I'm not built for boys - part two

I was complaining a little about my monsters of meyhem yesterday.  The boys were causing me a great deal of grief, not to mention inflicting a lot of damage on each other.  Some physical, some mental...mine was entirely mental.

Earlier today, I was having another mom-on-the-edge moment and thought - yes, this I must blog about.  I would continue my rant about how crazy they make me.  I was particularly aggravated by the volume level today and had a great post planned about how they can't seem to lower their voices, no matter what they're doing.  It drives me batty.  

But before I had a chance to blog this evening, I gave them their bath.  In the background, I could hear Suvi in the other shower singing away beautifully (making up hilarious lyrics to High School Musical songs).  After seeing the boys in action in the tub, there was just no way I could write another cranky post about these two.  At least not today. Here's why:

Look Max, I can make water run over the edge of the tub like Mom hates!

I'm pinching your bum!  I'm pinching your bum!

Uh, who was that?  Was Mom watching?  Quick, hide!

See Mommy, I can make waterfalls! 

Head, foot, head...wait, whose foot is that exactly?! 

Yep, these two are brothers.  It's good that they're smiling most of the time.  That makes all the other stuff seem irrelevant.  Sort of.  ;)

Oh, yeah.  Did I mention I saw her this past weekend?  She was suh-weet.  Sigh...nothing like the Queen of Soul.

PS: Thanks a bunch to all you fantastic mommies (and others) who commented and/or emailed on my last post and offered your sympathies to this frazzled mom.  That is one of the best parts of blogging. 

I'm not built for boys

It's tough being an only child.  I know, people always think "but you were probably spoiled!  You got all of the attention and gifts and never had to worry about a brother or sister harassing you..."

I guess in a few ways, being an only child was not so bad.  But let me tell you - I would have loved to have had a brother or sister.

And do you want to know why? 

Because it might have given me some clue - any clue at all - into what the heck sibling relationships are supposed to look like! 

Seriously.  Half the time I'm trying to assess whether my kids are exhibiting normal sibling behaviours or if they are just totally mental.  I usually feel they are the latter although it's probably the former. 

For example, the boys.  

I mean, these two seem like they can get along about two-thirds of the time but the other third they are trying to kill each other.  And they're only two and four years old!

This past weekend, we were visiting with friends and the boys headed down to the basement to play.  Max has an obsession with people's basements and always has to check them out...I know, weird.  These friends have their own young kids, too, and their basement had some toys and such down there.  All seemed fine. 

After a short time, I heard the usual refrain: Finn crying.   Finn cries all the time.  It's his role as third child, I believe.  (Although, I can't be sure because, again, I was an only child!)   He just seems to always be crying to get attention or when someone does something he doesn't like.  Of course, I don't get up and rush because I've heard that cry so many times.  I'm sure the rest of the visitors were looking at me like "uh, don't you care that your son is crying?"  Yes, I'm a callous mom. 

Anyway, Daddy Crumb was already headed to get him and when they arrived at the top of the stairs, he had white foam all over his face and Daddy Crumb was carrying a yellow container of some kind. 

Apparently, Finnegan had been sprayed in the face with (toxic) foaming carpet cleaner. 

Great. 

We weren't sure if he ingested any but there was some in his eyes and nose.  Very uncomfortable.  Daddy Crumb had him in the bathroom rinsing him as best he could.  We then proceeded to call Telehealth (a health line) and they informed us we should watch for symptoms like coughing or respiratory issues, etc.  He seemed to be alright but we kept an eye on him.

Later, we found out Max and Finn both had cans of spray and were spraying each other with them.  I guess Finnegan was the unlucky one who, being only two, couldn't get his working. 

A few hours later, we were playing in the backyard and Max got angry at Finnegan for taking his toy or something similar (I can't even remember) and Max retaliated by pushing Finn into the wooden fort, giving him a bleeding and fat lip.  Needless to say, in addition to a few other things, Max received a serious talking to about how we treat people and why he needs to take care of his little brother.  (How many times have I had this conversation with that boy?!  Ugh!)

So....why do boys do this?  Why would four year old Max be so nasty to his little brother?   Am I the parent of the meanest boy on the planet?   Am I just a terrible parent who is raising gorilla boys?    Do brothers just do ridiculous stuff like this? 

Help me, oh great mothers (and others) of the blogosphere.  I need your advice and (hopefully) some sympathy.   How do you handle sibling relationships that get rough? 

Five shots and a breakdown

Well, we did it.  All five of us Crumbs got the H1N1 vaccine today.   It wasn't the easiest decision, given all of the hoopla and fear-mongering on both sides of the discussion.   We did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people.  But, in the end, our family doctor had the vaccine herself and gave it to her young children.  If she - a medical professional who I trust - is confident enough to give it to her own kids, that makes me feel a reasonable level of comfort in giving it to my family.  That being said, I would certainly support anyone's decision for or against it.  I'm not a vaccine pusher by any means. 

Now that all that is out of the way, I can tell you what a comedy it actually was getting it done.  We decided to attend a clinic that our own doctor's office was running so we could hopefully avoid the chaos at the other, larger public vaccination sites.  There was no way I was waiting in line for long with Daddy Crumb and three children under 8! 

Thankfully, we were in line at 3:50pm and out by 4:30, including the 15 minute wait following the shot to ensure there are no reactions. 

As we stood in line, the kids were happy enough.  School was finished for the day and tomorrow is a PD Day so it was all about the excitement of a long weekend and which Hallowe'en treats they would eat at home after the needles.  As we signed in, Suvi started asking questions. 

"I know we're here to get a needle...but will it hurt?" and "Why do we need to all get a needle again?"  To me, it was her usual curious self.  Often, she asks so many questions about things my head starts to hurt and usually ends in "go ask your father." 

Anyway, we were sitting outside the vaccination rooms and she was getting a bit more antsy.  We were all allowed to go into the room together and the nurse asked us who would be the worst at getting the shot because that is who should go first.  I guess you don't want the person who will freak out to go last so they can really get worked up. 

We chose Finnegan (the 2 year old) to go first as I figured he was most likely to have a meltdown about it.  He sat on Daddy's lap and the superstar didn't flinch the entire time.  No expression whatsoever.  When it was done, the nurse offered him a sucker and he was happy as pie.  Seriously!  That was the easiest shot ever!  No tears, no complaining, no anything!

Max was up next.  By this point, Suvi was really getting agitated.  "Oooohhh, it's going to hurt, isn't it!" 

"Did Finnegan look like it hurt?" I asked.  But she wasn't settling.  Her anxiety was rising fast.  Max started to get a little worried as well but mostly I think because Suvi was losing it and he was watching her.   He was feeling her crazy girl vibe and wasn't liking it.

He took the shot in the arm and started to cry.  Not horribly, but sad enough.  He was given his sucker and sat down next to us as he let a few more sobs out.  We told him he did really great. 

Then it was Suvi's turn.

Freak out. Total freak out.  She was sitting on Daddy's lap and was squirming all over and yelling (yes, yelling) "Noooooo!!!  I don't want it!  Nooooo!!!  It's going to hurt!!"   Those poor people waiting in the line outside the room must have thought we were killing her in there.   Remember that scene from the dentist's office in Nemo when the fish are flipping all around inside and Darla is screaming and all of the patients' jaws drop from fright in the waiting room?  That was this moment. 

After a few minutes of freak out, I decided to step in and get myself done to show her just how easy it was.  Nurse prepped the site and stuck in the needle.  Suvi watched my face the entire time and, despite some slight discomfort, I did my best to laugh and smile to show her how easy it was.  (Yeah, having a needle is fun!  Woohoo!  Join the party!)

Still, she threw a massive fit.  The nurse was clearly getting agitated herself with a huge line up outside the door waiting for their shots and we just didn't have time for this.  She said "I'll have to move on, I'm sorry.   I'll come back in a minute."

She stepped out and as soon as she was out the door, Suvi whispered "Okay, I'll do it."  We comforted her and said that she was a brave girl and it would be no problem. 

But guess what?  As soon as the nurse stepped back in, it was "Nooooo!!!!  I'm not doing it!  Nooooo!!!!!" 

By this point, we had to get things moving.  There was a big line up outside and we either had to get it done, or move on.  It meant a bit of restraining by Daddy (I hate doing that) and before she knew it, the thing was in and out of her arm. 

Then came the drama.  Eyes wide open.  Expression of utter shock.  "Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!    That really, really, really, really hurt!!!!"   Sob, sob, sob.  "Ugh!"

We all exchanged knowing glances, rolled our eyes and chuckled.   Next summer I'll be opting for drama camp instead of science camp. 

Before long, Daddy had his shot and the sniffling bunch walked out of the room along the line up in the hall.  Daddy and I were laughing under our breath as Max and Suvi both whimpered and held their arms.  We all, of course, were being lead out by a marching, skipping Finnegan who happily trotted along with his sucker in his mouth and a big grin on his face.

Guess we'll know for next time who will react the worst!

Oh, and on an unrelated note...tomorrow we get to see Aretha Franklin in concert!  Woohoo!!  Can't wait...

Took a slice out of that Big Apple!

Now that it's been a week since I've returned from our wild and crazy moms-only weekend in New York City, I suppose I should share some of the adventure!   For those of you who have been there before, or who live there now, you'll probably find this ridiculously touristy but for me, it was about a fun-filled weekend (sans children!) with a group of fantastic moms celebrating one fabulous Welsh woman's 40th birthday!  Of course, I cannot share photos of the rest of the group so as to maintain their anonymity but suffice to say that, despite some rain and illness, we had a hoot! 

In a nutshell, we arrived Friday afternoon and took a nice long stroll, hitting some shops, seeing some of the area sights and ended with a delish dinner at a restaurant near our hotel called Whym.  Good food, yummy marguaritas, and hilarious wait staff. 

Saturday morning, after about 4 hours of sleep, we ventured out again for a full day of the hop on/hop off CityScapes tour.  Yep, we rode that double decker bus in the rain and saw so much NYC in one day, I can barely remember it!  The beauty of that is that we could hop off wherever we wanted and shop or walk for a few hours and then hop back on again.  We did lunch in Chinatown and shopped 5th Avenue and the department stores (Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales, etc.).  We saw Soho, The Village, Wall Street, and that big green statue out in the harbour.  My new favourite store, which I discovered on this trip, is called Anthropologie (Rockefeller Center was the location I fell for).  LOVE it. 

Saturday night, after about 10 hours of touring and shopping, we had dinner in the meat packing district at...um...Vento?  Wow, I can't even remember the name of it.  How sad is that! 

Another late night and about 4 more hours of sleep and Sunday morning we dragged ourselves out for a beautiful stroll through Central Park.  Walked through the park up to the Guggenheim, where some of us took in the Kandinsky exhibit.   Then it was back down for some more power shopping at Bloomingdales and ate lunch at a yummy restaurant in there called Forty Carrots.   Very tasty!   Flew by a film set on the way back to the hotel (The Other Guys starring Will Ferrell), grabbed our bags and jumped into our stretch limo that one of the ladies ordered.  What a way to leave New York heading back to Laguardia!  In a black stretch limo!  I felt pretty swank.  Nothing like a simulated insane taxi ride through Manhattan except in a stretch limo!  Danger is my middle name.

Okay, enough rambling.  Here are some random photos so you can see just how touristy I was:

Here I am at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in the middle of Central Park on Sunday morning.  That's the West Side across the water.  Not where the Jeffersons lived. 

Greeted at the entrance to FAO Schwartz by a toy soldier?  And yes, I had just been sucking a lemon.  What's with that face?!  LOL!

And then we went into FAO Schwartz and I was in heaven.  What an amazing toy store!!

Radio City Music Hall, in case you couldn't tell.

Did I mention I loved FAO Schwartz?  Here's me on the piano!  Yeah, the one from Big!  Out of my way, little kid!  These toes are tapping some serious Beethoven here!

Inside the Guggenheim.  What a wonderful way to view a collection of works.  I really enjoyed Kandinsky but must admit I truly loved his earliest pieces. 

Me and my bud, Morgan Freeman.  We go way back.

Dancing in front of the fountain at Central Park (with my Starbucks).  Didn't ya'll see Enchanted? 

Um, yeah.  Did I mention I really enjoyed FAO Schwartz?  This is me hanging out with the Muppet Puppets in the Build Your Own Muppet workshop.  I wanted to take one home but the ladies convinced me that my red boot purchase was a much more practical way to go.  They are funky, but they're no Dr. Teeth.

A few goodies I brought home for the kids:

Here's New York in a Bag from a very cool store called Muji.  Japanese simplicity and just plain sweet.   Now the kids get to figure out which was the limo I was riding in.  (bear not included)

At one store I went to...okay, it was FAO Schwartz, I found (among lots of other things) this book called The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera.  It's a gorgeously illustrated book that tells condensed versions of seven timeless operas.   Miranda Richardson reads the texts on the accompanying cds, which also features excerpts of the music from the actual operas.  It's a  lovely way to introduce the beauty of opera to young children.  I am personally looking forward to enjoying it alongside my kids! 

Alright, I'll stop here.  Let's just say it was a jam-packed, fun-filled, ladies-only weekend that was a really special way to celebrate a good friend's milestone birthday.  We're already planning the next trip!  Vegas?  Paris?  Who knows where we'll end up next time!

Help me Obi Wan, you're my only hope

Hallowe'en in the Crumbs household has been a relatively calm one.   We've been gearing up for the big evening by gathering costume bits and pieces, stockpiling far too many candies for handing out (and thus far too many leftover for someone in the house to eat...ugh...), and reading fun Hallowe'en themed books for the past week. 

One of our favourites this year is a parody of the classic children's book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.  We have always loved Goodnight Moon.  So when I got the book order from school last month and saw Goodnight Goon (by Michael Rex) listed, I had to have it.

This book is hilarious.  It follows the style and story perfectly of the original Goodnight Moon except with a few minor changes.  You know, like instead of "two little kittens and a pair of mittens," we have "two hairy claws and a set of jaws."   Or in place of "a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush," we read "a skull and a shoe and a pot full of goo."  It's great stuff!   Especially funny if your kids are familiar with Goodnight Moon.  I highly recommend it for the preschool (or even older!) set. 

Hallowe'en itself was quite tame.  The Crumbs children dressed up and headed out into the windy night with Daddy Crumb while I stayed home to frighten young children at the door.  In less than 15 minutes, they were back.  Suvi was finished.  Cold, tired and bored.  She had managed to get to - ready for it? - 4 houses.  Yep.   Next thing I knew, Max was returned as well and had managed to get to about 8 houses total.  Finnegan was the trooper.  Despite the cold and the wind, he visited nearly 20 houses, outdoing his older siblings combined!  Now our two year old has the biggest bag of treats in the household and boy, can you sense the sugar envy.  Hilarious! 

Anyway, it's time to chill out now and enjoy the extra hour of "sleep" we get tonight.  Hope you all had a great Hallowe'en and I look forward to seeing the costume pics everywhere tomorrow!  Oh, and if you were wondering what the heck the blog post title had to do with anything in the post, see photo below.  I'm all about the buns.