The Joy of Boys: The Chore Edition

They think anything involving gasoline and power is fun....

*Heaven help us when he discovers some kids get paid for mowing yards! 

 Mr. Entrepreneur will be all over that idea!  

Permission to play with chemicals suddenly makes even the least helpful of the pair willing to give it a shot (or in this case, a squirt and swish)

That's MY boy....

Every once in awhile I get a glimpse of ME in my younger thing.  Usually, it is in the things he says or the way he acts.  Once in awhile, we capture it on film (this time with a camera phone...sorry for the grainy appearance).  

He was over the moon in realizing a creation exists that features his two favorite things:  pie and Chocolate.  Uh oh, I think I deserve a couple demerits in that he's gone this long before experiencing the joy that is French Silk Pie.  What kind of mother am I?  

Rules of Engagement

Hubby was chatting with the boys this morning at breakfast.

For some reason, they were talking about punching. What to do if...sort of conversations

 What brought about this morning hot topic?  I have no idea:  I am just the mom.  

Hubby says "Now boys, what would you do if a girl ever hit you?"

Thing Two:  "Trust Karma?"

Little does he know...

Thing Two likes to eavesdrop  (where he gets that, I have NO idea...yeah right...snickers the biggest gossip in the 'hood).  

Yesterday he realized another mom and I were into an involved conversation and he was trying to listen.  

Striking out, he later came right out and asked "What were you and Miss J. talking about?  (he's blunt, again...no idea where he gets that from).

Knowing the matter was really none of his business, I quickly pulled out a fake answer (I don't always think fast when cornered) "Um, we were talking about shaving our legs".

"Yeah RIGHT, Mom.  There is no such thing as that.  Sure, men shave beards when they get older, and I hear that arm pits grow hair.  But legs?  Really.  I don't think so....try again!"

The problem with automated records...

I was to have followed up with the doctor in 3 months...

It's been 2 yrs...

the good news is I've felt fine (which is why I blew off the follow up appt. Hey, I went to NP school:  95% of the diagnosis come from the history.  Clinical exam just supports the diagnosis.  Ok, so that's an attempt to justify my poor complaince but yeah...whatever).

the bad news?  The nice nurse practitioner (that was thoroughly reviewing those automated records)  said, while smiling sweetly, "here, how about we make that appointment today".  

Slow news week...

A week?  Really has it been a week since I updated the blog?

I know yesterday was the 12th and I coulda-shoulda done 12 on the 12th butI  just wasn't that interested in doing so.  

Spring Fever seems to be raging in full force here at Casa de Chang.

But, I guess that's better than Swine Flu, right?

Colleen was sweet enough to post a widget that has our count-down until summer vacation starts.  It's rather depressing so I won't share it here...but suffice to say I'm already done with supervising the homework, encouraging a reasonable bed time and making sure personal hygiene gets taken care of (sorry if you happen to be seated next to my stinky boys in class....showers are apparently not the "in" thing for the 9-11yr old crowd).

We all enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day...the Things gave me the best gift possible:  cooperation and reasonably cheerful attitude.  Sadly, Monday was back to "business as usual" and Thing One is again on video game restriction.  

The more things change...the more they stay the same I suppose.....

Wordless Wednesday: Barbie at 50...

Happy Birthday Barbie!  

Guest Blogger: Thing One

This week's writing assignment at school was for the student to write about something they have recently learned how to do.  They were to give step by step instructions but in paragraph form.

Here is what Thing One had to say on the topic:

Tantrum Solutions

 

The purpose of this paragraph is to explain how to get  yourself grounded from video games.  First, get angry about nothing.  You then stomp up to your room.  Next,  loudly slam the door of your lousy room.  This will start to annoy the people in your family.  Next, you start to cry.  This will get out the tears.  It is now time to throw things.  First, throw things off your bed.  Next, throw books, stuffed animals (but not anything important).  This will make a loud noise and your mom will come upstairs to see what is going on.  She will plug out your television.  If you don’t have a television in your room, skip this part.  Now it is  time to calm down.  You breathe in and out and think about what your done.  Lastly, go apologize to your mom and dad.  Now, they might give you a harsh punishment.  That is how you find yourself grounded from video games.

 

The end.  

Since I don't twitter....

I thought I'd let it be known that The Fonz and Laverne had a fabulous time at the sock hop last night!  We were there, and we are still square...how can that be?  

What's for lunch?

Earlier in the week, I was trying to  figure out who wanted what for school lunch (hot lunch v. lunch from home)

Me, while reading the hot lunch menu:  "Hey, what does straw hat mean?

Thing Two:  "Um, it means...I'm bringing lunch from home!"

OK, there you have it...while I continue to question what "straw hat" is, at least I know my child doesn't like it.  

Wordless Wednesday...yeah right, if only...

Beautiful day here.

Took Things to play at the park after school.

They played tag.  

The game lasts about one round too long for Thing One.

Words flew from his mouth.

Very colorful words...

and it was then that I noticed one of our neighbors......

Yeah, the conservative, churchy one with her four children!

10 years ago...

Do you remember what you were doing 10 yrs ago?  Usually I struggle to remember yesterday's events much less something so far in the past.  But not so today.  

Ten yrs ago, I had just turned on the t.v. for some background noise. I was trying to finish up Thing One's baby book since I had some free time (my shift at work had been cancelled) and I knew that I needed to get this done before a second baby joined our family later that summer.

 The local news had just come on and was reporting some sort of shooting at an area high school.  By the end of the day, we would forever refer to this piece of news as the tragedy at Columbine.  

I didn't know anyone personally impacted by this tragedy.  But, I was a mother:  with one of my boys at daycare and my second son kicking around in utero. I sat in my loft and just sobbed with my heavy  heart aching for all those parents who were directly impacted by the events of the day.  

This morning, we had the news on when Thing Two asked "What's Columbine?"  He's fast approaching 10.  He's curious and aware...so we answered his questions as best we could.  

And when I was done, I found myself  again with that heavy heart...and asking for prayers that my children never find themselves in the midst of such a violent and tragic situation.  Where the safe place that they know, school, becames a place of violence.  And my prayers continue for those whose lives were forever changed that April day at Columbine HS.

Columbine...we will never forget

The storm has passed...

And it is warm enough to get out and enjoy this white stuff.

Though you'd better build fast:  the great melt has begun!  

April Showers...

Bring broken tree branches if we don't send the Jedi knights out to clear some heavy wet snow

I don't think we'll be doing any grilling today!   

Perhaps too much time online?

Hubby calls out to Wifey:  "Hey, has it started to snow yet?"

Wife calls back "I don't know, let me check"

Wifey walks over to the laptop and clicks on weatherunderground.com  "nope, radar looks ok"

*never dawned on wifey to just look out the window.  See, sometimes the author of this blog does silly things too.  Though mostly it is her kids that keep her laughing!

Wordless Wednesday: He gets this from me

Thing Two decided it was time he organized his clothes a little better....

The second drawer of pants cracks me up:  Pants...the sequel!  

April: 12 on the 12th...

0730: Easter services....beat the rush, go to the first service of the day.

Looks like my daffodils survived our Spring snow. The tulips ended up getting crushed in the last snow storm.

Time to feed the family....lunch will be hearty but later than usual.

Table is just about set...waiting for the hot stuff to come out of the oven and the contributions from our guests to arrive. Note to self: Edible Arrangements are DELICIOUS but very plentiful. A small would have been plenty.

My photo shy helper. The dude loves to clean toilets. Not a lot of career potential but it'll make his future wife happy!

Time to Party: we'd invited some friends over...and before I knew it, we were hosting lunch for 17. Thing Two really enjoyed the food. The kid is going through a MAJOR growth spurt.

Some our guests....it's so fun to watch our friends children grow up...we've known these girls for 11 yrs now! All were our babysitters at one point or another.

The guys gather in the green room...sharing war stories I'm sure...

Thing One....was not too into the part scene today...he hung out with his story journal and Moosey

Auntie Terri manages to find the best stuff for Easter Baskets....she's even more generous than even the Easter Bunny!

Oh look...he did come around when we announced Auntie Terri had arrived bearing gifts...

Should I be concerned?

OMG: how did this happen? A photo of me and my hubby? It must be a mistake...

I've just got a couple dishes left to wash, and I'm pouring myself a cold one and calling it a day. The weather could have been better...but the company and time spent with friends was perfect! Indeed, our best friends are those in whose presence we can be our best selves.

Bracing ourselves....

This week both Things had routine dentist visits.

Last time the dentist suggested we start to think about a visit to the orthodontist.

THIS time, the dentist said "So, which orthodontist shall we send these xrays to?"

  

What's wrong with this picture?

My friend, JG*, had outpatient surgery yesterday and I got the flowers?  

Something isn't right...but I'm not complaining...the flowers are beautiful and a welcome sign of Spring given the weather we are having of late.  Cold, windy and occasionally wet of the white variety.  Springtime in the Rockies?  BAH HUMBUG!

*yes, she and her hubby gave me flowers because I had their son over the night before and the day of the procedure and wanted to tell me thanks!  And to them, I say you are welcome!  The flowers?  Totally not necessary...but I'll take 'em just the same!  

Thinking of You Thursday:

Today is Autism Awareness Day...and while I share with you a photo of my quirky Thing from 2002, I'm really thinking of all the families that are just starting out on this journey.    It seems hard to believe that this summer, it'll be 10 yrs since we first heard whispers about what might be  the reason for Thing One's speech issues.  

He has  come so far...and yes, he still has tasks to master...but I have hope and believe  that someday....all of this will be a distant memory...not just for me and my family, but for the countless other families out there that are raising a quirky kid.