sunday night

[same_sky]

I've been doing that thing where I open up Semagic and stare at it a while, or possibly start typing something that I don't end up rolling with.I am determined to post something tonight. Of course, if I don't, all this determination will be lost and no one but me will ever know how I don't follow through. Well, me, and M. He's pretty familiar with my lack of ability to finish anythi

So anyway, last year, we had a rainbow birthday party for Evie. She loved it so much that she said she wanted her next party to have the same theme. As the birthday drew nearer, though, she's been talking for months about how she wants a FIDDLE birthday party. The child was giving detailed instructions on what kind of fiddle cake she wanted. (It might be too hard for Mommy to make a cake shaped like a fiddle, so that's okay! She can just make a regular cake and DRAW a fiddle on top!" Yes. Because I can totally pipe a realistic violin onto a sheet cake with pink frosting. Totally. I had a thought of trying to cut out a fiddle shape in sheet cake and then maybe construct a neck out of rice kristpie treats or something, covered in chocolate, and... people, this would in no way have worked. I do not possess the talents to construct a cake in the shape of a fiddle, and I can't even draw a fiddle with a pencil, much less with icing.) I was putting that particular question off while trying to come up with other fiddle-themed party ideas. Decorations? Well.. maybe I could find a fiddle shape to cut with my Silhouette (digital cutting machine). And I could... uh.. make a ... ummm.. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE. It doesn't really matter because birthday parties are not the big deal here that they are for some of you, and for E especially--her guests will be family, and none of the kids have themed parties. Heck, one of them was asking me why there were rainbows all over the place at the last one. Not a big deal, you know?

Imagine my relief when day before yesterday, E confessed that she would actually like another rainbow party instead. I didn't say much in response, but waited until today to bring it up again and she says she is absolutely sure that she wants a rainbow party again. So--yay! No fiddle theme! And I have experience with this particular party and the parts of it that she liked the most. This should make my next few weeks easier.

Also, I am ticked off at Evie's gymnastics class because after I finally got her moved up to the next level (she's been spending too much time being bored and waiting for her turn for my tastes) I found out that it's a mixed class, with levels one and two in the same class. It's a complete waste of time--the only thing it accomplished was making her switch teachers (to ones that so far aren't as good) and making me go at a less convenient time. The head of the division is supposed to be there tomorrow teaching because the new teacher is going to be out of town, so I'm trying to figure out how to discuss my problems with her. I hate confrontation but they're making me really want to give it up entirely. The YMCA is the only place in town that does gymnastics so I'm stuck with them unless we quit, or drive out of town. I wouldn't mind quitting myself but Evie is really into it right now, and I think it would be a disservice to her to stop at this stage of her interest if I don't have to. It's irritating though.

Today, we were sitting around and I decided it was time to get some housework done, so I told Evie it was time to help me. I WANT to be one of those parents who make their children do their chores. In reality, she gets by with doing less than I would prefer, so I've been working on this for the last couple of weeks by coming up with projects for her to do. (It's just so much easier to do it myself!) As long as I keep a steady stream of manageable tasks ready for her, she does pretty well. I must have been feeling lucky, because I then went and asked M if he would like to come help me pick up the house. Although admitting that it was not really his preference, he agreed nicely and even said himself that it would be good for Evelyn to see that everyone in the family helps out. Yay boyo! I was just thinking of picking up some clutter and putting it all where it goes, but somehow we got really into it and really cleaned. It was fantastic! This would have taken me two days to do on my own. I am a better person when my house is not full of clutter.

Comments

[e11en.livejournal.com]

We need to sit down and come up with a plan about chores, sometime when the kids aren't at our elbows, so that we then come across as a united front. It isn't that G shirked his responsibilities as a kid but, well, it was just him, his parents, without much stuff in a small apartment, he simply didn't have any responsibilities to speak of. Whereas my father drew up this elaborate job chart which corresponded to our weekly allowances and with six kids and a big house, you had a job, man, and it had better be done by the time dad got home (unless of course it was your turn to one of the after-dinner chores).

It's hard to crack the whip on the kids when we parents have our own clutter that isn't getting picked up. One of these days I'll get caught up and then from there on out, it's going to be different. ;-)

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

That's the truth. I definitely have issues with my own clutter. I keep thinking of coming up with some sort of chore chart but it's difficult for me to even decide what she should be responsible for at this age contrasted with how much effort I want to put into nagging her to get stuff done for a particular item.

And sure, i believe you on things being different after you get caught up. ;) Riiiigghht. :)

[carrieb.livejournal.com]

I am glad she changed her mind! Fiddle party does seem very. . . difficult to achieve. If you ever have a request for a cake that you can't do easily, you can print off a picture of what you want and take it to a grocery store bakery. They should have edible printer paper and be able to print it onto the cake. Not as good tasting as a homemade cake, but it does work nicely for a theme that you have no hope for.

I need to get Erik to do some chores around here. I am too lazy to lay down the hammer, though.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

I will remember that about the printer paper on cake thing. Hopefully we are set on rainbows and not fiddles, though! Last year I made a swirly rainbow ice cream cake. I'm thinking of trying for an outdoor party this year, though, so i won't go the ice cream route again. Maybe one of those stacked seven-layer cakes. Or maybe a rainbow put together out of frosted cupcakes. That has potential for cuteness. There are a lot of options for rainbows--not that many for fiddles.