children, life in pictures, mommyhood

My Puzzling Child

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Here is a list of little T.Puzzle’s morning grievances:

1. He not like the shirt I chose for him to wear.

2. He not like the way I did his hair.

3. He not like the pancake I prepared for him (this one brought him to tears).

4. He not like that I said he had to take a nap today.

Well, tough cookies, kid.

He wore the shirt I chose, kept his hair the same, ate the pancake I made and rested quietly.

He eventually got it together and did his favorite activity which is putting together puzzles.

Fortunately for everyone involved, he actually liked those…

children, humor, life in pictures, mommyhood

The Reward System

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My sister came across an interesting article in the June/July issue of Disney’s ‘Family Fun’ magazine. It’s about a reward system to motivate your kids to help out around the house. I liked the idea so much I decided to give it a try. I’ve tweaked it considerably so it fits more for a five and three year old. I made our list of rules very broad so it could fit our changing needs of the day.

My version is if you follow the listed rules, you earn a pebble that goes in your marked jar. When the jar is filled you can have a reward of your choosing within reason of course.

When I picked up the boys from school I tried to explain the concept and the list of rules. Of course Full Speed had to throw his two cents in.

“So you’re saying that if I follow the rules, I get a pebble?”

“Yes, Full Speed, it’s that simple. What do you think some of the rules should be?” I ask.

Full Speed launches into a rote recitation of our rules of the bathtub: no splashing, no throwing toys, no hitting your brother, etc.

“You sort of have the idea but what are some rules for around the house because bathtub rules won’t really work for that,” I say.

“Oh, well there’s be a good listener, respect Mom and Dad, eat your food and don’t put your brother’s head under the couch.”

Well said.

gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, life in pictures, mommyhood

Goodish Things Will Happen

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As I was getting little T.Puzzle dressed for the day, he is always curious to know what kind of character underpants he is going to wear. He is delighted when the characters are Thomas the Train related.

“Don’t peep or poop on Thomas!” he exclaims. I love that he says peep. It never fails to entertain me. I will be sad when he finally figures that one out.

Our day was action-packed as usual. We started at the sprinklers, headed out for pizza and then topped it off with Target. Mad Dog even had additional plans for our evening but I quickly nixed them. I told him I needed a break.

Desperately.

He then offered to take the boys to the grocery. This left me with some peace and quiet.

Finally.

When my trio of men returned, Full Speed was the first one through the door.

“What kind of report am I going to get from your Dad?” I asked referencing his and little T.Puzzle’s behavior at the store.

“Goodish and badish, Mom.”

It was goodish that he told the truth I guess.

children, humor, mommyhood

The Painkiller

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One of Mad Dog’s talents (and he will tell you he has boundless amounts of talent) is to find new and interesting places to dine. After some research and careful planning, we packed up the boys and headed to Ponte Vedra to eat at the carribean restaurant, Pussers. It was a nicer establishment so that meant we had to get in early, eat fast and make a quick exit. As the parents of boys, leisurely dining is absolutely out of the question.


We arrive and promptly put the boys’ orders in. I promptly order Pussers’ well-renowned tropical drink call the Painkiller. You can order it with different amounts of coconut rum and I ordered the rookie version.

As soon as the drinks arrive both boys escalate. They are buzzing with so much energy and movement all I can do is sigh and shake my head.

Mad Dog looks at me and says, “You should have gone full-throttle with the Painkiller.”

Live and learn, dear friends. Live and learn.

bad day, kids, mommyhood

You Called It

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We are slowly getting back to our regular routine. I knew little T.Puzzle’s first day back at school was going to be ‘challenging’ after such a long vacation. In other words, it was really going to hit the fan. If you’ve read this blog enough, you know exactly what I mean.

During the week I did my best to prepare him for his return. I would tell him what we had planned for each day and talk enthusiastically about him going back to school on Friday.

He didn’t buy a word of it.

All I could do was rise and shine and put my game face on for school day. The boys were both awake when I determinedly entered their room.  Full Speed was beaming. He was happy because he still had another day at home. Little T.Puzzle was a whining, miserable mess.

Full Speed pops up from bed and darts to the bathroom. Little T.Puzzle moves at sloth speed and tears abound. His attitude goes from bad to worse in six seconds flat and I order him back to his room to shape up. Then all we hear are piteous cries coming from the boys’ room.

I don’t know if it was the exhaustion of hosting six additional people for several days or my trips to the pool and beach, but in the midst of caring for all the clan, I had an earache brewing.

I offhandedly mention this to Mad Dog. Full Speed hears this too and promptly says, “I know why your ear hurts, Mom. It’s because little T.Puzzle is screaming so loud.”

Good call.

And for the record, little T.Puzzle had an awesome first day back.