Yesterday my son attended a new sibling course at the hospital in our neighborhood. I saw a description of the class online and thought it was a neat idea especially for children who have been the only child for a while. But I must admit once the time came to attend the class I was tempted to blow it off- if for no other reason than I am a lazy, tired, and overwhelmed pregnant woman who will be giving birth in less than three weeks!
But my son was beside himself with excitement so I pulled it together and off we went- with hubby in tow. I am very glad he had the opportunity to attend. They showed a video about how babies grow and what happens when the baby comes home (crying, eating, sleeping, pooping, crying, and it starts all over) and the important role of the older sibling.
The soon-to-be new siblings got to put a diaper on a fake newborn baby, my son totally mastered the diaper changing thing, which is very scary- note to self: hide the diapers. I think he’ll probably use them like he does the superhero band-aids. Put a new one on “just in case” the baby has an accident. They also got instructions on how to hold the baby and wrap the baby in a blanket. The instructor also talked about keeping toys off the floor and out of the baby’s reach so that she won’t choke on them. Finally, at the end of the class they received gift bags with books to read the baby, coloring books, stickers and a stuffed animal.
I thought the most interesting part of the class was when the instructor played therapist and started asking the kids if they thought things were going to change around their house and how they felt about it. When she asked my son what he thought was going to change he said he would have to start sharing. Apparently that was his only concern. I was actually shocked that he even said that- because from day one his mantra has been, “I’m the big brother so that means I’m the boss”. I’m sure there are times he will assert his “big brother” rights but I also know this little girl is going to have him wrapped around her finger.
(I’ll post pics from the class later.)
Showing posts with label Marcus Wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marcus Wisdom. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My Life.
Okay, one day before I totally decide to shut down this blog I promise to post a video of my son and one of our stimulating conversations. I want to do this just to prove that I am NOT making up some of the stuff this kid says! Last night he left me speechless during two conversations in the span of thirty minutes. I literally did not know what to say to him and I think it's because he always shocks me. It's never anything I expect.
Case in point, his father was going over results from a comprehensive physical that he (my husband) takes every year. So, my husband is at the table in the breakfast room and my son and I are listening to him from the family room. My husband is going on and on acting as if his over production of creatine is a death sentence when my son out of the blue asked me, "Mama have you ever had leprosy," I stared at him extremely puzzled because I'm thinking there is no way he just asked me if I had leprosy. I barely know what leprosy is surely a 4 year old has no clue what that means. "What?!" I asked. He repeated the question- slowly, for my benefit obviously. "Where did you hear that? Do you even know what that means? Why did you ask me that?" I hit him with a barrage of questions.
He grabbed my hands like he's trying to soothe me and he said, "Leprosy is when you have a bunch of sores or scales on your body, like on your skin. We learned about that in a Bible story at school. But don't worry because Jesus can heal you if you get that," My super parental reply? I started coughing and had to go and get some water. By the way, I've never had leprosy unless Jesus cured me before I realized I had it.
Less than ten minutes later I am in my bedroom, while my husband is STILL reviewing the results of his physical, when my son comes in and says he wants to talk to me. Oh, no more conversations about leprosy! This time he tells me he would like to share a secret with me. I TOTALLY encourage the sharing of secrets because while sometimes they are innocent and ridiculous they could eventually be something totally serious and life threatening so, I always want him to be able to share secrets with me. . .actually I try to discourage having secrets from mama in the first place.
Anyway, he tells me this little girl- who he talks about constantly as he's blushing and grinning from ear to ear- this little girl in his class (who is also FOUR) told him that she is falling in love with him. My mind was still reeling from the leprosy thing so I asked him if we could share his secret with daddy. He hesitated but shook his head, "yes". So I go back to the kitchen and tell my husband a little girl is falling in love with your son, please handle.
His head snapped up from the report and this idiot- I mean wonderful man that I married- started grinning and asking "who"? UH, not helping daddy. I do not want my son to be labeled as the pre-school sexual deviant because he ends up kissing this girl or holding her hand. We are living in a totally different society and while on one hand it makes you cover your heart and go," AWW," on the other hand all it takes is for one little innocent action by him to totally turn this into a suddenly serious situation.
So, his father proceeded to tell him that this girl probably just really likes him because he's smart and handsome but they are just friends and that he doesn't want him trying to kiss or hug her. He goes on to say they are too young to be talking about love and just be her friend and play together like he does with everyone else. I thought that was a good answer until my husband started talking about all the little girls who adored him in school when he was growing up too. If I weren't pregnant I probably would have taken a Valium (or two) and went to bed!
Pray for me!!
Case in point, his father was going over results from a comprehensive physical that he (my husband) takes every year. So, my husband is at the table in the breakfast room and my son and I are listening to him from the family room. My husband is going on and on acting as if his over production of creatine is a death sentence when my son out of the blue asked me, "Mama have you ever had leprosy," I stared at him extremely puzzled because I'm thinking there is no way he just asked me if I had leprosy. I barely know what leprosy is surely a 4 year old has no clue what that means. "What?!" I asked. He repeated the question- slowly, for my benefit obviously. "Where did you hear that? Do you even know what that means? Why did you ask me that?" I hit him with a barrage of questions.
He grabbed my hands like he's trying to soothe me and he said, "Leprosy is when you have a bunch of sores or scales on your body, like on your skin. We learned about that in a Bible story at school. But don't worry because Jesus can heal you if you get that," My super parental reply? I started coughing and had to go and get some water. By the way, I've never had leprosy unless Jesus cured me before I realized I had it.
Less than ten minutes later I am in my bedroom, while my husband is STILL reviewing the results of his physical, when my son comes in and says he wants to talk to me. Oh, no more conversations about leprosy! This time he tells me he would like to share a secret with me. I TOTALLY encourage the sharing of secrets because while sometimes they are innocent and ridiculous they could eventually be something totally serious and life threatening so, I always want him to be able to share secrets with me. . .actually I try to discourage having secrets from mama in the first place.
Anyway, he tells me this little girl- who he talks about constantly as he's blushing and grinning from ear to ear- this little girl in his class (who is also FOUR) told him that she is falling in love with him. My mind was still reeling from the leprosy thing so I asked him if we could share his secret with daddy. He hesitated but shook his head, "yes". So I go back to the kitchen and tell my husband a little girl is falling in love with your son, please handle.
His head snapped up from the report and this idiot- I mean wonderful man that I married- started grinning and asking "who"? UH, not helping daddy. I do not want my son to be labeled as the pre-school sexual deviant because he ends up kissing this girl or holding her hand. We are living in a totally different society and while on one hand it makes you cover your heart and go," AWW," on the other hand all it takes is for one little innocent action by him to totally turn this into a suddenly serious situation.
So, his father proceeded to tell him that this girl probably just really likes him because he's smart and handsome but they are just friends and that he doesn't want him trying to kiss or hug her. He goes on to say they are too young to be talking about love and just be her friend and play together like he does with everyone else. I thought that was a good answer until my husband started talking about all the little girls who adored him in school when he was growing up too. If I weren't pregnant I probably would have taken a Valium (or two) and went to bed!
Pray for me!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Enough Already
Okay, there is one downfall to having a child that's so smart. Sometimes they are too smart. I mean smart as in shut-your-mouth-before-I-have-to-slap-you-in-it smart.
I subscribe to the 65-35 method of parenting. 65% old school and 35% new school. I realize that we are living in a totally different time than when I was a child but at the same time there are some things that will never change:
1. Children have no business in grown folks business!
2. Children should not talk back and/or disrespect their parents.
3. No negotiating with children. It makes them think they have the upper hand.
4. No telling children to do something 3 and 4 times.
5. Spankings help children see their options a lot more clearly.
I incorporate these old stand-by's into my daily parenting routine because of the simple fact that I have a FOUR YEAR OLD asking me questions like, "Why do we have to always do everything you want?" "Why can't I get to choose when I go to bed?"
I have NO patience for stuff like that!! I suppose I could get down on his level and say something like "because Mommy knows what's best for you" or "because Mommy wants you to get your rest". But I prefer that old adage "BECAUSE I SAID SO". You give these kids an inch they want to take a mile! I don't want to set a precedent that everything is up for discussion!
I don't know if it's hormones or what but me and my little MISTER have been bumping heads a lot lately. I've got to nip this in the bud with the quickness before Baby Girl's arrival. So I have been known to walk around the house with a belt over my shoulder to let him know I mean business however I never get to use it ;-( because all it takes is one word from his father and he's scrambling and tripping over himself to straighten up his act!
I think that he will probably end up being a lawyer because not only does he ask questions- and I'm not talking about typical inquisitive kiddie questions- he ask questions directly related to him getting what he wants and he has already developed this ability to make you second guess your answers so that he can prove his point which is- THERE IS NO REASON I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY WAY. I pray for him daily that he does not become a victim of a back hand from his hormonal mother. If he's starting this mess at FOUR. . .I'm thinking he better have a back up plan like where he can go and live by the time he's TEN because I ain't having it!
I subscribe to the 65-35 method of parenting. 65% old school and 35% new school. I realize that we are living in a totally different time than when I was a child but at the same time there are some things that will never change:
1. Children have no business in grown folks business!
2. Children should not talk back and/or disrespect their parents.
3. No negotiating with children. It makes them think they have the upper hand.
4. No telling children to do something 3 and 4 times.
5. Spankings help children see their options a lot more clearly.
I incorporate these old stand-by's into my daily parenting routine because of the simple fact that I have a FOUR YEAR OLD asking me questions like, "Why do we have to always do everything you want?" "Why can't I get to choose when I go to bed?"
I have NO patience for stuff like that!! I suppose I could get down on his level and say something like "because Mommy knows what's best for you" or "because Mommy wants you to get your rest". But I prefer that old adage "BECAUSE I SAID SO". You give these kids an inch they want to take a mile! I don't want to set a precedent that everything is up for discussion!
I don't know if it's hormones or what but me and my little MISTER have been bumping heads a lot lately. I've got to nip this in the bud with the quickness before Baby Girl's arrival. So I have been known to walk around the house with a belt over my shoulder to let him know I mean business however I never get to use it ;-( because all it takes is one word from his father and he's scrambling and tripping over himself to straighten up his act!
I think that he will probably end up being a lawyer because not only does he ask questions- and I'm not talking about typical inquisitive kiddie questions- he ask questions directly related to him getting what he wants and he has already developed this ability to make you second guess your answers so that he can prove his point which is- THERE IS NO REASON I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY WAY. I pray for him daily that he does not become a victim of a back hand from his hormonal mother. If he's starting this mess at FOUR. . .I'm thinking he better have a back up plan like where he can go and live by the time he's TEN because I ain't having it!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Totally Random
The most random thing happened in H-Town yesterday evening. . .IT SNOWED!!!! Earlier that afternoon I was running errands and it was COLD (32 degrees) and raining and at times the cold combined with the rain made it feel like ice was hitting my face but I never thought it would SNOW!
Let me just clear something up for anyone who doesn't know about weather in the South. First of all, anything below 70 is COLD to folks born and raised in the South. Second, this weekend is supposed to be around 74 degrees. So, color us a little shocked to get enough snow to stick to the ground and cars for more than an hour. Some places on the outskirts of the city actually got about 2.5 inches of snow.
The other thing that's so fascinating and somewhat cool about all of this is when I picked my son up from school yesterday he asked me if it was going to snow. I laughed and said I don't know. His teacher (remember he attends a Christian day school) however told him to PRAY and maybe God would make it snow. When we got home my son asked me if it was okay to pray for snow and who am I to challenge prayer? I told him to go right ahead. He took a prayer posture- clasped hands, bowed head and closed eyes and he prayed: "Dear God please make it snow today, in Jesus name, Amen."
When my husband called us around 5:30 and told us it was snowing my son- to say he was excited is an understatement. He kept running from window to window exclaiming "I made it snow! I made it snow!" I had to explain to him that he didn't make it snow, that God did. And he countered with, "But that's only because I asked him to," I didn't even bother. . .
It would have been really cool if this miracle could have taken place on Christmas like it did 4 years ago. It actually snowed on Christmas Even in 2004, my son's first Christmas, and hasn't even been that cold on Christmas since. They are trying to tie the snow to the hurricanes and some freaky weather pattern. Whatever the case, it was pretty awesome, that is until this morning when Houstonians all over town went sliding and crashing into each other. There should be a city-wide rule that if it snows in Houston or if there is ice on the ground- the city is CLOSED for the day! We can drive in rain but snow/ice? Not so much.
Tomorrow I'll post pics of my son throwing snowballs. . .
Let me just clear something up for anyone who doesn't know about weather in the South. First of all, anything below 70 is COLD to folks born and raised in the South. Second, this weekend is supposed to be around 74 degrees. So, color us a little shocked to get enough snow to stick to the ground and cars for more than an hour. Some places on the outskirts of the city actually got about 2.5 inches of snow.
The other thing that's so fascinating and somewhat cool about all of this is when I picked my son up from school yesterday he asked me if it was going to snow. I laughed and said I don't know. His teacher (remember he attends a Christian day school) however told him to PRAY and maybe God would make it snow. When we got home my son asked me if it was okay to pray for snow and who am I to challenge prayer? I told him to go right ahead. He took a prayer posture- clasped hands, bowed head and closed eyes and he prayed: "Dear God please make it snow today, in Jesus name, Amen."
When my husband called us around 5:30 and told us it was snowing my son- to say he was excited is an understatement. He kept running from window to window exclaiming "I made it snow! I made it snow!" I had to explain to him that he didn't make it snow, that God did. And he countered with, "But that's only because I asked him to," I didn't even bother. . .
It would have been really cool if this miracle could have taken place on Christmas like it did 4 years ago. It actually snowed on Christmas Even in 2004, my son's first Christmas, and hasn't even been that cold on Christmas since. They are trying to tie the snow to the hurricanes and some freaky weather pattern. Whatever the case, it was pretty awesome, that is until this morning when Houstonians all over town went sliding and crashing into each other. There should be a city-wide rule that if it snows in Houston or if there is ice on the ground- the city is CLOSED for the day! We can drive in rain but snow/ice? Not so much.
Tomorrow I'll post pics of my son throwing snowballs. . .
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Greatest
My son and I have been left to our own devices since Thursday because my husband was out of town. We had a great weekend that consisted of "movie night" (we rented DVD's because my son confessed he doesn't like going to the movies, he's so strange), library day, shopping, pizza and games @ Gattitown, sleeping late and lounging in our pajamas all day Sunday.
I think I fell in love with him all over again this weekend. I simply cherish these days because he is such a sweet, smart, funny and just wonderful little human being. Everyday when I pray to God, one of the things I ask is that my son maintains some of those endearing qualities throughout his lifetime. And I pray that I remain strong and healthy enough to be positive influence to keep him on the right path.
Here are some of the priceless highlights from this weekend:
Me: (tickling him mercilessly) Now what are you gonna do, huh?
Him: (screaming in between fits of laughter) Stop, stop! No tickling!
Me: (I stop because I'm out of breath) Whatever, Egghead!
Him: (scrambling away from me) You said exactly what you are
Me: What?!
Him: What did you call me?
Me: Egghead.
Him: (laughing) That's exactly what you are (runs from room laughing)
Me: (mouth hanging open and thinking to myself- man, I'm gonna have to use that one!)
______________
Me: (giving him a vitamin) You've gotta take your vitamins so you can be big and strong
Him: (chewing it without complaint) So nobody will try to be a bully to me
Me: That's right, you let them know you are not the one!
Him: That's right, if somebody comes up to me and pushes me I'm gonna push them back and say, 'Not today, brother,' (but it totally sounded like BRUDDA).
Me: (laughing so hard I almost choked).
_____________
Me: So when your new baby brother or sister comes along, you are going to have to be in charge and show them how things work around here.
Him: Like the t.v.
Me: (laughing) Yes, but I'm mostly talking about the house rules.
Him: Like what?
Me: Like who's in charge, where things go, no whining, picking up after yourself, -
Him: Helping me clean up my room
Oh yeah, he is so ready to be a big brother! Ha ha!
_____________
Daddy will be back today and he was missed. He ran the Philadelphia Marathon in 32 degree weather in 4 hours 22 minutes. That is truly amazing to me! Twenty six miles?! Are you kidding me?! I couldn't have walked twenty six blocks! Hell, after two or three blocks in 32 degree weather I would have been dying!!
I'm really proud of him and can't wait to see him this evening. See, how absence makes the heart grow fonder. Now, if I could only get him to be gone for a week every month, I am more than certain we'd make it to ten years! :-)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Whassup
My new goal is to try and post at least once a week. . .I am about to start a whirlwind travel schedule for work so I may as well just write October off as a month lost from my life! So, sorry if I don't update the blog as much as I'd like. Hopefully the more time away will give me more (better) things to post about.
Here are some more GEMS from The Genius:
1. Me: (convincing him to get a haircut) Don't you want to be handsome?
Him: I'm already handsome. I don't need a haircut for that.
2. Him: (to his dad) Okay, I need for you to call my school every morning to see what they are having for breakfast so I can decide if I want to eat at school or at home.
His dad: **blank stare**
Him: For real.
3. Me: (in between kissing him a million times) I'm so glad God sent me such a smart and handsome little boy. I didn't know you were going to be so smart and handsome.
Him: You thought I wasn't going to know anything when I grew up?
4. Walking through Target looking at Halloween stuff we come upon a skeleton used for decoration.
Him: I can name all the parts of the skeleton.
Me: (intrigued) I don't believe you!
Him: Watch (so he starts as I point to the head) Brain, chest, stomach, arms, PENIS, legs. . .
Me: (laughing loudly and covering HIS mouth) Boy, a skeleton doesn't have a penis!
Him: Is it a girl?
Man, oh man life is just about to start getting FUN!
Here are some more GEMS from The Genius:
1. Me: (convincing him to get a haircut) Don't you want to be handsome?
Him: I'm already handsome. I don't need a haircut for that.
2. Him: (to his dad) Okay, I need for you to call my school every morning to see what they are having for breakfast so I can decide if I want to eat at school or at home.
His dad: **blank stare**
Him: For real.
3. Me: (in between kissing him a million times) I'm so glad God sent me such a smart and handsome little boy. I didn't know you were going to be so smart and handsome.
Him: You thought I wasn't going to know anything when I grew up?
4. Walking through Target looking at Halloween stuff we come upon a skeleton used for decoration.
Him: I can name all the parts of the skeleton.
Me: (intrigued) I don't believe you!
Him: Watch (so he starts as I point to the head) Brain, chest, stomach, arms, PENIS, legs. . .
Me: (laughing loudly and covering HIS mouth) Boy, a skeleton doesn't have a penis!
Him: Is it a girl?
Man, oh man life is just about to start getting FUN!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
More Words of Wisdom
Everyday my son, says things that entertain (and sometimes infuriate) me but here are some of this weeks gems:
1. I don't want to talk about dying because you don't get to live anymore.
2. I'm really smart, I can figure a lot of stuff out.
3. Power naps give you rest.
4. I'm a kid so I don't have to do any work.
5. Being good is easy, all you have to do is listen and pay attention.
He is just getting too big and too smart too soon! I have to admit I am enjoying him a lot these days and all the "intellectual" conversations we have, ha ha! I'm sure the day is coming when I will be wishing he would just HUSH but right now I'm loving it!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Red Table
The Red Table is where children who don't pay attention in my son's preschool class have to sit and think about their transgressions. My son has been a frequent resident of The Red Table lately. We want him to know it's not acceptable but at the same time it's almost inevitable when you have a preschool class full of 4 year old boys who are constantly playing Power Rangers, karate and Incredible Hulk vs. Spiderman; they will get side tracked from time to time. Especially now that it is summer time and they aren't following a strict school curriculum and everyday is a themed fun day like bubble day, swim day, pajama day, etc.
But regardless to the lack of structure over the summer he still needs listen to his teacher so, my husband and I have resorted to threatening him with no toys or television if he goes to The Red Table. But I get the feeling he's past the point of dreading his fate because he already knows staying away from The Red Table will be a struggle. In the mornings if you ask him if he's going to The Red Table he says, "I'm going to try not to," The other day while he was in the bathtub we had the following conversation:
ME: If you hurry up and wash up you can catch the last Oswald show before bed.
HIM: Is it a new show I never saw before?
ME: I don't know.
HIM: (seriously thinking) Hmm. . .well, Daddy told me if I go to The Red Table I can't watch my shows on t.v. so, maybe next time.
My mouth was hanging open (as it usually does when I'm dealing with Mr. Four going on Forty) because I didn't know he had gone to The Red Table but I think mainly because he was being so "compliant".
Another "punishment" for going to The Red Table was to write I will not go to the red table (actually the word "the" was left off by dad) on a full sheet of paper. When I got home from work he was all excited because he was writing "I will not got to red table" and he was making such perfect letters.
So, bottom line he tries his best (according to him) not to go to The Red Table but the wicked forces at work in his preschool class are often against him so he just accepts his fate and takes his sentence like a four year old.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A Song For You
My son came home yesterday crawled in my lap and sang to me:
"I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my Mommy you will be."
I got a lump in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I showered him with hugs & kisses because I thought he was such a brilliant, sensitive child who had composed a special song just for his mother. He explained (as he gasped for air) that his teacher read a book in class and the song was from the story. But he said it could still be my special song and he would sing it to me whenever I wanted him to. God broke the mold with that one. . . ;-)
In case you're interested (or maybe I'm the only clueless one here) the song is from a book by Robert Munsch called "Love You Forever". The crazy thing is that I've seen the book cover before and I thought it was about POTTY TRAINING! Ha ha! A literal example of not judging a book by it's cover!
"I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my Mommy you will be."
I got a lump in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I showered him with hugs & kisses because I thought he was such a brilliant, sensitive child who had composed a special song just for his mother. He explained (as he gasped for air) that his teacher read a book in class and the song was from the story. But he said it could still be my special song and he would sing it to me whenever I wanted him to. God broke the mold with that one. . . ;-)
In case you're interested (or maybe I'm the only clueless one here) the song is from a book by Robert Munsch called "Love You Forever". The crazy thing is that I've seen the book cover before and I thought it was about POTTY TRAINING! Ha ha! A literal example of not judging a book by it's cover!
Monday, July 7, 2008
You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry
My son has developed a fascination with the Incredible Hulk. He has never seen the television show (the reruns actually come on some random cable channel), nor the movies or even a cartoon.
He did however see a commercial one time and a coloring book so, he understands when the guy is mad (usually because he’s picked on) he turns into the Hulk. Whenever I pull out the camera he wants to do an Incredible Hulk pose. Whenever we play a “game” it involves him being the Incredible Hulk. And the other day he wanted me to find him an Incredible Hulk game on the computer.
As you can imagine I’ve had my fill of the Incredible Hulk!!! That is until I witnessed him turn into the Hulk. My husband left a Gatorade bottle on the living room floor (don’t ask) so, when I walked into the living I pretended to trip over the bottle and fall on the floor (seriously, I was just playing, ain’t no shame in my game if I would have fallen I’d admit it, like that time I was in the Jamaica, or when I was walking to catch my bus. . .) anyway, I do a pratfall and call out for help.
My son was in our bedroom with my husband and is the first to arrive on the scene. “Mama, what happened are you okay?” he asks. “Your daddy left this bottle on the floor and I tripped over it and fell,” I say with dramatic flair. “Daddy!” my son yells- because my concerned husband has not moved from the bed (he’s used to me falling). My son heads back to the room and meets my husband halfway with a GUT PUNCH!!!
He hit his daddy right above the belt as hard as he could and said, “You made my mama fall! You should have put that bottle in the trash!”
I was stunned- so was his father. I laughed- his father did not. I think it’s awesome that he defends me and so does my husband but he doesn’t like to be on the receiving end of the beat downs. My son was given a stern talking to by his father and I suggested that he just not hit so hard. . . . . of course I missed the whole point. . .or did I?
He did however see a commercial one time and a coloring book so, he understands when the guy is mad (usually because he’s picked on) he turns into the Hulk. Whenever I pull out the camera he wants to do an Incredible Hulk pose. Whenever we play a “game” it involves him being the Incredible Hulk. And the other day he wanted me to find him an Incredible Hulk game on the computer.
As you can imagine I’ve had my fill of the Incredible Hulk!!! That is until I witnessed him turn into the Hulk. My husband left a Gatorade bottle on the living room floor (don’t ask) so, when I walked into the living I pretended to trip over the bottle and fall on the floor (seriously, I was just playing, ain’t no shame in my game if I would have fallen I’d admit it, like that time I was in the Jamaica, or when I was walking to catch my bus. . .) anyway, I do a pratfall and call out for help.
My son was in our bedroom with my husband and is the first to arrive on the scene. “Mama, what happened are you okay?” he asks. “Your daddy left this bottle on the floor and I tripped over it and fell,” I say with dramatic flair. “Daddy!” my son yells- because my concerned husband has not moved from the bed (he’s used to me falling). My son heads back to the room and meets my husband halfway with a GUT PUNCH!!!
He hit his daddy right above the belt as hard as he could and said, “You made my mama fall! You should have put that bottle in the trash!”
I was stunned- so was his father. I laughed- his father did not. I think it’s awesome that he defends me and so does my husband but he doesn’t like to be on the receiving end of the beat downs. My son was given a stern talking to by his father and I suggested that he just not hit so hard. . . . . of course I missed the whole point. . .or did I?
Monday, June 16, 2008
My Son the Teacher
The other day my son and I were coloring pages in his coloring book and I flipped to the cover to see how the characters looked to make sure I colored them just right. My son asked, "What are you doing?" I replied, "Looking to see what color Tyrone's shirt is supposed to be," He stopped coloring looked at me and said, "Mama, use your imagination it can be any color you want it to be. You don't have to do it like everybody else,"
My mouth hung open. It hung open even wider when I asked, "Who told you that," his reply: "You did,"
Wow. Not only does he listen to me but apparently I am a hypocrite who doles out advice but doesn't follow it. Several people have been quoted in various languages I'm sure about the importance of walking the talk and action speaking louder than words. I wonder then how often I send my son mixed messages. I'm always telling him to try his best meanwhile I complain that I'm not getting anything accomplished. Am I trying my best?
A simple activity like coloring served as the wake up call I desperately needed. I can't expect my son to take anything I say seriously if I'm not following my own rules and advice. Starting today I pledge to arm him with information to help him on his journey and to also practice what I preach so, that I can have positive examples to SHOW him when he questions whether or not mama know what she's talking about.
Monday, June 2, 2008
And the Winner Is. . .
My son has developed a serious competitive streak at the age of four. I don't know if it's "hereditary" (his father is ridiculously competitive) or if it's a boy thing. But he ALWAYS wants to win. And when he wins he gloats about it, "Oh, yeah I won, I won," and when he loses it's more like, "No fair, I wasn't ready, you cheated,"
So we have stopped letting him win at games to help him cope with reality and the fact that there will always be someone bigger, stronger or better but you never give up and always try your best. Now, when he loses we make him shake the winner's hand and say, "Good job," and he adds, "But I'm going to win next time," Baby steps.
He received a trophy at the end of T-Ball season and he was beyond ecstatic to get his first trophy and although everyone on the team got a trophy he said, "Look what I won," Geesh.
I want to make sure he strives for excellence throughout his life but I don't want him to think life is over if he doesn't come in first and I'm not just talking about sports or games. I'm talking life in general- school, work, relationships, etc. When you give 100% and never give up then that automatically makes you a winner regardless to whether or not you take home the trophy. (Yeah, I know but it sure does feel good ;-)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Nightmares in the Night
Last night as I lay in a peaceful slumber I felt a small hand pulling at my arm. I awoke (@ 3:15am!) to find my son had made his way downstairs in the dark and was trying to pull himself up into our bed. When asked what was wrong he said he had a bad dream so, I helped him up and he wedged himself between me and his father.
I started to drift off again and was awaken when he sat up in the bed and announced, "Mama, I never want to go to the park again,". "Huh?" I asked groggily. "Monkeys are shooting people in the park in my dream," he said. What?! My husband woke up and realized he was in the bed and I tell him about the pistol packing primates in the park. We assure him that there will be no monkey's shooting people in the park and he eventually falls asleep. But then I lay awake wondering where in the hell did that come from?!
He is not allowed to watch movies with violence especially shooting, he has never had a toy gun, we have not watched or witnessed anything with monkeys lately and the last time we went to the park was two weeks ago. VERY BIZARRE. Me being the paranoid schizo that I am wonder if this is a premonition and we should avoid parks in the near future or if perhaps there is some monkeying around going on at his school. Hmmm.
I started to drift off again and was awaken when he sat up in the bed and announced, "Mama, I never want to go to the park again,". "Huh?" I asked groggily. "Monkeys are shooting people in the park in my dream," he said. What?! My husband woke up and realized he was in the bed and I tell him about the pistol packing primates in the park. We assure him that there will be no monkey's shooting people in the park and he eventually falls asleep. But then I lay awake wondering where in the hell did that come from?!
He is not allowed to watch movies with violence especially shooting, he has never had a toy gun, we have not watched or witnessed anything with monkeys lately and the last time we went to the park was two weeks ago. VERY BIZARRE. Me being the paranoid schizo that I am wonder if this is a premonition and we should avoid parks in the near future or if perhaps there is some monkeying around going on at his school. Hmmm.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Flip Flop You Don't Stop
My son and I were shopping and I went into Gap Kids (looking for a belt) and he saw these flip flops and flipped out! He said they were "cool" because they had an orange iguana on them and he said I should buy them because nobody else at his school has them. Well, I'm not so sure no one at his school has them. I think he's never saw anyone at his school with them because they can't wear flip flops to school!
He continued to plead his case and I of course was worn down and broke down and bought them. After we went into another store where they were $5.00 CHEAPER (!), I pulled out the sign in my purse that said "Sucker" and wore it on my forehead for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Masterpiece
Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids? Unleash their inner artist! Pick up a couple of blank art canvases (Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc.), washable finger pants, and small art brushes.
You can use a paper plate as a palette paints by placing a few dabs of each color on the plate. Allow kids to use their fingers or the brushes to create their masterpiece. Art is an extremely important part of a child's development. It's been proven that early exposure to visual art, music, or drama promotes activity in the brain. Art nurtures inventiveness as it engages children in a process that aids in the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, and self-motivation.
This masterpiece was done by my son and is titled, "My Garden" can you spot the bugs, rain and flowers?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Hair Apparent
My son was a few layers away from having an Afro so, after new clippers were purchased my husband strapped him down to a chair and threatened him to within an inch of his life. . .
Just kidding, please don't call CPS. It's just that my son's two least favorite things to do are getting a haircut and going to sleep. It was so funny when he asked his dad what time he was going to be finished and when his dad told him, he said, "That's too long," and what? You STILL have to sit there. I just think it's interesting that he doesn't try to negotiate with his dad the way he does with me. He just sat there with a disturbed look on his face and endured the torture.
The thing I thought was hilarious (and so cute) was when he was done he came running to me and said, "Look how handsome I am!" Very handsome indeed.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Computer Literate
If it wasn't just an over indulgent and unnecessary purchase I might break down and get my son his own laptop. Seriously. I have a personal laptop, my husband has a work issued laptop that he brings home daily and we have a desktop. Granted the desktop is a bit of a dinosaur but it is still fully functional. But my son never wants to play his games on the desktop he has the nerve to say it's too slow.
So, he asks to use my computer and then get this- he places a timer on his use. He'll say, "I'm going to play my games until 7:35, okay?" Um- no, it's not okay I have stuff to do little boy! I'm glad he is getting exposure on the computer and can navigate it like a champ but he might need to save a lot more money in his piggy bank to get his own laptop!
Here are a few fun and educational sites:
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Joys of Boys
Being the lone female in my house on a daily basis has some definite perks and some serious aggravations. It’s no secret that men are from Mars and women are from Venus but it’s very interesting to see the progression of a little Martian in my very own household. I’m finally beginning to understand the term “all boy”. This is such a new experience for me because I grew up in a household headed by a single mother and only had one sister. Sometimes boys are like so, EW! Then other times I feel like I’m the Queen of the Castle (although I’m only ruling over two court jesters :-) ).
I started a list of things I like and things I don’t like (but suffer through anyway).
Dislikes
1. I don’t know if they are aiming with their eyes closed or what but why do boys tend to get more pee on the toilet seat and floor than they do in the actual toilet?!
2. Speaking of toilets- what are you saying that is so important that we must have a conversation while you are ON the toilet?!
3. Shoes, shoes, underwear, and shoes. . .all over the floor! Why!? Why!? Why!?
4. Please learn my “serious” face. Sometimes yall play too much when Mama is NOT playing.
5. Forced belches. I won’t even elaborate.
Likes
1. My safety is their job one. My son was literally on my heels the other day as I moved about the house. I asked why he was following me and he said, “I have to protect you and I don’t want you to get hurt,” Aw. . .I HEART him!
2. They keep my car washed and clean (although it’s a mess right now).
3. They LOVE me so hard and so much!
4. They make me laugh, which I probably need to do more often.
5. They are fearless (or at least they pretend to be). If I hear any little squeak I can push my husband out of the bed to go check things out. And my son, brought me a grasshopper on a stick as a “present”- although that should be on my dislike list, I like the fact that he’s not scared of a grasshopper. Just leave that thing OUTSIDE.
Boys oh, boys! Since we can’t send them back to their home planet, I guess we’ve got to learn to live together in peace.
I started a list of things I like and things I don’t like (but suffer through anyway).
Dislikes
1. I don’t know if they are aiming with their eyes closed or what but why do boys tend to get more pee on the toilet seat and floor than they do in the actual toilet?!
2. Speaking of toilets- what are you saying that is so important that we must have a conversation while you are ON the toilet?!
3. Shoes, shoes, underwear, and shoes. . .all over the floor! Why!? Why!? Why!?
4. Please learn my “serious” face. Sometimes yall play too much when Mama is NOT playing.
5. Forced belches. I won’t even elaborate.
Likes
1. My safety is their job one. My son was literally on my heels the other day as I moved about the house. I asked why he was following me and he said, “I have to protect you and I don’t want you to get hurt,” Aw. . .I HEART him!
2. They keep my car washed and clean (although it’s a mess right now).
3. They LOVE me so hard and so much!
4. They make me laugh, which I probably need to do more often.
5. They are fearless (or at least they pretend to be). If I hear any little squeak I can push my husband out of the bed to go check things out. And my son, brought me a grasshopper on a stick as a “present”- although that should be on my dislike list, I like the fact that he’s not scared of a grasshopper. Just leave that thing OUTSIDE.
Boys oh, boys! Since we can’t send them back to their home planet, I guess we’ve got to learn to live together in peace.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
For the Love of Money
An actual conversation:
TheGenius: Mama, you never brought me the Tip the Tractor game
Me: When did I say I was buying the Tip the Tractor game?
TheGenius: Well, I asked you to buy it.
Me: You have a million toys that you don't play with.
TheGenius: I don't have a million toys.
Silence
TheGenius: So are you going to buy the Tip the Tractor game?
Me: Save your money and buy it yourself.
I seriously think my son believes money grows on trees. Sometimes in an effort to "expose" and "provide" our children with things (material) that we didn't have growing up, we are unwittingly creating a generation of children who will not appreciate working hard to get the things you want because they know Mama or Daddy will get them whatever their little hearts desire.
I'm trying to squash that nonsense in my household. I told my son he has to EARN his money by helping out around the house. Yes, he reminded me that he was only four and I assured him he wouldn't be four forever. So, there is no time like the present to start learning valuable life lessons. Including the lesson that EVERYTHING costs money. He's been more mindful of asking for things- until after he finds out how much it costs. He still really doesn't have a concept of what's expensive and what's affordable. But he's learning.
I bought him a piggy bank and he saved his birthday money plus the dollar I gave him for helping me clean out my car (all he did was take HIS stuff out of my car). He has a total of $13.32. The Tip the Tractor game costs $15.99 plus tax and shipping (only available through Amazon.com). So, he is well on his way!
Even though I can more than afford to purchase the game for him, I think this is an opportunity for him to learn a valuable lesson not to mention he's so proud of all the "monies" in his bank and he's getting to use his counting and addition skills! There I go trying to sneak in something educational again. :-)
Side Note: He is BEYOND obsessed with Disney Pixar's Cars movie and it's characters. Didn't that movie come out two (or three) years ago?!
TheGenius: Mama, you never brought me the Tip the Tractor game
Me: When did I say I was buying the Tip the Tractor game?
TheGenius: Well, I asked you to buy it.
Me: You have a million toys that you don't play with.
TheGenius: I don't have a million toys.
Silence
TheGenius: So are you going to buy the Tip the Tractor game?
Me: Save your money and buy it yourself.
I seriously think my son believes money grows on trees. Sometimes in an effort to "expose" and "provide" our children with things (material) that we didn't have growing up, we are unwittingly creating a generation of children who will not appreciate working hard to get the things you want because they know Mama or Daddy will get them whatever their little hearts desire.I'm trying to squash that nonsense in my household. I told my son he has to EARN his money by helping out around the house. Yes, he reminded me that he was only four and I assured him he wouldn't be four forever. So, there is no time like the present to start learning valuable life lessons. Including the lesson that EVERYTHING costs money. He's been more mindful of asking for things- until after he finds out how much it costs. He still really doesn't have a concept of what's expensive and what's affordable. But he's learning.
I bought him a piggy bank and he saved his birthday money plus the dollar I gave him for helping me clean out my car (all he did was take HIS stuff out of my car). He has a total of $13.32. The Tip the Tractor game costs $15.99 plus tax and shipping (only available through Amazon.com). So, he is well on his way!
Even though I can more than afford to purchase the game for him, I think this is an opportunity for him to learn a valuable lesson not to mention he's so proud of all the "monies" in his bank and he's getting to use his counting and addition skills! There I go trying to sneak in something educational again. :-)
Side Note: He is BEYOND obsessed with Disney Pixar's Cars movie and it's characters. Didn't that movie come out two (or three) years ago?!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Lessons Learned
It's Good Friday! Thank you to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the multitude of blessings I receive daily!
I count my son among those blessings and you can thank him for these priceless gems. These are words straight from his 4 year old mouth, to my ears, to this page, for your eyes. Words to live by:
1. If you count from 20 backwards real slow the hiccups will go away.
2. If you always forget stuff that means you’re getting old.
3. If you are 37 years old you should not be asking a 4 year old how to do stuff.
4. Don’t say yes to something unless you’re "askolutely" sure about it.
5. If you put worms in a bucket and then cover them up with dirt and leave them on the porch- they will crawl out of the dirt and the bucket.
6. Somebody is only "bad" if they are not your friend.
7. Sometimes when you don’t want to talk to people (or even look at them) you might be shy.
8. If you hurt yourself and somebody kisses it, it will feel better.
9. Never say can’t- always try.
10. When your tummy hurts that means you have to go poop.
Tip- The Genius was sick last night (still recovering). He had a 101.9 fever. I find a teaspoon of Children's Motrin and a Popsicle is the best cure for his fever. His temperature was down to 99 in about twenty minutes.
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Showing posts with label Marcus Wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marcus Wisdom. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sibling Revelry
Yesterday my son attended a new sibling course at the hospital in our neighborhood. I saw a description of the class online and thought it was a neat idea especially for children who have been the only child for a while. But I must admit once the time came to attend the class I was tempted to blow it off- if for no other reason than I am a lazy, tired, and overwhelmed pregnant woman who will be giving birth in less than three weeks!
But my son was beside himself with excitement so I pulled it together and off we went- with hubby in tow. I am very glad he had the opportunity to attend. They showed a video about how babies grow and what happens when the baby comes home (crying, eating, sleeping, pooping, crying, and it starts all over) and the important role of the older sibling.
The soon-to-be new siblings got to put a diaper on a fake newborn baby, my son totally mastered the diaper changing thing, which is very scary- note to self: hide the diapers. I think he’ll probably use them like he does the superhero band-aids. Put a new one on “just in case” the baby has an accident. They also got instructions on how to hold the baby and wrap the baby in a blanket. The instructor also talked about keeping toys off the floor and out of the baby’s reach so that she won’t choke on them. Finally, at the end of the class they received gift bags with books to read the baby, coloring books, stickers and a stuffed animal.
I thought the most interesting part of the class was when the instructor played therapist and started asking the kids if they thought things were going to change around their house and how they felt about it. When she asked my son what he thought was going to change he said he would have to start sharing. Apparently that was his only concern. I was actually shocked that he even said that- because from day one his mantra has been, “I’m the big brother so that means I’m the boss”. I’m sure there are times he will assert his “big brother” rights but I also know this little girl is going to have him wrapped around her finger.
(I’ll post pics from the class later.)
But my son was beside himself with excitement so I pulled it together and off we went- with hubby in tow. I am very glad he had the opportunity to attend. They showed a video about how babies grow and what happens when the baby comes home (crying, eating, sleeping, pooping, crying, and it starts all over) and the important role of the older sibling.
The soon-to-be new siblings got to put a diaper on a fake newborn baby, my son totally mastered the diaper changing thing, which is very scary- note to self: hide the diapers. I think he’ll probably use them like he does the superhero band-aids. Put a new one on “just in case” the baby has an accident. They also got instructions on how to hold the baby and wrap the baby in a blanket. The instructor also talked about keeping toys off the floor and out of the baby’s reach so that she won’t choke on them. Finally, at the end of the class they received gift bags with books to read the baby, coloring books, stickers and a stuffed animal.
I thought the most interesting part of the class was when the instructor played therapist and started asking the kids if they thought things were going to change around their house and how they felt about it. When she asked my son what he thought was going to change he said he would have to start sharing. Apparently that was his only concern. I was actually shocked that he even said that- because from day one his mantra has been, “I’m the big brother so that means I’m the boss”. I’m sure there are times he will assert his “big brother” rights but I also know this little girl is going to have him wrapped around her finger.
(I’ll post pics from the class later.)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My Life.
Okay, one day before I totally decide to shut down this blog I promise to post a video of my son and one of our stimulating conversations. I want to do this just to prove that I am NOT making up some of the stuff this kid says! Last night he left me speechless during two conversations in the span of thirty minutes. I literally did not know what to say to him and I think it's because he always shocks me. It's never anything I expect.
Case in point, his father was going over results from a comprehensive physical that he (my husband) takes every year. So, my husband is at the table in the breakfast room and my son and I are listening to him from the family room. My husband is going on and on acting as if his over production of creatine is a death sentence when my son out of the blue asked me, "Mama have you ever had leprosy," I stared at him extremely puzzled because I'm thinking there is no way he just asked me if I had leprosy. I barely know what leprosy is surely a 4 year old has no clue what that means. "What?!" I asked. He repeated the question- slowly, for my benefit obviously. "Where did you hear that? Do you even know what that means? Why did you ask me that?" I hit him with a barrage of questions.
He grabbed my hands like he's trying to soothe me and he said, "Leprosy is when you have a bunch of sores or scales on your body, like on your skin. We learned about that in a Bible story at school. But don't worry because Jesus can heal you if you get that," My super parental reply? I started coughing and had to go and get some water. By the way, I've never had leprosy unless Jesus cured me before I realized I had it.
Less than ten minutes later I am in my bedroom, while my husband is STILL reviewing the results of his physical, when my son comes in and says he wants to talk to me. Oh, no more conversations about leprosy! This time he tells me he would like to share a secret with me. I TOTALLY encourage the sharing of secrets because while sometimes they are innocent and ridiculous they could eventually be something totally serious and life threatening so, I always want him to be able to share secrets with me. . .actually I try to discourage having secrets from mama in the first place.
Anyway, he tells me this little girl- who he talks about constantly as he's blushing and grinning from ear to ear- this little girl in his class (who is also FOUR) told him that she is falling in love with him. My mind was still reeling from the leprosy thing so I asked him if we could share his secret with daddy. He hesitated but shook his head, "yes". So I go back to the kitchen and tell my husband a little girl is falling in love with your son, please handle.
His head snapped up from the report and this idiot- I mean wonderful man that I married- started grinning and asking "who"? UH, not helping daddy. I do not want my son to be labeled as the pre-school sexual deviant because he ends up kissing this girl or holding her hand. We are living in a totally different society and while on one hand it makes you cover your heart and go," AWW," on the other hand all it takes is for one little innocent action by him to totally turn this into a suddenly serious situation.
So, his father proceeded to tell him that this girl probably just really likes him because he's smart and handsome but they are just friends and that he doesn't want him trying to kiss or hug her. He goes on to say they are too young to be talking about love and just be her friend and play together like he does with everyone else. I thought that was a good answer until my husband started talking about all the little girls who adored him in school when he was growing up too. If I weren't pregnant I probably would have taken a Valium (or two) and went to bed!
Pray for me!!
Case in point, his father was going over results from a comprehensive physical that he (my husband) takes every year. So, my husband is at the table in the breakfast room and my son and I are listening to him from the family room. My husband is going on and on acting as if his over production of creatine is a death sentence when my son out of the blue asked me, "Mama have you ever had leprosy," I stared at him extremely puzzled because I'm thinking there is no way he just asked me if I had leprosy. I barely know what leprosy is surely a 4 year old has no clue what that means. "What?!" I asked. He repeated the question- slowly, for my benefit obviously. "Where did you hear that? Do you even know what that means? Why did you ask me that?" I hit him with a barrage of questions.
He grabbed my hands like he's trying to soothe me and he said, "Leprosy is when you have a bunch of sores or scales on your body, like on your skin. We learned about that in a Bible story at school. But don't worry because Jesus can heal you if you get that," My super parental reply? I started coughing and had to go and get some water. By the way, I've never had leprosy unless Jesus cured me before I realized I had it.
Less than ten minutes later I am in my bedroom, while my husband is STILL reviewing the results of his physical, when my son comes in and says he wants to talk to me. Oh, no more conversations about leprosy! This time he tells me he would like to share a secret with me. I TOTALLY encourage the sharing of secrets because while sometimes they are innocent and ridiculous they could eventually be something totally serious and life threatening so, I always want him to be able to share secrets with me. . .actually I try to discourage having secrets from mama in the first place.
Anyway, he tells me this little girl- who he talks about constantly as he's blushing and grinning from ear to ear- this little girl in his class (who is also FOUR) told him that she is falling in love with him. My mind was still reeling from the leprosy thing so I asked him if we could share his secret with daddy. He hesitated but shook his head, "yes". So I go back to the kitchen and tell my husband a little girl is falling in love with your son, please handle.
His head snapped up from the report and this idiot- I mean wonderful man that I married- started grinning and asking "who"? UH, not helping daddy. I do not want my son to be labeled as the pre-school sexual deviant because he ends up kissing this girl or holding her hand. We are living in a totally different society and while on one hand it makes you cover your heart and go," AWW," on the other hand all it takes is for one little innocent action by him to totally turn this into a suddenly serious situation.
So, his father proceeded to tell him that this girl probably just really likes him because he's smart and handsome but they are just friends and that he doesn't want him trying to kiss or hug her. He goes on to say they are too young to be talking about love and just be her friend and play together like he does with everyone else. I thought that was a good answer until my husband started talking about all the little girls who adored him in school when he was growing up too. If I weren't pregnant I probably would have taken a Valium (or two) and went to bed!
Pray for me!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Enough Already
Okay, there is one downfall to having a child that's so smart. Sometimes they are too smart. I mean smart as in shut-your-mouth-before-I-have-to-slap-you-in-it smart.
I subscribe to the 65-35 method of parenting. 65% old school and 35% new school. I realize that we are living in a totally different time than when I was a child but at the same time there are some things that will never change:
1. Children have no business in grown folks business!
2. Children should not talk back and/or disrespect their parents.
3. No negotiating with children. It makes them think they have the upper hand.
4. No telling children to do something 3 and 4 times.
5. Spankings help children see their options a lot more clearly.
I incorporate these old stand-by's into my daily parenting routine because of the simple fact that I have a FOUR YEAR OLD asking me questions like, "Why do we have to always do everything you want?" "Why can't I get to choose when I go to bed?"
I have NO patience for stuff like that!! I suppose I could get down on his level and say something like "because Mommy knows what's best for you" or "because Mommy wants you to get your rest". But I prefer that old adage "BECAUSE I SAID SO". You give these kids an inch they want to take a mile! I don't want to set a precedent that everything is up for discussion!
I don't know if it's hormones or what but me and my little MISTER have been bumping heads a lot lately. I've got to nip this in the bud with the quickness before Baby Girl's arrival. So I have been known to walk around the house with a belt over my shoulder to let him know I mean business however I never get to use it ;-( because all it takes is one word from his father and he's scrambling and tripping over himself to straighten up his act!
I think that he will probably end up being a lawyer because not only does he ask questions- and I'm not talking about typical inquisitive kiddie questions- he ask questions directly related to him getting what he wants and he has already developed this ability to make you second guess your answers so that he can prove his point which is- THERE IS NO REASON I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY WAY. I pray for him daily that he does not become a victim of a back hand from his hormonal mother. If he's starting this mess at FOUR. . .I'm thinking he better have a back up plan like where he can go and live by the time he's TEN because I ain't having it!
I subscribe to the 65-35 method of parenting. 65% old school and 35% new school. I realize that we are living in a totally different time than when I was a child but at the same time there are some things that will never change:
1. Children have no business in grown folks business!
2. Children should not talk back and/or disrespect their parents.
3. No negotiating with children. It makes them think they have the upper hand.
4. No telling children to do something 3 and 4 times.
5. Spankings help children see their options a lot more clearly.
I incorporate these old stand-by's into my daily parenting routine because of the simple fact that I have a FOUR YEAR OLD asking me questions like, "Why do we have to always do everything you want?" "Why can't I get to choose when I go to bed?"
I have NO patience for stuff like that!! I suppose I could get down on his level and say something like "because Mommy knows what's best for you" or "because Mommy wants you to get your rest". But I prefer that old adage "BECAUSE I SAID SO". You give these kids an inch they want to take a mile! I don't want to set a precedent that everything is up for discussion!
I don't know if it's hormones or what but me and my little MISTER have been bumping heads a lot lately. I've got to nip this in the bud with the quickness before Baby Girl's arrival. So I have been known to walk around the house with a belt over my shoulder to let him know I mean business however I never get to use it ;-( because all it takes is one word from his father and he's scrambling and tripping over himself to straighten up his act!
I think that he will probably end up being a lawyer because not only does he ask questions- and I'm not talking about typical inquisitive kiddie questions- he ask questions directly related to him getting what he wants and he has already developed this ability to make you second guess your answers so that he can prove his point which is- THERE IS NO REASON I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY WAY. I pray for him daily that he does not become a victim of a back hand from his hormonal mother. If he's starting this mess at FOUR. . .I'm thinking he better have a back up plan like where he can go and live by the time he's TEN because I ain't having it!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Totally Random
The most random thing happened in H-Town yesterday evening. . .IT SNOWED!!!! Earlier that afternoon I was running errands and it was COLD (32 degrees) and raining and at times the cold combined with the rain made it feel like ice was hitting my face but I never thought it would SNOW!
Let me just clear something up for anyone who doesn't know about weather in the South. First of all, anything below 70 is COLD to folks born and raised in the South. Second, this weekend is supposed to be around 74 degrees. So, color us a little shocked to get enough snow to stick to the ground and cars for more than an hour. Some places on the outskirts of the city actually got about 2.5 inches of snow.
The other thing that's so fascinating and somewhat cool about all of this is when I picked my son up from school yesterday he asked me if it was going to snow. I laughed and said I don't know. His teacher (remember he attends a Christian day school) however told him to PRAY and maybe God would make it snow. When we got home my son asked me if it was okay to pray for snow and who am I to challenge prayer? I told him to go right ahead. He took a prayer posture- clasped hands, bowed head and closed eyes and he prayed: "Dear God please make it snow today, in Jesus name, Amen."
When my husband called us around 5:30 and told us it was snowing my son- to say he was excited is an understatement. He kept running from window to window exclaiming "I made it snow! I made it snow!" I had to explain to him that he didn't make it snow, that God did. And he countered with, "But that's only because I asked him to," I didn't even bother. . .
It would have been really cool if this miracle could have taken place on Christmas like it did 4 years ago. It actually snowed on Christmas Even in 2004, my son's first Christmas, and hasn't even been that cold on Christmas since. They are trying to tie the snow to the hurricanes and some freaky weather pattern. Whatever the case, it was pretty awesome, that is until this morning when Houstonians all over town went sliding and crashing into each other. There should be a city-wide rule that if it snows in Houston or if there is ice on the ground- the city is CLOSED for the day! We can drive in rain but snow/ice? Not so much.
Tomorrow I'll post pics of my son throwing snowballs. . .
Let me just clear something up for anyone who doesn't know about weather in the South. First of all, anything below 70 is COLD to folks born and raised in the South. Second, this weekend is supposed to be around 74 degrees. So, color us a little shocked to get enough snow to stick to the ground and cars for more than an hour. Some places on the outskirts of the city actually got about 2.5 inches of snow.
The other thing that's so fascinating and somewhat cool about all of this is when I picked my son up from school yesterday he asked me if it was going to snow. I laughed and said I don't know. His teacher (remember he attends a Christian day school) however told him to PRAY and maybe God would make it snow. When we got home my son asked me if it was okay to pray for snow and who am I to challenge prayer? I told him to go right ahead. He took a prayer posture- clasped hands, bowed head and closed eyes and he prayed: "Dear God please make it snow today, in Jesus name, Amen."
When my husband called us around 5:30 and told us it was snowing my son- to say he was excited is an understatement. He kept running from window to window exclaiming "I made it snow! I made it snow!" I had to explain to him that he didn't make it snow, that God did. And he countered with, "But that's only because I asked him to," I didn't even bother. . .
It would have been really cool if this miracle could have taken place on Christmas like it did 4 years ago. It actually snowed on Christmas Even in 2004, my son's first Christmas, and hasn't even been that cold on Christmas since. They are trying to tie the snow to the hurricanes and some freaky weather pattern. Whatever the case, it was pretty awesome, that is until this morning when Houstonians all over town went sliding and crashing into each other. There should be a city-wide rule that if it snows in Houston or if there is ice on the ground- the city is CLOSED for the day! We can drive in rain but snow/ice? Not so much.
Tomorrow I'll post pics of my son throwing snowballs. . .
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Greatest
My son and I have been left to our own devices since Thursday because my husband was out of town. We had a great weekend that consisted of "movie night" (we rented DVD's because my son confessed he doesn't like going to the movies, he's so strange), library day, shopping, pizza and games @ Gattitown, sleeping late and lounging in our pajamas all day Sunday.
I think I fell in love with him all over again this weekend. I simply cherish these days because he is such a sweet, smart, funny and just wonderful little human being. Everyday when I pray to God, one of the things I ask is that my son maintains some of those endearing qualities throughout his lifetime. And I pray that I remain strong and healthy enough to be positive influence to keep him on the right path.
Here are some of the priceless highlights from this weekend:
Me: (tickling him mercilessly) Now what are you gonna do, huh?
Him: (screaming in between fits of laughter) Stop, stop! No tickling!
Me: (I stop because I'm out of breath) Whatever, Egghead!
Him: (scrambling away from me) You said exactly what you are
Me: What?!
Him: What did you call me?
Me: Egghead.
Him: (laughing) That's exactly what you are (runs from room laughing)
Me: (mouth hanging open and thinking to myself- man, I'm gonna have to use that one!)
______________
Me: (giving him a vitamin) You've gotta take your vitamins so you can be big and strong
Him: (chewing it without complaint) So nobody will try to be a bully to me
Me: That's right, you let them know you are not the one!
Him: That's right, if somebody comes up to me and pushes me I'm gonna push them back and say, 'Not today, brother,' (but it totally sounded like BRUDDA).
Me: (laughing so hard I almost choked).
_____________
Me: So when your new baby brother or sister comes along, you are going to have to be in charge and show them how things work around here.
Him: Like the t.v.
Me: (laughing) Yes, but I'm mostly talking about the house rules.
Him: Like what?
Me: Like who's in charge, where things go, no whining, picking up after yourself, -
Him: Helping me clean up my room
Oh yeah, he is so ready to be a big brother! Ha ha!
_____________
Daddy will be back today and he was missed. He ran the Philadelphia Marathon in 32 degree weather in 4 hours 22 minutes. That is truly amazing to me! Twenty six miles?! Are you kidding me?! I couldn't have walked twenty six blocks! Hell, after two or three blocks in 32 degree weather I would have been dying!!
I'm really proud of him and can't wait to see him this evening. See, how absence makes the heart grow fonder. Now, if I could only get him to be gone for a week every month, I am more than certain we'd make it to ten years! :-)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Whassup
My new goal is to try and post at least once a week. . .I am about to start a whirlwind travel schedule for work so I may as well just write October off as a month lost from my life! So, sorry if I don't update the blog as much as I'd like. Hopefully the more time away will give me more (better) things to post about.
Here are some more GEMS from The Genius:
1. Me: (convincing him to get a haircut) Don't you want to be handsome?
Him: I'm already handsome. I don't need a haircut for that.
2. Him: (to his dad) Okay, I need for you to call my school every morning to see what they are having for breakfast so I can decide if I want to eat at school or at home.
His dad: **blank stare**
Him: For real.
3. Me: (in between kissing him a million times) I'm so glad God sent me such a smart and handsome little boy. I didn't know you were going to be so smart and handsome.
Him: You thought I wasn't going to know anything when I grew up?
4. Walking through Target looking at Halloween stuff we come upon a skeleton used for decoration.
Him: I can name all the parts of the skeleton.
Me: (intrigued) I don't believe you!
Him: Watch (so he starts as I point to the head) Brain, chest, stomach, arms, PENIS, legs. . .
Me: (laughing loudly and covering HIS mouth) Boy, a skeleton doesn't have a penis!
Him: Is it a girl?
Man, oh man life is just about to start getting FUN!
Here are some more GEMS from The Genius:
1. Me: (convincing him to get a haircut) Don't you want to be handsome?
Him: I'm already handsome. I don't need a haircut for that.
2. Him: (to his dad) Okay, I need for you to call my school every morning to see what they are having for breakfast so I can decide if I want to eat at school or at home.
His dad: **blank stare**
Him: For real.
3. Me: (in between kissing him a million times) I'm so glad God sent me such a smart and handsome little boy. I didn't know you were going to be so smart and handsome.
Him: You thought I wasn't going to know anything when I grew up?
4. Walking through Target looking at Halloween stuff we come upon a skeleton used for decoration.
Him: I can name all the parts of the skeleton.
Me: (intrigued) I don't believe you!
Him: Watch (so he starts as I point to the head) Brain, chest, stomach, arms, PENIS, legs. . .
Me: (laughing loudly and covering HIS mouth) Boy, a skeleton doesn't have a penis!
Him: Is it a girl?
Man, oh man life is just about to start getting FUN!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
More Words of Wisdom
Everyday my son, says things that entertain (and sometimes infuriate) me but here are some of this weeks gems:
1. I don't want to talk about dying because you don't get to live anymore.
2. I'm really smart, I can figure a lot of stuff out.
3. Power naps give you rest.
4. I'm a kid so I don't have to do any work.
5. Being good is easy, all you have to do is listen and pay attention.
He is just getting too big and too smart too soon! I have to admit I am enjoying him a lot these days and all the "intellectual" conversations we have, ha ha! I'm sure the day is coming when I will be wishing he would just HUSH but right now I'm loving it!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Red Table
The Red Table is where children who don't pay attention in my son's preschool class have to sit and think about their transgressions. My son has been a frequent resident of The Red Table lately. We want him to know it's not acceptable but at the same time it's almost inevitable when you have a preschool class full of 4 year old boys who are constantly playing Power Rangers, karate and Incredible Hulk vs. Spiderman; they will get side tracked from time to time. Especially now that it is summer time and they aren't following a strict school curriculum and everyday is a themed fun day like bubble day, swim day, pajama day, etc.
But regardless to the lack of structure over the summer he still needs listen to his teacher so, my husband and I have resorted to threatening him with no toys or television if he goes to The Red Table. But I get the feeling he's past the point of dreading his fate because he already knows staying away from The Red Table will be a struggle. In the mornings if you ask him if he's going to The Red Table he says, "I'm going to try not to," The other day while he was in the bathtub we had the following conversation:
ME: If you hurry up and wash up you can catch the last Oswald show before bed.
HIM: Is it a new show I never saw before?
ME: I don't know.
HIM: (seriously thinking) Hmm. . .well, Daddy told me if I go to The Red Table I can't watch my shows on t.v. so, maybe next time.
My mouth was hanging open (as it usually does when I'm dealing with Mr. Four going on Forty) because I didn't know he had gone to The Red Table but I think mainly because he was being so "compliant".
Another "punishment" for going to The Red Table was to write I will not go to the red table (actually the word "the" was left off by dad) on a full sheet of paper. When I got home from work he was all excited because he was writing "I will not got to red table" and he was making such perfect letters.
So, bottom line he tries his best (according to him) not to go to The Red Table but the wicked forces at work in his preschool class are often against him so he just accepts his fate and takes his sentence like a four year old.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A Song For You
My son came home yesterday crawled in my lap and sang to me:
"I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my Mommy you will be."
I got a lump in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I showered him with hugs & kisses because I thought he was such a brilliant, sensitive child who had composed a special song just for his mother. He explained (as he gasped for air) that his teacher read a book in class and the song was from the story. But he said it could still be my special song and he would sing it to me whenever I wanted him to. God broke the mold with that one. . . ;-)
In case you're interested (or maybe I'm the only clueless one here) the song is from a book by Robert Munsch called "Love You Forever". The crazy thing is that I've seen the book cover before and I thought it was about POTTY TRAINING! Ha ha! A literal example of not judging a book by it's cover!
"I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my Mommy you will be."
I got a lump in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I showered him with hugs & kisses because I thought he was such a brilliant, sensitive child who had composed a special song just for his mother. He explained (as he gasped for air) that his teacher read a book in class and the song was from the story. But he said it could still be my special song and he would sing it to me whenever I wanted him to. God broke the mold with that one. . . ;-)
In case you're interested (or maybe I'm the only clueless one here) the song is from a book by Robert Munsch called "Love You Forever". The crazy thing is that I've seen the book cover before and I thought it was about POTTY TRAINING! Ha ha! A literal example of not judging a book by it's cover!
Monday, July 7, 2008
You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry
My son has developed a fascination with the Incredible Hulk. He has never seen the television show (the reruns actually come on some random cable channel), nor the movies or even a cartoon.
He did however see a commercial one time and a coloring book so, he understands when the guy is mad (usually because he’s picked on) he turns into the Hulk. Whenever I pull out the camera he wants to do an Incredible Hulk pose. Whenever we play a “game” it involves him being the Incredible Hulk. And the other day he wanted me to find him an Incredible Hulk game on the computer.
As you can imagine I’ve had my fill of the Incredible Hulk!!! That is until I witnessed him turn into the Hulk. My husband left a Gatorade bottle on the living room floor (don’t ask) so, when I walked into the living I pretended to trip over the bottle and fall on the floor (seriously, I was just playing, ain’t no shame in my game if I would have fallen I’d admit it, like that time I was in the Jamaica, or when I was walking to catch my bus. . .) anyway, I do a pratfall and call out for help.
My son was in our bedroom with my husband and is the first to arrive on the scene. “Mama, what happened are you okay?” he asks. “Your daddy left this bottle on the floor and I tripped over it and fell,” I say with dramatic flair. “Daddy!” my son yells- because my concerned husband has not moved from the bed (he’s used to me falling). My son heads back to the room and meets my husband halfway with a GUT PUNCH!!!
He hit his daddy right above the belt as hard as he could and said, “You made my mama fall! You should have put that bottle in the trash!”
I was stunned- so was his father. I laughed- his father did not. I think it’s awesome that he defends me and so does my husband but he doesn’t like to be on the receiving end of the beat downs. My son was given a stern talking to by his father and I suggested that he just not hit so hard. . . . . of course I missed the whole point. . .or did I?
He did however see a commercial one time and a coloring book so, he understands when the guy is mad (usually because he’s picked on) he turns into the Hulk. Whenever I pull out the camera he wants to do an Incredible Hulk pose. Whenever we play a “game” it involves him being the Incredible Hulk. And the other day he wanted me to find him an Incredible Hulk game on the computer.
As you can imagine I’ve had my fill of the Incredible Hulk!!! That is until I witnessed him turn into the Hulk. My husband left a Gatorade bottle on the living room floor (don’t ask) so, when I walked into the living I pretended to trip over the bottle and fall on the floor (seriously, I was just playing, ain’t no shame in my game if I would have fallen I’d admit it, like that time I was in the Jamaica, or when I was walking to catch my bus. . .) anyway, I do a pratfall and call out for help.
My son was in our bedroom with my husband and is the first to arrive on the scene. “Mama, what happened are you okay?” he asks. “Your daddy left this bottle on the floor and I tripped over it and fell,” I say with dramatic flair. “Daddy!” my son yells- because my concerned husband has not moved from the bed (he’s used to me falling). My son heads back to the room and meets my husband halfway with a GUT PUNCH!!!
He hit his daddy right above the belt as hard as he could and said, “You made my mama fall! You should have put that bottle in the trash!”
I was stunned- so was his father. I laughed- his father did not. I think it’s awesome that he defends me and so does my husband but he doesn’t like to be on the receiving end of the beat downs. My son was given a stern talking to by his father and I suggested that he just not hit so hard. . . . . of course I missed the whole point. . .or did I?
Monday, June 16, 2008
My Son the Teacher
The other day my son and I were coloring pages in his coloring book and I flipped to the cover to see how the characters looked to make sure I colored them just right. My son asked, "What are you doing?" I replied, "Looking to see what color Tyrone's shirt is supposed to be," He stopped coloring looked at me and said, "Mama, use your imagination it can be any color you want it to be. You don't have to do it like everybody else,"
My mouth hung open. It hung open even wider when I asked, "Who told you that," his reply: "You did,"
Wow. Not only does he listen to me but apparently I am a hypocrite who doles out advice but doesn't follow it. Several people have been quoted in various languages I'm sure about the importance of walking the talk and action speaking louder than words. I wonder then how often I send my son mixed messages. I'm always telling him to try his best meanwhile I complain that I'm not getting anything accomplished. Am I trying my best?
A simple activity like coloring served as the wake up call I desperately needed. I can't expect my son to take anything I say seriously if I'm not following my own rules and advice. Starting today I pledge to arm him with information to help him on his journey and to also practice what I preach so, that I can have positive examples to SHOW him when he questions whether or not mama know what she's talking about.
Monday, June 2, 2008
And the Winner Is. . .
My son has developed a serious competitive streak at the age of four. I don't know if it's "hereditary" (his father is ridiculously competitive) or if it's a boy thing. But he ALWAYS wants to win. And when he wins he gloats about it, "Oh, yeah I won, I won," and when he loses it's more like, "No fair, I wasn't ready, you cheated,"
So we have stopped letting him win at games to help him cope with reality and the fact that there will always be someone bigger, stronger or better but you never give up and always try your best. Now, when he loses we make him shake the winner's hand and say, "Good job," and he adds, "But I'm going to win next time," Baby steps.
He received a trophy at the end of T-Ball season and he was beyond ecstatic to get his first trophy and although everyone on the team got a trophy he said, "Look what I won," Geesh.
I want to make sure he strives for excellence throughout his life but I don't want him to think life is over if he doesn't come in first and I'm not just talking about sports or games. I'm talking life in general- school, work, relationships, etc. When you give 100% and never give up then that automatically makes you a winner regardless to whether or not you take home the trophy. (Yeah, I know but it sure does feel good ;-)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Nightmares in the Night
Last night as I lay in a peaceful slumber I felt a small hand pulling at my arm. I awoke (@ 3:15am!) to find my son had made his way downstairs in the dark and was trying to pull himself up into our bed. When asked what was wrong he said he had a bad dream so, I helped him up and he wedged himself between me and his father.
I started to drift off again and was awaken when he sat up in the bed and announced, "Mama, I never want to go to the park again,". "Huh?" I asked groggily. "Monkeys are shooting people in the park in my dream," he said. What?! My husband woke up and realized he was in the bed and I tell him about the pistol packing primates in the park. We assure him that there will be no monkey's shooting people in the park and he eventually falls asleep. But then I lay awake wondering where in the hell did that come from?!
He is not allowed to watch movies with violence especially shooting, he has never had a toy gun, we have not watched or witnessed anything with monkeys lately and the last time we went to the park was two weeks ago. VERY BIZARRE. Me being the paranoid schizo that I am wonder if this is a premonition and we should avoid parks in the near future or if perhaps there is some monkeying around going on at his school. Hmmm.
I started to drift off again and was awaken when he sat up in the bed and announced, "Mama, I never want to go to the park again,". "Huh?" I asked groggily. "Monkeys are shooting people in the park in my dream," he said. What?! My husband woke up and realized he was in the bed and I tell him about the pistol packing primates in the park. We assure him that there will be no monkey's shooting people in the park and he eventually falls asleep. But then I lay awake wondering where in the hell did that come from?!
He is not allowed to watch movies with violence especially shooting, he has never had a toy gun, we have not watched or witnessed anything with monkeys lately and the last time we went to the park was two weeks ago. VERY BIZARRE. Me being the paranoid schizo that I am wonder if this is a premonition and we should avoid parks in the near future or if perhaps there is some monkeying around going on at his school. Hmmm.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Flip Flop You Don't Stop
My son and I were shopping and I went into Gap Kids (looking for a belt) and he saw these flip flops and flipped out! He said they were "cool" because they had an orange iguana on them and he said I should buy them because nobody else at his school has them. Well, I'm not so sure no one at his school has them. I think he's never saw anyone at his school with them because they can't wear flip flops to school!
He continued to plead his case and I of course was worn down and broke down and bought them. After we went into another store where they were $5.00 CHEAPER (!), I pulled out the sign in my purse that said "Sucker" and wore it on my forehead for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Masterpiece
Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids? Unleash their inner artist! Pick up a couple of blank art canvases (Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc.), washable finger pants, and small art brushes.
You can use a paper plate as a palette paints by placing a few dabs of each color on the plate. Allow kids to use their fingers or the brushes to create their masterpiece. Art is an extremely important part of a child's development. It's been proven that early exposure to visual art, music, or drama promotes activity in the brain. Art nurtures inventiveness as it engages children in a process that aids in the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, and self-motivation.
This masterpiece was done by my son and is titled, "My Garden" can you spot the bugs, rain and flowers?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Hair Apparent
My son was a few layers away from having an Afro so, after new clippers were purchased my husband strapped him down to a chair and threatened him to within an inch of his life. . .
Just kidding, please don't call CPS. It's just that my son's two least favorite things to do are getting a haircut and going to sleep. It was so funny when he asked his dad what time he was going to be finished and when his dad told him, he said, "That's too long," and what? You STILL have to sit there. I just think it's interesting that he doesn't try to negotiate with his dad the way he does with me. He just sat there with a disturbed look on his face and endured the torture.
The thing I thought was hilarious (and so cute) was when he was done he came running to me and said, "Look how handsome I am!" Very handsome indeed.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Computer Literate
If it wasn't just an over indulgent and unnecessary purchase I might break down and get my son his own laptop. Seriously. I have a personal laptop, my husband has a work issued laptop that he brings home daily and we have a desktop. Granted the desktop is a bit of a dinosaur but it is still fully functional. But my son never wants to play his games on the desktop he has the nerve to say it's too slow.
So, he asks to use my computer and then get this- he places a timer on his use. He'll say, "I'm going to play my games until 7:35, okay?" Um- no, it's not okay I have stuff to do little boy! I'm glad he is getting exposure on the computer and can navigate it like a champ but he might need to save a lot more money in his piggy bank to get his own laptop!
Here are a few fun and educational sites:
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Joys of Boys
Being the lone female in my house on a daily basis has some definite perks and some serious aggravations. It’s no secret that men are from Mars and women are from Venus but it’s very interesting to see the progression of a little Martian in my very own household. I’m finally beginning to understand the term “all boy”. This is such a new experience for me because I grew up in a household headed by a single mother and only had one sister. Sometimes boys are like so, EW! Then other times I feel like I’m the Queen of the Castle (although I’m only ruling over two court jesters :-) ).
I started a list of things I like and things I don’t like (but suffer through anyway).
Dislikes
1. I don’t know if they are aiming with their eyes closed or what but why do boys tend to get more pee on the toilet seat and floor than they do in the actual toilet?!
2. Speaking of toilets- what are you saying that is so important that we must have a conversation while you are ON the toilet?!
3. Shoes, shoes, underwear, and shoes. . .all over the floor! Why!? Why!? Why!?
4. Please learn my “serious” face. Sometimes yall play too much when Mama is NOT playing.
5. Forced belches. I won’t even elaborate.
Likes
1. My safety is their job one. My son was literally on my heels the other day as I moved about the house. I asked why he was following me and he said, “I have to protect you and I don’t want you to get hurt,” Aw. . .I HEART him!
2. They keep my car washed and clean (although it’s a mess right now).
3. They LOVE me so hard and so much!
4. They make me laugh, which I probably need to do more often.
5. They are fearless (or at least they pretend to be). If I hear any little squeak I can push my husband out of the bed to go check things out. And my son, brought me a grasshopper on a stick as a “present”- although that should be on my dislike list, I like the fact that he’s not scared of a grasshopper. Just leave that thing OUTSIDE.
Boys oh, boys! Since we can’t send them back to their home planet, I guess we’ve got to learn to live together in peace.
I started a list of things I like and things I don’t like (but suffer through anyway).
Dislikes
1. I don’t know if they are aiming with their eyes closed or what but why do boys tend to get more pee on the toilet seat and floor than they do in the actual toilet?!
2. Speaking of toilets- what are you saying that is so important that we must have a conversation while you are ON the toilet?!
3. Shoes, shoes, underwear, and shoes. . .all over the floor! Why!? Why!? Why!?
4. Please learn my “serious” face. Sometimes yall play too much when Mama is NOT playing.
5. Forced belches. I won’t even elaborate.
Likes
1. My safety is their job one. My son was literally on my heels the other day as I moved about the house. I asked why he was following me and he said, “I have to protect you and I don’t want you to get hurt,” Aw. . .I HEART him!
2. They keep my car washed and clean (although it’s a mess right now).
3. They LOVE me so hard and so much!
4. They make me laugh, which I probably need to do more often.
5. They are fearless (or at least they pretend to be). If I hear any little squeak I can push my husband out of the bed to go check things out. And my son, brought me a grasshopper on a stick as a “present”- although that should be on my dislike list, I like the fact that he’s not scared of a grasshopper. Just leave that thing OUTSIDE.
Boys oh, boys! Since we can’t send them back to their home planet, I guess we’ve got to learn to live together in peace.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
For the Love of Money
An actual conversation:
TheGenius: Mama, you never brought me the Tip the Tractor game
Me: When did I say I was buying the Tip the Tractor game?
TheGenius: Well, I asked you to buy it.
Me: You have a million toys that you don't play with.
TheGenius: I don't have a million toys.
Silence
TheGenius: So are you going to buy the Tip the Tractor game?
Me: Save your money and buy it yourself.
I seriously think my son believes money grows on trees. Sometimes in an effort to "expose" and "provide" our children with things (material) that we didn't have growing up, we are unwittingly creating a generation of children who will not appreciate working hard to get the things you want because they know Mama or Daddy will get them whatever their little hearts desire.
I'm trying to squash that nonsense in my household. I told my son he has to EARN his money by helping out around the house. Yes, he reminded me that he was only four and I assured him he wouldn't be four forever. So, there is no time like the present to start learning valuable life lessons. Including the lesson that EVERYTHING costs money. He's been more mindful of asking for things- until after he finds out how much it costs. He still really doesn't have a concept of what's expensive and what's affordable. But he's learning.
I bought him a piggy bank and he saved his birthday money plus the dollar I gave him for helping me clean out my car (all he did was take HIS stuff out of my car). He has a total of $13.32. The Tip the Tractor game costs $15.99 plus tax and shipping (only available through Amazon.com). So, he is well on his way!
Even though I can more than afford to purchase the game for him, I think this is an opportunity for him to learn a valuable lesson not to mention he's so proud of all the "monies" in his bank and he's getting to use his counting and addition skills! There I go trying to sneak in something educational again. :-)
Side Note: He is BEYOND obsessed with Disney Pixar's Cars movie and it's characters. Didn't that movie come out two (or three) years ago?!
TheGenius: Mama, you never brought me the Tip the Tractor game
Me: When did I say I was buying the Tip the Tractor game?
TheGenius: Well, I asked you to buy it.
Me: You have a million toys that you don't play with.
TheGenius: I don't have a million toys.
Silence
TheGenius: So are you going to buy the Tip the Tractor game?
Me: Save your money and buy it yourself.
I seriously think my son believes money grows on trees. Sometimes in an effort to "expose" and "provide" our children with things (material) that we didn't have growing up, we are unwittingly creating a generation of children who will not appreciate working hard to get the things you want because they know Mama or Daddy will get them whatever their little hearts desire.I'm trying to squash that nonsense in my household. I told my son he has to EARN his money by helping out around the house. Yes, he reminded me that he was only four and I assured him he wouldn't be four forever. So, there is no time like the present to start learning valuable life lessons. Including the lesson that EVERYTHING costs money. He's been more mindful of asking for things- until after he finds out how much it costs. He still really doesn't have a concept of what's expensive and what's affordable. But he's learning.
I bought him a piggy bank and he saved his birthday money plus the dollar I gave him for helping me clean out my car (all he did was take HIS stuff out of my car). He has a total of $13.32. The Tip the Tractor game costs $15.99 plus tax and shipping (only available through Amazon.com). So, he is well on his way!
Even though I can more than afford to purchase the game for him, I think this is an opportunity for him to learn a valuable lesson not to mention he's so proud of all the "monies" in his bank and he's getting to use his counting and addition skills! There I go trying to sneak in something educational again. :-)
Side Note: He is BEYOND obsessed with Disney Pixar's Cars movie and it's characters. Didn't that movie come out two (or three) years ago?!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Lessons Learned
It's Good Friday! Thank you to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the multitude of blessings I receive daily!
I count my son among those blessings and you can thank him for these priceless gems. These are words straight from his 4 year old mouth, to my ears, to this page, for your eyes. Words to live by:
1. If you count from 20 backwards real slow the hiccups will go away.
2. If you always forget stuff that means you’re getting old.
3. If you are 37 years old you should not be asking a 4 year old how to do stuff.
4. Don’t say yes to something unless you’re "askolutely" sure about it.
5. If you put worms in a bucket and then cover them up with dirt and leave them on the porch- they will crawl out of the dirt and the bucket.
6. Somebody is only "bad" if they are not your friend.
7. Sometimes when you don’t want to talk to people (or even look at them) you might be shy.
8. If you hurt yourself and somebody kisses it, it will feel better.
9. Never say can’t- always try.
10. When your tummy hurts that means you have to go poop.
Tip- The Genius was sick last night (still recovering). He had a 101.9 fever. I find a teaspoon of Children's Motrin and a Popsicle is the best cure for his fever. His temperature was down to 99 in about twenty minutes.
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