stayed out so I could sleep. I needed to feel better because we were supposed to attend a Black and White themed party that evening.

When I finally woke up, it was 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I took a shower, ate something and tried my best to get my game face on. Once the medicine hit my system, I felt so much better. We dropped the boys off at their friend’s house and off we went. We had a great sushi dinner at POD and headed off to the Aquarium. The venue was great. We took a picture in our Black and White attire in front of the sharks (who looked hungry and agitated!)

Yes, I drank one glass of wine with cold medicine. I think it made me feel better. However, please note that I am not a Doctor and I don’t play one on TV. The guest DJ was the world famous Biz Markie. Now there are few things I love more than old school music. I was standing on the sidelines, getting my two step on as the old school disco classics played.  However, when Biz gets on the mic, I start hearing the strains of Big Daddy Kane and he asks the famous party question “WHERE BROOKLYN AT?”…..I swear the cold medicine and wine combo took over.

The Philly/NJ folks had to move back cause Brooklyn had to break down the wop for them when I heard “I came in the door, I said it before….” and from there it was a plethora of dance challenges which culminated in me doing the Pee Wee Herman to Joe Ski Love (Yeah…Google that one kids.)

Needless to say, it was a crazy night full of fun and I am so glad I made it to the party. Our lives together have always centered around us making each other laugh. Nothing has changed in the last 12 years. We are still crazy. LOL

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Growing Pains

Tali 1 made it into the new school (I am still celebrating) and now comes a major life change. He is going to have to start taking THE REGULAR CITY BUS to school. Matter of fact, he needs to take two buses. One bus, then transfer to the 2nd bus.

Back in Brooklyn, I took two buses to school ever since the 3rd grade. In high school, I took the subway by myself. So ask me why the thought of my 5th grade son riding the bus alone is filling me with terror?

Today (after work) my plan is to ride the route with him so he can learn it. With this bus riding comes so many other thoughts…for example, does he need a phone?

This is a point of contention in our house. Mr. 1969 is anti phone and I am pro phone. I think a phone is necessary so if anything happens with his public transportation, he can call us. Mr. 1969 keeps asking me “Did you have a phone when you rode the bus in New York?” *sigh*

I say my baby needs at least a little cricket phone. When I rode the bus, we had payphones everywhere and I always had my dime (shut up, I’m old and it was a dime before it became a quarter!).  There are no payphones anymore. What if something happens?

Has anyone dealt with this issue with their child? Weigh in. Pro phone or Anti Phone for a ten year old.

 

April 6th, 2002-April 6th, 2012

Today is a milestone for our family. My sweet Tali 1 turns 10. A whole decade has passed of my baby boy’s life. I have watched him grow into a wonderful young man.

Tali 1, age 3, holding his new baby brother at the hospital

All mother’s think their child is the greatest but I really couldn’t ask God for a better son. His most endearing quality is his heart. My son cares about his family, his brother, animals, those suffering….he really is the sweetest, kindest kid ever. He always wants to help someone and never hesitates to go out of his way if needed.

Tali 1, age 3 Tali 2 at one month old

He is a great student and a great athlete. He really is my little superstar and the future leader of the Free World.  He is the child that always comes to check on me. “How are you feeling mom? Can I get you some water mom? You look really nice today mom!” Tali 2 has never known a day with us all by himself but those three years with just Tali 1 were so special. I had the chance to focus all of my energies on his life and well being. He and I share a special bond and we always will. He is the first child and he will always carry the very best of me with him wherever he goes.  These ten years have flown by and I can’t imagine how fast the next ten will go.

Happy Birthday to my boy. I love you so much son and wish you continued success in all that you do. Enjoy life and know that Daddy, Tali 2 and I will always be your biggest cheerleaders. We love you son. Especially mommy.

So Blessed

I posted a while back about Tali 1 applying to a very prestigious school for their middle school program. I tried not to talk about it too much cause I didn’t want to jinx us. (Be quiet….I’m superstitious!) Well, the letter just came and it was a skinny letter. I swear I held on to it for a solid ten minutes. I finally took a deep breath and opened it and my baby is ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can’t lie, I cried like a baby. He is the newest student at arguably, the best middle school in PA and one of the top in the nation. At the Open House, they told us that almost every student accepted is a straight A student. We knew that competition was going to be thick and we didn’t want to put too much emphasis on him getting in. We continued to focus on his grades and keep moving forward but believe me, it has been in the back of our minds for the last year.

When I walked into the school, a few things jumped out at me…the diversity, the type of child at the school and the environment. It felt exactly like my alma mater, Brooklyn Tech. Students from all backgrounds, all nerdy (in a good way) in a positive and safe environment where learning is the focus. I knew instantly that my son was a perfect fit for the school. I just needed the school to agree.

I am on pins and needles and can’t wait to go pick him up today. He is going to be so excited. Now he will take the bus like a city kid into school everyday. I will probably have to get him his own *gasp* cell phone.  My baby (who turns ten next week) is growing up right before my eyes and his future is looking so bright.

When you have a child, you have big dreams for them. You want only the very best. Today, one of those dreams came true and it totally validated the choices Mr. 1969 and I have made regarding his education. What’s also great are the calls and texts pouring in from our family and friends that are cheering for him. We have a village around our son. I am so grateful for that support system. With all of these loved ones behind Tali 1, this will be the first step on his journey and he will get wherever he wants to go.

I AM SO PROUD. THANK YOU GOD. I AM HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL.

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of…..

Tomorrow morning, the Tali’s and I will rise and shine and head home to Brooklyn. Mama 1969 suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and when it is flaring up, it makes it extremely hard for her to move. Traveling to Philly was out of the question so since I am on vacation, the boys and I will be going to visit her and my baby brother for a few days.

As part of my holiday present to the boys, we will be staying at one of my favorite NY Hotels where they will get to swim in the pool, order room service and sleep in big fluffy beds. It pays to be a hotel employee! Mama 1969 will come and stay with us so we can pamper her as well. Their Uncle plans a trip with them to the Nintendo store and a little ice skating in Central Park. There is no place like New York around the Holidays and I think I am looking forward to going home more than they are.

Mr. 1969 can’t be with us due to some family business up in his hometown, so we are flying solo. I am praying that the DS games will save me from the fighting during the drive there and back. (Another reason why I couldn’t give up coffee!)

I will take lots of pictures of the boys on their New York adventure. Get ready big city…..here come the Tali’s!

Gone Fishing!

I am officially on vacation until 2012. Somehow, I am still waking up at the crack of dawn, still working out early, still running errands like a crazy woman. There is no leisure time in the 1969 household.

In the last three days, I have baked mini cheesecakes for the Tali’s Holiday events at school. I have been doing my VERY LAST MINUTE holiday shopping. I finally got my cards in the mail. I did the Holiday meal shopping (Prime Rib Roast, Grilled Salmon, Roasted Asparagus and Potatoes). Whew, vacation is wearing a sister out!

I have managed to swim twice this week and both times, I completed 41 laps of a 25 meter pool.That’s 1,025 meters. I need to be able to swim 860 meters for my race. Of course I stop and take some breaks but I am at least now able to swim that distance pretty consistently. I am the dolphin!

I also finally got a chance to run with Black Girls Run, the Philadelphia Chapter. What a great group of ladies! We ran at the track near my house and did 3.45 miles yesterday. The women were just like me, moms, working women and they all were trying to get their fitness together. If anyone lives in Philly and wants to start running, I highly recommend you join the Facebook page and get started. The ladies range from walkers to runners and no runner is left behind.

I am about to run back out to look for stocking stuffers to complete my Santa’s TO DO LIST. I plan on spending tomorrow ice skating with my boys and taking in some of the holiday sites downtown.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday everyone….from our home to yours!

 

The Randomness

I just started Christmas shopping for the boys. *sigh* My mojo is so off this year. At least the tree is up and we did decorate gingerbread houses. It’s a start right?

I gave up coffee for two months. I am back on the wagon. The good news is that I am only drinking one cup a day and it’s a small size. I have decided that moms of boys who work ten hour days and workout at 5:30am are entitled to their morning cup of coffee. Period.

I want to try my best to give up sugar next year. The problem? I love sugar. Not sure how that’s going to work.

I just got a pair of training flippers and a new pool buoy for training. SOOOOOOO excited. You have no idea how much sports/exercise gear excites me.

I love cookbooks but hate ones that have no pictures. What the fudge is that all about? How do I know what it’s supposed to look like?

My kids had the best report cards last week and I am so proud of them. They work hard and are reaping the benefits. I love those boys.

The Wu-Tangs have “refreshed” their holiday lights. I say refreshed because they kept half of them up all year. WHO DOES THAT?

My kids are into these little larvae robots from hexbug.  I almost got into a fight with Mr. 1969 about them. He thinks they’re a waste of money and that they’ll be broken by the end of Christmas Day. I think boys break all toys anyway and they’re cool.  Guess who bought two of them?

I am considering making shortribs in my crockpot tomorrow. Any recipes? I am thinking they would taste delicious with a nice sauce over some creamy cheesy grits or polenta with roasted veggies. (Yes, I still don’t eat meat but the men will love it!)

 

 

He is sooooo my child.

Tali 1:  Mom, school is soooo hard for me sometimes.

Me:  Why sweetie? You are doing great. Your grades are awesome. You have lots of friends. Is something wrong?

Tali 1:  It’s not that. It’s just…..*sigh* I just can’t be myself at school.

Me:  You can’t be yourself?

Tali 1:  No. I can’t just be me there.

(I thought about it for a good second)

Me:  You mean you have to sit in a chair, act like a good boy, raise your hand and maintain some decorum for a whole day?

Tali 1:  YES! Do you know how hard it is for me to not get out of my seat and jump on top of all the desks?

Me:  Yes son. I know EXACTLY how hard it is for you. I don’t know how you do it.

Tali 1:  I know right? It’s so hard being me.

Losing the battle……

Yesterday, since we were snow/iced inside, we spent the afternoon watching lots of football. During the game, the commercial for Ed.die M.ur.phy’s new movie came on. The promo showed a scene where he was talking about lesbians. The line was pretty funny and Mr. 1969 and I laughed out loud.This led to Tali 1 asking me,

“Mommy, what’s a lesbian?”

I, of course, had been waiting for one of these moments all of my life. I was prepared and answered with the quickness: “ASK DADDY!”

Mr. 1969 replied without a beat “Well, Tali 1, you were born in April so your zodiac sign is ARIES, Tali 2 was born in May, his zodiac sign is TAURUS. Mommy was born in July and her zodiac sign is CANCER. A lesbian is one of those signs.”

All I could do was stare at him with my mouth hanging open. Tali 1 said “OK” and promptly went back to whatever he was doing as Mr. 1969 looked all smug and pleased with himself.

I need reinforcements people. Send reinforcements.

 

Swagger is his middle name

Some people have “it” and some people don’t. Tali 2 has “it”. That boy was born with confidence flowing through his veins.

Last week, he came home with a folder full of his monthly tests. Seven tests, all 100′s.

1969: What a great job! I am soooo proud of you.

Tali 2: Who wouldn’t be proud of me mom?

*blank stare*

That led to the following events.  On Wednesday, he had a book fair. He asked us for money for a book. We gave him $5 and he came home with two Philly pretzels. No book.

On Thursday, he asked for $1.00 for his school canteen (store) for a treat. We gave him a dollar and he came home with two bookmarks. No snacks.

On Friday, he asked me for 50 cents for the school canteen again.

1969: Tali 2, this is the 3rd time this week you have asked me for money. Everytime I give you money for school, you don’t bring home what you said you needed it for. You get lunch at school so I am not giving you money every single day. If you are going to need money for school every day, you need to get a job.

Tali 2: I have a job!

1969: What is your job?

Tali 2: TO LEARN…..and I do a really good job at it. So, you should pay me.

1969: *hands over 50 cents and walks away*

Clearly, it’s his world and we are just getting in the way of greatness.