Song lyrics gone wrong

The diva has been singing this all day

"This is me, this is me, this is me with my allergies!" She kept singing it and I asked her where the song was from. She said it was a Laurie Berkner song. I thought it was strange that it was a happy song about allergies, but hey allergies sure plague this house, so maybe we need a peppy upbeat song to learn how to cope better with our allergies. But no, I checked the lyrics, and folks it is a song about ENERGY. The song is called "My Energy", not "My allergies". I don't have the heart to break it to the Diva. Maybe I will help her add some verses about dust mites and pollen.

One more day till Christmas- Should I be naughty or nice?

She's feeling a lot better today! Thank goodness!

Doctor's Office and Emergency Room in the same day

My poor poor Diva. She is all kinds of sick. Saturday I noticed she was sneezy and getting a cough. This always puts me on high alert because of her asthma. A little cold is no little cold for the Diva. Ever. She seemed to be in pretty good spirits and we had tickets to the Nutcracker, so we went. She had a fabulous time. But, by 7 p.m she was burning up with a temp of 102.9. I gave her meds and watched her like a hawk all night, her cough was horrendous, and we were doing her neb treatments every four hours. Sunday (yesterday) was worse. Fever down, but cough was still pretty intense. So we kept up the meds on all fronts. Throughout all this Diva had no appetite at all. Today Daddy-O stayed home with her and we had a doctor visit. On top of her asthma issues, the poor baby has a double ear infection. Funny thing though, the doctor said the ear infection seemed to be taking care of itself. Diva was in pretty good spirits at the Dr's office, and was fine at home, but coughing a little bit. Then suddenly she had the worst asthma attack I have ever seen her have. It was terrifying. She was smack in between neb treatments, so I wasn't sure what to do. Her breathing was insanely rapid, she was choking, wheezing and gasping for breath. I can't even write this without getting emotional about it. We rushed out the door to the emergency room. They administered more albuterol, and told us we were right to bring her to the ER. Her oxygen levels were back in a safe zone, so they let us bring her home. She still has a low grade temp, and now we are on Pneumonia watch. If the temp remains for the next 48 hours, back to the Dr. we have to go. She is now sleeping somewhat soundly in her bed. I grew up with asthma but I don't remember it being as scary to me as it is to watch my sweet baby girl struggling to breath. Thank You God, for looking out for our girl. Ugh, can't write anymore.

A book review from The Diva

One of The Diva's favorite books recently has been Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney. I just found out that the author lives here in VT, which the Diva and I both find to be super cool. Diva doesn't own this book yet, but we have been checking it out of the library frequently. I decided that since I did a random book review, that Diva should too, so I interviewed her this afternoon. The book is about a little llama who goes on a shopping trip with his mama. As indicated by the title of the book, Llama is not so keen on the whole thing.

Me: Diva, what do you think of the book Llama Llama Mad at Mama?
Diva: I like it.
Me: Why do you like it?
Diva: Because it's good.
Me: How does the book make you feel?
Diva: Good.
Me: What's your favorite part of the book?
Diva: When Llama makes a mess of the shopping cart. (Please note that her favorite part of the book is a GIANT TANTRUM).
Me: Do you think other people should read this book?
Diva: NO!
Me: Why not?
Diva: Because I want to read it!

End of interview.

Random Book Review

How Disappointing. I just finished Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin. I read her other two books, and enjoyed them. They were quick reads. I was anticipating this last book of hers, thinking it would be just as great as the 0ther two. Another little nugget that added to my anxiousness to get my hands on the book was the fact that it was constantly checked out of the library. So when I saw it on the shelf I squealed in delight. (Not really, but it makes for a better story.) I read the book Sunday evening and finished it yesterday. Eh. Blah. Not so great. Predictable. Frustrating. Still a quick read, not the worst thing I ever read, but it just wasn't what I had hyped it up to be.

Not quite getting the knock knock joke

Diva: Knock Knock!
Me: Who's there?
Diva: It's me! Diva!!! (Errupts in hysterical laughter)

I tried teaching her a real knock knock joke. She still thinks hers is funnier.

Conversation with a middle schooler

Student: Mrs. R, do you like my new haircut?
Me: Yes Student, I love your new haircut!
Student: The bartender cut it!
Me: The bartender cut it?
Student: Wait, no. I can't think of the right word. Not a bartender.
Me: Was it a barber?
Student: Yeah, that's it. The barber cut my hair.

Repetition

A phrase I thought I wouldn't use much:
"Diva you need pants."

I can not tell you how many times this phrase is actually useful. But it, is a lot.

Compliments

When the Diva was teeny tiny, I was constantly saying things like " you're so pretty", "you're so beautiful". My mom. ever the feminist, told me I should compliment not only her looks but her intelligence and personality as well. So I started saying things like "Oh Diva, you are so beautiful.... and smart." Well folks, the lesson I keep learning over and over again is that she is really paying attention.
A few days ago we were getting ready to go somewhere and the Diva and I were both in the bathroom. I was looking in the mirror and I said "Ugh, I look so crumby". Diva said, "Mom what does crumby mean?" I said, "well crumby means yucky Diva." To which she replied, "Mommy, you are not crumby. You are beautiful. And smart." I will cherish these ego boosters now while she still likes me. In about ten years or so I will make her read this to remind her that she once was my biggest fan.

She's got style

The Diva told me she was going to change. I decided to let it play out. She just came out to me wearing NOTHING but a pair of my snowman socks pulled up to her knees. What a sight. I think I will go assist with the wardrobe change.

Dear Grocery Bagger

I bet you are trying to be helpful and efficient when you load my groceries into an empty cart, instead of my own. It might even be store policy for all I know. But when I have a not quite 3 year old in my cart, loaded down in her winter gear, it is not convenient to have to lug said toddler out of the cart so that we can leave with the cart you have appointed us. My life would have been just a tad bit easier had I not had to make the child transfer until I got to my car. I get a little nervous juggling a cart and walking with my daughter across a dark parking lot where people drive like it's the Indy 500. Also, I am a fan of the environment, and while I don want to use a ton of plastic bags, when you don't give me bags for my water and milk it makes it quite the pain in the butt to try to lug all of my groceries and the aforementioned child up into my 2nd floor apartment. Those two extra bags would have saved us a trip back to the car, and I promise I would have reused those bags over and over and over again. I would like to say thank you though, for your service, and for not stealing my grapes. Have a lovely day.

Middle School Dance

Last night I had the pleasure of chaperoning the school dance. And I do mean pleasure. It was so very entertaining. It brought back so many memories, made me feel old, and gave me a whole new outlook on the students I teach everyday. It allowed me to see them in a whole different light. I must say that last night I found middle schoolers to be more adorable than kindergartners. I got the fun job of manning the crowd that had arrived before it was time for the dance to begin. There was so much energy, and I got to observe some really interesting wardrobe choices. There were several young ladies in denim mini skirts; not exactly appropriate attire for standing outside in 20 degree weather. There appears to be a trend of really tiny (barely butt-covering) ruffled skirts worn over leggings. There was crew of girls in jeans and tiny tank tops, and another groups of girls in skirts and ties. Oh how fashion has changed since my middle school years of tight-rolled, stone-washed jeans and big hair. I don't know if it's just me, but there seemed to be a lot more dancing going on when I was in middle school. Sure there was dancing, but there was also a whole lot of standing around. The sixth graders seemed a lot less inhibited than the older kids.
Overall it was a good time. I think any time I need a good flashback, I'll just volunteer to chaperone a school dance again. I might as well get my time in now, when the diva is in middle school I doubt she will want me lurking in shadows of the loud, dark, gymnasium while she tries to get her groove on.