I don't want to! and other sayings from a three year old

When I was growing up I had heard of the term, terrible twos.  So as my first was approaching two I got all sweaty on my palms cause I just KNEW it was gonna be bad.

Those people were flat out liars.

Two?  Fabulous!

Three? 

Not. enough. wine. in. this. world.

Three for my oldest involved lots and lots of NO and ERGH! and frustration when things didn't work right, or his way.  Often his ideas were bigger than the toy itself and he got mad when it wouldn't work the way the movie in his mind was playing.  Overall, it wasn't really mad at me, but things.  He was never vocal about clothes, or food really.  With some coaching, patience, and a lot of wine, he has finally learned to scream ask for help rather than throw the blocks across the room.   Isn't that great?

And then comes Cherub Number 2.

I love that they are different.  I love that toys don't really get the best of #2 like they did #1.  I love that he loves sports and puzzles.  I love that he loves his brother.

And then you blink and it's

I DON'T WAAAAAAAAANT TOOOOOOOOO.

He's becoming a fashionista about his clothes these days.  If it's not his Batman or Bumblebee shirt, forget it.  And of course we don't understand it should be washed before you wear it again, or maybe only wear it once a week.  (cause I have this hang up about wearing the same shirt in the same week.  is that weird?)

If I pick his clothes out it's, "I don't want to wear that."  But if HE had picked it out, it would be fine.  This morning I pulled out shorts that used to be big brother's.  He tried them on Saturday and all was fine.  But today when I had them for him to wear, "I don't like theeeeeeeese.  I don't waaaaaant to."  I have said lately, "Fine, then you go get something to wear," and he does and it doesn't match and I try not to come unglued.  And then I remember seeing those moms in the store with their kids in Batman pajamas and wonder "why on earth did you let them go out like that??????" 

Now I get it.

Or he will eat the noodles like nobody's business on Saturday, but the serve the same ones last night?

"I don't liiiiike thissss."

(actually it's more "thitttttthhhhhh" with his lisp)

And then the drama.

We lay down.

We kick our feet.

We roll around.

And then I say, "no, not a sound.  We are not going to throw a tantrum."

and we lay down.

We kick our feet.

We roll around.

SILENTLY.

And if I turn away, he gets in front of me and does it again. 

I don't like beans,

I don't like chicken, unless you call it a nugget.

I don't like clothes unless it has a super hero on it.

I don't like juice, but sometimes I do on Tuesdays.

I don't like shoes unless you call them "baseball" shoes.  And I won't wear them unless they are baseball shoes.

I can only climb in car seat by myself.

Only Daddy can get me out.

If Daddy can't get me out, then ME DO IT.

If Mom said it, it's a bad idea.

If Mom wants it, I don't.

I'm three.  I'm  independent.  I'm  sprouting my wings.

I'm difficult.

I'm precious.  I'm loving.

I'm three.

Blastball Game 1

Oh.  My.  Sweetness.

I'm sorry but a bunch of three year olds who only kinda know what they're doing is hilarious.

And wonderful.

And sweet.

Littlest Monkey had a BLAST.  We were a bit punk at first, but I'm sure that's more to do with being three, than really being pissy.  Apparently being three means "I don't like" anything.  Ever.

So here is Dad and the monkey right before the game.

As you can WELL imagine, three year old blastball requires OODLES of concentration, as seen here.

Anywho, after we found the treasure, we got into the game. :)

And then there are times that as a mom, or budding photographer, you get the money shot.   The one that captures the essence of the day and the moment.  I'm really proud of this one...

So our first game was a true BLAST, and we're looking forward to another game this Saturday!



Camping : the trip that keeps on giving

So as you know, the camping trip was sort of a debacle.

First of all, packing for four people for four days meant taking two cars!!!

This is just the beginning and yes we took a mini fridge.  Don't judge.

Well two cars full meant only one had car seats.  So in the middle of the fire ant crisis we didn't have car seats in the right places.  Not cool.  Long night as it was, much less having Dad come to get us at 1 AM in the hospital.

And now, the last kick in the hiney.

While I was being Super Mom and taking my boys on a hike, right before the ants, I apparently missed the poison oak.  It started out like this a week ago.

Here it is now.

Other leg started Sunday

and here's the first leg as of today.

This is about the worst thing I've been through.  I can not scratch hard enough.  I don't care about blood.  I just want my skin off.

So, I'll be hiding my legs under pants until at least July at this rate, or maybe I'll just cut them off so they won't itch.

You know you're from Oklahoma when...

I'm originally from Oklahoma, but I've now lived in the big ol' state of Texas going on 15 years now.  I guess when I've been here for more than half my life, I'll declare myself a Texan... but not yet.

If you know anything about Oklahoma weather you know it's unpredicable at best.  And it's extreme to say the least.  I distincly remember one snow that left us with four inches on the ground one day, and the next, I was out in shorts shoveling. You can't make that stuff up people.   (People wonder why so many Oklahomans are crazy, we're bipolar because of the weather.)

It's also know as tornado alley.  Severe storms are the norm.  They are frequent in the spring and by the time most of us are five years old tornados are no longer scary, they are COOL.

So, as our fear of storms lesson, our cahones get bigger and we become fearless.  Nothing can hurt us, what's a little wind???

I bet that at some point in most of our lives by the age of ten, we could all say we've stood outside in a major storm and literally felt the electricity in the air while the sky was turning green.  And we'll tell you:

IT'S THE GREATEST DAMN THING EVER.

I remember one time early in my relationship with Biggest Boy we found ourselves in the midst of a huge storm.  We were still in OK and you got nothing on tv or the radio except for the weather and that "beeeeeep" of the National Weather Service warmings. That's like music to my ears.  We heard the tornado warnings and the spotting of a tornado dropping about a half mile away.

We immediately ran for the upstairs balcony and hurtled outside. 

We watched that thing swirl over our heads and drop five blocks away.

It. was. awesome.

Another time I remember my Dad and I standing at our glass patio door, wind blowing our large tree in our front yard like it was a twig.  My mom didn't think it was cool, but we did.

We had a storm the other night that almost met my "cool"status on the storm scale. 

And when I knew it was close, know what I did?

Ran right out in it.  With my camera.

Here are some pictures from that storm moving in.  What you can't feel is the 20 degree drop in temps as it moved in.  (that's how you know it's gonna be a hum-dinger.)

This is the view looking directly across the street.  It's just creeping in at the point and temp had just started dropping.

This is looking back into the storm and by now it had dropped about 15 degress in about 15 minutes.  It was fabulous storm watching!

I'm sad to say that mostly we got torrential rains, it did cause some flooding in our yard.  When I woke up I will admit that getting a canoe seemed like a great idea.  I may need to add that to my list.

The "fruit" of our labors...

Here's my youngest enjoying our first strawberry from the patch. 

Here's to a great week!

Raised Bed Garden Update: 3/17/12

I am proud to say that NOTHING is dead... yet. :)

I have discovered the little dog roaming around the bed however and trampling my lettuce.  So, yesterday we bought some bird netting to keep out all little creatures that don't belong!

Here's the netting.  We put 6 cup hooks facing down around the bottom of the perimeter to make for somewhat easy entry for us when we need to.  I don't know if this will really work, but it's worth a shot.

Here's the update on the plants!

Peppers:  Look beautiful!  They have by far been the sturdiest of what we planted.  We have both red and green peppers growing.

Our lettuce is a little weak, thanks to the rat dog.  I think with the addition of the net, that they will look better soon.

New plants:

Strawberries!  I had bought the plants with everything else but couldn't decide where to put them.  I figured with the netting they would now be safe in my garden.  Our first one is ready to pick, I can't wait to taste it!

I had also started green beans indoors since I couldn't find any plants.  I was really nervous about this, but they are now in the ground and doing awesome too.

I have no idea how much longer we have until we can eat something, the end of May is my best guess.  I think it will be awesome for the boys, and for me :)

What's growing in your garden?

A Day that Changed our lives... again.

Someday in late October of 2010 our lives changed forever, the first time.

(I choose not to let the date define me.)

Littlest Monkey had been staying at my mom's for a couple of days with a sinus infection.  He just wasn't himself and so she offered to keep him.  The second day was much better than the first and he felt like eating.

For afternoon snack she gave him peanut butter crackers.

And then this happened:

He had some respitory distress and the obvious hives.  And the culprit appeared to be peanuts.  We loaded him up with benadryl and headed home.  The first episode was about 2:30.

That evening about 6:30 we ate dinner.  I go to take him out of his booster seat and he complains that his legs hurt.

They were the size of tree trunks.  I look again at him.

His lips are blue.

I'm alone, with my 5 year old and my toddler turning blue.

Lips were cold, fingers were cold and blue as well.

I call 911 on my cell and my mother on the land line.  I coach my 5 year old on how to open the door for strangers and let the paramedics in.  I call my neighbor for help.

He's still blue.  And looking dazed.  I keep feeling his lips, still ice.

Everyone arrives at the same time.

Paramedics confirm we need to go, Big brother runs upstairs at the last minute and gets Little Monkey his favorite blankie and a toy.

and I cry.

My mom is screaming through the back of the ambulance that she's sorry and my neighbor is calling my husband. 

Paramedics say we need to go.  Now.

After 5 hours of waiting, things seem to settle down.  We spend the next few days souped up on drugs and coaching our whole family what to do. 

Halloween comes and I could hardly bring myself to let him go because of my fear. 

After a while, my fear has lessened.  No more incidents.  Come to find out, peanuts are fairly easy to avoid.

Fast forward to Monday.

Spring Break!  We made it!

Here's our cabin:

We were crammed in there but it was great.  Lots of mud due to our heavy rains over the weekend.  Lots and lots of ants.

Tuesday night, Biggest Boy ran to the store to get some essentials and the boys and I went to the fire pit to start the fire.  (I'm the best fire starter around.)

Littlest Monkey has always had a healthy fear of bugs.  He has often screamed at the top of his lungs at the sight of a spider.  A blood curdling scream that stops you in your tracks.

I'm lighting the log and I hear that scream.

 It sent chills down my spine.

I look at him and see a few ants on him.  I realize they are fire ants.  He's still screaming, and I see he's covered.  His shoes, socks, legs, hands and arms.

Biggest Boy had just pulled in.  I sceamed for help and ripped Monkey's shirt off.  I scoop him up and take off running towards the car.

Biggest Boy breaks out to a full run to meet me.  We strip him down to his nakedness and carefully inspect every ounce of clothing till all ants are gone.  I hold him and he's shaking.  He says they didn't hurt him, just scared him.  I wasn't so sure.

I find the Benadryl just in case and give him a teaspoon, but my Mommy heart tells me that something is wrong.

I was right.

Ten minutes later I see that he's inside the cabin doing a puzzle.  (He won't be going outside for a while thank you.)  I also noticed that he's scratching in between his shoulder blades.

He hadn't had any ants there.

I check, hives.  I look at him again, his ears are bright red.  Biggest Boy says he'll be fine.  I put my foot down and say I'm taking him anyway.  CareNow is just up the road.

I walk in notcing that the rash is spreading.  I tell the nurse that he's been bitten by fire ants and he's apparently having a reaction. I also say he has a life threatening allergy to peanuts.

We are in the back and on a table in 30 seconds. 

The docs and nurses were like bees on honey.  Taking vitals, asking questions while he's screaming.  Doc comes in and gets the low down.  He says we need an epi shot.  (And I'm REALLY pissed at myself for not using the epi pen I have in my purse.)

One epi shot and two steroids later, we are happy and almost back to normal.

As you can see still a little rashy, ears are red, but he's smiling with his new bear that he's named after himself.

At the one hour mark the doc comes in and says he's writing our dismissal papers.  He walks out and I look at my cherub and my heart sinks.

He's red again.  Slowly the ears, rash and cheek flush all come back.  He's batting at his ears because they itch. 

I get the nurse.

Again, bees on honey.  She calls for help.  More nurses, more epi shot.  More screaming cause it hurts.  Doc says he's calling an ambulance.  We are going to the hospital.

Again.

After a while, we can eat dinner finally and this time there's a TV.

And so here we are.

We also have an allergy to fire ants.  But this one scares the hell out of me.

I can't control this.  They could be anywhere.

My yard.

The park.

His school on the playground.

The ballpark

And I won't be there.

I'm really struggling with this one.  My fear is overwhelming that something will happen again.

As allergy reactions go, the first one is often the most mild.  Then they progress each time you are exposed.

This was only the first time.

What about the next?

I'm also struggling with my own feelings.  Why him?  Why me?  Why the hell didn't I use that pen?  Will I remember next time?

So, after packing up and coming home yesterday, we are all settled again and getting caught up on our lost sleep from Tuesday night.  The boys don't know that their lives are different. 

But I do.

Conversations of a Boy's Mom

Here's a glimpse into our world.

See, my boys, they're... creative.

They're smart.  (I know I'm their mother, but other people think so too.)

And they're incredibly cute.  (and yes, that IS all because I'm their mother.)

So here's some of what we've talked about lately.

Boy 1;  Mom, I need an iphone.
me:  "Really?  Why is that?"
Boy 1:  "So when we're at Wal-Mart then you could leave me in the toy section and just call me when you're done.  I could just tell you what aisle I'm on."


Me:  Ok, which one?  This one or that one?
Boy 2:  The one over there.
me:  That's not a choice.  Which one?  This one or that one?
Boy 2:  I don't like that one.
me:  That's not a choice.  This one or that one.
Boy 2:  I don't want that one.
Me:  ok.  neither.
Boy 2:  I WANT THAT ONE!
(Please insert any two things you might give as a choice to a three year old in this conversation.  This is a daily convo.)

After giving each person in our car one job for when we get home, here's Boy 1's response:
"No, see Mom, each person actually has 2 jobs.  Yours is garbage and cooking.  My job is feeding the dogs and be of honor and doing good in school (um what?), and his job is picking up the trains... and... it's SO secret nobody knows about it, not even me."

Boy 1:  You see Mom, this is how you play nerf guns.  You creep along the wall and then you shoot at the bad guys.  Try not to miss them though, cause if you do, you're in trouble. 
Me:  And how do I know where the bad guys are.
Boy 1:  You don't, they're invisible.

Me:  Night night sweet boy.
Boy 2:  Night night Momma.  Where we go tomorrow?
Me:  School!  It's a school night.
Boy 2:  Yay!   I love school... and Wal-mart.

As you can see it a daily adventure around here.  I never know what's coming next, nor what the next minute will hold.  But with these sweet faces....

I'm up for the adventure.

:)

Have a super day!

Candid Camera?

This week was a comedy of errors, if you'd really call it a comedy.  It was more like stress-ball city and I barely survived.

Ok "barely survived" may be an exaggeration.

But only by a bit.

School:  Well. Let's see.

It's the week before Spring Break.
4th and 5th graders performing in a musical Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  (awesome by the way, but they were EXHAUSTED and WORTHLESS for class.)
Open House last night.
Full moon.
Solar Flares.

Get my drift?

Home:

 I was "single" this week.  Four nights.  Enough said.
My Daddy decided to implement family dinners every Wednesday night, however, he forgot to tell Mom.  That was interesting.
The apparent alien abduction last week of my six year old proved to be false as he seemed to return to his normal self... until yesterday.
My three year old doesn't want to do anything unless it's his idea, and sometimes, even if it WAS his idea.
I'm pretty sure I didn't do one dish all week til last night.
I KNOW I didn't do any laundry all week.
I did change my sheets though. 
Full Moon.
Solar Flares.

*I think it's pretty cool that the Solar Flares *could* impact the earth so I'm using that as an excuse.  Every day.  Cause we may not get to for a while.

Weather:  WHAT IS GOING ON?  wind chill of 37 last night.  really?


In 2 hours and 15 minutes Spring Break begins.  We will finally get to stop thinking about school and work for a few days and relax.  And boy do I need it!!

Blastball

Yes, that says blastball.

I live in Texas where everything we do is bigger, better, longer... any "er" you can think of.

So, our local ball leagues start at three with a mini version of t-ball.  (young - er) The premise is this:

1.  You hit the ball off the tee and run to first base.  When you get to first base, you jump on the bag.  The bag has a horn in it and it toots when you jump on it.  Quite fun when you are three.  Now, if I were to run and jump on anything at my age and it tooted,  I'd be offended.

2.  As a fielder, you don't use your glove.  The balls and bats are farily soft.  You run for the ball.  If you "catch" it, or grab is as it usually goes, then you hold it up and say "BLASTBALL."  Technically, if you hold the ball up before the runner get to the bag it's an out.  But, we don't really keep score so it doesn't really matter anyway.

Last Sunday was Boy 2's first practice.  We have all really been looking forward to this since we know he really loves baseball.  Here are some pics of him last summer...

Our new bat.

We all need a bat at the tire store.

And of course, who really needs pants in baseball???

As you can see, this kiddo LOVES baseball.  And he was SO ready all week.

Until we got there.

And then he did nothing. 

Of course.

But after a while he FINALLY warmed up and had some fun!

READY!

BLASTBALL!

Oh yeah, scoping the girls already.

I think this season is going to be a trip!  We're really excited for him and the bonus is he's actually pretty good.  Way to go Riverdogs!!

 

Hope my brown thumb loses this one!

Well, thanks to Pinterest, I've decided that I could grow a garden.

ha.

Most things in my care die, but that's ok.  I'll have my boys helping me.

I wrangled Biggest Boy into making the raised bed box.  He did it on Sunday.  It looks like this:

It's made of cedar and we used internet plans we got from a friend.  (don't mind the weeds around the edge.  we're working on it...)

Then we filled with dirt...

Yes friends, we filled with 16 bags of Garden soil.  Now, let me say, with only 4 bags left, I had forgotten to line it with newspaper. 

ERGH.

So I spent about half an hour scooting and shoving dirt around so I could get some paper down.  The newspaper would be for keeping the weeds out and as compost later on.  I put two layers through out...

Then it was time to plant!

Halfway full of dirt...

We decided to start with lettuce cause we actually eat that. ;)

Planting the peppers...

Just about finished!!

Watering our new plants! 

And because my husband can be a butt head:

I guess he can't resist a butt in the air.

So, we are starting some seeds indoors tomorrow and hopefully adding them in a week or so.

Do you have a garden??