I was just telling my MIL that it's my goal in life to curb all annoying habits my children may try to develop. I think it's a mother's job. Mother's who send their children out into the world who slurp or chomp or snap their gum or scratch themselves shamelessly in public....shame on them. I'm kind of hard on Bo as he is getting to an age where he likes to try out new things.
Just a couple of months ago, he started slurping every 90 seconds or so. Or would punctuate whatever he said with a nice juicy slurp. It took negative 5 seconds for that to send me over the edge. And I nagged him relentlessly. He stopped in about 3 days. It could have been a lifelong habit. You are welcome world. In defense of His Cuteness, when I did ask him why he kept making that noise, he had a great answer. "Oh, well I do it every time I need fresh slobber."
Well, duh.
So, on Friday he started something new. And it could easily be an annoying habit, but I don't think I'm going to try and curb it because I find it oh-so amusing.
He has started clicking/clucking, whatever you call it, before he says something, while he's saying something, and immediately after he says something. It's so weird. And SO funny. My little red haired Zimbabwean.
My friend presented a paper she had written in college at some seminar/conference/smarty-pants-read-their-papers-for-other-smarty-pants thing and she made reference to this language and of COURSE didn't pronounce their words using the clicking sound. Because she is American. And speaks English. As did the people she was presenting to. However, there was a know-it-all in the crowd who actually had the nerve to come and correct her pronunciation as though she were the socially ignorant one. So, she and her pals, anytime this guy was around would talk according to his dictates. "Hey, you wanna go get some pi(click)zza?" I always thought that story was so funny.
As long as my son is just the random/weird kid who clicks for kicks, and isn't the obnoxious know-it-all correcting people, I'll be happy.
I will consider that perhaps I suffer from the mom syndrome that everything my child does is cute, but only consider it.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Forget You One Pound of M&M's!
I got the real stuff! 
He did good, didn't he? He may have created a monster though. I never thought I was a flowers and chocolate kind of girl, but---okay, that's a lie, I've ALWAYS been a chocolate kind of girl, but oh the joy I felt when I set my eyes upon these flowers with the box of chocolates nestled up against them...
Off to smell the roses andgorge delicately taste only a small sampling of chocolates...
Off to smell the roses and
Thursday, June 28, 2007
And I mean this lovingly...
You know you are confident in your position as a very good friend to me, if you can send an anniversary card (to me and my husband) that says, "I'm glad you didn't take my advice and dump him..."
I have good friends. And they make me laugh too. Thanks Breitmama!
Tomorrow is 5 years for me and Big J. He is in LA and I am in Texas. I won't get to spend my anniversary with the love of my life, but I will get to spend it with our three little loves. And J's mother. So, that ought to be good. Maybe I'll throw in a pound of peanut M&M's and make it like a new kind of anniversary trifecta.
To commemorate this milestone,
The evolution of J and Ang:
7 years ago in June, we met.
Time has changed us both, don't you think?
And J spends his free time doing this:
I have good friends. And they make me laugh too. Thanks Breitmama!
Tomorrow is 5 years for me and Big J. He is in LA and I am in Texas. I won't get to spend my anniversary with the love of my life, but I will get to spend it with our three little loves. And J's mother. So, that ought to be good. Maybe I'll throw in a pound of peanut M&M's and make it like a new kind of anniversary trifecta.
To commemorate this milestone,
The evolution of J and Ang:
7 years ago in June, we met.
Time has changed us both, don't you think?
5 years ago in June, we were married
Four years ago in June I had just gotten rid of the first of:
Three years ago in June we were doing a 4 month internship in Rexburg, Idaho. This was exactly 10 years after I left there, finishing my first year of college. This time, when I went back, I totally let a boy past the living room. And sometimes even into my bedroom. And I have no idea when curfew was, but I am certain that I was passed out a good 4 hours before it came along. Also, Taco Time across the street from our apartment burned down one night. We watched it happen. Some guys tried banging on the door to tell the employees their restuarant was on fire but the employees were all, "Only 3 packets of hot sauce per burrito---AND WE'RE CLOSED."
Look how innocent and young and free we look. Family pictures were within the realm of possible three short years ago.
Two years ago in June, J had just completed his degree. It only took one mission, one business venture, one wife, two kids, and ten years to complete. Avee was not quite 3 months old but was well established by then as the ruler of our household.
One year ago in June we were surviving our first Texas summer, and falling in love with Texas. And we talked about all the things we would accomplish since we weren't going to have another baby for a while. We had a one year old who knew no limits and a three year old who loved trains and still needed naps. J was entering his last year of 20's. I was exiting my first year of 30's. So unfair.
This year in June, we did this:
And J spends his free time doing this:
It's been a good ride.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Probably Not What The Scripture Actually Means...
You know, we are supposed to be like little children. And since I spend my days with the smallest of them, I have chance to observe many of the things they do. I can't help but think I would be contributing a lot to society to share some of those things.
A few of these things I just don't see my other adult friends doing, and perhaps that's something that needs to change.
If you feel gassy or feel like you need a little extra help going to the bathroom. Try yelling it out. It doesn't have to be angry or distraught yelling, just a good hearty yell. Works for Danyo.
If you want to stay up later where the big people are and the lights are still on, think of the most unique, un-fixable problem and then wander out with your belly button showing and your pajama bottoms not quite covering what they are intended to and report your problem. Even if the big people who are there to solve all your problems start laughing and send you back to the dark, boring, room where your younger sister is saying "SHH!" for no reason, it will buy you some time in the light, grown-up world. Totally worth it. "There's blood under my skin, I think it's coming out of my bones, it's really bad" is a problem that works for Bo.
If the Chocolate-Keeper says no "shock-wet" until after lunch/dinner---go find the foot high stool that the Chocolate-Keeper stupidly bought at Ikea and get it yourself. From on top of the refrigerator. Because Diana Ross is right, ain't no mountain or cupboard high enough. Even when you are two.
Announce every time you have to go to the bathroom. Or have just gone. Wherever that is.
Define the rules of your world by your most recent obsession. "Karate Kid doesn't wear underwear" or "Spiderman's mom doesn't kiss him. He doesn't even have a mom. And he doesn't have to be nice to his sister. Ever. He doesn't even have a sister."
Within 10 minutes of doing something totally embarrassing like, laying on the floor, kicking and screaming, or flopping across the living room like a jelly-fish, whining, on your way to a time-out---totally act like it never happened and not be an ounce embarrassed.
When the grownups who take care of you say "Let's go to _______'s house" and you know he is a cute, older,5 year old man, remember the two most important things, clean underwear and pretty hair. "Uh-oh, I need cween dipoh! UH-OH!!! DO MY HAIR!"
When your mom catches you unfolding and flinging around laundry she just washed and folded while simultaneously nursing a baby and she starts to yell at you for making twice as much work for her and whatever else is annoying her at that moment, bug out your eyes and start shaking your entire body like you are freezing cold because it's a totally weird response and it will make her laugh and kind of feel bad for yelling about dumb ol' laundry anyway.
If you feel like doing something "naughty" just repeat what you know the grownup in your life will say when they catch you, while you are doing it. Sort of braces you for the blow, while you still indulge in some naughtiness.
Hover around the toilet anytime someone is using it just for a chance at the quick thrill of flushing.
Throw yourself on the floor while half-naked and wail for 6.5 minutes if you have a sneaky, hovering sister who flushes the toilet before you can, right after you've used it.
Let everything be made better by the promise that Dad will be home at 1.
Repeat anything you say 7 times. Even if you are totally being listened and responded to.
Believe that kisses and bandaids really do make everything better.
Tell the secret of your super spiderman dive and not holding your breath under water to the newborn because he can't repeat it for a long long long long long time. All he ever says is crying and no one even understands him when he's doing that.
Manage to be impossibly perfect and precious even when all you do is poop, squirm, sleep, suck, and occasionally yell for cleansing purposes.
And probably most importantly: Within minutes of being the brunt of a grownup's frustration/exhaustion/stupidity when you are just being yourself, forgive her. Completely. So completely that you think nothing of climbing on her lap and snuggling her because you haven't the slightest inclination to hold a grudge. And because you trust in the goodness of others and without knowing it, trust that even grownups are just doing the best they can.
A few of these things I just don't see my other adult friends doing, and perhaps that's something that needs to change.
If you feel gassy or feel like you need a little extra help going to the bathroom. Try yelling it out. It doesn't have to be angry or distraught yelling, just a good hearty yell. Works for Danyo.
If you want to stay up later where the big people are and the lights are still on, think of the most unique, un-fixable problem and then wander out with your belly button showing and your pajama bottoms not quite covering what they are intended to and report your problem. Even if the big people who are there to solve all your problems start laughing and send you back to the dark, boring, room where your younger sister is saying "SHH!" for no reason, it will buy you some time in the light, grown-up world. Totally worth it. "There's blood under my skin, I think it's coming out of my bones, it's really bad" is a problem that works for Bo.
If the Chocolate-Keeper says no "shock-wet" until after lunch/dinner---go find the foot high stool that the Chocolate-Keeper stupidly bought at Ikea and get it yourself. From on top of the refrigerator. Because Diana Ross is right, ain't no mountain or cupboard high enough. Even when you are two.
Announce every time you have to go to the bathroom. Or have just gone. Wherever that is.
Define the rules of your world by your most recent obsession. "Karate Kid doesn't wear underwear" or "Spiderman's mom doesn't kiss him. He doesn't even have a mom. And he doesn't have to be nice to his sister. Ever. He doesn't even have a sister."
Within 10 minutes of doing something totally embarrassing like, laying on the floor, kicking and screaming, or flopping across the living room like a jelly-fish, whining, on your way to a time-out---totally act like it never happened and not be an ounce embarrassed.
When the grownups who take care of you say "Let's go to _______'s house" and you know he is a cute, older,
When your mom catches you unfolding and flinging around laundry she just washed and folded while simultaneously nursing a baby and she starts to yell at you for making twice as much work for her and whatever else is annoying her at that moment, bug out your eyes and start shaking your entire body like you are freezing cold because it's a totally weird response and it will make her laugh and kind of feel bad for yelling about dumb ol' laundry anyway.
If you feel like doing something "naughty" just repeat what you know the grownup in your life will say when they catch you, while you are doing it. Sort of braces you for the blow, while you still indulge in some naughtiness.
Hover around the toilet anytime someone is using it just for a chance at the quick thrill of flushing.
Throw yourself on the floor while half-naked and wail for 6.5 minutes if you have a sneaky, hovering sister who flushes the toilet before you can, right after you've used it.
Let everything be made better by the promise that Dad will be home at 1.
Repeat anything you say 7 times. Even if you are totally being listened and responded to.
Believe that kisses and bandaids really do make everything better.
Tell the secret of your super spiderman dive and not holding your breath under water to the newborn because he can't repeat it for a long long long long long time. All he ever says is crying and no one even understands him when he's doing that.
Manage to be impossibly perfect and precious even when all you do is poop, squirm, sleep, suck, and occasionally yell for cleansing purposes.
And probably most importantly: Within minutes of being the brunt of a grownup's frustration/exhaustion/stupidity when you are just being yourself, forgive her. Completely. So completely that you think nothing of climbing on her lap and snuggling her because you haven't the slightest inclination to hold a grudge. And because you trust in the goodness of others and without knowing it, trust that even grownups are just doing the best they can.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
97 degrees, and these are the shoes she insists on wearing.Tuesday, June 19, 2007
It's My Prerogative
"You aren't going to say anything like, bad about him, are you?"
"Uhhhhhh, no. I guess not."
J sat next to B0bby Br0wn's dad last week on his flight from LA. Bobby sat in front of them with his girlfriend. On the way home from the airport, I got to hear some of the highlights of J's conversation with, whom he affectionately calls, "Papa Brown."
Some people's claim to fame is sitting next to famous people. Or the father's of famous people. My claim to fame is being married to someone like J. Who doesn't recognize famous people. And then probably couldn't care less when he finds out he's sitting by/talking to one.
He really liked Papa Brown and talked to him the entire trip.
My two favorite highlights of the conversation.
When he was finally told who Bobby was, J leaned forward and pointed to the woman sitting next to BB and said, "So, is that Whitney?"
Later he and Papa Brown were talking about who he knew in "Hollywood" or, LA. Michael Jackson's name came up and then J asked about OJ---if Papa Brown knew him. Yes, he does know him. "So, is he guilty?"
I got a pretty big kick out that. Turns out, according to Papa, he is in fact not guilty.
So there you have it.
"Uhhhhhh, no. I guess not."
J sat next to B0bby Br0wn's dad last week on his flight from LA. Bobby sat in front of them with his girlfriend. On the way home from the airport, I got to hear some of the highlights of J's conversation with, whom he affectionately calls, "Papa Brown."
Some people's claim to fame is sitting next to famous people. Or the father's of famous people. My claim to fame is being married to someone like J. Who doesn't recognize famous people. And then probably couldn't care less when he finds out he's sitting by/talking to one.
He really liked Papa Brown and talked to him the entire trip.
My two favorite highlights of the conversation.
When he was finally told who Bobby was, J leaned forward and pointed to the woman sitting next to BB and said, "So, is that Whitney?"
Later he and Papa Brown were talking about who he knew in "Hollywood" or, LA. Michael Jackson's name came up and then J asked about OJ---if Papa Brown knew him. Yes, he does know him. "So, is he guilty?"
I got a pretty big kick out that. Turns out, according to Papa, he is in fact not guilty.
So there you have it.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Can I Get An Amen?
I have a confession.
I don't really care for, oh, how do you say it---the wearing of religion on one's sleeve. Or bumper. Or shirt. I appreciate a person's devotion and dedication, but bumper stickers that say, "Honk for Jesus" or even the basic "Jesus loves you" kind of bug me. I don't get worked up about it because clearly they do it for some people, but they do make me roll my eyes a little...
So, the other day I was trolling the aisles of Walsmart I passed a guy wearing a shirt that said, "Jesus Loves You" and I rolled my eyes. Ever so subtly.
Later I happened to pass him again in another aisle. This time there weren't stacks and stacks of Double Chocolate Oreo Cookies to distract me and I saw his shirt in its entirety. Below the proclamation of Jesus' love for every stranger he passed, it read, "(BUT I'M HIS FAVORITE)"
Now that is some religion I could slap on my bumper...
I don't really care for, oh, how do you say it---the wearing of religion on one's sleeve. Or bumper. Or shirt. I appreciate a person's devotion and dedication, but bumper stickers that say, "Honk for Jesus" or even the basic "Jesus loves you" kind of bug me. I don't get worked up about it because clearly they do it for some people, but they do make me roll my eyes a little...
So, the other day I was trolling the aisles of Walsmart I passed a guy wearing a shirt that said, "Jesus Loves You" and I rolled my eyes. Ever so subtly.
Later I happened to pass him again in another aisle. This time there weren't stacks and stacks of Double Chocolate Oreo Cookies to distract me and I saw his shirt in its entirety. Below the proclamation of Jesus' love for every stranger he passed, it read, "(BUT I'M HIS FAVORITE)"
Now that is some religion I could slap on my bumper...
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