Ryan's Future Spouse May Thank Me

Duane and I have gotten rather fed up with the amount of backtalk coming from Wesley these days and the number of times Ryan will answer "In a minute, I just need to ____" or "Can I just do _____ first" when we tell them to do something.  It's gotten to the point that in a fit of anger I yelled something along the lines of "From now on the only thing I want to hear when I tell you to do something is 'Yes, Mom.'  No backtalk, no sass, no stalling. Just 'Yes, Mom."

Now I'm sure this was not the most strategic parenting move I could have made, but one child seems to have taken it to heart. That would be Ryan. For the past several days whenever I ask/tell him to do something he answers, "Yes, Mom," and does it. It's kind of freaky. And the way he says it sounds an awful lot like "Yes, dear." 

On Sunday night Ryan had just finished a "Yes, Mom" task when he turned to me and said, "I don't know about this whole 'Yes, Mom' thing. It's kind of weird."

"It may feel weird," I told him, "but it has kept you out of trouble for quite a few days now."

Ryan thought on that for a moment, then must have realized he would be spending the next several days with his grandparents. "What am I supposed to say tomorrow?" he asked.

"Just say 'Yes, Grandma," I told him.

It so nice to have at least one child who is aiming to please these days.

Christmas Day Recap

When we last left the blog, Wesley was questioning the existence of Mr. Claus and the magic of Christmas.  I am happy to report that Wesley went back to bed and was quite happy Christmas morning. There was no talk of Santa not being real and when we saw all the stockings full and strategically placed around the room, he cried out, "Wow! Santa is more organized than I thought!"

Ryan was up first in our house, followed quickly by the skeptic.  They were pretty content to go through the stocking Santa filled for the pets until Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan arrived to have breakfast and Christmas morning with us. Well, Wesley did put his skates back on at 7:20 AM and started skating around the driveway, but that's a whole other story.

Waiting patiently to open stockings - notice the skates

Happy boys and dog

Our dear friend Cheryl made Duane a blanket that is his three favorite "B" words - Buckeyes, Blue Jackets and Browns

Hanging with Uncle Kirk

Love getting books for Christmas

The boys got snow scooters for Christmas. Hopefully we'll actually get some snow this winter.

Ryan's cozy blanket from Aunt Cheryl

Wesley in his shark blanket

 After the presents were unwrapped, the stockings were empty, and the bellies were full of Christmas breakfast, the guys and I got ready to head to Grandma W.'s house. As an extra special Christmas treat, Kirk and Susan stayed at our house for the late morning and early afternoon so Lucy wouldn't have to go in her kennel. They relaxed and Lucy got to spend time with some of her favorite people.

One of Susan's pictures of Lucy during the day

We had a lovely afternoon at Grandma W.'s house - as always. Lots of good food and lots of family. My favorite moment was when Duane's older brother, Doug, called me "Mrs. Little Brother."  I don't know why but that kind of made my day.  It's been 11 years and I'm still giddy about the fact that I am married to Duane.

Ryan spent a lot of time loving on Bella again

Wesley with his sharpies and sketch book

Selfie with my oldest boy

Happily working on a Star Wars Lego set

The completed project. When he finished it he told me that he wants to see the new Star Wars movie! I haven't failed as a mother after all! He and I will have a mother/son date night this week.

Then we piled back into the car and headed off to Grandpa and Grandpa P.'s house for the final Christmas celebration. Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan brought Lucy with them to celebrate with that branch of the family.

Lucy in Kirk's car, ready to go!

White elephant gift fun

'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Wesley, Lucy and Grandma and Grandpa P.

We headed home stuffed and worn out and very, very happy. 

One worn out dog

Ready for bed

A tad more skating before bed

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

Christmas Eve Recap

Another Christmas has come and gone already.  It's hard to believe, isn't it?

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve, even if the nearly 60 degree weather didn't exactly scream "Christmas in Ohio." 

We attended the 4:00 service at our church, which is considered the children's service.  Our family was asked to do the final Advent reading and light the Advent wreath. My original plan had been for Wesley and I to do the reading and for Duane to light the candles while Ryan stood there and looked cute. However, Wesley didn't want to read. He wanted to light the candles since he's an acolyte. To my surprise, Ryan wanted to do part of the reading.  I had him practice it several times in the days leading up to the service to make sure he was comfortable with it. Here's a video of his final rehearsal before heading to church.

My handsome guys

Ryan surprised us all by doing a fantastic job. I mean, I knew he could do it, I just wasn't sure he would  do it. 

Ryan must have managed to absorb a bit of the message, despite squirming around quite a bit during the service. On our way out of the church he turned to me and said, "They have big inflatable Santas and snowmen for Christmas. Why don't they have a big inflatable God or an inflatable Jesus? That's why we celebrate." 

We hurried home to get our Christmas Eve meal ready to celebrate with Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan, Grandma and Grandpa H., and Aunt Cathy, Sho and Kei.  Lots of the following pictures are courtesy of Aunt Susan. You'll know mine because they will be slightly out of focus.

Look at these handsome guys! How did they get so big? Sho even "graduated" to the adult table for dinner

I got a running belt to put my keys and things in during races

Cathy is ready to do some cooking now!

Mom loved her mittens

Wesley's new Minecraft book

Grandpa in his apron

Sho loved his beanbag chair

Even Lucy got some special treats

Wesley with "the fluffiest blanket in the world"

Duane and Ryan working on the roller coinster

Lucy is a lapdog for Kirk

It was such a nice evening and when everyone left, Duane and I sent the kids to bed to wait for Santa's arrival. Of course, at 12:30 (when I was snoring) Wesley was still awake. He asked Duane if he could go sleep on the couch in the living room and when Duane said no, Wesley shot back with "Santa isn't real, is he?"

"Wesley, it is 12:30 in the morning," Duane replied. "Just go to bed."

So, did the magic of Christmas come true for Wesley, or did doubt ruin his holiday? Tune in to the next post to find out.