Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sabotage
Gavin is not into picture taking lately. If I try to get a photo of the three of them, he makes a face or won't look at me or sticks his tongue out. In general, he does anything he can not to be cooperative.
In this first picture, Gavin is holding a spider in front of his face. I have about five pictures like this. When he finally removes it, he replaces it with a puss face.
This one's going to be trouble when he hits adolescence. I can feel it.
In this first picture, Gavin is holding a spider in front of his face. I have about five pictures like this. When he finally removes it, he replaces it with a puss face.
This one's going to be trouble when he hits adolescence. I can feel it.
A Pet Peeve
We were at the park this morning and there appeared to be some sort of mom's group there as well. The mothers were all sitting at one of the picnic tables, coffee in hand, muffins laid out on the table having a good chat. The kids--I'd say ranging in age from about 18 months to 3 or so--were doing what kids do and running amok on the play structures. Now, I am all for moms getting together and talking about kid and non-kid things. You need that adult interaction and that "thank goodness I am not alone" feeling.
But please, for the love of Pete, pay attention to your kids. Do not ignore them and pretend that someone else is watching out for them.
I swear, at least three children almost got smashed while running in front of the swing I was pushing Ciara in. If I hadn't grabbed Ciara mid-swing, the kid (s) would have been really hurt. And none of the moms even looked up. Then there were city workers there building a new sandbox and shelter and the kids, of course, were watching all the action and going in and under the 'Caution' tape they had put around the area. The guys were being good sports about it but again, none of the moms came over to tell their child to be careful or to leave the men alone, etc.
The last thing that really got on my nerves is that there was a girl about 3 or maybe 4 who was sitting on a swing and wanted a push to get going. Now, the swings are across the playground from where the picnic tables are. I was standing near the tables pushing Ciara in the toddler swing and I could hear this girl shouting "Mommy, could you push me please?.....Mommy!....MOMMY!!!!" for at least 10 minutes. Now, if I could hear the girl then the mother could also. Not one mother even stopped talking or acknowledged the girl in any way. I was so tempted to butt in and say "Does that little girl belong to any of you? Because she wants some help." I don't know how anyone can just tune out their kids like that. Even if I am in a conversation with someone, I always am aware of where my kids are. If I hear any kids yelling for their mom, I always look to make sure it is not mine .
Ooooh, it just gets on my nerves when people don't pay attention to their children!
But please, for the love of Pete, pay attention to your kids. Do not ignore them and pretend that someone else is watching out for them.
I swear, at least three children almost got smashed while running in front of the swing I was pushing Ciara in. If I hadn't grabbed Ciara mid-swing, the kid (s) would have been really hurt. And none of the moms even looked up. Then there were city workers there building a new sandbox and shelter and the kids, of course, were watching all the action and going in and under the 'Caution' tape they had put around the area. The guys were being good sports about it but again, none of the moms came over to tell their child to be careful or to leave the men alone, etc.
The last thing that really got on my nerves is that there was a girl about 3 or maybe 4 who was sitting on a swing and wanted a push to get going. Now, the swings are across the playground from where the picnic tables are. I was standing near the tables pushing Ciara in the toddler swing and I could hear this girl shouting "Mommy, could you push me please?.....Mommy!....MOMMY!!!!" for at least 10 minutes. Now, if I could hear the girl then the mother could also. Not one mother even stopped talking or acknowledged the girl in any way. I was so tempted to butt in and say "Does that little girl belong to any of you? Because she wants some help." I don't know how anyone can just tune out their kids like that. Even if I am in a conversation with someone, I always am aware of where my kids are. If I hear any kids yelling for their mom, I always look to make sure it is not mine .
Ooooh, it just gets on my nerves when people don't pay attention to their children!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Friday, October 05, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
This is supposed to be fun, darn it!
I love to cook. I have been looking forward to the boys being a bit older so we can start to cook together and make warm fuzzy memories of baking cookies on a lazy afternoon. I have images of measuring and mixing and sharing laughter-filled stories. Sounds nice, doesn't it? So today I thought I'd bake fall lollipop cookies with the boys while Ciara napped. I found a recipe on another blog I read accompanied by a picture of cutely decorated cookies on a stick. It looked easy enough.
So here is how the story went in real life:
Ciara woke up while we were mixing the batter.
I went up to get her and came back downstairs to find more flour on the floor than went into the dough in the first place. And the kitchen is empty.
Called the boys back after I swept up flour so we can get on with making the cookies.
I now have three of them bickering about whose turn it was to roll the cookies in the colored sugar.
(Ashamed to say) I lose my patience and tell them if they can't all take turns I am making the cookies. By myself.
I almost burn myself and toss the cookies (ha ha) while stepping over one of the bickering children who has thrown himself on the floor.
I answer the question "Can I have a cookie now?" 25 million times before the cookies are actually cool enough to eat.
Cookies are finally cooled, each child takes one and runs away to watch Spongebob.
Guess who cleans up?
And the cookies looked much better than they actually tasted.
The End
So here is how the story went in real life:
Ciara woke up while we were mixing the batter.
I went up to get her and came back downstairs to find more flour on the floor than went into the dough in the first place. And the kitchen is empty.
Called the boys back after I swept up flour so we can get on with making the cookies.
I now have three of them bickering about whose turn it was to roll the cookies in the colored sugar.
(Ashamed to say) I lose my patience and tell them if they can't all take turns I am making the cookies. By myself.
I almost burn myself and toss the cookies (ha ha) while stepping over one of the bickering children who has thrown himself on the floor.
I answer the question "Can I have a cookie now?" 25 million times before the cookies are actually cool enough to eat.
Cookies are finally cooled, each child takes one and runs away to watch Spongebob.
Guess who cleans up?
And the cookies looked much better than they actually tasted.
The End
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Favorite Halloween Reads
I love Halloween! It is my favorite time of the year. We have already been reading Halloween stories at bedtime for a couple of weeks. Here are a few of the most requested around here.
This is a book I discovered while teaching. It is a counting book, counting up to ten and then back down again. It has black and white pictures that are kind of spooky but before it gets too spooky, there is a touch of comic relief from 10 mischievous mice.
Another counting book. This one counts backwards from 10. Cute pictures and rhyming text.
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate... This popular rhyme is now a board book. This book is great for toddlers. It has very simple illustrations and one line of text on each page.
This is a new one for us this year. I
saw it on Amazon and it got good reviews. It is about a skeleton who can't seem to get rid of his pesky hiccups (hic, hic, hic) until his friend ghost (hic, hic, hic) helps him out. I like that this book is about a skeleton and a ghost but is not scary in the least. My boys love this one!
This is another book I discovered during my teaching days. It has a catchy rhyming rhythm that can't help but be chanted when read aloud. The kids always love this one and by the second reading are always chiming in with the chorus. "Shake, shake, shake dem bones now. Shake, shake, shake dem bones now...."
This is a book I discovered while teaching. It is a counting book, counting up to ten and then back down again. It has black and white pictures that are kind of spooky but before it gets too spooky, there is a touch of comic relief from 10 mischievous mice.
Another counting book. This one counts backwards from 10. Cute pictures and rhyming text.
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate... This popular rhyme is now a board book. This book is great for toddlers. It has very simple illustrations and one line of text on each page.
This is a new one for us this year. I
saw it on Amazon and it got good reviews. It is about a skeleton who can't seem to get rid of his pesky hiccups (hic, hic, hic) until his friend ghost (hic, hic, hic) helps him out. I like that this book is about a skeleton and a ghost but is not scary in the least. My boys love this one!
This is another book I discovered during my teaching days. It has a catchy rhyming rhythm that can't help but be chanted when read aloud. The kids always love this one and by the second reading are always chiming in with the chorus. "Shake, shake, shake dem bones now. Shake, shake, shake dem bones now...."
Happy Halloween reading!!
Friday, September 28, 2007
What in tarnation?!
This will be one of those posts that people without children might be bored by. Or even people with children that are not mine. LOL
Anyhow, the boys are at that age (4) where their expressive language and vocabulary is taking off. It is really cute to hear one of them say when asked if they painted at school that day, "I sure did!" Or in response to asking if they want a Spongebob waffle for breakfast, one of them shoots back "Well of course I do!". When this happens I always think to myself where they get this stuff. Of course, it is from listening to all the conversations around them and how adults are speaking with them now that they aren't "babies" anymore. I know that I use more sarcasm with them now that they understand the difference of me being serious vs. joking with them.
Another thing which is funny to experience is there burdgeoning understanding of how the world works. For instance, I picked them up from school the other day and their teacher happened to be getting into her car as I buckled my crew into ours. "I wonder where she is going?" asked Gavin. I mentioned that maybe she was going home. He sort of huffed and said "Teachers don't go home". If he was a little older he probably would have added a two syllable "Duh" to the end of that sentence.
And just this morning, while Aidan was looking for a toy in the toybox and pulled out a pair of underwear he exclaimed "What in tarnation?!".
That one we can credit to good ol' Spongebob.
Anyhow, the boys are at that age (4) where their expressive language and vocabulary is taking off. It is really cute to hear one of them say when asked if they painted at school that day, "I sure did!" Or in response to asking if they want a Spongebob waffle for breakfast, one of them shoots back "Well of course I do!". When this happens I always think to myself where they get this stuff. Of course, it is from listening to all the conversations around them and how adults are speaking with them now that they aren't "babies" anymore. I know that I use more sarcasm with them now that they understand the difference of me being serious vs. joking with them.
Another thing which is funny to experience is there burdgeoning understanding of how the world works. For instance, I picked them up from school the other day and their teacher happened to be getting into her car as I buckled my crew into ours. "I wonder where she is going?" asked Gavin. I mentioned that maybe she was going home. He sort of huffed and said "Teachers don't go home". If he was a little older he probably would have added a two syllable "Duh" to the end of that sentence.
And just this morning, while Aidan was looking for a toy in the toybox and pulled out a pair of underwear he exclaimed "What in tarnation?!".
That one we can credit to good ol' Spongebob.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Random thoughts for the day
Why is it that the kids on the Moon Sand commercial are able to keep all that moon sand in the little blowup sandbox? Yet my kids seem to think that little sandbox is simply for storing the moon sand not actually play with it in there.
And washable markers...they are really only washable to a certain extent. Then your child is stuck with a light blue arm for a few days. Coincidentally one of those days will be the day they have a doctor's appointment. And you will have to work into the conversation with the doctor how those markers really aren't all that washable even after several baths just so he will not think you haven't bathed your child in a while.
That's all for today...
And washable markers...they are really only washable to a certain extent. Then your child is stuck with a light blue arm for a few days. Coincidentally one of those days will be the day they have a doctor's appointment. And you will have to work into the conversation with the doctor how those markers really aren't all that washable even after several baths just so he will not think you haven't bathed your child in a while.
That's all for today...
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The cutest little girl in a hospital gown
Ciara had surgery for a blocked tear duct last Thursday. The eye is still a little runny but the doctor said to give it a week. We shall see.Now, I am not usually one to extol the cuteness of my children but isn't she so adorable in her little hospital gown?
And here is another photo with a mark over her eye lest the surgeon forget why she was there.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Fall?
Yesterday we took the kids to one of our favorite fall activities: apple picking. Well, we actually don't pick the apples per se. I think the kids are a little young still but hopefully next year.
Anyway, every year we visit an apple orchard to get some cider and apples, have a hayride, pet some goats and consume large amounts of cider donuts and apple crisp. Autumn is my very favorite season and I look forward to it all year.
Except when it is 82 degrees outside at the end of September. Global warming anyone?
So despite feeling most unFallish (yes, I am aware that probably isn't a word), the kids had a blast jumping on a maze of hay bales, eating cider donuts and picking out a few pumpkins .
And a gourd for Gavin.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
All roads lead to Stride Rite
All three of my kiddos have wide feet. I have no idea where they got them from as neither my husband nor I have them. This makes for expensive shoe shopping and basically we are limited to one place. Stride Rite. The cadillac of shoes for children. The average pair of shoes or sneakers there run around $54. I don't like paying that much for my shoes never mind shoes that will most likely be trudged through the nearest mud puddle 20 minutes after wearing them for the first time. Not to mention the fact that said shoes will most likely need to be replaced within a few months due to the rapid foot growth of small children.
My mother always makes the same remark after she finds out how much the kids' new shoes cost. "Well, you wouldn't see your (notoriously frugal) sister-in-law spending that amount on her kids' shoes". Well, her kids don't have wide gargantuan feet either.
Just to appease my mother, I have done countless searches on the internet to find out who else might possibly carry wide widths in children's shoes. I have typed in every possible combination of "toddler", "shoes", "wide widths", and "discount". I do get dozens of hits for online shoe stores who claim to carry wide widths for children. At a discount no less. I excitedly click on the link and discover.....they are Stride Rite shoes.
Offered at a 20% discount.
But factor in shipping and I might as well just go to the damn store and buy them myself. Seriously, there has got to be another brand of not-so-expensive wide width children's shoes. I will make this my highest priority.
Until I find them I guess I will have to just shell out the cash and stick my fingers in my ears to drown out my mother's comments.
My mother always makes the same remark after she finds out how much the kids' new shoes cost. "Well, you wouldn't see your (notoriously frugal) sister-in-law spending that amount on her kids' shoes". Well, her kids don't have wide gargantuan feet either.
Just to appease my mother, I have done countless searches on the internet to find out who else might possibly carry wide widths in children's shoes. I have typed in every possible combination of "toddler", "shoes", "wide widths", and "discount". I do get dozens of hits for online shoe stores who claim to carry wide widths for children. At a discount no less. I excitedly click on the link and discover.....they are Stride Rite shoes.
Offered at a 20% discount.
But factor in shipping and I might as well just go to the damn store and buy them myself. Seriously, there has got to be another brand of not-so-expensive wide width children's shoes. I will make this my highest priority.
Until I find them I guess I will have to just shell out the cash and stick my fingers in my ears to drown out my mother's comments.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Sunlight on water
I took these two photos in the late afternoon sun at the beach. My very favorite time of day.More interesting light photos at Crazy Hip Blog Mamas
Thursday, September 13, 2007
School is now in session
My Wordless Wednesday post was actually a photo from last year--their first day of school ever. Here is a picture from this year's first day.
And then of course Ciara, who must do every single thing her brothers do, jumped in.
So, this year was so much more relaxed and anticlimactic than last year. Last year there was a big unknown of what 'preschool' was and all that it entailed. This year they knew what to expect and were chomping at the bit to get back. Sean and I hung around for a bit just in case but the boys really paid us no mind once they were at the table and playing Mr. Potatohead with their friends.
After their drop-off it was time to take Ciara to her Creative Movement class which I was so looking forward to. It is fun to do an activity like this with only one child to focus on. I never had that with the boys and it is such a different experience. No double stroller to lug out of the car, unbuckle and then buckle two kids in, make my way to the door and hope that the stroller fits through. Nope. Just unbuckled Ciara, grabbed my bag and was int he door in 30 seconds.
The class was not as good as I expected. First off the teacher didn't even introduce herself and secondly she didn't ask the kids any of their names. As a former teacher, I think that is such an important part of any type of class. But, all Ciara really cared about was running around the room with the 'twirling ribbons' so I guess it's all good.
And then of course Ciara, who must do every single thing her brothers do, jumped in.
So, this year was so much more relaxed and anticlimactic than last year. Last year there was a big unknown of what 'preschool' was and all that it entailed. This year they knew what to expect and were chomping at the bit to get back. Sean and I hung around for a bit just in case but the boys really paid us no mind once they were at the table and playing Mr. Potatohead with their friends.
After their drop-off it was time to take Ciara to her Creative Movement class which I was so looking forward to. It is fun to do an activity like this with only one child to focus on. I never had that with the boys and it is such a different experience. No double stroller to lug out of the car, unbuckle and then buckle two kids in, make my way to the door and hope that the stroller fits through. Nope. Just unbuckled Ciara, grabbed my bag and was int he door in 30 seconds.
The class was not as good as I expected. First off the teacher didn't even introduce herself and secondly she didn't ask the kids any of their names. As a former teacher, I think that is such an important part of any type of class. But, all Ciara really cared about was running around the room with the 'twirling ribbons' so I guess it's all good.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I bought my son a Barbie
Ok, so it is not a Barbie. I was just going for shock value there. What it is is a Corbin Bleu doll. You know, Corbin Bleu? From High School Musical fame? You don't? Just where have you been living?
Anyway, we were at the store and we passed by the huge display of High School Musical merchandise and my 4 year old son just had to have the Corbin Bleu doll. Oh excuse me, action figure. The Corbin Bleu action figure as he calls it.Now, the movie is most definitely not geared for 4 year olds but Disney does put snippets of the music from the movie on during prime preschool viewing hours. Very smart. Aidan loves to dance and whenever the songs came on he just bops away. I must admit the tunes are quite catchy.
So there you go. Aidan's first "Barbie". LOL
Anyway, we were at the store and we passed by the huge display of High School Musical merchandise and my 4 year old son just had to have the Corbin Bleu doll. Oh excuse me, action figure. The Corbin Bleu action figure as he calls it.Now, the movie is most definitely not geared for 4 year olds but Disney does put snippets of the music from the movie on during prime preschool viewing hours. Very smart. Aidan loves to dance and whenever the songs came on he just bops away. I must admit the tunes are quite catchy.
So there you go. Aidan's first "Barbie". LOL
Thursday, September 06, 2007
How can you tell it is Autumn in New England?
Well, besides the telltale color change of the leaves, the chill in the air in the morning when you awake, and the sun setting earlier and earlier each evening.
For me the arrival of Fall is marked by:
For me the arrival of Fall is marked by:
Apple Cider Donuts!!
Yes, nothing says "Fall" to me more than a warm apple cider donut fresh from the fryer and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Mmmm mmmm good. Ciara and I had our first donuts of the season at Wilson Farm on Monday (Labor Day). The boys chose to stay home and play their new video game. Their loss. More donuts for us.
As if it would be anything else...
| Your Inner European is Irish! |
 Sprited and boisterous! You drink everyone under the table. |
Who's Your Inner European?
However, I definitely do not see myself as "boisterous" and I most certainly could not drink anyone under the table. And yet, based on the food I like to eat and the activities I like to do, I am Irish. (My mother would roll her eyes if she saw this...I look just like her --Italian--yet I am fascinated with my father's Irish/English roots. Drives her nuts.)
However, I definitely do not see myself as "boisterous" and I most certainly could not drink anyone under the table. And yet, based on the food I like to eat and the activities I like to do, I am Irish. (My mother would roll her eyes if she saw this...I look just like her --Italian--yet I am fascinated with my father's Irish/English roots. Drives her nuts.)
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
The workings of a 4 year old mind
I was flipping through a Parents magazine recently and Gavin was next to me. We came to a page that had an ad for a Fisher Price bouncy seat and Gavin wanted to get it for Ciara.
Me: Ciara is too big for that seat now.
Gavin: Well, we can save it for when she gets little again.
Me: No, that’s not how it works. Babies grow bigger, not littler.
Gavin: Well, we can just not feed her and then she will get little.
Friday, August 31, 2007
A glimpse into the future?
For some reason, this picture of the boys brought to mind a pair of curmudgeon-y old men sitting on the beach on a glorious day and complaining about how cold it was. Much like my father who is sitting off camera in this picture with long pants, a windbreaker and a baseball hat pulled tightly down to his eyes. I guess it runs in the family.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
I'm back
I am back from vacation with a renewed interest in blogging. Hopefully I will be able to post more regularly. Just not now. I have two angry preschoolers hounding me to "log into Playhouse Disney dot com". I cannot believe what words are in a 4 year old's vocabulary nowadays. (Did I just type "nowadays"? I am getting old.)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
One Day Late
Happy 2nd Birthday, baby girl!!
2 year old favorites:
Little Einsteins
Teletubbies
Hi5
lemons
yelling "Bop!" and putting your hand up when someone does something you don't like
Bane-banes (blankets--I have no idea where the word came from)
your bottle
em-a-ems (M&Ms)
farm animals
your brothers (Aidan and 'avin)
2 year old favorites:
Little Einsteins
Teletubbies
Hi5
lemons
yelling "Bop!" and putting your hand up when someone does something you don't like
Bane-banes (blankets--I have no idea where the word came from)
your bottle
em-a-ems (M&Ms)
farm animals
your brothers (Aidan and 'avin)
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Summertime fun
Heeelllooooo out there......
Sorry for the long absence. This summer has been very busy thus far. We have had an overseas guest the past couple of weeks and then a few unwelcome guests that have needed dealing with. I may or may not elaborate later. lol
So here are a few pictures of everyone's favorite summer pastime: eating an ice cream cone on a warm summer night.
Sorry for the long absence. This summer has been very busy thus far. We have had an overseas guest the past couple of weeks and then a few unwelcome guests that have needed dealing with. I may or may not elaborate later. lol
So here are a few pictures of everyone's favorite summer pastime: eating an ice cream cone on a warm summer night.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
Four years ago today...
...our wish came true. 
Two baby boys to share our lives. We went through a lot to get you here but we wouldn't change one single thing about our journey.
Happy Birthday Aidan and Gavin!!
Two baby boys to share our lives. We went through a lot to get you here but we wouldn't change one single thing about our journey.
Happy Birthday Aidan and Gavin!!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Life Imitates Art...
I couldn't resist snapping this picture of our dog, Finn, napping on our bed. Above him is the Andrew Wyeth print Master Bedroom.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Finally!!
After weeks of bleak, cold, rainy April weather we finally had a beautiful Spring weekend!
In true New England fashion, we went right from jeans and fleece sweatshirts one day into shorts and tee shirts the next. Of course, who knows how long it will last...
In true New England fashion, we went right from jeans and fleece sweatshirts one day into shorts and tee shirts the next. Of course, who knows how long it will last...
Thursday, April 19, 2007
116 Beanie Babies and he knows exactly which one is missing
Ty Beanie Babies. Remember those? The craze that spread throughout the US (the World even?) about 12 years ago. Everyone scampering to get the newest, "rarest" Beanie because, you know, someday they are going to be worth a pretty penny. Well, here is what happened to all my Beanie Babies:
Ever since Gavin was an infant he liked the tags of blankets, stuffed animals and the like. But, not just any tag. It had to be the kind that was silky, the kind that when rubbed for long periods of time would get even silkier. Gavin never had one special "lovey" but rather a whole bunch of them as long as they had the right tag. This made it easier on us because at least if we left one behind somewhere, we didn't have to search high and low for an exact replica.
Back to the Beanie Babies. When Gavin was about 18 months old, he discovered my collection of precious Beanie Babies in a box in the closet of the boys' playroom. He took a couple out, rubbed their tags to test them out and that was that. His addiction was born. Every so often, he would go to the box to get a couple more Beanies when the tags wore out on the old ones. Then he started taking a few out even though the old tags weren't worn out. He liked to have variety and every few days would switch to a new favorite. Eventually, every single Beanie Baby wound up on his bed and no one was allowed to clean them up. They had to remain there and if one attempted to tidy them up, he would know exactly which ones were missing and demand them back.
So now we are to the point where he wants to choose his own Beanie Babies to buy. However, the "new" Beanies have tags made of a different material than the "old" Beanies. They do not get soft and silky with age. They remain stiff and not pleasant to rub. Luckily (or unluckily depending on how you look at it), a local craft store chain carries the "old" Beanies. Every other week--at least--we go to this store to buy yet another Beanie. I cringe as we approach the bin because inevitably we are going to see Beanies in there that I paid top dollar for back in the day which are now $2.88. Yes, $2.88. The Princess Diana Beanie Baby that I had to have and bought for $25 is now in the bin for $2.88.
Not only is my beloved Princess Bear in a bin for just $2.88. She now has a new home on Gavin's bed.
Ever since Gavin was an infant he liked the tags of blankets, stuffed animals and the like. But, not just any tag. It had to be the kind that was silky, the kind that when rubbed for long periods of time would get even silkier. Gavin never had one special "lovey" but rather a whole bunch of them as long as they had the right tag. This made it easier on us because at least if we left one behind somewhere, we didn't have to search high and low for an exact replica.
Back to the Beanie Babies. When Gavin was about 18 months old, he discovered my collection of precious Beanie Babies in a box in the closet of the boys' playroom. He took a couple out, rubbed their tags to test them out and that was that. His addiction was born. Every so often, he would go to the box to get a couple more Beanies when the tags wore out on the old ones. Then he started taking a few out even though the old tags weren't worn out. He liked to have variety and every few days would switch to a new favorite. Eventually, every single Beanie Baby wound up on his bed and no one was allowed to clean them up. They had to remain there and if one attempted to tidy them up, he would know exactly which ones were missing and demand them back.
So now we are to the point where he wants to choose his own Beanie Babies to buy. However, the "new" Beanies have tags made of a different material than the "old" Beanies. They do not get soft and silky with age. They remain stiff and not pleasant to rub. Luckily (or unluckily depending on how you look at it), a local craft store chain carries the "old" Beanies. Every other week--at least--we go to this store to buy yet another Beanie. I cringe as we approach the bin because inevitably we are going to see Beanies in there that I paid top dollar for back in the day which are now $2.88. Yes, $2.88. The Princess Diana Beanie Baby that I had to have and bought for $25 is now in the bin for $2.88.
Not only is my beloved Princess Bear in a bin for just $2.88. She now has a new home on Gavin's bed.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Who ya gonna call?
I can't believe I am putting this in writing and it will probably sound way worse in words than it is in real life but...
Sometimes, when the boys are acting up I tell them I am going to call the gypsies* to come get them. There I said it. Am I a horrible mother? If I told you that it is said more in a joking/exasperated voice rather than an angry one does that make it better? No? Oh well...
So, Gavin is the one that was most bothered by this. He asked who the gypsies were and what they would do to him. I said they would make him clean and sweep their houses all day long. (I figured it is no worse than Cinderella, right?). Aidan seemed to pay me no mind from the beginning, almost as if he knew I was only bluffing and was just acting like a child. Maybe he has a point there. But, the first few times I did it were hilarious (to me, anyway) with Gavin shouting "No! No! Don't call the gypsies!" It would stop whatever behavior he was doing dead in its tracks at which point I would give him a squeeze and tell him that "No, of course I wasn't going to call the gypsies because what would I do without you?".
Now he is wise to me and if he is doing some horribly annoying thing and I say "Ga-vin" in a huge sigh he asks "Who are you going to call?" with a wicked grin on his face.
Ever the one to torment my children, I now respond with "Ghostbusters!" simply because I just
couldn't resist when he says "Who are you gonna call?". He obviously has no idea why I think that is funny. He just hears the word "ghost" and it is enough to send him into hysterics just as when I first told him about the gypsies. This will also probably get old quick and I will have to think of a new way to emotionally scar my almost-4 year old. I am sure there are dozens of things I could do.
*absolutely no offense to any gypsies that may read my blog ;)
Sometimes, when the boys are acting up I tell them I am going to call the gypsies* to come get them. There I said it. Am I a horrible mother? If I told you that it is said more in a joking/exasperated voice rather than an angry one does that make it better? No? Oh well...
So, Gavin is the one that was most bothered by this. He asked who the gypsies were and what they would do to him. I said they would make him clean and sweep their houses all day long. (I figured it is no worse than Cinderella, right?). Aidan seemed to pay me no mind from the beginning, almost as if he knew I was only bluffing and was just acting like a child. Maybe he has a point there. But, the first few times I did it were hilarious (to me, anyway) with Gavin shouting "No! No! Don't call the gypsies!" It would stop whatever behavior he was doing dead in its tracks at which point I would give him a squeeze and tell him that "No, of course I wasn't going to call the gypsies because what would I do without you?".
Now he is wise to me and if he is doing some horribly annoying thing and I say "Ga-vin" in a huge sigh he asks "Who are you going to call?" with a wicked grin on his face.
Ever the one to torment my children, I now respond with "Ghostbusters!" simply because I just
couldn't resist when he says "Who are you gonna call?". He obviously has no idea why I think that is funny. He just hears the word "ghost" and it is enough to send him into hysterics just as when I first told him about the gypsies. This will also probably get old quick and I will have to think of a new way to emotionally scar my almost-4 year old. I am sure there are dozens of things I could do.*absolutely no offense to any gypsies that may read my blog ;)
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