At the end of January, we were having a mini-vacation at Split Rock Resort in the Poconos with the Chambers. Saturday the 1st the moms watched the girls while the dads went skiing together – this time at Jack Frost, sister slope to Big Boulder. The ladies also took in the water park later and we all got to relax in front of the fireplace. Two days skiing, sleeping in, eating takeout – we really need to vacation more often. And when we bring along a playmate Nina’s age, sometimes all we have to do is sit back and watch. Sunday we had a relaxing trip home and a great lunch, followed by a big game blowout courtesy of the Jewells (at least the food was great, commercials mostly meh).
Monday I thought that while we had one of the band members in mind when we named her, I was afraid if I let Nina eat any more blueberries tonight she would have turned into the actual Veruca Salt. Tuesday we had a lovely ice storm at night, which resulted in a fun dog walk – brought back memories of the Fairfax Ice Arena. Thursday Nina had fun playing with 5 Monsters, Inc balloons a coworker had used as a birthday prank. Friday night’s entertainment was chamber-folkies (and Falcon Ridge vets) Winterpills, opening up for Luray at Iota. I like them so much I got Mom to babysit and flew solo (Jill was working) – totally worth it.
Saturday the 8th Nina was our dance/exercise instructor during pre-bedtime dance party. She’s tough, too – we’re worn out. “Kick like this, Mama!” “March in place!”. Sunday Nina helped me cook pizza (we had a fundraising kit from Little Caesar). Monday I sang her to sleep with “Closer To The Heart”, “Nothing Else Matters”, and “Crazy Train”. I’ll be in trouble 14 years from now.
Wednesday the 12th we were cozy and ready for the snow. And the only thing I needed at the grocery store the night before was roses. Of course I was up way too late working on a project – again. Karma meant she woke up with a stomach bug later that night. Thursday we were snowed in, but I worked from home downstairs while Jill took care of Nina. I remember when I was young and came back soaked from being outside in the snow, it was a good thing. Alas. It took four passes of shoveling until I was done. The worst irony of the day is that I spent 4 hours the night before putting Nina’s trampoline together so she wouldn’t be bored at home, but she didn’t have the energy (at least she was feeling better later in the evening).
Friday the 14th we split shifts to keep Nina at home. That night I was again at 0 days without a personal injury again. At least it was a teachable moment about first aid for burns – I hope everyone keeps a frosted beer mug in their freezer for emergencies. I think Nina was feeling better, though I’m really not certain what pairing m+ms with green beans means. She was definitely feeling better on Saturday, even went to music class (after mandatory snowman building), but Jill caught her stomach bug. Jill stayed in bed most of the day, and my mom came over as scheduled, so I went solo to Eddie From Ohio (and sat with the Jewells and Joel) and it was a great show.
Sunday and Monday I worked part of the day to both make up hours and get a little ahead. Although Monday it took me 11 minutes to get my mom to type in a single URL. 11 minutes. Sigh. Monday night Nina was jumping on her trampoline (she finally got to start jumping on it the day before) when she spotted my 10″ Fender bass guitar replica. “I have it”, she said. I let her play with it while we looked through a Rush tourbook and saw Geddy Lee playing it. Truly my daughter.
Wednesday the 19th I decided that Nina’s just about potty trained. She’s started excusing herself during dinner when she needs to go. I also showed her Neil Gaiman reading “Green Eggs and Ham” before bath time – it was a hit. Later I didn’t think there’d be ice when I walked Illa because I didn’t need a jacket. But when he lept over a snow bank to get back on the path, he went full Bambi on ice. Poor puppy. The next morning while coming out of the house I saw the go bag (ex-diaper). I figured I’d call Jill, but I heard the ringtone from the bag, so I drove towards her gym. She was going the other way on Sunset Hills, so I pulled a U-ie and we had a low speed chase until she pulled over at a bank on Sunrise Valley and we made the exchange.
Friday the 21st I enjoyed Nina getting her appetite back. And dinner was Boston Market FTW (2 pieces of chicken, plus a hashbrown), then her first second dinner in a while (cereal, but I didn’t care at that point). Of course not a minute later after that thought she wanted to see what the dog was doing and dragged her bowl on the floor. Sigh. Saturday after music class I took Nina shopping at Target for sunglasses and she picked out an Easter hat. That weekend I also spent time installing a chimney pillow downstairs and a new receiver, and we built a snowman that turned into a snow duck.
Nina’s current favorite food was cereal. Right before dinnertime on Monday the 24th, I was trying to explain what she was pulling out of a box and throwing around was packing material. She thought I said cereal, and I said she couldn’t have any, then we had full fetal position meltdown. In related news, Jill isn’t allowed to leave boxes around anymore. Thursday I learned another thing they never told you about parenting (#56 in a series): When your child removes the carrot from the snow duck, you have to fix it, even if it’s only 10 degrees out (luckily I could wait until I put my coat on).
