Perspective

I enjoy seeing things from a different perspective. I think it helps me be more empathetic and understanding. Here is a perspective I never would have had if not for a little boy with some stolen camera time.

Taken from Boot's favorite hiding place, under the play table in our "breakfast nook/back entry" area.

We also have some great, albeit blurry, shots up his nose, and some really fantastic shots of the ceiling.

On a roll

I've noticed that I blog in spurts. (Blog roll. Get it? hardy har har) I'll sit down and write 3 posts in a row, then not do any for two weeks. Inconsistently consistent? Or consistently inconsistent? However it lands, I'm sort of both. You're welcome for that stunning revelation. *big cheesy grin*

While I still haven't gotten a mini voice recorder, I did grab pen and paper this morning, as my son was also "on a roll." A typically loud, energetic, random roll of talking about weird things, singing made-up songs, and finding a million new and funny ways (because it's always funny - not) to say "butt." Because "butt" is the funniest word in the world to a three year old.

I think this pic hints at his mischievious and enthusiastic nature. Don't you?

Boots loves to greet the morning with, um, enthusiasm. We are often awakened by his boisterous shouts (other times it could be described as screaming) that "it's morning, not time to sleep anymore." Another trick he has is to turn on lights... while you're sleeping. And it's still dark. (flashback to high school. I hated mornings then.) He is not always greeted warmly, in return. As was the case this morning.

Boots will often continue his rant, sometime for a couple hours, with some pretty interesting, and random, conversation. Not that anyone is really responding. He also is known to do this in the car. Which, in confined quarters, is annoying, and yet funny.

I'll just give you a play by play of sorts of his Morning Chatter. 

He sang songs to Huggy who was still in his crib, and protesting that fact. The tune: "don't cry, Nookus." 

While I made breakfast, he played with his Alvin (chipmunk) Happy Meal toy and sang the ever popular "Poop, poop, poop in yer pants, poop, poop, poop in yer pants, poop, poop, poop in yer pants, poop, poop on yer tail." HA HA HA. POOP ON YOUR TAIL, Mommy.

Yeah, that's funny. *shakes head*

Playing with big brother's toy, the Zyclone Zing Ring Turbo Blaster (in action here):

Is this a wheel bullet? It looks like a halo. (puts it on his head) It looks like money. (Spins it on floor.) It's a wheel. (Rolls it) Then sings, "It's a tire, it's a tire."

Next, a rousing rendition of "Rapidam dam dam, rapidam dam dam... (for a total of six times)" 

That ended the singing and he moved on to flicking pony beads across the kitchen floor, with great excitement when one would go under the refrigerator. Ought to be a good surprise next time I clean under there. Ahem.

Now, he's moved on to playing his toy guitar while wearing his Incredibles underwear backwards. They're sort of cheeky that way. (If he wasn't in his underwear, and not wanting to put that out for the world of pervs to see, I'd video it.) He holds his (imaginary) pick, strums as one should, jams and has a rather good guitar player stance. Just like his daddy.

Never a dull moment. Never a dull moment.

Bits of blogginess

Man, do I have a night owl. It's 9:42 (it was when I was started writing this) and George is still putzing around upstairs, listening to his radio. I could probably bust him with the light on... And I did. Yep. Paging thru a book, music blaring. Ok, not blaring, but it's loud for trying to sleep. And he wonders why he's tired when I wake him up for school.

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I am quite possible addicted to these:

But selling them at $10 a bag? I think that's a little excessive. I'm sure I paid under $3 bucks. And it's definitely worth $3 bucks.

These are fabulous too.

See a theme?

But again, $11.95? Really, people?

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I don't like Seattle's Best coffee. Or Folgers. So far, I'm good with Millstone's Hazelnut Cream. Most days though, I will shamelessly say I'm happy with my milk / Nescafe instant coffee latte-like concoction.

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I took Huggyface to the doc today yesterday. It was the doc's first day back from maternity leave. Man, if we could all look that good after 10 weeks. (Have I mentioned, btw, how much I love my ped? She's awesome. A much appreciated improvement over the last she-devil ped we had. If you want the story, just ask.) Anyway. Boy's growing like a weed, walking a-a-l-l-l-l over the exam room, wearing the stethescope like he's in charge. He's just not a baby anymore. sniffle sniffle. At 13 months and 4 days, he weighs in at 22 lbs 8 oz (37%) and 29 1/2 inches (28%). The part I can't figure out is combining height to weight ratio he ranks at 78th percentile. I'd say she got it wrong but the computer does it all for you I think. Computer wrong? 

Since we delayed vacc's with Huggyface (and Boots), we started those today yesterday. Also, since I apparently didn't keep up on things with Boots, and upon filling out preschool registration paperwork realized he hadn't had his MMR yet (oops!), I asked about him too. W-e-e-l-l-l, I got them both signed up for shots galore. I had Boots go first for his 3 shots. He did AMAZING with the first. No crying. Just sort of matter-of-factly said "Ouch. That hurt." I was shocked, and impressed. But shots 2 and 3 in the other arm were not quite as fun, with #3 (the MMR, I believe) burning and bringing quite the rush of tears and screaming. Sorry, fella. Huggyface was next and did as well as could be expected with his 3. Once we left the doc's, though, we hit up Micky D's for some much needed ice cream cone consolation. Sorry, poor Huggy. None for you. Too messy to let you man it alone in the car.

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We have a couple picky eaters in our house. George being the most picky, and each other monkey having certain things they don't like. Generally, I don't fight it. One of the battles I choose not to pick. I do make them try things, but after trying a certain number of times, I just know that this kid won't eat gravy, another one tomatoes, the next hot dogs. George has been trying "new" things lately. After last years turnaround on mashed potatoes, we have gotten him to be more open to things he thought he didn't like. Most recently it's rice. The kid will eat noodles like crazy (although for a long time it was only certain shaped noodles - they're all the same, buddy!) I accidentally put some rice on his plate, just a spoonful, and told him he could suffer through tasting it. He asked if he could put butter on it, which I obliged, and blammo, he likes rice now. Boots, he won't eat it at all. George and Cheeks also switched side on cucumbers, which George now enjoys and Cheeks refuses to eat. Go figure. Boots could eat his weight in fresh fruits and veggies if you let him. Koko is the one with refined tastes and while she refuses things like chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and occasionally mac-n-cheese, she will be the first one to volunteer to eat shrimp, Chinese food even if it's spicy, or some kind of sauce that only adults are eating. (Diva in process?) Huggy is also quite picky, which can be normal in babies just trying new foods, but I think he also has texture issues. Gre-e-e-a-a-at. He still prefers that I feed him, has a preference for sweets, and a dislike for meats. I have found, though, that putting food on his tray and walking away, not checking to see if he eats, has worked in getting him to eat things he might not prefer, to, say, applesauce and squash (his favorite). Since George won't eat any cooked vegetables, we eat a LOT of crudites. Broccoli, celery, carrots, cukes. With Ranch. Last night at supper, as Huggy was picking at his butter beans and chicken chunks, I threw a tiny piece of broccoli on his tray. Butter my buns and call me a biscuit if that kid didn't eat it. So I gave him more. I find it completely ironic that picky eaters will eat raw broccoli, the supposed most hated vegetable by kids. George also likes raw spinach. I don't understand it, I just serve it. And cheer!

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I really need to buy a mini voice recorder or something. I can't tell you how many funny things my kids will say, and I'll be darned if I can't even remember it long enough to find pen and paper. I had a blog post started, but by the time I started to type out what 'she' said, I'd forgotten. It was really good, too. You're sad you missed it, huh?

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Again I'll leave you with a video, this time of my cutie patootie Huggy boy. I think I missed all opportunities for the feet documentary, and even first steps videos. But this one captures him still in his early walker phase, drunken sailor / caveman stance and all. Plus, can I just brag for a minute that one of his first words is Thank You? Mama, Dada, cracker, hat, go and Thank you. That's right. Proof positive that we really do try to teach our children manners. And as you will see, he makes this goofy, hammin' it up for the camera face that is just hilarious, and we try to get him to do it all the time. Glad it's recorded here for ya'll. 

Long time no write. It's been since... last year.

Glad Tidings to all you parents who are elated that school is back in session. Er, I mean, that celebrated the Birth of our Savior. uh, Yeah, that too. ;) 

Our live tree, which smelled soooo good, all ready to go for Christmas morn gift-a-palooza.

We had a fairly stellar holiday season, with the man in red (or black, I can't remember what he was wearing) dropping ridiculous gifts upon our doorstep. Let's just say, there were some very happy kids around here.

And now I'm happy to have them back in school where they are not tattling on each other all day. I know there are moms who love the time with their kids and are sad to see them go, but there are just as many who breathe a deep sigh of relief on that first day back to school. (Just in time to turn around and see all the laundry.)

I love my kids, but I'm still in that stage of life where it's all a LOT of work, and there's hardly an ounce of rest for me. I was so pooped from shenanigan patrol on Christmas day (and let's not forget the night before's gift wrap and set up maneuvers til 1:30 a.m.), that when Kong awoke from his nap (he was between work shifts and still very sleep deprived), I cried when I told him how exhausted I was. And then I apologized for not making supper. It just wasn't going to happen.

All that stimulation was just about overload for a certain little 3 year old boy, who runs from one thing he shouldn't be doing/touching/dumping all over kingdom come to another. You would think that getting to be outside for about two and a half hours riding around in your new Jeep car would be just what the doctor ordered. Apparently, he should have been running during that time, as he was not tuckered out or sufficiently entertained in. the. least. (Any tips on how to break his wild and willfulness would be much appreciated.) I spent a lot of time with that kid over the break (and still), mostly in an effort to keep him out of trouble (which is like telling him not to breathe), as well as with the others, doing projects and crafts and Erector sets, etc. Cheeks and I still have yet to bust out the EasyBake Oven, but that might be accomplished tomorrow. It's fun but exhausting, all this playing with your kids, and not a darn thing got accomplished besides that and meals, and just barely at that.

I was so pleased that we got to have my hubba hubba with us for the whole 2 days of Christmas, as the holiday landed on the weekend when he isn't scheduled to work. He had to work til Friday night and then back on Monday morning for an extra round, but at least he was home for the main stuff. I also got to have him help me with gift shopping this year which was a total bonus for me. Yes, this meant I got a Date Night!!! Holla! I hate making all those decisions by myself, and trying to cram it all into stolen moments. It was nice to share in the fun of figuring it all out. However, we probably spent more money than will ever be spent in Christmases to come. But hey, we NEVER do that, and don't really even buy toys any other time besides birthdays (which I'm realizing I may need to remedy some) so I don't feel guilty in the least that we splurged. 

We also got to spend time with our extended families on Christmas eve, and enjoyed all the food and camaraderie that goes with that. I did miss going to the Christmas Eve service this year, my favorite part, but it just didn't work out with our schedule.

And going a bit backwards, I have been really trying lately to clean up certain areas, reorganize, rearrange, and clear out crap and clutter. Since Kong worked all week up til Christmas, I tried really hard to do some things that would make him feel good to be home. I busted my buns cleaning the house. I got our tree decorated and lights strung up on windows around the house, and a wreath hung up on the front door. He came home on Friday night to a Christmas-y home, clean enough that you could tell the difference, and since I took the kids for more shopping, it was quiet. The biggest impact, however, was felt in the bedroom. Hm. Did I say that right? giggle. uh... anyway. :D I finally put away stacks of summer clothes and extra bedding that were out of storage and dumped on the floor (one because I hadn't gotten to it yet, and two because we had water damage issues in our closet where they are stored). I cleaned out some of his dresser, and also my dresser, which meant I had 2 large bags to take to the thrift store (and that was after the load I had taken there only days earlier). In the end, you could actually see the top of my dresser. Wow, so that's what it looks like! Also, I bought myself a jewelry stand and wanted to be able to put it on my dresser. But whatever it takes, right? I washed the sheets and made the bed, cleaned off my nightstand and dusted. Swept the floor (it's wood) and shook the rugs. When he walked in I had side lamps on to make it feel warm and cozy. The next morning he told me that he was so surprised our bedroom had "atmosphere." lol It's the little things, right?

And now we're settling back in to school routines and homework. I'm catching up on laundry, well, if the dryer doesn't fully go kaput, that is, and regaining balance. It feels good. And there are good things just around the corner.

I will leave you with a video of our gift opening mahem, showing the joy and excitement of little kids on Christmas morning. It's about 2 mins long.

Did you know...

Wise Men Still Seek Him.