Doggone It, People Like Me!

After we got home from Cape Cod Jack's teacher sent me a very nice email gushing over my friend Trisha. She did a fabulous job; she would rather leave her kids with her than her husband, blah, blah, blah. I really want her to like me. If she likes Trisha, she should like me. I had already volunteered to be her room mother, was she still holding the initial phone call against me? The teacher sent out an email while we were on vacation asking for a computer lab volunteer and lunchroom volunteers. In hopes of making her like me I sent an email asking if she had gotten the volunteers she needed and telling her if she still needed someone I would see if I could get a babysitter for Ben and Lauren so I could help her out. She emailed back saying she didn't have any volunteers for either. I got on the ball and found a permanent sitter on Tuesdays so I could help in the computer lab. I thought for sure this would be just the thing to make her like me. When I picked up Jack I stopped and told her that I could be the computer mom. I expected her to gush. After all she was in a bind, right? All she said was "okay". Okay? Really, I just went out of my way to get a sitter and all you say is "okay"? Is she taking me for granted already? What did I get for volunteering? An email asking me to coordinate the lunchroom volunteers since I am the room mom. And, oh by the way, there are only 2 volunteers, including me. When did I volunteer? I don't know what it is going to take to make her like me! I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!

Sleep Walker

Last night as Travis and I were getting ready for bed Jack came downstairs, he was obviously disoriented. We both asked him what he was doing and what he needed. He didn't answer as he proceeded to the refrigerator. He opened the fridge and did his peepee dance.

Me: Jack, honey, do you need to go to the bathroom?
Jack: Yes.
Me: Okay, then shut the fridge and let's go to the bathroom

It was then that he started crying. The poor little guy was embarrassed for acting silly.

This isn't the first time this has happened. Several months back he fell asleep on the couch. When we woke him up we told him that he needed to go to the bathroom before bed. He got off the couch, opened the pantry, pulled down his pants and nearly sat on the trashcan before Travis stopped him. He talks in his sleep too. I think I need to start listening. If I don't get any good information now, it will definitely be beneficial when he starts dating!

Bennyisms Part II

I'm a nice boy = I just did something wrong, but now I am trying to redeem myself
Jingle Bell = Taco Bell
I potty trained = I just wet my pants, go look for the puddle
I'm gonna fly = Look alive I am about to jump!
Why not? = Why?
Where's Benny? = Let's play peek-a-boo!
Look at Lolo! = I am trying not to tattle, so you better look at her so you can catch her in the act so I don't have to be a tattletale
My mommy! = Get away from my mom, I don't even like to share her with my brother and sister!
Salad = Sally (from Cars)
Liking Green = Lightning McQueen
Whack-a-moley = Guacamole

Me: Benny, we are all out of diapers, what should we do about that?
Benny: Buy more diapers?

Serenity Now!

I should have known better.

I took Ben and Lauren to Target to buy birthday presents for our upcoming parties. We also needed to grab some shoelaces for Jack. Jack's teacher requested that I get 100% cotton laces so they stayed tied better. Ben and Lauren wanted to walk and against my better judgment I allowed it. By the time we finally picked gifts for our friends I was fairly spent. We headed over to the shoe department to get the laces. Ben was insistent on carrying the big box of Handy Manny crap. Again, against my better judgment I allowed it. Then, the inevitable happened, he fell. He cried and cried. I finally got him settled down and my cell phone rang. It was Travis returning my call. I quickly gave Travis the low down as Ben was begging to talk to him. I got off the phone without giving Ben a turn and the melt down started all over again. I found Jack's shoelaces and headed towards the checkout with Lauren in tow. Ben refused to come with us. He stood there crying his eyes out. I walked away, but not so far that I couldn't see him. I assumed he would cave and follow me, but he didn't. He was still not out of my sight when an older woman walked up to him, offered him a peppermint, gave him another for his sister and said "Here, now go to your mother and tell her to take you home and let you take a nap". Excuse me? Rule #1, never take candy from a stranger! Not only is this old bitty teaching my kid it is okay to take candy from a stranger, she gave him a choking hazard, then questioned MY parenting! By the time I made it to the checkout I was fuming! As the checker was ringing up my purchases my cell phone rang. When I pulled it out of my purse I realized that had left my wallet on my kitchen counter!

Where Does The Time Go?

Yes, I realize I haven't posted since September 3rd. We have finally finished our third rental property and we are DONE renovating houses for several months! But, even more importantly Travis and I took our first vacation without the kids in two years!

No, we aren't wearing matching sunglasses. We both forgot our shades and had to purchase some "El Cheapos" (which is actually what the shop called them). We didn't realize how similar they were until we looked at the pictures!

Our friend Amy invited us to spend four days at her uncle's house in Cape Cod. It was a fabulous trip; we went on a whale watching tour. I hoped to catch a glimpse of a whale in the distance.

We actually saw several whales right off the bow of our boat. It was great!


Travis and Amy spent an afternoon golfing while I enjoyed some time reading ALONE at the beach! We even got to do some shopping and Travis tagged along like a real trooper. We had our meals without crying, carrying on or cutting food. But, as much as I enjoyed our time as a couple rather than a party of five I was happy to see my smiling children in their consolation sweatshirts!

Stubborn AND Resourceful

This morning after I completed my duties as short order cook and delivered one pancake, one grilled cheese and one waffle to the breakfast table I went to work on beverages. "I want juice!" "I want water!" "I want milk!" I barked, "Everyone is getting milk!" as I poured everyone a cup. "No, I want the blue cup!" "I want pink!" "I don't want that one." "I have already poured the milk, so you will take the cup you get” Jack and Lauren were able to accept that they would drink milk out of the cup I gave them. Ben on the other hand was hell bent on drinking his milk out of the blue cup. He took the empty blue cup to the table. I knew what he had planned and told him he would not be pouring his milk into the blue cup. He gave me the look of death for thwarting his plan. He seemed to accept his defeat, so I went about my business. When I came back into the kitchen Ben had nested the cup I gave him in the blue cup and was drinking with a giant smile on his face. At least he didn't blatantly defy me by pouring it into the blue cup...

Random Thoughts

Jack: I wish I were a bird or a reindeer so I could fly.
Me: You don't say...
Jack: If I were a reindeer I would be Rudolph and if I were a bird I would be Toucan Sam.