Tough Love

Last Saturday early morning, Dylan woke us up at 1:30 A.M. crying constantly. At that time, he was telling me that his ears were hurting him badly. I handed him two tablets of Children's Tylenol . But guess what? It didn't help him.

Thus, he chose to cry until 6: 30 AM! I was REALLY POOPED out because the day before Ryan had a left ear infection. Dylan did not leave us any choice. I ended up taking him to an Emergency Room because both the doctor's office and Urgent Care were closed.

While we were in an Emergency room, he still had an uncontrollable crying for hours. Both doctors and I had tried to console him for hours even giving him an oral medication. He just reluctant to take any of our assistance.

By the time we got home, it was noon. He fell fast asleep without a medication. Could you image that I did not get enough sleep from 1:30 AM until noon? I frankly only had three hours of sleep. David was kind enough to let me take a three hour of nap while Dylan slept most of the afternoon.

Later after I woke up from a sweet nap, David went to get the prescription for Dylan. I was all ready to give him the medication. Still he refused to take it! My frustration grew for his stubbornness.

At the end of the straw, I took him out in the back and shove him the medication. He was stunned and got REALLY MAD at me. I then lectured him, "You are seven years old. You either can get worse if you don't take any medication for your ear infection, or get better with a medication. It is your choice." I walked away and locked him outside for ten minutes in order to make him think about his demeanor.

Ten minutes later, he signed to me from outside, " Mom, I learned my lesson. I will take medication." Believe it or not, he has cooperated me ever since.

Have you ever done any tough love with your children??? If you have, what was it?

Popsicle

This morning, I received a phone call from Ryan's school nurse telling me that he was crying and shivering. I knew right away that he has not recovered from the flu. By the time I came to pick him up, he was crying with a blanket around him and a high fever.

I immediately took him to see his physician doctor. Ryan told the doctor, "My ear hurts." He was right that he did indeed have an ear infection. Not again! He was treated with anti-biotic that he loathed.

He slept all afternoon and refused to eat even water, or a bowl of chicken noodle soup. The only thing I figured that treating him a Sugar Free Cherry Popsicle would ease his pain. My gut was right!

After he completed his treat, he went back to sleep again.

Zero Energy

Can you believe all of us have zero energy? We slept most of the day.

- Leaving the house extremely mess
- piles of dishes
- papers everywhere
- piles of laundry
- food crumbles on the table and floor
and many more....

I can't stand the mess but who is going to clean it all up for us?

A Birthday Party

A week ago on February 10th, we had a birthday party for Dylan at Chuck N' Cheese. Half of his 1st grader classmates joined the celebration. Many of them scattered everywhere in Chuck N' Cheese along with one of their parents. Oddly, either of their parents are deaf or knew signs came to the birthday party.

Our youngest guest was his cousin, Layla joined the celebration. She was so excited yet overwhelmed with all kinds of new indoor play sets. Dylan offered his assistant to go up in the playground. But she rather wanted to take her time to explore around Chuck N' Cheese. At the end, we discovered that she enjoyed the racing car with her mother's helping in pedaling the gas.

Before the kids had their birthday cake and present, they met Chuck, the mouse animator. This was the first time, Dylan decided to be brave with the animator. We were stunned yet felt that it was about time he took his courage. He followed Chuck around the party room until we, the family, had our picture taken.

Finally, the kids had their treat: a birthday cake. Dylan especially enjoyed hearing the birthday songs. He was so proud to have his classmates, including his family celebrated his 7th birthday. I guess number 7 is a lucky number.

Guess what he got mostly for his birthday gifts? If you guess it was books, you got it correct. First of all, he was pleased with his gifts from all of his friends and family who gave it to him. Not only getting books, he did received gift certificates so he could get whatever he wanted! The next thing he has in his mind besides books is collecting more Cars and Hot Wheels. I guess it is a REAL BOY thing!

Before the party was over at Chuck N Cheese, Dylan wanted us to take pictures of his "girl" friends for his scrapbook. How could I refuse to say "No" on his birthday?

Our Night Out

A day after Valentine's Day, we got ourselves for an evening treat. It meant to be alone without having to watch our sons for three hours!

Ryan's Extension Student Service (ESS) staff offered parents to have their time out from the kids for three hours. It only cost me six dollars per child with a dinner, refreshment and a night movie. Dylan joined with his brother. What a great deal!

As soon we dropped our boys off, they dashed off to greet their friends for a couple of hours. While they were there, they ate home-made spaghetti, fruit punch and M& M Cookies. (We could see the spaghetti sauce around Ryan's mouth and his shirt when we came to pick them up.)

Throughout the night, they played a little bit of musical game, video game and a movie, "Eloise at the Plaza." This is one of the Disney movies I have never heard, so wonder what do you think of this movie especially for the boys?

While the boys were having fun at ESS, we had a nice, relaxing dinner at this popular restaurant, Casa de Pico, We indeed were lucky to avoid the long waiting line. It was due to that David immediately dropped me off while he was looking for a place to park our van before the people came to this restaurant. Throughout our dinner meal, we didn't feel the pressure because we released our tensions for watching our sons so long.
After we had our wonderful dinner ALONE, we went to one of our favorite places: bookstores. We bought our books including for the boys.

By the time we came to pick them up, they didn't want to leave their evening with their friends. In fact, they pleaded us to stay "five more minutes" to be with their friends. While we were there, they played a little bit of hide and seek with flashlights, and took pictures of their friends. (There were 35 of them.) Clearly, many parents appreciated the staff for giving us a break!

It made us smile because we felt it was a win-win situation for us to be separated for the evening.

Computers

Aren't we spoiled to have our own computers? That's right, each of us has own computer.

While David was installing the kids' programs for them, they had no patience. They fought like cats and dogs. Ryan ended up having a scratch on his face, yet he tattled tales on Dylan. We had to clarify to both of them that they have the rights to use their own computer.

Not only installing the games, we also installed the educational games. They only were allowed to play for a short time after they finish their requirements: homework, helping me cleaning a little bit in a house, and reading a book.

But while David was installing Ryan's computer, I caught him playing with the computer
game. He was relived that he got my approval for letting him to be like a little boy once again.

Walking Half -Marathon

Hey, can you believe that I made a little more than a half-marathon of walking within one week with my pedometer? It is a really huge leap for me from walking one and a half mile within two days to 15 miles within one week !

Frankly, I had two valid reasons for keeping my motivation up. One is that wearing a pedometer which it really helps me a lot. This is a continuous reminder for me. Second, I have a mind set up by slathering the cafeteria workers! In case you didn't know, we are having a competition between the teachers and the cafeteria workers!

I am pretty sure many of you assume that the cafeteria workers tend to stay in the cafeteria all day with a little movement. I thought the same about taking advantages against them. Well, I just found it out that one of the cafeteria workers walks to work and home two miles each way daily! That's NOT FAIR ! You bet I wish I can walk ALL the WAY to work and back to home, especially with two young boys!

That wouldn't work because it would make us one total walking marathon in both ways. Otherwise, I would have whining kids daily, or having their teachers giving me a bad report about me as a parent for giving them a severe punishment.

Since I was out of luck beating one of the cafeteria workers, this does not stop me. Even better, it does increase my motivation for keeping my legs going. For example, I made slight excuses by taking my two sons out to Target to buy small Valentine gifts for their teachers! I already made two goals: to increase more steps and to drink more water. Oh yeah, you may be wonder how did I survive without drinking water??!! Actually, I do drink water, but not enough to waste all of my toxic body!

Once I increase my walking half-marathon, I will strive for a marathon within a week in a couple of weeks from now, and continue through out even after the contest ends. I will buy myself a pedometer and a walking diary.

This sign displays that I made my mind up for not wanting to cheat my "walking" goals.

Wish me Luck!