Only Child Syndrome... or just too attached?...

Little man and I have always had a super close bond.
It's been just the 2 of us at home since day one. He's slept in my bed with me every night (that he's home) since day one. Other than work and school we're alone together about 98% of the time... leaving that other 2% for the times we spend with family and friends. 


Lately I've noticed a problem. 
It's been building for years... and I fully acknowledge that I am the reason for the problem.. I've allowed and at times even encouraged it. 


Little man is becoming anti-social... in the sense of having ZERO desire to be around anyone.. other than his mom. This became very clear on Christmas day. 
We always spend Christmas day with my mom's family at my grandma's house. There were about 50 of us there this year. Having Christmas for 50 people takes a lot of work, so as soon as we got there I started helping set things up and getting food made. Drew was not happy about this AT ALL. He brought a game with him to play... but wanted me to sit and play with him.. even though my cousins were there and ready to play... that's not what he wanted. Drew wanted Mom.. and kept following me around the house. After the gifts were opened he asked if we could leave. I couldn't understand why Drew wanted to leave when our whole family was there and everyone was spending time together and having a good day. Drew just wanted us to go home. So after an hour or so of him asking, I gave in. Once we got home (which is actually right next door to my grandma's) he was completely happy. He had mom's full attention and we played with his new toys and had Christmas dinner alone. 


My little man is also becoming possessive of his mom. I cancelled my plans to attend two adult get-togethers this month because Drew didn't want me to go. He says I don't need to hang out with anyone but him. My aunt is having a New Years Eve party at her house... and Drew has no desire to go. He says we should just stay home. Any time I drop him off at his dad's house he asks what I'm going to do that night. If I say I might have dinner with friends or go to someones house, he asks if he can stay home with me. It's been over 3 months now since I've done anything with out Drew. Even on the nights when he is at his dad's I don't go out or have people over because I feel guilty.. and know that if I tell Drew he'll be upset. 


I've created a bad situation. 


Drew and I talked about this the other day and I let him know that it isn't good for either of us... and that we need to make some changes. I'm not exactly sure of how to go about doing it... but I'm going to do it.. one way or the other. 

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays.... 

From our family to yours!

*cell phone pic

Tamales & Trees

 This last weekend was a busy one... aren't they all in December?
My family gets together at my grandparent's house (Molles Manor) every year to decorate their tree in the "Big Room". It's tradition that they guys (my uncles and oldest male cousins) string the lights around the tree first, while the rest of us hang out and clean up from dinner.


Then it's time for the women (my aunts and oldest female cousins) to hang the popcorn chain on the tree. Our family has been decorating the tree this same way for at least 50 years... we don't mess with tradition. 

Then it's finally time for the kids to hang the ornaments. I wish I would have taken pictures of some of the ornaments. There are a lot that us grandkids made in school when we were little and gave to my grandparents as gifts. Also, most of our bulbs are glass.. the old school real thing glass bulbs. (and we always break at least 2 a year) 

Another tree tradition is tinsel... lots and lots of silver tinsel.... and when it's in the hands of my crazy cousins, it's EVERYWHERE. Decorating the tree is always a process, but we all love it and look forward to it each year. 

Best Grandparents EVER

One of my favorite tree traditions is our own personalized ornaments. Each member of my family has a small gold ornament with their name engraved in it. Once the tree is all decorated, each individual family takes turns taking a picture posing with their ornaments in front of the tree before they actually hang them. 

Unfortunately Drew was with his dad this last weekend so he missed out on the festivities... and I really missed having him there. 

The morning after the tree (Sunday) we all come back to my grandmas to make tamales. I found out this tradition started the first year my grandparents were married.... so we've been making tamales every December for the last 62 years. 

People start showing up around 4:30am (but not me... in all honesty I didn't get there till about 5:30 and I live right next door) and the process begins. It's like an assembly line of masa spreading, leaves being cleaned, meat being made.... This year we made 92 DOZEN tamales!! and that's actually a small number for us. We used to do about 125 dozen a year. It's a long day... we're all tired and complain the whole time... but it's a great day where we're all together catching up on each others lives and sharing a ton of laughs. We take a lunch break on In & Out burgers and hang out until the last tamales are cooked and every things cleaned up. This year we finished at 3:00 and I was SOOOO happy to get home to my nice warm bed and was asleep by 6:00 that night. 

My little cousins Seany & Corey

Happy Early Christmas Mom!!

Yesterday Drew's school started their "Christmas Shop" where they have random gifts the kids can purchase for their family. I gave Drew some money and he managed to spend it all and get all his Christmas shopping done in about 10 minutes. 

So last night we spent some time wrapping presents and singing Christmas songs. When we were done Drew took all the gift wrapping supplies and headed to his room to wrap the gifts he bought for me. He wanted to do it alone so I couldn't see. He was in there for about half and hour and I kept asking him what was taking so long. When he came out he had 3 small gifts all wrapped up, and showed me the small round one and told me how difficult it was to wrap and that's what took so long. 

After he got them neatly set up under the tree he asked if I wanted to open one now. Well we're both HORRIBLE at deciding anything, so we went back and forth about the whole thing.. and finally he handed me one and says "Here Mom, open this one. I got you this so it would help you save time in the morning and we won't have to ever be late". 

Hmmm.... What instantly came to my mind was an alarm clock. Seeing that I don't have a clock AT ALL in my bedroom and I use my cellphone alarm to get up in the morning... or if I know I absolutely MUST be up at a certain time, I'll set the alarm clock in the bathroom (yes, I have an alarm clock in the bathroom.. and not even a regular clock in the bedroom). And the box was about the shape of a small one. 

But I was wrong.... very wrong.....  

My little love bug bought me a bagel slicer.... to prevent us from being late in the morning. When I opened it he says "see mom, it makes it easier to cut the bagel, so it saves time" all with a HUGE smile on his face.. he was so proud of himself for buying such a "practical" gift. 

And I kissed him, thanked him, hugged him and told my little man how much I loved him and my great present. 

Only issue.... I only buy or even eat bagels about once a year. 

But it's the thought that counts!!

Happy Early Christmas!

Thoughts for Thursday

~ Since it's supposed to be slightly warmer here today (about 78 instead of 62) I decided to revert to my old self and wear my sandals to work. I've been in boots (Ugg style) for the last 3 weeks and my toes need a breather. However... it's still chilly in my office so luckily I have my trusty slipper socks here to keep me warm. 

~ The other night Drew wanted to make potatoes for dinner... all by himself... but since I refuse to leave him unattended in the kitchen, I had to hear him tell me that I am PARANOID at least 8 times during his cooking process. I'm sorry if I'm scared to death of him slicing his 7 year old finger off with a peeler.. or afraid he's going to catch on fire while working with HOT oil on the stove. He actually did very well, and the potatoes were great.... however, my hair is officially gray now.

    

~While decorating the house, Drew decided it was a great time for a photo shoot. He posed himself and the dogs in about a million different ways. Then he started using my Krismutts... There were 124 pictures taken that night... But we had a blast!


~Mom's shouldn't have to work.. ever. Just sayin'... 


~While at Wal-mart at noon yesterday, shopping for work supplies, there were at least 200 people there.... umm, I thought we were in a recession, and if people are unemployed and have time to be shopping in the middle of the day, where is all their money coming from? 


~We made a gingerbread house the other night and all the frosting Drew licked off his fingers and candy he managed to sneak in his mouth counted as his dessert for the night... he says next year I need to tell him if that is going to be the rule before we start. Nice try kiddo!


~Being a single mom that never dates means that my legs will be ridiculously hairy all winter long. Until it's time for dresses and shorts, my razors will be getting minimal use... and I'm ok with this. Just means shorter showers =)

Goodbye Disney

On Wednesday we took our last trip to Disneyland for the year. 

We had season passes and had been going a lot this year.

 We both REALLY love Disneyland and California Adventure, but after going so much over the last 7 years, we decided to take a break in 2011 and try out the other theme parks in California.

Being that it was the day before Thanksgiving it was unusually packed with thousands of people.... but we really had a great day. 

Goodbye Disneyland.... 

See you in 2012.

Thanksgiving for 36

In case I haven't mentioned it before, we have a very large family. On my mom's side there are about 56 of us (give or take a cousin or two) with my grandparents, their 10 kids & spouses, and all the grand and great grand children. This year for Thanksgiving there were 36 of us.... all in one house!!

Like every other family, we begin our day in the kitchen...mostly it's the aunts and a few of the older female cousins, and of course, Grandma... it is her kitchen after all. 

Each family (of the 10 kids) brings a specific dish and my grandparents make the hams and turkeys. But some how there is still tons of work to be done in the kitchen before we sit down for lunch.

 

And sitting down to lunch is another process all in itself. My grandparents have what we all call "The Big Room" which used to be 3 separate bedrooms when their kids were young. Now it's just a HUGE room where we all get together. We put together a bunch of tables and chairs, my mom decorated the table, my nephew and I set all the place settings and name tags up, and then came the food.

Thanksgiving (and every holiday actually) was once again a lot of work... but totally worth it. I LOVE having such a huge and close family. This is tradition for us in every sense. I'm so glad that my son is experiencing the same family traditions with the same family (plus about 20 more people) as I did when I was young.

Justin - Drew - Jake

My favorite little turkeys!!

All I Want For Christams

I've really been trying not to skip over Thanksgiving in our house.. but I have to admit its been tough. Last week Drew and I were both sick.. he has bronchitis... so we spent a lot of time at home, and I had to fight back the urge to decorate the house for Christmas. 

By this time last year Drew already had his Christmas list going... and was singing Christmas songs ALL DAY LONG. This year he's decided to ask Santa to just give his gifts to the homeless kids since his mom already buys him enough stuff (right now I am beaming with pride... all while being smacked in the face with the reality that I really do spoil my baby) as soon as his letter is done I'll post a picture. 

So while I'm fighting back my Christmas urge to buy Drew a new $50 video game tonight that I think I really want more than he does.. I'm going to give in and announce the ONLY thing I want for Christmas... 

These pink fuzzy slippers from Target. $15... and worth every cent!

They have little sequins all over them and they just look super cute & warm to me! I've been reminding Drew multiple times a day, at any given opportunity (like while burning his waffles in the toaster), of my NEED for these slippers. 

But I think I'm just going to go ahead and buy them for myself tonight. Call it an early Christmas present... call it retail therapy.. call it what you will, I want my freaking slippers!! 

Happy Early Thanksgiving!! 

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

 Who wouldn't LOVE a Hippo for Christmas? 

Drew's 2nd grade class is singing the song "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" at their winter program in a few weeks. We were so excited when we found out because it's one of our favorites and he already knew most of the words. 

The teacher has a little Hippo costume for one of the kids to dress up in, but we're on the look for stuffed hippos for the rest of the kids to hold while they sing. So if any of you happen to see a hippo while you're out shopping, please let me know... or have an old or extra one lying around your house that you'd like to send us, we'd appreciate it!

Looking for something like this

Why I Will ALWAYS Live In So. Cal.

Just checked the weather report for Newport Beach tomorrow and it's supposed to be 80 degrees!!!! Seriously.. in NOVEMBER!! I am so stinking exciting... and can not wait for Drew's game to end tomorrow so I can head straight to the beach! 


This will probably be the last time this year I'll be able to stick my toes in the WARM sand... and I get to do it kid-less!! This is one of the extremely RARE occasions I am thankful for visitation weekends. 


Now all I need to do is find a great book to read out there, pack my little beach bag and wait.... 

Weekend Warriors

Last weekend was a bit of a busy one for us. 

It started off with a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Drew is a big fan of this place but couldn't care less about anyone else's birthday. As soon as he got there all he wanted to do was play the games. We seriously spent about 90% of our night on our own playing games... yep, we suck as party guests... 

Then bright and early... and freakin' cold.. Saturday morning Drew had a baseball game. He got a good hit and their team won so I'd say it was a good game. Afterwards we went to lunch with one of the other baseball families. Then headed to Wal-Mart for our weekly shopping trip. 

 We hung out at home for a couple hours before going to Drew's first ever cooking class. 

 Drew didn't like having to wait on the other kids (only child syndrome) but he behaved very well and never complained (verbally at least)

 There were 14 kids in the class with 2 instructors. It was a Sponge Bob themed class where they made Krabby Patties, Bikini Bottom Fries, Kelp Shakes and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Drew did very well, and even cut up a whole potato all by himself with the sharpest knife ever! He said he enjoyed the class but it took too long. He's so used to being the only chef in a kitchen.... mom's lucky to be an assistant. 

 And Sunday we attempted to deal with the time change. After waking up way too early and having 2 hours to kill before he went to his dad's to watch the Miami game, we decided to make some breakfast. Drew made cinnamon rolls from his new cookbook and they game out great. Then we kinda just laid around in the living room watching Charlie Brown Christmas and playing with the dogs. 

While Drew was at his dad's I went to see our friends new baby girl. I could have sat there all day holding this sweet baby. After I picked up Drew that afternoon I took him out to spend the gift cards from his birthday then we headed home where he made me a yummy pasta dinner. I sure do love having my own private chef!!

This is the result of realizing that we didn't actually "Sleep In" until 7:45.. 

and that because of the stinking time change it was actually 6:45!!

Doing it MY way

Every single person is different in so so many ways. Every mother parents their child differently than the next... even differently than their own mother.. and their own sister. 


Every woman dates differently... if she even dates at all. People marry (or refuse to marry) for their own individual reasons. Everyone's likes and dislikes are unique... 


While I am very aware of these previous statements, it seems to be a daily (if not multiple times a day) thing for someone to question the choices I make in MY life. So I just kinda need to vent a minute and state a few of reasons for the most "questionable" choices I've made. 




1. I have ZERO desire to ever be married. This increased even more so after I had Drew, but ever since I can remember, there has never been a husband in my future plans. It's just not my thing... I have no desire to take the bad with the good.. I want good ALL the time... I'm pretty positive I'm allergic to compromise.. I get bored VERY easily (and this applies to most people that try to make a permanent spot in my life).. and my son is my ENTIRE world, there's just not room for anyone else in our lives.


2. Going along with number 1, I don't date. Ever. I think dating is done to get to know potential mates... partners.. husbands... and since I don't want one of those, what the heck do I need to date for? I have friends and we hang out, we can go to dinner, the beach, a movie, Target... whatever... and there's never any "US" talk... the only US in my life is Drew and I. 


3. My 7 year old does not play at his friends houses unless I'm there with him.... his friends do not come over to play at our house unless their mom stays too. This is just the way our friends and I have always done it. No, I do not trust others with my son very easily (or even at all). Things were different when I was growing up and my sister and I would wonder from house to house and just come home when it got dark out.... but things have CHANGED... and I am not my mother... I am Drew's mom. 


4. I do not, have not, and will not consume alcohol in the presence of my child, or if I will be seeing him any time that day after taking a drink. There are a bunch or reasons for this, but really it just comes down to Drew's safety, best interest and general responsibility on my part. Alcohol isn't a necessity in my life... or rarely even a desire. 


5. There isn't anything I can't do myself. I can change a tire on my car, sit in the ER for 7 hours with a sick kid and never leave his side, change the light bulbs in the ceiling fan and do my taxes. Being dependent on ANYONE for anything just isn't my thing. I'm actual terrified of ever getting to that point in life. 


6. Drew sleeps in my bed with me. Every single night. He's happy that way and so am I. He has his own room and his own bed and it'll be there for him whenever HE'S ready. 


7. I will not ask you how your weekend was, or how you're feeling unless I GENUINELY care. I'm not one for small talk at all. Unless I actually WANT to know, I'm not asking you anything. And I prefer when people do the same with me. I'd much rather sit in silence then have fake conversation about something I'm not even the slightest bit interested in. 




I think that's enough for now. 


It's our differences that make us unique. I'll be the first to admit that I'll never understand some choices people make... and I'm VERY quick to judge EVERYONE.... so I can understand when others do the same with me. 


But as long as I'm happy and Drew's happy.... that's all that matters in my book. 

Dear Hasbro,

Dear Hasbro,

We are a serious Board Game playin' family. At least three times a week we spend an hour or so playing which ever random game my son pulls off the shelf. We have monthly game nights with extended members of our family too. Over the last few years we've acquired quite the collection and are eager to buy every new game that comes out. 


And here's where my dilemma.... and frustration begin. A few months ago we started seeing advertisements for your new U-Build games. They looked cool and were a different version of some of our current favorites, so I thought they would make the perfect gift for my sons seventh birthday. I purchased the U-Build versions of Monopoly and Connect 4 to start with. And I made the mistake of suggesting we start with Connect 4 on the night of his birthday. 


BIG MISTAKE!! I am aware of the name U-BUILD.. which clearly implies there will be some building involved.... HOWEVER, I did not know I would need a freakin' Lego construction license to build the stinkin' game! Seriously the building process for CONNECT 4 (one of the simplest games EVER) was insane! 

And once it was completed it just wasn't all that fun anymore. Who wants to go through all that WORK to play a GAME?? Not me.... and not my sweet kiddo either! Lucky for you I couldn't find my receipt, otherwise that game would have gone straight back after the first 2 hours of work!

Our next attempt at the U-Build drama will be Monopoly... which LOOKS a lot simpler to assemble, and for all involved I sure hope it is.

Please do everyone a favor and stick to PRE-ASSEMBLED games.

Never-Building-AGAIN,

Drew's Mom

Happy Birthday Drew

OK so I'm a week late with this one...

but it's taken me awhile to recover... 

The night before my little man's birthday he spent the night at his dad's which kinda sucked... but also gave me time to get things decorated and make a million cupcakes for his school & baseball practice the following day.

Thursday October 21st was Drew's 7th birthday.... seven years sure flies by faster than I could have possibly imagined.  That morning I picked him up from his dad's and took him to school. My plan was to spend the whole day in class with him (a tradition we started in Kindergarten). But that morning I also woke up with the flu.... so we lasted till about lunch time and then I took Drew home. He was worried about me and wanted to take care of me, but I made him but his doctor skills aside for a minute so he could at least open his presents.

 

We had his actual party on Saturday.. after he had a baseball game that morning ( can you imagine having the flu while trying to prepare/host a birthday party and go to a baseball game??... SUCKS!! but I guess it comes with the job) Lucky for us, my mom came out to help us get everything ready for the party. 

We played a few games, ate some lunch, and the kids ran around crazy in my grandparents awesome backyard. It was pretty cold outside, but at least it didn't rain.... till the party was over. 

My mom made some popcorn balls for the guests and surprised Drew and I by also making this awesome field to display them on. 

After presents and cake it started drizzling so we all called it a day. Drew had a great time with his friends and our wonderful family. Oh, and he wore his football pads & helmet for most of the day... this kid is all Dolphin. It was an exhausting day for me... but seeing that amazing smile and hearing his sweet little "Thanks Mom" was all I needed. 

Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy.... 

I love you to the moon and back again.