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The Day a Boy Became a Man

November 4, 2009 by Kelli

On December 21, 2003, Sloan’s first tooth popped through his swollen little gums.

And on November 3, 2009 that very tooth fell out.

And, in his mind, he has now become a man.

He came into our room this morning much earlier than I would have liked filled with awe and excitement as he held up the three crisp dollars the Tooth Fairy left for him. She also wrote him a letter congratulating him on his tooth loss – because she’s cool like that.

He was very concerned about her taking his tooth, so I let him write a note last night asking her if he could keep it.

And now I have a question for you, internets.

What do you do with kids teeth when they fall out?

Should I keep them in a little baggie and tuck them away in his baby book?

Because – um – ew.

Filed Under: Kids, Life, Random, Sloan Tagged With: Tooth Fairy

Yeah, but we already knew that…

October 27, 2009 by Kelli

*Warning – the following post contains blatent and unapologetic bragging. Read with reckless abandon and feel free to spontaneously applaud whenever you are compelled.

We had our first big kid, elementary style Parent/Teacher conference today! Seriously, I am so not old enough for all of this.

So there Lee and I sat across the table from Sloan’s kindergarten teacher and she dove right in to his first quarter report card. And after that meeting I just needed to brag for a minute because my kid is THE AWESOME!

As far as develpomentally, he’s right on track. He is reading basic words. He can write very well, but needs to work on his lower case letters, he can count to 39 (but then skips to 90 and finishes up to 100 – can you blame him? I’d hate for someone to ask me to count to 100 too. Bo-ring…let’s move on!)

He does have a few problems with phonics, which is understandable since he’s learning to read in two languages right now. He sometimes mixes russian letters with English. For example, he spelled ‘can’ C-A-H. Because in russian the ‘n’ sound is the letter ‘H’.

But it wasn’t the skills that got me all hopped up. It was the fact that his social skills were all top marks. He was described as a leader, obedient, happy, a good listener, eager to learn and a great kid.

C’mon – tell me something I don’t know!

Seriously, Sloan is a great kid. He’s passionate, for sure. But all around, he’s a really, really good kid. I’m glad he’s mine.

Lee and I have worked hard this last year with Sloan. We’re still working hard (will we ever not work hard?) to channel his abundant zest for life in a positive and productive direction.

We really want our kids to be conscious of the world around them. We’re constantly stressing to Sloan that when he respects his elders, those in authority, that things will go well with him. And today we get to reward him and show him once more that his respect for those around him is only to his benefit and his gain.

We have also worked hard at giving Sloan the confidence to take the lead among his peers. Sloan by nature tends to follow others. He so badly wants to be with people and a part of a group that he will do whatever he think needs to be done in order for that to happen.

We have been stressing to him the importance of being a leader, of standing up for what he knows is right and of being an encouragement to people he comes in contact with. In general, these are things that come naturally to Sloan. Remember this? But he does need a few reminders, on occasion.

You know, because he’s a normal kid.

Anyway, my kid rocks. He seriously does. And since I’m already in the bragging mode, I’d also like you to see this:

This is part of the play that Sloan will be performing with the kids in his russian class. The section at the bottom is Sloan’s. It’s by far the most difficult text he’s had to memorize so far and he’s doing amazing. He also has to learn a short poem about a bear, which he committed to memory almost immediately.

I’m just in awe of the way he is learning this language. I feel like I’m doing him a disservice because I don’t know the language well enough anymore to speak consistently with him.

Which, incidentally, his russian homework is kicking my butt! I feel like I’m in college again trying to translate all these pages so I can help Sloan understand what’s happening.

Oh, and Sveta – I might have to ask you for a little help translating this play because good grief! 🙂

Okay everyone – I know you’re so glad you spent five minutes of your time listening to me ramble today. Try not to be too dissapointed when I tell you I’m finished bragging now. You’re all free to go about your day.

*wink, wink*

Filed Under: Kids, Motherhood, School, Sloan Tagged With: Russian American School

There seems to be no escaping…

October 23, 2009 by Kelli

H1N1 is spreading around here like wildfire. Every day I hear of new cases, more schools closing and so on and so forth.

We decided not to vaccinate our kids against H1N1. We decided this for a couple of reasons. First of all, the vaccination is too new. I don’t trust it – plain and simple. And I cannot get a concenses from doctors as to whether or not it’s a good idea. Some say definately get it, others say definately don’t. So in my mind, the risks outweigh the benefits.

Second, I’m not even sure that I would be able to get it. Sloan’s school has to keep pushing back the date on the vaccine because they haven’t received their supplies yet and I would only be able to vaccinate him. I don’t even know that I could get it for the other two – if I wanted it, that is.

Third, I feel like it’s inevitable that we’re going to get the swine flu. I’m taking every precaution I can think of short of holing ourselves up and barring the door. The kids are getting double the amount of vitamin C, I’m faithfully administering their JuicePlus vitamins, I’m serving them more green vegetables and raw fruits, we’re washing hands, I’m *limiting the amount of dairy they receive, I’m washing sheets more frequently in hot water and so on and so forth. I’m not really sure what else I could be doing.

Despite all of that, however, I feel like this H1N1 thing is a ticking time bomb and I would almost rather we just get it and move on. I know that sounds terrible and I’m not hoping my kids get sick, but if they’re going to get it, I’d rather it happen sooner rather than later so we can move on our merry way.

I heard on the radio this morning there are 1300 confirmed cases of the swine flu in the St. Louis area, which is more flu than doctors usually report in an entire season. It really is spreading like the plague. Even my friend Nicole has been affected and she takes similar precautions to me.

So we’ll see what happens. I heard that this week there were 13 confirmed cases at Sloan’s school and five kindergartners were home sick today (I don’t know if they were any of the confirmed cases or not) so we’ll just take it one day at a time. I did get the kids a seasonl flu shot this year for the first time since 2006 in the hopes that if they do come down with the swine flu it will be a milder case. Who knows? It’s just crazy.

* There are studies that say that dairy products increase the amount of muscus your body produces, so by cutting back on dairy, I’m hoping to help their bodies eliminate as much unneeded mucus as possible. I can’t cut it out all together, as my kids love their milk. But I’m pretty much only giving it to them in the morning at this point, rather than throughout the day.

Anyway, moving on…

Today was Sloan’s first field trip to the pumpkin patch and oh my goodness he was excited. He’s talked about it all week. Yesterday when it rained all day long, Mother Nature and I had a long talk about how she better not ruin my boy’s first time to go somewhere with his class, and she obliged somewhat – if you count freezing cold and overcast obliging. But alas, at least there wasn’t any rain.

I didn’t think I would get to go because I didn’t have anyone to watch Tia and Landon, but at the last minute my friend Jessica offered to keep them and I was able to surprise Sloan and show up. I’m so glad I went! It was fun to see him in that environment. Thanks again Jessica!

And I think he was glad I was there. When no one was looking he gave me a big hug. Of course, when he was eating lunch with one of his friends, he said I was weird. Ha!

I’ll take it.

So that was a fun highlight of the morning. And now I’m off to get the house in order because Lee and I are going on a date tonight. A date! What is a date?!

I’m not sure what we’re going to do. We wanted to see our friend Joe and his band play downtown, but they aren’t going to start playing until 10:30 or 11:00. Couple that with the fact that our babysitter doesn’t drive, which means I’ll have to drive her home and the knowledge that we have three little alarm clocks that will drag us out of bed at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

Needless to say, we’re not going to do that to ourselves. Getting old bites.

We may go see a movie instead, which sounds like an old person thing to do, but I was thinking about it today and I’m pretty sure it’s been about two and a half years since Lee and I went to the movie theater together.

I think we’re due for a movie night…

Happy weekend!

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Life, Sickness, Sloan Tagged With: h1n1

Weekend Update

October 19, 2009 by Kelli

This weekend’s Interactive Festival went off smashingly. We had a great turnout (I believe there were just under 100 people there) and had relatively no major glitches.

We got a ton of positive feedback and people seemed to really enjoy themselves and learn a lot.

As for my panel – it went great! I didn’t stumble or stutter over my words, I kept the conversation flowing (thanks to a fabulous panel of speakers and a very participatory audience) and I didn’t once have to imagine someone in their underwear. Whew. I had a blast doing it and can’t wait for next year’s event!

As for the rest of the weekend – honestly, Interactive took up most of my weekend. The kids had a great time playing with their grandparents, since Lee was out of town visiting friends. On Sunday afternoon, I decided to take the kids to Twin Oaks Park for our annual picture taking session. I sat in on a photography panel on Saturday and was excited to try out the new tricks I learned.

I think out of 82 pictures I managed to come out with about 9 really good shots. Sooooo…I clearly need a little more practice. It didn’t help that Landon was 100% not into having his picture made, and Tia wasn’t overly thrilled either.

Here are a few that I got:

I don't think I got a single good shot of the three of them *sigh*

I asked Tia to give me her best pose and this is what she came up with.

I’ll be back tomorrow with actual content for you to read. In the meantime, have a blessed Monday!

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Landon, Random, Sloan, Tia Tagged With: St. Louis Interactive Festival, Twin Oaks Park

Hail Mommy

September 28, 2009 by Kelli

In January 2007, St. Louis had a massive ice storm. Lee was out of town that weekend (naturally – don’t crazy things always happen when your husband is out of town?) and I was alone with a then 3 year old Sloan and 11 month old Tia.

In the dead of night, ice fell from the sky in frigid sheets, layering already weak trees (as it was the second big ice storm of the season) with several pounds of frost. About 4:00 that morning, I awoke to realize that the power was out and the house was very cold. Outside my window, I heard a pop and saw a flash of blue and realized a transformer had just blown.

And then I heard the sickening crunch of a tree branch slicing through our roof (it didn’t come into the house, thankfully, but went through the over hang barely a foot from where my bed lay).

It was then that Sloan woke up and raced out of his room exclaiming – “Mommy, blue monsters are throwing ice at our house!”

Then we looked out the window to see a crazy mess with downed trees and branches all over our yard, driveway and roof.

And from then on, my child was altered forever more. He became terrified of storms. The tiniest flash of lightening sends him into a frenzy and with a rumble of thunder he begins nervously talking a mile a minute, his panicked voice reaching ear piercing decibles.

He is equally obsessed with the weather. I assume it’s because he is trying to keep his enemy close, but he loves to read books about tornadoes and hurricanes, tsunamis and floods. I’ve caught him on more than one occasion watching the weather channel and he frequently gives me updates on the weather in different parts of the country.

“Hey mom, did you know Florida is having a tropical storm? That’s like a hurricane only it’s not really a hurricane. Good thing we’re not there, huh?”

So, it was with great terror that we got caught in a doozy of a storm on Saturday. I had taken the kids to buy Halloween costumes (another story for another day but seriously – costumes are ridiculously overpriced. Why have I never learned to sew!?!) and we were on our way home when literally out of nowhere the heavens opened and released with great fury, directly over my (hot) minivan.

As a bolt of lightening streaked across the sky, Sloan yelped from the backseat, “Mom! Lightening. We gotta get home now!”

“I know, honey, I’m trying,” was my reply. To which I heard, “Hey mom. I’m pretty sure a tornado is coming so if you see it, you have to turn the car around and rive away from it.”

Me: “Okay, babe, I got it.”

Sloan: “Mom. In case a tornado does come and we get sucked up, cover your head with your hands to protect it.”

Me: “We’re not going to get sucked up, Sloan.”

Sloan: “But we might-”

It was then that the hail started. Large balls of ice began pelting my car along with alligator size raindrops reducing my visibility to almost 0. It was loud and ferocious and I found myself lamenting the fact that for years I’ve been praying that a hail storm would center itself over my house so insurance would cover a new roof and instead it was centered over my defenseless (but hot) minivan.

And over the racket of the storm this is what I heard in the backseat:

Tia (with her hands squeezed over her ears): I’n stewrd mommy! I’n woody stewrd.”

Landon (looking around with furrowed brow): “Woooowww!”

Sloan (eyes so wide they threaten to swallow his face): “HAIL MOMMY. HAIL MOMMY! HAIL! MOMMY! WE’VE GOT HAIL!”

Me: “It’s okay, it’ll be over soon.”

Sloan: “JUST PRAY TO GOD MOM! PRAY. TO. GOD!!!”

Me: “You pray, I’ve got to drive.” (Mind you we’re shouting at one another because the noise is deafening)

And in the rearview mirror I watch my 6 year old fold his hands and press them to his forehead beseeching God to rescue us from what he sees to be imminent death by thunderstorm.

And the whole situation strikes me as so funny that I start cracking up, as I sometimes tend to do when I’m nervous or upset, whilst all along keeping my eyes firmly glued to the barely visible red tail lights of the car in front of me.

Then, two miles up the road, the clouds in the sky parted, giving way to nothing more than a light drizzle. I look back in the mirror at my shell shocked crew and find Tia still has her ears covered and eyes closed, Landon is grinning from ear to ear and Sloan looks utterly amazed.

When he catches my eye, Sloan slowly grins, then pumps his fist in the air. “That was awesome!” he exclaimed. “That was the big one and I wasn’t scared at all.”

Uh-huh. Right.

And that, my friends is the story of the day we survived the ‘big one’. All it took was a few “Hail Mommy’s” and a prayer.

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Random, Sloan

Balancing Act

September 23, 2009 by Kelli

I’ve noticed recently that I have quite a few more readers following my blog on a daily basis than I realized. I mean, I’m not experiencing mutliple thousands of hits per day, but my readership has increased significantly in the last few months.

While I’m grateful for this fact, as I’d always hoped to turn this more into a creative outlet for my writing and less of a family journal, I also feel a lot more pressure on a day to day basis because of it. I find myself thinking of things to write and then talking myself out of it because I’m not really sure if anyone would actually want to read about said topic or it seems funny in my head, but translating it onto cyber-paper loses the effect.

Whatever the case, I do find myself thinking a lot more about my words, how I write and how much I really want to share with the world.

I enjoy writing about my kids more than anything, because…well, because they’re funny. For example, yesterday Sloan came home and told us that the girl from iCarly is hot. When Lee asked him what that meant he replied, “Uh, you know it means she’s, like, really awful…Really, I just like to say that she’s hot!”

Six year olds say funny things and I love to capture those things so that someday, when he’s all grown up and we are at his rehearsal dinner the night before his wedding, I’ll be able to read some of the funny things he said and reminisce about the boy that he once was.

But there is a balance on how much I share about my kids. I try to think clearly through how they might feel about what I wrote for the world to read when they get older. I want them to laugh at these stories – I don’t want them to be embarrassed.

So, sometimes, I keep things to myself. Even if they’re funny. There have been a couple of times when I’ve contemplated writing about a particular struggle or disciplinary issue, in the hopes of getting some insight or wisdom or understanding from other parents, but have refrained eventually because I don’t want my kids to look back and be ashamed or humiliated by my words.

This is a balancing act.

I also enjoy writing about motherhood issues because that’s where I am right now. I’m in the thick of this thing called motherhood and it’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one who sometimes feels isolated. Blogging has become my lifeline to a world outside the walls of my home. There are some days when I get so discouraged as I look at the caller ID on my phone and realize no one’s called my house in two days. But then I see that I have several comments on my blog and my spirits are lifted, because, while it’s not as personal, it’s still a connection.

Motherhood can be lonely sometimes, yes?

My conundrum with writing about all things motherhood, however, is that I often feel like I don’t have that much to say. I don’t have any innovative child rearing tactics. I’m thankful each evening when I tuck them in to bed that they’re all still alive! I do aim to mother with purpose, but I don’t feel like I’m a good cheerleader on the sidelines of the motherhood game.

I’m more like the pimple faced, uncoordinated kid who stumbles around the field and every once in awhile bounces the ball off her foot and falls into the end zone.

What I mean is – I have a plan in my parenting, but I don’t have an excellent plan book so sharing mothering advice seems daunting to me. I don’t have great discipline techniques or fun, crafty ideas, or cute recipes. I don’t have great advice for getting your kids to clean up their rooms or how to make them eat broccoli without bitter weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I can, however, write about each of these issues in such a way that we can all chuckle together at the hilarity of parenting. For example, while I can’t give you point by point advice on how to get your child to obey you immediately, I can tell you that yesterday, when I told Landon to give me the penny that he found and was playing with, he promptly shoved it in his mouth and swallowed it. Um – a little dangerous? Yes. A little funny? Uh-huh. Because I’m now on poop patrol to make sure that the penny passes.

I find that funny.

Moving on…I love to blog about the fun things that happen in our lives. Lee and I are so blessed – were blessed far beyond what I ever imagined we would be. We are not rich…but we are not poor. We have three healthy, beautiful, hilarious kids, a house that meets our needs, faithful and wise friends and we laugh every. single. day. Our life is wonderful.

And so I blog about it. I try to keep the blog light and fun, but OY! There’s pressure even in that. I find myself sitting at the computer, staring at a blank screen, begging myself to think of something funny to say. And sometimes I come up dry. So somedays I’m just not going to be funny. Somedays I don’t feel funny. Like today. Sorry.

There are other things I like to write about like, for example, politics. But we all saw how that went for me the last time I did it, so I try to keep my political ramblings to a minimum because I want my blog to be a happy place. There will be times when I share my views because, ahem, this is my blog. But, in general, I try not to go overboard with the politics.

Blogging is great. It’s fun, it gives me some sense that I’m pursuing my passion, I’m making a little money, I’m keeping a record of my children’s lives and I’m working out some of the kinks in my head. But I am also balancing the act of sharing the right amount of information. It is a delicate balance, but, so far, I think it’s going alright.

So what about you? How do you balance the art of sharing your lives without sharing too much?

Filed Under: Blogging, Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Landon, Life, Motherhood, Random, Sloan

Some Linky Love

September 18, 2009 by Kelli

I don’t have much to say today. Well, okay that’s not true…I have TONS to say, but I’m not really sure that any of you would really be interested in hearing me talk about my dirty kitchen, the organic macaroni and cheese I fed my kids today that tasted like smelly gym socks or my indignant objection to this recently announced new policy.

Nope – I really don’t have a lot to say today. So instead, I’ll let you read a few of the posts that have made me laugh out loud in recent days. I gotta tell ya – there are some funny, talented people out there. One of them is BooMama. Just read this post and you’ll see what I mean.

Then there’s Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer. This post about her daughter’s imaginery friend cracked me up, especially given the fact that I’ve had to scold Sloan’s transient imaginary pal, Cody, on occasion for his blatent disregard for the rules of our home.

This is an older post by Dana, but every time I think about it, I giggle again.

Those are but a few of the things that have made me laugh in recent days. And what am I laughing about right now, you ask? Wait, what? You actually didn’t ask anything? Oh…well, do you want to know what’s making me laugh anyway? Oh good!

Sloan has a little buddy over this afternoon. “C” got off the bus with him and they’ve been having a good old time acting like macho little men, high fiving, calling each other dude and playing war. Right now, they’re on the swingset and since it’s a gorgeous day, I’ve got the windows open and I can hear them playing. A few snippets:

“Dude! You are, like, so awesome at swinging.”

“I know, dude.”

“Dude, let’s play pirate – I’ll be the bad guy.”

“Okay! I’m the scallywag.”

“What’s a scallywag?”

“I dunno. It’s like a dirty, piratey kind of dude.”

“Huh. Dude!”

So I’m off to put in the oh-so-macho Star Wars whilst the scallywags nosh on brownies and I attempt to figure out why on earth my house smells like cigarette smoke – I’m attributing it to the open windows, but you know – it’s still a little perplexing.

Happy Weekend!

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Random, Sloan

A Party in the Heavenlies

September 9, 2009 by Kelli

I don’t usually post twice in one day, and I certainly don’t have time to be doing this right now, but I can’t resist. Sloan accepted Jesus as his Savior today. And my heart is filled with all measure of joy.

When Sloan got off the school bus this morning, I could immediately tell we were in for a rough afternoon. He was just grouchy. And it took no time at all for him to end up in his room where he proceeded to throw a lovely little tantrum.

By the time lunch was over and the little kids were in bed, I was fried. I was completely done and fed up and I still had to discipline my very angry boy. After Sloan and I both calmed down, we sat to talk about his behavior. Sloan told me he was sorry and that he wished he would act better and he didn’t know why he did that.

“I know I shouldn’t yell and scream. Why do I do that?”

So we talked a little about sin and how our sin separates us from God. Then I explained to him that God gave us all forgiveness through his death on the cross, and when we acknowledge Jesus as our Savior and believe that He rose again and accepts us as we are, we can have eternal life.

We also talked about how we can pray and ask God to help us behave in a way that honors Him and in the way that we know is right.

After all this, Sloan asked me how he could ask Jesus into his heart, and he and I prayed together. And, I mean to tell you, the heavens themselves cracked open and splayed forth a song of praise within my heart.

I’ve prayed for a long time that my children would know God and that they would desire to grow in faith. I’ve also prayed that either Lee or I would be the ones to lead them to salvation. I wanted to be the one to rejoice with my child in that moment. I’m so grateful for this experience today.

Now, I realize that he’s only six and that there will be plenty more tantrums and discipline issues to come. I don’t expect him to fully understand this decision. But, I do believe that this is the start of his walk in his Christian faith. This is the moment when he grasped it with the faith of a child. As he matures, he will have to learn to make the faith that Lee and I impart to him his own.

But for now, I rejoice in the knowledge that my deepest longing for my child has come to fruition. It’s a beautiful moment.

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Life, Marriage, Ministry, Motherhood, Sloan

For the Love of Money – Part 2

September 9, 2009 by Kelli

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about our desire to better teach our children how to handle money. Last night we had the opportunity to reward Sloan for his patience and great attitude in working and saving his money.

For two weeks now, Sloan has done little chores around the house to earn extra dollars. He’s cleaned baseboards, taken out the trash, watered the flowers, cleaned the bathroom and a whole host of other household tasks.

Each time he got paid, he raced to his wallet and carefully counted out his earnings. The coveted toy cost $25.00, so he had to do quite a bit of work.

During this time, Sloan had a great attitude. He didn’t complain, he didn’t whine and beg for more money faster. He was brilliant. So Lee and I decided to help him out in his goal.

When he reached $20.00, we told him to take out three dollars and set it aside for savings. Then we had him give us two dollars to give to the church. We then gave him the last ten dollars he needed and we packed up last night and headed to the store where he got his beloved Star Wars doodad.

(He says it’s called a Nancho Fighter. I’m pretty sure that’s not right, but whatever it is, he’s very proud.)

Not to be left out, Tia has been saving money herself. Because she tends to, ahem, lose focus in just about any task she’s given, she didn’t earn quite the same amount as Sloan. But she did have ten dollars to spend, so after taking out a dollar for the church and two dollars for savings, we gave her enough to buy a princess jewelry set, of which she is equally proud.

This was a very fun way to help the kids learn money management. It also gave us a chance to teach them of God’s blessings on those who are good stewards of their finances. It was a good lesson for both kids and for Lee and I as well.

It was also good for my house as I now have clean baseboards for the first time in, well, a really long time. So, you know…Mama got a bonus too.

Filed Under: Kids, Motherhood, Sloan, Tia Tagged With: teaching kids to manage money

Three Ring Circus

September 8, 2009 by Kelli

I just ran downstairs after hearing my daughter screech, “MOOOOOOOMMMMMYYYYYY!” only to find her dangling from the top of the door jam in the basement.

How did she get up there? I couldn’t tell you. But however she managed to get up, she couldn’t figure out how to come back down. And there she dangled, like a wild little monkey, screaming for help.

So I’m taking her in today to sign her up for gymnastics. I’ve thought about it for awhile, but this solidified for me the need to channel her energy, bravery and athleticism in a more productive way.

Or I will most definately die young of heart failure…

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Sloan went to bed with a rash all over his legs last night. It was little red dots all up his legs. I assume he is having a reaction to something, though I can’t imagine what it would be.

This morning when he was getting dressed, I noticed the rash was still there. “I wonder what that’s from?” I said.

“It’s because I’m allergic to racoons,” Sloan replied.

“Really? How do you know?” I asked.

Sloan shrugged. “These are just things I know, mom. I’m just that smart.”

So, you know – he’s having an allergic reaction to racoons. Why didn’t I think of that?

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While driving down to Arkansas, Lee turned into man-driver extraordinaire. Normally Lee is a fairly calm man-driver. Like any self respecting male, he does like to get to his destination without the hassle of those pesky pit stops, but he handles the occasional need for a bathroom break with great aplomb, patiently pulling over and waiting.

Unless, of course, we decide at the last minute to leave at 5:30 pm for a five and a half hour drive. It is then, and only then, that Lee turns into man-driver extraordinaire. The stops are few and far between. He does not deny anyone a bathroom break, of course, but he actually clapped his hands this trip.

As in, “Okay Tia, you gotta go fast baby. Go, go, go!” clap, clap, clap.

It was a race against the clock and you know what? Lee beat the clock. He won. We made excellent time. All because we powered through and did not stop unless the need was dire.

What a man!

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At one of the (very short) stops we made there were a group of Army soldiers, all decked out in their fatigues. This fascinated Sloan and he immeditaely proclaimed, in that fantastically boisterous voice of his, “Mom, look! Army guys! Hey Army guys!”

One of the men turned and waved back at Sloan who then gave him two thumbs up and said, “Don’t worry – I’m being good.”

___________________________________________________________

Finally, as I type this post, Tia and Landon are in the other room tormenting each other. I hear them. I know it’s happening. But I’m ignoring it. The screams aren’t blood curdling…yet.

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On the way home from our trip yesterday, Lee and I were discussing our dreams for our family. Places we want to go, things we want to do with the kids, etc…And we realized that it’s going to go by fast. This phase really doesn’t last long.

So although I may feel like I am the ringmaster in the three ring circus, I’m trying not to rush this motherhood thing. Ten years will go by fast. And when it does, I will no longer have a chubby little baby, slobbering on my hair as he hangs on my neck while I try and do some work.

The house will be quiet all day long. It sounds glorious…but it also sounds a little boring.

And now I’m off because the volume has escalated. It sounds like they are beating each other.

Let the show begin!!!

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Motherhood, Sloan