Since the big kids were little kids, I have been complimented for their good behavior in restaurants. Apparently, good behavior in a restaurant isn't very common, as we were complimented almost every time we went out to eat. One woman even told us she would never go out to eat with her own grandchildren, but she'd go out with my kids.
The good behavior had less to do with my parenting and more to do with the fact my kids have always really like to eat. Proof: I rarely got complimented when we were at a store.
We don't get the compliments nearly so often anymore, and I'm thinking it's because the kids are older. I don't know of any 15 year olds who are still running around a restaurant causing trouble. You don't get compliments for normal, expected behavior.
A few days ago, I took all the boys out for lunch between dentist and orthodontist appointments. The waitress not only complimented us, but said, "Your kids are the most well behaved kids I've ever seen." I thanked her, but my body language must have said, "I bet you say that to all the families," because she followed it up with "No, really. They really are."
And with that, my children had to prove her wrong.
When we were basically done with our meal, I had Phoenix take Cuckoo to the restroom, which was just around the corner, practically in the main area of the restaurant. (It's safer to have a big kid take a little kid than to take the little kid myself and leave the rest of the kids to their own devices out in the restaurant. (And by "safer" I don't mean for my children, but for the patrons sitting around them.))
Once they were gone, Turken, of course, had to go to the restroom. At 5, he knows the difference between the men's room and the women's room, and begs us to use the men's. Since Phoenix was in there, I allowed him to go to the men's room, while I continued on to the women's.
The moment my cheeks hit the porcelain, chaos ensued, starting with Cuckoo screaming from the men's room. (I could hear him from my position in the women's room.)
"MOM! MOOOOOOOOM! MOOOOOOOOOM! *paurse* MOM! MOMMOMOMMOM! MOOOOOOMMMMMMYYYYYY!"
Then Turken, from outside the restroom (I knew it was outside, as there was not the echo effect that Cuckoo's screams had)...
"MOM! MOOOOOOOM! MOM! MOM! MOOOOOOOOM!"
As I pulled up my pants and washed my hands, I could hear my little lovelies arguing and yelling in the restroom.
When I got out in the hall, Giant was standing just outside the restroom. He was laughing, saying there was a guy in there who had to endure the ridiculousness of my young children.
I stood out there, unable to do anything about the screaming and hysterical obnoxiousness going on in the men's room.
At one point, the man came out and walked across the hall to go into the kitchen.
Fortunately, I didn't have to storm the bathroom, as my three came out right after him.
I immediately rounded everyone up and into their coats, grabbed the check, and headed for the door, never looking up, as I didn't want to accidentally make eye contact with anyone in the place. Once in the van, I got the whole story.
When they got into the restroom, Phoenix let Cuckoo go into a stall alone, and Cuckoo immediately locked the door.
Cuckoo then went "#2" and started yelling for me, because that's what he does at home when he needs me to wipe his bottom.
Phoenix was at a loss, seeing as how the door was locked and he couldn't get into him. He sent Turken out to find me. When Turken wants to find me, he simply stands and screams for me. In this case, just outside the men's room door, practically in the restaurant (even though he knew I was in the women's restroom and could have easily come to get me).
Somehow Phoenix did manage to get Cuckoo out of the stall and to the sink to wash his hands, as well as get Turken to stop yelling and get in to go to the bathroom. Seems Cuckoo wasn't in the mood to wash his hands, but was in his "I'm going to be as silly as I can and make everything so much more difficult for my caregiver" mood. Thus the hysterical obnoxiousness I heard from the hall. It didn't cross Phoenix's mind to simply let it go and bring him to me, so I could take him to wash his hands in the women's restroom.
And then I asked the pivotal question, not knowing it was the pivotal question.
"What did the restaurant guy do while all of this was going on?"
"He just went to the bathroom and walked out the door, since Cuckoo and Turken were taking up the sinks."
The restaurant guy didn't wash his hands.
Moral of the story?
Over-complimenting children's behavior leads to bathroom germs in your restaurant food. Never over-compliment children's behavior.
*To make us feel better about being the cause of a restaurant full of people being exposed to bathroom germs, we have convinced ourselves that he simply chose to get out of the chaos and wash his hands in a sink in the kitchen in peace. Yup, that's what happened. I'm sure of it. No bathroom germs were in the food. Probably.
Have a lovely day!
Showing posts with label the kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the kids. Show all posts
Monday, January 6, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Sauerkraut Is a Polarizing Taste, and Other News From Our Break (7QT and FTSF)
Happy 2014! A new year and Christmas break following a blogging hiatus leads to plenty of things to write about.
********************** 1 ********************
I equate any break from school with noise.
Constant noise.
My children are incapable of being quiet.
Even when doing "quiet" activities, like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.
You can't understand the noise until you hear it for yourself.
The singing, the trash-talking, the playful bickering, the complete nonsense noise. No, really. If they can't think of anything to say or sing, they just make sounds.
I know, it's adorable. Especially the part where he "na-na-na"s his way through the lyrics he doesn't know. But now imagine up to 6 kids all doing this at the same time, all singing different songs. Because when one of them senses that the noise is starting to make me twitch, he pushes the envelope and intentionally gets louder.
Like this:
(We were in the van at night, COW driving. The loudest voice you hear is Giant, as he's sitting right behind me.)
We have 4 more days of break. Four more days of lots and lots of noise.
And yet, I don't want break to end. I love having them home. I love being able to stay in our pajamas all day long. I love the loads of time we have to play games and have fun.
And I love the locks on our doors, for those times when the noise gets too much for me and I can throw the children out into the yard for some energy-burning activities. (If I don't lock the door, they will take turns coming in to tell me something/tattle on someone, make me kiss a non-existent boo-boo. None of which is quiet.)
********************* 2 ****************
Several months ago, my mom mentioned her desire to have a game night at her house with all of her grandkids. A week ago, my sister texted me "We got the most fun new game. You have to come down and play with us." I called my mom and told her to be ready on Monday, as her dreams were about to come true.
Amazingly enough, all three of my Kentucky siblings and their children were available for at least part of the day. We brought a bunch of games and snacks, my mom made an unbelievable amount of food, and we spent 7 hours eating and laughing and having a great time with the relatives. (A total of 15 kids, ages 6 months to 15 years)
Once we were back home, the boys were talking about the fact they missed basketball practice to go to Kentucky for the day. They all agreed that four hours in the car and missing practice were totally worth it.
It almost made me want to move to Kentucky. (I said "almost", Mom!)
************************ 3 ************************
Now that the holidays are over, Kate, Stephanie, Janine, and Kristi's Finish the Sentence Friday is back. This week, we are to write about our blogging goals.
My blogging goal for this year is...
to have fun. Plain and simple. I'm not in this to make money. I'm not in this to gain a gazillion followers or get a book published. I blog because I want to record our life for my kids. I enjoy trying to tell our family's stories in funny or interesting and different ways. I have a ball interacting with everyone here in the world of the internet. I like hearing from people I know in real life who have heard about the blog. It's fun. And I want it to continue. If it stops being fun, I'll stop doing it. I don't want to stop, so my goal has to be to have fun.
************************ 4 ******************
Crazy fun people live in Kentucky. Emphasis on the crazy.
 |
| Yes, that is a playhouse on top of an old silo. It's just down the street from my mom, but I forgot to ask her how it got there. |
*************** 5 ********************
COW made me text a friend to let her know that thanks to her, he was having his best New Years Day ever.
Remember the Polish sausage COW made with the sausage stuffer he got for his birthday?
He had some today, paired with homemade sauerkraut I helped a friend make back in September.
At one point, Buttercup and I had this conversation:
B: Dad is in an exceptionally good mood today.
Me: Why do you say that?
B: He's giving away the Twinkies he got in his stocking. He never gives away the Twinkies he gets in his stocking.
Me: Never underestimate the power of sauerkraut.
Phoenix (who happened to walk through the room) : I will keep that in mind.
B: Yeah, in a few years, when I ask for the keys to the car, I will be sure to have a jar of sauerkraut in my hand.
Quick learners/schemers those kids are.
******************* 6 **************
While today was the best day of the year for COW, it completely traumatized Cuckoo.
As COW cooked, Cuckoo came in to ask me for a peanut butter sandwich. Not unusual, except he was holding his nose.
"Why are you holding your nose?"
"Betause it stinks weally, weally bad in the titchen."
For an hour and a half, that boy did not let go of his nose. He ate his lunch (with a complaint that it tasted funny. (How many of you did science experiments on smell affecting taste? Cuckoo hasn't yet.)) played a game, and just hung out with us, all the while holding tight to prevent even a small whiff of sauerkraut stench to enter his nasal passage.
Before today, if you were to ask Cuckoo what the worst food in the world was, he would have answered "soup". Today, one of the big kids asked him which he'd rather eat, soup or sauerkraut. Cuckoo answered, "Soup, betause at weast I tan have chocolate soup. Sauertwaut is da worst. Down at the bottom."
It wasn't until everyone was done eating, the food was all put away, and the smell had completely dissipated that he was willing to breathe normally.
On an unrelated note, why in the world does a child who refuses to eat chicken and noodles, meatloaf, and a variety of other delicious, good-smelling food have absolutely no trouble trying vile-smelling, been fermented in its own juices for three weeks cabbage?
******************* 7 **************
We have a great zoo in Indianapolis, and we have had a membership there since Phoenix was a baby. About 5 years ago (maybe) they opened a new exhibit with bats. Really, really large bats. While it was a nice idea, they didn't take into account that bats are nocturnal, and the zoo is only open during daylight hours.
For 5 years (or more) we have walked by to see a bunch of impressively-sized bats simply hanging from the ceiling.
Saturday was an unusually warm day, so we made a night of going to church, having dinner at an awesome deli downtown, then heading to the zoo to see the Christmas lights...
at night...
when the bats are awake.
While the kids and I stood transfixed, watching them climb and eat and interact and stretch, COW stood just outside the viewing area. I'm pretty sure I heard him saying a prayer, asking God to not let them escape, because they would surely end up inside our house. I said a little prayer, too, because if one of those got inside our house, COW would drop where he stood, and I'd be a widow.
But maybe, after seeing these monster bats, COW will be a little less scared and a little more grateful the next time a normal, itty-bitty bat gets into our house. (You know one will.)
*********** Last minute addition Bonus take ***************
When the big kids were little kids, I had complete control over the songs they heard. This is not the case as I raise Turken and Cuckoo. The big kids and COW (who has had enough of kids' music after all these years) listen to all sorts of non-kids' music when the little kids are around.
Today, Star had this popular song playing, and he and the little boys were singing along.
Well, Turken and Cuckoo were na-na-naing along, since they didn't really know the words. Until they got to one particular line. At minute 1:43.
Basically, Cuckoo sang na-na-na-na-na- HELLBOUND na-na-na.
When he is in 2nd grade, he will be the child other parents talk about. "Oh, keep your child away from Cuckoo. He has older siblings and is allowed to do all sorts of things I don't want my kids exposed to."
Know how I know? Because my friends and I used to say it about kids in Phoenix's class.
Well played, God. Well. Played.
Feel free to link up with either Finish the Sentence Friday or 7 Quick Takes. They'd be happy to have you.
Have a lovely day!
* All last night I tried to link up with the FTSF girls to no avail. No one was putting up the link. And then this morning I went to link up with Jen, and she didn't put her link up either. Forgetting that I couldn't link up with FTSF last night, my mind went straight to worry about Jen. She was sick last week, so was something really, really wrong with her? She is known to have massive health problems. It is not until just this moment (2:18 in the afternoon) when I read a couple of posts about Theme Thursday, that I realized today is Thursday. It's not Friday. These are Friday linkups.
A cautionary tale, ya'll. Staying in your pajamas for too many days in a row really jacks up your internal calendar.
The ladies will love to see you TOMORROW, which is Friday, when they actually have these lovely FRIDAY link-ups.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Oh, Yeah? Well...Your Turkey Is Ugly.
The following is a conversation I had with Turken. He came home from kindergarten carrying a big paper turkey he had made.
Me: What did you write on your feathers?
Turken: Well, we had to write some, and some we got to choose.
Me: Your teacher made you write certain things?
Turken: Uh-huh. (as he points to each feather) We had to put God. And then a pet. I put "dog" even though they aren't our pets.
Me: (completely skipping the questions about being forced to put God) They aren't our pets? Why do you say that?
Turken: They don't come inside.
Me: Huh. (Mental note: Perhaps we need to discuss what a pet is.)
Turken: Then I put Ms. (Teacher).
Me: (under my breath) Did you have to put her?
Turken: And Dad.
Me: Was Dad one you had to write?
Turken: No. And then Mom.
Me: Were you told to write Mom?
Turken: No.
(pause)
Turken: I just didn't know how to spell anybody else's name.
Me:
And with that, Turken has moved into 7th place in my favorite kid contest.
His cousin has inched her way into the lineup.
Have a lovely day!
Me: What did you write on your feathers?
Turken: Well, we had to write some, and some we got to choose.
Me: Your teacher made you write certain things?
Turken: Uh-huh. (as he points to each feather) We had to put God. And then a pet. I put "dog" even though they aren't our pets.
Me: (completely skipping the questions about being forced to put God) They aren't our pets? Why do you say that?
Turken: They don't come inside.
Me: Huh. (Mental note: Perhaps we need to discuss what a pet is.)
Turken: Then I put Ms. (Teacher).
Me: (under my breath) Did you have to put her?
Turken: And Dad.
Me: Was Dad one you had to write?
Turken: No. And then Mom.
Me: Were you told to write Mom?
Turken: No.
(pause)
Turken: I just didn't know how to spell anybody else's name.
Me:
And with that, Turken has moved into 7th place in my favorite kid contest.
His cousin has inched her way into the lineup.
 |
| My name was "Crissy" until I moved to Indiana, where no one knew me and I could shed the name Three's Company made infamous. The relatives still use the moniker. |
Have a lovely day!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
I Was Smited. In Front of 800 People. It Had Nothing to Do With Chickens or Pigs.
We sit in the front of church each and every week. We always have. There is nothing worse for a kid than being in a gigantic room full of people, knowing something is going on in the front of the room, and being unable to see it. Sitting in the back, all we would hear are extremely whiny, "I can't seeeeeee." So, in the front we sit.
I know parents are afraid to sit in the front of church, because what if the kid misbehaves?
I say, "What is the worst that can happen? The kid throws a fit and you leave." Every parent in the place has been in your shoes, and only one or two heartless people will judge.
I apologize to any and all young parents to whom I gave this advice.
A temper tantrum is most certainly NOT the worst thing that can happen.
We went to 5:00 Mass on Saturday night, with plans on going out for my birthday dinner afterwards. As usual, we were as close as we could get to the front of church. The 4th pew to be exact.
COW was down at one end of the pew. Cuckoo was on his lap, and four kids were in between us.
At a nice, quiet point in Mass, right after the first reading (to non-Catholics, this would be about 10 minutes into the service) Cuckoo coughed. It was a cough that you just knew had all sorts of phlegm behind it, and he choked a bit. It was an awful sound that echoed throughout the 800 person audience.
He looked to COW with a pitiful face and croaked, "It made me choke."
He then got off COW's lap and started to make his way towards me. At his third step, he gave a roar of sorts, then spewed vomit all over the floor.
Did you catch that???? The boy puked. At church. In the 4th pew from the front.
Simultaneously, the following things occurred:
- COW actually tried to stop the flow of vomit by covering Cuckoo's mouth.
- The thought, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this situation?" flittered through my head.
- a horrified Buttercup (because, really, calling any attention to a 13 year old girl sitting with her parents is bad. Attention being called because her brother upchucked all over the church is just plain mortifying.) slid as far down the pew as she could, head bowed into her lap.
- Turken cried, "He threw up in my coat!" approximately 24 times
- Star pointed out that a few drops of vomit landed on his leg and could he please have something to clean it
- Giant and Phoenix tried hard to hide their laughter behind cringes of disgust. They were disgusted with the vomit being so close, but laughing because...well...they are boys, and that scenario is just plain hilarious to boys.
- A dear woman I've known for years and years (and was actually Phoenix and Buttercup's preschool teacher) pulled two handmade dishrags she had shown me just 15 minutes earlier out of her purse, (She had just, and I mean JUST, bought them at the church's "Different Kind of Giving Market"*) and with sadness in her eyes said, "Use these."
- Approximately 300 Kleenex from 40 tissue packs were thrown at us from every direction by the many elderly ladies surrounding us.
I did what I could with the Kleenex and handmade dishrags, but it wasn't enough. I left church in search of cleaning supplies, cursing our OCD janitor for not allowing paper towels in the bathrooms. In the hall, I came across COW and Cuckoo. He had found some paper towels, so I grabbed them and went down that long aisle while everyone sat listening to the second reading.
I was working on the cleanup, when I realized I had nothing to put the nastiness into. Back down the aisle and in search of a plastic bag I went. The trash cans all had huge liners with no extras underneath. I finally found some donations waiting to be picked up, all in little grocery bags. I emptied one of the grocery bags and took it back down the long aisle to finish cleaning up the mess. Thankfully, my dishrag friend was there getting the last of the puke cleaned up. I took the bag of puke (and her lovely handmade dishrags) back down the aisle to dispose of the bag, clean off Turken's coat, and wash my hands.
I ran into COW and Cuckoo again, and stopped to see how Cuckoo was doing. The dear boy, as he sat on a bench, swinging his feet and bouncing around, asked me, "Can I go run around in the grass outside?"
He was just fine, but they stayed in the hall just in case.
I went back into church to participate in the rest of Mass.
Thankfully for us, the priest was losing his voice, so there was no long homily, and we were out of there in record time.
Before we could leave, we headed over to the gym to buy some dishrags to replace my friends' sacrificial cloths. No less than 5 people, who had been scattered around the church, stopped to ask, "Did one of your kids throw up? We heard the initial, tell-tale blah, then saw a flurry of activity around you."
Thankfully, no one outside of a 4 pew radius had to hear the splat as the vomit hit the ground. Or witness the "one in a million, Doc." hit Turken's coat took. The coat had been on Turken's lap, and that spew went right down the sleeve, shoulder to wrist.
Unfortunately, I am to blame for the entire fiasco.
The last three weekends, COW and I had to go to different Masses. The little boys were with me for all of them. Let's just say, I didn't get to hear much of the last three Masses.
Seconds before the upchuck, I thought, "Ha! Finally. COW gets to wrestle the boys while I relax and listen to the readings."
Lightening would have hurt innocent people. This was a much better way for God to smite me.
Point taken. Lesson learned.
Have a lovely day!
*It seems "smited" isn't a word. It's supposed to be smote. But who ever heard that word? No one will know what I'm getting at if I use "smote". Just so you know, in the future, I will use the word "smote". 'Cause now you know.
I know parents are afraid to sit in the front of church, because what if the kid misbehaves?
I say, "What is the worst that can happen? The kid throws a fit and you leave." Every parent in the place has been in your shoes, and only one or two heartless people will judge.
I apologize to any and all young parents to whom I gave this advice.
A temper tantrum is most certainly NOT the worst thing that can happen.
We went to 5:00 Mass on Saturday night, with plans on going out for my birthday dinner afterwards. As usual, we were as close as we could get to the front of church. The 4th pew to be exact.
COW was down at one end of the pew. Cuckoo was on his lap, and four kids were in between us.
At a nice, quiet point in Mass, right after the first reading (to non-Catholics, this would be about 10 minutes into the service) Cuckoo coughed. It was a cough that you just knew had all sorts of phlegm behind it, and he choked a bit. It was an awful sound that echoed throughout the 800 person audience.
He looked to COW with a pitiful face and croaked, "It made me choke."
He then got off COW's lap and started to make his way towards me. At his third step, he gave a roar of sorts, then spewed vomit all over the floor.
Did you catch that???? The boy puked. At church. In the 4th pew from the front.
Simultaneously, the following things occurred:
- COW actually tried to stop the flow of vomit by covering Cuckoo's mouth.
- The thought, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this situation?" flittered through my head.
- a horrified Buttercup (because, really, calling any attention to a 13 year old girl sitting with her parents is bad. Attention being called because her brother upchucked all over the church is just plain mortifying.) slid as far down the pew as she could, head bowed into her lap.
- Turken cried, "He threw up in my coat!" approximately 24 times
- Star pointed out that a few drops of vomit landed on his leg and could he please have something to clean it
- Giant and Phoenix tried hard to hide their laughter behind cringes of disgust. They were disgusted with the vomit being so close, but laughing because...well...they are boys, and that scenario is just plain hilarious to boys.
- A dear woman I've known for years and years (and was actually Phoenix and Buttercup's preschool teacher) pulled two handmade dishrags she had shown me just 15 minutes earlier out of her purse, (She had just, and I mean JUST, bought them at the church's "Different Kind of Giving Market"*) and with sadness in her eyes said, "Use these."
- Approximately 300 Kleenex from 40 tissue packs were thrown at us from every direction by the many elderly ladies surrounding us.
I did what I could with the Kleenex and handmade dishrags, but it wasn't enough. I left church in search of cleaning supplies, cursing our OCD janitor for not allowing paper towels in the bathrooms. In the hall, I came across COW and Cuckoo. He had found some paper towels, so I grabbed them and went down that long aisle while everyone sat listening to the second reading.
I was working on the cleanup, when I realized I had nothing to put the nastiness into. Back down the aisle and in search of a plastic bag I went. The trash cans all had huge liners with no extras underneath. I finally found some donations waiting to be picked up, all in little grocery bags. I emptied one of the grocery bags and took it back down the long aisle to finish cleaning up the mess. Thankfully, my dishrag friend was there getting the last of the puke cleaned up. I took the bag of puke (and her lovely handmade dishrags) back down the aisle to dispose of the bag, clean off Turken's coat, and wash my hands.
I ran into COW and Cuckoo again, and stopped to see how Cuckoo was doing. The dear boy, as he sat on a bench, swinging his feet and bouncing around, asked me, "Can I go run around in the grass outside?"
He was just fine, but they stayed in the hall just in case.
I went back into church to participate in the rest of Mass.
Thankfully for us, the priest was losing his voice, so there was no long homily, and we were out of there in record time.
Before we could leave, we headed over to the gym to buy some dishrags to replace my friends' sacrificial cloths. No less than 5 people, who had been scattered around the church, stopped to ask, "Did one of your kids throw up? We heard the initial, tell-tale blah, then saw a flurry of activity around you."
Thankfully, no one outside of a 4 pew radius had to hear the splat as the vomit hit the ground. Or witness the "one in a million, Doc." hit Turken's coat took. The coat had been on Turken's lap, and that spew went right down the sleeve, shoulder to wrist.
Unfortunately, I am to blame for the entire fiasco.
The last three weekends, COW and I had to go to different Masses. The little boys were with me for all of them. Let's just say, I didn't get to hear much of the last three Masses.
Seconds before the upchuck, I thought, "Ha! Finally. COW gets to wrestle the boys while I relax and listen to the readings."
Lightening would have hurt innocent people. This was a much better way for God to smite me.
Point taken. Lesson learned.
Have a lovely day!
*It seems "smited" isn't a word. It's supposed to be smote. But who ever heard that word? No one will know what I'm getting at if I use "smote". Just so you know, in the future, I will use the word "smote". 'Cause now you know.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Big Chicken News and a New Song to Stick in Your Head - TToT, Week 24
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
~Epictetus
1. I am thankful for the one chicken who finally started doing what the good Lord intended.
WE HAVE EGGS!!!!!
She managed to lay three eggs this week. The others better follow suit, or one of these days I'll be writing, "I'm thankful for lots of chicken and noodles."
2. Speaking of chickens, I am thankful for our redneck fence. I will not call it impenetrable anymore, seeing as how each and every day I have to catch at least one chicken and put her back inside. Yesterday, I heard a chicken commotion. I looked outside and saw one chicken on the roof of the coop, another in the west side "holding area", and another in the garden. I simply had to go out to the back of the coop, and the one on the roof simply flew back into the pen. I next went to get the one out of the garden. I was a tad worried about how I was going to actually catch her before she ran into a dog, but I worried for nothing. As soon as I got out there, she simply ran around the coop, into the east side holding area, and hopped up onto the net.
She eventually hopped her way back into the pen. In the background you can see the other chicken in the west side holding pen. I climbed in there,
 |
Why am I grateful for this??? Because in the past, the chickens would all be getting out and immediately going into the yard with the dogs/coyotes. With the redneck fence, only a few can, and they are almost always stuck in the holding area, safe and sound until we put them back in. We haven't lost one yet. (Please be so kind as to knock on something wood right now. Thank you.)
3. I am thankful for funny videos and the people who introduce them to us. This week, we discovered Water Wars, which we will be doing and posting a video of our own soon, and "What Does the Farmer Say?" (Huge thanks to Our Adventures with Riley for posting this on my Facebook wall.) This Kansas farm family has made all sorts of parodies of famous songs. Each one is funnier than the last. I am especially thankful, because it has finally gotten the kids to stop singing "What does the Fox Say?". They are all over this version.
If you like it, there are plenty more. I like them so much, I started following them on Facebook.
4. I am thankful for COW. This week he brought me flowers just to make me smile. Plus, he massages my legs for me. He hates to massage my legs. No, it's not because of my hairy legs. When I have Lupusy flares, my legs and joints really, really hurt. While a massage hurts so badly it usually causes my eyes to tear up, I feel a bit better afterwards. COW hates to be the one making me cry, but he does it anyway, because I ask him to.
5. I am thankful for sunshine. The temperatures have dropped into the shivering numbers (It even snowed one day!), but the sun has been out most of the week. Our house faces south, and right at about naptime, the sun shines right through the window and lands on the spot on the couch where I sit to work on the computer. It is the one time of day I am perfectly toasty warm.
6. I am thankful for our ability to stumble upon funny shows. I don't know how we found it, but this spoof of "The Bachelorette" cracked us up. (I can't believe I just admitted that.)
7. I am thankful for the end of soccer season. Basketball has started, so our weeknights can be a bit busy, but the weekends?? Oh, the weekends. So much easier without soccer tournaments eating up every waking (and some non-waking) hour.
8. I am over the moon thankful for Buttercup. She has stepped up and been a big help this week. I received a call from someone on Monday afternoon asking if I could make some cookies for the teachers for the following morning. I would have had to do make them at 9:30 that night, after Star's practice. Buttercup made them for me while I was gone. And another night, I underestimated how long it would take to get the meal in the oven. 3/4 of the way through the prep work, I had to leave the house to get Giant to practice. I called Buttercup in, gave her instructions, and left. She did a fabulous job getting everything put together and in the oven for me.
9. While I am good at making the kids' appointments, I have been extremely negligent in having my own check-ups. The last time I saw my OB/GYN was the day I gave birth to Cuckoo. I haven't seen a doctor of any kind in over two years. This is especially bad since I am over 40, my mom has had cervical cancer, my grandma died of colon cancer, and I'm supposed to get my blood checked every year. (I told you I was extremely negligent.) I finally called yesterday to make an appointment. Since I haven't been in so long, I was considered a new patient. New patients get in much sooner than existing patient. I am thankful for my appointment date of Dec. 4, at which I will receive my first mammogram and see the doctor.
10. I am thankful for my friends and family who have been pestering me to get this done. I did not make it a priority, but they did. So it is done.
Ya'll can get off my back now.
What are you thankful for this week?
Have a lovely day!
Your hosts
A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, Home On Deranged, I can say mama, I Want Backsies, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine
Friday, November 15, 2013
Needing Some Input from My Homies - 7QT
I am using this week's quick takes to get some ideas from you, my BFFs in commenting. I am sitting on the fence on a few issues, and I could use some help deciding which way to fall. Also, I need some ideas for dealing with my children. Don't worry. This isn't a test. You will not be graded, but I do want you to number your paper from one to seven, plus one bonus.
Would you go here for your next haircut?
I'm thinking I'll go. If they give me another curly mullet, we'll have our answer.
U-G-L-Y
Our family meal times are basically run by the children. Somehow, as the kids grew, COW and I lost control. Instead of lovely conversations, where everyone takes turns listening and tactfully voicing his thought-out opinion, we have renditions of "What Does the Fox Say" mixed with random and unnecessary shouts, hollers, pounding, and trash talk. They aren't fighting or arguing, they're just loud and boisterous and loud and hyper and loud.
COW and I just sit there, wracking our brains for something, anything, to say to make them stop. The only things that ever make it out of our mouths, though, are occasional yells to "Put your chair back down!" and "We don't discuss that at the table!" and "For crying out loud, you have a napkin!" By 6:30, our brains are fried, and we just can't think with all of that noise. We've tried to come up with things beforehand. Unfortunately, I have been unable to come up with anything, and COW can't come up with anything besides football. Football is what the boys usually bring up on their own to get the rowdy party started.
So help us. Give us some ideas of things to discuss/do during dinner. A game. A topic. I don't care. Just make the loud stop.
(PS. We've tried the "quiet" game. It lasts for all of 13 seconds, thanks to Cuckoo.)
I can't remember who introduced Jimmy Fallon's Water Wars to us (If it is you, let me know!), but we have been watching all of them.
As I've said before, War is Cuckoo's favorite game. We play epic battles every single day. When he caught a glimpse of this, his eyes lit up and his heart started beating faster. He wants to play Water Wars. Desperately.
If only we had seen this in the summer. I'd be all over this game if it was 95 degrees and we can water the lawn while we play. However, we are in the middle of November, with temperatures hovering around shivering. Ain't no way we're playing this game outside.
How can we play this in the house without ruining everything in it? Keep in mind, we only have one, itty bitty bath tub.
Fake flowers as landscaping. Green thumbs up or down?
I frequently see bloggers who say, "People continue to ask me..." Sometimes, they have so many "common questions people ask", they just do FAQs pages. I have only had one person ask me a question. Jen asked me, "is fat back the same as pork belly?" I couldn't even answer it, so I'm coming to you.
Anyone? Anyone?
Was the person who did this...
new, drunk, or texting while painting?
Related question: Does the guy still have a job?
Mom has given up or is simply too busy to turn the kid's coat right-side out?
Oh, wait. I know the answer to that one.
The kid has a reversible coat. This is not it. He doesn't know that. Mom doesn't care.
Does using the word "homies" in the title make me sound cool and less redneck?
Now, get to answering.
Have a lovely day!
**************** 1 *************
Would you go here for your next haircut?
I'm thinking I'll go. If they give me another curly mullet, we'll have our answer.
U-G-L-Y
*************** 2 **************
Our family meal times are basically run by the children. Somehow, as the kids grew, COW and I lost control. Instead of lovely conversations, where everyone takes turns listening and tactfully voicing his thought-out opinion, we have renditions of "What Does the Fox Say" mixed with random and unnecessary shouts, hollers, pounding, and trash talk. They aren't fighting or arguing, they're just loud and boisterous and loud and hyper and loud.
COW and I just sit there, wracking our brains for something, anything, to say to make them stop. The only things that ever make it out of our mouths, though, are occasional yells to "Put your chair back down!" and "We don't discuss that at the table!" and "For crying out loud, you have a napkin!" By 6:30, our brains are fried, and we just can't think with all of that noise. We've tried to come up with things beforehand. Unfortunately, I have been unable to come up with anything, and COW can't come up with anything besides football. Football is what the boys usually bring up on their own to get the rowdy party started.
So help us. Give us some ideas of things to discuss/do during dinner. A game. A topic. I don't care. Just make the loud stop.
(PS. We've tried the "quiet" game. It lasts for all of 13 seconds, thanks to Cuckoo.)
***************** 3 ****************
I can't remember who introduced Jimmy Fallon's Water Wars to us (If it is you, let me know!), but we have been watching all of them.
As I've said before, War is Cuckoo's favorite game. We play epic battles every single day. When he caught a glimpse of this, his eyes lit up and his heart started beating faster. He wants to play Water Wars. Desperately.
If only we had seen this in the summer. I'd be all over this game if it was 95 degrees and we can water the lawn while we play. However, we are in the middle of November, with temperatures hovering around shivering. Ain't no way we're playing this game outside.
How can we play this in the house without ruining everything in it? Keep in mind, we only have one, itty bitty bath tub.
***************** 4 ****************
Fake flowers as landscaping. Green thumbs up or down?
***************** 5 ************
I frequently see bloggers who say, "People continue to ask me..." Sometimes, they have so many "common questions people ask", they just do FAQs pages. I have only had one person ask me a question. Jen asked me, "is fat back the same as pork belly?" I couldn't even answer it, so I'm coming to you.
Anyone? Anyone?
***************** 6 ***************
Was the person who did this...
new, drunk, or texting while painting?
Related question: Does the guy still have a job?
****************** 7 *************
Mom has given up or is simply too busy to turn the kid's coat right-side out?
Oh, wait. I know the answer to that one.
The kid has a reversible coat. This is not it. He doesn't know that. Mom doesn't care.
************* Bonus question ***************
Does using the word "homies" in the title make me sound cool and less redneck?
Now, get to answering.
Have a lovely day!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Don't Lie, Children, Unless You Are Being Interrogated by the Doctor.
I long for the days when well-baby checkups were easy.
I would love to go back to the days when I was in control of the information the doctor received.
Basically, I like our medical professionals to believe we are clean, civilized people. My children, on the other hand, are bound and determined to let all MDs know we are as redneck as they come.
For example, one year, when the nurse told one child to take off his clothes down to his underwear, the child said, "I don't have any underwear on."
I don't know if that was better or worse than the child who showed up to his check-up with underwear so full of holes the doctor actually laughed.
This physical evidence is bad enough. The stress of the questions, though, keeps me on the edge of my seat.
A good doctor, apparently, is required to ask the child all sorts of questions while the parent sits by, quietly but fervently praying for the child to answer correctly.
Do you eat a lot of different, healthy things and drink your milk? Say yes. Please say yes.
Do you know the alphabet? Oh, for sure you'll show off your mad ABC skills.
Do you always wear sunscreen? Always???!!! Does anyone ALWAYS wear sunscreen??
Can you ride a bike? Are you still using training wheels? Do you wear a helmet?? Crap. We live on a farm! They don't go on the road!
Do you have trouble going to the bathroom? Are you going to tell her you thought you pooped your pants today? Huh? And then when I checked and said, "No you didn't. It was just a toot." you argued and said, "No, I saw it when I looked in my pants." Gonna tell her that?? Please don't.
It's in these moments that I really want the children to lie. I know I've told them over and over and over that lying is unacceptable. Lying only causes more problems. Blah, blah, blah. I really should have put in a caveat when I put that rule in place.
Don't lie, but it's OK to lie to a doctor when Mom is in the room. Just make Mama look good.
I thought I had some hope with the kids learning this lesson on lying when Phoenix was little. At a dental visit, the hygienist was going to brush his teeth and asked which flavor paste he wanted. When she opened the strawberry he had requested, he told her, "That's not strawberry. Strawberries are red and that is pink." When no amount of logic would work on the woman, he pulled out the big guns and said, "Oh, I forgot. I gave strawberries up for Lent." It was September.
Unfortunately, that's the only time one of my kids has ever lied to a medical person.
Today, Cuckoo had his 4 year check-up. In case you're wondering, he's in the 25th percentile for height and the 50th percentile for weight. The perfect size if your lifelong dream is to be a Wobble.
He did very well for the entire appointment. He sat on that table all smiles, doing everything the doctor asked. He took a deep breath, he let her look in his ears, he looked at the spot on the wall while she checked his eyes. When she checked his reflexes, his foot jumped. When she told him to walk across the room, so she could check his back, he skipped. Not only was his underwear hole-free, it was clean.
And when he answered the doctor's plethora of questions, he didn't throw me under the bus.
Do you eat a lot of different, healthy things and drink your milk? Yes.
Do you know the alphabet? Yes. Can you spell your name? Yes.
Do you always wear sunscreen? Yes.
Can you ride a bike? Yes. Are you still using training wheels? Yes. Do you wear a helmet?? Yes.
Do you have trouble going to the bathroom? No.
And then...
Doctor: Do you brush your teeth?
Cuckoo: Yes.
Doctor: In the morning and before bed?
Cuckoo: Yes. Except when Dad won't let me brush at night.
I think COW felt the force of that bus all the way downtown.
Have a lovely day!
I would love to go back to the days when I was in control of the information the doctor received.
Basically, I like our medical professionals to believe we are clean, civilized people. My children, on the other hand, are bound and determined to let all MDs know we are as redneck as they come.
For example, one year, when the nurse told one child to take off his clothes down to his underwear, the child said, "I don't have any underwear on."
I don't know if that was better or worse than the child who showed up to his check-up with underwear so full of holes the doctor actually laughed.
This physical evidence is bad enough. The stress of the questions, though, keeps me on the edge of my seat.
A good doctor, apparently, is required to ask the child all sorts of questions while the parent sits by, quietly but fervently praying for the child to answer correctly.
Do you eat a lot of different, healthy things and drink your milk? Say yes. Please say yes.
Do you know the alphabet? Oh, for sure you'll show off your mad ABC skills.
Do you always wear sunscreen? Always???!!! Does anyone ALWAYS wear sunscreen??
Can you ride a bike? Are you still using training wheels? Do you wear a helmet?? Crap. We live on a farm! They don't go on the road!
Do you have trouble going to the bathroom? Are you going to tell her you thought you pooped your pants today? Huh? And then when I checked and said, "No you didn't. It was just a toot." you argued and said, "No, I saw it when I looked in my pants." Gonna tell her that?? Please don't.
It's in these moments that I really want the children to lie. I know I've told them over and over and over that lying is unacceptable. Lying only causes more problems. Blah, blah, blah. I really should have put in a caveat when I put that rule in place.
Don't lie, but it's OK to lie to a doctor when Mom is in the room. Just make Mama look good.
I thought I had some hope with the kids learning this lesson on lying when Phoenix was little. At a dental visit, the hygienist was going to brush his teeth and asked which flavor paste he wanted. When she opened the strawberry he had requested, he told her, "That's not strawberry. Strawberries are red and that is pink." When no amount of logic would work on the woman, he pulled out the big guns and said, "Oh, I forgot. I gave strawberries up for Lent." It was September.
Unfortunately, that's the only time one of my kids has ever lied to a medical person.
Today, Cuckoo had his 4 year check-up. In case you're wondering, he's in the 25th percentile for height and the 50th percentile for weight. The perfect size if your lifelong dream is to be a Wobble.
He did very well for the entire appointment. He sat on that table all smiles, doing everything the doctor asked. He took a deep breath, he let her look in his ears, he looked at the spot on the wall while she checked his eyes. When she checked his reflexes, his foot jumped. When she told him to walk across the room, so she could check his back, he skipped. Not only was his underwear hole-free, it was clean.
And when he answered the doctor's plethora of questions, he didn't throw me under the bus.
Do you eat a lot of different, healthy things and drink your milk? Yes.
Do you know the alphabet? Yes. Can you spell your name? Yes.
Do you always wear sunscreen? Yes.
Can you ride a bike? Yes. Are you still using training wheels? Yes. Do you wear a helmet?? Yes.
Do you have trouble going to the bathroom? No.
And then...
Doctor: Do you brush your teeth?
Cuckoo: Yes.
Doctor: In the morning and before bed?
Cuckoo: Yes. Except when Dad won't let me brush at night.
I think COW felt the force of that bus all the way downtown.
Have a lovely day!
Friday, November 8, 2013
TToT Week 23, You'll Be Tapping Your Toes the Entire Way Through This One
If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.
-- Rabbi Harold Kushner
-- Rabbi Harold Kushner
1. I am thankful for the time and weather which allows me to get outside with the boys to burn some energy (theirs) and burn some calories (mine). Two of the kids have had after-school activities, which leaves us waiting for 30 minutes or more after picking up Giant. On the rainy Wednesday, there was a pocket of no rain at the time we could use it, and yesterday it was cold but bright and sunny after school. Perfect.
2. I am thankful for the unpredictable thoughts of/conversations with 4 year old Cuckoo. I'm just going to give you a list of some of the gems he's dealt me this week.
Standing next to one of the big kids: "Who is taller, him or me? Heads don't count."
"I want to be Spiderman, so I drew on my arm."
As the kids got situated in the van in order to leave the house, I intentionally hit the gas to make Star stumble and fall onto Phoenix. As the kids and I laughed, Cuckoo calmly inquired: "Did you run over Hershey?" (Hershey is Cuckoo's favorite dog.)
After a looooong conversation over several days about animals that eat people, (in which I actually said, "Most lions have never tasted a person.") Cuckoo said, "A giraffe doesn't eat people. Know how I know? They don't have big mouths. (Make sure you pronounce that "th" in mouth like it's a "v".)
Four times in one hour in the middle of the night he called to us from his room. The first time, I expected him to tell us he had a nightmare, thanks to all the people-eating he's been obsessed with lately. But no, seems he's moved on to a new neurosis: "THERE IS A LADY BUG IN MY ROOM!!" Four times. No big, scary lady bug to be found.
 |
| "Mommy, look at all these beautiful purple leaves! Can I take one home?" |
The boy keeps life interesting, that is for darn sure.
3. I am thankful for quick, easy, kid-friendly meals posted by blogger friends. My pal Julia posted an idea for chicken cordon bleu wraps, knowing my kids love chicken cordon bleu. I don't know if you've ever tried to make chicken cordon bleu (I really hope you are pronouncing that in your head with an exaggerated, botched French accent), but it is a bit of a hassle. She has rocked my world, making wraps that have the taste the kids want without the hassle of making them. All six kids and COW gave it a thumbs-up. (Minor change: She used chicken fingers, I used chicken off of a whole chicken I had cooked earlier in the day.)
4. I am thankful for the two CDs Lizzi took the time to put together and mail to us. For some reason, I had gotten out of the habit of playing music at home. We listen to music constantly in the car, and we used to at home, but with the big kids listening to their iPods, I just didn't think about turning it on. With these two CDs, music has once again entered our home. The little boys and I have been rocking it out, and I realize how much I missed it.
5. Speaking of music, I am thankful for grocery store owners doing their in-depth research to come up with music to play depending on the folks who are in the store at any given time. (Did you know stores did that? It's true.) The other day, this song was playing:
Besides the fact it is hysterical that they are playing "I Will Survive" during a time when the only people in the store are moms trying to shop with kids and old people, how can a person not be happy when listening to this song? Sure, I may throw an extra item or two in my cart, just because I'm so happy, but it's worth it. Those sneaky, brilliant grocery store owners...
6. I am thankful for grandma-types who appreciate happy people. I may have broken out into a wee bit of a dance while pushing the Cuckoo-carrying grocery cart through the aisles. At one point I passed an older couple. The woman gave me a funny look and said, "All I have to say is Get down!" Back atcha Grandma!
7. I am thankful for lovely people who give me chocolate. As I waited in the school pick-up line, the PE teacher came to our van with a big bowl of our family's favorite dessert in all the world. PE Teacher owns a catering business, and we've used her many times for a variety of events. Well, a friend of ours had been to her house to fix a piece of siding, so she made him a dessert. While at it, she thought, I bet (the coop boys) are wanting some, too. How wonderfully thoughtful is that? Sure, she said it was for the boys, but she totally meant to include me. (Buttercup doesn't seem to get nearly as excited about it as the rest of us.)
 |
| There's brownies mixed in that there bowl of heaven. |
8. I am thankful for my Bible study group. While we haven't actually studied the Bible in a while, we have become a lovely group of friends. The best part is our kids are all the best of buds and play gloriously while we laugh and chat and simply enjoy each others' company. With so many of my friends having older children (the ages of my big kids) and leaving our elementary/middle school, I needed some friends who have children the ages of Turken and Cuckoo. Sure, these ladies are the age of babies compared to me, but they are wonderful women who make me laugh and think and feel good.
9. I am thankful for our big van. Because of it, I am able to take a variety of kids home when their parents need some logistical help. We have become somewhat of a bus this week, making our varied pick-ups and drop-offs, but I am happy to do it. So many people help me out at the drop of a hat, I'm thrilled to be able to do the same for others.
10. I am so, so thankful for Turken's fabulous outlook on life. Two examples from this week:
(1)I told Turken that the next day's agenda included his dentist appointment and some leaf raking. He responded, "That is going to be the bestest day ever!" Befuddled, I asked why he was looking forward to those things.
"At the dentist, I get a new toothbrush, and at Mrs. G's I get to jump in leaves."
(2) In PE this week, the kids are learning how to juggle. After school I asked Turken if he now knows how to do it.
"I know how to juggle, I just don't know how to catch."
Turken's theme song...
Aaaaaaand that's a wrap.
What good have you found this week?
Have a lovely day!
Your hosts
A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, Home On Deranged, I can say mama, I Want Backsies, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
I Know What You're Thinking, and No, He Didn't Play in His Poop
As we were about to leave to pick the big kids up from school, Cuckoo showed me his arm.
C: I drew faces on my arm, because I want to be Spiderman, and Spiderman has webs on his arms, but I don't have webs, so I drew smiley faces. Can I take this with me so I can make a few more?
Me: Sure.
While we drove, he apparently forgot that he was simply drawing a few smiley faces on his arm.
I never said a word the entire time I got the camera and took the photos, yet he knew.
As he sat there so nicely getting his picture taken, he asked, "Why am I going to be on the blog?"
Because I never, ever want to forget moments like this, Baby. Ever.
Have a lovely day!
C: I drew faces on my arm, because I want to be Spiderman, and Spiderman has webs on his arms, but I don't have webs, so I drew smiley faces. Can I take this with me so I can make a few more?
Me: Sure.
While we drove, he apparently forgot that he was simply drawing a few smiley faces on his arm.
 |
| Sorry, I didn't realize he had just stuck an animal cracker in his mouth. |
As he sat there so nicely getting his picture taken, he asked, "Why am I going to be on the blog?"
Because I never, ever want to forget moments like this, Baby. Ever.
Have a lovely day!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
The Best Gift-Giving Guide on the Internet
I say I have no goals, but I guess I do have a few. One thing I strive to be is the Best Gift-Giver on the Planet. I want kids to be excited to get a gift from me, so I put lots of thought into buying their gifts.
I also want to be on my siblings' good side, so I don't buy anything that would annoy them. We have received plenty of annoying gifts from relatives (as they have goals to find the noisiest, most obnoxious gifts on the planet. I'll do a "Don't Ever Do This" post another day.) and I don't want to do that to anyone.
I will not be named Best Gift-Giver on the Planet if I simply buy generic toys from the toy store based on the children's ages. The first thing you need to do is put some thought into each child to whom the gift will be given. What does he like to do? Has she taken up any new hobbies? Is there something new going on in her life? Even if you don't know the child well, as she lives in another state, her parent's Facebook page should be able to give you at least a little bit of an idea.
 |
| Next time, I'm writing a button-making lesson, 'cause boy, do I know how to make an ugly button! |
On to the tips and ideas...
If you are going to give clothes, be careful. Some kids, like two of my nieces, love to get cute clothes as gifts. Any cute clothes will do. You can purchase clothes for any youngster, but make sure it is something that would be interesting or fun or "cool" to him/her. My farmer brother's family had just gotten a wiener dog, and I found a T-shirt with a blingy wiener dog on it. My niece loved it. For boys, T-shirts with funny sayings or favorite characters are a good choice. (If you can score a "What does the fox say?" shirt, you are golden.) Perhaps a hat or shirt with a favorite sports team logo. Star and Phoenix have been thrilled to receive pairs of the "cool" brand of basketball socks.
 |
| I found this here. |
I really should just own a book store based on the number of books I give as gifts. In order to stay in a budget, I have purchased lots of books through Scholastic Book orders the kids bring home. Half Price Books is a great store for purchasing books at a reasonable price. Not all of their books are used, and you can even find used ones in great shape.
Some book ideas for you:
For boys of all ages, stick with trivia. It doesn't matter if the book is about world records, gross things, animal things, or sports things, trivia is usually a hit. As are comic books like Calvin and Hobbes or Garfield.
Finding a series the child likes is fantastic. It will give you a pass on that child for years, as you can always just buy the next book in the series. Some good ones for early-ish readers are Junie B Jones, A to Z Mysteries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Ready, Freddy!, 31 Clues, Magic Treehouse, and Geronimo Stilton.
Picture books for the youngest kids are the easiest. Just read it to see if you like it. Bold photos with details, but not too many words are ideal for reading aloud. Bear Snores On, Elmer, Happy Hocky Family, Clifford, Moostache, any books by Dr. Seuss or Robert Munsch...aaahhh, so many good picture books.
 |
| All of Mr. Munsch's books are here. |
Board games have gone over very well. Always keep in mind the number of kids in the family, as you don't want to give a game that works best for four players if there is only one child in the family. Don't pay too much attention to the age level on the box, but the ability level of the child for whom you are buying. The biggest worry is whether the child can read or not. Chose accordingly. Browse the internet, talk to small store owners. Find one that sounds fun or one that your family enjoys playing.
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| The site. This game is on the expensive side, so you can get it as a family gift. My kids love it. |
Lastly, the easiest way to buy a great gift is to pick a theme. The pieces will fall into place once you have a theme. Choose the theme based on the child and his/her interests.
I'll make it easy for you. Here is a long list of themes and items to go with the themes. All of these have gone over very well with the niece and nephew set. Pick and choose the items to go in them in order to stay in your price range.
1. Arts and crafts: Buy a small tote box or other container with a lid and fill it up with crafty things. Keep the parents in mind when choosing the items. Glitter is bad.
box of 64 crayons
markers
colored pencils
glue - both stick and liquid
scissors
glitter glue - you get the sparkle without the mess
construction paper
make your own greeting card pack
colorful index cards
fun Post-It notes
stickers
2. Garden: Put the items in a basket or tool-type box.
child-sized tools
watering can
gardening gloves
seeds
garden apron with pockets
stakes to name the rows
3. Baker: Put items in a big mixing bowl.
measuring cups
measuring spoons
spatula
apron
chef's hat
children's cook book
ingredients to make one thing from the cook book
4. Farmer: My nephew received this gift. He is a child who rises on his own bright and early every day and immediately heads out to do things around the farm. He loves farm life, so I went to Tractor Supply to buy:
a book titled "Raising Chickens for Fun or Profit"
work gloves
a face mask type hat for the coming cold weather
a T-shirt that says "I do more by 7:00am than most people do all day."
5. Entrepreneur: This will work for any child who likes to pretend play. I got it for my nephew in Hawaii who was baking mango bread and other delights to sell on the beach. I went to Office Supply and purchased things like:
calculator
pencils
receipt book
debit/credit book
fancy paper for fliers
order tickets (like waitresses use)
money apron
6. Carpenter: Star has always loved to get in and help Hubby build things (on the rare occasion that he builds) One year we got him started on his own tool set. Bonus on this one, he actually uses it to help around the farm. I can't tell you how many tree limbs he has cut for us, smiling the entire time. His starter set included:
a tool box
work gloves
protective goggles
saw
hammer
screw drivers
nails
measuring tape
8. All dolled up: Girls of any age like this, as long as the girl is a "girly" girl. Don't get this for a girl who clearly leans toward the tomboy personality. Some options:
a variety of nail polishes - colorful, glittery, crackled
stickers for nails
nail polish remover
cotton balls
toe separator slippers
pretty head bands and clips
bobby pins
fun chapsticks/lip gloss
9. Bejeweled: When my niece got her ears pierced, I put this together.
jewelry box
fun earrings
bracelet
necklace
10. Teacher to be: Put the items in a canvas bag, since most teachers carry them around.
pens in a variety of colors
stickers, even better if they say things like "Good job!"
lesson plan book
variety of workbooks (With the number of people homeschooling, these can be found everywhere, including Wal-Mart.)
teacher-type posters for the wall
fun-shaped pads of paper
Shoot, just walk around a teacher store and grab a few things that remind you of when you went to school.
11. Sports fanatic: Make it specific to the sport the child plays. Don't just give the ball, but some things to go with it.
If you give a football, perhaps give a hoop target, t-shirt of his favorite team, or a book about his favorite player
If you give a soccer ball, include some cones to dribble around or a trivia calendar about soccer.
For the baseball player, a rebounding net and some new balls.
12. Movie night:
favorite movie or gift card to rental place
popcorn
blanket to snuggle under
bean bag chair to sit in when watching
13. Thank you, Kristi, for your suggestion. How could I have forgotten this?! Dress-up clothes always seem to be a hit with the preschool set. One friend of mine used to shop at the thrift store for "princess" gowns for her daughters. (Princess gowns can be found among the lingerie section, by the way.) Add some costume jewelry, and her girls were ready for the ball. My sons loved hats, capes (baby receiving blankets worked well), and accessories like pretend swords or binoculars.
14. Lizzi was kind enough to add a suggestion for teens. For teens just getting into the world of work, a 'coffee break' kit, with a bag of good coffee, an individual percolator and a packet of biscuits is always fun
Regardless of what you choose, the gift goes over best if you actually spend time with the child using the gift you purchased. Play the game, read the book, bake some cookies, throw the ball. You can't go wrong with the gift of time.
If you have any of your own theme ideas, let me know in the comments. I'll be happy to add them to the list and give you credit.
Happy Shopping!
Have a lovely day!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
The Storm Cancelled Halloween, So Here's Some Highlights of Our Week
I'm linking up with Jen and the many other folks doing some quick takes. I'm so predictable.
We had our big home soccer tournament last weekend. 11 games in 3 days, plus 4 volunteer shifts. During one of the games Phoenix went to get something from the concession stand. He came back with this:
I immediately thought of Lizzi and our conversation last week about the US's obsession with all things fried. There you go, Lizzi. (And everyone else unfamiliar with fair food) Behold the elephant ear.
He ate the entire thing.
In Star's last game of the tournament, he was playing an undefeated team for the championship trophy. At halftime, we were up 1-0. The other team wasn't really happy about it. As the second half progressed, the opposing coach, parents and players got more and more vocal, and not in a good way. The center ref was passing yellow cards out left and right, because kids were actually yelling things like "Are you blind?!?" The attitudes went south, and the parents even started cheering when a player received yet another yellow card.
Our families and players were surprisingly calm and didn't say a word. Until...
One opposing player was getting more and more upset, and at one point he purposely kicked the ball out of bounds (which players normally do in a regular game). The problem is, he was only a couple of feet from the sidelines and he kicked it as hard as he could. The ball hit a spectator right on the side of her face.
The refs stopped the game to check on the woman and talk with the boy. No card was passed out, but the parents were mad. One person actually yelled, "Oh, now we're not allowed to use any force when kicking the ball?"
One of our parents couldn't take it anymore. He yelled back, "Hey! He just hit an old lady in the head for no reason!"
One of the refs came over and told everyone to calm down and take a seat.
It was a horrible situation. One of the worst I've ever seen on a soccer field. Yet only one thought stuck in my head.
I leaned over to my friend standing next to me and said, "Wow, that poor woman probably isn't happy that he just called her old."
Cuckoo is convinced that Santa lives, not at the North Pole, but at COW's office.
Last Christmas time I dropped the five oldest kids off at his office so he could take them to a Christmas show. Cuckoo and I went on a date of our own. The next morning, the kids were talking about seeing Santa and sitting on his lap. Ergo, Santa must live at COW's office.
Tuesday Cuckoo had a date with COW, so I dropped him off at the office. COW actually had to take Cuckoo on a search for Santa, looking in every office they passed. In one office, they found a man (one of the partners of the firm) in a white shirt and red tie. COW immediately dubbed him "Elf" and told Cuckoo to tell the elf what he wanted for Christmas.
"I want a Target suit, a running and flying duck, a running and flying dog, a chair, and a lamp. Not a big one, but a small one like that." He pointed to the partner's lamp.
With a smirk, COW pulled rank and told "Elf", "Well, he wants your lamp. Hand it over."
Everyone in the office is laughing about it, and I will not be surprised if Cuckoo receives that very lamp on Christmas morning.
For their date, COW and Cuckoo went to the opening Pacer's game. (That's basketball for all you non-fans.) Before the game even started, Cuckoo saw the cheerleaders. I got a text from COW.
"Just told me the cheerleaders look naked."
They got home well past his bedtime, but he had to tell me all about his evening. At one point, COW prompted him to tell me about the cheerleaders. Watch, and then I'll translate. (Yes, that is me in the pink robe. When it's cold, I wear two pairs of socks, PJ pants, a short-sleeved shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, and my robe.)
************* 5 ***********
On Thursday (Yes, Halloween), we finally had time to pick out pumpkins to carve. The wind was at a steady 35mph, everything was wet from earlier rains, and there was a bit of spitting rain as we looked for someplace to buy pumpkins.
The farmers' stands were all closed, thanks to the weather. Grocery stores had already taken their pumpkin displays down. We parked at our last grocery store option, and I told Buttercup to go scout it out before we all got out of the car. (She is most trustworthy in such situations.)
She got back in the van and said, "Well, I saw one boy carrying a pumpkin out, so they must be there somewhere. I didn't see them."
I told everyone we were going in when Buttercup continued. "This is going to be just like those people who wait until Christmas Eve to get their trees and come home with the tiniest, spindly tree because that's all that's left."
As I laughed at her analogy (because I was afraid she was right) she then said, "Why don't we go there?" and pointed across the street.
We drive this road approximately 500 times each week, yet I completely forgot about the place across the street. It is a freakin' farm with a corn maze, hay bales, and gobs of pumpkins. AND an indoor place to pay. They were totally open.
So, we got back in the van and went across the street to buy some pumpkins.
We chose, we paid, we loaded into the van.
I realized we didn't get any photos.
Four kids were good sports and got out to re-enacted some pumpkin choosing.
Did you notice the kids were in short-sleeved shirts?? The wind brought some lovely 62 degree temperatures. I can live with wind and rain if it means 62 degree temperatures.
Commence pumpkin carving.
***************** 7 *************
I've bored you enough. Hopefully I'll see you this weekend at the TToT hop!
Have a lovely day!
************ 1 **********
We had our big home soccer tournament last weekend. 11 games in 3 days, plus 4 volunteer shifts. During one of the games Phoenix went to get something from the concession stand. He came back with this:
I immediately thought of Lizzi and our conversation last week about the US's obsession with all things fried. There you go, Lizzi. (And everyone else unfamiliar with fair food) Behold the elephant ear.
He ate the entire thing.
*************** 2 **************
In Star's last game of the tournament, he was playing an undefeated team for the championship trophy. At halftime, we were up 1-0. The other team wasn't really happy about it. As the second half progressed, the opposing coach, parents and players got more and more vocal, and not in a good way. The center ref was passing yellow cards out left and right, because kids were actually yelling things like "Are you blind?!?" The attitudes went south, and the parents even started cheering when a player received yet another yellow card.
Our families and players were surprisingly calm and didn't say a word. Until...
One opposing player was getting more and more upset, and at one point he purposely kicked the ball out of bounds (which players normally do in a regular game). The problem is, he was only a couple of feet from the sidelines and he kicked it as hard as he could. The ball hit a spectator right on the side of her face.
The refs stopped the game to check on the woman and talk with the boy. No card was passed out, but the parents were mad. One person actually yelled, "Oh, now we're not allowed to use any force when kicking the ball?"
One of our parents couldn't take it anymore. He yelled back, "Hey! He just hit an old lady in the head for no reason!"
One of the refs came over and told everyone to calm down and take a seat.
It was a horrible situation. One of the worst I've ever seen on a soccer field. Yet only one thought stuck in my head.
I leaned over to my friend standing next to me and said, "Wow, that poor woman probably isn't happy that he just called her old."
************* 3 ************
Cuckoo is convinced that Santa lives, not at the North Pole, but at COW's office.
Last Christmas time I dropped the five oldest kids off at his office so he could take them to a Christmas show. Cuckoo and I went on a date of our own. The next morning, the kids were talking about seeing Santa and sitting on his lap. Ergo, Santa must live at COW's office.
Tuesday Cuckoo had a date with COW, so I dropped him off at the office. COW actually had to take Cuckoo on a search for Santa, looking in every office they passed. In one office, they found a man (one of the partners of the firm) in a white shirt and red tie. COW immediately dubbed him "Elf" and told Cuckoo to tell the elf what he wanted for Christmas.
"I want a Target suit, a running and flying duck, a running and flying dog, a chair, and a lamp. Not a big one, but a small one like that." He pointed to the partner's lamp.
With a smirk, COW pulled rank and told "Elf", "Well, he wants your lamp. Hand it over."
Everyone in the office is laughing about it, and I will not be surprised if Cuckoo receives that very lamp on Christmas morning.
************* 4 ************
For their date, COW and Cuckoo went to the opening Pacer's game. (That's basketball for all you non-fans.) Before the game even started, Cuckoo saw the cheerleaders. I got a text from COW.
"Just told me the cheerleaders look naked."
They got home well past his bedtime, but he had to tell me all about his evening. At one point, COW prompted him to tell me about the cheerleaders. Watch, and then I'll translate. (Yes, that is me in the pink robe. When it's cold, I wear two pairs of socks, PJ pants, a short-sleeved shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, and my robe.)
Translation:
Cuckoo, embarrassed, whispered in my ear: They were naked.
Me: They were naked?
C: No, it just looked like they all were. They had underwear on. And that thing you wear.
Me: *laugh*
C pulling at my shirt to show me: That thing your wear under your shirt.
To the cheerleaders and all other women who go out in public so scantily clad, I'm begging you. Put some clothes on. Even a 4 year old knows that what you are wearing is inappropriate, and he is embarrassed for you.
On Thursday (Yes, Halloween), we finally had time to pick out pumpkins to carve. The wind was at a steady 35mph, everything was wet from earlier rains, and there was a bit of spitting rain as we looked for someplace to buy pumpkins.
The farmers' stands were all closed, thanks to the weather. Grocery stores had already taken their pumpkin displays down. We parked at our last grocery store option, and I told Buttercup to go scout it out before we all got out of the car. (She is most trustworthy in such situations.)
She got back in the van and said, "Well, I saw one boy carrying a pumpkin out, so they must be there somewhere. I didn't see them."
I told everyone we were going in when Buttercup continued. "This is going to be just like those people who wait until Christmas Eve to get their trees and come home with the tiniest, spindly tree because that's all that's left."
As I laughed at her analogy (because I was afraid she was right) she then said, "Why don't we go there?" and pointed across the street.
We drive this road approximately 500 times each week, yet I completely forgot about the place across the street. It is a freakin' farm with a corn maze, hay bales, and gobs of pumpkins. AND an indoor place to pay. They were totally open.
So, we got back in the van and went across the street to buy some pumpkins.
We chose, we paid, we loaded into the van.
I realized we didn't get any photos.
Four kids were good sports and got out to re-enacted some pumpkin choosing.
 |
| Phoenix practicing his juggling skills. Turken showing off his inability to put his jacket on the right way. |
 |
| The hair is the first clue that it is ridiculously windy. |
 |
| Yes, Cuckoo is wearing an undershirt as a regular shirt. He learned it from watching cheerleaders. |
Did you notice the kids were in short-sleeved shirts?? The wind brought some lovely 62 degree temperatures. I can live with wind and rain if it means 62 degree temperatures.
**************** 6 ************
Commence pumpkin carving.
 |
| Cuckoo wasn't about to touch his pumpkin once the top was cut off. |
***************** 7 *************
I've bored you enough. Hopefully I'll see you this weekend at the TToT hop!
Have a lovely day!
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