Spring Break 2012

This last week was our boys spring break. This year we did things a bit differently. Usually we put them in a day camp at Steven's school. But, Shawn is getting too old for that and begged us to not make him do it this year. So, we considered the options and discussed it with the grandparents- as Scotty and I still had to work- and made a plan. I was slightly worried the boys would be bored but they were anything but!

On Monday and Tuesday the boys went to work with Scott. How amazing is it that his work will let him do this?! The boys came home each day absolutely exhausted. They "helped" Scott build his workshop/office, pulled a Army Ranger out of a ditch, rode around in the golf cart, and basically had a blast. The rest of the week was spent between my spending time with my Mom and Shawn spent the night at a friends house. Their spring break consisted of a trip to Skateland, seeing The Lorax, a nerf gun battle, naps, tons of time on the trampoline and outside, baking, watching movies at home, and lots and lots of laughs.

Its always been very important to me that the boys are close. Now that they are getting older and having friends of their own I worry that might separate them a bit. But this week when Shawn was at his friends I realized how much Steven missed him. When Shawn got home the boys didnt leave each others sides for the rest of the day. They didnt even fight (until the next morning). 

Lesson Learned: Always Keep a few $1's Around the House

Once again, I have solidified my position as Mother- of- the Year! Just kidding. Obviously.

For weeks now Shawn’s front top tooth has been loose. This kid doesn't play with loose teeth. Please tell me who doesn’t? How does he just leave it alone?! I can’t stand it! But I’m also the person who would rather pop a stranger’s zit then stare at its giant white head. Gross, I know. 

So, I resulted to bribing. “If you let me pull it out Ill double whatever the tooth fairy leaves you!” He wasn’t having it. “It will come out when it’s ready Mom!” Ugh. What does a mother do? Ya, I fed him apples, had him floss twice a day, and bugged the crap out of him about it. Finally, on Sunday night, the most blissful sound of that tooth popping out of his mouth fell upon our house. “It’s out!” YES! I can finally breathe!!! …I realize I may be a touch OCD about this. 

Shawn ran to the bathroom to check out his gaped smile and on the way, dropped the tooth. I have beige carpet and tile. We were all on our hands and knees searching for this tiny little tooth. Finally, Scott and his hunting trained eyes found the tooth. I told Shawn to go put it in his tooth fairy pillow so it didn’t get lost again. Only one little problem, he dropped it again, this time in his bedroom. The room that I beg him to clean up daily. The room with a pile of clothes and blankets in the corner. Loose papers on the floor. All the little items that make up a boy’s life, tossed around, or as he would say, “safely placed” you know, so he doesn’t lose it. 

We searched for about 45 minutes. Shawn started to look upset and when I asked why he said he didn’t think the Tooth Fairy would come if he couldn’t find his tooth. I assured him she probably would. I explained that she probably got a text message as soon as a kid lost a tooth. With that we got the boys in bed and the words Scott had whispered to me earlier when the tooth came out popped back in my head. “I don’t have any ones! I hope you do!” Sure I do, right? Wrong. Only a $20 and I refuse to give the kid a $20 for a tooth I had begged him to pull out for weeks. Scott and I agreed long ago that $5 for the first and ONLY $1 for each tooth after that. It is a tooth. Not a gold or platinum tooth. But a tooth. Something that would go in the garbage. My freak of a Mother saved all of mine and my brothers teeth in her jewelry box, I realize some of you may also do this. To I must ask, why?! She finally tossed them all a few months ago after I explained I did not want them when she was dead. I would not hold on to them and remember the fond times we had in my youth. 

But I knew I had seen singles lying around somewhere. You know, because that’s how rich we are. We have money just lying around the house and we use it to wipe our asses and clean our toilets. It was late, I was tired and then I remembered- it was on Shawn’s desk. He wouldn't know, would he? Would he notice the dollar bill missing in the morning before he left for school? That would buy me some time to get to the store and break my $20 before I was to pick him up from school. Yep, that’s what I would do. 

So, I painstakingly rolled up the dollar bill and tied it off with a piece of dental floss. All the while thinking how happy I am that I made that a tradition in our house and pleased with my problem solving so I didn’t have to head out of the house so late.

Monday morning I heard Shawn, “Daddo! The tooth fairy came! I got a dollar!” Score one for Mommy. I got myself up and moving and headed into Shawn’s room. He wasn’t as happy as I thought he would be. “Good morning buddy! How did you sleep?” “Good.” Uh, oh.,..I knew the jig was up. “What’s wrong?” “Well, the tooth fairy came but she only gave me my own dollar.” 

Crap.

I suck.

“How do you know it was your dollar?” He looked at me like I was kind of crazy, “It was a dollar I had on my dresser. It has a small mark on it, by the 1, in the top right corner.”

Double crap. 

Is he marking his bills?! Who knows this stuff about a dollar bill?!!!

Thinking fast I said, “Well, maybe she couldn’t find your tooth either but wanted to let you know she was here.” He seemed satisfied with that explanation and finished up his morning routine and headed off to school with his little toothless grin. During the day I tried to think of ways to make up for me failure. Finally I decided I would explain to Shawn that the tooth fairy emailed me during the day. She had told me that she couldn’t find the tooth in his messy room and wanted to make sure he actually lost it and that the text message wasn’t sent in error. Once I confirmed to her that the tooth was in fact no longer attached to his mouth, she would be by for the appropriate reimbursement. 

When I picked Shawn up from school and explained all this he seemed so happy, “That makes sense. I did keep the tooth for a long time. She probably didn’t think it would ever come out like you didn’t.” Then he added, “Today at school my teacher asked me how I was. I told her good because my tooth was out and my Mom would quit bugging me about it!” 

Last night when Shawn was fast asleep the “Tooth Fairy” and all her guilt came into his room, kissed his forehead, and tucked $2 into his tooth pillow. This morning I was greeted with a huge smile, well worth the extra dollar. 

2nd Lost Tooth

Finally! I have never met a kid in my life who didnt play with their loose teeth to get them out sooner! Shawn lets those puppies sit there until I cant stand it anymore! He has two more that are pretty loose so we will see how long it takes to coax those bad boys out! 

A Week

It’s been a week. Not a good week. Not a bad week. Just a week. My mid-term is next week and Im holding steady with a solid A in my class (100%). I got to visit with my very good friend and her beautiful baby for a little bit. My mop broke. How much to do you have to use a mop for it to break? The boys have had a good week at school. Today they are both celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday in their classes. We never did that as kids! I love that they get to. I finally colored my hair. I was about a month past due and girl, my silver and roots showed it! Got the garden ready for spring. We planted jalepenos, corn, squash, tomatoes, green beans, zucchini and mild chilies. Plus a bunch of flowers.

With spring around the corner (I technically say it’s here) we started talking to the boys about what sport they wanted to be involved in since they both expressed that they didn’t want to do baseball this year. I hadn’t heard anything from them until last night- they want to go back into swim. So, I will get them signed up for that. The great thing about swim is that they can start and stop at anytime.

These are actually my favorite kinds of weeks. Nothing crazy. Just calm and normal. Time to breathe and enjoy the world around me. 

Throwback Thursday

Once a Grandad's girl...always a Grandad's girl 

Trip to the Zoo

While the girls were here, and the weather was perfect, we decided to take a trip to the zoo. We had so much fun. Everyone loved Sting Ray Bay! 

On 3 separate occasions, strangers commented on "my children". 

I guess they could all pass as mine. Maybe? 

 Gosh, I love them. 

Everyone's second favorite spot...Monkey Village

Why does he feel the need to look so grown up lately?

My little speed-of-light monkey- couldnt even slow down for a picture. 

Dear Boys

Dear Boys,

Its early in the morning, you both just left for school, and Im sitting at my desk waiting for my work day to start. I usually take this time to clear my head, pay bills, or catch up on emails or homework. Daddo and I have known for at least a year now that when Steven finishes school this year we would move you both to a school closer to home. WE CANNOT WAIT. As it is now you leave the house at about 6AM and you don’t get home until 5PM. That’s a long day. That’s long for most adults. By the time you get home, do your homework, eat dinner, and take a bath it’s just about time for bed. I hate it. Not to mention we pay a TON of money for you both to go to your schools. But, with all of that said, it was our choice to send you to your schools. We knew exactly what we were getting into and we don’t have a single regret about our decisions in choosing your schools. You are both doing really well in school and you are making us very proud.

Recently with me being back in school and the parent visitors you have both had at school lately, you have both been talking a lot about what you want to be when you grow up. Something’s don’t surprise us. Like the fact that you both want to have 3-4 careers each. Or that Shawn wants to still be a street cleaner and Steven wants to be a Daddy. Both of those have been stated since you were old enough to express such interests. But lately Shawnie has expressed a serious interest in being an astronaut. The way your mind works, I could see it. You are very analytical. You want to know how everything works. You excel in math, science, and are a phenomenal reader. Your teacher recently contacted us and asked if you could be tested for the accelerated learning program for next year. I agreed to the testing but I don’t know if I will let you do it or not. I want to make sure you have a smooth transition to your new school. So, we will see. Maybe you can be a street cleaner on the moon or Mars! Who knows, by the time you’re an adult we may be living in those places! Steven, you are my dreamer. You are far more concerned with how people are doing and making them laugh, then to care about how anything works. You are a social butterfly. When I pick you up from school you make the rounds to everyone saying good-bye, giving hugs, and making sure everyone had a good day. You have your best friends…all 12 of them…and you are constantly hanging out with them but you are always inviting new friends at school into your group to play with all of you. You hate for anyone to be left out. Shawn, in contrast, has a best friend, several good friends, but one best friend. Last week Shawn had a new boy in his class and I was so proud to get a note home from the teacher saying that Shawn was extra kind to the new boy, introducing him to everyone, and making sure to call the kid to come sit with Shawn and his best friend at lunch. I am very proud that both of you are so kind to people.

I don’t know what career path you both will choose. What I do know is that I absolutely love the stages of life you are both in. I am having the most fun as a Mom right now. We spend as much time as we can together, doing any and every thing. I’m very proud that we all work together as a team. Yard work, home repairs, and now even homework and studying- we all do it together. We are a team. One of our favorite past times has become day dreaming about future vacations. We talk about what we will do in San Diego, Boston, and England. Last night as Shawn and I were in the bathroom brushing our teeth and looked over at me and said, “Have you ever been to Paris?” To which I answered, “No, but I would love to go.” My sweet boy replied, “Let’s go this weekend!” You trailed off talking about who we would bring with and what we would be sure to eat and see.

This last weekend two of your friends came and spent the entire weekend at our house with us. It was very interesting having 2 more girls (sisters) in the house. I got to paint nails, braid and curl hair, and wash cute girly clothes. You boys are both very close to K and A and you tell people all the time that they are your cousins. And this weekend, that relationship was blaringly clear. What a blessing. Of course the younger two (Steven and A) spent most of the weekend trying to irritate Shawn and K. Daddo and I spent a lot of time being referee’s. When Scott left to take all the kids to school Monday I think I heard the house sigh. Ha ha! It seems so quiet here! The cat, dogs, and chickens are exhausted from being chased around!!

You both growing like weeds. The other day Steven walked down the hall, dressed for school, and like he was waiting for a flood. I couldn’t help but laugh. Pants that we bought you just a few short months ago (you got them at Christmas) now don’t even come close to fitting you! It reminds me of the early baby days when you outgrew clothes every few weeks, sometimes only getting to wear an outfit once. The day after Steven’s high waters, Shawn came into the kitchen, wearing what looked like skinny jean capris. I was shocked, thinking he grew that much over night, until I looked at the tag and realized he had accidently put on Steven’s jeans! You both learned to double check your tags before putting your laundry away that day.

Boys, I love you. I live to hear your laughter, feel your hugs, smell the tops of your heads. I love your sweet kisses from your messy faces. I love to hear you play together and I love to see you sleep peacefully. You are the common denominator to every decision I make. I love you.

Love,
Mommy  xoxoxo

iPhone Dump

I should really do this more often.....Anyhoodle...

Shawn's letter from his Pen Pal in Washington who happens to be the child of one of my blogging buddies! Love that they are writing each other now. So much fun! 

Steven actually took this one of Shawn...pretty good if I do say so myself! 

From my seat at Wicked. Probably could have included it in that post...ha! Oh well! 

Seriously, how adorable is he?! 

My little buddy! This is my friends daughter- she is such a ham! <3 her! 

Morning snuggles with my little Monkey..another picture by him. 

After The Barbie Awards at church...long story short- we divide the kids up into groups and give them 3 random props. They are supposed to make a short movie, 5-10 mins, using those props. Then we watch them all together and they are judged on acting, editing, special effects, and use of the props- and given gold spray painted Barbies (think - Oscars). It is a blast! This is a close up of my fake eyelashes, taken so I could send to my mother. 

Me after the awards...Id taken most of my jewelry off when I realized I hadnt showed my Mom! Oops! 

WICKED!

Last Thursday a group of girlfriends and I went and saw Wicked at ASU Gammage...it was nothing short of amazing! Ive always been a Wizard of Oz fan and the Wicked story made me love the whole story even more. Such a well put together show with phenomenal singing and acting! A week later and Im still Youtubing the songs so I can hear them again. I guess I should have bought the CD. : ) 

Love these goofballs....