I Get by With a Little Help From My Friends

This week all three of my men have been sick. ALL WEEK. ALL THREE OF THEM.

We even lined up at the doctor's office for an offical diagnosis. It coughed like a pig, had a persistent fever like a pig and is lasting forever like a pig, but it's not a pig. It's a mild case of Pnemonia for poor Spud who is probably wishing he will never cough again.

Anyway, it certainly is not a cause for alarm, just no fun for those who have it.

However, this has been one of the easiest "sick times" we have had. I think it helps that I have a baseline to compare it to. Tough is when you have an infant and a barely two year old and all four of you have the tummy flu AND due to an incompetent plumber you are without running water for 36 hours. That's tough. This, not so much.


Plus I've had a lot of help from my friends.


Internet, meet my friends.

The medicine. Just in case you thought I was crunchy or something. Not even close. Natural- smatural. Bring on the drugs baby! We burned through our first Costco sized bottle of children's Advil in 2.5 days.




The games. This has actually been a lot of fun. Sprout is quite the gamer and to have all of us playing with him, he is pretty much in hog heaven. However, if I NEVER play Go Fish again, it will still be much too soon.


The sweatshirt. This is my favorite shirt, it's red, it fits just right, it's super comfy and I have been banned from wearing it in public. By numerous people. SO, I've been able to wear it ALL WEEK since we haven't gone anywhere. AWESOME. Just in case you were wondering, it was what all the staff wore one Christmas concert when I taught in Texas. I did not pick it out. My taste is a little dubious, but not quite that umm, bold.

The Youtube playlist. My kids are nuts about the Salsa Twins. If I go near the computer they clamour to check Ree and Ro's blog. When I told them the girls had picked out their favorite Youtube videos and we could watch them too they were utterly delighted. It's killed many hours this week. Because what could be better than an operatic orange?

The stash. When my kids are sick, behaviours I was certain we had addressed and eradicated come back. ALL OF THEM. So, yes, that is a bag of cheese curls hidden in my laundry room. Don't judge me. Please.

It's good to have friends.

The Hole Story

There are many great mysteries in life.

Stonehenge. Why people enjoy watching Cricket. Man's true purpose. Why little boys must wear the knees out on their pants.

I do not have the answers to the questions, but I do have a solution for one of the problems raised by these mysteries.

Sears Kidvantage.

Sears rather foolishly guarantees all their kids clothes. If a child wears it out before they outgrow it, they will replace the item for free.

Repeatedly.

It's enough to make a mom of little boys do a cartwheel at the cash register. Except that would lead to a visit from the paramedics and who has time for that?

Anyway, last year at Christmas time I bought Spud three pairs of pants from Sears. I cringed at the price as I am much more accustomed to buying things from clearance racks and second-hand stores. However, second hand pants with the knees intact for the 3-7 year old set are about as common as a keg party at a Southern Baptist Convention. And pants from clearance racks still lose their knees in about a month in this house.

So, I bought the pants, paying nearly 40 dollars for three pairs. It has been worth every last penny as we have replaced those pants 12 times in less than a year. Yep. I go pretty much once a month and they give me a new pair. Spud wore one pair less than five times before we were back getting new ones. It means that I have paid less than 2 dollars for each pair that we have worn through. And he still isn't done. I noticed last night his jeans have a day or two left in them. At best. There's a lot to be said for slow-growing children, more time to totally abuse take advantage of this money-saving program.

There are other retailers that offer this program as well. Which is a good thing as Sears may be forced to cancel their program because of us. So, if you have little boys, and Nana wants to know what to get them for Christmas, now you have a suggestion. Pants from Sears. Truly the gift that just keeps on giving.

Overflowing

My boys are good at many things. Talking, hugging, singing and spilling. They are especially good at spilling. I must sweep after every meal and at least three times a week (on a good week) a full glass of milk is spilled at mealtimes.

This is an area where I am struggling to be patient in. You see, we have hardwood floors. Yes they are beautiful, but only when clean. And mine stay clean for 2.5 seconds once a week. I read a post recently where an amazing single gal was day dreaming about dancing on her hardwoods with her future hubby. I too dream about my hardwoods, Way Cooler and I, only we are ripping up the stupid things and replacing them with linoleum like God intended for homes with young men.

Last Tuesday I had just cleaned all morning because we host our caregroup every Tuesday night. So, at lunch both boys spilled full glasses of milk on the floor. To say I was a little upset is like saying the Mississippi is a small creek.

I was a ball of fussing, grumping resentment.

But then a voice reminded me of what I had prayed for that very morning.

A heart overflowing with thanksgiving.

Mine wasn't even beginning to drip.

So, as I cleaned the milk, I practised that which I wanted.

Thank-you that I have boys to spill this milk.

Thank-you for milk to spill.

Thank-you for more milk to refill the cups.

Thank-you for a floor to spill it on.

Thank-you for a husband who works so hard to provide milk and floors.

Thank-you for strong arms to clean this spill.

Thank-you that my boys are able to receive correction and can be trained to change the behaviours that caused the spill.

Thank-you for grace.
Grace that forgives an angry momma and allows to her to extend it to her boys so that milk is not the only thing overflowing today.

Thank-you.

Maybe Three Isn't So Bad

The other day I was holding Sprout in my arms for a little face to face chat about some behaviours that I wanted to um, modify.

When our chat was done he told me to hold out my hand. This is fairly common around here ever since Spud read The Kissing Hand in school. He told Sprout about it and Sprout really latched onto the whole concept. I am often asked to hold out my hand so that Sprout can kiss it and then proclaim, "This is my love for you."

Pleased that he was still OK with me even after our um, chat, I did. He kissed my hand and said, "this is love." I went to put him down, but a little hand gently grabbed my face and held it while he kissed my forehead. "This is love."

Then my neck, nose, cheeks, lips and shoulder. After each proclaiming, "This is love."

It is buddy. It sure is.

Linkage!!!

We've been pumpkin picking, pumpkin carving, play-landing, church going, family bonding, birthday partying, story reading, snow driving, and picture making.

My poor computer is getting dusty.

I'm discovering that's a good thing.

BUT, not everyone has let their poor blogs wither away. Here are some of my favorite reads recently.

Melissa has tickled my funnybone yet again. It's the ultimate sitter instruction letter.

Beck has been taking classic children's stories and giving them a Halloween-y twist. These are NOT meant to be read to your kids. Unless you'd like your kids to stay awake for the next six months or so. But for adult who have to read these stories a bazillion times, well, Beck's takes are SO MUCH BETTER. Scroll down to read them all.

Antique Mommy reminded me of one thing I miss about teaching. The unexpected joy from a simple assignment.

I read this a week ago on Tonggu Momma's Sunday Linkage and it still makes me shake my head a week later. I really hate judging parents before I know the whole story and have walked in their shoes, but in this case I will make an exception. I hope they've saved up for their daughter's therapy.

Happy Monday!!

7 Quick Takes Vacation Edition

1. While in Texas we went to the Texas State Fair. It was too much fun. I even almost tried the deep fried butter but upon seeing other people eating it, thought better of it and stuck to a sausage. In fact, my credit card had such a good time at the fair that it decided to stay and jumped out of my wallet in order to do so.

I discovered this the next morning when I went to pay for my purchases at Kohl's. However, some amazing soul turned in my credit card to the lost and found. So, after Way Cooler's conference let out we went to pick it up. Our arrival coincided with the ending of the OU/UT game. There are 5 million people in the Metroplex. I think every last one of them was at the fair along with the greater portion of Oklahoma. But I had my credit card, so I happily waded through the throng.

2. We flew to Texas on Areoplan points and decided to splurge and upgrade to Executive. What a ridiculously fun way to fly. There's nothing quite like munching mixed nuts and sipping herbal tea while watching a movie in a very comfy seat. It's really ruined me for the next time I have to fly economy with kids.

3. I tend not to drink alcohol, mainly because I am very, very cheap and it's rather expensive here in Canada. I cannot bring myself to pay that much for a beverage. However, it was free in Executive so I decided to try some. Turns out, I do not like wine or beer, (really, people pay money for that?) but Bailey's in hot chocolate is quite a treat. However, I think I'll stick to my Coke Zero from here on in.

4. I watched "My Sister's Keeper" on the plane. This is not something I would recommend. Unless sobbing uncontrollably amongst fifty strangers not watching the same movie is your idea of a good time. Otherwise, this one is best watched on your own.

5. You Southern women really need to help me out. I think I drank my weight in sweet tea while down there and really don't want to wait another six years to have some again. I'd forgotten how very good it is. How does one make it at home? Please help me. Please. I'm in some serious withdrawal here.

6. Early Saturday morning I was able to shop at Kohl's all by myself. Early morning shopping was one of my favorite pre-child activities and it was very enjoyable to do it again. But it got me thinking, I don't think I'd trade it for my current early Saturday morning ticklefests with two small boys. I loved the pre-kid season and I love this one now. So very different, and yet both so very good.

7. Biscuits and Gravy is THE breakfast of champions. Forever and amen.

For more Quick Takes, please visit Jennifer at Conversion Diary. Even if you don't want the quick takes, visit Jennifer anyway. Her blog is truly one of the most thought provoking out there.

The trip

I'm back.

It was fabulous.

Can I make a confession? I didn't really even miss my kids. Not much anyway. I knew they were having more fun than I was, and I see them all day, every single day of their lives. I've gotten enough of them over the years to tide me through a few days apart.

And I didn't even feel guilty typing that.

Much.

Anyway, I could go on and on about my trip, (and probably will in future posts) but just wanted to pop in, say hi and tell you the highlights.

It was snowing when I left. I had shoveled. They de-iced the plane. It was sunny and 28 degrees (C) when we landed. That alone made the trip absolutely perfect.

I went here. Twice. That story is worth a post ALL to itself.

I ate here. Three times in one day. That alone will reduce my life expectancy by at least six months, but it was so worth it.

I shopped here for the first time. Got me two bras. Man, those things are comfy. Worth every penny. And if you have ever spent time at this blog, you know I do not say that lightly. At all.

I had coffee with her. And her. Both of whom are the ultimate in Southern women; friendly, warm, charming and funny as all get out. Those coffees were definitely highlights of the trip.

And then I came home to the two cutest boys on the planet.

It was perfect.