This Woman Rocks!

Jen has just swum .25 miles (in an un-heated, non-chlorinated lake), ridden nine miles (in the drizzle and mud), and run another 2 miles (still drizzling).  She did all of this in just a smidge over an hour.  

 

We are so impressed, Jen!  Way to go, Tyler’s Mommy! 

For Sale: One Two-Year Old. Cheap.

Of course, you may not want him no matter how good the price once you hear why he is for sale.

1.  It took 1.5 hours and three time-outs to get him to clean up a box of counting bears he enjoyed dumping out.

2.  I had to do double-time in the kitchen after he made a different mess this morning.  While I was busy there, Wesley was downstairs getting out four boxes of soy milk.  He was able to open three of them.  He poured out all three onto two plush runner carpets I have downstairs.  Fortunately, plush really absorbs, so I didn’t have to shampoo the carpet underneath too much to get the milk out of it.  I did take the two runners outside and pressure washed them later that afternoon.

3.  Really?  A what point did Wesley say to himself, “Mama will really like it if I pour out a large amount of liquid inside the house!  She always lets me do this sort of thing.” 

4. Yesterday, since he wasn’t bothering to nap, he wanted to go outside to ride his bike.  I needed to mow the lawn, so he was following me on his bike. And then he wasn’t. I went around to the sides of the house, calling his name.  Went to the front.  Went down the driveway.  Down the street (because the little bugger is FAST on his bike), yelling his name.  Returned to house.  Saw bike in garage.  Went inside, yelling demon’s name.  Went up stairs yelling his name.  That boy didn’t answer.  Not because he didn’t hear me, but he wanted to get as much candy as he could before I grabbed him.  He had climbed on the counter, taken down the plastic water pitchers, stepped on them to give himself the extra boost to reach the candy basket that, until yesterday, was out of his reach on top on the refrigerator.  And he had taken off his pants. 

*     *     *     *     *     *

Kyla pulled a stunt today, too.  She filled up the bathroom sink and scrubbed her feet with Piper’s toothbrush.  “Kyla, would it be okay for Piper to wash her feet with your toothbrush?”

“No.”

“Is it okay for you to use her toothbrush to wash yourself?”

“No.”

“Did you think about this when you washed your feet?”

“No,” said the girl who have given herself a black eye yesterday doing something rather unintelligent and banging her head into the corner of a wall.

A Letter To My Son

Dear Wes,

You have been such a trooper this week!  I’ve never seen you so sick as you were this last Tuesday when you gave every indication of trying to curl up in my lap and wanting to die.  Your oxygen was extremely low, and I was unusually concerned about you.  But before your treatment was even done at the doctor’s office, you were already singing “Rock-a-bye Baby” through your dinosaur nebulizer mask with a wicked smile on your face.  

Later this week, I was really pleased with you, when for the very first time in your life, you ran to the potty all on your own. You pulled down your pants and diaper without any help and sat on the potty (and demonstrated you know exactly what goes into a potty!).  I loved how you said “By myself!” when I came in and found you sitting there so proudly.  Oh, sweetie, I am so pleased with you!

But, Son, next time, do you think you could lift the lid first?

Love,

Mama

Pets

Two thumbs up (and five cocoons pointed down, as they should be) for caterpillars!  All five grew quickly and cocooned within a few days of each other.  I love these no-mess, no-fuss, all-reward pets.  They come in a plastic container with all the food they will need.  You leave in there until they all are hanging from the paper underneath the lid, then pin that paper inside the “Butterfly Pavilion”.  All that’s left is to keep Wesley from shaking container furiously.

 

But tadpoles….tadpoles.  They have given every indication—except occasionally breathing--of being dead for the last ten days.  They don’t move, don’t noticeably grow or develop legs, usually lay upside down or on their sides, and haven’t eaten any measurable amount of food.  They get the special store-bought water and a safe place out of Wesley’s reach, so the full VIP treatment in this house.  Maybe I will buy them a plant.

I’m Going to Survive Today, Even if it Kills Me

The End. 

Skip Day---To the Zoo

We skipped preschool today so that we could spend all day at the zoo with Papa Jim. 

 

Just hatching flamingo eggs on our lunch break.

Piper is pointing out the freshest of the plastic peppers.

 

Gotta plow the fields, even in your favorite white tulle dress.

 

Piper telling me it will cost two cents to help plant invisible seeds.

 

Piper has an excessive amount of pictures today, but she is the kid most likely to be looking at the camera.

 

He can’t quite say “carousel” yet, but he can plead “Horse, ‘round, ‘round, go on horse.  NOW, MOMMY!” 

Building Blocks

Today was about building castles.  Kyla and Piper got into the pavers again and gave each other directions about how to build this castle to best capture Snow White for the Wicked Queen. Bloody thirsty little girls. 

 

Then we bought a mixed box of Duplos (big Legos) from a friend’s garage sale.  We got our $15 worth right away. 

 

 

And this is what Kyla looks like when she’s talking to you, Gramma and Papa!