Hello and Goodbye

Here we go.... Last first day of preschool for this family.

Trillium Adventure

We loaded up alll of our water gear, picnic treats and headed up the mountain. In family fashion the destination was a surprise. You had no idea where we were going and I could not wait much longer. This camp ground is special to me. It is where Grammy Bear and Toy Papa brought me as a little girl. I also have learned that my Nanny loved this lake and also camped here. It holds many dear memories and I am glad to begin with us, now.

It was a hot day. The water was of a perfect temperature. We set tubes out to float on that we tied up to the fishing dock. It gave you freedom and us relief. We tried capturing salamanders. We did not catch one. On our way home it was Huckleberry Inn time. This is my most favorite treat: Huckleberry Milkshakes. Nom, nom, nom.

You two are happy with any adventure. When it involves the water I reach super Mom status.

Meanie Heads

As you read the following both of you understand this really happened. It was in poor taste and I would be appalled if I learned this was either of your behaviors. Also, consistently complaining about work? Take time out and see if it is time for a change. Here it is burgers and beers. I am in and out. If I am not having fun why not be home with my dudes? As you know, I always have something to say. This event did not prove less. 

Dear young married customers, 

Swearing at me or to me after I politely greet you is very rude. Tossing a table upside down in a tantrum will not prove any point other than your maturity. I cannot help the wait is 45 minutes for seating as it depends on how long people stay, which is out of my control. I am sad that by your smile and laughter you find this quality admirable in your significant other. Shame on you both!
Thank you for never returning. You are a meanie-head. 

--Me

Honey Babe

Kaden, Ashton and I sat down for lunch.

Ash looks towards me and asks, "What does Honey mean?"

Kaden abruptly answers, "Honey is what you call your wife. Babe is what you call your husband. Don't worry Ash (his hand up palm out) it is absolutely confusing when you are little. You will understand when you are big. K?"

Ash looks at me and nods in agreement.

Boobies

It is early. Very-very early. I am in my tank top and jammie pants. My hair is all over the place. I was dragging from exhaustion and tummy aches. Kade is lounging around and Ashton hit playing full steam ahead. Another typical morning at our home.

“Ashton! Seriously? There is play-doh everywhere. It is on the rug, in the grout all over the place. What are you doing?”

There is play-doh every where. Large balls, bits and pieces. Smashed and loose. High and low. I have entered what appears to be a play-doh war zone. He is sitting on the rug with a mound of play-doh atop something with wheels. He is “vrooming” it all over the place.

“Mom the truck is going camping it needs all of its gear.”

I count 17 empty play-doh cans rolling around on the art table. Each batch is smashed up to the next and a big packed blob sits on top of a truck. The rainbow of colors now combined making gray and brown. I begin picking up all of the loose tidbits. Do I toss all of it out? It is a ton of play-doh! I am trying to be rational, but the play-doh OCD is speaking to me. We cannot possibly keep it. The colors are not to be blended! They are to remain pink with pink and white with white… not poopy brown. Why do I care? I don’t play with the stuff. Ash could care less. He just likes the creativity of it. I cannot help myself. I toss it. Putting it back in that mismatched state made me itchy. I am a work in progress.

I am moving around quickly. Grabbing, stuffing, tossing and talking.

He is quiet. He is still. He watches.

“Okay, you do not need to have 5 greens open, 3 purples and etc. One of each would suffice. Please, please ask before you start to play with this stuff. You know this, buddy. You may not drive play-doh around on the floor. If you needed space you ask for help to reorganize.”

He just stares at me.

“Dude, are you hearing what Mommy is saying? Do you understand that we only need to have a few cans out at one time and it is to be played with at the table, not under or around it?”

 

He stares.

“Ashton, you MAY answer me, now. This is not okay!”

“BUT MOM!”

“Do not but mom me, buddy.”

His arms go up towards the ceiling in defeat. He is bursting to speak, “Your BOObie is hanging out!”

I look down and sure enough my stretched out tank top has allowed slippage right out of the top. There she is. His behavior allows hindsight that she was out for most of my rant

I laughed and laughed as did he. Poor kiddo. He patiently sat listening to me go on-and-on all of the while waiting to tell me my private body was showing.

I thanked him. I explained he did good by telling me and in the future please tell me if I have food in my teeth, boogs in my nose or toilet paper stuck to my clothing. He is in agreement.

Boobies. Boobies at any age bring on the giggles. Our house is still giggling.

Valley of the Rogue

We spent 6 nights down in the Rogue Valley camping. It was very warm. We spent a lot of time down at the river or watching you two ride your bikes. It was a little bit of independence as you both ride without training wheels. We saw Oregon's largest fireworks show in Medford. Leading up to the finale many live bands and all around high energy of fun. It was pretty amazing. This is the first year you two actually saw such a show.

Eyes Everywhere

K: Mama, let me take a picture of your eyes.
M: Good grief. Why?
K: It is a mystery how you can see EVERYTHING.
M: It is my mommy power.
K: Creepy, but let me still do it, k? I want to figure this mystery out.

I laugh inside-- If you only knew of ALL my Mommy manipulations, er, powers ...

Photo credit: kk