Category: family

children, family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Choked Up

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We had friends over this weekend.  As the adults were sitting outside on the lanai, my friend’s son comes racing out to announce that “T.Puzzle is choking!”  We weren’t too concerned as he had just been reprimanded for being a poor sport over a Wii game.  He was full of tears and snot so we figured he was ‘choking’ as part of his tantrum.  Mad Dog went upstairs to investigate.  What did he find?  T.Puzzle straddling Full Speed with both of his hands wrapped tightly around his older brother’s neck.  Full Speed was so stunned by this choking attack he wasn’t even trying to defend himself.

Thankfully, Full Speed was uninjured.  And, thankfully, this happened around the kind of friends who understand that kids lose it and still love us anyway.  I tried to imagine if we were only acquaintances how T.Puzzle’s behavior would have gone over.  Something like, “Their house was lovely but man, that T.Puzzle is CRAZY!  Watch your backs!”

Of course T.Puzzle was punished for his temporary loss of sanity.  Mad Dog and I tried to keep it in perspective.  Imagine no matter how hard you tried or how fast you ran, you never, ever get to beat your older brother at anything.  That has to be a pretty frustrating way to live.

So, even though we understand his motivation, we will never condone choking your brother out.

Technically I guess that is one thing T.Puzzle is better at.

T.Puzzle as a toddler showing 4 year old Full Speed glimpses of attacks to come.
T.Puzzle as a toddler showing 5-year-old Full Speed glimpses of future attacks.
children, family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

A Wrinkle in Time

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I don’t know what it is about being six years old in this house that makes you full of opinions and unsolicited feedback.  Here are a few examples of what T.Puzzle has recently shared with me:

“What’s that on your forehead?” he asked seemingly innocent.

“What?” I responded certain I had a zit or something else equally annoying forming on my brow.

“That crack right there!” he said as he shoved an index finger in the direction of a wrinkle.  Needless to say it was hard to feel warm and fuzzy towards him after this observation.

He also recently experienced a scraped knee while playing outside.  When it was time for dinner he decided he didn’t like how his dinner looked.  He promptly shared that he could not eat it because “it was too spicy and it made his knee hurt more.”  Again, I wasn’t feeling real charmed by his logic.

So, when he became sick at night and needed to stay home, I thought it would be a good chance for us to hang out.  I hoped his need for feedback would dissipate some.  It certainly worked.  We had a very low-key day and even watched a movie together.  It was nice to be reminded that underneath all his opinions lies a really awesome kid.

The next day as he got ready for school he faked a cough.  “I’m a little bit coughing today, I guess I better stay home again.”

Finally, an opinion I appreciated.  I sent him to school anyway.  Wrinkles make me stubborn like that.

children, family, gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Always Do Your Best

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We are finally home from a ten-day trip.  We had an awesome time in Pigeon Forge, TN.  Here are a few things I learned:

1. Directions in unfamiliar territory seem to be a hot-button issue in my marriage.  I don’t know what it is about not knowing where you are at that brings out the worst in me and my beloved.  Regardless of a few tense moments, we always managed to reach our destination.  For the most part, we also managed to still love each other even if we didn’t always like each other in the process.

2.  Spending time with my nieces and nephew was fantastic.  If I had it my way, I would have all my nieces and nephews live on my street and have them over as much as possible.

3.  No matter where you put my boys, they are in a constant competition with life and each other.  They had an hour-long debate over who came in first in a go-cart race.  If I thought Mad Dog and I were heated over directions, it was nothing compared to the constant chatter of winner vs. loser between our boys.  And, unfortunately, they never ever agreed to disagree.  Made for some long rides back to our cabin.

4.  So, their competitive streak has its downside, but surprisingly, it also has an immense upside.  We were at Dixie Stampede which is Dolly Parton’s dinner attraction.  The boys were selected by our server to be in a chicken chasing competition.  They strategized from the moment they were selected.  Full Speed instructed T.Puzzle where and how to run.  T.Puzzle was overwhelmed at first by the enormity of the arena and the crowd.  He stood quaking at the side of the gate right before they were sent in.  Once inside the big, gaping, dust-covered space, he looked at Full Speed and they both got that look of determination on their faces.  When the chickens were released, theirs didn’t stand a chance.  Full Speed ran so intensely after it he fell down nearly crushing the chicken.  They worked as a team and ran with such fire, the other two boys on the opposing side looked as if they were moving in slow-motion.  Even after they successfully crossed the finish line, T.Puzzle kept chasing his chicken.  He almost ran it all the way back to where the rest of show animals were being housed.

The boys show off their victory medals with pride. Thank goodness they were on the same team!
The boys show off their victory medals with pride. Thank goodness they were on the same team!

I may get frustrated by the intensity of my boys, but I have to say, seeing them give their all in everything they do, even chasing a chicken, keeps me inspired to always do my best.

It’s good to be home!

children, family, health, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

That Bites

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On our ride home from school, T.Puzzle complained of a mosquito bite on his elbow.

Full Speed shared his thoughts.

“I hope it wasn’t from a mosquito infected with West Nile or malaria.”

“What are those?,” asked poor, sweet T.Puzzle.

Before I had a chance to shut down Mr. Encyclopedia of Dangerous Facts, Full Speed went on to state how they are both deadly diseases and last year alone malaria killed nearly ONE MILLION people.  I could see him in the rear view mirror as he gesticulated vigorously to bring his point home.  He then leaned back in a just-terrified-my-little-brother, satisfied sort of way.

For T.Puzzle, mosquito bites are like having a big brother.  They are persistent and a threat to your well-being.

Even on the soccer field Full Speed orders around his little brother. No wonder T.Puzzle's so feisty!
Even on the soccer field Full Speed orders around his little brother. No wonder T.Puzzle’s so feisty!
children, family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

The Bike Ride

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p8132940As long as there is breath in my body, I will fight for the right to have a family bike ride.  I play enough sports, I watch enough sports and I attend enough sporting events that I am justified in rounding up all three of my boys for bike riding.  They are so wholly resistant at times, I question whether I should push forward.  Then, after another round of football/baseball/basketball, I think, you know what?  I deserve a little something for me.

Mad Dog’s week has been particularly demanding work-wise so when a 90 minute window opened up for us to hop on our bikes this weekend, we took it.  I couldn’t believe we were finally doing something I wanted.  The sky was cloudless and the kind of deep blue that takes your breath away.  The temperature was perfect and I could hear the birds chirping us on to a fun family outing. Life was good.

We rode all of five minutes and T.Puzzle announces that he needs to use the bathroom.

Uncle.

There, I said it.