Thumper's Motto

We had a difficult week being kind to one another. Luke has become a scrappy little fighter. He can kick, pull hair, hit, push, and bite. He can also issue commands, like "COME!" or "SIT!" He's pretty good at flouting parental will. And he's discovered that he can make a run for it when mom says "Time Out". Isabella can do all these things plus cry her eyes out. Honestly, she usually deserves it. Still this week has been pure misery for everyone. And to be honest, I was no saint either. Thank goodness for Fresh Start Mondays. Anyhow, by the weekend I was exhausted and really couldn't lift a finger to breakup this fight.

They were laughing, a little. So I took a few pictures for a change-up. It was something to smile about, until Willy flushed the toilet and took away the swords. He gave me a dirty look too. It said, "Aren't you an adult? Don't you know better than to let children hit each other with ladles? You're their mother for crying out loud."

ummm, I should confess that Willy wasn't actually mean to me about this last detour in good parenting. He didn't by word, or look, or deed make me feel like a bad person. I'd like to believe I wouldn't put up that sort of treatment, but saying so is unnecessary because he'd would never stoop so low. And my point is: I take a lot of liberties with the truth when it comes to this Blog. Really, I do. 'Actually' the word is hyperbole. Everyday, my children are angels, Willy is infallible, and I never have a harsh word for anyone. We're perfect. No need to contact CAS, honest.

Sunday Best

Last week I looked at my children and I thought... wow, these are beautiful people. So I took a picture. The jokester in me wants to take all the credit. But half of their genetic makeup does come from Willy, and he's got spectacular DNA. Plus, they are themselves. I just did the hard part.
Do you like that Elvis lip quiver? Luke's been doing that thang since birth. And Isabella is "actually" smiling in this photo. Actually is her word du moment, she uses it to start every sentence. Like the hard work I mentioned earlier, I just grin and bear it.

Pop Quiz

1. Why did Luke carry the stroller into the kitchen? (50pts)
2. What sneaky thing is that sly little boy up to? (100pts)
3. What level of fit did he have when mom collapsed the stroller? (50pts)

You can't guess? Well don't worry. It doesn't matter anymore because I caught him before he could reposition the stroller and bring into effect his diabolical plan.

First Offerings

Technically it's not spring and officially they're not for me... but here is the bucolic gift Isabella brought home to make things beautifuller around here.

Pater est Happi

It came in the mail. Willy got Wheelock's! Now all the world can rejoice! Rejoice!

Really? You think that answer deserves a chocolate chip?

Pop Quiz:
100 points if you can you guess what Isabella is thinking in the picture above?

In an attempt to converse with my children at dinner time, I've started to ask them, "What was your favourite thing about today?" I usually offer a chocolate chip at the same time, and they never refuse. I don't ask everyday, but I'm especially good at remembering when I've made a strong push to pay attention to them. The first time Isabella said, "my favourite thing was when you played Polly Pocket with me". Oh, how sweet. Right? I thought so too. Sigh. Now, she grabs her bribe and says emphatically, "my favourite thing was watching TV."
To which my silent reply is... No More TV!

Explain to me again, why you did that?

I dropped my chap stick on the floor. Or it fell out of the medicine cabinet one morning. My good chap stick, it was The Burtz Bee’s wax I like so much. I thought ‘you should pick it up before someone finds it. Put it away. Keep it safe.' Hours later it hadn’t changed positions on the floor in the bathroom and I stopped long enough to wonder how it got there. Really, who leaves chap stick, the good stuff, on the floor near the toilet? Yuck! By the evening it was still there. I was filling the tub for bath time and my parting thought was, 'maybe they won’t touch it.'

Luke finished his bath first. He’s always done first, whether he’s washed or not. “I done” he declares and hops himself over the rim. After his bath he likes a good run before his powdering, diapering, and clothing. I usually oblige him.

When I checked on Bug, minutes later, the bathroom had a clinical minty flavour. With the precision of a bomb technician she had disassembled my Burt’s Beezwax. There it lay all in pieces at the bottom of the tub. Now, days later, there are still insidious wax smears mucking up my tub! I can’t get it clean. Not without using Magic Bubbles, which I’m sure is killing the earth one application at a time. Is it really possible to save the world by picking chap stick off the floor the first time we think of it?

Behold The Genius that is my Daughter