I really don't like Mondays

I know - it's a horrible thing to say.  But I really don't.  It's such a harsh introduction back into the work week.  Trying to get E and I out of the house on time, work all day, a long standing doctor's appointment at night.  Then I rush in the door, try to talk to E, try to talk to my mom, that is trying to rush out the door.  Inhaling dinner.  Trying to get Eleanor to bed at a reasonable time.

BLAH

For the birds I tell ya.  Now it's 9:08 and I just sat down for the first time. I gots bills to pay and I still hear baby E wrestling with her sheets, trying to get comfortable. 

I have a house to pick up...which I could put off, but I need to actually be able to find my bed if I want to crawl into it.

So...that's my gripe for the night. 

Any gripes for you?  Come on, spill it.  You know you'll feel better if you just complain...just for a minute!

Eleanor the teacher...

Some kids go to day care and pick up really bad habits.
Or learn really bad things.
There is the kid that hits.
There is the kid that doesn't sit at the table during meal time.
There is the kid that says bad words.
There is the kid that throws food.
Or temper tantrums.
Or there is the kid that knows everything about death.

Awesome.
My kid teaches other small children about death.
And heaven.
And dance parties.

I'm on the Big E duty for the next few days, which means that I get to pick up Eleanor from daycare.
I'm not going to lie - it's one of my favorite parental responsibilities.
Every time I pick her up, it's like she's surprised to see me.
And I'm the best person in the world.  Ever.

Today she nonchalantly handed me Minnie Mouse's body.  Then her head.
"Momma.  She had an accident.  She's dead."
Oh.

Then the little boy pipes up from the kitchen where he is playing, ever so innocently with his brother.
"Is Eleanor's dad dead?"  He's maybe in 1st or 2nd grade.
Ummmmm.
Ummmmmmmmmmmm.
Couldn't you ask me about sex?  Or drugs?  Or Rock N Roll?
Ummmmmmm, "Yup.  Eleanor's dad died."
He hasn't stopped playing.  "Why?"
Seriously?!
"He was really sick"
"Oh.  And he died?"
"Yup"
HELP
"Is he at a dance party?"
W.T.F?!
"YEAH!" Eleanor pipes in. "He's at the dance party!" And off she went.  Skipping outside.
No, really.  WTF just happened?
I looked at Eleanor's day care provider.  Just holding a small, innocent (non verbal) child.  Just watching.  Both of them.  Just watching.

Apparently, I learned, this happens frequently.  The kiddos will be talking.  Eleanor will say something about her mom.  A kid will say something about their dad.  Eleanor will say her dad is dead.  The kids will ask some questions.  Eleanor will educate them on death.  Dying.  Being gone.  Going to heaven.  Dancing.  At a party.
And then they all go back to playing.

No one is sad.
No one cries.
They just talk about Eleanor's dad.  That is in heaven.
My 3 year old can talk about death in its matter of fact state.
The moms.  They cry when she tells stories.
This mom.  I stutter and am not sure what to say.  Thinking that explaining how drugs are bad would be so much easier.

It's not.
It's death.
And it's that simple to Eleanor.
Her dad loves her.  That's all she knows.  That's all she needs to know.  The rest is fact.

Yet again.  My 3 year old is smarter then me.
Yet again.
That kiddo is teaching me.  

Join our Team!

The 5th Annual Strain for the Brain 5K run/walk will be held on May 12, 2012.  This will be the first year Team Terrones has an OFFICIAL team for Nic and I am SO excited!  Nix Tumor Trotters will be a force to be reckoned with and we want YOU to join our team.

But how?!

Unfortunately, this isn't an easy answer.  So I'm going to try and help...as much as possible.

Click here. This will take you to the registration page.
Click on the big green button that says, "REGISTER".  I tried to do screen shots, but this computer isn't letting me.
Elect how many people you are registering.  You can walk, you can run, you can crawl for all we care!  Just come out and do the course with us!
On the bottom of the screen you will see a blue link that says, "Join a Team", click that.  Look for Nix Tumor Trotters and JOIN.

It should be that simple.  I wish there was an even better way for you to join our team, but that's all I got for now!  IF YOU find a better way - let me know so I can share with everyone.  I really would love to have the biggest team there.  Everyone I love walking in Nic's honor.  Raising money so that, hopefully, no other family will have to experience the disease that is brain cancer and the loss that is death.

And, if you can't be there, then feel free to click here and just donate in Nic's honor.  And thanks SO much to those that have already donated.

I can't wait to see you all at the lakefront on May 12.  I just KNOW the sun will be shining that day!

LAZY

Sometimes, I think I could safely categorize myself as the laziest person ever!
No.  Seriously.
My house is a disaster.
But the reality is, by the time I get home from work at night (which also involves stopping at my parents, picking up my daughter, going for a run, eating dinner (which I neither cook nor clean up)), but the (now) 38 " little person to bed, get myself ready and have a mere minute to do something, the last thing on earth I want to do is pick up a house. 

Now.  I am not any busier than the next person.  I do not have it any better or worse than the next person.  I just choose to vocalize my never-ending to do list and my inability to find the energy to do it.  I'm actually proud of myself for mustering up the energy to come downstairs and blog tonight.
I bet you thought I forgot about blogging - didn't you?
Nah.  You aren't that lucky!

So - in the true spirit of laziness....how was the Terrones Family Easter?  Well...a picture is worth a thousand words!  How was your Easter? 

Happy Easter 2012!

All smiles at Easter mass

I don't know what's in it...but if it's chocolate covered, it's gotta be good!

It ain't easy being Eleanor

Not from Easter, but Easter weekend - close enough!