Too Cute!

Peas is excited about having a new brother, but she is a little confused by it.

Initially, when I first told the kids about the baby, she was very upset. Peas thought that having a new baby meant that we were getting rid of Pixie.

It was really sad to see her so upset but it was so sweet to see her care so much about her sister. She hugged Pixie, and said, "No! Keep Pixie! She stays!" Of course, I reassured her that Pixie was not going anywhere, we were just adding another member to our family.

I thought this was past and resolved but today again, she brought it up, and again was angry that I would consider getting rid of Pixie. She was relieved though when I told her Pixie would be staying.

Random Acts of Kindness

One of my internet friends is pretty awesome.

I woke up this morning having to massage my jaw to get it to unclench and feeling like I hadn't really slept.

However, reading her Facebook status update made me smile. She paid for a strangers order at the drive thru this morning.

This got me thinking. How awesome would it be to start your day like that? Maybe to have a crap morning and go to the drive thru and find that the person in front of you has paid for your order? What a way to turn around the day! The person who was working had to be touched also- how could they not be? Maybe they will be inspired to be a little kinder today. What a great way to start out the day, to know that maybe you turned someones day around (or made a good day awesome) or maybe inspired others to be kinder to others.

To my friend, you totally impacted my day. Because of reading your update, I will strive to be kinder today. To be more understanding. To be appreciative. Thank you, this is what the holiday season is all about.

Thanksgivings

My family was big into getting together when I was a kid.

One of the best was Thanksgiving. This is one of the few holidays that moved around a little, meaning we did not have a set in stone routine of where to go at what time... this was a little more fluid, over the course of my entire childhood five people hosted.

There were some set in stone traditions though, one of which was the local Turkey Trot. My mom, her friend, our neighbors, and my friends would run in the annual 5k, from the time I was 9 or so.

Then we would go back to my parents home and the adults would begin the days drinking with Bloody Mary's and the kids would hang out. We would have some basic appetizers, the best of which was my moms taco dip, this would begin at around 10 am, and it was fantastic.

Over the years the family has grown and shrunk, with people getting married/divorced, having kids, moving away etc. So there has not been a massive family thing in a while, that is really sad, but I will always always treasure the ones we had.

Pole Dancing as a Feminist Statement

When I first began pole dancing lessons I was concerned about betraying my feminist inclinations by doing something that seemingly objectifies women so blatantly. Honestly, this was one of my biggest concerns about the classes, how it would impact me ethically. How could I claim to be a feminist if I was actively participating in subjugation of women?

Or not.

One of the biggest surprises for me was how empowering it was to pole dancing. Yes, there is a large part of it based on sensuality and sexuality, but that is secondary to the confidence and strength that comes from twirling around the pole.

Embracing my femininity and sexuality does not mean that I am surrendering my identity as a feminist. To the contrary. I think that embracing all of the aspects including the sexual and sensual of my gender is more empowering. Additionally, how many men do you know who can climb a pole upside down wearing booty shorts and a sports bra?

So my initial impression and concern could not have been more unfounded. I am more aware of my body, my sensual side, my sexual side, I am a heck of a lot stronger, and a hell of a lot more confident.

Special Ed or not?

Peas has a speech issue and a sensory processing issue. She qualifies for services through the school district, we have decided to decline them at this time.

From February to May she received services after she aged out of Early Intervention, and honestly I did not see a large improvement. It was just a hassle to drop her off, pick her up, and work her schedule into running the big kids around.

This year we decided to send her to a private preschool where Stinky attended and flourished. It is not special ed by any means. It is play based and child led. We can not be more thrilled with her progress. She is talking in sentences. She has a best friend. She RUNS from the car to school. She laughs. She plays. She has grown so much in three months. I credit her school with most of this.

She loves it. I love it. The teachers genuinely love her. Most days I just want to hug her teacher I am so thrilled.

When Peas left school one day and said she wanted to invite A over for a playdate, in a full sentence, I darn near cried with joy. Seeing her grow into this wonderful little girl is just such a gift.

I can not express my gratitude to LECC or Sister Julie enough. I cannot thank H my neighbor enough for telling me about this school. It is just wonderful.

Small Businesses

With the beginning of the holiday season. Advertisers are working extra hard to win my business.

Most of them will not get it this year.

This year I am trying complete as much holiday shopping at small businesses as possible.

It is my personal protest to stores opening on Thanksgiving (irony here? Thankful for your blessings-- but must get MORE!). Sure, I may pay a little more, but I will feel better about myself knowing that I have supported actual people, not corporations.

The huge pressure to have the latest and greatest, or the most, the biggest, the best and to get it with the best deal possible is pervasive. I have fallen into the trap of refusing to buy things without it being a 'deal'. This year, I am trying to shift my focus.

This has to happen to others, right?!?

Grocery shopping is kind of stressful. I must remember to get everything I need on the first go, I must remain patient, I must, I must, I must.

So when I finally make it through the store and to the check out lane, get everything unloaded, and checked only to look in my bag an realize my wallet is not there.

-this has to happen to other people- It makes me want to scream.

After all of that, I have to go back home get my wallet and try again.

Honestly, it isn't the biggest deal in the world. I can pay for my groceries- so that is a huge blessing. I have a minivan to get me to and from the store- another big blessing. I have some great kids (who make me nuts), also another blessing.

does anything so typically "mom" happen to you?