Friday, Friday, Friday!
I love Fridays. My love/hate relationship with Fridays has evolved over time.
Before kids, my Fridays started like many of yours. That bell would ring and I do believe us teachers were way more excited and ready to hear it then the kids. My work week would be over!
Up until about six months ago, I HATED Fridays. I mean LOATHED them, especially during the winter months and rainy days. It was the last day of the week. The boys (and I) would be ready for their daddy to be home for the weekend. They would be antsy and “bored”. I would be tired and impatient. We all were kinda sick of each other by the end of the week.
Fridays now are low key with no schedule, except for Evan’s weekly 30 minute speech therapy, which isn’t until 11:15 so we don’t have to rush out the door in the mornings.
But then it happened!
I may have mentioned a time or two that Evan has been obsessed with Mario. We have a rule in the house that Friday is Wii day.
This way, Evan knows not to even ask to play, although sometimes he looks at me with devilish eyes and says, “you know what I’m thinking mom?”
“No, Evan, you may not play Wii.”
“Mom, how did you know I was going to ask?”
So Fridays with Evan pretty much mean, I don’t see him most of the day, except when he comes up for air, food or potty breaks. Because, you know, even though there is a bathroom downstairs, he still comes up and tells me he is going. Oh my Evan!
Maybe about October, Carter got in on the action too. He doesn’t like to play, but he LOVES to sit and watch Evan, talk with Evan and goes about his playing with his trains and cars while Evan plays the Wii.
{This next part is going to make me sound like a horrible mom, but remember it only happens once a week, so keep your judgements to yourself!}
So pretty much, I don’t see the kids all day on Friday. It’s beautiful. Yeah, I’m admitting it! On Fridays, the boys disappear into the basement and I see them only when they get hungry, thirsty or one throws a punch. And it has made Friday’s something we ALL look forward to! The boys get to veg out and stay in their jammies if they want, and I get to do the same!
Stumble Upon
Del.icio.us
Buzz
Sick of Being Sick {I Hate The Winter Time 2012 Edition}
Copyright All rights reserved by alshepmcr Flick.com
This is going to be a full-blown rant about the amount of sick that is in my house right now! Just warning you all, I am completely feeling sorry for my self and my family! Just sayin’
The boys have been sick for 3 weeks now! 3 WEEKS people. Not that 3 weeks is a big deal in and of itself. But before that, they were probably well for a week or two after another bout of illness.
You see, starting in about November at least one person has been sick in this house at any given time.
Carter, Evan and myself have all finished z packs this month. And yet, I got sick again. Evan had walking pneumonia two weeks ago and was put on a z pack, Carter then followed last week. They started feeling better when I started getting sick. I tried to fight it off, because really what mom has time to get sick!
Yesterday my fever spiked at 102 and I literally couldn’t get out of bed. So I got ANOTHER z pack (2 in one month because I am an over achiever!) and some good ol’ cough syrup with codeine.
While in a codeine sleep coma last night, apparently Carter threw up twice and Jeremy took care of him without bothering me. And this morning Evan woke up with another 102 temperature and coughing.
Fortunately, Jeremy NEVER gets sick! (You know since I officially wrote that, he will be the next victim) But thank God, Jeremy has an immune system of steal!
I’m almost to the point of giving up. I mean, come on! Enough is enough. I take amazing care of my family – not that I am tooting my own horn – but I do. We eat well in this house – whole foods majority of the time – with the occasional eating out. I make sure the kids eat their fruits and veggies and drink plenty of fluids. I don’t even let them fill up on juice, it’s water or milk with the one cup of orange juice in the morning. We exercise. We get enough rest. Jeremy and I make sure to keep a peaceful home.
So I don’t know why my kids are the sickest kids I know!
I’m done with sickness. And yet, we are one of the few families who have not experienced the apukealypse yet! As each one of my friends mention on Facebook that their family has been hit, the stress of knowing that it’s just a matter of time before I hear the dreaded, “mmmoooooommmm I threw up” in the middle of the night, keeps me awake at night!
How can one healthy family, be so unhealthy during the winter time? {throwing my hands up in the air}
How Much Is Too Much?
If you are a parent, I know you have asked yourself this question, if not multiple times, at least once. How much is too much?
We live in a society that is fast paced and never stopping. And we as parents have been impacted greatly by this.
We want the best for our children. But what is the best?
This question has been swirling around in my head for months. It taunts me during sleepless nights, it aggravates me when we are rushed to get out the door, it guilts me when I can’t do everything that the boys want to do. And trust me, I have had to say “no” to many activities because we already do too much.
I long for the kids to have my childhood. Shoot I want my boys to have the childhood of my parent’s generation. Boys need to be busy. They need to explore. They need to be dangerous. They need to be free. But we can’t give them that in today’s environment. We can’t let them out the door first thing in the morning and not see them until dinner time. Oh how I wish we could!
My childhood wasn’t a scheduled mess. Yes, I remember swimming lessons. I started basketball at age 9. But I also remember long summer days of playing and exploring. I don’t remember watching a lot of t.v. or video games during the winter time and of course DID NOT have all the technology that inundates our children today. I was in 5th grade when my parents bought me an Atari. And that was all the technology we had. We didn’t have a home computer until after I graduated from high school. And cell phones? Ha I had a pager when I was 17 so that my parents could at least get ahold of me if they needed to.
I want the best for our children.
Monday morning, oh about 4:00, after being awakened by Carter’s coughing, I immediately started stressing over how this was going to impact my day’s schedule. This wasn’t the first morning I was fretting before the sun came up. It started last week when I was home alone with Evan getting sick and Jeremy away on a business trip. How was I going to get Carter out of the house, when Evan wasn’t up for all the scheduled (and paid for) activities on our days’ itinerary.
Fortunately, my dad and mother-in-law came to the rescue last week. And Monday my mom didn’t have work so I frantically called her to help me out (on her day off!)
I didn’t think much of it until Monday after Jeremy questioned my judgement on how I was going to handle the situation. As Carter lay coughing, the stress hit. How was I going to get Evan (and myself) to the Y for exercise and also get Carter to the doctor. Then there was basketball practice on Monday night. Then what about school on Tuesday morning? Oh the questions and the guilt! Are they too sick for exercise? Are they too sick to play basketball? Are they too sick for school? (And I have to admit that there was slightly selfish reasons involved also. I have schedule my workouts and appointments during these times also.) How much do you push a child to do so they can learn that life doesn’t stop when you are sick. And trust me, they weren’t lethargic sick. They were bouncing off the walls yet coughing non-stop and dark circles under the eyes sick. There is a difference, and no this wouldn’t even be an issue if it was the first scenario.
But then the guilt hit me on how much planned, paid activities are too much?
I wouldn’t be at stressing at 4 in the morning if I didn’t have them in these activities. I don’t like missing things that I’ve already paid for!
I know many of my friends disagree with the amount of activities I have the boys in. I know many friends who have their children in more activities then me. So I know there is a wide range of opinions and beliefs.
I truly believe I NEED these activities as much as the boys do! I have tried to find a balance between what is needed and what is excessive, for me and my family!
I honestly feel that each activity that the boys are in, is beneficial for them and not just babysitting to give me a break. Each activity is important and has specific physical, spiritual, emotional and educational goals attached. And as I mentioned earlier, I have had to say “no” to some activities that the boys have wanted to do because I don’t want to be in the truck all day long, transporting them from here to there and spending money that we do not have.
So I pose these questions to you, out of curiosity, my fellow parents. How many activities are you’re kids in? How much stress do you feel these activities cause you? What is your motivation for being as busy as you are?
Cough, Cough, Yawn
Two years ago it was a lovely visit to the ER with Evan for Croup.
Last year it was a lovely visit to the ER with Carter. Proving once again how glamorous parenthood can be.
Fortunately, no ER visits yet, but in true tradition of being sick and indoors ALL.WINTER.LONG, Evan was diagnosed with walking pneumonia last Friday after feeling like crap all week and hacking up a storm. And the best part, Jeremy was on a business trip all week. This mama didn’t get any sleep. And of course after I took Evan to the doctor on Friday, Carter started coughing Saturday night. So we took him in today and the doctor assumed he was suffering from the same illness but had not turned into pneumonia yet {thank goodness}.
So two boys on antibiotics and one tired mama!
Counting down the days until Spring!
Don’t Lick the Trash Can
I believe Carter has finally hit the terrible twos. He is only 3 years and 6 months old. But I guess it’s better late then never. My sweet, precious, adorable, always wanting to make mama happy boy has decided that that life is completely overrated.
In the last two weeks, he has decided that he will no longer obey ANYTHING I tell him.
“Carter, no running”
{Carter running through the parking lot}
“Carter, stay in your bed”
{Carter out of his bed at least 10 times.}
“Carter, don’t shut the door”
{Carter slams the door}
Okay, so you get my drift. I don’t know how this happened. Ha! Who am I kidding, I know this is normal, but just didn’t think that Carter had it in him! Ha! That’s just funny even to admit! I know how silly I am sounding right now!
But it is seriously wearing me out! Each night, I am emotionally drained. All day long, it is a constant battle with him. It doesn’t matter what I tell him to do, from the littlest things to important things, it doesn’t matter. At least he is staying consistent!
So I have been very, VERY tempted to play his little game with him.
“Carter, don’t lick the trash can”
“Carter, don’t shut your bedroom door and lock it” (then leave the house)
“Carter, don’t touch the stove while I’m cooking” (okay that might just be down right evil, I know!)
But then he says things like this, that can’t keep me mad at him for very long.
Jeremy sat him down earlier this week and told him that he was going out of town for a few days. Now this throws Evan into a massive meltdown! But Carter, “is mommy going with you? Oh that’s okay then Daddy, as long as I have my mommy!”
He totally knows how to work me! And I totally let him!
I have tried everything! I’ve even tried letting him learn how is actions have consequences. Like the time he shut himself outside the house, after I told him not to go outside. I sat there for a moment and didn’t let him back in, since he can’t get the front door opened by himself. He panicked for a moment while I “pretended” to leave the front room and ignore him, then he started running freely down through the front yard of my neighbor. That is as far as I let him go before panicking myself! I did that with Evan, ONLY 1 TIME. It freaked him out, not being able to get back in the house. And he never tried that again!
Or the time that I told him that the cat does not like her tail pulled. The cat turned around and nipped him on his finger. He whaled and tears were flowing. I showed no sympathy and explained that is why I told him not to pull her tail. He then went and pulled her tail again. There is a reason why he is her favorite human, but he is quickly loosening his ground with her.
HELP!!! Where did my little perfect boy go? Oh yeah, he has learned of his free will and independence.
Surreal Reality
Have you ever had one of those moments (of course you have) when you are watching one of your kids, my moments are usually when I’m not the one in charge of them 
, that time stands still and your ask yourself (just go ahead and fill in the personal parts with your own inside the parentheses),
“how did this happen?”
“how do I have a kid that is nearly (5) years old?”
“how did (Jeremy) and I create such amazingly beautiful children?”
“how did the time pass so quickly?”
“how did I get to this point in my life?”
These are the moments that creep in unexpectedly and suddenly, amongst the hustle and bustle of daily craziness. The moments that knock you down with humbleness that God would bless you so deeply. The moments that are so needed when you are tired beyond tired.
I had one of these moments yesterday. We were at the Y for our normal routine of classes. I was finishing up my workout, having to get Evan into the pool for his swim lesson and head back to Carter’s class to get a little bit of time to watch him exercise. You know, the normal crazy! We are on a slightly different schedule which began last week, so I am still trying to work out all the bugs. As I am entering the gym, horrendously sweaty and still a little frazzled, the moment hit!
I sat down and bam!
I watched Carter, who didn’t know I was there, head fluidly down the balance beam with his arms stretched out for balance and his head held high with confidence. One foot easily guiding in front of the other as he moved with ease and agility. His hands oh-so-slightly playful waving back and forth as he moved.
At that moment, my time stood still. And I watched in slow motion the boy Carter is becoming. How in the world did I get here? How did I become a mother of two preschoolers? How the heck are my boys growing up big and strong and smart and funny and talented and sweet and… Because I sure don’t know what the heck I’m doing in this parenting gig!
The moment was short, yet amazingly sweet!
After pondering on this moment all day yesterday, I was reminded of the verse that always gets me now that I am a mom, when reading the Christmas story. Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I love the feeling of this verse, even though I may not know the true meaning of it. Each time I read the Christmas story, the journey, the birth, the visitors, etc, I love getting to this verse! I always think that this is how Mary felt in that moment, maybe on a grander scale of course, but still she realized during that moment the surreality of her new reality.
Because Mary was now a mom, yes she was the mom of our Saviour, and kind of an important mom, yet still human and still a mom. I think in these small moments when I witness the beauty of raising my own children, her and I are much alike. I want to be able to slow down these moments, hit the pause button, and treasure up all these things and ponder them in my heart!
What Goes Around, Comes Around
On New Year’s Eve, we took the boys to our local Rec Center. They were having a family night with ice skating and swimming. We were a little skeptical and was worried that it would be packed out! But fortunately the crowds were manageable and the mass of teenagers behaved themselves – ha! The boys had a blast!
But of course, this isn’t just a recap of what we did on New Year’s. It is a story of a valuable lesson that Evan taught me. But before we get to that, I must rewind and give you some background info.
Up until last weekend, I had an irrational fear of ice skating. The thought of getting out on the ice made me break out in a cold sweat. How did this fear happen? It’s not a horror story per say, but it did leave an impact. The last time I got out on the ice, I was a teenager. At least 18 years ago! I remember it being awkward and hard. I also remember not having much fun at it, once I did get the hang of it. I probably went ice skating no more than five times in my childhood. So each time I went, it took me some time to get comfortable on the ice.
I remember it was a youth group outing. After some time and some confidence boosting, I started racing around the rink with my friends. Not being the most graceful person, I lost my balance and went crashing into the wall. Going knee first into the wall, then falling on the same knee. The pain was pretty intense. I didn’t need first aid, because let’s face it, I was an athlete and was too proud to admit I was injured. I have had knee problems forever. It didn’t help that I played basketball for 10 years nor did slamming my knee into an ice rink wall.
Fast forward to 2 years ago. Remember Evan started ice skating lessons? Fortunately an Ice Skating Angel came to the rescue. And also Jeremy came and got out on the ice with him after that lesson to get him more comfortable. Because there was NO way I was going to do it! And fortunately Evan never asked me to get out on the ice, nor did he question why I didn’t. Besides I usually had Carter with me, so I had a great excuse with having to take care of him.
Fast forward to this last week. We took the boys ice skating over their break. Right before we left the house, something was said and I re-informed Jeremy that I wasn’t getting out on the ice. What was he thinking? He was dumbfounded and thought I was joking. Because really, how was he going to get both boys on the rink at the same time. I didn’t know and I didn’t care, because this mama wasn’t getting on the ice. They managed as they usually do. All three of them had a great time ice skating. I watched from the side lines. Neither boy asked me to get out on the ice!
That was until New Year’s Eve. We get into the Rec center and I was in line to get all the boys’ skates. Evan came over and told me I was skating too. I waved him off and reminded him that I wasn’t.
Then it happened.
Side story: I’m the “bad” parent in this family. I am the one that throws Evan on a “roller coaster” aka the slow moving cars at the carnival, when he was adamently saying “no” and screaming his head off that he didn’t want to go. As soon as the ride started, Evan started laughing hysterically. Afterward, grinning ear to ear, he informed me that he loved the ride. Or the time that I threw him in the water when he was too afraid to get in. Again, with the outcome of him enjoying himself. I know my child. He is his mother’s child. I regret not taking more chances growing up and I am trying to encourage him not to go down that path. He is a typical first born. He is very hestitant to try anything new and usually needs to be forced into it before realizing that it’s okay. He has learned to trust me. He has learned that I won’t let him wuss out!
Then there was this post…back in February 2010. Evan was afraid of taking ice skating lessons, but after encouraging him to continue and not taking “no” for an answer. He continued and faced his fears.
I never thought that my little Evan would ever use my technique against me… oh I thought wrong. What was I thinking? But I guess what goes around comes around. And it came around on New Year’s Eve.
After reminding him that I was not getting out on the ice. He pulled me close to him, looked me straight in the eye and said firmly, “No mom, you ARE getting some skates and ARE putting them on and GETTING out on that ice and skating with me!”
Whoa there boy! How dare you use my tactics against me! Who do you think you are? And how does a mom say no to that?
Then he went a little further and said, “mom if you fall, I will be there to pick you up! HA HA HA HA!”
Now before you think that was a sappy, sweet moment between a mother and son. Not so fast! He started giggling uncontrollably and under his breath informed me that he was hoping I would fall! What a little stinker. And I wouldn’t have him any other way.
So what is a mom to do?
Yep! I had to overcome a fear! At first, I got out on the ice and remembered what Evan’s teacher taught him. “Step, step, step” After several minutes and 30 or so feet, Jeremy jokingly told me to pick up the pace and start skating. I made it around the first time without holding on to the wall or falling! So thankful I paid attention to the teacher’s in Evan class! Who knew they would be so knowledgeable? AFter the first time around, my fear lifted and Evan and I enjoyed skating with each other!
We laughed, we raced, we held hands.
I earned some respect on New Year’s Eve. For once, I was the “fun” parent! And it felt good!
2012 – The Year of the Five Year Old
Happy New Year! With a new year starting, I am looking forward to a fresh start and like many of you, I have some goals I would like to work towards. But that’s for another post this week. Because there is one thing that has had my attention since the strike of midnight New Years Day! In less than 22 days now, I will be a mom of a 5 year old! For some reason, that hits me hard. And Evan is reminding me of often, now that Christmas is over, his birthday is coming up! Several things are running through my mind:
a.) How did this happen? (Because I know I am NOT that old!)
b.) Five, to me, seems like a huge deal. No more “preschool”, no more baby time left. My little man, the one that made me a mom, is a big boy. An all out boy! There really is no more “baby” about him. He is growing by leaps and bounds which is so exciting to watch but yet saddening at the same time, because these 5 years FLEW by!
c.) Once again, even though he complained during Carter gets all the cool birthday parties, he doesn’t want a big party. He just wants a sleepover with his 2 best friends and the Wii. Last year was hard enough, controlling my inner party planner. But this year, I have to admit I am super disappointed that he doesn’t want a party because this is a momentous birthday (in my opinion). He is going to be the BIG 5! But I must hold back and respect his wishes. Even though I have asked multiple times if he is sure he doesn’t want a bigger party.
d.) This is the year of Kindergarten. SCHOOL! No more crazy busy days of entertaining him from 8 to 3. This year he learns to read, learn math, do homework. EEK! I become a mom of a school-aged kid. Again, how did I get so old?
There you have it! My preoccupation these first couple days of the new year! I’m just curious, did you guys make a bigger deal about the “5″ birthday, or was it just another birthday? Trying to keep some perspective…you know.
Christmas Tradition-Disco Pants!
This story begins with Pinterest. Oh Pinterest – how I love all your inspirational ideas (and the time sucking you cause too). After all, because of Pinterest I decided I could attempt making my own curtains – which I conquered after years of a sewing machine phobia caused by my freshman year of Home Ec class which was my only C ever in High School.
One day while on Pinterest, I saw a tutorial for Christmas Pajama Pants. I had seen several Tweets and Facebook statuses about yearly traditions of making pajama bottoms for the fam and so I decided that this would be fun to attempt. I usually do get the boys matching Christmas jammies anyway. So I headed to the fabric store with the boys in tow to pick out their own fabric.
They both decided to get the same print – Christmas candy! What kid doesn’t enjoy candy?
We headed home and I got started right away. Everything was going so smoothly until I started sewing the waist together, I realized that I had made a mistake. I cut the waists to small – forgetting that the template pair of bottoms I was using were elastic. I didn’t take that into consideration so when it was time to sew in the elastic, there was no extra fabric to gather, the waists were the exact size of Evan’s waist. As you can see I don’t know the technical terms of sewing, hopefully you are following along! If not, see pics below and you will get it. But I decided to go ahead and finish since there was nothing I could do, the fabric was already cut.
So hoping my mistake wouldn’t be that big of a deal, I enthusiastically asked Evan to try on his new pajama pants. He was sooooo excited.
“Thank you, Mom! I love them.” Evan exclaimed as I showed him the final product.
He went to put them on, and just as I suspected, the waist was too small. He grunted and groaned as he struggled to get them past his hips. He managed to get them on and declared, “These ARE AWESOME!”
Gotta love the innocence of a child.
My son, besides him being white and 40 years too late, looked like he should be part of the Jackson Five:
Needless to say, the boys wore them and loved them, but i just couldn’t handle having them wear pajama bottoms that they had to grunt and groan to get themselves in them and then head out to the Disco after Jeremy and I went to bed!
So off to the fabric store I went, and of course they were sold out of the candy print. So I opted for a Rudolph print that I thought was cute. They did not agree, after I got home and showed them.
But I went ahead and made them their “new” and “improved” Christmas pajama pants. I waited several days to show them their new pajama pants in hopes that they forgot about not liking the new print. Thankfully they fit perfectly – with some extra wiggle room – and not perfect for going to the disco. And they did forgot that the print was not approved orginally.
I think I should go back to my high school Home Ec Teacher and try to get that grade reversed! And I do think, I have started a new tradition! These were fun and super easy to make (the second time around )! And my kids kinda think I’m cool for making them their very own pants! Now off to make their cousins matching ones for Christmas Eve. Nothing like 4 super cute cousins all wearing matching Christmas Disco pants pajamas.
Of Dress Up and Soldiers
Last week, I had a “Black Friday” in my own way. The day after Halloween couldn’t come soon enough. You see Evan has never been into dress up or pretend play so I have never bought any dress up clothes for the boys. But he is now getting into super heros and over the last couple of months he has gotten more into pretend play. Especially since our weekend in VA, where his friend Anden had many super hero costumes.
I have been waiting for the After – Halloween Sales since August. So the morning after halloween, I got up and got out of the house early to scoop up some deals. I was a mom on a mission!
While I was at Target, I was frantically scooping up all costumes that were size 4-6 when a conversation started up amongst some of us moms. We were chit-chatting about the ages of our kids, the costumes we were looking for and sizes. When one of the moms found a soldier costume. She asked if anyone wanted it.
Another mom spoke up very quickly and said, “Oh no, I don’t want my boys dressing up like soldiers.”
I wanted to spout off something sarcastic considering she didn’t want her boys to dress up like soldiers, but apparantly by what she was holding, it was perfectly acceptable to dress up like a demonic figure.
So instead of saying something that I might regret, I told the first mom that I would take the costume. (Even though I already had one in my pile).
That exchange really bothered me! But after I thought about it some more, I had a second idea of what she meant. I am hoping that this is what she meant. Being a mom of boys, it isn’t ever far from my mind that one day, my babies, the babies that God entrusted me with, will sign those draft cards and be called into War. Or that one day, one of my precious little baby boys will choose to make it a career. Although I would be one proud mama, the thought of my sweet baby boys, old enough to defend our country. makes my heart ache and tears form in my eyes!
So dear Marine, Airman, Soldier, Seaman thank you for being the ultimate superhero in my book.
And although I think my Lil’ C looks perfect in his Soldier Costume now:
Serious Soldier
If that day will come and Carter follows that path, I believe he will always look like this in my eyes:
My Sweet Soldier Boy
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served, is serving and will serve! Thank you all for being superheros!
The Angry Bird Obsession
Have you seen the new Angry Birds commercial – I think it’s for Google – don’t remember don’t care. But they mention in it that 1 BILLION apps have been sold! Who knew that a silly game would be so popular.
I have a confession to make. I have NEVER played it. It is on my phone but it’s not for me.
My wonderful Jeremy broke open the flood gates of Angry Birds with Evan shortly after the game was released. And the obsession has exponentially grown since!
I made the mistake of throwing out the idea of the boys being Angry Birds for Halloween way back in August. And at the time, I had NO idea that costumes existed. I really didn’t think that many kids knew what Angry Birds was. Boy was I wrong! All of a sudden, Angry Birds are everywhere: t-shirts, stuffed animals, posters (I should know we now have 6 stuffed birds and a poster so far).
In August, I googled “how to make an Angry Birds costume” and was elated to find out that I didn’t have to make one! But instead of purchasing them right away, I thought I would procrastinate like I usually do and let the kids think about it. By October 1st, I frantically got online to purchase the Red Angry Bird and the Green Pig – per the boys request.
To my dismay – every online store was SOLD OUT! I panicked! The boys were banking on these costumes! And let’s face it, I don’t even know how to turn on a sewing machine – do you turn it on? Anyway. After several days of searching, I had an idea- to check out the actual Angry Birds site and sure enough they had them. AND THEY HAD THEM FOR $15 MORE then anywhere else! I was completely screwed and had to fork over A LOT of money for opening my stupid mouth in August. But it serves me right, I do like my kids to coordinate and I know this is probably the last year I will actually get to “encourage” them too. So I bit the bullet. I had some money saved in my personal account and purchased them.
And this year, last minute, a few of our friends asked to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. They boys were super excited! Jeremy and I were too !
Here is the motley crew:
And Green pig with his arch nemesis Red Bird:
Green Pig
Red Bird
Are your kids Angry Bird obsessed? I know many of you probably are. Best quote of the night from a neighbor, “hey Angry Birds (talking to the boys), that’s how I spend most my time at work.”
Story Snipets from the Week
You know, the boys will do things or say things during our daily lives that I want to remember but aren’t quite long enough for a full post. So I decided to write a few of the funnies from this week all in one post.
- After school on Tuesday, Evan informed me that we was invited to a birthday party of one of his classmates on…May 19th. How’s that for being scheduled? But I think the funnier thing is, when I asked him who’s party it was he told me it is his new friend Logan. You see, this is the FIRST time since he started going to preschool (or anywhere that has other children in fact) that he has remembered a kid’s name! Over a year and a half, he has never remembered anyone’s name in his class – well except for Eva.
- I came out of the shower this morning to find Carter all snuggled up in my bed. I thought for a moment what a perfect adorable child he is, until I heard Evan yelling from downstairs that he was locked out of my room. Hmmm – not sure if I should be proud of Carter or explain to him that it’s not nice to lock your older brother who picks on you constantly out of mom’s bedroom?
- Evan started a club this week. Here are the rules: 1. No pushing. 2. No cheating and 3. No lollygagging. So if you want to wear a fake tattoo and can following those three important rules – you’re in!
- “Hey mom, do you know what’s funny?”, asked Carter. “What Carter, what’s funny?”, I replied. “POOP!” Man those potty words are sooooooo funny! I mean, I don’t know what I am not constantly laughing, since lately, I am constantly hearing those words!
- Carter and Evan play this game where they pretend to either be each other, or pretend to be Jeremy and I. This week, they took it to a new level. Carter was me and Evan was Jeremy. Evan, “Cortney, come here.” Evan had his arms stretched out to have Carter come over to give him a hug. Evan (Jeremy) hugged Carter (Cortney) and kissed him on his forward. “Oh Jeremy”, Carter said. Then Evan (Jeremy) proceeded to kiss Carter (Cortney) on his lips. Somewhat disturbing but I guess it beats having us arguing?
Been a busy, crazy week! I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend! I can say “relaxing” because the boys are spending the night with Babci and Poppi! Woot, Woot!
Enjoy your weekend!
Murphy’s Law – A Creek With Two Boys
Our local park system has a “passport” program for kids. We stumbled upon it when I took the boys to one of our local parks that we don’t visit very often. We ran into the park office to use the restroom when the receptionist asked if we were aware of this program. I wasn’t, but when she mentioned getting a prize, Evan was totally all over it! If we get 8 stamps from different parks, the boys get a prize. The prize right now is a backpack.
We visit many of our local parks anyway, so I decided to try to visit 8 of them before the weather turns cold, so that Evan gets a new backpack before the prize changes to something else.
All of that info to lead to the following story.
We headed to a nearby park this weekend to go hiking. This particular park has a creek and rock bridge that Evan remembered from last summer and wanted to visit again. And here is the sequence of events:
Getting a picture taken to prove we were there – since you know – the office to get the stamp was CLOSED!!!
Carter and Evan begging to walk out onto the sand:
Carter and Evan asking to take their shoes off so they could wade in the creek:
Evan slipping on the rocks and falling fully in the creek. And Carter not wanting to be outdone does the same.
Both boys completely drenched and clothes dripping wet!
And yes people it is OCTOBER in Ohio. Thank you Jesus for an unseasonable warm week!
The best part…Do you remember my post on how I never leave the house without some “emergency” items. Yeah, well the previous day I took out my emergency clothes pack to update it and get the outfits changed to fall outfits and left it by the front door when we headed out to the park.
So my boys, completely drenched had to walk the mile or so back to the truck in wet shorts and no shirts, because it was actually warmer for them to walk shirtless since their shirts were also wet! And then had to sit in their wet clothes until we got home!
That my friends is life with 2 boys – and why my friends make fun of me for always being prepared with extra clothes!
A Twicky Situation
Today is the day! I am taking Evan to get his speech evaluated! (Last year I wrote about some of the cute things that the boys say to each other just to give you an idea.) You know, sometimes us moms just need the reassurance that everything is all right – especially since I STILL have to translate for him when he is speaking to others. After speaking with Jenny’s speech therapist, she has agreed to evaluate Evan. But based on what I have told her about talking with Evan’s teacher’s and doctor, she agrees with them that he may not need therapy but I asked her to evaluate anyway. I just want to get a final opinion by an expert, just to cover all my bases!
Who knows. He may need it for a little while. Or maybe the therapist will just give me some activities to work with him on. But either way, I will feel much better after today in regards to his speech.
I have to admit, I adored his cute speech habits. Jeremy and I still sometimes bust out little sayings he used to say that he has outgrown like, “that’s a tough coice” instead of “choice”. And now when we say it, he gets upset and corrects us!
So anyhoo, today we find out if he will follow in my footsteps and need some speech help or if I am a paranoid, overprotective mama! Either way, I just want to know!
Happy Friday!
A Sleepy Situation
You remember way back in July, I grumbled about my sweet little boy NOT SLEEPING! Well, after several months I can say…THAT WE ARE STILL NOT SLEEPING!
Except…
Well before I tell you, let me give you the whole story. Six weeks ago when Jeremy went on a week long business trip, I let the boys “camp” in our bedroom for the couple of nights that we were home. It was comforting to all us since none of us like it when Daddy is away. We have a fairly large master bedroom with 2 papasan chairs. So it works out beautifully to throw the two cushions on the floor to make instant beds. Each boy fits perfectly on one cushion. And I still get my bed to myself (and Jeremy)!
That first night of allowing the boys to sleep in our room was heavenly. Both boys slept 12 hours. 12 hours people!! That hasn’t happened since NEVER!
So the second night, I was hoping the same would happen. And sure enough, it did.
Once Jeremy got back into town, I brought up the idea that maybe each Friday night, we could let the boys “camp out” in our room. That way, at least Jeremy, could get a full night’s sleep once a week. Since you know, I don’t sleep. Ever!
So the first Friday came and we let them camp out. The next morning, Jeremy informed me that that was the best idea I have ever come up with – although I think I have come up with better ideas in the 16 years we have been together. But whatever, I think that the fact that he slept for 8 hours uninterrupted had something to do with that assessment.
The following week things went right back to normal. Carter getting up multiple times a night, turning on his music full blast each time. Evan sleeping through it, us not so much.
After the second sleep filled Friday night, Carter realized something.
Instead of getting up and turning on his music, he could “sneak” up into our room and sleep. And Evan would never know!
Which let’s face it, he’s not in our bed disturbing us and he is actually sleeping without stirring while NOT disturbing us. It was a win-win situation. Okay fine, I know that we are starting a very bad habit, but come on WE NEED sleep too, people.
So each week, I’ll admit, he ends up sleeping on our floor at least 4 nights out of 7.
And the “Friday Night Camp Outs” for both boys has sorta become the multiple night camp outs. Because Evan has a sneaky suspicion that something fishy is going on after he falls asleep. Although, once the kid falls asleep, he doesn’t stir for 10 hours. But he is on to us! So out of guilt, when they ask to sleep in our room, we let them both.
What can we do? We have tried every approach with Carter and he just doesn’t like sleeping in a bed right now. So I am banking on him maturing and eventually sleeping in his room all night without waking multiple times. And that this won’t be such a bad habit that eventually we are going to have a very hard time making him stay out of our room.
So right now, we are rolling with it? What do you think? What things have you allowed to go on in your home that you know may not be the best idea, but something good is coming out of it right now so you roll with it? Please tell me that we aren’t ruining our kids by doing this – ha!
Bring on The Crazy!
Last week, while I visiting my childhood best friend, she said a few things that got me thinking. She admitted that she was a little nervous with us coming to visit because she reads my blog (occasionally *cough cough* hello she needs to read it every time I post April!) and everything I write about shows a perfect life. Needless to say, I began laughing hysterically! Because really, my life and my parenting is far from being perfect!
“It may seem perfect, April, because I don’t write about the crazy!” I believe is exactly what I told her.
She questioned why I don’t write about the crazy. She had two valid points. Number one, if I would write about the crazy, other moms, including her (when she actually reads my blog *cough*) would feel comforted by the fact that “crazy” is somewhat normal and that they are not alone in this mothering thing.
Her second point came after I explained that many of my posts are strictly written for Evan and Carter, as part of their “baby books”. She asked,” Don’t you want Evan and Carter to know the bad as well as the good, so they can understand the depth of their childhoods. And don’t you think you are setting their future wives up for failure? If all they remember and read from their childhood are the good things, their expectations are going to be unreasonably high.”
She is one smart cookie! That is why I love her so. We can kinda tell each other some hard truths sometimes! And the beauty of our 34 year friendship is that, most of the time we can speak truth and instead of being offended we find comfort and encouragement.
So I promised her that I would start writing more about the crazy. But maybe I should have made her promise that she would actually read my blog…no I’m not bitter whatsoever !
To kick start more “real life crazy” posts, here are a few short glimpses into my world of crazy:
- I lose my cool when the boys mix the colors of play-doh! To the point that I often make them put it away! Because in my mind, how can you create, if the only color you have is one huge clump of pukey brown? So yes, I squelch their creativity so that I don’t have to purchase new play-doh every week!
- Sometimes I am waiting, with keys in hand, for Jeremy to get home. And as he is pulling up to the house, I am running to my truck to get away. Because if I have to stay for one more minute, I would lose my mind!
- I use waaaayyyy too much sarcasm when trying to prove a point with Evan. And thus, he is starting to mimic me when dealing with Carter. And yes, the guilt of that is overwhelming. But unfortunately hasn’t stopped me from doing it!
- I don’t believe I picked up one book and read it to either boy – for the whole month of August! And if you have followed me for any amount of time, you know how I preach about the importance of reading to your children EVERY DAY!
- I kick Evan out of the kitchen when he wants to “help” me cook. Because the stress of the mess that will happen is greater than the importance of teaching him all the wonderful things that cooking can for a preschooler.
Okay, that’s enough for right now! I think I have given you enough of a glimpse of my “less-than-perfect” parenting. And please, don’t try to be nice and say none of us are perfect. Because I know that! I just don’t like letting anyone know that I am not perfect!
To continue the emphasis on crazy- I would love for you to share some of your crazy! Wontcha join in on the crazy with me?
And April – dude subscribe to my blog! Sheesh!
Because I’m the Cool Parent…
…okay who am I kidding. I’m REALLY not! And I’m okay with that.
You know the Modern Family episode where Claire and Phil switch their roles (Claire is usually the “bad cop” and Phil is the “good cop”), it was disastrous after they switched roles and at the end they decide it just works better with the original way. Well, Jeremy and I totally related to that episode.
But this month, I was the cool parent!
Jeremy had two trips he was taking and since I can’t stand to be with my kids for more than a day by myself – yeah I admit it – I decided to invite myself and my kiddos to friends houses that have moved out of town. It worked out beautifully because both of my girlfriends recently had babies and I had an excuse to go see them !
First trip was to Knoxville to see our dear friends Bob and Crystal. Tricia and her kids decided to come along since our husbands were on a business trip together (and we were all close friends). Wow six kids 4 and under in one house. It was crazy but so much fun! We had a great time!
Our second “Field Trip” (I can call it that since we did go to a museum while we were there ) was to Virginia Beach. My childhood best friend, April, is there and it was a perfect time to throw the kids in the truck, drive 12 hours and have a mini-vacation with her and her family! It was awesome. Her 4 year old and Evan were INSTANT best friends. They played so well together which meant April and I actually got to catch up and talk.
So I think I’ve started something. The boys are already asking when we are going away again – ha! The boys did amazing in the truck! Which surprises me because they need to keep busy at home, but yet are somewhat content to sit in the car for hours upon hours! Who knew?
So for this month, I think I won the “coolest parent” award!
Scheduled and Relieved
I have realized in the last few years (since having kids and not out of the home working) that I DEFINITELY need to be on a schedule. If you have young children – you definitely know how hard it is to be on a schedule around your kids’ schedules. But finally, my boys are old enough that I don’t have to be home enforcing naps which has freed up my schedule to make a schedule for all of us…;-) Are you following me?
I have DREADED the winter months since having children. The “being stuck in the house” routine has just about put me over the edge on several occasions. I hate being stuck in the house with two boys who definitely need activities to keep them busy! But finding activities for both kids has been tough. Most activities are for older children (3+) or cost money which isn’t always the best option financially.
So, a few months ago I started planning and making a schedule for me and the boys so that I wouldn’t go crazy this winter but also would allow the boys to have learning opportunities. I even made my own calendar for the refrigerator – crafty huh?
Carter was old enough to start preschool along with Evan. I had to first decide whether to send both of them Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday. I wanted to send them on the same days so that I could get a break for myself – selfish? Sorta! I knew Evan would thrive with either schedule and I didn’t want to put Carter in for too many days. They have 12 years to go to school every day – in my opinion. So I decided to keep the Tuesday/Thursday for both kids after discussing it with friends, family and Evan’s school teachers. Evan’s school teachers actually followed him up to Pre-K and assured me that he wouldn’t miss out on anything important if he didn’t go 4 to 5 days a week. Besides he has a mom for a teacher, so I am not too concerned about him being behind ! Many of my friends urged me to do 3 days a week, for my sanity. But I just didn’t feel comfortable having them away from me that much.
Because I chose the preschool option of 2 days a week, I had to find some “extracurriculars” for the other days. I still want the boys being exposed to other learning experiences different from their classrooms. After researching and researching and agonizing, I found that the YMCA had the best options for the price! So I have enrolled both boys into an exercise class and swimming class on Mondays and Wednesdays. This is awesome for me too, since now I have NO excuse not to exercise while we are there – I do get 2 hours of free child care a day! A big thanks to my parents and Jeremy’s parents for helping out financially to allow the boys to take extra classes!
And I will be planning on “field trips” with the boys also throughout the cold months. This week, we went to the zoo. Jeremy took the day off for a family field trip! The boys had a blast and since we pretty much had the zoo to ourselves, we were able to do a little bit more educating while we were there. I love having a Museum pass – it makes for great, cheap educational trips to local museums and zoos!
There you have it! I am SUPER excited to be on a schedule! I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted and my life is getting a little bit more controllable. I am fully aware that come May, I will be yearning for a schedule free summer of playgrounds, play dates and swimming. But right now, bring on the consistency, schedule and a little “me” time as an extra bonus.
What do you do to stay sane with your kids during the cold, snowy months of winter? I would love to know so that I can add them to my arsenal 
?
Should I Admit…
…I love the new schedule with the boys in school? There I said it! To all of you who are about to tell me that, “I will look back one day and realize the time I spent raising my boys is only a small fraction of my total life and that I should relish in it as long as possible”, don’t bother. I totally know that!!!
But surprisingly, when I dropped the boys off at the first day of school on Tuesday, not one single tear fell from my eyes! I was more excited to have some free time then anything else. But for the record, when I arrived to pick my boys up, seeing Carter sitting in the circle, waiting patiently for me to arrive, I shed a few tears.
Right at that moment, I saw my baby boy and my growing-up-to-fast boy all at once. And I did get a little verklempt.
But that feeling passed and I am ready to have a few hours a week to myself. So far this week, I had coffee with my dear friend Jenny, had a great workout, and went grocery shopping. And it was heavenly!
I may be in the minority here, but I’m cool with it! Tell me: are you an emotional wreck when your babies go to school the first time or are you excited for some time “off”?
And Then There Was None!
This week marked a very important milestone in our house! Yep, you guessed it! Both boys started school: Carter in preschool and Evan in Pre-K. And that leaves me all alone for 6 hours a week to do what I want to do for once.
I saw a great idea on Pinterest about taking the boys pictures with a sign stating the date and what “grade” they were entering. I thought I would try it. I think liked it better on Pinterest but anyhoo I did it…
My big boys! I love them bunches but excited to let them go on a new adventure of learning!
And in true opposite fashion – Evan did his normal thing by finding the most quiet, less crowded spot in the room. Carter on the other hand looked for the most crowded spot and wiggled into the mix and joining into the conversation.
I’m excited to see how they grow this school year!
Are You Going to Jail Mom?
The day started off like any other day. We had to go to Evan’s yearly wellness appointment and afterwards I decided to take the boys to the park. The boys’ pediatrician office is in an area that we don’t visit often, so I decided to find a park on the GPS. I often do this, just to break up the monotony. As we pulled up to the first park, I noticed there were only 3 slides so I explained to the boys that we would go find another park. So I looked up a new park and headed that way. A few minutes down the road, I noticed that the new park would be taking me out of the way. So I again, re-entered to find a new park. The third park was too secluded. By now the boys were a little antsy. So I promised them that the next park we found, we would stop.
So I followed the GPS into an unfamiliar neighborhood. After a few moments of winding roads and many turns, I found this park. I turned onto the street and happened to glance in the review mirror before pulling over to park. And there they were. The heart stopping red and blue lights.
What did I do? I truly had no clue. I actually for a moment, thought that the cop would drive past me but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Because seriously, how could I NOT see the police following me?
I sat there for a moment in disbelief, when Evan unstrapped his seat belt. I quickly snapped at him to “put it back on” because I could get in trouble if he didn’t have it on.
“Mom what’s going on, why aren’t we getting out of the truck, I WANT TO GO TO THE PARK!!”
“Well boys, mommy broke a traffic rule and I have to talk to the police officer when he comes up to the truck.”
“What rule did you break, Mom?”
“Well, Evan, I’m not quite sure.”
Then after sitting for a few more moments, I thought I should probably get my license and registration together. I HAD no idea what I am doing. Did I mention I haven’t been pulled over in 17 years! So without thinking, I took my seat belt off and bent down to get my wallet from the floor board.
OH CRAP! I just took my seat belt off and bent over. The cop is going to totally think I am pulling a gun out or trying to hide something.
I quickly sat up and put my seat belt back on! And encourage the boys to sit still until this ordeal was finished.
The cop walks up by my window and I look at him.
“Excuse me ma’am, do you realize that you were going 41 in a 25 mile an hour residential area, along with not using turn singles for the last 2 turns.” {holy crap, how long had he been following me, anyway! And seriously I didn’t notice?}
“No, SIr. I wasn’t aware that I was speeding.”
“Is there a reason your were going so fast? Because I usually give drivers a 15 mile an hour cushion.”
“I am so sorry sir. I was just really focused on trying to find a park for the boys and watching the GPS.”
“Hmmm, I see. I will need to see your insurance card.”
“Oh, okay” I start fumbling through all my cards, praying that I had the insurance card. I did! Whew! I squinted to see if it was the correct card, because I had to wear my glasses for several days due to an infection. And I so can’t see with my glasses on!
“I think this is the correct card.”
“Yes, ma’am this is an insurance card but it is expired, {um hello, it expired 3 MONTHS AGO} why don’t you continue looking while I step away.”
He walks back to his cruiser and I text Jeremy immediately. Because now I am REALLY FREAKING out! I just know that I am going to get arrested for having an expired insurance card.
Jeremy quickly calls me to see what is going on. I give him a few details but quickly hang up so the police officer doesn’t think I am cool enough to be on the phone. But before I hang up, Jeremy jokingly says, “at least I got the tags renewed.”
You see, Jeremy totally forgot to get the tags renewed on both vehicles before his birthday 15 days ago. He remembered on Friday! Can you imagine what kind of pickle I would be in, if he hadn’t of remembered last week!
After several painful minutes, the cop came back to the truck.
“I am going to let you off with a warning today, ma’am, since you do not have anything on your record.”
That is when I started crying. Yeah, I’ll admit it! Tears started flowing! I just couldn’t control myself.
He then started to preach about not speeding in residential areas and blah, blah blah. This was after he informed me that he wasn’t going to preach at me. He finished up and started walking away.
I reached my head out the window, and told him that my boys would like to say ‘hi’ to him. I rolled down their windows and the cop was nice enough to chit chat with them for a few moments. Come to find out, he has a 4 year old daughter and another daughter on the way. I congratulated him and he went on with his business.
“Finally Mom! Can we now go to the park?’
Yes, Evan, we can now go to the park.
And by the way – that park stunk too!
Out of the Mouth of Babes…
My kids have said some funny (and not so funny) things lately:
- Last week I met some friends at the park. The boys played for over an hour. When it was time to go, I was helping Carter into his car seat, when I felt a bulge in his pants. I asked him if he pooped his pants and he adamantly insisted, “No”. I flipped the back side of his pants up and out popped a little hard ball of poop. It fell onto the street. Fortunately it was a solid poop and not his usual mess in his pants. Shocked, Carter looked at me and asked, “Hey! How did that get in there? Who pooped in MY pants?” And yes folks he was being completely serious!
- After 7 days with Jeremy away on business Evan informed me that, “Mom, I like Daddy a lot more then you. Don’t be sad, I like you too, but I just like Daddy more.”
- Carter: “Mom I like to play with the back of your arm – it’s squishy and fun to pinch.”
- Evan asked to play the board game “Angry Birds”. Jeremy said ‘yes’ as soon as he finished his coffee and instructed Evan to put the game on the dining room table. A few moments later, Evan comes yelling into the living room, “Dad, DAD! Maya (the cat) is sh*tting on the game, Maya is s*itting on the game!” Jeremy and I jumped up out of our seats and ran into the dining room where Maya was SITTING prim and proper on top of the game with tail swinging in contentment in picking on her kid! We are still working on the “S” sound !
What funny things have your kids said?
Overheard!
It always amuses me when family or friends tell me how patient I am with the boys! HA!! If you were a fly on our wall, you would totally see how IMPATIENT I am. That is why we get out of the house as much as possible. I tend to be a little bit more patient, when I am out in public and the kids are not bouncing off the walls in our home. They seem to be much more well behaved outside of the home, which makes me look like a pretty darn good parent. But the 3 of us know better! HA!
Last week at the pool, Evan was having a major melt down. Melt downs and Evan don’t usually go together. Even though he is such a scheduled little person, he can be pretty flexible when it comes to happenings beyond my control. Usually he can go with the flow after I explain what’s going on.
But for some reason, last Thursday, he was crying over EVERYTHING at the pool! I let them stay an extra hour and when it was time to go, he started waling at the top of his lungs! Who is this child? I don’t do “waling” very well! Even though I should, considering he never does! I quietly pulled him aside, got down on his level, and informed him that his behavior was unacceptable. I explained that we stayed longer than usual and the lifeguards blew the whistle for rest time, so we couldn’t even stay in the pool anyway. This usually works and he understands. But not today, he threw a larger fit than I have seen in a long time!
So what is a sophisticated, patient mom to do?
“Evan, SHUT UP!” I said it quietly and controlled. Or at least I thought I did! When I turned around to leave, the family sitting next to us, all were looking at me!
Yep, I was so one of those classy moms! You know, the ones I enjoy judging! Although, I rarely say that to my kids, that day I was just one of the moms that can’t control my kids and yell at them in public!
And within 5 minutes of our truck ride home, Evan was cashed out! So add insult to injury, the kid was exhausted and couldn’t control himself. And I couldn’t either!
The Age of Recklessness
As I’m writing this, the boys are enjoying themselves at the park. This is my first time writing a post from my phone, but I want to capture my feelings about this moment before it slips away! We’ve been at the park for a little over 30 minutes. Upon arriving Evan found two boys to play with, then the herd eventually grew to 8 boys, all around the same age. They played tag, huddled around a pole and chit chatted a little while, ran some more, got in line for drinks at the drinking fountain, grouped around the swings with the “alpha” boys actually swinging and the others content to stand and talk with one another. I catch myself enthralled in the dynamic of what’s unfolding although I keep needing to act like I’m not watching.
Occasionally Evan will inconspicuously look my way, a quick glance to make sure I’m still nearby. But in that same glance there is a little bit of “mom, quick watching I’m trying to play”. After each look, he has a moment of shyness before refocusing on the friends at hand.
He regains his swagger and attitude. And when he doesn’t think I’m watching any longer, he breaks free from the shy, calculating, non-risk taker and does something to earn some “street” cred. I’ve watched him climb up a baby swing then get it swinging before taking flight. I’ve been stricken with instant worry as he jumps from the highest step on the jungle gym. Only for him to give me an fleeting “I’m ok mom!” glance.
I’m sitting here like a crazy emotional mom, hiding behind my sunglasses, feeling as if my little man is growing up right before my very eyes. I kinda want to stop it, tell the boys we need to go home, something to pause this progression. But I won’t. I will sit and relish the occasional glance from a boy to his mom! And also help him keep his cred, by knowing when to look away when I need to.
