Media madness

Our oldest: "Why are you crying mom?"
"Sniff. Because. Beth died."
"UH, in the movie?"
"M-hmm." The boy was confused. Why would I cry about a movie? Shrugs it off as a girl thing. Smart boy.
Grinning mischievously..."Oh. Look what I found! Change. Ha. Ha. It's mine." He closes his hand around it again. " And mom...."
"Uh. Honey. This is a movie based on my favorite book-ever. Do you think this is a good time to interrupt me?"
"It is?" The look of incredulousness on his face was priceless. Why on earth would I like something that makes me cry?
"Oh, ok. mom." He retreats up to his room with his brothers, where I still hear them now, squealing over video games......

Some day he'll see the link. Really.

What is it about scissors?

What is it about scissors and some paper that can keep a three year old occupied for hours? (and me too, unclogging the vacuum hose later.)

Princess is P is sitting behind me this morning, very importantly cutting out shapes and writing "letters" on them to her friends. Like any budding author, the first several renditions get crumpled and pitched.
She comes over to me. "More Pape! More paper. Pleeeeasse."
Pretty soon the floor starts looking like it's snowed inside.
Finally she draws something she's satisfied with, and leaves it uncut, uncrumpled, and spends forever putting together the final details.
We may have a real author in this family yet.

The floodgates of fall are starting to be opened.

Football has officially started. Our oldest had his first "conditioning" practice yesterday. After it he was hot, sweaty, and smiling. He's ready to go back today. I think we may have finally found something for our bookish video game junkie to do for exercise without complaining. Or is it that I told him if he made it through this week without complaining he could pick the snacks and the movie we watch at home on Friday night?

His coach told us this week was the only week it would be every day. Starting next week it would be MWF at 6. Hmmm. Flag practice is MW at 6.....at a different school. Dance is 4-6 on M or W. Anyone know how to teleport? In reality, it will be okay. Our oldest will just be dropped off a little early, with a cell phone in case he needs to call us.

It's hard to believe that our kids do so much stuff now we "need" two cars, and we "need" a third cell phone for when we have to drop one off. Does this mean we're too busy? That we don't know how to say no, or find your own ride? What's it going to be like when Mathletics starts, and student council, and scouts, and band? 5th grade seems awefully young to be this busy. I don't remember having that many activities in the fire until high school. They're all good things, but is it too much?

So far, he seems to handle it well. His best grades last year were when he was the busiest. No matter what he'll find time to read, hang with his friends, and play on his DS....when he finds it.

Si Guy has a thing for M words....

His favorite words of late are "mine" and "monkey." Last weekend at the zoo, everything was a "bird", "deer", "kitty", or "monkey" to him. Monkey was by far his favorite. Maybe because he can relate to them.

Si guy is still in baby explorer phase....but he's starting to have intent. He's careful to wait until he thinks I'm busy to raid the fridge. He's gotten quieter at dismantling bookshelves. He is gleeful when he finds a marker and just can't wait to find a surface to draw on, whatever surface that may be. Monkey describes him well.

Mine, his other favorite word, generally is reserved for drinks and people. My drink. My mom. It's nice to know I rank so high.

Yesterday, he tried to get in the van to go back to the zoo. "Monkey! Monkey!" Si, you can see a monkey whenever you want. Just look in the mirror my son. Just look in the mirror.

My big boy is home

This week, I finally have my big boy home for the rest of the summer. On Monday, Mr. M was home too. What bliss.
On Tuesday, I tried to catch up on some housework.
Yesterday, we dragged out the kiddie pools. He blissfully floated for about an hour on a floatie in about 18" inches of water. I wish I had a good camera. It was great. Him sitting in the tire, with the dolphin floatie rested around his head like a crown.
Tonight, he starts at Football Factory. My sweet, gentle boy wants to play football. The kid who hated being accidentally tripped in soccer, wants to intentionally ram into boys that are his size and bigger. Kind of scary to me.
Saturday he'll officially be signed up and get his pads. Now it's true, boy #3 plays football, but that's flag. This is tackle.
Either he's going to man up or get hurt.
Not that our oldest hasn't been growing up in big ways. He got all his siblings breakfast this morning. He takes out the trash. He settles disputes. He does his homework without me breathing down his neck, even in summer.

Soccer was easier for me to take, but at least in football he has pads....and he plays where his brother plays. So this fall, it won't be quite as crazy. Princess D is taking dance the same day as Bob too. This is instead of soccer. We might even have an evening at home.
I know my kids are growing up, and making their own choices. My job is just to provide them with the tools to do well at what they choose.

Sometimes it's hard.
Especially when I feel their choices aren't suited to their abilities or natures.
But sometimes being exposed to something different makes them stronger.

I'm lovin the Vibe

Dh's new car is a Pontiac Vibe. I LOVE driving it. It's responsive, has a good radio and climate controls, is comfortable, what's not to like? I confess to extending errands over the last couple of days just to get some more time in the driver's seat.

He's still kind of shy with it. Not that he misses his old car. The Vibe gets much better gas milage, won't abandon him for no reason, and is absolutely beautiful. He likes the radio, the interior controls for the mirrors, and how comfy the car is. It's just, well, it's a manual transmission. He's never driven one regularly before. He kind of likes his life to be automatic.

Today after work he was smiling though. I think he'll get used to having more control.

Why do I have to clean something to feel accomplished?

and other strange things I dwell on.

Why must we change that food stained/grass stained outfit RIGHT NOW, five times a day?

Why do I have to clean something to feel accomplished, even if I read stories, took the kids to the park, paid bills, scheduled appointments, chauffered a birthday party and researched a car?

Why is it the first words out of my mouth any time I clean are "BUT I JUST CLEANED THAT!?"

Why don't kids count as something when it comes to cleaning? Because they're someones?

Does it really matter if we eat hot dogs for dinner two days in a row?

Should kids have allowances? Should they be tied to chores? What about grades? What about "because you're part of this family and I said so?"

Are there expressions that should be banned from future use in parenthood?

Is it possible to raise kids who are better than us? (Man, I hope so!)

Why can't faith be passed through an IV like a blood transfusion?

Is life more like a choose your own adventure book or an elaborate novel?

Does the laundry ever end? Or at least all make it to the basement?