My Mind Hurts

Posted March 26th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

Last night at AWANA Sparks, C fell down during game time.  The kids were having a relay race and C slipped on the carpet and skinned his elbow, knee and hit his head.

Since I was downstairs teaching Cubbies, Mr. Phillip brought C to me.  C was crying and obviously in pain.  I held C in my lap for a bit and then asked him what got hurt.

C replied, “I skinned my elbow and my knee and hit my mind (while pointing to his head).”

Awwww – I thought that was too cute not to post.

High Ambitions

Posted March 24th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

Yesterday C brought home an assignment to be turned in to his kindergarten teacher on Friday.  The assignment is to write on the first page what he wants to be when he grows up and write why he wants to be that.  On the second page is a black and white basic drawing of a person and C is to color and decorate it as the character he wants to be when he grows up.

Yesterday after school I reviewed C’s classroom workpapers with him and introduced him to his assignment and we talked about it a little.  This morning I mentioned it to C again to get an idea of what he would like to be for this assignment.  C told me that he wanted to be “an Operator.”  As our conversation continued, I gleaned that he meant “Surgeon.”

This afternoon I sat down with C to begin the writing and initial coloring/decorating of his paper person.  I mentioned that he said this morning that he wants to be a surgeon so he could operate on people.  C nixed his initial idea.  When I asked C what else he wants to grow up to be, C replied, “A Daddy.”  While this is a noble calling (and he does have an excellent role model to follow), the instructions mentioned that the children are learning about community helpers so I tried to explain to him that while it would be great if he were a daddy some day, most daddys leave in the morning and go to a job where they make money and then come home.  So, C, what kind of job would you like to do where you make money?

C replied, “Be a Mommy.”

Me:  “uh…”

( Lets try this again, shall we?)

Me:  C, If you had to go somewhere and do a job where you got paid to do it, what would you like to do?

C:  Be a worker at Sonic where I could make milkshakes.

We’re off to decorate his paper person as a waiter.  A construction paper milkshake in one hand with a plastic straw ought to look cute.  As an aside, I can’t wait for C to really grow up and read this post.  Oh, what shall he grow up to do?!

3.17.09

Posted March 17th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

I’m finished painting the living room for now.  All that is left is moving the entertainment center and grandfather clock and painting behind them.  Oh, and painting behind the picture that hangs above the mantel (I didn’t want to attempt to get it down, as it is very heavy.)

I will paint the dining room after B moves the furniture.  Also, the hallway leading to the bedrooms needs painting to match the living room.

The boys are enjoying their lunch of apples, club crackers and peanut butter (creamy pb for J and crunchy pb for C).

All in all, a good day here!  Day 2 of spring break is going well.

"We"

Posted March 16th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

I was about to post about how the word “we” is used around here.  Then something amazing happened.

To begin, last night was “parent/son evening.”  B and I try to do this at least once every month whereby B takes C or J out for the evening and I take the other child out.  We switch up each time so C and J get one on one time with each Mom and Dad.  Last night I took J to Carrabbas for dinner and then to Barnes and Noble for dessert.

While J and I were at Carrabbas, the waiter gave J some pizza dough to play with.  After we were finished with out meal, J wanted to take the dough home, so the waiter put some flour and the dough in a plastic container with a lid and once we got home it sat on the kitchen counter until this morning.

This morning J has been playing with the dough on the kitchen table and flour has been falling on the kitchen floor.  J told me, “It’s alright.  WE can clean it up.”

This reminded me of how the boys play outside and “It’s alright.  WE can clean the clothes.”  Also, when the kids are drawing and crayons, markers, papers, etc. get scattered “It’s alright.  WE can organize the mess.”  And, when a lot of toys are on the floor, “It’s alright.  WE can clean up the toys.”

Yes, the boys do pick up some, but usually it is me doing the lions share or giving orders and encouragement.

However, this morning I left J to play with the dough while I went to make up my bed.  Awhile later I heard the vacuum.  Then J came into my bedroom with the ear protection headphones that he wore at the monster truck show and told me, “I need to wear these ‘cuz the vacuum is so loud.”  I just nodded o.k. and asked him, “Are you cleaning up the flour that fell on the floor?”  J replied, “And on the table.”  I then left him to his devices.

The little angel was cleaning up the flour that was on the floor and on the table.  Wow!  He is understanding that we all need to do our part to keep the house neat.  Thank you, J!

(However, as I write this, the little Oreck vacuum is turned off after being used, but still sitting in Daddy’s chair at the kitchen table…  I’ll get J to help me wind up the cord in a little bit and put the vacuum back into the closet.  We’re getting there.  Maybe J is showing signs of being a 5 year old – his birthday is on Friday!!!)

For now, I’m going to organize C’s room while he is visiting Nana and then I’m going to change the litter box.  Laundry is washing and the dishwasher also needs to be unloaded.  Quite a lot of my daily tasks are repetitive, but they keep the house neat.  I’m glad J is understanding that.  C already has learned this and demonstrated it by accidentally knocking a box over this morning and immediately picking the stuff up.  They are going to make really good grownups!