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Jennifer's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 8/19/01 -------------------- 7/11/01 6/20/01 6/5/01 5/24/01 5/5/01 4/24/01 4/9/01 3/27/01 3/15/01 3/7/01 2/27/01 2/19/01 2/6/01 1/29/01 1/17/01 1/10/01 1/2/01 12/27/00 12/19/00 12/11/00 12/5/00 11/28/00 11/20/00 11/10/00 -------------------- Jennifer's Introduction

December 19, 2000

Well, it looks like attitudes around here have improved dramatically in the last week. Noah seems to be over the worst part of cutting those teeth. Little John's birthday party has come and gone. Christian isn't screeching like he was last week. Of course there's another possibility that I have trying to avoid fully exploring: Perhaps I am the one who's had the biggest attitude change and so their normal toddler, kindergartner, and second-grader behavior is no longer getting on my nerves. Whatever the reason, I'm just glad that our house is a much more pleasant place to be in.

As usual, we had an interesting array of things going on this past week. Little John's birthday party was this past Saturday, and it went off without a hitch! The weather was perfect and the boys spent most of their time outside playing basketball and football. We had a fun time with musical chairs and Freeze Dance. I must say, I think the Freeze Dance was more of an entertainment for the parents than for the kids. They all had a great time dancing, but I think we had more fun watching them. It seems that these particular 7- and 8-year-olds haven't yet reached the stage of feeling self-conscious about their dancing. They were really going at it!

John (the son) was surprised and extremely happy to receive the scooter. It was such torture for us to have had it for over three months and not break down and tell him about it! He also received two pretty deluxe magic kits, which have given further fuel to his budding career aspirations. John (the Dad) ordered way too much pizza and we were sending people home with boxes of it! All in all, the day was a huge success and we've now moved on to preparing for Christmas.

On Sunday we got our tree. The boys chose one that is practically a perfect cone shape. I'm used to a more bushy, irregular shape so this one just cracks me up to look at it. This was the first time that both boys really got into the decorating process. Our ornaments are sort of a motley bunch, with stories behind most of them and Little John and Christian really got into hearing about how each was acquired and why. Then John brought out a box of ornaments and things from when he was a child and we had more stories.

It was probably the most special and sentimental tree trimming I've ever done. The boys did most of the ornament hanging and the result is a tree that looks both crowded and bare at the same time, but I can't bring myself to change and rearrange their hard work. Even Noah is in awe of the tree. He stands at the baby gate and looks at it saying, "Wow." We're not sure if this is his reaction to the beauty and wonder of it all or if he thinks that the big, twinkly green thing in the living room is actually called "WOW."

Also on Sunday was the end-of-the-season pizza party for Little John's soccer team. The only thing I can really say about it is that it was just so damn loud! I've never been a huge fan of Chuck E. Cheese's, but I have to say this particular visit was excruciating!

Today was Little John's actual birthday and I spent most of the morning "reliving" labor and delivery. (Actually, I spent most of the last two and a half days reliving it from start to finish). I'd look at the clock and think to myself: "At this time eight years ago I was timing contractions and wondering if I should go to work or not" or "Eight years ago right now we were walking and timing contractions" and my personal favorite, "At this point I was sobbing for an epidural." Later, I brought cookies and juice for him to share at school. This was a real treat for him, since it is the first year that he has actually still been in school on his birthday. (Winter Break is starting late this year, but they don't go back to school until January 8.)

He was thrilled to walk around the classroom handing out treats. Then they all sang to him and the girl behind him gave him a card that she'd made for him. Her name is Anna and I think she might now be in the running for future wife and magician's assistant. Oh dear, how will I keep track of it all?

I had told Little John last week that he could have whatever he wanted to eat for dinner on his birthday. He initially wanted twice-baked potatoes. He couldn't decide what he wanted with them though, and we were looking at some really oddball combinations of food for a while there (twice-baked potatoes with mac-and-cheese, twice-baked potatoes with hot dogs). He finally decided that he wanted to go out for dinner and his top two choices were Burger King and Benihana. Christian was really pushing for BK because the current toys are Pokemon. I was trying to suggest something more middle-of-the-road. We ended up at Benihana (who didn't see that coming?) and everyone behaved perfectly. Of course, I kept looking at the birthday boy all through dinner marveling at how old and mature he's become. Honestly, can I get through a single day without going all mushy and teary about my boys?

Now I need to backtrack. One of the real high points for me this past week was last Thursday. John took a half-day from work so that we could run around and get some shopping done. When I got back from taking Christian to school, he was already there, along with a wonderful bunch of flowers.

I couldn't believe it! He'd remembered that it was the tenth anniversary of the day we got engaged! I had been really busy the whole morning and hadn't realized what day it was. What a guy! I think I'll keep him around a while longer yet.

I think that about sums up the highlights of our week. We are looking forward to Christmas and to John having time off from work. If anyone is reading this, I hope you have a safe and happy holiday! (By the way, I'm starting to wonder if anyone is actually reading this. So if you are, please stop by my board and say "hi." I'd love to hear from you).

Until next week,

Jenn and the Boys

P.S. John did get the next two Harry Potter books for his birthday. I've finished "The Prisoner of Azkaban" and am starting "The Goblet of Fire." John wants to read them first, but I can't wait so I'm secretly reading them after the kids are in bed. I really should pace myself. I hear the fifth one won't be out until next October and that seems like such a long wait. Oh well, I'm not widely known for my patience!