bad day, children, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Gifted

I was reading some headlines on the computer when one caught my eye.  It listed 10 signs that children are gifted.  Of course being a parent I was inclined to read it.  They were fairly non-specific and I didn’t leave it with any real sense of whether or not Full Speed and/or T.Puzzle fit the bill.  I then imagined a ‘gifted’ list that would fit my boys to a T.

1.  Throws raging tantrums at fifteen months until the age of five.

2. Believes themselves to be in charge when all evidence points otherwise.

3. Displays episodes of extreme hyperactivity.

4.  Won’t back down from any challenge, imposed discipline or confrontation without a fight.

5.  Fiercely independent.

6. Remembers the tiniest details and won’t ever let you forget them.

7.  Strong-willed doesn’t even began to cover their temperament.

8.  Believes themselves to always, always be right and will argue until they are blue in the face to convince you of their rightness.

9.  Asserts their needs loudly, strongly and often.

10.  Wears down their Mommy until she is certain she can’t remember her own name, where she lives or what she is doing.

Keep in mind this list was written while T.Puzzle was in his room screaming at length because he kept telling me ‘no!’ all morning long and had engaged in his new favorite past-time of ‘run-away-from-Mommy-in-the-parking-lot’.

Thankfully, I’m gifted at discipline.

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

Moneybags

The boys and I were discussing family trips past, present and future.  Full Speed shared that he would like to go to Hawaii someday.  I explained that this is a very big trip and a lot of planning and saving would have to go into to it.

“Mom, I know what we can do!  You can use all the money I have in my piggy bank!  It’s a lot so we should have plenty.  I don’t mind letting you use it.  I know how you and Dad use all your money for the games at Chicago Pizza.”

Looks like I better pack some bags.

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

Design Stars

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Image via Wikipedia

I love to watch design shows.   So when Full Speed pipes up that we need new furniture my mind flashes to some interesting possibilities.  When my beach-cottage daydream is over I closely evaluate his intention.  Is he wondering out loud when Extreme Home Makeover is coming to give him a Jurassic-themed bedroom?  Or is he feeling bored and on the lookout for the ‘next best thing’?

Surprisingly, a third option revealed itself.

“Mom, I’m thinking we need to put a big welcome rug right here,” he shares as he points to the empty floor space in front of our lanai doors.  “Then, maybe here in the middle of the room we could get a trampoline so when T.Puzzle chair dives he won’t have to worry about getting hurt.”

Brilliant!

Then, it gets even more interesting as T.Puzzle shares his design insight.  “Maybe we could put four beds in front of the TV so we can all lay down like we are sleeping when we watch a movie.  Dad could have football sheets, I could have Star Wars sheets, because I LOVE Star Wars, and Mom could have Barbie sheets.  What kind of sheets do you want, Full Speed?  Transformers?”

Look out HGTV I have two designers headed your way.

children, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Luck of the Draw

I know I allow for sword play in my home.  Let me clarify NERF sword play.  Okay, the nerf doesn’t really do much to counteract injury and damage.  I am always trying to balance letting my boys ‘be boys’ and keeping my world safe and sane.

At breakfast I was not in the mood for sword shenanigans of any sort.  There was something about the way T.Puzzle precariously started swinging his sword about that my breakfast wasn’t sitting right in my stomach.  Maybe it was the cool breeze I felt as the sword sliced the air near my face.  Or maybe it was the way the fancy wine glasses hanging on display off our kitchen trembled with fear.

I do not know.

I do know that I was having none of it.

“Okay, that’s it, put the sword away,” I commanded.

“Aaaawwww, man,” a clearly disgruntled T.Puzzle retorted.

He dropped his sword in defeat and slouched down.

“I guess I’ll just have to play with a gun instead.”

Really, how lucky can one Mom get?

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

Generosity of Spirit

When we receive important news, we often are able to describe in detail where we were and what we were doing when first learn of it.

It was 10:14 a.m.  I was seated at the computer checking emails.  I had on shorts and a printed purple tank top that I had worn to my morning workout.   It was sunny and the heat of the day was beginning its usual build-up.  I wore no make-up, my hair was scrunched back in a haphazard ponytail and my brow was furrowed with concentration as I scrolled through my inbox.  I heard my phone beep to alert me of an incoming text.

Grandma wanted to know if she could take both boys overnight.

Do mothers like cocktails?  Is summer hot in Florida? 

I was feeling so generous of spirit after this offer I was willing to give her the whole weekend with them. 

Who knows, I may even let her have them for all of July.

I’m that generous.