Lucy's Big Day

I'm on vacation with the boys for a few days. We don't have any big trips or anything planned, mostly just doing stuff around town. I wouldn't even call it a staycation because that sounds like we're doing a bunch of stuff. Yesterday was busy, but really, it was busy because it was all about Lucy.

We started the day with a trip to the vet. I know, not a lot of fun, but two of the four animals needed to go for various reasons, so off we went.

Cleo was less than impressed to be in her cat carrier. Lucy was very concerned about her feline friend.

A happy dog at the vet

Lucy is incredibly low maintenance at the vet. She doesn't stress out. She let the doctor and the technician do what they needed to do. She happily greeted the other dogs in the waiting room - including a Great Dane who was nearly four times her size. She really just didn't care. In her mind, everyone was there to see her and be her friend.

She did such a great job at the vet that after lunch and a walk, the boys and I decided to take her (and us) for a little treat.

Did someone say "treat?"

Okay, the treat might have had a little something to do with the fact that it was a beautiful day and I wanted ice cream, but we totally said it because she was so good at the vet.

A pup cup for  Lucy

After ice cream, we met Grandpa P. at the park for a little bit. The boys did their thing, but Lucy was really the belle of the ball. So many kids and parents came over to see if they could pet her. I think she easily had a dozen strangers scratching her and cooing over her during the time we were there. She ate it up!

Lucy and Grandpa

We had one more stop to make after the park. My co-workers have been asking for a Lucy fix, so we made a little stop by the library. Lucy was, quite literally, the center of attention. My work buds all sat on the floor and she made the rounds, letting each of them properly adore her. Anne was a special favorite as she is a massage therapist and hit all Lucy's sweet spots.

But Lucy's big day wasn't over yet! After dinner, Duane took her to Wesley's soccer practice while I attended a prayer workshop at church. I hear she was all over that park, and she pretty much collapsed on her bed when they got home.

 She's in for a much calmer and quieter day today, but I'm glad we get to spoil her now and then.

Mom is Ancient

Part of Wesley's make up work for when he was out sick is to spend at least 20 minutes a day working on a math website. The problem is, he doesn't particularly like the website.

Wesley: Mom, when you were my age, were there websites you had to go on for school that you just didn't like?

Mom: Um, Wesley, when I was your age there weren't any websites. The internet hadn't been invented yet.

Wesley (looking at me wide wide, disbelieving eyes): Okay.........

That's right, Sonny. Back in MY day an etch-a-sketch was the only laptop we had. And yes, your mom is old.

Happy Easter!

Well, in case you were wondering, not only did the Easter Bunny not fall for the trap Duane and I set, but he had the nerve to taunt us! 

And even though the kids said they didn't think our trap would work, Wesley looked a little apprehensive as he lifted that box to check.

I love that the Easter Bunny brings books!

We had a very full morning at church as the boys played bells and sang at both services. They did a fantastic job though. And I didn't mind being in both services one bit as our lead pastor was just on fire today!

After church we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa P.'s house to spend the afternoon with family, love and good food!

And now it's an evening of relaxation. The boys are on vacation this week and I'm only working two days so I can spend some time with them. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Bunny Hop and Bunny Traps

Yesterday I ran my second race of 2016 - the Bunny Hop 5K.  It was totally fun (although a little chilly at the start)!

I am working in running a little more and walking a little less during my races, so I was really excited when my race results came in at 31:34. Unfortunately, my race buddies pointed out that none of our fitness trackers had the race coming in at 3.2 miles - it was a little short. Guess my best time doesn't really count. Darn!

This was Susan's first timed race, and I'm so very proud of her for all the steps she's taking to be a healthier her. She's doing an amazing job!

 

And she has the medal to prove it!

I was so impressed with myself for keeping up with E. who is in her 20. But then she told me how she wasn't feeling well and ended up walking most of it. I can still count that, right?

We went to the race after party for a bit for some well deserved food, drink and laughs.

I spent the rest of the day pretty much being a blob. I mean, I shouldn't have been as worn out as I was, but I was beat! Of course, Duane and I had some Easter business to attend to last night. We had a bunny trap to construct so the rabbit wouldn't leave the kids coupons for things like "stay up late" and "skip one chore" and "dinner of your choice."

We decided to very high tech with our rabbit trap, as shown below. 

Hey, if it's good enough for Looney Toons, it's good enough for us!

Despite the boys repeatedly telling us that there was no way the Easter Bunny would fall for such a lame trap, they still decided to give the little furball a head's up. 

So did the rabbit heed their warning, or did Duane and I feast on rabbit stew? Read the Easter post to find out!

My Shining Stars

When I was a kid my elementary school had something called "Citizen of the Month." Each month each teacher would chose one child in their class who exemplified the qualities the school emphasized -  basically someone who was polite, tried their hardest, was kind, respectful, and neat.  It was always a huge honor to be Citizen of the Month.

This year, Wesley and Ryan's school started something kind of similar. The students can earn stars from any staff member for being a good friend, being respectful, or being their best self. There is no limit to how many students can get a star, or how many times a single student can earn a star. The stars are hung on the wall outside the cafeteria for all to see. The following month, the star students from the previous month get a pizza party with the principal and are allowed to invite a special adult to join them.

Wesley and Ryan both earned stars in February. Ryan has been working so hard all year to get a star on the wall. In February he succeed in getting one for being his best self. Wesley earned his for being a kind friend - he went around an congratulated all the winners in the Invention Convention last month even though he didn't get to move on in the competition. What a good sport!

Their pizza party was a couple of days ago. Wesley asked me to be his special adult and Ryan invited one of his grandmas. Unfortunately, Wesley came down with strep throat this week and had to miss three days of school - including the pizza party day!  I stayed home with him and Grandma H. and Ryan went to the party.

 But Ryan really is a shining star and a kind brother. He took it upon himself to collect Wesley's certificate and even talked the principal into letting him take pizza home for his big brother.  To me, that exemplifies the all-star spirit!

The Secret Ingredient

Last night Ryan and I were watching a cooking show (not Julia Child this time) and the host added a fair amount of red wine to a pot roast she was making.

Ryan: Didn't we have a bottle of that in our house?

Mom: You mean the wine?

Ryan: Yes, didn't I see you drinking some the other day?

I'll be honest, I had to giggle a little because I had just had a glass of wine at dinner while sitting right next to Ryan, but sure, the other day.

Mom: Yes, I do drink red wine.

Ryan (nodding): I thought I'd seen that a couple of handfuls of times in my life.

Choir Concert

Friday night Wesley participated in a community choir concert. It was held at the local high school and the 4th and 5th graders, and middle school studens from the pathway schools all performed, as well as a group from the high school and one made up of adults in the community. Very cool idea, and overall, it went very well, but there were a few issues that I think should have been considered in the planning stage.

First of all, it was held on a Friday night after the kids had been in school all day. They had to arrive at the high school at 5:00 for a group rehearsal, but the concert didn't start until 7:00. Yes, the organizers fed the kids, but that is a long time to wait - especially after a full day of school.

My handsome guy, dressed up for the concert. I can't get over how grown up he looks here. I adore this picture!

The concert was held at the high school I attended. It was really strange to be back in the auditorium and even stranger to be in the audience instead of on the stage. When I was in high school, the music program was my life. My senior year, I participated in five music groups and was voted "most musical" by my classmates.  Part of me longed to be the one up there singing.

 One of my best friends from high school happens to be the principal at one of the schools that participated in the event. It was great to see him - especially in our old stomping grounds! And one of our other high school friends was the choir director of a participating school. It was almost like we never left WHS!

The kids really did a great job. I have a couple of short videos of Wesley's group - he's right in the middle and he actually smiled.

 

So things went along swimmingly at first. All the groups did great and as we approached the two hour mark (with an intermission) we were feeling good. Okay, Ryan was starting to get a little squirmy and my rear end was starting to go numb in the hard auditorium seats, but it wasn't too bad. The end was in sight.

Or so we thought.

That's when the high school and community chorus director announced that his two chorus were about to perform his favorite piece - and that it would last TWENTY MINUTES!!!! Yes, at the end of a marathon concert, before the final number where all the choirs (including the elementary kids) would sing a final song, the oldest groups were going to sing a TWENTY MINUTE piece in Hebrew, in a minor key.

WHAT?!?!

I half thought he was joking, but unfortunately, he wasn't. Now I could tell this was a technically complex piece and I understand that he probably wanted to show the range of what his groups are capable of, but there is a time and a place for something like that and a night when you have a auditorium half full of elementary school kids that have been there for FOUR HOURS after a full day of school and still have one song to sing, is not the time or the place. It went on and on and one. Poor Ryan started playing hangman with Grandma and the phrase he did was "Is it done yet?"

But we survived. Wesley looked miserable when we collected him at the end. I was thankful to have some inside knowledge of the layout of the school, so we sneaked out a side door and took off. We had told Wesley that if he had a good attitude about the concert and sang with pleasant expression we would go to his new favorite ice cream place afterwards. After that last piece, I wouldn't have cared what attitude had been like - that kid was getting his ice cream!

We had about half an hour before the ice cream place closed, so we hopped on the freeway and hurried there as quickly as the law would allow. I normally do not permit the kids to get any bigger than a medium ice cream, but when Wesley asked if he could have a large, Duane and I absolutely said yes!

Wesley ate it all and earned every last bite!

I'm sure Wesley is relieved that he doesn't have to do this again next year since the concert only takes place every other year. But Ryan is already dreading it.

One Wish

On the way to school this morning, Ryan was lamenting the fact that one of his two best buddies has been out sick.

"I wanted to tell him about the marshmallow peanut butter I got at that place," he told me. Note: Ryan picked out "Amish" peanut butter at cheese and gift shop we went to over the weekend.

We talked for a minute or two about how sad it was that this friend has been sick, then the car fell quiet again before Ryan said, "Mom, if I could only have one wish in the whole world, do you know what I'd wish for?"

"What's that?" I asked.

"I'd wish for A. (his best friend) not to be allergic to peanuts anymore," he said solemnly. 

I love that he'd use his one hypothetical wish on his friend.

Political Opinions

I don't tend to talk a lot of politics with or around the kids. It's not that I'm trying to hide anything from them - I mean, I take them with me when I vote - but we don't exactly have conversations about it.

At least not usually.

This morning when I got the kids up, I mentioned that we would have to leave the house about ten minutes early so I would have time to vote. 

"Is this the day you vote for the new president?" Wesley asked.

So, I explained that this was the day to vote in the primary election. "There are a lot of people who want to be president, and I'm voting to help decide who the final two candidates should be."

"As long as you don't vote for Trump!" Ryan called out.

"What do you know about Trump?" I asked, genuinely confused by where he was getting any kind of political information.

"I know that he would make a terrible president," Wesley said.

"And I know that if he is the next president, we may have another World War!" Ryan added.

"Well, I don't usually talk about who I am voting for," I told the boys, "but you can rest assured that I won't be voting for him. He's racist, and hateful to so many kinds of people. He says awful things and I don't want him to be our president.  Just out of curiosity, who do you think should be our next president."

Both boys cried out, "Hillary Clinton!"

"Why do you think she should be president?" I asked.

Wesley answered first, "She's a Senator so she knows about making laws and stuff in Washington. Her husband was president, so she know what the job is all about."

"And she'd be the first woman president!" Ryan chimed in.

"That's true," I told them. "And Bernie Sanders is Jewish, so if he won, he'd be the first Jewish president.  And Marco Rubio is Latino, so if he won, he'd be the first Latino president."

We got in the car then, and were on the way to the polling place when Ryan asked, "How old do you have to be to vote."

"18 years old."

He nodded, "So everyone who is older than 18 votes."

"Actually, they don't," I answered. "Only a small number of people who are allowed to vote, actually do so."

"That's just stupid!" Wesley said. "Why wouldn't you vote?"

"Don't call people stupid, Wesley. But you're right. You should vote if you are able. Think about it this way. Imagine your class is having a pizza party. The teacher wants everyone to vote to see what type of toppings you want on the pizzas. Most of the kids in your class say they like anything on pizza so they don't bother voting. Four kids in the class are very picky about their pizza so they vote. Only those four votes are counted. Your class ends up with anchovy pizza." 

Maybe not the most eloquent explanation, but they seemed to get it. And now we have a new nickname for a certain presidential candidate - anchovy pizza!

My Guys

Every now and then, in the middle of the chaos of parenthood, if you're lucky, something will happen to make you think that maybe you aren't doing too badly at this parenting thing after all.

Yesterday our family attended a funeral for my uncle (my aunt's husband) and the boys went too. They have been to one other funeral for one of my aunts a few years back, but that funeral was a very small affair with just family they knew, and my aunt was cremated, so all they saw was the box containing the ashes. They didn't know Rochelle very well, as she lived in California, so although they knew what had happened, it was little distant for them I think.

This funeral was different. This funeral was for someone they had seen recently. It was filled with extended family - many of whom they have never met or met only once - and it was open casket.  The boys were fantastic. First of all, they looked like men and dressed up with zero complaint. They didn't complain at all during the hour plus drive to the funeral.

 

They walked to the casket to pay their final respects to their great uncle, and although they held back a bit, having never seen a body before, when I turned to check on them, Wesley had his hands folded, his head bowed and his eyes closed in prayer.  

They stood in the chill and mud at the cemetery for the graveside portion of the service without uttering a word and stood by reverently during the 21 gun salute and the playing of taps. After the service, people reconvened at a lodge and the boys quietly read and colored while the adults socialized and decided where to go for lunch. When we got to the restaurant, they held the door for their great aunt and helped her and her walker out of the car, they waited patiently for their food, despite it being WAY past their lunchtime and how hungry they were.

Duane and I were so impressed by their behavior that on our way home, we stopped at a cheese and candy store and let them each pick a couple of things. They were respectful in their choices too - not going overboard or asking to spend a bunch of money or begging for more and didn't complain on the way home.  They didn't even complain when we had to make another stop to get a birthday card. They picked out cards and looked around the store contentedly. 

One display in the store was filled with wooden signs to hang in one's house. Ryan was fixated on the sign that said, "Beware of overly friendly dog" while Wesley was enamored with a different sign. Wesley loved the one that said, "God is the Master Carpenter and I am his work in progress."  He said that he wanted it for his room but wasn't sure if he had enough money. I told him that if he did, I would happily drive him back to the store the next day to get it.  It really touched my heart that THAT was the sign he wanted. 

The touching of my heart continued when we got home. Our family has a really good relationship with our children's ministry leader at church. Mrs. A.'s brother has been sick for a very long time and he passed away yesterday. The kids came home and made cards for her.  

Ryan's card read: "Dear Mrs. A. I feel really bad for you. I really hope you live a long and happy life. I'm so glad you go to the same church as us. Love, Ryan."

Wesley's card made me tear up. It read: "Dear Mrs. A., I'm sorry to hear your brother died. I hope he is ok in heaven. When you're sad, try looking at the Bible Buddies from VBS. I tried it once. Honestly, it worked pretty well. I hope the funeral goes alright. I know God will be with you at the funeral. Love, Wesley."

How are these boys mine? They acted with such maturity all day long. They showed their hearts in their actions and words and I pray it's just a preview of the men they will become.

Not So Permanent

Ryan has only lost one tooth in his seven years. One. And when he finally lost it, the permanent tooth had come in nearly all the way behind it, so I didn't even get that cute gap-tooth face to smile at.  I have a feeling this just might be how Ryan's teeth come in though since a second permanent tooth appeared next to the first, and once again, the baby tooth in front had no interest in vacating the property.

When Duane took the boys to the dentist back in January, I had him ask about the permanent tooth that had come in. They weren't worried and said that if he didn't lose the baby tooth in a couple of weeks, they could "help it out."

Well, guess who was back at the dentist today for a little helping hand?

Actually, it turned out to be more than a little helping hand and the poor kid had to get a big ol' shot of Novocaine so they could do the extraction. Duane said Ryan did a great job though, and aside from a little trouble eating dinner, Ryan hasn't complained a bit. In fact, I think he's trying to work an angle.

"So if the tooth fairy gives two dollars for a baby tooth, I wonder how much she'll give for a permanent tooth?" he mused during dinner.

For some reason he kept thinking the tooth that needed to come out was permanent and nothing we could say or do could convince him otherwise. 

"Ryan, permanent teeth aren't supposed to come out. That's why they are permanent. The tooth they took out today was a baby tooth."

You could see Ryan's disappointment, so Duane quickly added, "But who knows? Maybe she gives more if they have to pull the tooth out."

Hmmm....wonder what the tooth fairy will leave tonight?

Oh, Those Boys

This is the picture that came up in my Facebook memory today.

Aren't they cute? Wesley was about three in the picture and Ryan wasn't even a year old yet. I love the smiles and how they are playing together. It might be one of my favorite pictures of them.Sometimes I marvel at how fast those days went and how far in the past it is. Sometimes I barely remember them so little. 

I showed the picture to them, and they weren't nearly as impressed by it. And in the perfect counterbalance to the sweetness of the picture, not five minutes passed before Ryan corned Wesley at the breakfast table and gave his brother a drive by farting. Not to be outdone, Wesley followed his brother into the kitchen and belched in his face. Then they broke t in giggles.

I don't understand boys. I was pretty sure we were in for a day of total boy-ness (is that a word? If not, it should totally be a word!) but Ryan surprised me yet again when I sent him upstairs to get ready for church. 

Now, we attend the contemporary service at our church most Sundays so I don't mind if the boys wear jeans. My only rules are that the shirt needs to be a collar shirt or sweater, and no tennis shoes. Some Sunday's those rules are easier to enforce than others. But yesterday Ryan came downstairs dressed like this:

 

Pretty snazzy, right. AND he was the perfect little gentleman when we got to church. He held doors open for people and his Sunday School teacher said he led the clean up charge at the end of class.

Color me impressed - and glad the farting and belching were left at home!

No Laughing Matter

One of the things I have struggled with the most as a parent is letting my children fail sometimes.  I want them to succeed and be happy, but I also want them to learn - not just how to fail, but a little responsibility too.

Wesley is working on the school paper for his winter interest group. He is supposed to be creating some comics for the paper. Last week he realized as he got to school that he forgot to do the comics he was supposed to have ready to turn in. Of course, he also tried to spin at as my fault for not making the template for him like he had asked four days earlier as I walked in the door and never mentioned again.  He lucked out that day because interest groups were cancelled due to an assembly.

Monday night Wesley and I sat a the computer together and made the templates he needed. Tuesday morning he went to put them in his backpack, then said, "Oh! I don't need these until tomorrow and I need to finish them first," then he set them back down.This morning as we pulled up to the school, I asked Wesley if he had remembered his comics.  No. They were still sitting (unfinished) in the dining room.

"Can't you get them and bring them to school for me?" Wesley pleaded. 

I will admit, I have made the occasional backpack or lunchbox run in the past, but I have made it a point to stop that. In fact, I don't think I've made an "I forgot" trip at all this school year.

"No, Wesley. I can't. I have to go to work."

As I watched his face darken and mood sink, I wanted so badly to change my mind.  I knew I had the power to change his whole day around and it wouldn't make me more than 5 minutes late for work. But I said no. And I stuck to it.

Yes, I called Duane as soon as I could to tell him what had happened and how bad I felt, but he completely supported my decision. Yes, I worried about how Wesley's interest group would go and what the instructor's reaction would be when Wesley confessed he forgot (again.) But I didn't turn the car around.

Turns out all was well. The instructor was very understanding ("He's such a nice guy, Mom!") and told Wesley he can bring them in later. I'm making Wesley finish them this week and put them in his backpack early so he doesn't forget for a third week. I'm a little relieved that he got off easy, but I kind of wish there was a real consequence too. I don't want things to be tough for my kids, but I agonized over my decision today and I want them to learn that sometimes things don't always turn out like that. Sometimes forgetting an assignment means a bad grade, or that your comic doesn't get in the school paper.

Just like sometimes being a good parent means saying "no."

My Tender Hearted Boy

Last weekend we lost a very dear man and family member. Uncle Ron married my aunt twenty some years ago and brought a special light to our family. He and my aunt lived primarily in Florida, but we tried to see them when they visited Ohio. Wesley and Ryan loved seeing their great aunt and uncle. 

We told the boys about Ron's passing and both of them seemed really surprised by the news. The service will be held in Ohio, so the boys will get a chance to hug their great aunt and say a final goodbye to the great uncle who made them smile.

Last night we were headed for the school skating party and Ryan was quietly watching the rain out the car window as we drove. "The rain makes me think of Great Uncle Ron," he told us.  Oh, my sweet, tender hearted boy, every one thinks of you as a tough guy, but you really have a soft side.