Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I do not get stressed out when I pour milk on Ryan's cereal and he doesn't eat it right away just because when I eat cold cereal I want it to be very crunchy.

I know I did not think I needed to "teach" my cat how to open doors with her paws because she seems to be unable to open them on her own. And it certainly didn't kind of work. 

There is no way I went to grab a quick beer with a couple of friends after work, which then turned into two beers and a sandwich, instead of hurrying home to my family. I'd never do that. 

Seeing a Ghost

Yesterday the family took a little trip over to Cat Welfare to drop off some food and litter, and to pet the cats. Not anything that would really be a big deal, just getting out of the house and doing something different. But while we were there I saw a cat that made my heart miss a beat - a cat that looked enough like Sanders that for half a second I really thought it was him.

This is Sanders back in the day

This is Sampson, a cat at Cat Welfare

I hurried over to pet the Sanders clone and could not get over how alike they seemed. Sampson crossed his paws like Sanders. When I put my head down near him, Sampson head-butted it, just like Sanders. I gave Sampson a "kitty brain massage" and scratched his nose and ears in the way Sanders always liked and Sampson purred and purred and purred. Sampson even let me mess with the pads of his paws like Sanders always did.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I stood in that spot and petted Sampson for a very long time with tears streaming down my face. It was almost like having my Sanders back for few minutes. I stood there until it just became too much to bear, then Duane and the kids hurried me out of the shelter.

But I can't get that cat out of my mind. I know he isn't Sanders, but, oh my gosh, he's so much like Sanders. I thought about that cat all day. The last thing we need is another cat, but part of me really wants Sampson.  And I'm going back to see him. Ryan and I are going back to Cat Welfare while Wesley is at soccer this afternoon. I have to see that cat again. I have to. It's almost like being with my kitty boy. How can I resist that?

Helping a Mommy Out

Ryan has discovered a rather unique way to help keep our weekday morning routine. He has stopped sleeping under his covers.

This is Ryan's bed, all ready for him to climb in

Ryan completely tucked in for the night.

So why has Ryan eschewed his comforter and sheet, preferring to only sleep under a single blanket on top of his covers? According him, it's so I don't have to spend time making his bed in the morning. The sad part is, I'm actually kind of thankful for his thoughtfulness on this.

Walk n' Roll Winner

Today was the annual Walk n' Roll-a-thon fundraiser at the kids' school. I wasn't able to go help out at the event, but several of my PTA mom friends were there. Still, I was pretty surprised to get a text from one of them saying that Ryan had won a $50 gift card to the store of his choice during a raffle style drawing that took place during the event.

Ryan chose to get a Target gift card because he wanted to go buy Legos. Sure enough, he was at Target less than two hours after school let out, spending every cent of that gift card.  On the upside, his new Lego set has kept him busy all evening and he's sharing with Wesley. Sounds like a win/win to me.

Best Compliment Ever

Wesley has FINALLY gotten into the Star Wars movies. I cannot tell you how long I have waited for this moment. I have been trying to force Star Wars (no pun intended) on my kids since Wesley was about three and I just haven't had much luck. The thing that has made the difference is Star Wars Angry Birds - go figure.

I am doing my parental duty and making sure Wesley watching the original trilogy first - which is the only correct way to do it. And yes, Han shot first.

I will say that watching the movies with Wesley is a totally difference kind of experience. When the movies came out, we had no idea of the overarching plot lines. The revelation that Dark Vader is Anakin was completely shocking back in the day, but Wesley knows enough of the basics that that little bit of information is no surprise. So instead of fully experiencing the movies, Wesley spends a lot of time asking if such and such a character is in the movie we're watching and when certain events happen. Honestly, it's kind of annoying. Part of me just wants him to be quiet and watch the darn movie.

We finished watching "The Empire Strikes Back" tonight and were talking about when we would start "Return of the Jedi."  I was trying to have a conversation with Wesley discussing the foreshadowing and importance of Luke losing his hand and having a robotic one as a replacement. 

"Mom," Ryan called from across the room where he was playing with Legos. "You know way too much about Star Wars." 

Uncle Kirk has taught me well.

Change of Addresss

Wesley came downstairs in a very goofy mood this morning and was saying all kinds of purposefully weird things as he got his breakfast ready.

Wesley:  (in a goofy voice) - Hello. I live in Loserville.

Mom: Cut out the goofy talk. You don't live in Loserville.

Ryan: Yes he does!

Nothing like the love of a brother!

Not a Morning Person

I am very much a morning person - always have been. Wesley seems to have inherited that particular trait, but Ryan is so NOT a morning person.

Yesterday he woke up and stumbled downstairs to the living room where Wesley was busily working on a book.  When Wesley saw his little brother heading his way, he immediately started talking a mile a minute about the book he was working on and his plans for the day.

"Wesley!" Ryan said harshly, holding his hand out in front of him in the universal symbol for "stop." "Could you please not talk to me when I first wake up?"

Wow, maybe I should ask the Easter Bunny to bring that boy a Starbucks gift card!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not put runs in TWO pairs of hose in one day.  That would be reason enough to go back to wearing pants all the time until it's warm enough to go bare-legged.

I did not spend several days before my conference fighting minor stress about middle school stuff like "who will I eat lunch with?" and "what if no one wants to hang out with me?"  And even if I did worry about those things, there's no way it was a complete waste of time and I had a fabulous conference.

I certainly did not do the "I need my reading glasses" arm reach when I picked up a handout at my conference and only then realized that yes, I do actually need glasses sometimes when I'm not on the computer.

I did not spend three days brushing my teeth my kids bubble-gum flavored toothpaste because it was the only mini-tube we had when I was packing for my trip and I couldn't be bothered to go buy something that actually leaves my teeth feeling clean when I use it.

There is no way I came home from a a great conference only to spend part of the first night home vomiting. That would just be a cruel return to the real world. 

Back From Indy

Well, I returned home from the Public Library Association conference last night. I have not been to a PLA conference since Wesley was still in diapers and not yet talking.  Book Expo has been my conference of choice in my time since becoming a Materials Selector, but let me tell you, I left this conference feeling so energized and excited about my job and the things outside my position that the library could do. It was an amazing few days.

 I missed my boys and I know they really missed me too, but we face-timed on the iPhones every night and that seemed to help. Ryan even woke up and Grandma's one morning and told her that he wanted to see my face (face-time) so I think it was good for them too.

Wesley was very concerned about me going away and made me some flash cards so I wouldn't forget our family while I was gone.

There was also a lot of concern as to whether or not the person who drove knew how to get us home, but I'm happy to report that we returned safe and sound!

That Would Be a State of Disappointment

Last night at bedtime Ryan told me he would like to go to "the state of Ireland."

"Ireland is a country across the ocean, not a state," I told Ryan. "Why do you want to go there?"

"I want to go there so I can catch a leprechaun and use all his gold to buy Legos."

Well, at least he has a plan to make some money. And he's not asking me to buy the Legos - or the plane ticket.

Everyone's a Critic

Like many elementary school aged boys, Wesley loves a good/bad joke. He's even told more than his fair share of them through the years, so you'd think he would have been thrilled to have his dad reading him jokes out of the paper Sunday morning. Admittedly, the jokes in the paper contain more than their share of groaners, but Duane and were not prepared for Wesley's reaction.

After hearing a particularly groan-worthy joke Wesley called out, "Where are these jokes coming from, dude?"  - which sent Duane and I into a fit of giggles.

Guess the joke was on us.

Crazy Cat Boy

We live pretty close to cat shelter in our neighborhood. In fact, it's the same place I adopted my dear departed Sanders from many years ago. We sometimes take the boys there to pet the cats that are living there and Wesley and Ryan have often heard the story of me adopting Sanders. We also have to pass the shelter every day on the way to school.

The other day as we were driving by Ryan asked if we could please go pet the cats some day soon. I told him that we certainly could. He's been angling for another cat and I thought that maybe a visit to the shelter cats would help curb his desire.

"Mom, what if we found a cute little orange kitten there named Tiger?" Ryan asked.

Tiger was Sanders' name when I originally adopted him. And since Ryan has been asking for another kitten AND since he "introduced" some friends to "our dead cat Sanders" over the weekend, I knew what he was going for.

"If we find a cute little orange kitten named Tiger we can visit him every few days until he finds his forever home - someplace else," I answered.

Surprisingly enough, he was fine with that answer. That's good because Duane said if we get another cat, we'd have to get another Daddy. Or else he'd just leave the door open. He's kidding (mostly.)

Pre-Conference Daze

I'm getting ready to head out of town for a library conference. In many ways I'm excited to go. I haven't been to this particular conference since Wesley was less than a year old and the sessions I'm planning on attending look really good. I get along quite well with the person I'm rooming with, I have a few good books to take and I don't have to fly to get there. I should be on cloud nine.

But I'm not.

No matter how much I am looking forward to going, part of me dreads it too. I'm just a homebody at heart. I'd rather be with my hubby and kids than any place else on earth and being away from them, even for just a few days, is always rough on me. I get sad a few days before I even leave and call or text home several times a day.

Pathetic, I know.

Wesley and Ryan get in on the act too. I have told them when I am leaving and when I'm returning and each time they tell me they don't want me to go and how much they will miss me when I'm gone. They hold onto me extra tight and ask if I "really have to go."

Add to this the fact that there is going to be 30 degree difference in the weather during the four days/three nights I'm there and I'm really in a per-conference daze.  The good news is that once I"m there I know I'll have a fantastic time. I always do - and there's coming home to look forward to.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I have not suddenly started writing 2013 on everything when I got through the first two months of 2014 without a single year-writing mistake.

I did not realize on the way to work that I had forgotten to brush my teeth, causing me to turn around and rectify the situation before really grossing out my co-workers.

I did not find myself a bit jealous that Wesley's class was taking a field trip to see Shrek: The Musical at a local theater. And I certainly wasn't a little upset that parents weren't asked to help chaperone.

I know I didn't squirt a water bottle in Wesley's face after I warned him to quite whining or else. And if I did, it certainly wasn't because I figured if it worked on cats, it might work on kids. And even if that were true, there is no way he exacted his revenge by wiping his wet face all over my church blouse.  Nope. None of that happened. 

Weekend Wrap Up

Busy busy busy here. This is the first weekend in quite a while that I haven't spent part of at least one day napping, but honestly, there was just no time.

Duane and I did manage to sleep in a bit on Saturday. I don't know about your kids, but my kids tend to wake up at their normal school time even on the weekends, no matter how late the stay up the night before. When Duane and I were kids, that meant it was time to go watch TV and eat cereal and poptarts for breakfast. Our kids think it's time to wake Mom and Dad up and ask for permission to go downstairs to watch TV and ask for breakfast to be prepared (even though they make their own breakfasts every school morning.)  This weekend I decided to try and attack the problem head on and posted this sign on the bedroom door.

Would you believe it actually worked!?! We both got to sleep in and the kids didn't bother us at all!

The boys had a little dance party around lunch time, then we headed off to a birthday swim party.

The swim party completely wore Ryan out, so he caught a little nap when we got home.

When he woke up we had some cat snuggle time, then Duane and I got ready to go out for a date night with Kirk and Susan.

Cleo believes she's the most interesting cat in the world

Sadie was not impressed by Ryan's affection

As I said, Duane and I got to go out with Kirk and Susan last night. It was an early birthday gift for Kirk and we took them for dinner and drinks at a tiki bar downtown.

You'd think that after a busy Saturday, the W. family would take it easy on Sunday. Um....no! We went to church this morning, then Wesley had his first soccer practice of the season this afternoon.

Time for a water break

Ryan was a bit too cold sitting out in the field, so he spent the whole practice climbing in and out of the back of the SUV.

From practice, we went straight to a church family fun event held at a local bounce house.

And now we are home and getting ready for the week ahead. A week of card games, soccer practices (weather permitting), and a conference out of state for me.  Wish us luck!

Leprechaun Tricks

Even though we have  a good week and a half before St. Patrick's Day, Ryan's kindergarten class all wore green today. They have been reading Dr. Seuss books all week and the wearing o' the green today was supposed to represent going green with The Lorax.

Ryan wore this sweatshirt today.

Yes, it was probably taking the green straight into St. Patrick's Day, but really, how many times a year can you get away with wearing a shirt that says "the leprechauns made me do it?"

Wesley was very excited to see Ryan's shirt this morning. "Ryan! I love your shirt! It's so awesome! I used to wear that shirt all the time because I loved it so much! It was my favorite because it's such a good excuse shirt."

Wesley continued to compliment Ryan all though breakfast, reminiscing about how much he used to love to wear that shirt. The thing is, Wesley never wore that shirt. Not once. Grandma and Grandpa P. brought it back especially for Ryan when they were in Ireland a couple of years ago. In fact, it's one of the few shirts Ryan has that isn't a hand me down.

Which leads me to believe that either the leprechauns wiped Wesley's mind and planted some new memories there, or I really should dress Ryan in something other than his brother's old clothes before he starts to develop a complex.

Mardi Gras Dinner

Today may be Ash Wednesday, but Duane and I celebrated Fat Tuesday in style last night. We went to a local restaurant for their Mardi Gras dinner and while it wasn't exactly New Orleans, it felt pretty close.

The evening started with a hurricane and since Duane doesn't drink that meant two hurricanes for me. Which meant an early night when we got home 'cause those babies packed a punch!

Salad with warm bacon vinaigrette. It was almost like eating a BLT. so bacon-y and delicious

The crawfish bisque was possibly my favorite dish of the night. It was super creamy with chunks of crawfish in it, PLUS a whole crawfish on the side. I had to have a lesson in how to eat the little mud bugger, but it was worth getting a little crawfish juice on me. So yummy!

The main course was Gumbo Ya-Ya which had chicken, sausage and shrimp in it - and, for me, an extra dose of Tabasco sauce.

Our King's Cake may not have had icing or colored sugar on it, but it was buttery, flaky and delicious

Duane's piece even had the king in it!

What a handsome and mysterious man I got to share a midweek date night with.