Most children start to lose their teeth around 5 or 6. Not my kids. They were late getting them and I'm sure they'll be late losing them. (however, I do wish that extra tooth in Brad's grin will fall out sooner rather than later. Just sayin. He's the ONLY kid I know that can pull it off with his cuteness though) I think I was 7 when a dentist yanked my first teeth that were NOT ready to come out.
I'm pretty sure the tooth fairy won't be visiting us for a long long time. I've convinced myself of this and went about my life. I'm not even sure the boys know that one day they will be parting ways with their baby teeth. Keith makes the occasional comments of "too much sugar will make your teeth fall out" "you can't have taffy because your teeth will fall out" Nine times out of ten he's talking to me, but I'm sure the kids hear it.
For some reason the other day Cole became insistent that I brush his teeth for him. He's been doing a great job on his own for a while now. I'm always in the bathroom with Cole while bushing Brad's teeth, but I monitor what he's doing and he's completely capable. So for him to freak out about me doing this struck me as odd.
It wasn't until we went and had lunch with him that I put two and two together. A little girl he sits across from has lost all 4 of her front teeth. Cole leaned over and said "see, all her teeth fell out of her head and that's why I want you to brush my teeth." Oh, sweet Colby Lee. Now I have to explain that it's natural while somehow backing up the sugar-story. I love the literal side of kids.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Fast Learner
Cole frightens me with his intelligence. At the tender age of 6 he's been able to read and understand his parents. He knows our buttons to push and he remembers things near and dear to our hearts. In the words of a great songwriter... you've got to have an Ace in the hole. This is the conversation we had the other night:
Keith: Cole, you know that green car Daddy's driving right now? That's gonna be all yours when you turn 16.
Cole: (pretty confident) No it's not
Keith: (equally confident said with a smirk) Ha, YES it is
Cole: No it's not. I want a Jeep.
Keith: Done.
Keith: Cole, you know that green car Daddy's driving right now? That's gonna be all yours when you turn 16.
Cole: (pretty confident) No it's not
Keith: (equally confident said with a smirk) Ha, YES it is
Cole: No it's not. I want a Jeep.
Keith: Done.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Differences
The other day we did a quick trip to get some groceries. The commissary here has little carts for kids to push around. They have cute little flags that say "customer in training". What a cute idea, but not for my boys. The first time we tried this it became bumper carts for everyone in the building. It was a mad dash hitting people and knocking items off the shelves. Yes, we were totally "that" family.
Cole and Brad ask every visit if they can get their own carts. Several factors go into play: (1) How busy is the store, it must be almost dead (2) how long I think we'll be there, the quicker the better. They tend to get unruly after about 4 minutes (3) Is there anyone I know in there - I don't want to further enhance their belief that I only have 5 % control of the boys at any given time. I like to give the appearance I do.
It just so happened that this particular day that the stars aligned and YES, it is ok for Cole and Brad to get a little cart and help mommy out. This turned into a learning experience for ME. (oh, and Keith was there to help which was another factor in the YES answer.)
We always start with fruit. Cole can eat himself some fruit. I wish I had a garden for that kid. I would save $ big bucks $ every month if we grew our own produce. He starts the cart-filling with his request for apples and bananas. Simultaneously Brad is across the other sections screaming loudly "We don't got no KIWI, Daddy". We around the lunch meat section where the boys start fit #1 for lunchables. Good Gravy, I hate me some lunchables. Their favorite is the little pizzas you make on a pita with nasty cold sauce and old pepperoni - then the cheese... because it doesn't melt it becomes confetti on the table, chair, and floor. What a bargain for 89 cents. I cave and they each get the small pizza pack.
Brad takes off and heads directly for the honey. I don't know why, but he thinks syrup is honey and he has a need for it all the time. I have to convince him that we have 2 jars of honey at home. He turns the corner to see the Cheese Nips display. His eyes turn big and he starts grabbing several boxes for his cart. As I'm taking those out, Cole is yelling for cashews. He is telling me his love of this nut although I don't ever recall him eating them before.
We round the corner to the baking aisle. Brad sees the marshmallows and Houston we have a problem. We have marshmallows, I'm not buying more. They see the jello and before I know it there's a 4 pack in each of their carts. At this point I let them have it. I've said no about 7 times in the past 2 minutes. Next aisle snacks. Cole picks up his cashews and Brad picks up fruit snacks, another box of Cheese Nips, peanut butter crackers, and frosted animal cookies. We head to the cereal... out of all the choices of sugary crap my sweet Cole desperately wants plain Cheerios. He even tells me it's only two and three nine dollars ($2.39). Brad picks frosted flakes only because Cookie Crunch is too high for him to reach.
This continues during my race to gather dinner ingredients. The differences between sweet tooth Brad and healthy Cole are obvious. I'm positive that it's because Cole never had any of that crap when he was a baby. Brad did because I wasn't as strict. Keith joked when they are teenagers this is what it will be like filling a cart each. I did not find it funny because I know it's more reality than a joke. We made it almost all the way through the store before the bumper cart crashing began... I say it was a successful trip!
Cole and Brad ask every visit if they can get their own carts. Several factors go into play: (1) How busy is the store, it must be almost dead (2) how long I think we'll be there, the quicker the better. They tend to get unruly after about 4 minutes (3) Is there anyone I know in there - I don't want to further enhance their belief that I only have 5 % control of the boys at any given time. I like to give the appearance I do.
It just so happened that this particular day that the stars aligned and YES, it is ok for Cole and Brad to get a little cart and help mommy out. This turned into a learning experience for ME. (oh, and Keith was there to help which was another factor in the YES answer.)
We always start with fruit. Cole can eat himself some fruit. I wish I had a garden for that kid. I would save $ big bucks $ every month if we grew our own produce. He starts the cart-filling with his request for apples and bananas. Simultaneously Brad is across the other sections screaming loudly "We don't got no KIWI, Daddy". We around the lunch meat section where the boys start fit #1 for lunchables. Good Gravy, I hate me some lunchables. Their favorite is the little pizzas you make on a pita with nasty cold sauce and old pepperoni - then the cheese... because it doesn't melt it becomes confetti on the table, chair, and floor. What a bargain for 89 cents. I cave and they each get the small pizza pack.
Brad takes off and heads directly for the honey. I don't know why, but he thinks syrup is honey and he has a need for it all the time. I have to convince him that we have 2 jars of honey at home. He turns the corner to see the Cheese Nips display. His eyes turn big and he starts grabbing several boxes for his cart. As I'm taking those out, Cole is yelling for cashews. He is telling me his love of this nut although I don't ever recall him eating them before.
We round the corner to the baking aisle. Brad sees the marshmallows and Houston we have a problem. We have marshmallows, I'm not buying more. They see the jello and before I know it there's a 4 pack in each of their carts. At this point I let them have it. I've said no about 7 times in the past 2 minutes. Next aisle snacks. Cole picks up his cashews and Brad picks up fruit snacks, another box of Cheese Nips, peanut butter crackers, and frosted animal cookies. We head to the cereal... out of all the choices of sugary crap my sweet Cole desperately wants plain Cheerios. He even tells me it's only two and three nine dollars ($2.39). Brad picks frosted flakes only because Cookie Crunch is too high for him to reach.
This continues during my race to gather dinner ingredients. The differences between sweet tooth Brad and healthy Cole are obvious. I'm positive that it's because Cole never had any of that crap when he was a baby. Brad did because I wasn't as strict. Keith joked when they are teenagers this is what it will be like filling a cart each. I did not find it funny because I know it's more reality than a joke. We made it almost all the way through the store before the bumper cart crashing began... I say it was a successful trip!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
It's Like A Heat Wave
Do you know what I woke up to this morning? The sound of rain. Do you know what that means? It wasn't cold enough to be snowing or sleeting! RAIN! It rained all day and melted away the dirty snow that's been built up for weeks. Finally. I think it might have even reached 40* and people were walking around in T-shirts, my son included. It was glorious. 40* and I was almost tempted to open all the windows in the apartment. It felt great. It's suppose to freeze tonight and snow by Friday, but for those few foggy, drizzling, rainy hours were a blessing.
Today was a lazy day. We're getting over an illness. Poor Brad had an upset stomach the other night. I woke up to vomica. Vomica from 3:30 to 8:00am. This is unfamiliar territory for us. So much so, after round 3, Keith had to ask "what is going on?" Knocking on wood, but the boys are rarely sick. Poor Brad was totally pathetic all day. I know his future wife will already curse me. He was the biggest mama's boy and I might have relished in it for a while. Back to normal 12 hours later.
Yea... that about sums up all the fun the past 48 hours. I'm trying to kick my husband off his computer to watch American Idol. I was about to wrap up this post, but now I feel as if I have so much more to say. FIRST of all, I miss Paula. Yes, she's goofy and sometimes seems medicated. Yes, she's too nice at times, but it's the perfect balance. I can't stand Kara. It's a fact. She's talented, but she's not adding anything to the show. She repeats herself over and over while constantly looking to Simon for approval. She totally ripped into that guy at the Boston auditions for no reason and what makes it even more pathetic was that she was really worked up about it. Seriously? I thought he could sing - bad attitude, but could sing. Now onto Simon. I think this might be my last season to watch. It's not even a show without him. He's absolutely brilliant and isn't even that bad to look at - man boobs and all. When he leaves, I'll leave. I feel bad for Ryan and Randy... enjoying their paychecks and having fun along the way only to have the rug pulled out from under them. What can you do?
One last thing, today was Heather's birthday and we also had dance practice. We ended our evening with cupcakes and mimosas. Not bad. Not bad at all. Today it was As Good As It Gets.
Today was a lazy day. We're getting over an illness. Poor Brad had an upset stomach the other night. I woke up to vomica. Vomica from 3:30 to 8:00am. This is unfamiliar territory for us. So much so, after round 3, Keith had to ask "what is going on?" Knocking on wood, but the boys are rarely sick. Poor Brad was totally pathetic all day. I know his future wife will already curse me. He was the biggest mama's boy and I might have relished in it for a while. Back to normal 12 hours later.
Yea... that about sums up all the fun the past 48 hours. I'm trying to kick my husband off his computer to watch American Idol. I was about to wrap up this post, but now I feel as if I have so much more to say. FIRST of all, I miss Paula. Yes, she's goofy and sometimes seems medicated. Yes, she's too nice at times, but it's the perfect balance. I can't stand Kara. It's a fact. She's talented, but she's not adding anything to the show. She repeats herself over and over while constantly looking to Simon for approval. She totally ripped into that guy at the Boston auditions for no reason and what makes it even more pathetic was that she was really worked up about it. Seriously? I thought he could sing - bad attitude, but could sing. Now onto Simon. I think this might be my last season to watch. It's not even a show without him. He's absolutely brilliant and isn't even that bad to look at - man boobs and all. When he leaves, I'll leave. I feel bad for Ryan and Randy... enjoying their paychecks and having fun along the way only to have the rug pulled out from under them. What can you do?
One last thing, today was Heather's birthday and we also had dance practice. We ended our evening with cupcakes and mimosas. Not bad. Not bad at all. Today it was As Good As It Gets.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Downhill Slope
Since we're on the backside of this remote it's only fitting that I start planning my first week of activities when we arrive back in the states. We booked our family vacation in February, my family is coming out in March, we're all going to China in April, and if all goes according to plan*, we will be home in May. See... our time left here is but a blink. That's what I tell myself when I've been stuck inside this apartment for 5 days straight.
(* this plan is all in my head so I'm sure the Air Force will throw in some kind of wrench. Also, I think I heard God snicker at the mentioning on "MY" anything)
So after I get off the near 16 hour solo plane ride with my children, I will meet our family at the airport for pick up! This will be so exciting. I have it in MY head that flying back will be a breeze because it's a red eye... we'll all wake up happy and adjusted to a full day we gain back with the time change. All of our luggage will arrive safely - minus a car seat, because I'm going to move Cole up to a booster. (Yes, he's six and I'm overprotective. I know) Anyway, we'll get all our luggage and go straight home. This is the moment I can not wait for.... seeing my dogs and cat! I literally tear up thinking about it. Please understand that I have missed family and friends. I have also been able to talk and write to family and friends though not as often as I would like. It doesn't mean I place animals above human beings, nor does it mean that I love ya'll any less. But these are my fur babies that think I have abandoned them, assuming we are dead and probably will not like me for a long time. It's the guilt talking. I think I will collapse on the floor and stay there with their yappy, hacking, licking, knob shaking hineys for approximately 7 days. I will pet them and hold them. I will cuddle with them and let that loud cat kneed her paws in my belly. We should probably move onto things I would like to do the SECOND week I'm home.
Reading this back sounds a bit coo-koo.....THAT lady has problems. Moving on.
I will hunt down all our family and friends to give them long overdue hugs! I want to catch up on life and meet my new nephew Malachi and self-proclaimed niece Olivia. I'm going to cry when I see how much they've all grown - Trent, Christian, Paris, Nicky, Madeleine, Dinah, Kaitlyn, Allie, Bella, Kincaid, Maddie, Jacob, Abby, Hannah, and Kayleb! I will have to bribe them with candy to remember my name again.
Then we shall let the eating begin. This is the dilemma: where to go first? Keith says "Easy. Texas Roadhouse." Ohh... I could eat 10lbs of their yeast rolls alone. I am also going to need some Tex-Mex pronto! Maybe El Chico - fast and dirty. Don't think I haven't forgotten about you Chick-fil-a! The third or fourth stop should be renewing my gym membership. I will need it for the Papa John's/Bahama Buck/Rockfish damage to follow. I've been warned by several here to stay away from Wal-Mart for the first two weeks. It's just too much culture shock to take in at once! HA, I can totally see how that can happen.
Oh... home, where there's carpet and Mike Victor. There's television and cell phones. Gas Stations and grocery stores. Slurpees and Sno-cones... and COLDWATER CREEK. There's also family and friends that make it just that.... HOME.
See you in 4 months or so!
(* this plan is all in my head so I'm sure the Air Force will throw in some kind of wrench. Also, I think I heard God snicker at the mentioning on "MY" anything)
So after I get off the near 16 hour solo plane ride with my children, I will meet our family at the airport for pick up! This will be so exciting. I have it in MY head that flying back will be a breeze because it's a red eye... we'll all wake up happy and adjusted to a full day we gain back with the time change. All of our luggage will arrive safely - minus a car seat, because I'm going to move Cole up to a booster. (Yes, he's six and I'm overprotective. I know) Anyway, we'll get all our luggage and go straight home. This is the moment I can not wait for.... seeing my dogs and cat! I literally tear up thinking about it. Please understand that I have missed family and friends. I have also been able to talk and write to family and friends though not as often as I would like. It doesn't mean I place animals above human beings, nor does it mean that I love ya'll any less. But these are my fur babies that think I have abandoned them, assuming we are dead and probably will not like me for a long time. It's the guilt talking. I think I will collapse on the floor and stay there with their yappy, hacking, licking, knob shaking hineys for approximately 7 days. I will pet them and hold them. I will cuddle with them and let that loud cat kneed her paws in my belly. We should probably move onto things I would like to do the SECOND week I'm home.
Reading this back sounds a bit coo-koo.....THAT lady has problems. Moving on.
I will hunt down all our family and friends to give them long overdue hugs! I want to catch up on life and meet my new nephew Malachi and self-proclaimed niece Olivia. I'm going to cry when I see how much they've all grown - Trent, Christian, Paris, Nicky, Madeleine, Dinah, Kaitlyn, Allie, Bella, Kincaid, Maddie, Jacob, Abby, Hannah, and Kayleb! I will have to bribe them with candy to remember my name again.
Then we shall let the eating begin. This is the dilemma: where to go first? Keith says "Easy. Texas Roadhouse." Ohh... I could eat 10lbs of their yeast rolls alone. I am also going to need some Tex-Mex pronto! Maybe El Chico - fast and dirty. Don't think I haven't forgotten about you Chick-fil-a! The third or fourth stop should be renewing my gym membership. I will need it for the Papa John's/Bahama Buck/Rockfish damage to follow. I've been warned by several here to stay away from Wal-Mart for the first two weeks. It's just too much culture shock to take in at once! HA, I can totally see how that can happen.
Oh... home, where there's carpet and Mike Victor. There's television and cell phones. Gas Stations and grocery stores. Slurpees and Sno-cones... and COLDWATER CREEK. There's also family and friends that make it just that.... HOME.
See you in 4 months or so!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Do A Little Dance
My Merlin's only trick is to "do a little dance". For some reason he spins in circles when you sing that to him. He's funny. I miss that little fox. Why are all our pets so goofy? Don't answer that.
Today Cole had another basketball game. The ball hog was in full force! He cracks me up. Cole is so aggressive. The kid will do almost anything to make sure he gets his hands on the ball. So far this sport has been much more entertaining to watch. AND it's super fast: four 6 minute quarters. We get to watch the game within Brad's temperamental limits as well. Perfect all the way around.
This morning our main man scored again! He had about 8 shots on goal. I'm probably confusing sports lingo. What I mean is he shot and hit the rim several times. He scored and after The Look, he puffed up his chest a bit and then it happened. He started to do a little dance. He did this little hand jive and I couldn't love him more. The Look AND a Dance. Today is was as Good As It Gets.
Today Cole had another basketball game. The ball hog was in full force! He cracks me up. Cole is so aggressive. The kid will do almost anything to make sure he gets his hands on the ball. So far this sport has been much more entertaining to watch. AND it's super fast: four 6 minute quarters. We get to watch the game within Brad's temperamental limits as well. Perfect all the way around.
This morning our main man scored again! He had about 8 shots on goal. I'm probably confusing sports lingo. What I mean is he shot and hit the rim several times. He scored and after The Look, he puffed up his chest a bit and then it happened. He started to do a little dance. He did this little hand jive and I couldn't love him more. The Look AND a Dance. Today is was as Good As It Gets.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
YIPPIE!!
We've talked about it, but then again we talk about alot of things. We hoped it would work out, but then again sometimes it doesn't. We take baby steps by requesting leave, but then stop the planning right then and there till last minute.....
We're going to Thailand!!
I am now officially excited! It's been a trip in the works for a while now but we could never commit to reservations. Researching the pros/cons, looking at 179 different hotel websites, google earthing the entire country to see locations, reading, talking to friends..... and then we did nothing.
Let me tell you a little something it's taken me almost 17 years to learn about my husband. He will sit on a idea for YEARS before making sure it's the best one, best time, and absolutely the best price. I have never seen a person read ebay listings so intently he actually remembers if the buyer is relisting an item or using a different posting name. He knew every online store's price by memory of cameras, lenses, and warranty information. Keith will shop in a mall all day long buying nothing so he can go home and compare prices and reviews before making a purchase. There isn't too much impulse buying with him. He knows what he wants, and he hardly ever settles for less than the best. It's a quality I've loved about him and his determination to get it. The best deal his YEARS of researching has gotten him..... ME! I kinda tease. Eight years before we got married, I'm just sayin. The writing was on the wall.
BUT today he made reservations! We have the tickets, hotels, and an itinerary made. I can't tell what has me so giddy (A) This is our first flying-family vacation! (B) The beaches are gorgeous (C) My skin will once again be able to absorb vitamin D!!! (D) Thai food is much better than Korean food (E) we'll temporarily be out of solitary apartment confinement (did you know it was 5 degrees this morning, not including the wind chill when I walked Cole down in the pitch dark to the bus stop?)
Speaking of, NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! I am so excited because it means no bus stop drop off before the sun rises. If you ask Cole why he has a four day weekend, he will tell you because it's "Marther Luther King's Birthday". Marther.... I love it.
Tonight Brad was pretty grumpy so I sent him to his room where he fell asleep before his 3 minute time out was finished. It was close to bed time so I left him there. Cole and I picked up and decided to watch a movie together. He cuddled with me on the couch and he spread his blanket over my legs. He talked through the whole movie about what he thought was funny and for about 59 minutes of the 110 minute movie, he had his little arm propped way up around my neck. It was As Good As It Gets.
We're going to Thailand!!
I am now officially excited! It's been a trip in the works for a while now but we could never commit to reservations. Researching the pros/cons, looking at 179 different hotel websites, google earthing the entire country to see locations, reading, talking to friends..... and then we did nothing.
Let me tell you a little something it's taken me almost 17 years to learn about my husband. He will sit on a idea for YEARS before making sure it's the best one, best time, and absolutely the best price. I have never seen a person read ebay listings so intently he actually remembers if the buyer is relisting an item or using a different posting name. He knew every online store's price by memory of cameras, lenses, and warranty information. Keith will shop in a mall all day long buying nothing so he can go home and compare prices and reviews before making a purchase. There isn't too much impulse buying with him. He knows what he wants, and he hardly ever settles for less than the best. It's a quality I've loved about him and his determination to get it. The best deal his YEARS of researching has gotten him..... ME! I kinda tease. Eight years before we got married, I'm just sayin. The writing was on the wall.
BUT today he made reservations! We have the tickets, hotels, and an itinerary made. I can't tell what has me so giddy (A) This is our first flying-family vacation! (B) The beaches are gorgeous (C) My skin will once again be able to absorb vitamin D!!! (D) Thai food is much better than Korean food (E) we'll temporarily be out of solitary apartment confinement (did you know it was 5 degrees this morning, not including the wind chill when I walked Cole down in the pitch dark to the bus stop?)
Speaking of, NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! I am so excited because it means no bus stop drop off before the sun rises. If you ask Cole why he has a four day weekend, he will tell you because it's "Marther Luther King's Birthday". Marther.... I love it.
Tonight Brad was pretty grumpy so I sent him to his room where he fell asleep before his 3 minute time out was finished. It was close to bed time so I left him there. Cole and I picked up and decided to watch a movie together. He cuddled with me on the couch and he spread his blanket over my legs. He talked through the whole movie about what he thought was funny and for about 59 minutes of the 110 minute movie, he had his little arm propped way up around my neck. It was As Good As It Gets.
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