Summer LI Vacation - Day 1

Well hopefully today won't be the way the vacation is going to be. Shara wasn't too pleasant, but neither was I. The day before last, Brutus discovered a fox (not too good looking) at our back door - the one near the bar. It was curled up and Brutus was very interested. The other cats got interested too and apparently fur started to fly. Shara & I were up stairs but still able to hear the commotion. It sounded awful - meuling and shrieking - scarry and Shara started screaming. We went into her room and she quieted down. Shara woke up about 10:30 and finally went back to sleep around 11:30. She was really scared about the cats. The next day she talked about noisy at home but had a good day at school. Not a good drop-off, but that's now normal. She went to play with Jaime and I left without our normal bye bye. It was better than the first 2 tries with her crying that she wanted to go too.

Yesterday, after a 3+ hour nap at school, Shara was still tired. When we got home, we relaxed with a little Phantom Gourmet and ate some cheese while we waited for daddy to get through the route 24 backup after a sewage tanker overturned. He sat in traffic for 2 1/2 hours on the highway. We had supper - Shara on my lap because she was still a little freaked out and the cats weren't acting nice to each other. She did get to sleep, but was delayed an extra 1/2 hour after Brutus & George went at it. She then woke at about midnight, just when I was starting to fall asleep. I ended up sleeping with her and left in the morning. Through the night, the cats fought and each time I'd wake, look over at Shara and she'd open her eyes and look at me. She woke at about 7:3o AM to the cats yelling and she woke up screaming. I ran in and she was fine, but she wanted to be held almost all morning. Finally she warmed up to Brutus again, but we were looking forward to a night without them.

The trip here wasn't too exciting. We watched Cinderella & Pooh. Read some books & listened to some music. Shara ended up sleeping for about 1 1/2 hours when we hit traffic around the city. I also started the ride with her in the back and was even able to get some knitting done. It doesn't sound like there was any trouble but everything was a struggle. We stopped at a rest stop and did a diaper change, but then she wanted to go inside and then take a stroller walk and she was really crying about it. Then didn't want to get in her seat, etc. Then we stopped for lunch at Superduper Wienie and she had a couple fries and a chicken nugget or 2. At first she didn't want to sit at the picnic tables but wanted to sit outside. Then she didn't want to sit at all, then when Alan came with the food she was fine. When she was finished she started kicking me. I told her to stop, that it was hurting me. She kept kicking. I told her if she continued, I wouldn't sit next to her anymore and go to the other side of the table. She kept kicking, but just close enough to make me pay attention. Then when we left she cried that she wanted pooh and got upset that I didn't know if she wanted the new pooh coloring thing, the pooh book, or the pooh movie. Then she kept getting upset at most things. She was really tired but wouldn't sleep. Then finally did and didn't sleep enough.

We got to the hotel and she was more than ready to get out of the car. The check in was interesting. Apparently they gave me a room that was way underpriced. I had written a comment on my online registration saying that I did call to verify the room was a 2 room suite because I couldn't believe it was so cheap, but the 2 people I spoke to said it was. Well it was $40 a night underpriced and they didn't have that type of suite, but we did get a nice suite in its place. It has a king size bed in the big bedroom, a huge bathroom with jacuzzi and stall shower, and a nice size living room with a little area with a sink, microwave & small refrigerator/freezer. Shara had no problem with the idea of using her pack and play, just like bubbe said. I'm so glad I listened to her and brought it. She is sleeping now, but it was an interesting evening. While we were unpacking, she was having a good time exploring and helping put things away. We then played for a little bit and she had some snack, but not in a snack cup, in the container. We wanted to go out and get something to eat but she didn't want any part of that. We figured if she was this upset about going out, we wouldn't have much of a good time so we made her mac & cheese, which she ate in the lobby area - complimentary continental breakfast, so had lots of tables set up. We then walked around the hotel a bit and back up to the room. She didn't want to do anything and certainly go out to pick up food. She also just wanted to play in the room, so we read a couple books, relaxed, got into jammies, relaxed more and finally went to sleep. The going to sleep wasn't a problem, surprisingly, but she's been so tired, it's hard to tell if that's the problem or if it's something else. The lack of sleep is casting its shadow on everything it seems.

Alan wanted me to mention that the other night at dinner, I gave her the leftover ice cream from when we went to the Plant Depot Sunday, and she dipped in her perogies and other assorted items from dinner. Apparently she liked it but Alan said the chocolate overwhelmed the other flavors. Yes, he tries most of the strange combos she comes up with because you never know if it's going to be a winner or not.

Oh yes, forgot to mention that it's going to be no warmer than 69 tomorrow and I packed for summer. Tomorrow also seems to be the nicest day of the weekend, so we're still going to the beach, but maybe not to sunbath. Shara should still enjoy playing in the sand. Hopefully she'll have a good, long night sleep.

Meet Me at the Fair

I'm about to go to sleep but just had to jot down a few things before I forget. Today we went to the Marshfield Fair and had a great time. We had all emotions, including mommy crying before we even left. I was so frustrated because no one seemed to want to go to the fair and I couldn't get Shara in the tub or to eat or to do anything but play or watch Cinderella. Needless to say, we did manage to get out the door by 10:15 and were at the fair by 11 or so. We found parking, went in and headed to the anemols (as Shara likes to say). We didn't realize until later that these weren't even the real 4-H animals, but just a few little ones. We saw the ponys and Shara even pet the pony. We watched the falcons and bees make honey and then looked at the vegetables and chicks being hatched. It was lots of country fair fun.

Then we had lunch - we all shared a roast beef (billed as more than it was) and fries. Shara ate almost 1/2 of my 1/2 - just of the meat, and fries. Later we walked around a bit more, got dessert #1 - Alan had frozen latte, I had super yummy strawberry shortcake sundae, and a strawberry banana smoothie for Shara. Shara had none of her smoothie, none of the shortcake, but really loved the coffee drink. We figured there was more sugar than caffeine to worry about and this stand noted that the smoothes had no powder or artificial stuff, so it was a lesser evil issue.

After that we walked around the midway - Shara pitching a fit that she couldn't go in the tilt-a-whirl, then soon falling down and again skinning a knee. Quick recovery and on to the 4-H animals. There were lots - goats, cows, pigs (smelly!), geese, ducks, chickens, roosters, sheep, etc. Shara pet a cow - big one too. It's name was Anna. She wanted nothing to do with Baby - a cute calf that made lots of mooing and stuck it's tongue out while doing so. It was around this time we met up with the Slater clan. More animals and a walk to the area where the bands were playing. We sat for a while and listened to a 50's group, then Carole, Dale & Amy showed up. Dale & the Duds were playing today and Shara's a big fan! All this time - at least an hour, Shara spent walking around the benches, running around the benches, climbing over the benches, and a little dancing thrown in. I don't know where the time went. We really just hung out and listened to the music and watched Shara keep basically out of harm's way. Alan & Shara did take a break from all this and went to see the anemols again. They came back to get me because Shara wanted to go on the pony ride. I was skeptical, but though, "you never know", and after Shar decided she wanted daddy to go with her, got up to the pony and changed her mind. We pet the other pony and went back to hear more music, with a stop to get some ice cream on the way. When Dale finished playing, and Shara finished her ice cream (twist w/ rainbow sprinkles) - all about the same time, we all took our bathroom breaks and tried to figure out the next move. There were some MIA's and people coming and going, so we decided we better go our separate ways. While all this "planning" was happening, Shara figured she had about enough and was going to go to the market to get bananas - started leaving the music field even. Then she realized she'd need mommy's pocketbook, so tried to get that out of the stroller. Really had a fit at the end and would only stop when I asked if she could get in her stroller herself. She did with a little push up and then knocked her eye when she put the lap tray down. Crying, screaming and then realizing no noticeable marks got us back on track to food. Shara said she wasn't hungry but then though the corn dog sounded interesting - hey, food on a stick! What could be better? So we got a sausage & pepper and a corn dog. Daddy ate most of the corn dog, Shara ate a bunch of the sausage and a big piece of Amy's chicken kabob. Wouldn't touch the little piece of broccoli I was hoping she would eat. Oh, we all ended up eating supper at the same table. After supper and Shara again having so much energy! we went back to the 4-H animals but it wasn't that great this time. She did enjoy the chicken more after I told her they were all in cages and wouldn't get out. Alan also found some ducklings that were just hatched and they were so cute! But for the most part, we were done and went back the long way - looking at all the smaller rides and another, more humane, pony ride. Shara wanted to spend more time watching the bumper cars, but we headed out, all the time looking for one more thing to eat (me, not them). I decided more ice cream was needed and by the time we found the place to get it, Shara was sound asleep on my shoulder.

We left - Alan making the astute comment that fair food isn't really that great, it's all the atmosphere, and I could find better ice cream closer to home. He was right and I was satisfied with the ice cream in our freezer! Trip home uneventful but nice to have a chance to have an adult conversation together without the usual, "mommy daddy stop talking" we've been getting lately. She was awake when we got home but bedtime wasn't anything special. Just nice that it took about 10 minutes for her to fall asleep, unlike the usual 30 - 40 recently. That's about it for the fair. Tomorrow I hope to post some pictures.

Didn't like the Fireworks

We went to the Fall River Celebrates America festival last night so Shara, and mommy, could see the fireworks and have some good fair food. All was great. We found easy parking, took a look at some of the rides. We even got tickets to go on the little, teeny, tiny train that Shara wanted to ride on with daddy, but then changed her mind after they took their seats. We ate lobther cakes - clam cakes are much better, grilled chicken on a stick, french fries, Dunkin Donuts smoothie, strawberry shortcake, lots of yummy, greasy food. We looked at the carosel in the museum and had a nice time in general. We also had a ton of fun dancing to Not Your Average White Band while daddy held our primo seats for the fireworks. We went back to our fireworks spot and relaxed until the big, huge, obnoxious, unnessessarily loud bang bang smoke confusion started the display. This was over the battleship. It was truly loud and scared the heck out of Shara. When the display began she was snuggled with me and whimpering. She never cried, but whimpered the she wanted to go. So we did and she burrowed in my shoulder the whole walk to the car. I was very sorry she didn't like them at all, but she was happy and smiling when we put her on the mattress and I laid down with her while she went to sleep. I even was able to leave the room before she was out. She cried a little, but stopped. She did wake in the middle of the night, but I realized she was crying out in her sleep because I heard her saying, "that's mine", as her usual scary dreams go.

We did get the bed yesterday. It's the one pictured at left. Very cute. She would have been happy with any of them. We also got the matching nightstand. Yesterday we put it together but still need to get a guard rail. If we can't find one to attach properly today, we're going to put her old mattress next to the bed in case she rolls out. It's a really low bed, so she won't fall far. We also got a comforter and comforter cover to go with her underwater theme.

Big Girl Bed

Last night Shara wanted to sleep on the floor so Alan got the futon mattress and put it on the floor. It took a while for her to settle down, as usual, but she eventually did and slept well. She's sleeping on it now and this weekend we're going to IKEA to get her a big girl bed. This should be fun. I'm sure her favorite part is that she gets to have us lay down with her.

Her eye is much better but every day she comments at least 2 or 3 times about Shara's eye booboo.

Isn't this Pretty?

As of last night her eye is fully open and beginning to turn green around the edges.

Backtracking

Please take a look at the following posts, which have been updated with pictures:

• Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - Bubbe's Birthday
• Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - Lonesome Jukebox
• Monday, July 17, 2006 - Sandcastles
• Monday, June 26, 2006 - Grandpa Bobby's Birthday

Shopping Trip

Last week I picked Shara up from school and we made a quick stop at the market. She was really cute - when a dancy song started playing, she skipped down the aisle - windmilling her arms and then did some type of interpretive thing with her arms. She was very inspired by her cousin Liz's recital and has been seen imitating the swans. 

eye update

shara's eye is a lovely shade of purple but at least it's now open a little. Kim, the school diretor said to me it would get worse before t got better, but didn't realize...

Tonight shar went to sleep great. We were worried after 2 nights sleeping with us what would happen tonight. She did say she wanted to sleep with us,but we quickly said no.

My little Rocky

Update on Shara - picked her up yesterday after hearing about the bump on her head and it was bigger than I expected, but she wasn't at all phased. Last night we went out for ice cream and the heat made it swell up her eye was a slit - just like Rocky! And purple and blue. We were a little nervous, she wouldn't let us put ice on it at all - had a real fight. So we stood up with her in front of the blowing air conditioner. She ended up sleeping with us so I could keep her from laying on it, keep her elevated and stop her from rubbing it.

Today she went to school and was happy - it seemed like she was able to see since she was reaching for things and not having a problem grabbing them. She also let me put ice on while watching Cinderella, which she wouldn't do last night. It's still big, purple and scary looking, but they say at school that it didn't need stitches, so it could have been worse and there's not much more we can do.

Another Concert

Last night Shara & I went to the Mansfield library to see Dale Freeman and she was a riot - all the kids were jumping around and dancing. I have to get video of her dancing - and then doing windmills while skipping around and when the song's over she claps and shouts "yeah!! yeah!!" really loud! Also when the song ended she would run up to me and jump into my lap before clapping - I think she just had so much energy she didn't know what to do with herself.

Today I got a call from school - has a big goose egg on her eyebrow - but only cried for a minute or so - she's tough! This morning one of the moms said her daughter was biting and asked if Shara ever did that - I said she didn't bite other kids, just Alan and me. When the call came from school, I thought they were calling to say she got bit!