Filthy, Dirty, Slimy, and Sopping Wet!

I have been thinking lately that too often I try to keep the boys from getting dirty, tracking dirt in the house, and not hurting themselves when they play. I mean, they ARE boys and boys are supposed to do that stuff...although I may not give up on not tracking dirt in the house. There IS a line for goodness sake, and boys need to be taught to respect their property and to wipe their feet. While I don't want them to get hurt, I don't want them to grow up not knowing their own limits or afraid of everything. If they take some small tumbles now, it will teach them to make better choices, and that bad choices can hurt. They will try new things and accomplish more than they, or I thought they could, and feel the sense of pride that goes with that. They are learning to use their imaginations because sticks become bridges, and leaves become boats. Even though it goes against my instincts as a woman and mother, I think boys need these experiences to become strong men. All of this stumbling, exploring, achieving, and imagining apparently requires massive amounts of dirt, rocks and sticks! Don't ask me why...I am a girl.

Yesterday, we went for a walk and discovered a shallow creek next to the walking trail. So we went back today, and this time I brought my camera. Barrett and Kyle immediately wanted to throw rocks into the water. What is that about? Is it some innate thing in boys? "Water, I must throw rocks into it." Again, I AM a girl, what do I know about these things? After they fulfilled their rock throwing quota, we all waded, and slipped into the water. smack. on. our. bottoms. They saw a duck and "a million billion" minnows. Then, they heard some trickling water and found a little waterfall. They discovered that they could hold hands and help each other up the slippery rocks. Then, in order to get back up to the walking trail we had to climb up a steep slope of sliding dirt. They amazed me and maybe even themselves with their slope-climbing abilities. Barrett was very proud of himself when he reached the top.

They were filthy, dirty, slimy and sopping wet, but they had so much fun doing what comes so naturally--being boys. I had a lot more fun watching them knowing that this kind of play is good for them and that dirt washes off with a little soap and water.

Biting my Tongue...ouch!

I am a little picky about my kids' clothes. (I just heard my mom and husband protest, "A little!?!") Okay, very. I think that's why they get so excited about putting on pajamas. That's the only time I let them choose what they want to wear and express themselves.
Well, yesterday as we were rushing out the door Barrett declared that he would NOT wear the outfit I chose and so I let him wear whatever he wanted. I guess I am hoping that he will learn from his fashion mistakes, but I doubt it. Since I let Barrett make some fashion choices, Kyle got to make some too. And then, we all went out. in. public. and I didn't even explain to one person that they made their own clothing choices. Man, my tongue hurts!

Here's the result:



When I asked Barrett why he chose that shirt he said "Because it matches my sunglasses." Of course. And why those shorts? "Because they are camo." And why did you put on the backpack? "Because it matches my shorts." As you can clearly see, he is very into matching!!
And Kyle was pretty much dressed except he did choose his hat and shoes. By the way, it's summertime in Texas! Notice his squished ear under the hat and the shoes are hand-me-downs that are still a little too big.


Barrett's shoes are not too small, they are just on the wrong feet.




I love how they are such good friends!

Kyle

I shot this photo while Barrett and Cody were playing soccer. Barrett did not want to sit for a photo. hmmm...Running around kicking a ball or sitting still in itchy grass? I cannot for the life of me figure out why he wouldn't let me take his picture.

By the way, Barrett may be the Monica Seles of soccer...UH!....Ooomph!....UH!

A Weekend of Our Life

On Friday morning I decided to try to run a couple of errands and have lunch with the boys. I dangled a carrot (a.k.a. the park) in front of them so they would behave. I also tried to make it sound like a Dora the Explorer adventure... "Where are we going? Park! How do we get there? Store, Store, Lunch!" We finally made it to the park and it was hot. They spotted the splash pad from a mile away! Take this piece of free advice: If you happen upon a splash pad in the middle of the summer and you don't have a swimsuit or change of clothes, don't believe 'em when they tell you they are just going to get their feet wet. Those boys were soaked within seconds! I didn't mind. I was really wishing I could get in there with them. At one point, Kyle gave me a hug with his drenched little body--it was quite refreshing.





That night we met Cody for dinner at the Mexican restaurant in Farmersville. I think it was like the 5th meal in a row we had eaten Mexican. Heh heh. Can you guess what this is?


I'll give you a hint in the form of a joke:

What do you call a stuck up raisin?

Give up?

A:Snotty! That's right. It was Kyle who stuck the raisin up his nose this time. We think he put one in each nostril but we only found one. We all took turns looking up the orifice with a flashlight, making him sniff pepper, blow his nose, etc--all to no avail. I wonder where that raisin is...

(I am skipping Saturday because I worked all day but I will include Monday.)

Sunday was Gigi's birthday. Happy Birthday to my wonderful mom!! The boys made her birthday presents this year. We got the idea from Chasing Cheerios. My hats off to preschool and elementary school teachers! I do not know how they do it. I was going crazy trying to keep paint from getting everywhere and I only had 2 kids to deal with! On Sunday, the boys wrapped the gifts all by themselves. I almost bit through my tongue but I managed not to comment the gross overuse of scotch tape. They were so excited, that once the presents were wrapped, they had given them to her within 10 seconds. Gigi had lots of help unwrapping them as well.






We all went for a celebratory lunch at Texas Roadhouse.
This conversation ocurred on the way home:
Me: I'm tired.
Barrett (age 4): Me too.
Gigi: Me three.
Cody: Me four.
Kyle (age 2): Cinco!

Such comedic timing, that one!

Today we made Strawberry shortcake for dessert. Not just any Strawberry Shortcake, the most wonderful, magnificent strawberry shortcake in the whole wide world as good as it can be when you forget to put in the baking powder and salt. It was a little chaotic in the kitchen. The boys were just sooo excited to be making strawberry shortcake just like in this book we have been reading for months and months. The book is called Cook-a-doodle-doo by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel. It's about a rooster, iguana, pig, and turtle who make strawberry shortcake but don't know the first thing about cooking. Really cute, educational book with a recipe in the back. Tonight we all took on a character in the book and had fun. Everybody wanted to be the pig (taster) though...ha!

"That is so you!"

There are only two reasons people have kids. 1) They are under some serious delusions that the kids will someday help with the dishes and laundry. Note: They clearly have no idea pre-baby the magnitude of filth, dishes and laundry one little bitty child can produce. And/or 2) It’s fascinating to see what traits and qualities the child will inherit from their gene pool versus their spouse’s. I am, of course, kidding about these being the only two reasons people have kids. The only reason we’re having kids is because we want our own soccer team someday.

While it was not the reason for having kids, I do think it is fun to see how a child’s facial features and personality traits and quirks resemble one or the other parent.
For example, today I gave the boys watermelon. Everyone likes watermelon, right? And if they don’t they are un-American. Well, Cody doesn’t like it. When I gave it to Barrett as a baby he spit it out. I gave it to him again, thinking the world-belief I stated above about watermelon and Americanism. And he spit it out again! I finally realized that he might not like it when he gagged on it. Oops. I wonder which of my children will inherit my hard-headedness. (Actually, I know) Well, I am still hoping he’ll come around on watermelon I guess, because I had Cody pick up one on his way home so we could slurp up some summer fun on the back porch. Barrett licked his slice hesitantly and nibbled a few morsels. I don’t think he’s sold…but I’m sure he’ll come around! His country is depending on him. Kyle went to town on his slice and then ate what remained of Barrett’s.

I had to shoot quickly to get a picture of Barrett eating watermelon


Kyle polishing off his own slice of watermelon


Kyle starting on Barrett's slice

Today in the car with the boys I suggested we sing some songs. Kyle sang, “Farmer and the bell, farmer and the bell, hide all the Cheerios, farmer and the bell.” Oh, how I love that version! Then, he sang Twinkle, Twinkle like this, “Twinkle, Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Pop, pop, pop the world so high…” Hearing those back-to-back made me remember all the songs I used to sing wrong lyrics to. My cousins can probably remember more than I can (they used to have a ball listening to what I was singing and getting a good laugh).
Here’s a few of my wrong lyrics---see if you can guess the song. They’re all 80’s songs because I’m a child of the 80’s.
1. “Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you.”
2. “Carrying a laser in the darkness of the night…”
3. “Oh Sherry, Hose on! Hose on!” – c’mon didn’t you think that was what he was saying?

Kyle went to time out so why is everyone laughing?

Today I had a much needed Mommy day. I took the boys to Mother's Day Out and went to the bookstore and read in peace and quiet. Then, Cody and I met for lunch just the two of us at our favorite place and enjoyed some conversation. However, the conversation did revolve around the boys for most of the lunch. At least the conversation wasn't a constant repetition of, "Sit down." and "Are you using your table manners?"
When I picked the boys up up from MDO the teachers told me Kyle was sent to time out today. Dread and fear poured through my body as I had flashes of Barrett's first day of school. But then I noticed they were holding back laughter and could hardly talk. They were trying to tell me something else without the boys hearing. They finally eeked out between chuckles that Kyle had whacked Barrett on the back of the head for eating his imaginary ice cream cone! hehe. I know a good mother would never laugh when her child does something wrong, right? I have never claimed to be a model mother so I went ahead a laughed. Barrett and Kyle didn't know what we were laughing about. Now this was funny and yet so. very. familiar. I know their Uncle Casey had an almost identical incident when he was in preschool. I guess the legacy continues.
Note: Neither of the boys has had a problem with any other child. This is the third time they have been in a class together and their first incident (pretty good considering their track record at home). BTW, I would not be laughing if somebody else's kid was hit.

Here's some pics from today for Grandma and Papa...because I don't think they consider it a real blog post unless it has photos.

Fishing Party

For Barrett's birthday party we invited friends and family over to fish in our pond. It is full of quick to bite, easy to catch fish--perfect for kids. It was raining when the party started but we did some indoor activities like painting fish-shaped cookies and eating lunch. The rain blew over and we all went out to fish after we had cupcakes. Everyone who fished caught at least one! I think it was a first time to fish for several of the kids. Barrett had a great time and loved being surrounded by his friends and family to celebrate his special day. I know I have many happy, funny memories from this day. I love the picture of Barrett admiring his cake because there is one of me when I was little that is exactly like it. I would scan it and post them side by side but my mom has already packed her albums.
I will put the photos up at Walgreens.com so you can order and pick up at a store near you. Here's a Link to the Album.

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