Wii anyone?!?

Anyone have a Wii and willing to share how they like it?

At Elise's IEP meeting this week, she was released from physical therapy (YEAH!) but her PT said she still needs some work on eye-hand coordination. When I asked for suggestions on activities that would encourage that type of movement, the PT seriously recommended a Wii. (So, if the PT recommends it, does insurance cover it?!? Don't worry, I already know the answer!)

So...do you have one? Do you like it? Would you recommend it for a 6 and 10 year old? What games do your kids enjoy the most?

Was this necessary?

What smarty-pants decided this would be a good thing to give away at Halloween?


They must have been giving them away at the parade because between my 2 kids, we have about 17 of these critters.

I keep finding them everywhere....my lunch box....the shower....by the phone....by the computer...in drawers....my underwear drawer....

I wasn't feeling well last night and fell asleep before the kids. I woke up in the middle of the night, turned over and felt one of these nasty things in the BED! (I was tempted to wake someone else up at 3:00 am and share how funny I really found the prank!)

And, as I tried to take a picture of this guy, a quick hand darted in and tried to steal it away. Hmmm....wonder where I'll find this one next?!?


Yuck.

Campus conversations

Working on a university keeps me young and helps maintain my sense of humor. Here are a few conversations I overheard this week:

1. "Well, duh, the only reason we got married was for the dental insurance." I swear to goodness this person was SERIOUS!

2. "Yeah, I way overextended myself last week. I went out drinking Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday." Hmmm..."overextended"? Back in my day, we called it drinking ourselves stupid.

3. OK, not a comment that I overheard, but something I witnessed. My university held a graduate school fair this week, held in the main student union type building. And, I saw where our graduate marketing had fallen short. It was CONDOM DAY at the main store in the building. They even had a jeopardy like wheel to spin...for fancier ones?!? I went back and prompted requested from my dean a CONDOM WHEEL to help with our recruitment. Yeah, she's going to pass on that request....but we did giggle!

4. And my favorite comment this week came from a mom. Someone in my office found a cell phone. My student workers had the brilliant idea of calling the person listed in the contacts as "mom" as surely they'd know to whom the phone belonged. Upon calling and establishing the identity of the phone owner, the mom ASKED IF WE COULD BRING THE PHONE TO HER SON IN HIS DORM ROOM....NOT EVEN CLOSE TO OUR OFFICES. I don't think so! But we'd be happy to call your son's dorm and have him walk over to get HIS PHONE.

Ahhh....yup, it keeps me young and smiling!

Six words

I have been tagged by my friends Sandra and Tammie to "Describe your life in only 6 words..." I love the 6 words they have each selected to describe their lives. I thought it would be a pretty easy task, but turned out it took some thinkin' on my part!

Time Alone Required for Healthy Relationships

I've always known that I need my "me" time. I've often thought it was a selfish thing on my part and felt guilty when I wanted time alone. I'd tell myself that I choose to be a mom and thought there was something wrong with me when I secretly enjoyed the times Perry took the kids out to do someting and I was left at home by myself.

There are many days where I feel like I give everything to my husband, my kids, my family, my co-workers, my employer and there's nothing left for me. My energy is sapped and I can't seem to get my mojo going. I feel disorganized (maybe because I'm focused on everyone else's needs) and like I'm going in too many different directions. Projects drag out forever and I don't feel on top of my game.

Perry took the kids to Chicago last week and I ended up with 3 days alone in my house. I debated taking some vacation time (again, feeling guilty that I should be using my vacation time for time with my family). I did take some time off work and that time alone was so good for me. I worked at my pace around the house without feeling pulled in different directions (mom, I need this....mom, where is that....mom, can I do this....) I felt energized again and ready to face the world.

In addition to "me" time, I crave time alone with each child. That one on one time is so critical to my relationship with them. They open up about things in those one on one settings that they aren't willing to otherwise. Even something as simple as taking the dogs for a walk and bringing one child along.

Perry and I also need that time alone but we struggle with finding that time. We do have a date coming up for our anniversary and I'm looking forward to it.

So...some folks are energized by social settings and by other people. I'm energized by the times I can sink into my thoughts and be alone. And, I'm learning that's OK and not something I should feel guilty about.

I'm supposed to tag some other friends. If you are reading this, I challenge YOU to describe YOUR life in 6 words....