Raindrops on Roses

Today was one of those days where we all slept in just a little bit longer. Maybe it was because of the grey rainy morning we were to awake to or maybe we weren't quite finished with our dreams yet. Whatever the delay, it was long enough (but not too long) that our day started out at a relaxed and peaceful pace. Kind of like 'raindrops on roses'...

Simms was bringing the boys to the bus stop so I was able to stay in my comfy cozy pj's just a little bit longer. The boys got ready for school, ate breakfast and were ready to get their jackets on right on time. Simms was ready to go with time to spare to crush up some boxes for garbage day. I was able to get to the dishes in the dishwasher, start the coffee and make the lunches. I kissed the boys good-bye as they hurried to Daddy's car with Barber calling "don't forget 'I love yous!'". He's referring to me signing 'I love you' when they leave each morning. When I bring them to the bus, I sign 'I love you' as the bus rides away with them looking out their window. When Simms brings them in the morning, I sign 'I love you' out the family room window or the front door.

This morning was no exception.

I stepped away from the window with a smile on my face...and then I saw it. On the family room table, Jeter's open-ended Q&A from his homework. I've been talking to him of the importance of including a summarizing sentence at the end of his paragraph. He balked at me initially 'because it isn't required at school right now' but he came around and proudly read his well written paragraph last night. The night when he had a tight schedule of get home, complete his homework, practice trumpet, run on the treadmill (soccer conditioning), eat dinner and then we all went to Barber's community night for baseball. By the time we got home it was time for bed.

In seconds I had my crocs on and jacket zipped, hat on and homework inside my jacket - to keep it from getting wet. What a sight I must have been running down the sidwalk in my pink, white and grey striped pj's (you could see the bottoms), orange crocs and dark brown winter jacket. This wasn't a vogue moment for me - no this was a mom moment. I was definitely a mom-in-action and I really didn't care what my neighbors thought.

I ran toward the bus stop - the bus was already there - hoping I'd make it. I was two house lengths away when she started to drive around the corner (we live on a circle of sorts). I turned and sprinted down the way I came...I needed to cut her off! There was about nine house lengths between me and that bus. Thankfully, I made it and with a smile I completed my mission. I then heard the voice of one of my neighbors behind me (he lives on the other side of the circle) asking if I needed a ride home. I said 'sure that would be great' and got into the passenger seat in my crazy mis-matched, definitely not-ready-for-the-day, no make-up on look.

Wonderful. Definitely not auditioning for a real housewives show here.

The best part is, it really doesn't matter to me. The setting of my day hasn't changed. I am still in a place of rest and peace and now I even have something to giggle about.

Reason Me This

It's no secret that Simms and I (probably more me than him) encourage critical thinking and reasoning skills with our boys. We recognized their abilities to analyze and reason at a young age and it's important to develop those skills. Like with everything, sometimes they just catch you off guard. This was one of those times...

During a Daddy-Son talk the other night, Barber was challenging Simms. I know for you parents out there, you can relate. It was in the evening and Simms was tired (I'm trying to help him out here) when he candidly responded that he is the Daddy and so he knows.

Barber challenged with this...you don't know how Jesus did miracles do you? See - you don't know everything.

C'mon - you know you've played the "Because I'm the Mommy/Daddy" card before. Did you ever anticipate this type of response?

Just Because...

Bedtime is one of my favorite times. One reason would be that my boys utilize that time to tell me things that they don't normally tell me. Kind of like their own version of a bedtime story.

I've gotten used to the fact that Jeter has entered the phase of boys liking girls and vice-versa. He'll tell me who he thinks is cute and who he's heard likes him. It's cute and harmless (he is well aware of the rules on dating) and keeps our lines of communication wide open. Love that - especially since we're quickly approaching the 'tween years.

The other night he told me that he decided to tell a girl that he liked her face to face.

I have to admit I was impressed and a little stunned by his boldness...


Me: Really? You just went up and told her?

Jeter: Yup.

Me: Why?

Jeter: How else is she going to know if I don't tell her?

Me: True...what did she say?

Jeter: She smiled and said okay.

Me: What would you have done if she told you that she liked you back? I'm not sure she'd be expecting to hear 'cool...but so you know we still can't be boyfriend / girlfriend because I'm not allowed...'

Jeter: *shrugged* I don't know. It's not like we would be boyfriend / girlfriend because we like each other. But I know she does like me because so-and-so told me that she did. And I just wanted to tell her myself...so I did.


After hugs and kisses I joined Simms downstairs and told him about it. He just giggled. Boys...I don't know if I will ever truly understand them. ;)

Do You Suffer from Superman Syndrome?

Superman Syndrome...to be ready for anything at anytime.

No this is NOT a real syndrome. I just made it up because it appears that my dear Barber is showing symptoms of this. LOL - really...yesterday he had me laughing out loud.

Yesterday, after school, while visiting my parents, I noticed he was wearing a short sleeve shirt under his long sleeve shirt. I wondered why and what shirt it could be (navy collar but white at the bottom) when I suddenly remembered that is the same as the pajama shirt he wore the night before (this is seriously a mommy skill). Could it be? So I inquired "Barber, what shirt do you have under that?" He smiled his charming grin and I continued "Would it be your pj top?" He giggled out a "Yes...and I have the shorts on under these pants too!"

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

His reasoning was that he was able to get dressed quicker in the morning and at bedtime.

Duh! Silly me.

NOTE: this was nipped in the bud (albeit with a smile - he really does crack me up!) and no he only has his clothes on today - no pj's.

Sleeping Habits

I sleep in bed with my head on my pillow and the covers on top of me.

Simms does the same but sometimes he gets warm and might only use a sheet. And a few times throughout our marriage (but I could count the times on my fingers) I have woken up to feet next to me because he needed to invert himself and somehow that helped him fall asleep.

Jeter sleeps on his back. Sometimes on his side. His arms are sometimes raised (he has done this since he was born!) above his head. He, like his mama, stays under the covers.

And then God blessed us with Barber. This boy moves. A lot. We never know how we are going to find him before we go to bed. Rarely are the covers on him. Rarely is his head still on the pillow. We have found him sideways on the bed with legs dangling off. We have found him upside down. He never seems to be the same way twice. But we only found him once like this (see below) and I had to take a picture (It was really warm in the summer - that's why there is the lack of traditional pj's). I was afraid it would be blurred from my giggles. Both the flash and our laughter did not wake him up. Why should we be surprised? Standing didn't wake him up!!! Of course, after the picture, Simms picked him up and tucked him into bed - head on his pillow and covers on top of him too. My sweet Barber...he is always full of surprises. Thankfully they are good ones.

Knight in Shining Armor

Barber has turned 5. Can you tell what his favorite gift was?

We had fun celebrating together with pancakes for breakfast and ice cream cake with the entire family. He's still looking forward to what he is calling his "real birthday". That's when we have a party with his friends - and family too. This year he wants the theme to be NASCAR/Hot Wheels. I've got to get moving on my planning!

10 Things I've Learned From My Vacation

These are in no particular order...

1. I really am a mom. I mean - I know I'm a mom. Yes, indeed I am the person that gave birth to my boys and lived through all of that stuff. But, when I had to kiss them good-bye in the wee hours of the morning and trust that they would be okay (of course they would - my parents were watching them!) and then board a plane that had been delayed for two hours because they had to work on the engine, it's all I could do to keep it together. I can only imagine (not really care, but imagine) what the lady next to me thought as tears streamed down my face as we successfully took off and headed for San Juan.

2. I love hanging out with Simms. We have so much fun together! I've now known him over half my life and he is still my best friend and I still have so much fun spending time with him!

3. I miss reading. Don't get me wrong. I read daily. Unfortunately the selections are often out of obligation or because I love my boys - not because it is for me. This vacation I actually read one book from cover to cover, Rescued by John Bevere, and started another novel, River Rising by Athol Dickson. I am determined to finish the second book...at least by the end of April.

4. It took me all of 24 hours to NOT miss the Internet/computer. Yes, I typically use the Internet/computer daily and cannot imagine a more efficient means for completing various tasks/communications. However, it was nice to NOT do that for an extended period of time and honestly, I didn't miss it much.

5. I journal with and without the computer. It's faster when I am able to type but I wrote daily about our trip and excursions. How else am I going to remember all of the crazy fun we had when I finally get around to scrapping it?!?

6. When Simon Cowell tells an American Idol hopeful that they remind him of an entertainer on a cruise line it isn't a compliment.

7. If someone else will join me I will even enjoy exercise while I am on vacation. Granted I didn't exercise as many times as I had planned but aside from the hike we did during one excursion, I did a circuit workout and an abs blaster class.

8. The stairs are always faster than the elevator - at least on our cruise ship.

9. It is possible to feel drunk when you haven't even had a drop of alcohol. How? Go on a cruise when there has been stormy seas. You are truly putting one foot in front of the other but you (and everyone else) is actually walking in zig-zags.

10. I definitely want to go on another cruise!

St. Thomas

Warning: Missing: R's and L's.

I had to go to the dentist again yesterday. One of the last places I would go to on purpose but I had to get one last filling. My appointment was at 11:50 AM. I was out of there by 12:10 PM. I think that is the fastest I have ever had a bottom tooth filled. In the past I have been told that the bottom molars take longer because it takes about 20 minutes just to get numb. I thought he must have used some amazing new type of stuff because I was feeling numb - like right after he finished injecting it.

Here's the kicker though. The procedure (including the numbing) lasted a mere 20 minutes, however the effect of the novocaine didn't wear off until almost 5:00 PM! Yes, you read that correctly. So exactly HOW MUCH of that stuff did I get injected with? I don't know for sure but my hypothesis would be a whole heck of a lot.

My mind believed that the left side of my face was swollen. Does anyone else feel that way when they get novocaine? Touching it doesn't make me feel any differently. Only looking in a mirror would assure me that my face looked normal to everyone else.

My tongue was numb too. That effected my speech - meaning I totally sounded like I was still living in LI with a very thick accent. Why? Think about it. You need your tongue to properly pronounce your "r's" and "l's". Even though I still pronounce my vowels more like a LI gal than a Pennsylvanian - my accent isn't as obvious because I pronounce my "r's" and "l's". Needless to say, this was entertaining to my family. It became interesting when I went to volunteer at Jeter's school yesterday afternoon. I usually volunteer on Wednesday afternoons.

I was asked to call the children over, one at a time, and ask them to complete one of their December goals - to properly write their address. If I didn't think about it, when they arrived this is what I would have sounded like:

"Hewwo, awe yuh abuh to wite yuh fuwl addess fuh me?"

Thankfully I was thinking about it and it didn't sound quite that bad but there were a couple of children who looked perplexed and asked "what?" and I'm thinking Cut me some slack here. Your teacher already told you why I was calling you back here. But I would take a breathe and do my best to ask "Are you able to write your full address for me?" while smiling.

Are You Smarter Than A Preschooler?

Tonight I was informed by my preschooler that he knows everything. I reminded him that he is very smart and he knows a lot but there is still plenty out there to be learned. He disagreed and then told me about this game that he and I were going to play that would show me that he does indeed know everything.

Let the games begin.

Barber: What are boxes made of?

Me: Well that depends. They could be made of wood, metal, plastic or even cloth.

Barber: Sorry. You are wrong. Cloth makes clothes not boxes.

Break for tickles and giggles.

Barber: Next question...what are curtains made up of?

Me: Cotton.

Barber: Nope. Sorry. Cotton makes up candy. See? I know everything!

Finish with more giggles and tickles.

Well I guess that settles it!

Reminder that tomorrow morning is See You At The Pole. I highlighted information regarding this at Created & Called or you can go directly to the SYATP site.

Soccer, Laundry and Barber

With Jeter back to school and my improved mobility, I am attempting to get back into the swing of things. Laundry included. I still am not carrying laundry up and down the two flights of stairs but once it is brought to the basement I can get myself up and down the stairs to wash, dry and fold the laundry.

Simms brought the laundry down for me this morning so that I could get some loads done. My specific goal today was to get the boys soccer uniforms washed and ready for the parade tonight - as long as it does not rain. Barber is so excited and has already prayed multiple times that God would take the rain away so he can march in his "soccer parade" tonight. It is really an All Sports Parade for our school district and they include the soccer program but in Barber's mind the crowd is present solely to see him and his fellow soccer players.

Imagine my surprise when I sort through and prepare the laundry only to find one of Barber's soccer socks. Where is his uniform? Jeter's was present and ready to be cleaned.

Me: Barber? Come to the basement door.

Barber: What Mommy?

Me: I can't find your soccer uniform. Do you know where it is?

Barber: Yes.

Me: Where is it?

Barber: My room.

Me: Please go get it and bring it to me.

Barber runs upstairs to his room and sure enough down he comes with everything in his hand - shirt, shorts, and sock. Thank God! Yet I couldn't help but wonder why it was in his room. I specifically remember putting his soccer stuff into the hamper with Jeter's.

Me: Thank you for bringing that to me. How did that get into your room?

Barber looks at me with a semi-innocent sparkle and half grin but doesn't say a word.

Me: Did you take that out of the hamper?

Barber: Yes.

Me: Why?

Barber: Because I didn't want you to wash it and it take too long for me to get it back because it is my soccer stuff and I want to wear it.

Obviously our laundry turnaround time is not quick enough for him. He finally gave it to me assured that indeed it would be washed, dried and ready for him to wear tonight!

Today's Firsts

Today I experienced a couple of firsts.

1. First time I actually went for a real walk since the incident with my ankle. Hooray!

2. Jeter, Barber and I stepped foot in a Chick-fil-A. We had coupons for free kids meals as a result of them completing VBS in June. So the boys got a nice little surprise. So did I. I had no idea that they had a play area. Bonus - especially because there was no ball pit. I've heard too many not-so-good stories about ball pits. We also ran into some friends. Double bonus.

That aside - here are my unsolicited observations about Chick-fil-A

• Pleasant and clean atmosphere
• Friendly service especially since I must have looked like a deer in headlights. It was as if I never set foot in a fast food restaurant. Granted we don't frequent them but still - did I have to ask her what I was supposed to do after I paid her?!?
• No value menu. Bummer. At least their food was free.
• It's good to have the inside scoop - our friends (who have obviously been there before) let me know about the children being allowed to trade in their toy from the kids meal for an ice cream cone. They also let me know that the fountain drinks are refillable. You just have to ask.
• 7 year olds think the Chick-fil-A marketing is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S.
• 4 year olds with 7 year old brothers laugh at anything the 7 year old thinks is funny.
• Their chicken is really good. The cows aren't kidding. But I would prefer a sandwich or bowl of soup from the Panera next door sans kids.

I Have TWO Boys, Right?

The correct answer to that is YES. I'm just being silly. Why? I find it odd that my 4 year old son just spent 30 minutes in his room rifling through his dresser drawers only to come out clad solely in his underwear and inform me that indeed he has NOTHING TO WEAR!