Claire Mikel

Our sweet pea

Grades, Kids, and Treats

It's official, I'm done with my Microbiology class and I'm pretty sure I'm a few points away from a B. Now, my husband would say something to the effect of, "Doesn't it bother you that if you had just turned in that one assignment, you could've gotten a B? Or even if you had just studied a little harder for the final? " (It's the teacher in him and I forgive him for it.) I convinced myself yesterday that I did not care that much about it. I do not like Microbiology, I find it completely uninteresting, and I am just glad to be done. But I woke up this morning with a sick feeling in my stomach, 10 points away from a B. And I haven't gotten a C in college that I can remember, (unless you count the Art History class I took straight out of high school over at MCC with my sister and I don't think we showed up very often for it.) Since it is an online class, I can't convince the instructor to give me a little boost for participation and hard work. They go strictly by points. I'm was considering using the whole pregnancy thing, hoping to maybe get a break, but I feel dirty all over just thinking about it. So I will accept my grade and try to come to terms with the fact that I could have done better. Oh well.

In other news, no baby yet but my doc told me if she's not here by the first of November, they'll induce. That's only a week and a half away. I can't wait to see her, and I also can't wait to go running again.

We bought Chance a costume, an expensive Star Wars clone trooper costume. I almost said no, but the thought of having to homemake a costume nudged me into a yes. He loves it and I don't have to try to figure out how to duplicate General Grievous.

Cannon has loved having his brother and sister home all week due to fall break. He's quite adept at entertaining himself when they're at school, doing puzzles, playing with cars, reading books, watching Curious George. But it's been adorable to see how much he looks up to his siblings, following them everywhere and wanting to be involved with everything they are doing. I hope he's as patient with his baby sister.

Finally, rice krispy treats are more addicting than crack. My mother-in-law made some for me yesterday, I'm sure assuming I would share with the family. The pan is almost gone and I don't intend to let anyone else in on them. Let them eat Chips Ahoy, this treat's for me.

Henchman

Chance wanted to know how much a henchman costs. I ask him to look it up on his videogame, thinking that is what he is talking about. He says no, he wants a real henchman. Confused, I ask what he means by henchman. "You know, someone to do my chores and carry my stuff and drive me around, like Batman has," he says. Ohhhhh, he meant a butler. I hold in my laugh and tell him that a butler would cost a lot, more than his $2.50 weekly allowance. He tells me that he'll split it with me. Sorry kid, more than that. He tells me that when he grows up, he wants to be rich enough to hire a henchman, er butler.

Words of Wisdom

The other day my family and I were in the car when, as usual, the kids started acting silly and out of control. Mike and I, trying to have a conversation, ignored it as long as we could until I remind them that they need to quiet down. Nothing. I say it again. It's like I'm invisible. Finally Mike asks them what happens when they get out of control and act crazy, and all three of my children quiet down and answer, in unison no less, "Something gets broken or someone gets hurt." I look at my husband in disbelief, while he just grins. When did the children not only listen to him, but take the time to memorize the oft used phrase so that they could repeat it back? I am amazed and a little jealous. I want a saying.
A couple days later it happens again. Chance is trying to do something with his new videogame and is having a hard time. He comes into our bedroom and complains that he can't do it, it's just too hard. Mike asks him what are the two things he can do. Chance answers, "Give up or keep trying." Mike asks which he is going to do, and he says, "Keep trying." He goes back to try again, while I just shake my head. My husband is a Confucious of parental wisdom, while I'm just the lady who tells them to clean their rooms.

Ready, Set, ...Stop

I am ready. Up until a few days ago, namely Sunday, I was not even close to being ready. But here I am, a few short days later, waiting impatiently for this baby. Why, you might ask, am I so impatient when she's not even due for another 4 weeks? That would be because of all the painful contractions I've been having for 5 days. 5 days of thinking, is this it?
I started by picking up the girls' room, putting away all the baby clothes and blankets in the shelves Mike built last weekend. I even hung stuff on the walls. It now looks official.
I then took the cleaning to the other rooms upstairs. I put random things away, cleaned out drawers, organized toys and books. Downstairs got the same treatment. I put together the baby swing, put the carseat in the car along with the stroller, wrote and sent all my thank yous, finished my homework early, stocked the freezer with pizzas, chicken fingers and french fries, packed her bag, packed my bag, had the carpets cleaned, and brushed the dog. I am ready.
And the contractions have all but stopped.
Dang.

Budding Comedians

My children love to tell jokes. Not different jokes, but the same jokes over and over again. And if for some reason I forget to laugh, they get their feelings hurt. So here are the Scott family jokes, in case you haven't heard them already. And when you hear them again, be sure to laugh.

Why did the elephant eat a candle?
Because he wanted a light snack.

What time is it when an elephant sits on your car?
Time to get a new car.

What is a whale's favorite thing to chew?
Bubble gum

What does mother nature use to go fishing?
North and South Poles

How do you make a Kleenex dance?
Put a little boogie in it.

What did the mushroom say when he walked into a bar?
I'm a fun-guy.

(Those last two are actually me and Mike's. I like them so much I thought I'd include them.)

Topics of conversation

The thing I love most about running is having someone to run with. Sure, I enjoy the athletic endeavor, getting my heartrate up, being able to eat junk. But without someone to run with, I'm not sure I would be very consistent. This morning was a great run. I always run better when I have something to talk about that isn't pointless, and I run especially well when I am mad. Today's topic was my crappy midterm grade. And for my running buddy, it was the possibilities of the future. Good stuff. It was a good day to be up at 5am.

Other topics we've dissected
People who drive us crazy
Politics, but only a few times
Buying toy weapons for kids
School teachers who suck
Family members and their problems
Husbands
Lack of money, many times
People who are dumb
Children's friends whom we don't like
Future running goals
Weight loss, or lack of
Pregnancy
Adoption
Music, books, and movies
What we ate the day before

If you have any topics that would be of interest to two middle-aged boring moms, please let me know.

FHE

Yesterday was FHE and in anticipation, I decided to make a pretty great treat. Not the usual rice krispy treats, or ice cream, or popsicles, all which have been used many times each because its what I have on hand. I actually planned ahead this time. I layered cherry pie filling with chocolate pudding and whipped cream in sundae glasses, you know, so you could see all the layers. Five of these parfaits were in the fridge when the kids got home from school. You should've seen them salivate. They could not wait for dad to get home and start FHE. By the time Mike gets here, eats dinner, and we start, it's kinda late. And then we ran into our usual sitting still problems that we have every week for FHE. I don't know why, but our children cannot physically stay calm and still for a five minute lesson. It is mind boggling, and a little frustrating. So after I was done with our lesson I told them they had behaved okay, but not great. They had earned one parfait which they could share. Man, you should've seen their faces fall. They were heartbroken. Not wanting to permenently damage their little souls, I gave them a chance at redemption. Three kids, arms folded, feet still, looking at me, for the next few minutes while I dragged out the lesson as far as I could. Mike called me a wus for not sticking to my guns and making them share, but how could I? FHE is supposed to equate to wholesome family recreation, not frustrating angry punishments. It's true, I am a wussy butterfly dancer. Plus, pudding parfaits don't save.

Discovered

My husband has discovered my blog. It's only a matter of time before he posts something completely inappropriate and embarassing. I just would like everyone to know that whatever he writes, he's just kidding, even if he says he's not. I've spent ten years explaining his behavior to you people, so by now most of you should know his very dry sense of humor and his lack of tact. By the way, hon, if you are reading this I want you to know I love you;)
Other things I love
Rice Krispy treats
Diet Dr. Pepper
Cool mornings
Clean bathrooms
Cannon's voice, especially when he says 'Right Mom'
Tiny baby girl stuff
Naps
Crunchy ice
Chance's early morning and late night talks
Clearance racks at Target
Going out to lunch
Running, although not lately
When Emme mothers
Newspapers
Ribbon