Jack's Jobs

Late this past summer I decided it was time for Jack to take on some responsibility for his own care; after much pondering "Jack's Jobs" was created; he has a list of things to do on his Morning Jobs and another list on his Night Jobs. Here's a picture of his jobs for the morning.



All of Jack's jobs have, until recently, been done under the careful supervision of Mom or Dad. Now that Jack is quickly approaching 4 we decided that it was time for a little more responsibility. Thus began solo-job completion. Night jobs are still supervised as part of the bedtime routine; we decided that the solo-night jobs combined with the disappearance of the night-time pennies was too much change all at once. Plus Jack's not really big enough for unsupervised bathing yet. Morning jobs on the other hand are completely solo. I send Jack upstairs in the morning after breakfast with instructions to complete his jobs. It usually takes 30 minutes for them to be done completely but he's working and that's all that counts, right?! Of course in this I've had to let go of a few things -- the bathroom is a bit messier after he brushes his own teeth, the face towel isn't folded neatly on the counter after he washes his face and rarely is his bed made as neatly as I'd like, but he's doing it on his own! I don't want to discourage him so I don't make a big deal out of the things that aren't "just so" and this includes his choice of dress. Here's what he came down the stairs wearing this morning. (In case you can't quite tell what he's wearing a red/white Poland soccer jersey, brown plaid shorts, navy socks with a gray and hunter green stripe and navy velcro shoes) Don't you know it was hard for me to bite my tongue and to then congratulate him on a job well done!??!!

From the mouth (and mind) of Jack

I asked Jack this morning, "Hey Jack, what do you want to be when you grow-up?" His reply, with a heaping dose of "duh" was, "a grown-up." Then he walked off to go play swords with Sam.

Wandering Thoughts

I've brought you the product of my thoughts while on the date with Luke; now I'll bring you some thoughts I had today as I galavanted across Houston with my kiddos. There are only a few...

1. As I was pumping gasoline into the Green Monster (my expedition) in preparation for the trip, I studied my appearance in a close-by storefront window and tried to convince myself that surely the image I saw was distorted; I'm a hip, young mom after all. Ego slightly bruised I turned and noticed my reflection in the side of my car and continued to attempt convince myself that this time it was a combination of the curve of the car door and the amount of filth on it that distorted the image. That's when I wondered, "am I the perfect contestant for 'What Not to Wear'?" Seriously...is that Stacy what's-her-name woman lurking in the shadows waiting to toss all my clothes in the garbage bin as she mercilessly makes fun of my choices?! Then the epiphany hit. I triple-dog-dare that woman to trade places with me for a week. Bring all your cute clothes and sassy shoes, all the handbags and accessories, all the "product" and hair tools -- bring them to my house and do my job. Let's see how long that lasts. I'd like her to do my job, kids, house and all dressed her way. She'd have to worry about more than herself and focus on things like daily vitamin requirements for 4 people, proper social/physical/emotional/spiritual and intellectual growth for two people, budget minded living, and on and on and on. I wonder if she's go for it...and if she did I wonder, if at the end of the week, she'd have kept her style or if she'd look a little more like me...

2. I passed a van labeled "2M Office Supplies" and thought of this tagline for them, "2M Office Supplies. When you just don't care enough to pay for the extra M."

3. I took the kiddies to McD's today. I love all the posters for salads and apples. Cracks me up -- that and the ad I saw attempting to convince me that McD's s produce is better for me than the grocery store salad I could make myself. Plus the McD's salad comes with a side of French Fries.

That's all...I'm going to work on a more edifying post for next time.

A Night at the Movies

Last night Luke and I trekked to the Woods, The Woodlands to be exact to drop the boys off with Grandma so we could enjoy some much needed grown-up time. I love shopping in The Woodlands -- Market Street is awesome! So before heading to Benihana to satisfy the jonesin' I've been having we ventured to the mall. Blah, blah, blah...no one wants to hear these details. I just figured I should set the scene. At the end of the night I've come to a few conclusions that I think are share-worthy...and here they are...

1. You shouldn't be allowed to shop in stores geared to crowds younger than yourself...particularly if the store was FOUNDED after you were born. I passed American Eagle only to find a mid-50s aged woman checking out the clothes...for herself. In the window, one of the shirts she was considering said, "founded in nineteen eighty seven" My thought: yeah, you wish ma'am...more like nineteen fifty seven!' Ouch...that was tacky, but let's be real.

2. Certain Hollywood "stars" should be sentenced to jail sentences of considerable length for teaching little boys that wearing hoodies and sunglasses at night is cool...seriously they just look like tools. Also -- the "punk" look is NOT new...not at all. In fact it hasn't been that long ago since Flock of Seagulls wore hair that was SHOCKINGLY similar to some of the coifs I saw yesterday. Dude...it wasn't good then either!

3. Small children should not be taken to nice restaurants in the evening on typical date nights. I left my munchkins at home only to be seated at a table where the number of kids' meals outnumbered the adult entrees. Pissed was I?? Oh you can bet on it. (In case you were curious, these awesome parents then took the little ones to the movies -- at nine pm).

4. There is such a thing as too much Pink. I know some of you are shocked to find that sentence coming from me. I saw a lady pushing a VERY expensive stroller/car seat combo in a horridly tacky dark pink/light pink/black plaid. It was awful...seriously...I think it scarred my retinas.

5. People will buy anything as long as its labeled with a name brand. Take Williams-Sonoma for example. We stumbled upon some of their "Famous Texas Chili Starter" -- complete with advertisement of true Texas beer -- Lone Star beer to be exact. REALLY?? From what I remember from my college days, Lone Star Beer ranked up there with Natty Light in tastes horrible but is super cheap and therefore great for college kids category. WS couldn't splurge for Shiner? (I just realized that latest entry made me sound like a beer connoisseur -- totally untrue).

Overall -- a wonderful night -- good shopping, good food, decent movie, awesome conversation. Two thumbs up -- an evening worth the repeat, of course that's what I say every time we do this!!

A Hodge Podge

Too much info swirling around in my head so there is no way this post will have any sort of organization...at all...don't even look for it cuz it ain't there...seriously...not gonna happen. Prepared? Okay then let's go...

I love MckMama's blog -- partly because her kids are so stinkin' cute and partly because of her Not Me Monday posts. HILARIOUS. I always intend to post on Mondays but let's be real, does that sound like me? No of course not. I keep trying to tally up my Not Me's but it doesn't last so here are a couple...thought I'd post them before I forget them!
* I did NOT find my oldest child climbing up the inside of the his new tube slide only to encourage his brother to slide down the slide simultaneously with the intended purpose of knocking heads. And I certainly did NOT giggle at the prospect and then walk away. Also not involved in this was NOT seeing my 14-month-old son successfully climb up to the 6 foot tall platform to get to the slide...unassisted except for the occasional teeth grab. I certainly did NOT witness that happening and not stop it...
* I did NOT cave in to Sam's velociraptor screech this week and let him decide to wander the house au naturale and my angel child did not decide to watch in amazement as he peed ALL OVER the tile floor. And again, being the mother I am, I certainly did NOT giggle at the event.
* I did NOT allow my son to not change his underwear one morning because I hadn't done laundry. And even if I had done that I certainly wouldn't have taught him the phrase "It's clean enough" YIKES!!! (can't believe I put that one down...)
* And because my house is so immacutely clean I did not see my youngest child saunter over to the side of the room, pick up a furball and place it everso excitedly IN HIS MOUTH...and chew it...and try to swallow it...blech!

Okay that's enough Not Me's...maybe I'll actually participate in the Monday event. Eh, probably not. Thursday night is close enough though huh?

I have more but it will have to wait...dinner is ready and Jack is back from basketball practice.

I guess the post had a little organization after all...never can tell with me can you??

Still here...

For those that don't know...I tried to chop off my right index finger exactly 11 days ago. After being held captive by stitches, splint and massive bandage since then I have now officially said good-bye to the lobster claw and am itching to return to all those two-handed activities I've missed, including typing. Let the blogging commence to start!!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart

Have wanted to begin my gratitude list like the one I found here. To begin what might be, perhaps ought to be, a less than stellar day -- a list of a few things for which I am grateful

The tiny flap, flap, flap of baby feet on cool tile floor, carrying babe with new-found treasure

The whisper of crisp breeze as it tickles freshly laundered clothes and freshly laundered soul

Big belly guffaws of friends, old and new, as we "do life together"

Small, quiet voice calling "Mommy?" in early morning light -- complete with tousled hair

Warm nuzzle in strong neck before dreams take over -- safe, comfortable, familiar