I'm not thrilled about it. I have to say. I woke up with a scratchy throat and a dry nose. Immediately it turned into a very runny and itchy nose... so after a while laying there, I decided laying there simply wasn't helping anything, so here I am. I've taken two Advil and chugged some water so that most likely will help, soon.
Yesterday went well. Maddy and I went to BJs first thing since the cats were out of food. We buy the really big bag of cat food and then put it into a plastic container to pour out of. I forgot that I finished off the bag the last time I filled the container so when the container was out two nights ago, they were OUT of food! They were looking pretty frantic by the time we came home. I also picked up some more tea (Bigelow assorted pack for a really decent price) and a midlength trench coat for myself since the last peacoat I had literally wore out.
After BJs we went to playgroup! Maddy had a great time like always. However, now that the kids are getting a bit older, things tend to be a bit more tricky now and again. Maddy wanted her turn on a lot of toys immediately or they all seem to want the same toy at the same time. That's not a big deal. All the kids are really great kids and it's easy to work out. But Maddy is just starting to really care about getting her chance so it's a new learning curve for her (and me too--how much to step in). Most of the other kids have cared about getting a turn for quite a while, but Maddy didn't care. She would easily give up a toy if someone wanted it or move onto something else without much thought. Not so anymore! If she eyes something she wants she'll yell out, "Maddy's Turn!" Or if she has a toy someone else wants, she will make sure that she either keeps it or if she gives it up she's pretty sad/upset about it. She'll need to learn to be a bit quicker though, getting to and playing with the toys she's eying because as soon as she notices something she wants to play with, it never fails that another kid notices the same thing and she's normally not really fast getting to it or 'claiming' her turn. She'll get used to it though. It's just nice to see that she's standing up for herself, or trying to.
Of course, it's hard for me since 'they say' that parents should let their kids work it out. But I also don't think that most magazines/experts that I read expect kids to start actively playing together at playgroup at 18 months old! Normally you read about playgroups at 3 and the like. Also, honestly, I can't stand to see her get things taken away left and right or get a toy taken out from underneath her every time she gets interested in something new and someone else notices she's interested and wants it first. Plus, this is a good opportunity to teach turn taking for her and the other kids. I did put a toy in 'time out' today. Two kids were fighting over it (pulling back and forth) and neither one would be distracted so I took it and put it up for a minute. Once they were interested in other things I brought it back down and just quietly put it on the table. Soon one of them found it and played with it but it did bring a halt to the arguing. And it's not that I'm just making sure that she 'gets what's hers' either. There were times she wanted to take away toys from other kids who had them and I needed to remind her that it was THEIR turn to play with it and she will get a turn after they've finished.
Ahhh! The nuances of kids growing up! There's always a different learning curve for both the kids and the parents. It's what makes life fun and interesting though!
After nap, Maddy and I did a lot of reading. She hasn't been into books much lately and I'd love to see her get back into them. We do try to read every day. But she's not a before bed reader. So I make time during the day. She enjoys it once she's into it, but it's the getting her there that's hard.
Yesterday was Matt's work's family outing--dinner and ice skating. The more I thought about it the more I decided it just wouldn't be a good idea. Maddy just got over her cold and I had just gotten over mine (I think? I don't know what tonight's thing is, but I can tell ya I've felt fine the last few days). Being out in the 30 degree air wouldn't do much good for either one of us and I'm trying to limit our exposure to a lot of germs. One of Matt's coworkers has the flu and even though he's not at work, you know the virus is running around there now. We just don't need that.
Maddy was so happy to have daddy home last night. Matt worked late on Wednesday so he wasn't home before her bedtime. She was sooooo disappointed. At every new step towards bed she'd call out, "Daaaaddy! Hoooome, wooooork!" So when he was home tonight she was all over him playing. She was thrilled. They have so much fun together and I know he was glad to be home. He told he he was glad he didn't travel anymore and I know I am, too. But I know that Maddy and I would get used to it if he had to, but I'm also glad he doesn't!
We are expecting a lot of ice tonight into the day tomorrow. So I doubt we'll have class since it will most likely be canceled. I'll check in the morning. Well, I guess it is morning, so I may as well try to get back to sleep even though my allergies are still acting up full blown! Argh.
Have a good night and a great weekend, everyone!
Tea of the day: Oooohh.. that does sound good. Maybe a nice cup of herbal will clear everything up!