Ah, the Good Ol' Days

Now I remember what it was like when Andrew was a baby.

Life has been much different with just one kiddo in the house. A lot quieter for starters. Not that Matthew doesn't make noise, but his is of a softer & sweeter baby version; no loud shrieks or whining.

On Monday we tackled 7 loads of laundry, washing, folding, and putting them all away in just one day (that hasn't happened for quite a while). I managed to clean out 4 closets without the contents being carried off to some unknown corner of the house. Doug and I even enjoyed a movie without after-bedtime bathroom breaks and superfluous threats.

Yesterday was our Shopping Extravaganza. We put in almost a full day's work whittling away at our Christmas list. I had forgotten how pleasant it was to just take one non-talking, non-walking infant to a store. I was able to browse, make chit-chat with Matthew, and not feel completely stressed out. We had lunch in a real restaurant. It was so easy to place one child in a car seat that could be reached without having to crawl, stoop, or stretch. There were no bathroom breaks in which I had to juggle an infant on my hip, hold a toddler, and assure everyone that the toilet doesn't suck small children (of course, by about 4 pm I was about to pop and Matthew was a bit soggy). By the end of the day I was exhausted, however, by 8 pm and went to bed early.

Today we're doing cyber shopping (really, people, this is the way to go for the next month; Amazon.com has free shipping on orders over $25 and you can google "free shipping" or "coupon" for other retailers to find deals). We stopped by a couple of stores this morning for stocking stuffers, and there are a couple of things I have to pick up at the grocery store; but we are pretty much done. Yeah!

It's naptime and I have cookies to bake, walls to clean, and final lists to jot.

So Mom & Dad, are you up for this every year?! It sure gives me something to be thankful for!

"Leaved Behind"

The grandparents came and went this weekend, taking with them the two eldest children. Now the house is unusually quiet, there are no toys in the floor, and the toilet seat is free of urine. I suppose by tomorrow afternoon I will start to miss the messes and mayhem, but I have rather enjoyed this quiet afternoon and evening.


We played in the leaves on Saturday before most were crunched into mulch for the flower beds.


I think Matthew is looking forward to his only child status.


We keep trying for a group shot, but this is as good as it gets.

More Religious Conversations

Stephen: I am Peter and you should pray to idols.

Andrew: No, I am not praying to idols; I pray to God.

Stephen: You should pray to idols.

Andrew (very defiantly): No, we should not pray to idols. I only pray to God.

Stephen (in his most cheery voice): Okay, you can pray to God.


This conversation took place while Stephen was in his "boat" (the couch). Jesus (Andrew) then proceeded to "walk across the mountains and the water" to get in the boat. They set sail and talked with the dolphins until Peter fell out of the boat. Jesus sailed on to a new city with his disciples.

False Religion

I have posted before about the ways in which Bible stories tend to get twisted during the boys' play. They have rewritten David & Goliath, Jesus calming the storm, Jonah and the big fish along with many other stories; I have also seen evidence of the boys' applying these truths of Scripture and the catechism to their everyday lives.

Yesterday Stephen asked if God could see us? I replied, "Yes, God is everywhere and sees us at all times. He can see Nana & Papa in Virginia, Colin and Ms. Suzy in Switzerland, and Grandpa & Grandma in Mississippi." Without skipping a beat, Andrew added, "And He can see the model toy tow truck and cherry picker at Grandma & Grandpa's house."

Then there are other instances that leave me shaking my head.

Today I was praying with Andrew over some inappropriate behavior when Stephen snuck into the room to sit on a hamper. After we were done he declared, "I was sitting here pretending to be an idol."

Pushing Buttons

As Christmas approaches, I try to inconspicuously trash toy catalogs as they arrive, but Andrew snagged one which he has studied for hours each day. He often asks what he is going to get for Christmas or tells us what he would like (based on what cool thing he has just seen). Sometimes Stephen makes suggestions as in the following conversation:

Andrew: I would like (X) toy for Christmas.

Stephen: Do you wish for a doll for Christmas?

Andrew (very offended): Dolls are just for girls. I do not want a doll for Christmas! Dolls are not fun.

Free Fall Fun

Random Thoughts

Headlines

The big question of the morning was what would rank as the top headline for today: the election or the "other news."


I bet this announcement would have trumped the final election results.

Candy

There has been a request after every meal and/or accomplishment since Friday night. I'm tired of seeing the Easter/Halloween buckets full of candy. So I divied (sp?) up the remaining candy and each boy had 8 pieces. After they finished their lunches and asked for candy, I told them they could choose one or more pieces, but when it was gone, it was gone. No more.

Stephen ate 2 Dum-dums (he loves them).

Andrew, on the other hand, ate 1 Milky Way, 1 Twix, 3 Kit-Kats, 1 roll of gummy Life Savers, 1 bag of M&Ms and opened another before he declared he didn't feel well and wanted to lie down. Hmmm...imagine that.

Project

It's been one of those days that just hasn't played out as planned. The baby wouldn't nap, was fussy when awake, and finally fell asleep at 11 (I don't like these middle of the day naps). The big boys would not cooperate, constantly asked for food, ran around like maniacs.

I finally shooed them outside to play in the beautiful sunshine and spent way too much time making this little sign (rhyme courtesy of my mom - not a good idea for teaching conflict resolution but helpful in remembering how to set a table).


When I put them in their room to "rest," Stephen reappeared to poop (he was successful but I can't help but think it's just a ploy). When he returned, Andrew came out to do the same. The UPS man showed up and later a chimney sweep (we don't have a chimney but we're one of three houses on the corner with the number "600"). I gave up on resting and sent them out to watch the chimney sweep.

What I Want in a President


As everyone knows, it is an important day for the country. Here are some things I would like:

• Food prices set according to their nutritional value (i.e., milk would be cheaper than chips)
• Legalization of cell phone zappers to end annoying conversations in public settings
• Development of technology to create jeans that fit real people

Unfortunately, I don't think these issues are on the current candidates' platforms. Maybe in another 4 years...I'll contact Ashley Smith.