Love Construction: End-of-the-Year Project

 

It's been snowing for days!  Looking out our kitchen window.

Well, here is my obligatory end-of-2012 post.  It goes a little something like this:

I began 2012 as a 2nd year law student living in Columbus, Ohio.  I ended 2012 as the Corporate Environmentalist (official title is Sr. Environmental Engineer...although I am NOT a real engineer) for a multi-billion dollar international company in Akron/Canton, Ohio.  I've had ups and lots of downs.  Happy moments and sad moments. Good and bad.  My family continues to be chaotic, unpredictable, and stressful, but we're healthy and we have fun; that is life as a mother, environmentalist, wife, and student (I'm still in school, just a different program).  So there it is, 2012.

Ok...end of obligatory end-of-2012 post.

Eleven days just came and went - flew by.  Fact: Time goes faster when you're on vacation.  This fact is supported by my own observations of time slowing at about 2 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon and the last three weeks of a pregnancy.  Fact.
Side note:  The kids and Scott and I are completely off schedule:  Staying up late/sleeping in.  Here are the kids all comfy and cozy in our bed.  Scott and I were forced to sleep on the couch because they wouldn't give up our room.

My time off has been spent finally getting our new house in order.  Enter stage left...Love Construction.  Oh man!  The past few days of a joint painting project have. been. eventful.  Apparently Scott thinks he is some sort of painting master.  An HGTV expert. Me on the other hand, like any project, I do it to get done.  Minor imperfections don't really bother me, while a small drip will nag at Scott relentlessly.  Me, I just move on.  I really do think I'm a fine painter, also supported by facts.  Fact:  We have owned three homes and rented two in the nine years we've lived together.  I have painted 80% of the our walls.  Now, I realize that this does not equal "paint master", but I figure I must be pretty good if I've painted that much.  Fact.

So Scott and I end our mini vacation and 2012 with a few level 3 fights and a possible level 4, BUT our house is really starting to look good and (luckily) we only have a few more walls to paint.  Thank goodness!  Here is to a level-5-free 2013!

                               I stopped painting where I could safely reach.  Hmm...what's wrong with that??

Megan

A Very Merry Holiday

                        (Christmas morning, looking down into the living room from the upstairs balcony)

Christmas blew up in my house.  Overnight.  Just like that.  We went from being just another house on a cold winter day to full-blown Christmas.   

As a family, we technically don't celebrate Christmas.  We are an interfaith family that mostly follows the Jewish faith.  But even before our decision to follow Judaism, Christmas was not Scott and I's favorite holiday.  We've had one tree in ten years together.  That's just how we roll.  We enjoy friends, good food, and some drinks around the holidays.  Not so much on the stressing about gifts, crowded stores, or lugging out Christmas decorations.  We are much more relaxed people and prefer a much more relaxed December.  You may be thinking, "WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS???"  The kids are JUST fine!   (See pics below!)

My kids don't really get into the whole Santa thing and don't really seem to miss it.  They are pretty happy receiving multiple gifts from multiple grandparents and learning about the meaning of this time of year.

Despite our efforts to not play Santa, Scott and  I panicked last night as Aida said, "I can't wait to see what Santa brings!"  What!?!?!  We were totally unprepared for this whole Santa thing.  We had a room full of gifts, but they were all from the grandparents.  We started scrambling.  I made a big sign/card from Santa and some "Santa Bucks".  I sprinkled glitter all over the fire place and floor.

This morning...not a word about Santa.  #fail #overreaction #stickwithyouroriginalplan

So Santa, showed up with some Santa Bucks and glitter, but the kids didn't seem to notice.  They were completely satisfied with the mound of gifts from Mimi and Grandpa.  We plan on taking them shopping with their Santa Bucks.  At least they have a story to tell their friends at school and when they're 27.  Our kids will look back, put this all togehter, and think "Really?". 

But overall, I'm extremely ok with Christmas finding my home.  Even Santa's botched effort to put something together last minute.   

 

Christmas Eve at my dad's house (yes, those are 45s on their tree)

Great reaction to getting clothes !

                                                                           My dad with Ivie!

So...

Happy Chanukah!
Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year!

Megan

Dirty Politics

When we were a family of just three, Scott and I started using the term "dirty politics".  This was a term that we used to describe those times when the other parent would use bribery, scare-tactics or just plain lying to win over little Jackson.  I know right.  This sounds awful.  How can two loving parents compete for the love of their two-year old?  I'm not proud, but it's the truth and this blog is about the truth, right?.

Well, the dirty politics of the W household has continued through two more children:  "Aida, now look at Mama, what has she done for you lately?  I've given you ice cream and fruit snacks."; "Jackson, Daddy doesn't pack your lunches, I do.  Who takes you to practice, I do.  Love you, little boy!".

I KNOW sad.  We're awful.

Well, tonight the W household had its own election:  President of the W household.  Who ran: Daddy versus Mama.

Daddy's Platform:  I will give you candy and chocolate ALL of the time.  Late bed times...ALWAYS! (cheers). Now my opponent, Megan, she is going to saddle you with rules and early bedtimes.  She's not fun AND she enforces rules (boos).

Result:  Instant acceptance by three little kids.  Even Ivie said, "Daddy, daddy, DADDY!"

Jackson:  "Mama, what's your plan?"

Me:  "Well, Jackson..."

Scott: "I'll tell you about my opponent, Mama, she is NOT fun.  You will have to shower, brush your teeth and no candy for anyone.  You want a fun, vote for me!" (cheers)

Me:  "Well, if my opponent would let me speak: If you vote me president of the house, there will be a constant party:  Loud music, strobe lights, disco balls every night!  Cupcake baking every other night and a constant flow of fruit snacks!"

Me (continued): "And your Daddy is lying...lying I tell you! And another thing:  He won't enforce rules.  You won't shower. You won't brush your teeth and you'll lose friends (yes, I went there)!  Jackson, do you want friends?" (frantically shakes his head yes)

Scott:  "Seriously, scare tactics?  You would."

Votes for Mama:  1 (Jackson)  Votes for Daddy:  1 (Aida)  Swing  Vote:  1 (Ivie)

Dirty politics.

Zone Defense

A co-worker today told me, "God bless parents with three kids.  With three kids you are forced to play  zone defense.  With two it's easy, you play man to man".  Scott and I are definitely playing zone these days; Ivie is often left with a wide open shot.

Well...it's that time of the year:  Pee wee football is over.  Since July 30th, I have rushed from Akron to Kent four days a week for an hour and a half practice.  Soccer is over too.  That means that Saturdays are ours!  Maybe, just maybe we can tackle the enormous mess we call our home.

Jackson had a great season!  He ended up with four touchdowns and countless great tackles.  The improvement from last season was tremendous.  I'm so proud of him.  Not just because he is a great player but mostly because of the dedication and focus.  He is seven.  Seven-year-old little boys have the attention span, of well, seven-year-old little boys.  He learned the plays and ran the plays.  So proud.

And Aida Jane!  Talk about focus: Aida is my spacey child.  "Oooohhh, Mama a flower...Today at school, we...Um, one time I was walking down the street, and can I have a cookie?"  That's my Aida!  But she did great in soccer.  Aida is also a member of a family that loves sports, but doesn't necessarily love them herself.  She is more into dance and art, but she gave soccer a shot and did awesome!  She also ended up with some goals!

And then there is Ivie.  Ivie is giving Daddy W and Mama W a run for their money.  Hell, not even just Daddy and Mama, but Aida and Jackson too.  Ivie is bad.  There I said it.  Don't let those adorable curls, blue eyes and sweet laugh fool you.  Ivie is out there for Ivie.  She's not interested in potty training, sharing, or going to bed.  But none of us, Jackson and Aida included, could imagine our home without her. 

Jackson touchdown 

Jackson is number 24.  The videography is horrible (just a warning).  I'm actually surprised I taped the whole run.  Usually I get really excited and drop the camera.

Today Ivie decided to do some somersaults in the backyard.  Along her tumble, she collected five briers in her hair.  Yes.  Curly hair and briers...yikes!  I was ready to grab the scissors, but Scott was determined to save her hair and my tears.  After about an hour and a half, a bottle of conditioner, and what Ivie saw as a fun bubble bath, Daddy saved her hair!

From audits to fish nets

I'm Corporate and I'm Here to Help

In the past two weeks I have been in Virginia, North Carolina, Atlanta, and Las Vegas all courtesy of work.  We have manufacturing facilities in Virginia and North Carolina and our EHS Manager summoned me (well, ok, I voluntarily visited) to conduct a few environmental compliance audits.  Funny how the plant managers were not overjoyed to see me...hmmmm.  When I worked for the government we told companies, "We're the government and we're here to help."  Now that I'm on the other side, clearly that is bullshit.  I'm thankful for the EPA, Ohio EPA, NC DENR, and Virginia DEQ for their costly, I mean necessary, inconvenient, I mean easy to comply with laws.  Without all of them, and their convoluted, difficult but oh-so-necessary laws, I would not have a job traveling from site to site telling plant managers, "yes, we HAVE to do this." Seriously, I am only trying to help.

Fish Nets and Heels

"I bet people think I rented you for the evening."  ~ Scott W.

Yes... He said this.

When in Vegas, you should wear fish net stockings, with high heels and a short dress...right?  Well duh...of course!  I had an environmental training and the training company only offered the class in Scottsdale, AZ and Las Vegas, NV.  Luckily for me (and Scott) the flights were much cheaper to LV.  Just to be responsible I will say this:  The environmental training was extremely helpful, useful and I passed.   But really, I was in Las Vegas with my husband, for three days, without kids, are you really interested in my environmental training?  Right.

Well, Scott and I had a blast.  A freakin' blast.  I didn't really get the flashiness and gaudiness of Las Vegas, but anywhere that it is perfectly socially acceptable to walk around at 10 a.m. in a short dress, fish net stockings, with a drink, well, I could get used to that.  When we were married, Scott and I didn't have a honeymoon so this was our first vacation just the two of us.  I so enjoyed being with him, kidless, no responsibilities, in a warm city where anything goes.  THANK YOU MIMI and GRANDPA for watching the kids!!!!

I am more of a nature person and less of a people person  and several times I would stare off at the mountains and ask Scott if we could go.  He would promptly reply:  "People don't go to Las Vegas to look at the mountains."

Had. A. Blast. (and learned a lot.)

The New House

We are...finally...in our new house! There are boxes everywhere, but at least we're here!

The kids love their new rooms, which I think we will call the executive kid suite.  The three kids get the entire upstairs to themselves which is equipped with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, princess room, and a blue and gray room with the best view of our fabulous backyard.  The majesties of the executive kid suite have requested that the Jack-and-Jill bathroom be painted Naple's Gold, Strawberry Splash, and Blueberry Buckle (bright yellow, brighter red, and extremely bright blue).

Aida is playing soccer and Jackson is playing football.  Aida is a little spacey out on the field and at about the 45-minute mark, her hair, the grass, the clouds, and her pink shin guards become more interesting then the game itself.  Jackson is excelling in football.  He has three touchdowns on the season and several tackles that have saved the other team from scoring.  Ivie is still in her terrible twos and challenges us daily.  Thank goodness she is cute.

Scott had a successful transfer from the Columbus region to the Akron/Canton region.  He doesn't have his own account yet, but I have a feeling it won't be long.  The company really likes him and apparently so does the regional manager... "See, I told you he was cute."

I continue to love my new job.  I better since I am reason for all this recent chaos.  But seriously, I love my new job.

Oh and I love our new house.  I can't take any pictures to show you the greatness of our new home, but I will as soon as I find the battery charger in the mound of boxes still left to unpack. 

The Hectic Life

Life is always crazy, chaotic and hectic, right? I mean with three kids how can life not be?  Add two cities, a two-hour drive, suitcases, boxes, a new job, new schools, football, various grandparents' houses plus six weeks of separation and - bam - you get pure craziness!

(A few pictures from our crazy, but fun summer: Scott and Jackson at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati; Aida swimming at G-dad's house; Scott and Jackson at the Cincinnati Reds' game; and Ivie "swimming" at Brady Lake on July 4th)

We bought a house in Akron and have a contract on our house in Columbus. I feel so lucky to have found a great house and to have buyers who think our house is great.  Love Construction has taken a mini-vacation; we will definitely be back in full swing once we move into our new house - lots of projects await Scott - I mean us.

The kids are finally all together after three weeks apart. I love that my kids are so close. They missed each other terribly. Scott is in Columbus by himself "packing", which translated in my mind means eating bad food, smoking cigars, drinking whiskey and watching baseball.

The kids started school a week ago, which was rough for everyone. There were lots of tears and anxiety, but thank goodness each day is better and easier.
We get the keys to our new house a week from tomorrow and hand over our keys on Princess Street the following Friday!  Meanwhile the kids and I are bouncing around wreaking havoc on various grandparents while Scott "packs".