Family Day Out

What Owen feels is necessary to do, if everyone is ready to walk out the door, and Mama and Daddy feel the need to have a heated discussion about the location of house and car keys.  (Seriously, do I really need to know where they are ALL the time?!?)   (Oh, this sign also works for what happens when the light in the car is left on all night and kills the batteries… )

Seattle Childrens’ Museum Sesame Street   Obstacle Course Shopping(Big hit!)  Check your eggs.    

The Anderson Theatre Group  Jack as Fish. Mama as shark.

Grand Finale

Thank you! Alligator Rap Scaly clawsThank you! Rousing Rendition of ABCs (plus two encores)

House Building (Mama and Daddy were very good at this!  The roof swings open!)

Let’s do this more often!

Balloons

Owen:   Mom, can you blow up two balloons for me?

Me:   No, not right now.

Owen:   Why?

Me:   We’ve had balloons out for a few months, and we are taking a break from having them out for right now.

Owen:   Oh, well, when will be able to?  How about next Thursday?

Me:   No, not that soon.

Owen:   When then?

Me:   I haven’t thought about when exactly yet.  Maybe when you and Jack start cleaning up your toys so that you will clean up the balloons too, and Daddy and I won’t have to see them all over the house.

Owen:   NO! Mom!  That is too looooonnnngg. That won’t happen until we’re, um, like eight.  That is a looooooonnngg time!

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WHAT?!  I have come to terms with the idea that cleaning up messes is going to be some kind of battle between all parents and kids, but aren’t the kids at least supposed to think that they can and will take care of their stuff?  And aren’t they at least supposed to promise me they will put their toys away?!? (even if I don’t believe it will happen?)

Vaccines

Today was the big day (3 flu shots!)  Owen informed me this morning that he was staying in bed all day…

After I convinced the monkeys to get dressed and ready to go, Owen shocked me by saying that he wanted a toy (because it will last) and Jack, who usually picks whatever Owen picks, shocked me by sticking with his original idea of getting a donut.

On the way to the office, I showed Owen the four Matchbox cars I brought.  He chose a pickup with a motorcycle in the back.  Jack switched to getting a toy instead of a donut, and chose a car for himself.

Each boy brought a “nai-nai guy” to the doctor’s office for comfort.

Jack brought his Jellycat that Mamau just gave him. Owen brought a rhinoceros and a penguin that was visiting from Grandma’s house.

Owen was very nervous about getting three shots but was a brave boy.  He gets more upset after the shots, when he finally relaxes.  Look at that poor upset face, even though the ordeal is over with.

Owen busily opened his Matchbox car package while Jack got one shot.  Jack had already received the flu shot on another visit.  Opps, I forgot…  Glad they check these things!

Here’s me holding Jack’s arms down, though he hardly needs it.    Last time Jack had two shots, he said simply, “Ouch. Thank you. Ouch. Thank you.”  Today was, “Ouch.” then looks incredulously at me.  “Mom, that lady hurt me.”  (I think he was hoping I would send her to her room!)

Owen still thinks that he and Jack both received three shots, and when Jack tries to correct him, Owen just thinks Jack’s confused.  I figure it is better for everyone to keep Owen in the dark…

Flu

Don’t worry, we don’t have it, and hopefully won’t get it.

This afternoon I made appointments for the monkeys to get their flu shots.  They need a booster for H1N1.  The office asked if I wanted the boys to get the seasonal flu vaccine at the same time.  I said yes, knowing that they were not going to be too happy about getting one shot, much less two…The office then informed me that they only have infant doses of the seasonal flu shots left -which equal half the child dose.  So, the boys will need two of those.  Yikes

I always offer the boys a choice between a small toy or a treat whenever they are going to have a shot.  They have always picked a treat - a donut (chocolate – from Starbucks).  They never get them any other time.

Tonight I told the boys about the the shots they will have tomorrow and asked what they thought they would pick.

Owen: I pick no toy and no treat and no shots!

Wish me luck tomorrow…

Back Scratches

When I sit down in the evening to write my blog, I often have an idea of what I am going to write about.  Almost always, I write something other than my original idea.  Sometimes, I narrow my thoughts down a little, but more often than not, the idea changes altogether.

I have erased my title tonight at least three times.  This has worked well for Eric, as I was scratching his back while I awaited for the topic to jump into my head.  After quite awhile, he returned the favor.  Still nothing.

And so, I am here over two hours later, relaxed and happy. Eric is asleep now, and I realize that this was one of the highlights of my day.  I love peaceful moments with my husband.  We haven’t always been in a place where we could sit together, saying nothing, and just enjoying being. It is a good place to be.

How do my children…

…know when I really need a hug and a kiss?

…manage to make me laugh, when I really want to have my “I mean business” look on my face?

…mess with my brain which makes me feel so inadequate as their mama one day and feel so fabulous the next?

…know when I have just opened any kind of chocolate?

…make me so happy?

Why do my children …

…suddenly become starving the minute I begin eating something, even though they could not possibly squeeze one more bite into their little bodies two minutes before that?

…think that a pile of clean laundry is akin to a pile of crisp fall leaves (which one should jump and roll in)?

…feel that a clean spot of the floor is in desperate need of a pile of their toys?

…think that my saying “no” to one child, surely does not apply to the other?

…think that my saying “yes” to one child, surely DOES apply to other?

…think that “oopid” “doopid” “youpid”  and “voopid” are acceptable alternatives to calling someone “stupid”?

…suddenly become achingly attached to the toy that their brother is currently playing with (yet they themselves haven’t touched in ages)?

…feel that pants are an optional item when going on an errand? (ok, that is just Jack)

Anyone got any answers?

Clean Rooms

The entire family spent quite a bit of time (Jack~2 minutes; Owen~5 minutes; Eric~11.5 minutes; me~2.5 hours*) cleaning the monkey’s rooms today.**

Here was the result:

The garbage Bag –I am very proud to announce that my children approved of ALL of the items that went into this bag***x2 - Give Away  (impressively, the kids recognized that they just weren’t playing with some toys even though they were age appropriate.  They were happy to fill the “give away” bags after I assured them that the toys would be loved by another well-deserving child)****

The Grady Box = Toys my kids recognized as “baby” toys but weren’t quite ready to let leave the house. (but could be slobbered on apparently)

Owen’s room*****Jack’s room****** This little item was added “secretly” by Jack to prevent his father and I from completely closing his door (at night, when the hall light is on).  Gee, I wonder how you take that off…

 

I just had to include these because I think photos of my guys sleeping are so cute!   

Full Disclosure: *– actual times may vary.  ** It is possible that Eric spent a good deal of my “cleaning” time watching the boys and making a great curry dinner which BOTH boys ate.  That is NO small feat.  I just wanted to tease him by making him wait till the end of the post and read teeny-tiny font to get his rightful credit… I love to tease him because, while he is my serious husband, he has a Great sense of humor!  ***Ok, I MAY have snuck in a few papers from the Paper-Hoarder-King’s room.  But he already has an entire box of artwork from this school year alone! ****Owen’s rule: Under no circumstances were stuffed animals to be placed in the  “Give Away” bag if they were from a Grandma! (Great-G, G.Mary, or Mamau)*****We can see the floor.*******We can see the floor here Too!

Nana’s Surprise

Today, Nana’s Surprise birthday event…    a delicious brunch at the Salish Lodge…

ended up being surprise people too.  Yea!Nana, Lisa, Becca, and Me

I am not usually a “surprise person” – knowing something is coming that I might not be ready for – just make me kind of nervous.  But today I was surprised not only by the venue and the people who joined me, but at the great happiness I felt being with these three friends.

Because, while they all came together to celebrate me, I couldn’t help but to think that I am a better person because of each of them.  Here are just a few reasons that I am so happy to have these friends in my life. (And I do mean “a few” - ‘cause I could go on for a long time, but I am hoping everyone reads to the end, so I will keep it short (ish)

Nana is they type of person that everyone loves.  She has an excessive amount of energy, and is always upbeat.  She is fun and loves to laugh - even at herself.  (I would like to be able to do that more.) Yet, Nana is so tenderhearted and genuinely interested in the things that everyone has to say.  She cares deeply for people, including me.  I smile when I just think about Nana (and so do my kids; she’s there Godmother.)

Lisa is amazingly creative and talented (how she doesn’t see this in herself confounds me.) She is always up for anything, even at the very last second or when it’s something that she’s never done before.  If I don’t feel up for something that she has invited me to, I usually go anyway, because I know that just hanging out with her makes me feel happy. I admire the fact that Lisa is so easygoing and friendly with everyone.  Everyone seems to know her, and smiles when she approaches. Eric jokes that I go through withdrawals if I don’t talk to Lisa at least once a day, and it is quite possibly true…

Becca is an awesome listener. If I tell her something about myself, she asks me questions to find out more, rarely turning the conversation to herself.  I try to be more like her in that way, but usually just end up interrupting (then she stops and listens-though I don’t deserve it!)   Becca is thoughtful, and thought-provoking. She encourages me to really understand what is happening in my life, and not to take everything just at face value.  Becca’s advice is only offered when asked for, and  she always seems to have something that works!  But I have to be careful not to think of her as too sensible, because Becca is an oxymoron.  Every time I think I really understand what she is all about, she does something just crazy enough to mix things up! That might be my favorite thing about her.

And something that I love about each of these friends-Nana, Lisa, and Becca- is that they are always trying to grow and to become better people. And they’re willing to share their successes and failures with me.  Which makes me feel like my failures are ok.   It is so encouraging to be around people like that!

If you read all the way down to here.  Thank you! They deserve having more people know their talents.

Today’s Conversation Snippets

Jack:  I want chips and um, butter for breakfast.

Me: No, I don’t think so.

Jack: (the great compromiser) Ok, I’ll have chips and ice-cream.

(he had Oatmeal Square Cereal)

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Owen:  Mom, if Sarah doesn’t play with me at school today, I am going to sing this to my teachers: (somberly sings the 2nd verse of Puff the Magic Dragon).

Dragons live forever, but not so little girls and boys. Painted wings and giants rings make way for other toys. One grey night it happened; Jackie Paper came no more.  Puff the Magic Dragon ceased his fearless roar.  Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave, so Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. 

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Jack: (while checking out the garbage after throwing something away) There is a stinky diaper in there.  I’m not going to eat it.

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Jack: Can I hold your paper bird?

Owen: No, last time you cut mine.  You can hold it when you are four.

Jack:  I will cut it when I am four!

Owen:  Then you can’t have it until your eight.

Jack: (sensing his line of argument wasn’t working) I won’t cut it then.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Owen: I am NOT playing with jack for 80..100 days.

Jack: Then I am not sharing my toys for 46 days, and that’s a LOT!

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(Deanna is taking me out to a secret birthday event tomorrow – Eric knows something about it)

Me: Just tell me if she is taking me out for a pedicure.  If she is, I need to shave.

Eric: Just shave anyway and then everyone wins.

Me:  You’re funny.  You might have just made my blog.

Eric:  If you heard all of the funny things that I say, I would make the blog AAAALLLLLLLL the time!

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On a completely different note:  Here is Owen’s latest accomplishment.

Owen was given a pair of tennis shoes from his grandma a week or two ago. He LOVES them, and  as I tie them,  I have talked about what I am doing and had him practice little parts. “Did I do it myself?”  “Um, no.”

Occasionally I have told him to “go get any shoes that you can put on yourself.” (ok, so he only has one other pair of shoes- is that mean?) Yesterday, I heard him making cryish/frustrated sounds as I got Jack ready to go out for dinner, but as I came to the door, he yelled, “I did it!  I tied my shoe all by myself!”  And this time he did.

 

Clown Cones

It is Eric’s family tradition to have Clown Cones from Baskin Robins for birthdays. 

We met Grandma and Uncle Marc there for dessert tonight after dinner. 

I had to have German Chocolate Cake ice-cream, a favorite from my childhood that they don’t usually have.  This serious man could never think of getting anything but a clown cone.

Yummy clown cones!

Grandma holds the boys up to read all the names of the ice cream. Never mind that it is at the end of our outing.  It is just fun to hear the names.

 

Eric’s “artistic” photo of me.  (I just want my camera back…it’s my power)