This Full House Archive

Tag: raising teens and tweens

  • Comment Troll Award

    Troll1 Whenever my good blogging friend, Dawn (a.k.a. brilliantly funny author of Because I Said So) would complain about being under attack by comment trolls, I imagined a bunch of snotty little evil basterds, camping out on her blog (pictured above) seriously, what IS it with mean-spirited people, anyways?

    I mean, the woman has 6 kids, I really don't think she needs any help in dealing with suckage.

    I guess I empathize with Dawn's self-deprecating humor, seeing as I've been making fun of myself, openly on the internet, for years now (see virtual tour) and, well, there ARE worse things than making OTHER mothers look good, right?

    Then, I opened up my email and found this:

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  • When the Wet Gets Tough, the Tough Get Wet!

    Day 74 - WashoutPhoto cross-posted to our 365 Day Project

    So, how was your weekend?  Uh-huh.  Ours?  Well, Jersey got hit with a BEYOTCH of a storm, I mean this thing had monster winds of 40, 60, sometimes 70 miles per hour (so, I heard) it uprooted trees, knocked out power and left some of our neighbors without electricity AND gas.

    Us?

    [knocking on wood until knuckles bleed]

    Just a few extra leaks, here and there.

    "Uh-oooooh, found ANOTHER one!"

    So, as my youngest children raced each other.

    "Nooooo, I found that one, already!"

    Playing an indoor-version of ISpy.

    "Nuh-uh!"

    To see which of them could, you know, find the most stains on our living room ceiling.

    "Yah-huh, don'tcha see the pot?!?"

    My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I decided that yesterday would be a good time, as any, to leave the kids to their fun, while he and I braved the storm, for some more emergency supplies.

    "Could you pick up some Clearisil…I need face make up…could you pick something up at Redbox…aaaand, don't forget the Cheerios, okay?"

    Seeing as my two oldest were home recovering from getting their braces (YAY!) and the youngest kids, you know, can't drive…yet.

    "Can we come?"

    [one beat, two beats]

    "NO!"

    [lips quiver]

    "Buh-buh-but, why not?"

    I reminded my son about his sleeping over a friend's house and my youngest that she just spent almost all of Saturday, alone, with me.

    "But, you took me to work!"

    Okay, but I was training a new hire and, well, I did have her bring crayons and stuff…sheesh!

    "Besides, I want some private time with Daddy!"

    It's funny, raising teens and tweens, I mean (funny weird, not funny ha ha) how our priorities seem to change.

    "Where are we going, again?"

    Almost on a daily basis, you know?

    "Lowes, Costco and…um…Michaels, I think."

    [lips quiver]

    "What's at Michaels?"

    [hands on hips]

    "I'm ALL out of yarn!"

    I know what you're thinking; we don't have yarn in our emergency supply kit.

    "Maybe I should stay home with the kids."

    [one beat, two beats]

    "Sure, then maybe you can get an early jump on the to do list."

    In our house?  I'll pretty much do anything, to avoid spring cleaning, except, maybe something illegal (kids ARE watching, you know?) and, truth be told, it's been a real tough week (for the both of us) and, well, what with the kids crazy school stuff (don't even get me started on our attendance woes) not to mention, my working part-time, into the night (thank goodness, I'm home during the day) Garth [not his real name] and I almost NEVER get any alone time, anymore.

    [hands on hips]

    Damned if I'll spend it cleaning.

    [looks left, looks right and then left]

    Okay, all I really wanted was to get back home, snuggle up next to the hubs and work on that crocheting project I started, um, what month is it, again?

    "I'll get my wallet."

    Just don't tell Garth [not his real name] okay?

    [hollers uptairs]

    "Don't forget the rebate check."

    After a quick-ish stop at Costco for school lunch supplies, of course!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Like Cobwebs in the Corner, These Are the Days of Our Lies

    Day 69 - Webbed

    Photo cross-posted to our 365 Day Project 

    My youngest (she's 8) and her girl scout troop had their International Dinner, last night — they were representing Italy, this year — and, well, I hear she looked real cute.

    "Daddy helped me find a white t-shirt, Heather painted my nails red and Holly gave me a basket of biscotti!"

    I, however, did nothing other than forget to send her leaders a baseball hat.

    "That's okay, Mommy, they had extras."

    For forgetful moms (like me) I'm sure.

    "What country is Hope doing?"

    Since, it ended rather late (for us "seasoned moms," that means after 8 p.m.) I was, however, able to  pick the child up, after work (only, because my husband texted me, you know, not to forget) and, well, it seems I am NOT the only one.

    "Italy."

    [eyes go wide]

    "Funny, that's what my daughter is doing."

    [grin]

    "Good, because, Hope is in your daughter's troop, too."

    Then…ohhhhh…how we laughed…[wipes tears from eyes]…and, well, I swear the woman looked like she was ready to cry.

    "Why can't I remember that???"

    Oh good (phew) I like easy questions!

    "Well, maybe because we never see each other anymore."  

    Then, we spent the next 10 minutes talking about having recently gone back to work, for real (I mean, outside of raising kids and taking care of our households) and, you know, catching up on other stuff, like, what day was it, really, anyway? 

    "Did Hope tell you I substituted her class, yesterday?"

    [eyes go wide]

    "As a matter of fact, yes."

    [crosses fingers behind back]

    "Yes, she did."

    [bites lower lip]

    Okay, so maybe she didn't tell me…for real…but, honestly, I thought perhaps my friend was feeling bad enough and, you know, it was only a little white lie — does it really matter?

    "You know, I really love my job!"

    Yes, yes I do believe that, sometimes, being nice really does matter.

    "Aaaaand, I'm subbing her class on Thursday, too!"

    Now, if I could only remember if her daughter was in Hope's class, too…or, not…DAMMIT!!!

    "Oh good, Hope loves it when her mom friends come in to teach!"

    This time, I wasn't lying — heaven knows, she's learned enough bad habits from me, right?

    "I heard you did a GREAT job as picture parent, last week!"

    Yeah, right.

    "Who told you?"

    [eyes go wide]

    "Um, they did, when I subbed Hope's class, remember?"

    I swear…I can STILL hear her laughing…DAMMIT!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • If You’re Happy and You Know It, Spit It Out!

    Holly and HeatherBoth my two oldest girls are getting braces put on their teeth, this week (OUCH!) so, I took them to their first (of many) orthodontic appointment, last Friday, much to their absolute GLEE!

    "WHOOT!"

    Having their impressions taken and then spacers, the size of popcorn balls put in between their teeth (double-OUCH!) (not really, but just as painful, they said) not so much.

    "Open wide!"

    [giggle]

    "Shuddup, Holly!"

    [click]

    "Let's try that again…aaaaand…open wide."

    [snort]

    "Shuddup, Mom!"

    [click]

    "GAH!"

    The dental hygienist, however, was in no mood (judging by the permanent frown line, that ran from her forehead, right down to her pale blue crocs) especially, having to listen to a couple of teenagers crack each other up.

    "I'm sorry, but they're just a lee-til excited."

    [sound of crickets chirping]

    "Just shuddup…no, wait…I mean…open wide for the nice lady, Heather."

    [snort]

    Then, 30 minutes later, it was Holly's turn.

    "Okay, now rinse."

    The girls have waited a long time for this moment and, well, since my teeth are as far from perfect as one can get, before actually being declared, you know, dentally-impaired, I can't say as I blamed them for feeling a bit giddy.

    [swish, swoosh, swish, swoosh]

    "Why don't you get braces, too, Momma?"

    [swish, swoosh, swish, swoosh]

    "Me?"

    I watched Holly nod, in between the swishing and the swooshing, in total agreement with Heather.

    "Nah."

    After 40-something years, I've sort of grown accustomed to my lopsided grin.

    "I'd probably break them on a marshmallow, or something."

    [swish, swoosh, swish, swoosh]

    "Spit it out, already, ya' DING DONG!"

    PUH-TOO-WEE!

    [eyes go wide]

    "Didn't your mom teach you to spit better than that?"

    [snort]

    The dental hygienist sighed, unclipped the bib from Holly's drippy chin and, well, I guess she figured, if you can't beat 'em…you know…make 'em spit.

    "Ewwww, it's STILL connected!"

    Who knew, dental hygienists could be so touchy?

    "Can't wait for next week!"

    Me, either.

    "I'll bring the popcorn!"

    [sound of crickets chirping]

    Ibuprofen, anyone?

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Love Accidentally

    Morale of the story: Maybe I shouldn't holler at the kids, for leaving their stuff lying around the house, so much, right?

    Feel better soon, Papa!

    Happy Love Thursday, everyone!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • TLC Book Tour: Give Me, Get Me, Buy Me – Preventing (or Reversing) Entitlement in Your Child’s Attitude

    Give me get me buy me

    Look, I know saying no can be real hard (trust me!) and anyone who's had to explain to a 2 year-old that, no, "real live" ponies do not sleep in big girl beds, would probably agree.

    [cringe]

    Then, my kids started getting older and, well, I seemed to have forgotten what it was like…making them happy, I mean.

    "But, So-and-So goes to Disney every summer!"

    From something as simple as buying clothes and video games, to being invited to elaborate birthday parties and watching our neighbors take out small loans, just so that their kids can have that dream wedding…er…I mean, sweet sixteen?

    In my experience, walking that fine line between cheap and frugal, for quite a few years now, overindulgence isn't the problem.

    "You NEVER let me do…go…get…anything I want!!!"

    It's the guilt that beats down my parenting mojo, every time!

    I have the extreme pleasure of being the 1st stop on the TLC Book Tour for March 2010, featuring Give Me, Get Me, Buy Me, by Donna Corwin.

    So, who's in charge at your house?

    C'mon over to my Shopping Blog and let's talk — 'cawse, I also have a couple of books to share, with you, too!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Killing Two Birds With One Peartini

    Peartini

    My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I don't get a chance to hang out together, a lot, anymore.  Oh, we're fine.  Thanks.  It's just that, he works during the day and I don't get home until well after the dishwasher has been loaded from suppertime (no, not on purpose) unless, it's Friday.

    "You're off tomorrow, right?"

    Yes…I mean…but, not this week…um…no.

    "But, you worked last Friday, didn't you?"

    Aaaand, the Friday before that…too…even the kids couldn't help but notice Daddy was feeling a little, well, I swear, the poor guy was ready to break out into song, any moment.

    "All…by…mah…se…eh…elf."

    [reaches for tissue box]

    "I don't wanna be."

    [sniff-sniff]

    All…by…mah…se..eh…elf…aaaaanymore."

    This Saturday, however, we were BOTH home (WHOOT!) so, we spent the early afternoon food shopping (I know, don't be jealous) and life was good.

    Until.

    "Ready, Mommy?"

    [eyes go wide]

    "NOW where is SHE going?"

    Oh, did I NOT mention, I gave the 16 yo permission to sleep over a friend's house, so she could get up early and go to church with her family since, you know, we seem to be in between religions, at the moment.

    "But, isn't the other one babysitting, tonight?"

    Yes, I also gave the 14 yo (i.e. the other one) permission to go to the mall with a friend and her mom (supposedly, Hot Topic had a sale, buy one Alice in Wonderland t-shirt, get two human sacrifices, free, or something) before, you know, the kid goes off and earns some more of her OWN spending money…DAMMIT!

    "But, I wanted to go out WITH YOU…tonight!"

    That's the thing about having live-in babysitters (I know, don't be jealous) you sort of forget that kids need to go out and have a little fun, too. 

    "We just spent the whole morning, together!"

    If you consider jet-setting across town to take advantage of can-can sales, fun (like we do) I mean.

    [reaches for tissue box]

    "Okay, I would LOVE to go out with you!"

    Because, I can't stand to see a grown man cry.

    "Call mom and dad."

    So, I fired up the crock pot (i.e. grandmas and grandpas gotta eat, too) then, picked up the 14 yo, bought her home so she could go to the bathroom (yes, she gets that from me) then, dropped her off at her babysitting gig ('cawse, you know, she can't drive, yet) put on my sexiest black boots (sorry, grandma and grandpa) directed my husband to this really cool new Asian bistro I heard about (YUM!) and spent the next hour seductively sipping a peartini (DITTO!) through heavily-glossed lips and gave Garth [not his real name] my FULL attention.

    [licking lips]

    Aaaaand, life was good…until dessert.

    [eyes go wide]

    "Something wrong?"

    Oh, we're fine…really.

    "So, WHAT ARE GUYS DOING HOME SO EARLY?"

    Just killing two birds with one stone (i.e. guess that peartini was A LOT stronger, than I thought) you know?

    "Thought you'd like to share some cake and coffee, with us!"

    Besides, we haven't seen my in-laws in, well, forever, too.  Aaaaand, life was pretty gosh-darned good…until.

    "Soooo, how's the gym working out for you, Mrs. Manager?"

    Peartini, anyone?

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Love Thursday: So, Boom!

    Love is….making mommy laugh at bedtime…so, BOOM!

    Happy Love Thursday, everyone….'cawse, it IS almost Friday….so, BOOM!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Viewing the World Through Frozen Side Mirrors

    Back-to-school

    Most days, I wake up and, if my feet hit the floor and my head is still attached, then, it really doesn't take much to convince myself that, YES, half the battle is actually getting out of bed and HOORAH! but, it's gonna be a good day…DAMMIT!

    Until, it's time to leave the house.

    "Why IS it so hard to make a left turn!?!?"

    Then, I remembered.

    "Oh yeah, 'cawse I live in Jersey!"

    Is it just me, along with perhaps the rest of the Eastern seaboard, STILL digging out of one of the snowiest winter's in, well, recorded history (yeah, I'm looking at you, Washington, D.C.) or, has Snowmageddon (or, as I've come to call it, Snowpocalypse) frozen everyone's nice buttons, shut? 

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  • She IS the Ty Pennington of Blog Design

    Soooooo, what do ya' think?  Cynthia at NW Blog Design put together an awesome new look for Scribbit (seriously, go take a peek, I'm pretty sure Michelle won't mind) and, well, in my opinion, her redesign fits the feel of her blog, very well!

    "Love what you did at Scribbit's place!"

    So, I thought, maybe, juuuuuuust maybe, Cyn could help even a dork (like me) get a virtual remodel — but, how DOES one best define This Full House?

    Um, shuddup, I know, that was a rhetorical question, really.

    After 16 years of perpetual renovation, (see virtual tour) IRL, I'm STILL staring at drywall, but we've ALL grown used to it and my house has this laid-back, sort of shabby ecclectic feel.

    Even IF my house is a mess (IRL) I believe that Cyn hit the nail right on the head and, well, I really, really, like what she's done with the place!

    "Honey, I blew up my navigation bar!"

    Yeah, I was messing around a little and the nav bar does NOT work, at the moment (I know, act surprised, anyway) but, Cyn said she would help me fix it (she's a saint, really) right after she redoes my other blog, to match!

    Since, you know, Ty Pennington won't even return my calls and NO, can't say as I blame him, either.

    Stupid drywall!

    [Edited to add:  I fixed the nav bar…all…by..ownself…and, well, if only I could say the same for the rest of the house — stupid under-cabinet lighting!]

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.