Monday, March 31, 2008

I'm Good Until 2018

Weekends are usually reserved for chores in our home. Something about getting everything done on your to-do list all at once feels so gratifying. Then you can leisurely coast until the end of the week, and then do it all over again.

This weekend, Scott decided to work on the roof. We have been praying for a hail storm for about 4 years now, to just take the roof out. No such luck. So we had to resort to doing some maintenance work, and when I say "we" I mean Scott.

I did, however, try to help. He asked me to clean up a pile of old shingles off the drive way and get them into the trash for him. I think I worked on that for approximately 30 seconds. Then I proceeded to step on a roof staple that went THROUGH MY SHOE and into my foot. Of course the staple was about as clean as a 15 year old metal staple can be. It was even cleaner as I pulled it out and it left all the rust behind in my foot. Plus, since it was a staple, as opposed to a nail, I got two puncture wounds for the price of one.

It was a DANDY day!

Scott just looked at me and asked, "When was your last tetanus shot?"

I couldn't remember, and I took that as a sign that it had been too long. So, off to Urgent care I went for a tetanus shot.

I felt like I was about 10 years old.

Here's the kicker: I was just getting ready for my first run, post hamstring injury. So, just a little delay in that.

Thankfully, just a few short days later, I am doing just fine. I even got to run today for the first time in weeks. The only thing that hurts now is my arm.

That too should be a quick recovery.

Friday, March 28, 2008

My Heart Swells with Joy

Today, I had a baby photo session in my home. He was a cute little almost 3 month old, and I thought it would be OK for the session to take place during the morning hours even though the kids were awake and playing. I figured if I put on a movie, they would be distracted enough to do their own thing while I did mine.

Sure enough, once the movie was playing we went our separate ways. Every once in a while Pax or Lanie would pop their heads in to see how the session was going, and Lanie would even ask if I needed an assistant. They were both very well behaved, and I didn't have to leave the session even once to get them to play well with one another or to change their behavior.

It was a proud moment.

What was even better than that happened after everyone left, and I was getting lunch put on the table. As I was working in the kitchen I could hear Delanie telling Pax to be patient as she was "Getting everything set up." Next, she was putting Pax on the couch and posing him. She was directing his every move, and then...She was taking his picture!

They were playing photographer!

Delanie was a bit on the bossy side to her model....I am not sure where she picked that up from.

I am just going to choose to bask in the glory of my daughter....future photographer extraordinaire!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Ramblings...

To stay true to my subtitle, I am going to ramble about NOTHING tonight, because...well, I have no idea. Just some thoughts for you all.

1. Persistence pays off big for me this month. You might be thinking I have found some secret diet and have lost a huge amount of weight and look down right fabulous, but no. I am actually talking about finally getting the pay off from MONTHS of using Dream Dinners. This is one of those places where you can make all your meals for the entire month in one evening and then you freeze them. My Sister-in-law and I started going there exactly 13 months ago.

It was about our second or third month in a row that one of the ladies that works there informed us that if we were able to come monthly for 1 full year, we would be able to get our 13th month for free.

Well, we jumped all over that. First of all I have never used a coupon that big before. Seriously, an entire month (street value: approximately $165) of free food. I mean if I could get a whole free month of food, I'll do whatever it takes. Of course that was until about month 8 or 9. That's when my Sister-in-law and I looked at each other and almost started crying. The food wasn't that bad, but it was a commitment that turned out to be bigger than we thought. We had to eat A LOT of food to get to this month.

Surprisingly, I will be going back there. It does save us money every month, it's easy, and it really isn't bad food at all. We've tried so many new things this past year, that there would be no way I would have ever tried any other way. However, I will enjoy this month's free food because we earned it. I will also enjoy the food because we will eat it at a much more leisurely pace.

2. Padded bike shorts only kind of work. For as expensive as they are, I would expect that those padded bike shorts, you know the kind that protect your booty and all other important parts from the rock hard seats on bikes, would work better than they do. I was actually kind of hoping that when I sat down on the bike seat before spin class today, that I would feel like I was sitting on a couch.

No such luck.

When I tried them on, I actually laughed because there is so much padding in those things, I was walking a bit bow legged. It felt like I was wearing a cloth diaper. I was happy to read on the tag that said padding was absorbent enough to probably actually act as a diaper if needed.

After the great "Sweaty Stationary Bike" incident of 'o7 I was feeling confident that with all that padding I might be able to walk out of the rec center with all my dignity in tact.

These babies were super squishy and absorbent, which I am pretty sure are both good things when you are trying to find the perfect bike short.

I have to say, now that it has been about 18 hours since my class, they were not squishy enough. I kind of knew that right away too. I just didn't want to admit that that amount of padding was doing me no good. Plus, I can't take them back so...I have to make them work.

Why O WHY are those bike seats so stinkin' hard? Seriously people! It's a spin class. Clearly we are not going anywhere so I don't want to hear about how the seats need to be aerodynamic or anything like that. Put a big ol' squishy seat on those bikes for crying out loud!

Some people will say "Oh after a few classes, you just get used to it. You know like building up a callous or something."

Really?

I don't want a callous there.

Thankyouverymuch.

3. Lastly, I am old. For my birthday this year I went to see Horton Hears a Who and have eaten at both Sweet Tomatoes and Red Robin. Why? For the sake of the kids. And also, I will admit it...I kind of like both of those places. The movie wasn't bad either.

When one of my younger sisters asked what I did for my birthday and I told her, she just paused and said "Seriously?" I said hesitantly, "Well, ya." She then said, "Well, were are you going to go when you can choose and go without the kids?"

I COULD NOT THINK OF ANYWHERE ELSE!

They sounded perfect to me.

I guess I have been eating too many Dream Dinners.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Who Needs the Light of Day?

There is a new love in our home. One that is going to change the way things are done.

The kids will have to start to learn how to prepare their own snacks and meals. They will need to learn how to answer the phone and take messages. We will no longer need fresh air or 3 square meals a day. Working out will take on a whole different meaning. The dog...well, I guess nothing will change for her. She doesn't get much attention now anyways, but maybe we'll get a self-feeder, and then try not to notice as her weight creeps up to epic proportions. All this change because we have now been introduced and become best friends (dare I say we are in love) with Guitar Hero III. The connection was instant, and I think the feelings are mutual. It was like we've known each other forever.

Of course there will be jealousy at first. The kids are a bit miffed at being slighted by their parents, and I get a little crazy when Scott goes more than 5 songs in a row without sharing, but as with any new relationship, we will soon fall into our own little groove. Soon will be the days when we won't really remember what our family was like without the guitar.

I know many of my friends, as well as my sister, have this game. They warned us of it's addictive nature and even said that they "dream Guitar Hero", but we refused to believe.

I am warning you now: Buy this game at your own risk! This game is highly addictive. You will risk relationships, be neglectful, not need food or fresh air, and only think in colors.

I am afraid that I might start giving up sleep just so I can spend time rockin' out!

You know it's bad if I (aka Queen of Sleep) am giving up sleep!

Somebody save us!....After my turn is up though....

Friday, March 21, 2008

Perspective

There are days when all I can do is think about life as one big obstacle. It seems like everything in front of me is a mountain and I am at the bottom looking up wondering, "How in the world is this going to be possible?". I feel like I go through those days just fighting, and looking for something to fight about. I am "making mountains out of molehills", as they say.

Today as I was driving to a friends house, fighting something small that I had made big in my head, Delanie asked me, "Momma, what's Good Friday?" Apparently, the radio personality had been talking about how today is Good Friday, and she was listening as I was duking it out in my mind.

I explained to her that today was the day that Christ died on the cross for our sins. Then 3 days later he rose again, and that would be Easter. She said, "Ya, mom, that's why we have Easter." And then went on to say, "The tomb was empty!" Chanting back what she had learned in school the week before.

I continued to talk to both kids about Good Friday, sins, forgiveness, the empty tomb, and Christ's victory over death. You know, the normal conversation you have with a 5 and almost 3 year old. I can't be sure, since I was driving and all, but I am pretty sure had looked back at their faces, I would have seen the most blank stares that have ever been made by any children this side of 1-25, maybe the whole state.

I got on a roll...what can I say.

Here's the thing, I think I needed to be reminded. I needed to sit on and think about exactly what Christ overcame. It wasn't just a bad day. Christ was victorious over death. D-E-A-T-H, DEATH!

He beat death.

I needed to be reminded that all the battles I fight, no matter how big or molehill-ish they are, Christ has already won the biggest battle, and therefore He is BIGGER THAN ANYTHING I CAN EVER BE STRUGGLING WITH.

So then, like my mind usually does, I started thinking of a song that reminded me of what I was pondering. It's Newsboys "In Christ Alone" Here are the last few verses(italics mine): (and if you want to listen to it and watch a video)

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ


No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

I am so thankful to say, I spent the rest of the day very peaceful and resting firmly in the fact that there is nothing, nor will there ever be, that is too big for my God.

It just won't happen.

All because Delanie asked me what Good Friday was.

Through my child, God changed my day. Glory!

Happy Easter!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Clearly, I Can't Control Myself

After reading a friend's blog today, I could NOT get the thought of ice cream out of my head. Hopefully, by reading this you too will have the same problem, and I won't have to feel so guilty about what happened next.

I convinced Scott (all it took was mentioning it once), that we should go to Cold Stone as soon as dinner was over tonight. Even though I had perused the menu from home online, I still got overwhelmed, as usual, once I got into that place.

I cannot, for the life of me, go to that place and not get the cold sweats over all the different choices you have. I mean, what if I mess up? Plus, I know for a FACT that I have still not had the absolute BEST combo ever. It's still waiting for me to discover it...How many calories...ehem...I mean tries will it take? And when I have the best, will I know it right away? Or will I have to see if the grass is still greener on the other side, and then come back?

Clearly, this place STRESSES ME OUT!

And ice cream shouldn't be stressful.

It should be pleasant and sweet.

It should take me to another place.

Speaking of another place, from now on, I will stick with good ol' DQ whose Oreo Mint Blizzard has NEVER let me down.

It's pure heaven.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

It's All About Strategy

To play a game well, you need strategy. My kids, especially Pax, are too young to understand this concept, and it is just plain funny.

Tonight's game was Hide and Go Seek. Pax would count to 10, then go find his sister who was hiding, in an average hiding spot, and then it would be Pax's turn to hide. He would hide in the EXACT same spot as he just found his sister in, and the kicker was he didn't even wait until she had started counting to head off in that direction.

I tried to help him out by giving him a new spot to hide in. This led to Pax giving himself up after Delanie looked for him for a grand total of 15 seconds. He just couldn't stop giggling when she would look somewhere and he wasn't there...all you would hear were snickers coming from a hiding spot leading to him.

If Delanie played along and acted like she didn't know where he was, then he would pop out of the hiding place to see where exactly she was looking and try to quickly get back into his spot before she saw him.

It was bad....really bad.

Then right before bed, I came up the stairs to give the little guy a hug. Scott told him to quickly go and hide to see if he could scare me. Scott helped him find a spot right behind the door to our bedroom. I played along and looked all over the bedroom for him. Pretending I was getting worried, the whole bit. Meanwhile, he never snickered once or gave himself up by popping out of his spot. I couldn't believe it. In just a short amount of time he finally figured it out.

I went behind the door to uncover his hiding spot, and as I pulled the door back and almost yelled "BOO" at him I noticed why he wasn't snickering or popping in and out of hiding...He had his eyes covered the whole time. He was still hiding. Don't you remember that rule: If I can't see you, you can't see me.

We stood there for about 1 minute. Me staring right at him, he still hiding behind his closed eyes. Sometimes I forget how young he still is. Even though I know he isn't even 3 yet, because he plays all of Delanie's games and is pretty independent, I forget that he isn't the same age as she is.

Standing there staring at my little man with his eyes covered "hiding" from mommy, I realized that at 2 1/2 there is no strategy, just plain having fun. He didn't care that he was being found, just that he was playing.

I wish I had the same perspective sometimes.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Because the Fever and Lack of Running is Finally Getting To Me

I'm still sick. It has been 6 days, if you count today, and I most certainly do. I have been battling some sort of flu/cold virus, and it definitely has been winning. To top it all off, I also am still dealing with a hamstring injury that I am trying oh-so-hard to not be bitter about.

So if you take 6 days of being sick and 2 weeks of no running and add them together, what do you get? I'll tell you what...a mommy who isn't thinking very clearly.

And who is going to make mistakes.

Big mistakes.

One that she feels really dumb about.....

I crashed into my mom's car today.

Yup, that's right. SMACK-O.

I was pulling out of the driveway to go to my physical therapy appointment (for that hamstring that I AM NOT BITTER ABOUT), when CRASH. I looked back thinking it was a garbage can because initially, I couldn't see her car, but upon a closer look, it was clear that I wrecked right into my mom's car.

Her car is hurt much, much, much more than mine is, however, both cars will need some work.

At some point this week, I have hope, that I WILL be thinking clearly again. Until then, clear the roads.

Friday, March 14, 2008

I'm Sick...

It's finally caught me. The plague. I caught it from Paxton. Usually, my normal routine is to "run off" any illness I feel coming on, but my plans were thwarted this time due to a pulled hamstring and a required 2 weeks (minimum) off of running.

So here I sit, with a fever...for the third day in a row. My cough is killing me, not to mention stressing out my kegel muscles to the maximum. I guess you could call that an abdominal routine, right? I don't even want to think about how many days I could be out of working out...I think I can feel every single calorie I have eaten in the past 48 hours attach themselves to my thighs and belly. Fortunately, the plague hasn't attacked my appetite.

Besides blogging today, I have also made the day "picture day". The kids love these days, and it gives us something to do that isn't too stressful, moves us away from the TV, and makes an otherwise grumpy mommy happy again. Plus, we needed Easter pics.

I'm not done editing, but here are some of my favs so far...



My cool dude:




Pretty shnazzy, huh?

Both kiddies:


And the sweet Princess (who ROCKS at modeling!):


Amazing what a little Easter candy will get you!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Is This Really Where We're At? Already?

As the children "attempted to nap", and I attempted to do my bible study, I kept hearing what sounded like crying coming from Lanie's room. It was escalating so I decided to take a peek at what was going on, because if I know one thing about Lanie; she doesn't usually get any quieter with the crying. This time was no different.

By the time I got to her room to check on her, she was almost in full force tears with a slight hint of a scream. I opened the door expecting to see her in her bed crying because she didn't want to nap, but was surprised to see something, or someone, different.

There she sat, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz at her "Little Mermaid Vanity". She was crying her eyes out as she looked into the mirror. I asked, a bit surprised at the site of my daughter in full costume at nap time, "What's going on?" She exclaimed, "I just can't stand it!"

"Stand what?" I asked.

"My hair!" She cried even louder. "Can't you see how horrible it is? It's all bumpy at the top and not smooth at all," she said as she ferociously rubbed the top of her head so hard that I could see she was actually ratting it up as we spoke.

Then she pulled it and declared ever-so-dramatically "I HATE my hair...It's just so stupid! It NEVER works the way it's supposed to. It's supposed to be flat on top, and just look at it, Mom, it's all bumpy everywhere." She continued to smack the top of her head over and over.

This was not what I was expecting when I opened her door. Not at all. First off the Dorothy costume was a bit of a shocker. Secondly, the tantrum she was having over her hair was giving me deja vu.

I mean, I know for a FACT that I have had the same exact tantrums over my hair. I too have screamed and cried over hair that wouldn't lay smooth. I also have been known to get so mad that I would smack myself on the head thinking that some kind of force would surely make it lay down right. The thing is, I don't remember having these kinds of issues until I was well over the age of 10...OK maybe even 12. I am certain I wasn't FIVE!

How can this be happening this early?

We have such a long road to travel.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The Kitchen is Done!

OK the kitchen actually has been done for a little over a week now, but I am just getting the pictures up now.

I am lazy.

In order for the pictures to look somewhat decent, then I have to not only take the pictures, but the kitchen needs to be clean. It's just taken me some time.

So without further ado...The Kitchen....
Before:
Not too bad at this distance. What you can't see in this picture is how the previous owner used this Formica counter top as a cutting board. Also, while hanging wallpaper, they used the counter top as a drop cloth for the wallpaper paste. Lastly, the cupboards were not in the best of shape either...their finish was suffering greatly from being cleaned over and over again.
So...drum roll please.....The new and improved Wright Family Cocina.....
My "office"
A close-up of the cabinets:
A close-up of the new back splash:
A close-up of the granite:
I really love the new and improved kitchen. When the floors are done, it will be PERFECTION!
Thanks for putting up with my grumpiness during the whole renovation.

Monday, March 10, 2008

I'm Old

This weekend I attempted to get some shopping done. With Easter coming up, I thought I would get the kids new outfits as well as something for myself. I have never been more frustrated, and I was doing something that I really, really, really like...which frustrated me even more.


After going to many stores and running into the same problem at each one, I discovered that it wasn't the stores' problem. It was me. I am old. And not hip. And have no sense of style anymore.

Here's the first problem. Easter is REALLY early this year. In Colorado that equals cold. When I am shopping for Delanie and I, I am not going to go for the sun dress look.


I want sleeves please.

And probably tights (not for me...I am not that fashion illiterate).


But if I am going to sport a dress...I need something for my legs because besides it being cold, it's March people, and I for one am the same color as paste.


So, that is issue numero uno: It's cold, I'm not wearing a dress, and give me sleeves please.


Problem number two is where I just feel plain old...I just don't get the "in" fashions anymore.


Take this example:



Looks innocent enough, right?


NOPE.


When I go to try on a dress or shirt (because right now they both are made/cut the same way just one is shorter), it looks like 1 of 2 things. Either I am cleverly trying to hide a cute little baby bump (as Hollywood affectionately calls them) or I ate too many brownies this Winter (which may or may not be true). Either way, I don't want people looking at me wondering.






Kind of like this lady might have. She looks super cute from the front, but turn to the side, and I know every one's eyes fall too her waist line (or lack there of) to see if she's trying to hide something.

Please, don't get me wrong, both dresses are adorable, but just not for me. Silly, OLD, not pregnant, maybe ate too many brownies, me.



Then what they want you to do next...well, it just makes me feel ancient because it's a fashion that has COME BACK INTO FASHION. I remember as a child hearing my mother say, "Oh gosh, that used to be in style when I was a kid!" I thought she was ancient when she said those things. Apparently, she was just in her 30's because now it is happening to me with this style...




I am sorry, but I have worn my fair share of leggings, and I don't care how uncool I become by not giving in.

Not that there is anything wrong with leggings. As long as you are under the age of 25, weigh less than a 5th grader, and have absolutely no bodily signs of giving birth (ie hip spreadage or droopy booty) I say go for it. Since I am disqualified by ALL of those requirements, if you ever see me in a pair of leggings, you have my permission to beat me.

That is my 2nd shopping frustration.

In a nutshell.

And trying really hard not too sound too frustrated, but wanting to get my point across.

So, all that to say, I came home with a new top to go with a pair of pants I already own, and since I wanted sleeves, it doesn't look very Easter like at all...

I guess I am still not over it.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Say What?

Tonight, after playing outdoors thanks to daylight savings, we did our normal Sunday night routine...eat and watch tube. America's Funniest Home Videos and Extreme Makeover Home Edition are the two shows make up our Sunday night entertainment. Delanie actually really likes both shows, and Pax is growing to like them. There's nothing better on a Sunday evening than having dinner and relaxing as a family together.

At a commercial break during Extreme Makeover (this is a show were they remodel/rebuild people's homes), Delanie looked at Scott and asked him a very important question:

Delanie: Dad
Scott: Yes
Delanie: Don't you just wish that you could re-manage the garage?
Scott: huh? (not because he couldn't hear her)
Delanie (even louder and clearer) Dad, have you ever wished that you could re-manage the garage?
Scott: Uhhh....Ya, I guess I could work on that sometime this Summer.

I think it was a very valid and on-topic question.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Mr. Cool

For the past 6 months or so, I have been battling a hair war. Not my hair, but Paxton's hair. He has been sporting the same look for, well...since he was born. The look is cute. It just has no style. It lays as it is, and then when we want to spruce him up we comb the top over to one side. When he gets a cut, we just have it trimmed up...as it is...nothing new.



I was getting antsy with the look, and felt as though there was something we could do to spruce him up a bit. I wanted him to look cool, but not too old. Scott suggested a crew cut. I had to say no. Crew cuts just seem so 5 year oldish. Much too old for my sweet 2 1/2 year old. Plus I wasn't sure he really had enough hair to pull it off. Sure, his hair covered his head, but there really wasn't much of it.



Last hair cut, we got a really cute do where his sides were much shorter than the top. It looked great...for about 2 weeks. Then the top kept growing, and he was basically wearing a mop up there. If there is one thing that it true about me, it is that I am NOT good about getting to the hair stylist. My world is still rocking and rolling after having Pax in the sense that I have to take him there like every six weeks! That is unreal to me. So to have a hair cut that needs maintenance every 3 weeks, just isn't an option.



So there we were, at the hairstylists place, trying to figure out what to do with the dude. We decided on a messy do that is somewhere between a crew cut and just a trim. It's VERY cute, but it will take me a while to get used to it as he looks like he is 4...and well...that I can't handle. He looks VERY cool.



Here's Mr. Cool:

(this picture looks so much like Scott it kind of freaks me out)





Very stlyish!

I can't wait to do a real session with new look....stay tuned!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Litttle Details

Currently, we (Scott and I) are working on the uphill battle of teaching our children manners. Sure, they say please and thank you. They will say, "excuse me" for a sneeze or other unmentionable noises. They will even say, "bless you" if you sneeze. It's time now, however, to start getting a bit deeper.

Recently, it seems as though every time I try to have a conversation with anyone besides Paxton, Paxton must interrupt and be apart of that conversation. He has been very eager to be apart of whatever everyone else is doing. Even if it's only to say/ask something simple like "What color do you like?" or "Toy Story is my favorite". The problem is with the way he tries to get your attention. It's like there is an emergency that cannot wait.

"Mommy! Mommy! MOMMY! MOOOOMMMMYYYYY!"

There is no finishing your last thought or completing a sentence. Somehow, he knows how to just kill any complete thoughts with his unrelenting need for your immediate attention. Only to find out, "Mommy, I can see you in this picture."

Needless to say, we are trying to work on a way to stop the interruptions. This is difficult. Much, much more difficult that I thought it would be.

Scott and I decided that, to start off with, we would tell Pax that he needed to say "Excuse me" to the adult he was trying to get the attention from. I don't know what we were thinking really except that we thought it would be nice to hear a little boy gently saying "Excuse me, Mommy" and then he would wait patiently for just a moment while I finished what I was saying and then I would turn to him and say, "Yes, Son". Then he would tell me whatever information that needed to be relayed.

Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?

Seriously.

I don't know what I am thinking when I hatch these little plans up in my mind. I mean if it where that easy I probably wouldn't have to come up with these ideas in the first place.

So now I guess you could say we need a "Plan B" or "Step 2" in this process. Pax is saying excuse me. He even uses it when he wants to get his sister's attention, not just Scott or I....which was cute. It's just that it isn't quite as dreamy as I dreamed it up to be.

Instead of "Mommy. Mommy. MOMMY. MOOOOOMMMMMMYYYY!" we have "Excuse me. Excuse me. EXCUSE ME. EEEEXXXXCCCCUUUUSEE MEEEE!" So I suppose "Plan B" might consist of the whole waiting and being patient and then only saying it once.

It's the little details that make all the difference.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Look Into My Eyes

There comes a time when punishing your children that you need to know that they know you are serious. Usually, when this time comes, I tell my kids to look at me right in the eyes. This way when the same exact thing happens again, I know, without a doubt, that they deliberately disobeyed me and it's time to lay down the hammer.

The time had come, yesterday, for me to ask Pax to look at me right in the eyes and listen to what I needed to tell him. He did. He stared so intently into my eyes that I thought to myself, "Wow, I am really having an impact on him right now. He is going to be a changed kid from this point on." In fact, at one point, he stared so deeply into my eyes that I thought he was going cross eyed.

I even took advantage of his complete attention to let him know about some other stuff that he was doing that could get him in trouble. I mean, if you have someone's attention you should lay it all out there, right?

Even though he was still very much looking me right in the eye, and I thought he was still hanging on every single word I had to tell him, I had come to a point that there simply wasn't anything left to say. I had to end the conversation and end this time of probably the best parental molding I have ever had with the young boy.

When I asked him, "Pax do you understand what I have said to you? He responded "Yes, Mommy." I said "Good, now go play and try again." Only to hear him say "Mommy, do you know that there are two Paxtons in your eyes?"

It was clear. He heard not a single word I said. He was just looking at a reflection of himself in my eyes for the entire conversation probably wondering how in the world he got in there.

My very serious discipline technique totally backfired as I turned around and laughed out loud.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Long Time No See

Tonight when I logged on to blog about some random thoughts, I pulled up the blog and noticed I hadn't been here since WEDNESDAY! What happened? Ya, I don't really know! It was really nice last week, and I guess that's where I've been.

Yesterday was a blizzard....but, hey, that's Colorado right?

I am not the only one that is dying to be outside. My kids are elated to be back out in the fresh air, and Pax asks now everyday "What kind is it outside today, Momma?" Translation: What is the weather like out today? He has learned that even if you see a bright blue sky and even brighter sunshine, you are not guaranteed warmth. So since it was so nice all week, we were outside all week. In fact, on Friday, I declared it against the rules to come inside...except for nap...because we all need one of those after playing our hearts out.



I am happy to say, that with all the outdoor time, Paxton is now extremely close to knowing how to peddle a tricycle. This is HUGE for him. Actually, I have decided that this skill is crucial for him this Spring/Summer. Sister is all done collecting leaves, picking grass, digging in the mud, and organizing rocks. She'll do it, but only for a short time. After that, it's on to the bike, and if Pax wants to keep up, and keep his playmate, he's going to have to learn how to peddle.



It's just that simple.



If you remember, he did get a Diego bike for Christmas. That whole plan....well...it's not really working. It seems as though he is just a bit too short, and just not quite strong enough for the peddles. It also seems as though the other trikes that we have just won't do. Either they are too big or they have a handle on them which makes them "for babies only!"

Thankfully, our Auntie and cousins shared with us a tricycle that they had outgrown, and it is totally saving the day. For the first time ever, Pax is trying to peddle and is having some success. I definitely think by this Summer we will have it down.



That is, unless something stops him.

We also have this motorcycle. Pax got it 2 Christmas's ago from his Auntie and Uncle in Georgia. Pax really likes motorcycles. He also really likes to do things that come EXTREMELY easy for him. Pretty much, if it takes more than moderate effort, you can count him out. The motorcycle has no peddles. You simply scoot around on it. It seems kind of boring to me, but when you add a nice slopped driveway that leads into a quiet cul-de-sac, and you have a really fun time in Pax's world.

It beats learning how to peddle so easily, it isn't even a contest.

This is all he wants to do right now. Racing his motorcycle down the driveway and into the street is pure heaven in my son's mind. He thinks it is more fun and easier to do than learning how to peddle. You ride down the driveway and into the street, and then carry the motorcycle back up the driveway...and do it again.

I can't wait until he figures out that with the trike, you can peddle down even faster, and then you don't have to carry it back up...It's going to be revolutionary to him.

It will rock his little world.

Of course, the pics!

My little rider:






My speed junky


Walking the motorcycle back up the driveway: