Setting Standards

I went upstairs to change yesterday and came back to my desk to find this:

I asked him what he was doing, and he let me know he was creating a behavior chart for Sam since Sam had been so naughty earlier in the morning.  Very serious business.

At first glance, it was a pretty standard chart.

But then he showed me the flip side of the chart.  The side he thought we should be using for that day since Sam had a pretty good stint of kicking me while I was trying to get him dressed...

Apparently things can get worse than bad.

:)

A boy and his best friend Aiden:

Self-Help?

This is the book Alex brought home from the library this week:

Not sure if this is a self reflection moment or a statement on my parenting.

When?

When when when WHEN will my son stop cutting his shirts?  Seriously.  When?  When will this phase be done?  'Cause I'm ready for it to be over.

Yesterday he came home and took off his sweatshirt to reveal an inch and a half slice in the front hem of his shirt that he has worn TWICE.  Twice.  As in this was the second time he wore it since I bought it.  Are you kidding me dude??!

As soon as I spotted it, I asked what that was all about.

"Well...when we were on our hike in the woods, my shirt got caught on a bra....nah, I cut it.  Sorry Mom."
"Why?!  Why did you cut your shirt again?"
"'Cause I wanted to see what was inside."

Oh you wanted to see what was inside your shirt?!  It's cotton!  The same as on the freaking outside!!

After I settled a bit, I realized that he had stopped himself mid-lie, and he had chosen the truth.  This is a monumental step for Mr. Alex.  So, I was a good mom, and I told him that while I was very frustrated he cut his shirt again, I was happy he chose to tell the truth about it.  I even managed to unclenched my teeth while I said it!

Zoo Trip

It was unseasonably warm here this past weekend and we took advantage with a trip to the zoo yesterday.  Travis's brother and his family met us there and we enjoyed every drop of sunshine we could.

Sam was very excited to go; which he expressed by repeatedly telling Travis, Alex, and I that we were going to see the animals.  A fact all of us were aware of before Sam got stuck on repeat.  I wish I would have had the quickness to get a picture of the look on Alex's face after Sam told him for the zillionth time we were going to see the animals.  It was a mixture of trying to be a good big brother feigning excitement and pure confusion of how this small child couldn't seem to remember he had just uttered that phrase mere seconds ago.  "Alex.  Alex.  ALEX!  We going to see da animals.  We going to see da animals Alex.  Alex.  We going to see da animals."  And as soon as Alex would acknowledge him, Sam would switch his laser beam of obvious statements to either Travis or me.  It was quite a car ride.

Anyway, both boys love the zoo.  Alex definitely liked it more for the plethora of Pokemon to catch, but Sam was more into the animals.  He was particularly taken by the giraffes.  They were inside the giraffe house, so we were closer to them than if they were outside.  As soon as he saw one, he let out a loud, gruff, "That's a BIG one!"  We stood in there watching the two giraffes for at least ten minutes and Sam just kept saying, "He's so pretty!"  He loved them.

The only thing I think he loved more than the giraffes was the caterpillar his aunt found.  Who needs a zoo full of exotic animals when one of your awesome aunts is holding a fuzzy caterpillar??

He is Batman

Alex goes in streaks with what he wants to be for Halloween it seems. We are on the 4th Halloween that he has had input on what he wants to dress up as.  The first two years he was Handy Manny.  Last year he switched it up and was Batman.  This year?  Batman once again.

There is a mask/cape combo that goes with the outfit, but I couldn't get him to stand still once that was in place.  This kid's smile is just too much.

Masochist

Last night Sam was laying on the kitchen floor playing with a train.  I heard all sorts of giggling and looked over.  He was laying there with his face on the floor saying, "Oh no!  Oh no!  Train's gonna get me!  CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!"  And then he would run the train into his own nose and laugh and laugh.  I think there's somethin' wrong with this one.

Organizer

Alex called me into the bathroom last night to show me something.  That's always a fun call to answer.  But this time, it didn't include anything disgusting.  He had reorganized the items on the counter so "we don't have such a mess."

Ummmmm.....thanks?  Yeeeeah...that looks much better than the way I had it.

Good Lookin' Out

A while back our grocery store had some weird sale on Tabasco sauce and we ended up with 6 bottles for the price of one.  I don't remember the details, but suffice it to say, we're good on the ol' standard hot sauce.

Yesterday morning, Travis was making a bloody mary and he grabbed a new bottle out of the pantry.  I said there was an open one already and he let me know he used it up, but not to worry, we were still sittin' pretty with 3 more bottles.  Alex was sitting at the table during this conversation and froze mid-cereal bite to tell me we shouldn't have any Tabasco in the house.  Ummmmm....what.

"Mom.  Why do we have Tabasco in the house?!"
"Uh...because it's delicious."
"Well, we shouldn't have that in the house.  It's not good for you!"
"What on Earth are you talking about?"
"Mom.  That's the stuff that's in cigarettes."

Another Spa Treatment

This is now what Sam does with bananas:

He won't eat them anymore.  All he wants to do is peel them and squish them on his face and arms...and the table...and his hands...and the dog if she would just sit still long enough.

Healthy as a Horse

I was downstairs at my desk and heard a roucous upstairs...

"Whatcha doin' bud?"
"Takin' my temperature."
"....why?"
"Just cause."

I heard the tell tale beeping of the thermometer and then:

"Mom?  What am I supposed to be at?"
Knowing he's taking it under his arm and it will be at least 1 degree low: "Eh, around 97 something."
"Ummmmm...I'm at about 7."
"Bring it here."
"See?  6.56"
"You're holding it upside down.  It says 95.9.  You're fine."

Buzzing Silver Lining

The only thing good about the mosquitos that are still flying their biting littls asses around in October?  They are super slow and easy to squish.  I think no mosquitos is one of maybe 5 things I like about winter.

And Now There Are Two to Judge Me

Sam was at the table having a snack while I was getting dinner ready.  I happened to be enjoying a delicious Diet Coke at the time, the carbonation got the best of me, and I let out a little burp.  From the table I hear a sweet tiny voice:  "scuse you Mama."

Uh huh.  Yes, please do excuse me for my gaseous indiscretion, Sir.

This from the one who at least once a day enters a room and announces, "I pooped again Mama!"

Sick Day

Sam is sick today.  Sad for him, but good for some picutres!
First up:  The Desk of a Working From Home Mom with Child Home

His nap today would only happen if he was sitting on my lap.  I tried putting him down once he was completely asleep...no dice.  But!  That did give me a golden opportunity to get a good shot of his Flinstone foot!

Happy Friday!

Couple of Pictures

Yesterday was a good picture day.

Samisms

Couple things Sam says that I don't want to forget:

"Nolgabar" - Granola Bar
"Mickey Mouse Hubclouse" - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Converted Critic

Alex is still very into watching cooking shows; Chopped Junior in particular.  I love the creativity it sparks in him and his new manner of talking about food cracks me up.

I made fried rice a couple weeks ago and I put water chestnuts in it.  Alex tried them, but decided he didn't care for them.  Fine.  Fried rice was requested again, so I made it yesterday and again I put water chestnuts in it because...well, because I like them so he can deal!  He decided to try them again which is great, but I had taken the time to pick them all out of his serving.  No good deed goes unpunished.  Anywho, he tasted one and put this out there:

"Ya know?  I do like water chestnuts!  The taste is very mild but they give a good crunch to each bite."

Thank you Julia Child.

So Many Uses

Sunday was my nephew's birthday celebration in Glenveiw.  We had a great time, but I didn't do a very good job of planning out the timing of our return to ensure the boys weren't starving mid trip back.  So, a McDonald's stop had to happen.

Normally I am not too keen on McDonald's for obvious reasons.  But.  This time?  The Happy Meal toys are Justice League based.  You guys.  I have TWO BatMan mask/glasses.  

My life is now complete.