Category: gratitude

children, gratitude

When the Shark Bites

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Today there was rain and then more rain. After that, it rained a little more. This did not dampen our spirits. We decided to go to the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. It had this tunnel that ran through a sea of sharks, fish and stingrays. It was all going swimmingly (water reference intended) when Full Speed freaked out. He was done and couldn’t believe the underwater exhibit wouldn’t end. It didn’t matter how big the sharks were, how close they were, or how many we saw. He. Was. Done.

When we finally made our escape and Full Speed’s mood improved then little T.Puzzle’s demeanor took a nosedive. Isn’t that always the case when you have more than one child? As soon as one is happy as a clam, then the other decides to shred this happiness with the skill of a swordfish (I’m sorry, the sea-based metaphors keep flowing, it’s like a sickness, I know).

My boys were tired. This I knew for sure. They rallied at the end for a fun pic ‘inside’ an aquarium. Then it was time to return to our cabin. Maybe if we are lucky both will be happy for the remainder of the day. That would be like a peaceful rush of air from a conch shell (is there anywhere I could go for help to curb my abuse of similies and metaphors?).

gratitude, mommyhood

Whatcha Say?

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I think one of the biggest perks of having children is when they reach the verbal stage. Often what they say is highly entertaining. Take Full Speed for instance. When he was smaller, he did not like change (still does not). He threw endless tantrums if we so much as switched his winter shoes to sandals. And, the day we turned his car seat to forward facing, if looks could kill I would not be alive to write this post.

Well, anyway, when he first potty-trained we had accrued quite a collection of briefs with characters on them (which he loved) as well as a couple pairs of boxer briefs. I tried the boxer briefs with him a few times and the end result was a total meltdown (and that would be for both of us). I pushed them under the pile of regular briefs and didn’t think twice about it. Recently, he has rediscovered these long-forgotten boxer briefs and now he loves them (of course). It helps that this is what Mad Dog wears (ladies, I promise I was given permission to share this info. about Mad Dog). So now Full Speed thinks he is the cat’s meow. He asked Mad Dog over the weekend if he wears boxer briefs every day. Mad Dog said yes and Full Speed’s eyes grew wide with wonder. “You box somebody EVERY DAY? You win at boxing ALL THE TIME?” Mad Dog just agreed because sometimes that’s just easier.

Not only is it interesting what our children say, but I think as parents we have to be conscious of what we are and are not saying. We all think our children are spectacular and assume that they know this. I try on occasion to tell them how special they are because I think they need to hear it. I always say to big brother Full Speed, “Why does Mommy love you?” He knows the proper response is “because I’m me!” We are in the car today on our way to school and I decide to ask little T.Puzzle the same question. I’m estimating he is at the age where he can start to understand the point of this exchange.

“T.Puzzle, why does Mommy love you?”

Without skipping a beat he says, “because I’m Thomas (the Tank Engine)!”

All I could do was smile. Smile because that was cute and smile because I am lucky enough to have two boys that constantly surprise (not always in a good way) and entertain me (whether I want to be entertained or not).

gratitude, happiness, mommyhood

St. Patrick’s Day (the Aftermath)

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I survived both classroom parties for the boys (looked at how dazed they are in this post-party pic). It was actually a lot of fun despite what the title of this post implies. Full Speed  was over the moon to have me eat lunch with him and little T.Puzzle danced up a storm for me. I was feeling very thankful to be able to attend both these parties that took place smack-dab in the middle of the day. I know that I write a lot about the challenges of being a stay-at-home-mom so it was nice recognize this perk of my job. It also helped put my kids’ behavior into perspective. Seeing them with a large group of their classmates, I could see that they fall in a mostly normal behavioral range. That was reassuring because when I have just the two of them out in the world, they seem turbocharged compared to their peers. Maybe it will all be okay after all.

Now, the real aftermath of these parties with green-themed food (the rice-crispy treats looked absolutely neon-toxic), will be how long they poop green.

eyesight, gratitude, mommyhood

A Little Something Extra

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If you have read my recents posts, clearly I may not be excelling in the realm of motherhood at the moment. That’s why, as a Mom, it is imperative you have other outlets to help build you up during your children’s ‘difficult phases’. Of course the boys’ ‘difficult phase’ pretty much started at birth and has yet to diminish, but that is another matter for another day.

Anyway, I make valiant attempts at being a well-rounded mother. I belong to a book club so I am forced to read at least one book a month. I write this blog to prove to myself that not all of my brain cells have left me. And, I volunteer for a wonderful organization called Vision Is Priceless (for fairly obvious reasons).

This past weekend, Vision Is Priceless held their annual fundraiser. It is western-themed and BBQ (which is awesome) is served. I helped the staff set-up and did what I could at the event to lend a hand. I had a fantastic time. I met great people, had actual adult conversation (with several people no less!) and shared some of my story of our family’s  vision adventures.

I am grateful my boys have had stellar eye-care from the on-set of all of their vision issues. Vision Is Priceless is working hard so that everyone who needs it may have the same.

Thanks to VIP for making me feel needed and useful. I like knowing I am helping with the bigger picture. That way on days when I am up to make neck in tantrums and smack-downs, I have a little something extra to get me through.

children, gratitude, happiness

Another Day, Another Purple

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Ouch. Yesterday was a toughie. Glad it’s over and I have officially made it through that dreaded first year without my Mom. I need to shift my mood so I am going to share something positive. Remember how Full Speed had a choking-of-his-classmates phase? Unfortunately if you don’t, I do. No matter how much denial I throw at the memories, I still cringe at the thought of red-marks on little Jimmy’s neck (name changed to protect his identity). It got to a point if Full Speed received a yellow mark (just okay) for talking out of turn or not waiting in line properly, I wasn’t upset at this behavior but infinitely relieved that no bodily harm had come to any of his peers.

Anyway, over the past two weeks, Full Speed has consistently gotten green marks for behavior (green is good). And, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I walked in his class, checked the behavior chart and saw he had a purple mark (above and beyond good, and, dare I say it, exceptional?) resting under his name. To celebrate I told him he could pick where we would have dinner the next day. Like any red-blooded American boy he chose…., McDonald’s.

So, the next day I have little T.Puzzle in tow and we head to pick up Full Speed for our fine-dining McDonald’s experience. We walk in the room and guess what? Full Speed had ANOTHER purple mark. I had to run it past his teacher to make sure it was legit and not an error in record-keeping . Turns out, it was a completely approved purple mark.

Two purples in a row. Here’s hoping for another choke-free day (fingers crossed!).