It's the Truth!

"My ways are not your ways."

"He is our refuge, our help in times of need."

"Call to me all who are weary and I will give you rest."

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These are just a few of God's truths that have been running through my mind today, the toughest day I've had as a parent. We received word this morning that a fellow student was killed in a car crash last night. To complicate things, his mother is our school/church secretary. With the small school, all of the kids play together. I never imagined I'd have to tell an 8 and 6-year-old that their friend is in heaven. Before we told them, we asked for God's wisdom to give us the words to speak.

I know the kids heard us talking and seemed to listen to what we told them, but I wish I could help their little minds and hearts. The Princess was upset, in part because she saw me crying. Farmer Boy, on the other hand, handles it with his sense of humor and silliness.

It all seems so surreal.

God's hand has been all over the situation, as tragic as it is. We've seen it throughout the day.

From the way the school family embraced each other, to the words that appear on the front of Sunday's Church bulletin about those who are filled with sorrow, to the photo that was taken just yesterday of dear Brent's class -- God has been and always will be in control!

That is one truth that I am clinging to and want to share with others.

I also keep hearing words my mother told me her grandparent told her: "Heaven would be a really boring place if it was just filled with old people."

How true. God needs some bubbly, cheery muffins to make heaven as amazing as He's promised. It sure received a big ray of sunshine and laughter today when Brent was welcomed home.

We'll miss Him and his kind heart, but he was just on loan to us. And at least now, he's whole.

Time to dust

After arriving home from a birthday party last night, Cookie Monster seemed quite worried. He was on the toilet, shouting something to me. I asked him what he was saying and was quite shocked by the response: "There's dust on my wee-wee!"
What? I yelled for dad, who was half-asleep on the couch. He emerged as I asked Cookie Monster what the problem was.
Running into the room naked as the day he was born, he repeated "My wee-wee is dusty."
"Ever have that problem?" I asked dad, who sat on the chair, with his eyes open wide and a slight grin on his face.
The dust, I soon discovered, was lint from his dark-colored underwear.
My, my.
Both grandparents found that quite amusing, as did great-grandma.

Today times 2

Oh, and also highlighting the morning:
-LaRue sat on the couch next to dad, who was enjoying his cup of coffee with the paper. He asked if she was looking for an apartment in the want ads.
-LaRue decided to use some of her new speaking skills. Dad and I both thought we heard "bulls***." Papa will gladly take credit for that.

What to do today?

Let's see, it's just a couple hours since this house has been rockin' with 4 wide-awake munchkins. Dad asked what the plan is today. I need to clean the kitchen (see previous post for an idea why that's ALWAYS necessary here).
But, according to the 2 & 3-year-old, this is what has been on the agenda in that short time:
-LaRue has changed her clothes no less than 3 times. The first look involved big brother's pajama shorts, hiked to one side with the diaper hanging out and giving her a massive wedgie, accompanied by brother's Thomas the Train shirt on BACKWARDS. At one point, the outfit was ditched -- along with the diaper -- and she ran upstairs (as fast as a 2-year-old can go butt naked) and grabbed new clothes. These included three more of brother's shirts, all worn backwards. We've figured it is easiest for her to open his dresser drawers.
-When told to return the baby wash to the bathroom, LaRue offered it to her baby.
-The freshly-washed baby now lies in a pile with about 17 other babies that Cookie Monster graciously offered little sis on the couch and she piled next to me while I tried to read and enjoy a quick breakfast. It's there that the babies still lie.
-LaRue attempted to send someone an email, just prior to calling someone.
-LaRue offered to wash out the kitchen sink, complete with a truck in the garbage disposal, as well as an entire bagel. At least the cats enjoyed that one.
-Cookie Monster has filled big brother's Valentine mailbox with M&M's.
-Cookie Monster spent time searching for two teeth he thought he lost when he wiped out running full speed out of the kitchen into the living room. Guess those long pajama pants are a show stopper.
-Cookie Monster got out a pile of clips to put in sissy's hair. Let's just say that didn't go over well.
-The two of them fought over the coveted second-hand fleece Strawberry Shortcake blanket. Don't know what the attraction is????
-LaRue discovered big brother's Lego set and brought the house downstairs to dismantle. Ooops, I predict a war after school.
-Huh, LaRue just arrived with yet another outfit. Again, brother's clothes. And a big tub of pretzels.
-Maybe it's time to quit journaling???
-No, LaRue, you can NOT have Diet Sunkist for breakfast!
-Now she's filling a new garbage sack full of whatever is on the living room floor. Guess my cleaning is starting sooner than expected.
Seriously, I need to go shower before I head to an appointment. So glad dad will be in charge. Wonder when he and his coffee cup will stop watching Curious George?
Gotta love it! I sure do!

"Cracked" Potatoes

I've spent some time the last couple of days avoiding something I dread doing. Unfortunately, this task is necessary in our home more often than I want to admit. What might that be?
Deep cleaning our kitchen!
Thanx to LaRue, I have to scrub, scrub, scrub and scrub some more our kitchen. UNDER the counter, down the walls, all over the chair and heaven knows where else. She decided this weekend that she would experiment with (as our kids call them) "smashed" potatoes.
While I spent about 5 minutes reading the paper online, she decided to strip and THEN eat potatoes. At some point, she put them all over her body! This was shortly after her bath and just minutes after dad left to "play" with his friends -- cards.
I wanted so badly to scold her. But what do you say to a little one who is naked and covered in potatoes? Instead of losing my temper, I grabbed the camera. After I called dad to say he owed me, since he was the one who left the container on the counter, he just grunted.
But then I asked him: "So just exactly how do mashed potatoes affect a child's "crack?" That brought a laugh. And probably some conversation at cards.
Now the kids have a new name for potatoes -- "cracked" potatoes.

4th Child Syndrome

There's a saying that with each kid, you do things differently. You know, there are less pictures taken of each child. (Although I'm not sure that's true here, considering how much we just spent at the photographers..) Some say with the first child, you don't let them have a paci if you are totally committed to nursing. With the second, not only do they have a paci, but when it drops on the floor, you just dust it off on your shirt. By the time the third child arrives, they are born sucking a paci just to keep some peace in the house. And when it falls on the floor, you just hope the dog doesn't get to it first. Child number 4 at our house not only had a paci, but she herself chose to share it with the dog. That's been about the only thing she shares.
She has learned how to scream to get her way. Papa and mema say it's payback. I, on the other hand, think it's totally and wholly connected to the fact that she too has older siblings who continually tease her. (I feel your pain LaRue!)
But there is another saying that goes along with each subsequent child you have. Something to the effect of their diaper hanging lower each time before you change it. So true, especially when the baby girl is wearing a dress.
All I can say, though, is at least she has clothes AND PANTS on! This summer we went through a phase where she thought clothing was optional. At one point I found her on the kitchen counter, standing there totally naked.
Soon after that happened, a friend sent a card alluding to the fact that she would have a way to pay for college. Please, don't add that to the list of subsequent child sayings!

Who turned up the heat?

We just returned from our family vacation. My husband was set on going to St. Louis to see his brother, even though it was June and it was VERY hot. Actually, there were heat warnings there and the heat index topped out at 112-116 degrees. Not very relaxing, especially when you have morning sickness 24/7. And LaRue let us -- and everyone else within 200 feet/miles -- know that!

During our trip to the Arch, she screamed ALL the way to the top, IN the top and ALL the way down. Oh, and she screamed while we stood in line. This was done while flailing around on the floor or in our arms throughout most of the 1 1/2 hours. People looked at us like we were aliens. One lady -- an employee at the arch -- asked if there was a problem. Um, duh?

"She's 1," I responded very curtly.

Other people in the first cave we toured were a little more comforting. Her screaming didn't echo like I thought it would. What can I say, she wanted her own stroller and they had us use a different one to go in?

At the second cave, no strollers were allowed. LaRue was fine until we got about 20 feet in to the cave. Again, people were not so friendly. But what do you do?

We'd already spent $50 on tickets. It wasn't like we were just going to leave. And what do you want us to do, beat her?

So, needless to say we did not check out the Cardinals game. Daddy and I both agreed it probably wasn't a good idea to try and contain her for a few hours in the 100+ degree heat. You can see from the picture how wonderfully refreshing the air was.

But despite the weather, we had a great time spending a week away as a family. The house we stayed in was amazing and gave the kids a chance to boat, fish and swim. Too bad the fish thought it was too hot to bite!

Cinco de...Stromberg

So the news is out, thanks largely to a couple of overzealous souls. We are having a baby! Yes, you read that right. Baby number five will grace our presence just after the first of the year. I kept it a secret for a while. The grandparents knew and couple of friends (one of which is a nurse -- more about that later).
Let's just say, this came as a big surprise to us. This will be c-section number five for me, so I'm kind of scared about how my body will react. And dear daddy will be about 85 by the time this one graduates high school. Truth is, he'll be, well, he'll be older than me. Let's just put it that way.
Farmer Boy and the Princess are already thinking of names. They learned Spanish in school this year. So they have suggested "Cinco." Cute, but probably not. And, as Princess is quick to point out, this is actually baby number 6. The middle child is somewhere bouncing around in heaven's playground.
This baby was totally unplanned. However, we have no doubt he or she will be a definite blessing in our family. And, as one friend pointed out. "LaRue" couldn't have been the baby. She was obviously referring to the flailing, screaming, dramatic fits she has at the drop of a hat. Entertaining? Yes. Getting old? Definitely.
I mentioned today that it's partially my late uncle's fault we're in this predicament. If I hadn't been grieving his sudden death, and my wonderful husband hadn't been so quick to comfort me, well, you married couples know...
Without knowing I was pregnant, I had surgery. Good thing I didn't know I was pregnant, because I probably would have put off the surgery even longer. But bad thing that I took darvoset and other pain killers. (Hence, the call to my nurse friend when I found out I was pregnant). We just pray for God's mercy and grace on this little one.
Farmer Boy and the Princess have been more than eager to tell people we are having twins. Sadly, people believe them. I quickly correct them, and, as of this week, I have proof that is NOT the case.
I took them with to the doctor when I had an ultrasound, just so they could hear the nurse say, There is only one baby." I asked her to repeat it for emphasis, and louder in case they didn't hear her.
So they've moved on from the discussion about twins and cinco to now: "Mom, are you going to go to the vet now like Lily (our dog) so that you can't have any more kids."
Actually, I've got some wonderful BRAVE male friends who will be taking daddy for a drive, something they should've done for about 2 years now....

? of the day

Something is so wrong with this question I just asked Cookie Monster: "How much perfume did you put on?"
Seriously, when the smell lingers from the basement, through the main floor and up to the top floor, enough already little guy!! Plus, do you know how embarrassed you will be when we remind you of your obsession with perfume when you bring a date home.
At least this time it was a cheap bottle and not one of my expensive perfumes.

Is it a sin?

I've spent some of this morning trying to recuperate from a trip to the Children's Museum with all 4 kids -- by myself. Cookie Monster stood at one display (I guess the non-working sinks made him think of running water) and looked up at me calmly and said "I'm peeing."
"Stop!" I shouted, trying to be calm. But the fountain just kept running, down his leg and onto the carpet. What was I thinking, asking a three-year-old who is potty training to control his bladder?
So all 5 of us trekked to the bathrooms to discover the dreaded yellow sign saying it was closed for cleaning. I mentioned to the young teen working in the area that there was a cleanup in aisle 9. She said they would take care of it. "They" meant the man currently in the ladies room, who would not budge so I could remove Cookie Monster's clothes.
Sorry -- brief sidenote -- I'm laughing to myself because we were in Cookie Monster's playground at the time -- a Sesame Street display!
So I waited outside the door for a few moments. The young teen told me I could go downstairs to the other restrooms. Sorry, I said, we'll just wait so as not to stomp his pee-covered shoes down the elevator.
So I just at on the bench outside the bathroom and used Farmer Boy and the Princess as a shield for Cookie Monster's bare bottom to change him. Needless to say, the pull-up replaced the "big boy" pants at that moment.
Oh, and while the quick change took place, LaRue stood at a window overlooking the main floor -- licking it clean!
Guess hand-sanitizer doesn't work for that one.
So I was just kind of vegging this morning, working on some Vacation Bible School things in the living room and trying to recuperate.
I wondered, as I looked over the booklet filled with Bible verses and references to God: is it a sin that I can hear my dear husband in the dining room laughing and playing with the kids and.....
TEACHING THEM HOW TO PLAY POKER??? Oh, and they are using REAL poker chips.
Guess I have a new prayer for the VBS prayer list?

How Much?

I've joked in the past with my children that I would pass them by the scanner at the store checkout to see how much they are worth. They laugh. So do I. But yesterday, I might've been more serious about that.
I made the choice (mistake?) of taking all four munchkins to the local shopping mall -- Wal-Mart. After spending 6 months worth of pay (dad's of course) to buy Mother's Day cards, we stopped to eat supper. No, I didn't even peak at what they selected, but I do know one cost $6.49. Thank goodness it's for their favorite mom.
Most of the brood selected food from the deli area. I just ate a couple of bites of their food. The Princess wanted pizza. They were enjoying their meal when I told them I'd be right back and went to the restroom. On the way there, the young man who had served up our food at the deli walked out of the restroom -- wearing his plastic gloves that he scooped up the food with.
I tried to keep from vomiting (I hadn't really eaten much yet). I took care of my business and returned to the table, all the while wondering what the heck happened to common sense?
I was tempted to walk over to the deli and scream "Didn't your mom teach you to wash your hands?" But with the kiddos with, I decided against that.
Seems Cookie Monster is one mega-sponge lately and I could hear him screaming that to random people in public restrooms.
So I lied and said I needed to go get a tissue in the restroom. I'm surprised Cookie Monster didn't offer his already snot-covered shirt. Instead, I went to the service desk and asked for the manager. I shared my observations with him. After sharing his disgust, off he went to the deli.
After a short time, he returned with a gift card. How thoughtful, but don't know if that would cover a doctor's visit from the germs we could contract. Anyhow, he arrived just on time to see the GIGANTIC mess Cookie Monster had made.
When he was reaching for a cup of pop from Farmer Boy, he dropped it. Apparently, the Princess was done eating, because her pizza was now soaked. Luckily, no clothes were wet.
And, luckily, the elderly couple behind us must have had bad hearing. Because they didn't hear Cookie Monster shouting.
"G. Damnit." Not once, but several times. Again this was one of those times that was hard to discipline him with a straight face. Seriously, I think the phrase comes from dad. But the way he shouted it through gritted teeth came from me. He made me laugh after a stressful shopping outing.
But still, wonder how much he would ring up for on the scanner?

It could've been me!

A news report earlier this week said a New York mom was being charged after leaving her 2 daughters on the side of the road after she grew sick of their fighting. Well, at least I did NOT leave mine. I just drove beside them (see earlier post "These Boots Are Made For Walking"). Another country song comes to mind: "It Could've Been Me....."

LaRue's First Haircut

LaRue had her first haircut today. It happened much earlier than The Princess, about 20 months earlier. But it wasn't because her hair was too long. In fact, we were still trying to model the baby mullet and bring it back in style (not by choice, though). Yes, my kids have known since ages 3 and 2 what a mullet is, thanks to The Princess.
Anyhow, unfortunately I had to give LaRue a haircut today. I was hoping that whatever food she added to it on Monday morning would have washed or worn itself out by now after 4 baths or so. That was wishful thinking.
And, unfortunately, Cookie Monster was right there observing my barber skills. All scissors will be moved up another few feet today.
I'm not sure if the culprit was gum eggs or imitation Peeps delivered by Mr. Easter Bunny. Actually, it was Mrs. Easter Bunny. Maybe I'll send in a compliant email to her.
The food was not just stuck in one spot like I did when I was little. LaRue either stretched the gum or candy out and laid it on her sweet little head or rolled around in a string of it. It was stuck in her hair, stretching around the entire back of her head.
I won't have any cute pix of her crying during her first haircut. Or a photo of her sucking on a hair-covered sucker.
Chances are we won't have a mullet either, since that hairstyle is LONGER in the back and shorter in the front.
Or, as my kids say "Business in front. Party in the back."

Praise God is almost Easter!!

Yes, praise Him for a new day! And it can't come soon enough. Not for reasons you might guess, though. I need daddy and gramma to rescue my children. I think I'm on the verge of a mommy melt-down. Let's see, in the last 3.5 hours, this is how I've spent it:
-Just shy of 2 hours listening to LaRue scream at the movies (outside the door of course). I couldn't leave because The Princess and Farmer Boy were engrossed in Hannah Montana. And, I had just spent 3 weeks wages to pay for tickets and the kids' supper. Yes, that did include 3 bags of candy, 2 slushees and a ton of popcorn. LaRue didn't just cry. She wailed. And wailed. And wailed some more. All while pounding her hands, feet, head and every other appendage on the floor or wall. What the heck? None of our other 3 kids did that!@!!!???? Finally, the movie guy gave her a slushee. That worked.
For about 5 minutes.
-We left the movie and I drove around long enough for her to go to sleep. At least that's what I told the kids. Actually, I just needed a time-out. And, since dad is in the field, that's the closest I could get to having "alone time."
-Once we got home, Cookie Monster got busy. I tried to finish cleaning the main floor. Ya know, the Easter Bunny can't come into a messy house.
At least that's what I've told the kids. Truth is, I just don't like a bunch of dirty clothes, spoiled sippy cups, wrappers and whatever else they've discarded just inside the front door in the pictures. Wouldn't that make a great scrapbook page: "The Easter Basket Hunt." The journaling would say something like: somewhere amidst the piles of clothes, blankets, toys, homework, books, sippy cups and dog hair we found the baskets. And oh, look, there's a Peep rabbit covered in dog hair. Yum. Happy Easter! Everybody looked so cute! Let's call mom in the loony bin!"
-While I was cleaning, within a 13 1/2 minute time frame, here is what Cookie Monster accomplished:
-30 seconds jumping on the couch, throwing the blankets mom had just folded. He stopped once I threatened him with his life.
-An entire, yes ENTIRE roll of toilet paper unrolled. AND emptied into the toilet.
-Bathwater splashed ALL over the ENTIRE bathroom. No need to worry about the toilet paper. It was already wet!
-Dumped a nearly-full bottle of cranberry juice in the kitchen. He said he was getting a drink and I said just water. Yeah, well......
Oh, and this was accomplished hours after he had done one of the best things of the day: turned on the blender while it was full of a smoothie mixture --------------with the lid OFF. Yes, I was quite annoyed. I had just scrubbed the kitchen (minus the floor) yesterday.
Thank the Lord for big brothers. Farmer Boy rescued him and took him up to watch TV.
Gramma will rescue him tomorrow.
Thank the Lord it's Easter
Gotta go LaRue is digging in the toilet.

It's a Holiday

Today as Christians, we celebrate Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. If we truly are repentant, it should be one of the most noted days of our year. Guess The Princess has a REALLY guilty conscience.
She said she didn't want to go help dad on the farm today because "it's a holiday. It's Good Friday."
Where does she come up with this stuff? I know they've been talking about it at school, at the LUTHERAN SCHOOL they go to. Maybe that's the same place she learned about dodgeball and being fair (see the previous entry). Oh, she makes me laugh.

Picked last

Do you remember being the last one picked for the kickball team? For dodgeball? Maybe you were lucky enough not to be the last one. I know what that can do to your self-esteem. Well, apparently The Princess does not. Or, maybe she's smarter than I think.
Yesterday The Princess and Farmer Boy were playing with Legos in the other room. They were fighting about something. I heard Princess yell, "Fine. I'm not going to be on your dodgeball team."
"So," Farmer Boy said calmly. "You don't decide that. The captain does."
(FYI: Dodgeball is one of their favorite games to play at recess.)
The Princess quipped, "Well, when I am the captain, I won't pick you!"
"I don't care," Farmer Boy replied as the Princess stormed out of his bedroom.
I couldn't help but laugh. The fight had nothing to do with school, dodgeball or anything associated with it. I think they were arguing over who could play with the Legos in which spot of the room.
How funny she thought that was how she could hurt him. I guess when you're a 6-year-old who is about 25 pounds lighter than your big brother, you'll try to get him where it hurts...wherever that is.
Maybe she was aiming right for his self-esteem. But I think it fell short. Guess we'll wait until the next dodgeball game to find out.

He Will Return

I had never paid attention to this Bible passage and was just in awe when I received this e-mail. I quick grabbed a Bible to check it out. Wow!

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!' Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'
Yes, He is Coming Back!!
Are you ready?

Why, oh why?

Why must the kids sit and eat M&M's on a pile of clean laundry? Especially the 19-month-old LaRue.

Oh, those were the days....

Remember the limbo? Or "couple skate"? What about the game where everybody skated to a number on the wall and when your number was called, you had to skate to another number? Eventually, only one group of people was left.
I just took a trip, er, a skate, down memory lane recalling the days of Friday nights at the skating rink. I took Farmer Boy and the Princess to the roller rink. I mean, "Inline Skating Arena" tonight. It's been about 15 years since I used roller blades. And as I recall, the last time I used them I was wearing a cast. The cast was not a result of the roller blades, just an added accessory. I was pretty adept on the roller blades then, skating miles at a time.
Yeah, not so much tonight. The last time I used roller blades I was used to working out no less then 4 days a week, didn't have a child attached to each arm, did not have thighs compliments of one said child and did not eat leftover mac-n-cheese off of the other kid's plate for lunch and call it a meal.
Anyhow, I thought I would give it a try. I started out in roller blades, took one spin around the rink. Then I returned to the counter for the gramma skates (you know, the ones with 4 wheels and a brake). My daughter said her skates had four wheels too. Thanx honey, but yours are all in a line. Mine are positioned to balance the excess baby weight.
Wow, I was impressed with myself then.
"Look how fast you go, mom," the Princess said before the evening was over. "Yep," was my brief response, but I smiled inside. I do still have some athletic ability hidden inside me.
Wait till dad sees this, I thought to myself. He offered to take them skating tonight, even though he did not grow up with the luxury of Friday skate nights. Actually, he didn't grow up with the luxury of running water in their school in kindergarten. But that's another blog entry.
Anyhow, I think his offer was more to get out of giving the younger two kiddos a bath. Or maybe he just wanted to get out of the messy house (that was my reason). I mean, I was looking forward to spending time with the older two and showing off my now-hidden athletic ability.
I also didn't want dad to attempt skating and, as we say, 'break a hip.' He is a little older than me in case you haven't guessed.
So off we went. Two hours at the rink. The Princess skated backwards a few times and only fell twice. She also made it through three rounds of the Limbo. Farmer Boy did not fall at all and is feeling pretty confident for the upcoming hockey league.
Me, meanwhile, I'm just excited I didn't do the splits or fall on the little guy that ran into me. He laughed when I said it was a good thing I didn't fall on him.
Seriously buddy. Do you know many kids and mac-n-cheese meals it took to me make get this way? And how many Friday skate nights to erase this baby weight?
Now, off to find some Tylenol P.M.

"Hello, Nice to Meet You....."

"Hello. My name is...." "Bye. See you later."
I know someday, those greetings will flow naturally out of our children's mouths. But for now, we are left with much more creative responses.
Farmer Boy, age 7, stuck his tongue out at someone he didn't know when the gentleman spoke to him at a store. The man is someone I know, so let's just say that was pretty embarrassing. Farmer Boy was lucky he was in public. Otherwise, well....
Usually he and the Princess just smile. Or hide behind me.
Cookie Monster (just one month shy of age 3) has the best response lately:
"Hi turd!" This is generally shouted. Although yesterday at church, he did say softly to a friend: "Hi turd."
However, the volume shot straight up when we left the paint-your-own pottery place recently. Luckily, the clerk was a young teenage girl and didn't quite have a degree in baby-speak yet.
But Cookie Monster shouted (rather plainly I thought): "Bye turd!" I quickly grabbed his hand and escorted him to the car.
Someday, that fine greeting will come. Probably when I'm sobbing too much to understand as he pulls out of the driveway on his way to college....

I'm Busy

We were enjoying the wonderful weather today, with a heat wave (55 degrees) moving through the area. Farmer Boy, the Princess and Cookie Monster were all outside playing for a few hours after school. Cookie Monster needed to refuel by filling his sipper cup. So I filled it for him and he took it outside.
An hour later, he came inside and asked for milk. I asked him where his sipper cup was. "Outside in the play house," was his response.
"Go get it," I told him. I'd like to add that I said "please," but at that point, probably not. I know, I'm a bad mom.
So he went outside and quickly came running back in.
"Where is your coat?"
"Outside," he said with his determined voice.
"Well, go get it while I fill your sipper," I said, again withOUT adding please.
"I'm busy," he told me.
What? As you tell me every day, you are "two-halfs." What exactly are you busy with?
Maybe mom better get busy teaching one little guy how to listen....

Glorious noise

When I was listening to music recently for our kids' K-4 grade school choir to sing, may daughter gladly offered her suggestion. We had just finished listening to "Awesome God," a common church praise song, when I got the mood to listen to something, er, what shall I say? UN-church music.
I was taken back to the conversation I had with my sister prior to her wedding. She said she wanted to have a very popular song for the wedding party dance: "You Shook Me All Night Long." I laughed and said, sure, whatever. Inside, I was thinking no way is this pregnant woman (me) dancing to that in front of a bunch of people with someone I didn't want to dance with in the first place. I can't remember what song she even chose.
But I felt the need to listen to that song recently, so I pulled it up on the Internet. When I stepped away from the computer, The Princess cranked the volume and began dancing. I have to admit, I was dancing too.
Then, she asked a hilarious question, "Can we sing this at church?"
I'll have to check with pastor on that one.....

Here come the COPS!

For once, they are not after me for speeding. I mean, for going too slow. They could have been looking for Farmer Boy today.
We went to our local shopping mall -- Wal-Mart. He needed batteries for a reading light. LaRue wanted to eat the package, so I asked Farmer Boy to carry them instead. Well, that didn't mean all the way to the car!
We got out to the car and I noticed the package in his hand. I asked if we had paid for them and he gave me the typical male response: "You told me to carry them." Mothers everywhere would be proud of me. I didn't scold him. I didn't even raise my voice.
Instead, I calmly strapped everyone in their seats and said I had better go back in and pay for them. On the way to the self-checkout, I commented to the clerk that their security alarm must not be working really well. She smiled.
I paid for the batteries and proudly walked out with a smile on my face. Inside, I was relishing the life-lesson that I was teaching my children.
Now what was the life lesson I was teaching them five minutes later when we stopped by dad's work and I handed him the keys and said "YOUR son just stole something from Wal-Mart. And LaRue and Cookie Monster about got us kicked out of the movies. Where are your keys? They're all yours." (This was said in one breath, by the way).

These boots are made for walkin'

Next time you pass us on a gravel road and you see Farmer Boy and the Princess walking, no need to slow down. I have 2 rules in the car: wear your seatbelt and NO shouting -- absolutely! Well, I had had enough of the fighting, pummeling, pinching, scratching and kicking. So I did what I have threatened to do: I stopped the vehicle (actually slammed on the brakes) and made them get out and walk.
Don't get all worked up. We were on a flat road and I made sure there were no cars nearby. Two cars did approach on opposite roads. They stared a little, but I think they could figure out the kids were in trouble.
Maybe that deduction had something to do with the tears flowing from their eyes. Or the stuff running out of their noses.
Meanwhile, I could not keep a straight face. I was so glad we were on a road that was conducive to making them walk. I had stopped before, but we were on our hilly gravel road. I'm all about responsible parenting, so I didn't think it would have been appropriate to make them get out and walk. This time, I was more than eager to stop. And guess what, the fighting stopped too. At least for that evening.
Now today, that's a different story.
Hey kids, wanna go for a car ride???

Oh Darn

Cookie Monster is certainly growing his vocabulary. He has recently informed us of several interesting things:
1. He is "in charge!" When asked who told him that, he'll mention Morgan, a friend of ours. Funny, he hasn't seen her in quite some time.
2. He likes the four-letter word that starts with a "d."
3. He got in the car recently and informed us "Damn, it's cold in here."
4. Then, a few days later he was looking for some makeup brushes he was playing with. He wanted to do my makeup. So, he asked his sister (ever so politely) where they were, "Damnit, where's the makeup?" How do you scold him after that?
5. Most recently, the cat made a mess in our house. Daddy was gone, so I was left cleaning it up. After I finished, Cookie Monster walked throughout the house, "Damn cat. Damn cat."
6. When something gets messed up while only Cookie Monster and LaRue are home, Cookie Monster quickly has an answer. "(Farmer Boy) did it." Whatever, he's at school.
He's there, learning who REALLY is in charge. Because let me tell you Cookie Monster, it's NOT you.

Oops a baby

I just finished freeing LaRue after she got stuck in a rocking chair. Somehow she managed to have her body hanging out from under the arm of the chair, while her head was stuck on the seat. Dad walked in the door just as I was trying to free her. He probably wondered what I was doing to her.

He'll wonder the same thing when he sees this picture from earlier this afternoon. She was trying to climb on top of the Thomas the train table. She tried using the side as steps, but when that didn't work, she tried using the drawer. Here's how well that worked:

Why, oh why?

Why is it so hard for my kids to understand a few important things:
1. When mom has been up till 1:30 a.m., don't wake her up early
2. Don't, at any time, for any reason, wake her up by running up the stairs screaming "He pinched me," or "She hit me"
3. Don't wake mom up to tell her a string is broken on your guitar
4. Don't wake her up to tell her dad took down the Christmas lights
5. Finally, don't wake her up by fighting over who gets more room in the bed
Just follow these simple instructions and we'll all have a better day!! Thank you

Pretty Princess

So here's a pic of the Princess on New Year's. Can't show the pic of Cookie Monster. I think the authorities would come running then. Ooops, they might anyway. It looks like LaRue is going to have a black eye. She fell down about 4 steps. My good friend laughed. Why is that funny?

Maybe she recalls the trips to the ER in the past couple months???

Happy New Year

We celebrated New Year's Eve in style last night. The Princess decided to dress in style for our big plans. She donned a yellow Easter dress, black and hot pink tights and black velvet dress shoes.
Cookie Monster, meanwhile, dressed in his birthday suit and..........
a candy necklace. Oh, what fun!
Where were we headed, you ask?
To the basement, of course, to watch 2 movies and fall asleep by 9:30 p.m. (except for me). I carried kids to bed at 10:50 p.m., just in time to watch the ball drop in NYC. Yipee! So glad the princess was dressed for the occasion.