Adventures with Apples and Some Pumpkins

We took the boys apple picking and hunting for pumpkins today. The apples were slim picking, but we managed enough to make a pie or two (or maybe three...) And then it was off to pick out some pumpkins ripe for carving for Halloween.

It was a beautiful day with skies of the bluest blue, without a cloud in sight. I hate to say it, but I am ready for the chill of fall. I would like to bust out the sweaters and bury myself under a soft blanket with a cup of cocoa. Until then though, we are soaking up our summer-like fall.

All Around Nice Day

Friday was an all around nice day in our house.

Aidan was home from school for some made up Catholic holiday. (and yes, we do pay tuition for the privilege of all these holidays.) The boys and I decided to take advantage of our amazing fall sunshine and blue skies and have our own soccer game in the front lawn. We set up goals with toys we found in the garage. Griffin was in goal for my team, right up until he decided the scooter acting as our goal post would be a little more fun than waiting for someone to make a shot on him.

After Griffin rode away with our goal post, Brennan opted to switch teams and come play with me. Aidan survived the lopsided teams by screaming "time out" anytime I got my feet on the ball. (good strategy, eh? He's a clever one.)

After we ended our tie game (3-3), we went for a walk and visited cousins in the neighborhood. We spent much quality time at my aunt's house so the boys could love up their dogs and then shamelessly beg and plead for our own dog. (Not ready for that one yet. I clean up enough urine from the humans in my family. I don't need to add dog pee to the mix. Not yet anyway.)

In the afternoon, the boys and I settled in for Charlie Brown's Halloween special and some nice cuddling on the playroom couch.

We topped off the day with a date night at the Sabres home opener. Dinner, visiting with some friends, first win of the season - all good.

I Would Never Make it in Politics...or at Poker for that Matter.

I have an inability to hide my feelings. I tend to show anything and everything I am feeling on my face. And if you can't guess from watching my facial expressions, then I will, most likely, engage in some verbal faux pas that will hint at my true emotion.

I am often told by my work colleagues that I would suck at poker. It made me a terrible trial lawyer. And to be honest, I'm not all that good at negotiating either. (See why I do this intellectual property law stuff? See? It keeps the trial stuff and the negotiating thingies at bay.)

Lately, I have had a slight (ahem) dislike for a person for whom I work. A person I find both rude, somewhat crazy, a little socially awkward and a whole lot incompetent at their job. (This is one of the pluses of having a password protected blog. I can dish a little more about real life.)

Today this person called me to discuss an ongoing project. I only had a minute to talk because I was scheduled to get on a conference call with a client in five minutes, but in hopes of wrapping things up with this person I told them I could do a quick status check.

And then I said, "I can go over this quickly with you, because, well, I know how crazy you are..."

Long pause. I let out a huge belly laugh. Then I finished with "I mean crazy busy that is."

This person didn't find my comment as funny as I did. But the person in the office next to me did. After I ended the call, he walked in my office, laughed and said, "Passive aggressive much?"

I guess I would never make it in politics either.

Snuggles Wrapped in Fleece

Brennan slept in this morning. I finally had to go upstairs to peek in his bedroom to wake him up. (Why is it my children always, ALWAYS sleep in on the days I work? Why? Let it happen just once on a Saturday. Just once. That's all I'm askin'.)

As I peeked into his bedroom door, his eyes opened slowly and he gave me a sleepy smile. He stretched his arms out from under his cushy fleece blanket and gave a huge yawn. I quietly crawled into bed next to him and snuggled him in my arms.

He was so warm and soft, bundled up in snowman fleece pajamas under a thick fleece blanket. I could have eaten him up.

After a moment, he smiled at me and said softly, "Momma, I am so comfy right now."

"Me too, B. Me too." I answered as I hugged him close.

It was a good way to start my day.

Sunday Worship

Aidan woke me up at 6:45 this morning by whispering in my ear.

"Mom. Mom?"

"Yes, I'm up, Aidan. I'm getting up. " I said with a sigh as I glanced at the clock.

"Mom, could you buy me a bible?"

"What?" I whisper back.

"A bible. Could we get one?"

"Um, sure, honey. I can get you a bible. Why?"

"I want to learn more about God." He whispers fervently in my ear.

It was an appropriate way to welcome a Sunday morning.

Picture of a Saturday

One giant group hug pre-Saturday soccer.

After soccer, the little brothers revolt and torture the big brother.

A Band of Ragamuffins

My cousin Nicole just stopped over to see if she could take the boys to the playground. I was so eager to have fifteen minutes of quiet in the house that I practically pushed the kids out the door with her.

As they walked away, I admired their collective fashion ensemble. Aidan is wearing sweatpants he outgrew last year that barely touch his ankle. Hello boy capri sweats! Brennan has his pants on backwards. (I noticed it before nap, but I was just too damn tired to put up a fight. He insists he prefers his pants on backwards. Sometimes you just have to pick and choose your battles carefully.) And then there was Griffin outfitted in hand me down sweatpants gaping at the waist, from being at least two sizes too big, topped off with a fleece jacket so small that it barely has three quarter sleeves.

My little traveling band of ragamuffins.

Just Another Sunny Morning

Aidan woke me up this morning complaining that his socks were wet after going into the boys’ bathroom. With bleary eyes, I walked into the bathroom and discovered that the floor was indeed, wet. Someone not to be named apparently had poor mid-evening aim and sprayed the entire bathroom with pee. Lots and lots of pee. Lovely.

Aidan claims he didn’t do it. I know for sure Griffin didn’t do it. I would most likely place my bets on Brennan as the culprit. The boy just can’t seem to keep it in the bowl. No matter how much I plead. There ain’t nothing like starting your day by mopping up buckets of urine. (No one tells you how much of motherhood involves bodily fluids, do they?)

After cleaning up the mess, getting everyone dressed and fed, and putting together our assigned snack for Aidan’s class, Chris and I race out of the house to divvy up the kids for drop off. After the door shuts behind me, I realized I left my car keys in the house. I ask Chris for his key. He gave his house key to my mom yesterday to get Aidan off the bus.

We are locked out of the house, in the pouring rain, with all three children.

We get ourselves and the kids in the garage. I frantically call my mother to ask her to run over with her key to our house. After my mother rescues us, Aidan and I are off to his school to drop off snack. We remember snack, but I forget the tuition check due today. I get Aidan settled and then race out of school into pouring rain to get the tuition check. I hurry back to school to drop off the check, walking as quickly as I can manage, when I slip on the wet floor and fall flat on my ass.

I recover, drive to work and park my car. As I cross the roof of the parking ramp, the guy walking in front of me leans over and pukes all over the ground. He continues to vomit as I walk quickly past him, horrified.

He manages to keep up right behind me on the walk to the building even though he had stopped to take his little vomit break. I normally ride the escalator up to the lobby level of my building at a leisurely pace. Today, I literally ran up the escalator at Olympic rates of speed in order to get away from vomit man and his surely contagious deadly stomach virus. I am both sweating and out of breath from the exertion when I get into the elevator. (and also praying that the stomach flu germs stay far, far away from me.)

Later that day, I pick Brennan up from school and his teacher warns me that three children were sent home from his class with the stomach flu. Ugh. The stomach flu just may well be stalking our house. (again.) In Griffin's room, I am greeted with the news that two kiddies have strep throat. Good, good to know, thanks.

I am so distracted by this news that I don't realize we forget to put Griffin's blanket in his backpack. I spend fifteen minutes searching the house for it at bedtime until it finally dawns on me: the blanket is at school.

Griffin has never slept without his blanket. Not a nap, not a night - never. I cried right along with him as I rocked him to sleep once, twice and thankfully, a third and final time.

I have never been so glad to say goodnight to a day.

We Were Going To...

Today, we were going to go to the park. We were going to hit the playground and maybe go for a walk. We were going to return library books and pick new ones. We were going to drop off some dry cleaning and stop at the drug store.

Never happened. We didn't make it out of our pjs until four o'clock this afternoon. (Unless you count Brennan and Griffin throwing their Halloween costumes over their pjs as getting dressed.) We played Memory and battled with light sabres. We made Rice Krispie treats and ran around the house. We didn't do all that much of anything, really.

It was a perfect day.

A House Party of Star Wars

My friend Carolyn told me about this website called House Party. It is a marketing website that gives people free goodies and stuff from companies if you agree to have a party in your home. It seems to be designed to create positive word of mouth among consumers about a new product or brand. To join, you have to take a screener questionnaire and then you are emailed about upcoming "house parties" that match up with your demographics/interests. Once you are emailed about a potential party, you have to take a more in depth survey to "apply" to be a party host.

I have applied for a bunch of different parties, but I never get picked. No free stuff for me.

Two months or so ago, I received an email asking me to apply to host a party for a new series on the Cartoon Network. I applied, but I wasn't all that interested. They wouldn't tell us the name of the series and well, my kids don't really watch Cartoon Network. (Don't get me wrong. We love our tv. It's just that we're more a Noggin/PBS Sprout family.)

Imagine my surprise when I received an email telling me we were selected to host a party to celebrate the Cartoon Network's new animated series: Star Wars. 20,000 people applied. 20,000! The force must really run strong in our house of little jedis.

Cartoon Network sent us a "party pack" for the celebration. We received a screener DVD of the preview episode of Star Wars; Star Wars stickers and tattoos; Star Wars glow sticks; an assortment of Star Wars masks; balloons; a Yoda bag; Star Wars posters and a light changing/sound effects light saber (bringing us to six total light sabers in our house. We clearly have a problem here.)

So last night, we had eight kiddies at our house for a Star Wars festival. Just when you thought our kids' Star Wars obsession couldn't get even crazier, it did.

Oh Poop

I just cleaned up a bathtub of crap. And when I say "crap," I literally mean : crap. You haven't lived until you have had to scoop up floating poopies from your child's tubbie.

Apparently, Griffin had corn today. I, however, may never eat corn again. EVER.

Chris has been out of town since early, early Tuesday morning. He doesn't return until Saturday. I am just about to go digging into the basement for our last bottle of wine. Please, dear Lord let there be a bottle of wine. Because nothing says you deserve a nice glass of red wine like cleaning up your child's poop.

Learning to Skate

Aidan and Brennan had their first ice skating lesson this evening. I, of course, cried as I watched them waddling out to the ice in their hockey skates and giant hockey helmets. My tears quickly turned to horror as I watched Brennan fall once, twice and then a hundred and one more times in the course of the forty-five minute session. That boy will have a bruised bottom for sure. He appears to lack all balance and despite clinging onto his walker for dear life, spent quite a bit of time collapsed on the ice.

The boys started the lesson assigned to the same group, but after Aidan joined the rest of the skaters in a walker-free waddle on the ice without a fall, Brennan was quickly demoted to another group. And then a few minutes (and falls) later, he was demoted to another group. And then yet another group. Until finally, there were no other groups left for Brennan to join and they opted to just give him his own private coach in an attempt to teach him how to stand up on the ice.

I was concerned as I watched all of this progress right up until I saw Brennan's laughing face hidden under his huge hockey mask. He loved every minute of it. He handled the falls, the lack of balance and the bruised butt like a champ. He giggled. He charmed. His face burst with smiles even as he fell... again... again... and again.

His first words to me when he got off the ice were, "Can I come back here again? Can I?"

Aidan also enjoyed his first skate. He got the balance action down cold and spent most of the lesson learning to hold his arms out for support as he crossed the rink.

The only person who did not enjoy the skating time? Griffin. He was both annoyed and insulted that he could not participate with his brothers. Before the lesson, he shouted with anger as we put on the boys' skates, yelling, "I skate! I SKATE!" This turned into "I hockey! I HOCKEY!" as we watched the boys' lesson. It's hard to be the little guy.

Puck Drop

We took the boys to the Sabres Puck Drop today. The Sabres opened up the arena to the public to watch practice and a scrimmage. It was a blast. The boys liked the hockey, loved the popcorn, and even got their face painted.

After Puck Drop, we hightailed it back to Whoville for Aidan's soccer practice and game. Best game ever for our brood. Aidan morphed before our eyes into an aggressive little soccer monkey. I honestly never knew he had it in him. (His normal soccer playing technique involves running up and down the field with the ball, but never actually trying to touch the ball. No touching. No overt attempt ever made to take possession of the ball. Just a whole lot of running in the herd.) But today! He started in goal and saved two shots. His success in goal must have set something off in him that we never knew existed, because from there he went on to steal the ball, dribble like a mad man and score four goals and two assists. I have never seen anything like it from him. We may never see anything like it again, but it was a whole lot of fun.

After the game, I gave Aidan a huge high five and a hug. He asked me if I saw his goals and I said I did.

"Didn't you hear me cheering?" I asked him.

"Oh, yeah - I heard you Mom." He smiled at me, and after a second asked, "Why are you the only mom who yells and cheers so loud during the game?"

Not quite sure how to answer that one. Except to tell him I simply can't help myself so he may have to get used to it.

They Had Me at the View and the Devils May Live in NYC

This was the view from my and Chris's hotel room balcony Thursday afternoon.

This was the view from our hotel room balcony early Friday morning.

To be honest, it's amazing I managed to take a picture Friday morning that was in focus and straight. I admit to only being outside because gulping cold air seemed to help the pounding in my head and the horrifying stomach ache that hinted to the party we attended the previous evening.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures of that party. Not a one.

Chris and I traveled to Watkins Glen to celebrate a new hotel opening with my entire family, including our NYC contingent - my brothers, sister in law - Tennille and Trav's girlfriend Lynda. There was much food, much drink, bands and lots and lots of people.

After we arrived at the party, I remember nursing one drink for two hours as I smoozed with party goers and nibbled at a ton of yummy food. I was relaxed and enjoying the jazz quartet on the patio, talking easily with friends and family. And then the NYC contingent - Seth, Tennille, Travis and Lynda arrived - and it all seemed to be quickly lost in a blur of drinks, more drinks, champagne and tequila shots. We busted many a move to the band, dancing up a storm. We giggled and dunk many a rice krispie treat (and marshmallows! and cookies!) in the chocolate fountain. (oh, so good.) We partied until way past our bedtime - finally passing out in bed at 2 a.m. (Note to self: those wild NYC kids were still at it when we left. They put us to shame.)

So this morning, when Chris and I had to drag ourselves out of bed to drive back to Buffalo, and reality, and work, and three children and our heads were split open and our stomach heaved, we blamed them - our NYC family. We have agreed they may be the devil. (Especially Trav's girlfriend Lynda who introduced the whole tequila shot idea into the equation.)

Obviously, we can't party like the rock stars we used to be. (Even if we pretended we could - just for a night.)

All in One Day

In one day, today, I:

- forgot to fill out Aidan's school picture form and only remembered as bus was coming down the street. I dashed out a quick check for a random amount as the bus waited, and waited, and waited in front of our house watching me, again in my pjs. Aidan is going to be s0oooo popular at school. I can tell.

- got my first call from Aidan's teacher. She had to call me because she couldn't understand the check I sent in that morning for Aidan's pictures since I never selected a package of pictures, a color for the backdrop or even paid the right amount for any of it. As we finished the call, she chuckled and said to me, "You have three young boys, right?" At my agreement, she laughed again and said, "I did too. And it gets easier, I promise." Good. Good to know.

- realized that the seminar I was signed up to watch via webcast was not at 9 am like I thought and planned, but really at noon because it was all on Pacific Coast time. Thus, my nice easy seminar day was now watching talking heads from noon until eight, instead of 9 until 5.

- also realized that during said seminar I am required to click a button every six minutes or I will not get the credit for watching the seminar. Therefore, I had to click the button right before break, grab my car keys and drive like a bat out of hell to pick up the boys before the next segment began.

- failed to relax and enjoy the seminar. Instead, I sucked every last minute out of that day. My laptop followed me to the bathrooms, my closet, the kitchen and den. I cleaned all the bathrooms, cleaned my closet, tried on old clothes, did a few loads of laundry, made Halloween cupcakes for boys, made homemade sauce, cooked up some meatballs and gave myself a pedicure. I apparently have forgotten how to relax. Do any mothers remember how to relax?

That's it. That's my Wednesday. All in one day.

May the Force Be With You at Pottery Barn Kids

The boys and I traveled to Pottery Barn Kids today to meet a few of the Star Wars characters in person:

I have never seen so many little boys at the Galleria Mall. It was Star Wars mania. Boys in Star Wars t-shirts, carrying light sabres, and hanging onto Star Wars books. It made me feel like less of a freak of a mother with my Star Wars obsessed kiddies. Maybe we should all form a support group?

Math Fun

Aidan brings home a folder every day from school. The folder contains any notes from the teacher, any announcements from the school and any completed and scored worksheets Aidan did during the day.

I like to look at all the worksheets to both get an idea of what Aidan is working on in school and to see if there is anything we need to work on at home to help him with his school work. Over his year and one week of school, I have seen worksheets with big stars and worksheets with one or two marked wrong. I never saw a worksheet with everything marked wrong. Until today, that is.

Everything. Every question! Wrong. No star at the top of the sheet - just a note from the teacher to Aidan which said "see me." It was a sea of red cross outs and checks. Not good. Even worse, it was a math worksheet - an area in which Aidan has naturally excelled.

I was concerned and figured I better review the math questions so we could do some review over the weekend at home to help. The worksheet listed a number, had a blank space, and then listed another number. In essence, the student was required to sequentially fill in the blank so that 12, ___, 14 became 12, 13, 14.

I'll be honest. When I saw how easy the problems were, I grew even more concerned. We have big problems here people. Apparently, my first grader can't count in double digits.

Aidan's answer was 12, 26, 14. The numbers he put in the blanks weren't even close to being in order. They made absolutely no sense.

After a minute, I looked at it again and comprehension dawned on me. I laughed and called Aidan over to talk.

Instead of filling in all the numbers in sequential order, Aidan was adding them all. I guess the kid can count after all. Whew.

Waving the White Flag of Motherhood

I had to switch my schedule this week and I was at home with the boys today. I was really looking forward to it. I had fantasies of the perfect day we would have together. We would take a walk in the sunshine. We would go to the park. I would push them on the swings. We would cuddle up on the couch. We would giggle and dance.

I have to laugh at myself sometimes. The walk sucked. Brennan complained he was bored the whole time. He dragged his feet and sulked. When we finally got to the playground, he moaned that it wasn't the RIGHT playground. Griffin screamed at me when I pushed him on the swing. Apparently, I wasn't pushing him hard enough, high enough or fast enough. We lasted outside for all of forty minutes before they were begging to return home. Forget soaking up that beautiful sunny fall weather, we must get home immediately and fight over action figures.

I guess it is a good thing we did return home. At home, at least, there are no witnesses to the parade of time outs, tantrums and screaming. Just me. Just me listening to the constant whining, the unending crying and the persistent fighting. Just me cleaning up the bowl of mac n cheese dumped on the floor at lunch. Just me being told by my three year old that I'm "not nice enough," that "I don't play enough" and that "I'm no fun." Just me wiping up the stream of urine left on the bathroom floor. Just me having my child throw something at me in anger. All the mess, all the tears, all the yelling - all just for me.

And that was all before we couldn't find Brennan's blanket before nap time.

I tore apart every inch of this freakin' house and no blanket. My imagined quiet nap time quickly morphed into more hysteria, more screaming and more tears. The dull ache in my head escalated into a full blown pounding.

Aidan got home from school, clearly worn out and cranky. After ten minutes at home, he burst into tears when he realized he had lost a Lego piece to his star wars space ship. His tantrum lasted a half hour. He raged. Griffin joined him just for fun. I wanted to bang my head against the wall.

After breaking up the millionth fight, enduring yet another screaming tantrum, I threw up my hands and quietly told them, "I've had it. I'm done."

I wave a white flag. I need a truce. I need tomorrow to be a better day.

It has to be a better day.

Sleepless for Twilight

I didn't get much sleep this weekend. Was I out partying it up? Did I have a hot date? Were the kids keeping me up all night?

No, no, and no.

I owe my late nights to that damn Twilight series of books. I started Friday with book one (and a glass of wine or two) and I was hooked. What is not to love? Teenage love and angst mixed in with some vampires and werewolves? It was like Buffy in a book! (Yes, I adored Buffy. I LOVED Buffy. Saw every single episode. I still contend it was amazing television. Don't judge me.)

I finished book one at 12:30 am Friday night. I then surfed amazon to consider purchasing books two, three and four - but I didn't want to wait for the free super saver shipping to finally deliver my goods in two or three weeks. I needed a more immediate fix.

I was glad I didn't cave. On Saturday, my cousin Ali brought over books two, three and four. I skipped in glee! (And yes, there is something a little scary that I am reading the same books as my adorable, seventeen year old cousin. But then, I also watch Gossip Girl and I have dvred the new 90210. I am obviously trying to reclaim my youth. Or the youth of my fantasies.)

I barely slept Saturday night or Sunday night as I knocked off books two, three and four. I would finish one book and the next would be too much temptation for me. I couldn't help myself. I couldn't stop. I lack self control.

This may explain to my neighbors why Aidan and I had to run down the street for the missed school bus Monday morning. And why I ran for said bus in my bare feet, pjs and wild, uncombed hair.

But it was worth it. Definitely all worth it. I need a nap now though.

Aidan at Six

Happy Birthday to my sweet six year old boy.

At six, you are my junior scientist. You have proudly announced you are going to be a scientist when you grow up. (And then you went out into the backyard to catch bugs to examine under your new microscope.) You prefer nature shows and the discovery channel to kids cartoons. (although you have a soft spot for scooby doo.) I will still never forget the day I found you watching an HGTV program on how to build a backyard deck. (an interesting choice for a five year old boy.) Your obsession with Star Wars continues, but you have added a little Pokemon to the mix. You love books that explain the world to you and will spend an hour pouring over a treatise on dinosaur bones, space or ancient egypt. You also have a love of video games - from the Wii (you rock the drums on Rock Band) to Star Wars Legos on XBox (you have figured out how to fake hook up a controller to let your brothers believe they are playing with you. )

You like to be in charge. You can get a little bossy. You love to negotiate. You ask a whole lot of questions. And you are my rule enforcer. I see a lot of myself in you and your daddy likes to remind me of that every chance he gets.

You don't like food all that much, unless it's a favorite junk food snack. We battle over veggies and fruit, but you always have room for pizza, cupcakes, pepperoni, and cookies. You are still my junk food junkie.

You are kind and sweet. You look out for your brothers and your friends. You never want to see anyone else hurt or upset. You love to cuddle and give hugs. You tell all of us in your family how much you love us. Every teacher you have had - from your toddler room to summer camp this year - has told me you have such a good, kind heart. Of all the things I have heard, that is always what makes me proudest of you.

Happy Birthday Aidan. I love you and I am so very proud of you.

(I am sure we won't see much of you today, now that we are caved and bought you that Nintendo DS you wanted for your birthday. I am trying to convince myself it has educational value. Trying... )

Church Time

Aidan's second day of school today opened with his very first school mass. I remember, not so fondly, how hard it was as a youngster to sit still for the long Catholic mass and asked him after school this afternoon if he had a difficult time this morning at church.

"No," He replied, "Church is actually a lot of moving around. We're up. We're down. We sit. We stand. We even kneel. There's a lot of kneeling. There's actually a whole lot to remember to do. I had to move a ton."

That's church from the perspective of an (almost) six year old.

1st Grade

First day of school: 1st grade. Things were a little easier than last year. There was no screaming or tantrums brought on by fear. There may have been a little hesitation as Aidan took his first step onto the bus, but his excitement to get to his new classroom, see his old friends and meet some new ones - propelled him forward.

I left work early today, eager to get home to see him off the bus. I always imagine our "Hallmark" back to school moment, giggling over the antics of his classmates over milk and cookies. And then I remember, I have three boys. I barely get two sentences out of him before he is off and running with his brothers. (Note to self: boys are not the best communicators.)

But his two sentences were all good. Welcome to first grade.

Overheard

Overheard at Aidan’s party on Sunday:

Aidan’s friend approaches Chris with serious eyes and says to him, “Hi, Aidan’s Dad? I need talk to you. I really want to have a sleepover with Aidan. Can I have a sleepover with Aidan?”

Chris, not quite sure how to respond to the solicitation, “Um, sure. We’ll talk to your parents and set one up soon, okay?”

Aidan’s friend: “Well, see, okay, since we are all here. I mean, I’m here and you’re here, right? So how about we just talk dates now, okay? Let’s put something together. Let’s make it happen
Aidan’s Daddy. Do you have a date that works for you guys? Because I’m available.”

Chris, trying hard not to laugh, “Um, well, hmmm.”

Aidan’s friend: “It can be at my house or your house. It doesn’t matter. I just want to have a sleepover party with Aidan. So, let’s firm up some dates, okay Aidan’s Daddy? Can you go grab your calendar? Go get your calendar and give me some dates. Let’s do this! Let’s make it happen!”

I can tell you now. I am not ready for the sleepover phase. And Chris and I are clearly not prepared for the negotiating tactics of six year old boys.

Overheard on Monday:

Our friends Christine and Dylan’s five year old daughter Casey has decided she will marry Brennan when she is older. After greeting us at her house with this news, she tells Brennan to follow her to her room to assist her with picking out a swimsuit to wear in the sprinkler. As I watch them, Brennan and Casey stand in front of her closet and slowly go through each of Casey’s bathing suits.

Casey: “What about this swimsuit Brennan? Should I wear this one?”

Brennan: “Hmmm, well, that one is okay.”

Casey: “Do you like this one?

Brennan: “That one is nice too, I guess.” Brennan takes a minute to look through a few more swimsuits, selects a blue one piece swimsuit, hands it to Casey and says: “I like this one better.”

Casey nods and smiles at Brennan. “Okay Brennan. I’ll wear this one for you, okay?”

Brennan: “Okay.”

At Brennan’s devilish smile back at me, I am fairly certain I am not ready for my three and a half year old to be picking out bathing suits for his girlfriends.

The Birthday Party: Age Six Edition

I had told Aidan that my idea for a perfect birthday party was for him to invite two or three friends to the pool for a swim. He told me his idea of a perfect birthday party was to invite all the boys in his class, his friends from summer camp and a few more to our home for water fights.

So today, I had eighteen children at our home, ages six and under engaged in water battles with squirt guns, water balloons and muddy mud. We had a giant, two story high water slide, borrowed from our neighbors, that the boys catapulted down at death defying speeds. It was all boy, all the time. Chaos reigned supreme.

Aidan picked the theme: a shark soaker of a bash. This led to my compulsion to make shark cupcakes. (I almost lost my sanity on this one. It was hard. Very, very exceptionally hard.) We also did a shark pinata, stuffed to the brim with candy and toys. The boys fought to the death over every last bit of candy after the shark burst apart at the seams.

In the end a good time was had by all. A whole lot of water, a bunch of mud, and lots and lots of birthday fun.

He Lost His Marbles

I started my morning with Brennan shoving a marble up his nose. Nothing says maternal devotion quite like shoving tweezers up your son's nose to fish out a plastic marble. Boogers, blood, and snot... oh my.

I asked Brennan, repeatedly, what exactly convinced him to push the ball up his nose. He said he wasn't sure.

He wasn't sure.

I have no appropriate parental response to this.

The Knock Knock Joke

After bathtime tonight, Brennan decided to regale me with his stand up routine while I got Griffin dressed in his pjs.

Brennan: "Knock, Knock."
Me: "Who's there?"
Brennan: "Griffin!"
Me: "Griffin who?"
Brennan: "Wow, Griffin has a lot of gas!"

At that, Brennan howled with laughter, joined by me and Griffin (who truth be told, was passing quite a lot of gas while I had been changing him.)

When we stopped laughing, Brennan smiled and said to me, "And THAT was my funniest joke ever, Momma." He smiled to himself, shook his head and nodded, "That was THE joke."

My three and a half year old comedian in training.

A Whole Lot of Play

Instead of our regular summer Monday routine of swimming, sun, more swimming and more sun, we set off on an adventure this morning to the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester. Grandma JoJo and Nicole joined us on our trip to the land of Sesame Street and Elmo, Berenstain Bears and Clifford, Reading Adventureland and last but not least, my very favorite - the pint sized, all kiddie run Wegmans.

The boys worked the grocery check out and took home their individual Wegmans printed receipts of their grocery totals.

The boys loved the Clifford exhibit. They loaded giant dog bones into Clifford's huge dog bowl via a pulley. They tended Clifford's garden, drove a boat, played in sand and crawled through dog house tunnels.





And then we were off to the land of Berenstein Bears. The boys loved Father Bear's woodworking Workshop; Brother Bear's tree house, the Bear restaurant, the Bear dentistry, and most off all - the egg farm.





After lunch we admired the giant saltwater fish tanks. Griffin was in awe of the real life Nemos swimming all around him.

We finished off the play-extravaganza with a visit to Sesame Street. The boys sat on the infamous front stoop and Griffin drove Elmo and Cookie Monster in a cab. The boys even got a chance to visit with Elmo on tv.

It was a perfect day of play. A perfect, exhausting day of play. I need a nap now. If only my children agreed.