Wils said that to me after pulling on a shirt from his basket in the laundry room. I know what he meant.....it was cold from sitting in the basket in the laundry room. So here I sat at work, and it's hot in my shirt. It's always hot in my shirts!!!!!
As of yesterday the kids are done with school til after Christmas break. So far they have been very busy with various self-invented sports, some of them less than appealing. For one thing, Ben and Wil (seems it's usually THEM lately....Ana writes and reads, Lij plays with his Barbies, I mean Legos) sprayed the hard floor with water and then took turns running and sliding in it. You might wonder where I was through all this. I was right there watching them. It's almost scary, isn't it? I guess most things just aren't worth getting excited about.
Muffie is finally getting another tooth. It will help with the equine look he has had for several months now. He has a new trick, too--he runs! He is pretty excited with himself and his new skill. You gotta laugh. He and William are into flashlights and if they are nowhere to be seen they are usually in a cabinet with flashlights. They are pretty good buds right now.
I'm mostly ready for Christmas, I think. So far I have stuck to my goal of keeping it simple. Each kid is getting 4-5 gifts, and only one (per kid) is pricey. There are some miscellaneous arts and crafts stuff for the stockings that I didn't include in that tally. Now, the challenge is to get it all to Wisconsin for Christmas, as we will be there overnight Christmas eve. This is so embarrassing but I think we need a trailer to haul everything home. It's not so much because of the stuff, but because of the people taking up all the cargo room. Plus the dogs and luggage for the 2 days we will be there.
We are giving Zaccy his cozy coupe tomorrow because it's just too big to make the trip with us. It will be so fun to see him driving around. I know he is going to enjoy that trunk. Bet he'll put M and Ms in it.
The boys have managed to destroy one of the recliners by rocking backward so vigorously that it now wants to flip backward whenever you sit in it. So what happens is you sit down, relieved to sink your tired self into the big comfy chair, and the next thing you know you are completely upside down with your feet in the air. It feels really stupid and looks even stupider, if you are not the person who is inadvertently upside down. If you happened to have been holding food, you are really up the creek. In my case, I'm usually holding a few kids, the dogs, a book, AND some food.
Wil's fear of a big fish that will come to his bed has re-emerged. He'll sit there and tell you there is a fish under the ice that he is afraid will come to his bed. Now, I know about irrational fears--I REMEMBER the day I was finally reassured that I would not fit down the drain in the tub. But this one....it's just really unique! At one time it was horses ("horshes"). He thought horshes would come to his bed. I can kind of get that one, if I think about it, because they can walk and they do breath air. I remember another wierd fear I had, I was always afraid to roll over in my bed because I was afraid that one of those beings who wear hoods and have no faces would be there. I'll have to work on remembering more of those wierd phobias I had, some of them are pretty good.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Barbie Man
I guess I am talking a lot about William lately, but that's because he is so funny. We have had this thing for a long time where I tease him about Barbies. I used to do it with Elijah too an had so much fun. It goes like this----"You like LEGOS? You are NOT going to like Barbie I got you for Christmas!"
Anyway Wils has this book called "Digger Man" and it begins: "I love diggers. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huge digger."
And I read: "I love Barbies. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huuuuuuggggge BARBIE!" and we collapse in hysterics.
Just thought you would like the visual.
His face changed this week--very odd--I came home one day and his cheeks seemed much fuller. He now looks a bit like uncle Hans. When I tell him that, he disagrees and says "no, YOU look like Hans!" to which I respond "Yes, exactly, same idea, doofus"
Zac has also been very funny this week. Last night we had "serial kisses". He was making rounds from one person to the next and offering kisses. He kissed every last one of us probably at least 7 times. Then he smiles like he is so happy that he was able to offer us that opportunity and wasn't it nice of him?
He entertained himself yesterday by getting his finger stuck in a little part of William's car track and crying for his dad to help him get it out. Brian would help him and the he'd laugh and go stick it in there again and cry some more. It got to the point where when I got home Brian handed him the little piece of track and said "Go show mommy" and he did; he stuck his finger in the little hole and fussed. It was the most ridiculous thing!
Ana sent me out the other evening to get her pickles because "I want them SO MUCH!". She said she had been thinking about them all day and the need was just getting worse. Somehow she talked me into getting dressed and going out in the cold and snow for her. But as my dad says, I "get it". I, too, have issues with pickle cravings. When you need a pickle, you need a pickle. They must be dill. When I walked in the door and handed them to her she literally sighed. 10 minutes later the jar was all but empty, as we are not the only pickle people hereabouts.
Lijah saved another "wife" this week. Over the summer he on separate occasions pulled both Wil and Zac from the lake. In both instances, either Brian or I was present but Elijah was closer and faster and had them out before we got there. Monday night, Zac somehow found a small, round, hard, candy by digging in my work bag which was stupidly on the floor and unzipped. Elijah ran up to me carrying him and said "Mommy, he's choking." I was in a space out and didn't respond, and he said "Mommy, he's choking--COME ON!". I realized what was happening and had him head down and was doing back thrusts on him and it took probably 10 thrusts to get it out. He wasn't moving any air at all--very, very, very, close call and scary! Anyway, what if Lij wasn't so hypervigilant? What if he wasn't so insistent? Both of those are traits that drive us nuts about with him, but I we definately have a new appreciation of them (and him). It was interesting to see how calm he is in a crisis, too. Much better than his dad.
Anyway Wils has this book called "Digger Man" and it begins: "I love diggers. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huge digger."
And I read: "I love Barbies. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huuuuuuggggge BARBIE!" and we collapse in hysterics.
Just thought you would like the visual.
His face changed this week--very odd--I came home one day and his cheeks seemed much fuller. He now looks a bit like uncle Hans. When I tell him that, he disagrees and says "no, YOU look like Hans!" to which I respond "Yes, exactly, same idea, doofus"
Zac has also been very funny this week. Last night we had "serial kisses". He was making rounds from one person to the next and offering kisses. He kissed every last one of us probably at least 7 times. Then he smiles like he is so happy that he was able to offer us that opportunity and wasn't it nice of him?
He entertained himself yesterday by getting his finger stuck in a little part of William's car track and crying for his dad to help him get it out. Brian would help him and the he'd laugh and go stick it in there again and cry some more. It got to the point where when I got home Brian handed him the little piece of track and said "Go show mommy" and he did; he stuck his finger in the little hole and fussed. It was the most ridiculous thing!
Ana sent me out the other evening to get her pickles because "I want them SO MUCH!". She said she had been thinking about them all day and the need was just getting worse. Somehow she talked me into getting dressed and going out in the cold and snow for her. But as my dad says, I "get it". I, too, have issues with pickle cravings. When you need a pickle, you need a pickle. They must be dill. When I walked in the door and handed them to her she literally sighed. 10 minutes later the jar was all but empty, as we are not the only pickle people hereabouts.
Lijah saved another "wife" this week. Over the summer he on separate occasions pulled both Wil and Zac from the lake. In both instances, either Brian or I was present but Elijah was closer and faster and had them out before we got there. Monday night, Zac somehow found a small, round, hard, candy by digging in my work bag which was stupidly on the floor and unzipped. Elijah ran up to me carrying him and said "Mommy, he's choking." I was in a space out and didn't respond, and he said "Mommy, he's choking--COME ON!". I realized what was happening and had him head down and was doing back thrusts on him and it took probably 10 thrusts to get it out. He wasn't moving any air at all--very, very, very, close call and scary! Anyway, what if Lij wasn't so hypervigilant? What if he wasn't so insistent? Both of those are traits that drive us nuts about with him, but I we definately have a new appreciation of them (and him). It was interesting to see how calm he is in a crisis, too. Much better than his dad.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Country Mouse goes to the cities
On Tuesday, I had a remapping (implant) appointment at the U of M. It's difficult to want to go to these appointments when I work full time, because when I'm off for a day I want to hang out with my guys. However, it was important that I get this done, so I decided to take William with me.
Once we hit 94 his little head was swiveling like crazy, catching sight of all the wonderful bobcats and trucks. His Christmas list grew by about a foot between Cold Spring and Monticello. The drive down went smoothly and he was fascinated by the sight of the sky scrapers in Minneapolis. Nothing could compare, however, to the parking ramp at the U of M. We parked on the 7th floor and he loved the view.
He played in the Lions 3M playroom at the audiology department and it was pretty wild to see my mini me doing that 30 years after I did.
He came in with me for my appointment and was just the bestest boy. When we were done, Emily, the audiologist, said she didn't think she'd ever seen a kid sit like that for a whole appointment. He had written on a piece of paper for a bit and then he just sat there on my lap and observed.
When we were done we were both very hungry and he was very clear in his desire for McDonald's chicken nuggets and "'barque" sauce. I wasn't keen on it, so first we did a drive through at Sbarro's. When I had my pizza safely in hand, he announced, "Your pizza is making me starving!"
When he was done with his chicken nuggets with 'barque sauce, he announced that he thought we should also get ice cream. We didn't, but he is still asking about it 5 days later.
So then, on the way home, we both had to go the bathroom REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. He announced that he had to go poop. I told him that I did too. Made a beeline for a gas station in St Cloud...we ran in to the bathroom as fast as we could and I have never felt such relief in my life. "God, William," I said loudly, "that feels good!" . And just then, a lady walked in. Apparently I hadn't locked the door very carefully. So there I sit, taking a dump, expressing my relief loudly, with my 4 year old angelically agreeing and concurrently announcing that his "poopie went away" and this lady walks in. I'm sure I had an expression of utter bliss on my face, to top it all off.
So she got real nervous and backed out and shut the door and I, well, I went about my business, I mean there is no stopping some things once you start. I did say "I wish that lady didn't come in here, Wils,". And Wils said, "Yeah, mommy, I wish she didn't either." So he did his job and we took our time washing our hands and all that. Then we left..and she was waiting outside the door. I never in a million years thought she would be. I really thought she'd have headed for hills (wouldn't you have?). "Oh, excuse me" she stammered again. "That's OK!" I chirped cheerfully. After all, nothing beats a good crap.
Once we hit 94 his little head was swiveling like crazy, catching sight of all the wonderful bobcats and trucks. His Christmas list grew by about a foot between Cold Spring and Monticello. The drive down went smoothly and he was fascinated by the sight of the sky scrapers in Minneapolis. Nothing could compare, however, to the parking ramp at the U of M. We parked on the 7th floor and he loved the view.
He played in the Lions 3M playroom at the audiology department and it was pretty wild to see my mini me doing that 30 years after I did.
He came in with me for my appointment and was just the bestest boy. When we were done, Emily, the audiologist, said she didn't think she'd ever seen a kid sit like that for a whole appointment. He had written on a piece of paper for a bit and then he just sat there on my lap and observed.
When we were done we were both very hungry and he was very clear in his desire for McDonald's chicken nuggets and "'barque" sauce. I wasn't keen on it, so first we did a drive through at Sbarro's. When I had my pizza safely in hand, he announced, "Your pizza is making me starving!"
When he was done with his chicken nuggets with 'barque sauce, he announced that he thought we should also get ice cream. We didn't, but he is still asking about it 5 days later.
So then, on the way home, we both had to go the bathroom REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. He announced that he had to go poop. I told him that I did too. Made a beeline for a gas station in St Cloud...we ran in to the bathroom as fast as we could and I have never felt such relief in my life. "God, William," I said loudly, "that feels good!" . And just then, a lady walked in. Apparently I hadn't locked the door very carefully. So there I sit, taking a dump, expressing my relief loudly, with my 4 year old angelically agreeing and concurrently announcing that his "poopie went away" and this lady walks in. I'm sure I had an expression of utter bliss on my face, to top it all off.
So she got real nervous and backed out and shut the door and I, well, I went about my business, I mean there is no stopping some things once you start. I did say "I wish that lady didn't come in here, Wils,". And Wils said, "Yeah, mommy, I wish she didn't either." So he did his job and we took our time washing our hands and all that. Then we left..and she was waiting outside the door. I never in a million years thought she would be. I really thought she'd have headed for hills (wouldn't you have?). "Oh, excuse me" she stammered again. "That's OK!" I chirped cheerfully. After all, nothing beats a good crap.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Misc
I have to start blogging every day even if only for a minute, so I remember the good stories. I'm forgetting too many of them.
Here's a few:
A few nights ago I was upstairs doing stuff at about 10 pm. The kids had been "in bed" since about 8:30. Ben came running up to ask (in his clipped little voice) "What. Did. You. Get. For. Ayana. And. Elijah. For. Christmas?"
and I said to Ben...."You go back downstairs and tell them to stop sending you up to ask me that."
and Ben said "OK!" and skipped away.
..................................................................
Last night the kids were putting on a talent show for me. They all practiced together all evening and then when it was time to perform William came and sat on my lap. I asked him if he wasn't in the talent show any more and he said "Yes, Mommy, I am, but I'm taking a break."
..............................................
Two good stories from the psych ward. I have gotten two insults in the last two days that have made me stop and think a bit. They were darn good though! The first, from a drunk, when I was in his face: "Did you get in an accident or something?" (is my face deformed? I know my nose is a little crooked, but you have to look really close!)
The second, from an old guy who didn't mean to be insulting: "That's gotta be naturally curly hair. I used to have a dog with hair like that."
Thanks. I think? (Woof!)
..................................................
We got our tree up but it's pretty funny. There is something wrong with the base and it won't stand up. So it's leaning in a corner fully decorated. Zac keeps taking the ornaments off, of course. There are several that have photographs of the kids at various stages. Zac has taken a liking to one of Elijah as a baby and he said "baby Yaya" and gives it a kiss (like I taught him..haha). He also found Reilly! "Reilly!". There is a viking ornament too, and he says "Viking".
He is VERY good with his gestures and signing. We have a new game we play where he copies whatever you do with your hands. He'll thumb his nose, stick out his tongue, squinch his eyes, puff his cheeks, whatever you do for him to imitate. It's pretty fun.
....................................................
Here's a few:
A few nights ago I was upstairs doing stuff at about 10 pm. The kids had been "in bed" since about 8:30. Ben came running up to ask (in his clipped little voice) "What. Did. You. Get. For. Ayana. And. Elijah. For. Christmas?"
and I said to Ben...."You go back downstairs and tell them to stop sending you up to ask me that."
and Ben said "OK!" and skipped away.
..................................................................
Last night the kids were putting on a talent show for me. They all practiced together all evening and then when it was time to perform William came and sat on my lap. I asked him if he wasn't in the talent show any more and he said "Yes, Mommy, I am, but I'm taking a break."
..............................................
Two good stories from the psych ward. I have gotten two insults in the last two days that have made me stop and think a bit. They were darn good though! The first, from a drunk, when I was in his face: "Did you get in an accident or something?" (is my face deformed? I know my nose is a little crooked, but you have to look really close!)
The second, from an old guy who didn't mean to be insulting: "That's gotta be naturally curly hair. I used to have a dog with hair like that."
Thanks. I think? (Woof!)
..................................................
We got our tree up but it's pretty funny. There is something wrong with the base and it won't stand up. So it's leaning in a corner fully decorated. Zac keeps taking the ornaments off, of course. There are several that have photographs of the kids at various stages. Zac has taken a liking to one of Elijah as a baby and he said "baby Yaya" and gives it a kiss (like I taught him..haha). He also found Reilly! "Reilly!". There is a viking ornament too, and he says "Viking".
He is VERY good with his gestures and signing. We have a new game we play where he copies whatever you do with your hands. He'll thumb his nose, stick out his tongue, squinch his eyes, puff his cheeks, whatever you do for him to imitate. It's pretty fun.
....................................................
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I like oranges and purple too
Says Wil, as he eats an orange.
He also took gramma's hand and asked her why it is old.
Ben asked her if she'd ever been to jail (I redirected that question to Grandpa, who has an interesting answer)
And Zac ate 2 packs of her gum.
What can *I* do for some fun?
....................................................................................
Here's a conversation with William. My boss called me at home on Wednesday and also sent me an email. I got the email and read "...I tried to call you at home and a sweet little voice answered and said you were busy....". So, I was very curious who she talked to. Options were really Ben and Wil. Later that day they were sitting together and I asked them who had talked with her. They both said "he did it!". Wils had the guilty look, so I said to him:
"Wil, are you sure it wasn't you?"
"Not me!" he said, "and besides, I only told her you were busy."
.........................................................................................................................
Leo drags his butt around the living floor all the time like he is trying to get a good suction.
.........................................................................................................................
The season approaches and it is even busier for us than for most people (and I am the last person to say "busier than thou"; as a matter of fact I HATE that attitude). Brian works round the clock 6 days a week and this year I will be working full time as well. The good thing is his hours will have to be shorter by necessity so maybe he will feel better than he usually does. Interesting, though, a phenomenon I've noticed in years past. It doesn't matter if he's actually busy and tired or not, the day after Thanksgiving he decides to be stupid for a month. Here is a conversation from last December:
Brian: What's your schedule this week?
Me: School Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Brian: I know.
Me: Then why'd you ask?
Brian: I don't know.
Great. The good news is that this year I've added a new medication.
............................................................................
We just went through a round of the barfing flu at our house. There is nothing quite like the barfing flu when you have 5 young kids. My favorite moment was when Ana long-distance barfed off Elijah's top bunk. Then, when I got hit.................................it was that kind where you can't tell what exactly you are excreting from either end.
Lij had a point where I was starting to ask him a question and as I was doing so he bent over to barf and at the same time held up a finger like "Just a minute, let me barf first". Finished his business, wiped his mouth, and said "What?"
He also took gramma's hand and asked her why it is old.
Ben asked her if she'd ever been to jail (I redirected that question to Grandpa, who has an interesting answer)
And Zac ate 2 packs of her gum.
What can *I* do for some fun?
....................................................................................
Here's a conversation with William. My boss called me at home on Wednesday and also sent me an email. I got the email and read "...I tried to call you at home and a sweet little voice answered and said you were busy....". So, I was very curious who she talked to. Options were really Ben and Wil. Later that day they were sitting together and I asked them who had talked with her. They both said "he did it!". Wils had the guilty look, so I said to him:
"Wil, are you sure it wasn't you?"
"Not me!" he said, "and besides, I only told her you were busy."
.........................................................................................................................
Leo drags his butt around the living floor all the time like he is trying to get a good suction.
.........................................................................................................................
The season approaches and it is even busier for us than for most people (and I am the last person to say "busier than thou"; as a matter of fact I HATE that attitude). Brian works round the clock 6 days a week and this year I will be working full time as well. The good thing is his hours will have to be shorter by necessity so maybe he will feel better than he usually does. Interesting, though, a phenomenon I've noticed in years past. It doesn't matter if he's actually busy and tired or not, the day after Thanksgiving he decides to be stupid for a month. Here is a conversation from last December:
Brian: What's your schedule this week?
Me: School Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Brian: I know.
Me: Then why'd you ask?
Brian: I don't know.
Great. The good news is that this year I've added a new medication.
............................................................................
We just went through a round of the barfing flu at our house. There is nothing quite like the barfing flu when you have 5 young kids. My favorite moment was when Ana long-distance barfed off Elijah's top bunk. Then, when I got hit.................................it was that kind where you can't tell what exactly you are excreting from either end.
Lij had a point where I was starting to ask him a question and as I was doing so he bent over to barf and at the same time held up a finger like "Just a minute, let me barf first". Finished his business, wiped his mouth, and said "What?"
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Correspondence Preschool
So, Wil decided to quit preschool. He had been very adamant about not going for several weeks and it go to the point where we just couldn't take it anymore. Rather than just pulling him out, I asked Kerry, his teacher, if we could meet and see if we can figure out what is up with this. She was more than willing, so she met William and I out at our house. We had a really nice visit--he was happy to see her and seemed to enjoy having her there, so I really don't think the problem is her. However, he informed her "Kerry, I quit school".
Kerry and I talked a bit and decided that we would let him think he "quit" but plan to restart in January. In the meantime she will be mailing him homework. Yesterday his first packet of homework arrived, and it occured to me that we seem to have invented correspondence preschool. What's next--online preschool?
This weekend the older 4 kids went to my parents for a visit. I'm not ready t0 foist Zac on them yet, so he stayed with us. He had a babysitter all by himself when I left for work on Saturday (Brian was taking care of some business in Little Falls) and amazingly he did great and really liked her. He can be a fiesty little turd.
Saturday was a girl scout bake sale , held at a craft fair at the middle school. First thing you need to know is I hate crafts. Second thing you need to know is I can't bake (or cook). Third thing you need to know is I'm too stubborn to just have the baker I'm married to do the baking! I tried all week to make bars and I made about 6 batches of concrete. Friday night I decided to make one last desperate attempt and was up til 2 am doing so (arrived home from work at 12 30 mid). Another batch of concrete. I was due to work the bake sale at 9 30 am (alone, because Ana flew the coop on me). So early in the morning I dragged my sorry ass out of bed, got my crabby baby up and dressed, and went to the high school. Where the bake sale wasn't. Went back to the car (crabby baby being crabby) and called another girl scout mom to ask where it was. Redirected to the middle school, we ran over there and arrive 15 minutes after our shift was supposed to start. Keep in mind now that they expected wonderful things from us, being that our family co-owns a semi-famous bakery. So I come schlepping in. The girl scout leader, whom I can't stand, chirps "Oh, do you need help carrying your product in from the car?". Dang, busted. "No," I said truthfully, "Brian is bringing it" (LIE). Then I had to think fast about how i was going to get out of THAT. I decided that Zac and I would run for the bakery (2 blocks away) and package up some brownies because they look generic enough to be possibly home make. We go to the bakery and there was a huge Saturday morning rush going on and we were totally in the way as we stole bars and packaging. Ran back to the middle school with it, squishing it well (so it would look more home made). Arrived---no price marked--no marker available. So there was my contribution--6 plates of 4 brownies each, smooshed flat, no prices. From the owners of Cold Spring Bakery. I proudly follow the girl scout pledge "I promise to lie, and to steal, and to live by the Girl Scout Law"
On the unit at work this weekend we have a guy who is missing a had. So last night I saw him trying to open a toothbrush package and the first thing out of my mouth was "Need a hand?"
His answer? "Nah, it's been 18 years, I'm used to it"
Kerry and I talked a bit and decided that we would let him think he "quit" but plan to restart in January. In the meantime she will be mailing him homework. Yesterday his first packet of homework arrived, and it occured to me that we seem to have invented correspondence preschool. What's next--online preschool?
This weekend the older 4 kids went to my parents for a visit. I'm not ready t0 foist Zac on them yet, so he stayed with us. He had a babysitter all by himself when I left for work on Saturday (Brian was taking care of some business in Little Falls) and amazingly he did great and really liked her. He can be a fiesty little turd.
Saturday was a girl scout bake sale , held at a craft fair at the middle school. First thing you need to know is I hate crafts. Second thing you need to know is I can't bake (or cook). Third thing you need to know is I'm too stubborn to just have the baker I'm married to do the baking! I tried all week to make bars and I made about 6 batches of concrete. Friday night I decided to make one last desperate attempt and was up til 2 am doing so (arrived home from work at 12 30 mid). Another batch of concrete. I was due to work the bake sale at 9 30 am (alone, because Ana flew the coop on me). So early in the morning I dragged my sorry ass out of bed, got my crabby baby up and dressed, and went to the high school. Where the bake sale wasn't. Went back to the car (crabby baby being crabby) and called another girl scout mom to ask where it was. Redirected to the middle school, we ran over there and arrive 15 minutes after our shift was supposed to start. Keep in mind now that they expected wonderful things from us, being that our family co-owns a semi-famous bakery. So I come schlepping in. The girl scout leader, whom I can't stand, chirps "Oh, do you need help carrying your product in from the car?". Dang, busted. "No," I said truthfully, "Brian is bringing it" (LIE). Then I had to think fast about how i was going to get out of THAT. I decided that Zac and I would run for the bakery (2 blocks away) and package up some brownies because they look generic enough to be possibly home make. We go to the bakery and there was a huge Saturday morning rush going on and we were totally in the way as we stole bars and packaging. Ran back to the middle school with it, squishing it well (so it would look more home made). Arrived---no price marked--no marker available. So there was my contribution--6 plates of 4 brownies each, smooshed flat, no prices. From the owners of Cold Spring Bakery. I proudly follow the girl scout pledge "I promise to lie, and to steal, and to live by the Girl Scout Law"
On the unit at work this weekend we have a guy who is missing a had. So last night I saw him trying to open a toothbrush package and the first thing out of my mouth was "Need a hand?"
His answer? "Nah, it's been 18 years, I'm used to it"
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Gas Man
So today Zac and I visited his oldest siblings at school (while #4 was at HIS school). When we walked into Ana's classroom we were greeted by a gaggle of giggling 9 year old girls gathered to admire Ana's baby brother. There were lots of oohs and aahs...................and then he farted. Loud. Long. Ariana said "ZacaRIah!"
haha good one zaccy.
Then we picked Wil up at preschool and he had written his name for the first time. I looked at the paper he had written on and said "Wow, William, that's awesome!". He nodded demurely before saying "but I'm NOT doing it AGAIN!"
Last night Ben and I settled down to do his bedtime reading, and this time HE picked up the book and started reading. Here is an excerpt of what he read out loud, unassisted, one month into first grade, 1 week into being 6 years old:
"It was Halloween, and there were 18 pumpkins left at (Bartlett's) Farm Stand. The pumpkins looked their very best, because they all wanted to be taken home and made into jolly jack-o-lanterns. The littlest pumpkin had the biggest dreams of all. She saw herself shining in the dark, with ghosts, monsters, witches, and fairies gathered around her singing a Halloween song. And today was the day when all her dreams were going to come true"
I tell ya, I just about about fell off his top bunk. I said "Ben, you can't read like that!". He smiled his smile (looking not unlike a jack-o-lantern himself) and said "actually, I can."
and then he says..."I readed it before to myself and I know what happens. The mouses take her."
He called gramma tonight to tell her to email me at work and have me call him and he would be waiting by the phone. I read the email an hour after gramma sent it (I could see by the time stamp) and I called and sure enough he WAS sitting right there. It must have been very important for him to wait so long, don't you think? It sure was. I'm to pick up buggle gum for him on my way home. An identical message came through an hour later, this time to call William. Same deal. He'd heard another guy was getting buggle gum delivered and wanted to put in an order himself.
Yesterday Wil and Zac and I were in Kohl's and as we went by the lingerie I saw Wil reach out with both hands and grab a bra from the front. The a-softball-in-each-hand look. What do you say to a 4 year old who does that? Well, I guess "No" will suffice, and hopefully it did. It reminded me of Elijah when he was 2; we would have the Sunday paper spread out all over the floor and he would look at the ladies in bras and point at them and smile to Brian.
Obviously these boys were breast fed. I hope they get over it.
Lij wants to know if we can go to Fleet Farm tomorrow so he can see the fishing stuff. No. We are not going to Fleet Farm tomorrow so he can look at fishing stuff.
Ana continues to love to play school and is happy to have a full classroom this year. Zac needs a para though because he can't cooperate well enough. I'll upload pics soon.
haha good one zaccy.
Then we picked Wil up at preschool and he had written his name for the first time. I looked at the paper he had written on and said "Wow, William, that's awesome!". He nodded demurely before saying "but I'm NOT doing it AGAIN!"
Last night Ben and I settled down to do his bedtime reading, and this time HE picked up the book and started reading. Here is an excerpt of what he read out loud, unassisted, one month into first grade, 1 week into being 6 years old:
"It was Halloween, and there were 18 pumpkins left at (Bartlett's) Farm Stand. The pumpkins looked their very best, because they all wanted to be taken home and made into jolly jack-o-lanterns. The littlest pumpkin had the biggest dreams of all. She saw herself shining in the dark, with ghosts, monsters, witches, and fairies gathered around her singing a Halloween song. And today was the day when all her dreams were going to come true"
I tell ya, I just about about fell off his top bunk. I said "Ben, you can't read like that!". He smiled his smile (looking not unlike a jack-o-lantern himself) and said "actually, I can."
and then he says..."I readed it before to myself and I know what happens. The mouses take her."
He called gramma tonight to tell her to email me at work and have me call him and he would be waiting by the phone. I read the email an hour after gramma sent it (I could see by the time stamp) and I called and sure enough he WAS sitting right there. It must have been very important for him to wait so long, don't you think? It sure was. I'm to pick up buggle gum for him on my way home. An identical message came through an hour later, this time to call William. Same deal. He'd heard another guy was getting buggle gum delivered and wanted to put in an order himself.
Yesterday Wil and Zac and I were in Kohl's and as we went by the lingerie I saw Wil reach out with both hands and grab a bra from the front. The a-softball-in-each-hand look. What do you say to a 4 year old who does that? Well, I guess "No" will suffice, and hopefully it did. It reminded me of Elijah when he was 2; we would have the Sunday paper spread out all over the floor and he would look at the ladies in bras and point at them and smile to Brian.
Obviously these boys were breast fed. I hope they get over it.
Lij wants to know if we can go to Fleet Farm tomorrow so he can see the fishing stuff. No. We are not going to Fleet Farm tomorrow so he can look at fishing stuff.
Ana continues to love to play school and is happy to have a full classroom this year. Zac needs a para though because he can't cooperate well enough. I'll upload pics soon.
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