Supporting you in motherhood, one little blog post at a time
It’s that time of year again. Mad Dog and I are setting off on our annual cruise. It’s amazing how much more patience you have for your children and laundry when you know in a few days you will be sailing across the ocean. Oh, and like I told my good friend, the prospect of unlimited champagne mojitos helps, too!
I will return next week and I’m sure I will have some stories to share. Thanks for reading my little blog. I appreciate it.
Bon Voyage!
So, T.Puzzle is going through this thing. He likes to be assertively independent more so than usual. Of course this will only apply as he sees fit. He is adamant about dressing himself yet doesn’t believe in wiping his own bottom.
This can make life interesting.
I picked him up early last week to go to the allergist. I made him use the potty at school before we left. It was taking forever so I peaked in on him. Lo and behold, little man is wiping his own bottom! Like I said, this is something he refuses to do at home. Well, game over kid, your stinky tush is now your responsibility. I say this with a grain of salt and an arsenal of stain remover and extra strength detergent stockpiled in my laundry room.
T.Puzzle’s independence has been creeping into other areas. I ordered him a cheeseburger and fries at dinner with white milk. When it arrived he had a myriad of complaints. He wanted chocolate milk and he doesn’t like fries. First of all, he has never drank chocolate milk in his entire life and secondly, what four year old boy doesn’t like fries?
A contrary one trying be his own man and attempting to turn all his mother’s hair gray.
One strand at a time, folks.
One strand at a time.
I have the boys home for four days for a teacher institute and President’s Day. It is imperative to have daily outings if I intend to survive this long weekend. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated, it simply has to get us out of the house.
I took them to Walmart. The deal is if they are well-behaved (relatively speaking) they can browse the toys with the knowledge they won’t be taking one home. They were good with that.
They were basically well-behaved. We did get our share of stern glances here and there. I’m not saying they were perfect.
As we unloaded our cart in the most disorganized fashion humanly possible, the cashier noticed I had purchased some art supplies.
“Gearing up for the long weekend at home are you?”
“Yes, I am. I’m hoping for the best.”
The cashier went on, “I completely understand, I raised three boys.”
With that, I let out a long breath and my posture relaxed. She was on my side. A mother of boys understands. I could tell she had survived a lot with her boys and was grateful that she was still able to be cheerful and kind.
Then, she went on to say the greatest lie I tell myself on the days I am ready to throw in the towel. “You’ll be grateful you have boys when they are older. It may be hard now, but it will be so much easier then.”
Yeah, but only if I make it that long…
I long ago let go of the dream that my boys would ever want to decorate cookies. The first time I attempted this activity Full Speed was three and his interest was zero. Therefore I went into my Valentine cookie making experience with very low expectations.
I was pleasantly surprised. They both really got into it. It was a little chaotic and I was thankful that Mad Dog was on hand to help. Once the cookies were bedazzled with glittery sugar and hearts, we set out to deliver some to our neighbors.
The boys loved this even more than decorating.
I was so pleased with myself.
Decorating fun?
Check.
Spreading some love to friends?
Check.
Finding common ground with my two boys?
Check and check.
That is until Full Speed for no apparent reason grabbed hold of T.Puzzle’s arm, spun him in a wicked circle and threw him to the asphalt of our cul-de-sac. There was blood and wailing to boot.
Maybe next year will be my year. We will get through cookie decorating AND cookie delivery without any violence.
All you need is love and a good set of Cars band-aids on hand in case one of your kids inexplicably loses his mind and tries to maim the other.
Give peace a chance.
There was a grassroots movement started by my enormous (okay, maybe three of you) fanbase to alert me that there were technical difficulties when viewing my blog. I changed the theme and Mad Dog was able to pull up my new post without any further issue. Hopefully, the problem is solved. Know that I am devoted to you, dear readers and would walk the ends of the earth for you or more likely, push a button on my keyboard to change my theme.
Happy (and hopefully glitch-free) Reading!