Back in the Blogging Saddle Again

You know you're in trouble if your husband asks if you brushed your teeth in the same voice he uses when he asks your boys if they brushed their teeth.  The next question is obviously, why is your husband asking if you brushed your teeth?

You know you've found your soul mate when you tell your husband that your brilliant idea is to bring wine to the school fun fair in a travel mug and he replies that you probably shouldn't.  Not because he thinks it is wrong, because he thinks you'll spill it.  And he's right, you probably will.

You know that your children are amazing when they do something that is so beyond their years that it literally takes your breath away. 

Back to the trouble part. 

You know you're in trouble when you are too tired to get up in the morning so you don't shower.  Instead you just put your hair in a ponytail.  Only your hair is too short for a ponytail.  It looks really sad.  You put on a skirt to compensate for your greasy hair.  You go to put on your shoes (heels to further compensate) and you realize that you haven't shaved your legs in at least a week (or two...).  You toss all care aside and go to work, skirt and all.  And that's the hotness folks.

In other news...we've come to realize that Kingston thinks that Ronald McDonald is the same man who owns the farm.  Whenever we say, "Wanna go to McDonalds?" Kingston will sing, "EIEIO."  That is not the amazing beyond their years stuff that I'm talking about. 

All of a sudden Everest can not only ride a two wheel bike but shit, he can also read.  I guess that is what school does for a kid.  When did this big boy stuff happen.  Oh, I know, it was while I was drinking wine from the travel coffee mug.

                                                     Some from the archives

Makeshift  Belt

The Neglected Son

I Heart China

Drink Dichotomy



Makin' Momma Proud

Precarious Times

Apparently I still have readers out there.

It is hard to believe but lately I’ve been at a loss for words. I’ve just been struggling lately. Our whole little family seems to be struggling quite a bit. And for the first time in a long time I don’t want to share it. I think that as the kids get older that sharing their stories will get harder because their stories become theirs to tell. Part of what people like about my blog is my honesty so when I am not able to be honest I have a hard time writing my blog. I guess I will have to be cautiously vague in some respects for the protection of my boys.

There are behavioral issues and they are just coming to light right now. I don’t know if it is a delayed reaction to all of the “trauma” our family has been through in the past few months or something else. I have no way of knowing because no one is talking. But it scares me. We have this picture perfect family that isn’t so picture perfect. And although no one is perfect, I’d like to think that we could at least tackle the being happy part of life. But alas, life doesn’t always have a cherry on top. However, when you are a kid it should. I feel bad. I feel sad. I feel helpless and sometimes hopeless. I need to remind myself that we are all still learning. Learning and making mistakes. It’s rough. It is so hard right now. I wish I could make all of the bad stuff go away. I want to whisk away hardship for my boys and never have sadness touch their minds, never have tears on their cheeks or hear distress in their voice. But I am only a mom and moms can only do so much. There are inner demons that moms cannot conquer for their children. There are traumas that are not only skin deep but touch the core and moms are sometimes no match for that. But how does a kid work through that? Why does a kid have to? Kids are resilient but they are resilient up until a point and at what point do they get broken for good. What happens when their batteries run out? I don’t want to lose the innocence that I know will someday be lost. How do I hold onto that as long as possible? How do they hold onto it?

I ache for my boys. I understand it now when my mom says, when you hurt, I hurt. When you are sad, I am sad. A mother’s life is so entwined in their children that emotions become one. I wish I could inverse it so that my boys could feel what I feel instead. That way they would see how spectacular they are – how smart, how funny, how beautiful inside and out.

Home

I cannot believe that I haven't posted in over a month. That's crazy. I guess it shows how busy we've been and how tired I am at the end of the day. We just got back tonight from Florida. We had a wonderful time. I have a bout of strep throat yet again but other than that it really went well. Kingston and Everest were wonderful. They couldn't get enough of the warm weather and of course the beach and pool. Everest can swim unattended now. I still fear he will drown because he thinks he is Michael Phelps and he is more like half-drowing rat. Kingston has absolutely no fear of the water and luckily the water was heated so he didn't freeze as he did in Guangzhou. Building sand castles was a hit at the beach, as well as jumping over waves. Kingston had a thing with dumping sand over his head. We are still picking sand out of his hair. Kid is strange. Ryan and I had a night out in Naples and had a wonderful time, feeling very fancy as we spent way too much on dinner and drinks. Unfortunately you'd have to go to McDonald's or Subway to get a meal in Naples at an affordable rate. So fancy we were. Speaking of McDonalds, every time we say it Kingston says, "EIEIEIO." His langauge exploded this past week. He is speaking in three word sentences and he is getting easier to understand. I am really glad to have had this trip to FL to bond with Kingston. I felt like I didn't really get the chance in that we got home from China, I got sick and then I headed back to work. In Florida we all got to relax as a family. It was really good for us and now it is basically back to reality for the Lentz's. We had a full day of travel today and the kids are cranky. I don't blame them. I would be cranky too. Actually, I kind of am.

Jazz Hands

So we've known for awhile that Everest enjoys all things art, music and dance so it is about time we get him started in something but hey, we've been a bit busy here. Yesterday was Everest's first jazz class. Everest and eight little girls in black tutus partook in an hour of "dance." Some of the girls had been in ballet before and I am proud to say my little jazz hands did better than they did! We had a busy day yesterday. We did jazz class and then met my friend Danielle and her two girls at the Overature Center downtown where every Saturday they have a free hour show for kids. This week's show was a juggler and the kids were mesmerized. Even Kingston sat still (relatively). We then headed to the Nitty Gritty for lunch and the kids were entertained by playing video games. Kingston sat with the "Buck Shooter" rifle in his hands for about a half an hour pretending to shoot. Whatever, works for me. Everest fell asleep by 5:30 and Kingston was down shortly after. Awesome.

Today we played in the snow and then KT and I went to the grocery store and Everest and Daddy went sledding. Apparently Ryan has named Everest, "King Sledder." He just walked in with rosy cheeks, which I suppose is a trait of those called King Sledder. Kingston, on the other hand, was the King of Trader Joes as everybody who walked by him had to chat with him. I even had a lady grab his ears and say she loved them. A tad inappropriate but she was nice.

I went to the ENT on Friday who suggested I take my tonils out. Queen of Strep.

Nothing New

I think it's Ground Hog's Day as I have strep throat again. Actually, I am not sure that it went away the last time. I skipped one dose of meds and it is back with a vengence. We have figured out the culprit, one Mr. Kingston Tao is infecting his mother. Apparently young Kingston is a strep carrier. Kingston is on antibiotics but I am not holding out a lot of help that he is being "treated" by it. I guess we are off to an ENT, hopefully tomorrow, because I can't keep on doing this to my body. I am so worn down. I am hoping that tonsilectomies are not in our future but it isn't looking so good.

The kids are doing well. I am glad it is me so is getting sick and not them. KT's speech, while quite incoherent still, is much better as he is at least making an effort. He has realized our annoyance at him constantly saying, "You top it right now!" and has toned that down along with the "No's." We are all appreciative of this. He is a jolly fellow when he is not pissed off at one of us. Ryan is taking him to be evaluated by a speech pathology team through the school district tomorrow. I am looking forward to hearing their report.

Other than that there isn't too much new. Like I said, Ground Hog's Day.

Sick Again

I’m sick again.

Strep throat x 3 or 4. Not sure how many times anymore.

I know when it is coming now. I can feel it seeping in about a week before I get the sore throat and white spots. I start to get incredibly fatigued to where I don’t even want to leave the house. I don’t have the energy to do anything. It makes me feel so sad and guilty that I can’t be more interactive with the boys but I honestly can’t do it. I don’t want this to be my new normal but I haven’t felt great since getting back from China. Even on my “non-strep” days I have minimal energy.

The kids are doing well. They are happy for the most part. They bicker, they scream and then they will play nice for a half a second. It is tiring as if strep throat wasn’t exhausting enough. Yesterday Everest said, “Mom are you just going to go nuts today?” Yes, I thought.

Work is work. Again, hard to have energy to get up and go to work these days. Took half a vacation day on Friday because I was so out of it.

Ryan asked me if I thought I was depressed. I’m not. I want to feel good and happy but my body won’t let me.

Heading to the doc today for more antibiotics. Wondering if the tonsils will need to come out. At this point I almost want them to.

I do need a break, there’s no doubt. A Ryan and me break. To get to normal or an attempted normal for a night or two. Not sure KT will let that happen. Wherever I go, KT is sure to follow. I honestly konk him on the head getting pots or pans out of the cupboard or milk out of the fridge because my human shadow is right behind me. “Moommmma, mommmmaaa, mooommma.”

Conversations

Hilariousness.

Life is better. The last few days have been, shall I even dare to say it?!?, Fun!

I think it helps having a house-husband. Ryan is down to working 40% of his hours. Bad on the bank account but good for the organization of our lives.

Everest and Kingston are seated at dinner when I roll in from work. Everybody is happy to see mom. I sit, they eat, all is well. We get up in the morning and everybody gets dressed in an orderly fashion and we don't have to rush because Ryan is taking Kingston to daycare after Everest gets on the bus. Usually Kingston and I leave early and then Ryan stays at home until after Everest leaves. Kind of nice to be able to somewhat relax (both us and the kids) in the mornings.

Last night I helped Everest with his homework and Kingston sat on my lap. Kids were in bed by 8:15 and Ryan and I were able to sit for awhile and talk. Nice. Financially unsustainable but nice.

And on to the funny....

On Sunday we were in downtown Madison and we were stopped at a stoplight. A Madison cop pulled up next to us. Everest, spying that the cop's window was open, unrolled his window and the following conversation ensued:

Everest: Excuse me but why do you have a computer in your car? Does it help you catch the cars that are going to fast?

Cop: Yes, that's right.

Everest: Why do you have a computer AND a camera in your car?

Cop: Well both of them help me do my job.

Mom and Dad in front seat seriously cracking up as the light turns green: Everest, the light is green say goodbye.

Everest: Goodbye, have a great day.

Cop: You too.


Last night I was putting Everest to bed, knowing that he would seriously crash if he would just stop talking for a second. He wouldn't. He is a bit obsessed at times with trying to spell, which is great but not at bedtime when he should be obsessed with sleeping. So every other minute he thinks of another word that he can "spell." Finally I said, "Everest you need to go to sleep. S-L-E-E-P!" To which Everest responds, "O-K M-O-M!!"


Today Ryan picked up Everest from school. In the midst of something or other Everest says what sounds like, "Holy Shit!!" Ryan says, "EVEREST WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!?" Ryan and I aren't in the habit of saying holy shit. Anyway, Everest says, "I said, Holy Shik." Ryan says, "Everest I still don't like that language." Everest responds, "But Dad, it's not like I said Shit, S-H-I-T. I said, Shik, S-H-I-K!" Kid can't spell his last name but damn can that kid spell Shit. Shit.

Tonight we put the kids to bed on the floor of our room because we felt a tad lazy and Everest thought he was going to stay up "late." Everest says, "Can someone do something for me....because I am trying to concentrate on sleeping? I say, "Yes, of course. What do you need?" Everest answers, "I think that the two of you and daddy need to be quiet because I don't want to tell you to shhhhh. Well I am going to just tell you to shshshsh." And he immediately falls asleep.


I wish I had more funny with KT but the poor kid can't talk yet. He is learning a bit more each week. He is starting to imitate more and more and I think he'll be a crack up when we can communicate. He makes us laugh nonetheless. Kid can seriously shake his booty, says, "noyoutopit" continuously (translation, "no, you stop it.") and is doing great with the potty training. Caught him on his mini-toilet by himself today. He peed a bit on his socks and then proceeded to empty his mini toilet into the big toilet without spilling his entire pot of pee onto our bathroom floor. Progress folks, progress.


We made paella today. It tastes professional. I'm pretty proud of myself. The kids seriously need to be on top of us when we're in the kitchen if they are not eating themselves. I had to pull up two chairs behind us for the two of them to sit on. They were completely entertained watching us and listening to music for almost 45 min and then the silly started, which is kind of scary by a hot stove. But wow, to have someone just want to be so near you that they don't want to play, they just want to be in your presence. That's pretty powerful.

Well we're off to eat. I think Kingston is just about to sleep. He is about two feet from where we laid him down. Squirmy. Cute. He is gaining some weight in his cheeks. Loves beefsticks. Starting to like cheese. Welcome to WI skinny!