Rules are good.

This morning as Grom and I were getting read for church, he came in and told me about a new rule he was making.

"Don't bomp girls on the bottom unless you know their names"

So that you don't think he came up with this out of no where...

Last week, Grom excitedly bomped (kinda a loving push) one of our high school girls at church. She was great about telling him that it wasn't ok to do such a thing. I reinforced her correction.

Fast forward to today...

I'm trying hard not to laugh, but also feel like his new rule needs some clarification, so I ask him if it would be okay to bomp his favorite Sunday School teacher on the bottom.

He thought for a moment.

"Don't bomp girls on the bottom unless you know their names and they're in your family"

Rules are good.

My kid cracks me up

Both Grom and I are dealing with allergies right now. Don't know what causes them but we both have runny noses and sore throats.

Before bedtime I was giving him a dose of benadryl for his runny nose when he said something about his sore throat. I should've known his throat was hurting, he's been running around the house sounding like an 80 year old man.

I told him to stay still and I'd be back with some tylenol (it really helps me).

When I got back he told me with all seriousness, "Allergies don't make throats sore"

Playing along I asked what did.

"Swallowing swords and knives"

That explains it!

A Construction Birthday Party

We celebrated Grom's 4th birthday by setting up a construction zone in the front yard and inviting a great crew of workers.

This year Grom wanted 3 year olds invited to his party. He likes to lead and has figured out that younger kids are generally better followers. Good thing his best buddy is 3. I subscribe to the "you can invite the number of kids you are old" guest list idea except that we add "plus one" because someone always seems to be unable to come and when you're little that can be devastating to the festivities. This year our party was an opportunity to invite some kids that we don't know so well.

Surferman was supposed to make another bean bag toss game. It just didn't happen.

I read the book "Trucks at Work"

We had a sandbox and diggers so the workers could dig for treasures from Grom's potty prize basket (one of my many attempts to bribe him to potty train that didn't work).

There was a string maze with a nut that each worker treaded along the route. When the got done they had to find a bolt that their nut fit onto.

Cupcakes (of course) stood in for the traditional birthday cake. I made them to look like rocks and stacked them up in a dump truck for presentation.

I didn't get many pictures. Our guests arrived early and I was a bit pushed from the start. It all worked out and was a very nice afternoon.

To Do... buy more bandaids

He must be growing. Clumsy. Running into things. Stepping off stools into space. I am constantly kissing boo boos, praying like crazy for God to heal ouchies, and going through my stockpile of bandaids.

Before you call CPS... today green marker made his finger hurt and he needed TWO bandaids to soothe.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Happy Birthday Grom!

...prepare for mom gushings...

photo by Thomas Hawk (Flickr)

You're FOUR! I thank God for His grace. I thank God for giving you to us.

You are amazing.

Never afraid to try out a new word - your vocabulary is surprising and sometimes hilarious.

Determined to the point of stubbornness - you want to be in control. You like to know what's going to happen. You're confident that your way is always the best. (not)

Always wanting to learn, always asking questions. You'd rather learn something than just be entertained. You want to know how it's made.

You know you have enough. You appreciate what you have. Trucks and trains are a few of your favorite things. Momo still holds a place in your heart and your bed.

You are the best dog ever. "Maui" is so fun to have around. You save my life on regular basis and can always find the way out of a dark cave. It's great the way you fetch things. Sometimes it's hard to transition back to boy when you should.

If peanut butter is involved you're all over it. If it's a vegetable... well they are all over the floor. (But don't think I'm giving up)

Irish music lulls you to sleep every night and you love Bible songs in the car, but the only songs you ever sing as silly songs you make up.

You are my ultimate helper boy. I love cooking with you - being your Sous Chef. You demand and wield a sharp knife with growing skill. Whether it's cooking, washing cars, pulling weeds, doing laundry... the list goes on and on... and you go on and on.

You are getting so tall, so fast, so tough. But prayer is as good for owies as band aids.

I'm sure there is more, but you've worn me out today. Tomorrow promises more fun.

I love you Grom!

My kid cracks me up

Yesterday Grom came running in with this box the UPS man gave him.


Very excited he gives it to me and says, "I think it's a puppy".

Thar she blows!

We were blessed with a free trip to watch the whales as they migrate back up the coast to Alaska. It took a while to find them, but once found the whales did not disappoint. They were very active. I understand these were Gray Whales

It was a small pod. 2 Adults and an infant. Quite amazing.  I kept thinking about our great big God who created these things - that aren't fish - in an ocean full of fish.  I couldn't help but think of Jonah and how silly he was for trying to run away from God's plan.  I thought about how silly I can be. 

This was Grom's first time on a boat. The weather was great - sunny and just a little windy. He had a great time - running all over the place and eating the snacks. 

Just as the whales showed themselves, he started feeling a little urpy.  It's amazing how fast a person moves when sitting below a 3 year old who says he thinks he's going to throw up.  I missed a lot of the whale's show holding a limp and green little boy.  There was no place I'd rather have been.

 

Grom's had a cold the past few days.  I asked him today how he was feeling and he said, "A lot better than on the boat".  

Waiting for the Peloton

The Tour of California is racing in front of my house today. I'm waiting for the Peleton (don't I sound smart?), the big group of riders.  The weather is ugly today.  I feel bad for the guys as they ride over 100 miles in such crummy weather.  

I'm not a bike rider, but this race makes me so happy.  It's the third year it has coursed right by our house.  Last year Grom napped through it.  This year he's waiting eagerly for the bikes.  We're watching the live coverage on the computer and looking at the familiar landscape trying to figure out exactly where they are.  Grom keeps looking out the window and then at the computer and saying, "The bikes are almost here" - for the last hour plus.  

So while we sit and wait - we had some fun with letters.

To make your own letter collage, check out this fun website.  About half way down there is a link that says "entry form" where you can make your own words.

Edited to add...

The bikes finally showed up.  I tried to video the Peleton to share on my blog, but it didn't translate well.  My joy is missing from the footage.  It makes me smile to see them.  Can't explain it.  It's just so cool to see them pass the house.

My kid cracks me up.

Driving home...

Grom: (sudden uproarious laughter)

Mom: What?

Grom: We can take pretend donut holes in the shower.

Mom:  What?

Grom:  Isn't that silly?

Mom:  No, that's odd.

Grom:  No, brilliant.

GeMoOrgNo - Kids Clothes

GeMoOrgNo (Get More Organized Now) was a challenge I participated in last November. I blogged about something organized everyday. It was a great challenge and I had a lot of fun. I have more ideas that I want to share.

Grom sometimes wants to dress himself. I set up this closet organizer (under $10 at Ikea) with clothes for a day. Each cubby has everything he needs - bottoms, top, tighty whiteys, socks. All Grom has to find is shoes. Rain Boots or Crocs go with anything right?

The top cubby holds "Dirty Boy Clothes" or play clothes. Grom thinks it's going to be a great day when I let him wear clothes from this bin. He's probably right. Both he and Surferman have "Dirty Boy Clothes" and something dirty always happens in them.

Don't laugh at my art work. I needed a way for Grom to see if the cubby holds shorts or long pants.


When laundry is done, I reload the cubbies. It's been helpful for Surferman too. Before I thought Grom should have a hat that read "My Daddy dressed me".

(Need Something to) Work for Me - Help with Potty Training Frustration

Just after Grom turned 3 last July, he decided he was ready to be potty trained.

He has been pretty good about using the potty.  

YET... he still has at least one accident a day.  Usually pee.  He has a fantastic ability to hold it and will sometimes pee just enough to make a wet spot on his pants.  You'd think this would send him running for a bathroom.  It doesn't.  He'll keep playing until I see the wet spot on his pants and make him go to the bathroom.

Lately he has also been doing #2 in his pants.  He thinks it's funny.  You might think I'm a terrible mom for this, but I started taking him out to the garage and cleaning him up in the deep sink with cold water.  I wanted him to realize that poop in your pants is not fun and that there were some consequences.  While he doesn't like the cold water, it doesn't seem to be a deterrent either.

HELP!  I'm open to any and all ideas.  When I asked Grom what he would do if his little boy kept having accidents, he said he'd give him a spanking.  Cold water maybe, but spanking?  Where did he get that idea?  As many times as I say, "I love doing laundry", it's not true and probably never will be.  

Christmas 2007 - The Debriefing

Merry Christmas! Here's the good, the bad and the ugly of our Christmas 2007. Also my plans to improve next year. No particular order.


GOOD! - Gingerbread House kit from Costco. Inexpensive. Everything is included. Box lid forms the base for the house so it's easy to assemble. Grom, Surferman and I had a great time decorating it. Grom and Surferman had fun snatching candy off the house thinking Mom didn't know what was going on. And the candy doesn't tempt me (much).

Next year - no changes.

BAD! - No Christmas Card. I blame my computer switch around Thanksgiving, but truth be told I don't think I've ever had a Christmas card go out on time. One year I sent 3 years worth of letters at once. I manage to get the letters done, but not sent.

Next year - Order Christmas card by October 15th. Mail at Thanksgiving.


GREAT! - Grom and I made and decorated sugar cookies.
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies and Sugar Cookie Icing were foolproof and delicious. These were the best sugar cookies I've ever made. Mixing the dough was fun. Rolling was challenging as Grom wanted to help more than I wanted him to. I rolled and baked the dough on parchment paper. The parchment paper made it easier and faster. When the cookies came out of the oven I slid the paper off the cookie sheet and onto the counter to cool. We made stars, hearts, Jesus stars, Christmas trees and BIG hearts. Icing and decorating the cookies was a lot of fun and went better than I expected. After my frustration with rolling the cookies, I decided I needed more control over the decorating if I was going to keep my hair. We did the cookies by type and kept the decorations simple. All of the Christmas trees were green with multicolored dot sprinkles. All of the stars were white with multicolored sugar sprinkles. Etc. The big hearts we glazed white and after they were dried I used a food marker to write "Happy Birthday Jesus" on them.

Next year - Roll and cut one sheet of cookies with Grom right before naptime (I realize I'm dreaming that a 4 1/2 year old will still be napping, but a girl can dream right?). Do the rest of the cookies while he's occupied.


BAD! - Advent Calendar from Trader Joe's. The calendar wasn't bad. I was just out of my mind when we started it. I had the brilliant idea to start the calendar with the highest number and move down (as a sort of countdown). But if you forget (and how Grom forgot to get me to give him chocolate is beyond me), you have to try to figure out how many doors you have to open to catch up and it's all backwards. If you're confused reading this, I'm sure you'll understand the confusion. The best part of being forgetful with the advent calendar is that we had a couple of days where Grom was able to share candy around the house. The joy we experienced with him sharing made it all good.

Next year - I plan to do a Jesse Tree and use that to countdown the days until Jesus' Birthday. My friend Stacey is going to organize an ornament exchange, so we should have beautiful, wonderful ornaments to display. I'm going to look for a little tree when I shop Target tomorrow morning.

OK! - We went to Christmas Eve service at my parent's church. It was a very nice service, but it wasn't our church and I missed my "family".

Next year - I hope to be able to attend service at our church.

GREAT! - For family Christmas gifts, Surferman and I agreed on 3 gifts each. One to wear. One to consume. One for fun. We budgeted and did very well at using only money we had set aside. Surferman turned all the change in his mug into a Starbucks card for me. Lattes are on me for quite a while.

Next year - No changes except to shop more throughout the year.

GOOD! - Our family tradition for stockings is that we each buy 2 items for everyones stocking. Grom and Gigi buy one item. Our stocking are great fun. We had some last minute racing around.

Next year - Collect stocking stuffers throughout the year. When I'm out somewhere and see something that would be great for brother-in-law I'm going to buy it.


BAD! - We never made it out to look at Christmas lights.

Next year - Set a date early and make a night of it.

GREAT! - I made some more cloth gift bags. I bought the fabric on sale last year. I didn't wrap a single present in paper! All reusable.

Next year - I have quite a stash. I think I can get away without making anymore next year.

BAD! - No caroling. No visiting neighbors.

Next year - Make cookies earlier and take them to our neighbors with invitations to Christmas Eve Service. Not sure what to do about the caroling, but maybe friends with kids would like to go early one evening. Caroling with church was a little late for us.


GREAT! - Grom and I rang a bell for the Salvation Army with a friend and her boy (Grom's buddy). We did it right after Thanksgiving. It helped jump start my Christmas spirit and also set us out helping others rather than focusing on yourself. Plus, after whenever we saw someone ringing bells and collecting money for the Salvation Army afterward, Grom and I had a memory to share and another opportunity to talk about helping others. I don't think I've given so much change ever to the Salvation Army. In our community, the Salvation Army is the first stop for people in need.

Next year - I want to encourage my friends with kids to take some time and ring a bell. I'm also going to encourage the volunteer who schedules ringers to consider one hour shifts for moms and kids.


GREAT! - I didn't know how Santa was going to play out in our house. I knew I didn't want Grom thinking Santa was a real person who was going to bring him presents, but I also didn't want to kill Santa either. We let him be a fun thing that is a part of celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Grom had a couple of funny conversations with Mimi (my paternal grandmother). She asked him if he had made his Christmas list for Santa yet and he asked why - like why would Santa bring him anything. And then today, she asked him if Santa had been here and he said, "No, but he's coming to town".

Grom and I have had some great conversations about Jesus during this season. His questions make me think, make me appreciate all that Jesus did for me, make me appreciate my God who would humble himself and come to the world as a helpless baby just for me (and you too!).

Next year - I want to read more stories with Grom about Christmas and look into some of the ways Christians celebrate Christmas in other parts of the world.

I'm sure there could be more...

A Mostly Normal Morning or Why I Should be Crazy.

Let me tell you about today.

6:45 a.m. - Surferman tells me to get out of bed.  He's on his way out the door to usher at church.  He knows I need to get moving to get what I need to do done.  I roll to his now cool side of the bed.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:05 a.m. - I look at the clock and think I really should get out of bed.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:10 a.m. - I look at the clock and think I really, really should get out of bed.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:12 a.m. - Bathroom stop.  Kitchen stop.  Ugh!  Surferman didn't have time to make coffee before he left.

7:13 a.m. - Opened Grom's bedroom door to find him sitting on his bed.  He looks at me seriously and says he's not ready for talking.  Then he turns away from me, fold his hands and begins to pray for his "baby" monkey  and then for himself.  He prayed that he would have patience today, that things would go smoothly and we would be blessed by a good day.  Mop my melted heart up off the floor.  I want to be out of the house by 8 a.m.

7:15 a.m. - Grom goes to the bathroom.  I dig through a laundry basket for clean pants for him and gather up his clothes.  After much pushing of the belly button "button" and several "battery" changes - he is finally dressed.  I only get cross 23 times and threaten a spanking once.

7:20 a.m. - Sippy cup of warm milk (Grom is particular and coddled) prepared.  Vitamins placed on the floor so Grom the dog can eat his "treats".  He goes down to my parents apartment to watch some Little Einsteins before church. 

7:23 a.m. - More bathroom time.  Still no coffee.

7:28 a.m. - Get me dressed.  I didn't have to dig through any baskets of clothes.  VICTORY!

7:31 a.m. - Wake up Gigi.  Help her get her support hose on.  Find a Christmas outfit for her to wear to church with my parents.  

7:35 a.m. - Remember I have things to prep for Sunday School.  I stopped teaching Sunday School and now I remember why - the Sunday morning making a big "Jesus Star" to attach to a pool noodle for the kids to follow around the room.  No one has had breakfast yet, but I got the star made and found the necessary baby oil for the craft project.  Aluminum foil is my friend.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:45 a.m. - Gather stuff up that needs to go to church.  Purse - check.  Big Jesus Star - check.  Laptop computer (I work at church and if I don't take it, I'll need it) - check.  Baby oil - check.  Sweater - check.

7:55 a.m. - Get to my parents room just before Little Einsteins is ending.  Grom gets 2 minute warning.  I want to leave the house by 8 a.m.

7:56 a.m. - Put together a tray for Gigi's breakfast.  At least someone around here is eating breakfast.

7:58 a.m. - Grom walks into the house.  Fight (I won) with him about using the potty before we leave.  Find him a jacket and Momo.  Belt Grom (into his car seat) and bring purse, baby oil, computer bag and Big Jesus Star out to car.  I want to leave the house by 8 a.m.

8:00 a.m. - Pat knees and prepare to blast off as I pull out of the driveway.

8:01 a.m. - Realize that I don't have Grom's bag with change of clothes in case of an accident.  Realize I never had a cup of coffee.  Realize Grom and I didn't get breakfast.

8:02 a.m. - Tell Grom he can't have an accident today.  He tells me we'd better turn around and go get his bag.

8:10 a.m. - Pull into Albertson's.  Bagels for everyone and a VENTI 1/2 caff, upside down, extra Hot Carmel Machiato for me.

Good thing that church doesn't start until 9:30 a.m.

Hopsital

We have a large leather recliner that has become Dr. Grom's hopsital bed. (That's not a spelling error. It's the too cute way that Grom says hospital).

Lately he plays hopsital anytime he can find a willing patient.

Here are some things you need to know about being a willing patient...
1) You must moan and groan and act really sick.
2) Ask Dr Grom if he can help you.
3) Be willing to be reclined so far in a recliner that you feel like you'll slip off head first.
4) Quickly come up with a physical ailment that can be quickly cured with lots of shots.
5) Act very very brave when after your physical examination, Dr Grom pronounces you need shots to be cured. Bonus points for whimpering.
6) Suggest diagnostic procedures that Dr. Grom might have missed - don't let him forget to take you blood pressure.
7) Don't flinch when the "doctor" tools get combined with the "construction" tools and Dr Grom decides he has to saw off you foot because you need a transplant.
8) Make a speedy recovery when Dr Grom takes your temperature and it reads a happy face.
9) Ask how much you owe him just to hear him say, "It's free! I'm a humanitarian Doctor"