I figured that I would sit down and do something productive at nap time today rather than just rotting my brain playing facebook games. Lucky for you, the desire for accomplishment resulted in a blog.
Not much has happened today. I cleaned up the dining room and scrubbed a few stains out of the carpeting and did the dishes. It wasn't exactly our smartest move to carpet the (what is now) dining room, but at the time we made the decision it was still a den. Hind sight is 20/20 I guess.
It's a beautiful day with no humidity and yet I can't find the motivation to go outside. I'd rather just be relaxing and cleaning my house. It seems worth it to me since having a clean house feels as good as winning the lottery. Well, a scratch-off anyways. Better than a one dollar scratcher, though. Maybe more like winning $20 on a scratcher.
I blew up some pictures of my kids. Not like with a bomb, but like I sent them to Cost-co and had 16x20's printed. I have one of each of them hanging over the back of my couch and I love it. It's wonderful to see their faces so life-sized and...quiet. It's amazing.
I forgot to mention that a few weeks ago Zachary won a major award. During the balloon festival (in Battle Creek) we went to Arlene's Truck Stop for breakfast with my grandparents. They are regulars and we like to tag along when we are in town. They were having a coloring contest and I asked if I could participate. They told me I could help my son. (Any of you who know me know that I am always in for a good competition.) Come to find out, Zachary is EXCELLENT at drawing and coloring and actually WON the contest! He gets a free ice cream the next time he goes in. I am so proud. :)
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The Day Off
It's amazing how much a "day off" from children will rejuvenate me. This morning I am feeling full of energy. Beautiful day, great to be alive.
I made a trade with my dear friend Debbie. Babysitting for house cleaning. She even kept them over night! It was fabulous to have a date with my husband, even though I ended up losing some points on my diet for drinking margaritas. Every point was worth it. Now, this morning, I am relaxing, I am not cleaning the house, and I am not doing laundry. I am enjoying the peace and quiet. The mess will still be there tomorrow, and a moment of sanity is a rare and precious jewel.
On the way down yesterday Zachary had a peach for breakfast. I offered to cut it up for him and take the pit out, but he resisted. I wanted it "big". We got into the car and he took two bites and told me he was done. I asked why he didn't eat it. He told me it was because there was poop in it. I assured him that there was no poop and that it was just a pit, but he insisted that there was poop inside and he needed to throw it out the window. I don't know if it was the poop or the excitement of throwing something out the window, but sometimes you have to choose your battles. I rolled down the window, turned up the radio and counted down the seconds to my freedom. Life is good.
I made a trade with my dear friend Debbie. Babysitting for house cleaning. She even kept them over night! It was fabulous to have a date with my husband, even though I ended up losing some points on my diet for drinking margaritas. Every point was worth it. Now, this morning, I am relaxing, I am not cleaning the house, and I am not doing laundry. I am enjoying the peace and quiet. The mess will still be there tomorrow, and a moment of sanity is a rare and precious jewel.
On the way down yesterday Zachary had a peach for breakfast. I offered to cut it up for him and take the pit out, but he resisted. I wanted it "big". We got into the car and he took two bites and told me he was done. I asked why he didn't eat it. He told me it was because there was poop in it. I assured him that there was no poop and that it was just a pit, but he insisted that there was poop inside and he needed to throw it out the window. I don't know if it was the poop or the excitement of throwing something out the window, but sometimes you have to choose your battles. I rolled down the window, turned up the radio and counted down the seconds to my freedom. Life is good.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Stickers
When you have a son like Zachary, there is always more to tell. Without further ado…I present more escapades in the life and times of the McClelland children.
The other day Timothy, Elaina and I were sitting in the living room while Zachary was playing with his stickers in the dining room. He collected three of his favorites and brought them in to us.
Zachary: Here’s one for you, Mommy.
Me: Thank you, Zachary.
Zachary: Here’s one for you, Daddy.
Daddy: Thank you, Zachary.
Zachary: And one for me.
Me: Um, aren’t you forgetting someone?
Zachary: :::looks around::: Who? My cat?
Me: No…
Zachary: Oh, you mean ‘Laina? She eats stickers.
It made me feel slightly better that it wasn’t that he had forgotten her but that he had a logical reason to not include her.
He ratted out his grandpa a few weeks ago. I swear that he doesn’t forget anything. Unfortunately for Papa Mark, times have changed since Tim and his brothers were kids and the little people are not allowed to ride in the front anymore. In all fairness, he didn't know, but we still thought it was funny the way Zachary brought it up.
Zachary: I rode in the front.
Me: When?
Zachary: With Papa Mark.
Me: When?
Zachary: On the way to the party.
Me: No, you didn't. You sit in the back seat only.
Zachary: No, I rode in the front and it wasn't even dangerous.
Me: Then where did Grandma ride?
Zachary: In the back with my sister.
Me: Tell me the truth.
Zachary: I am telling the truth. I rode in the front. It wasn't dangerous, Mommy.
I am so glad he could reassure me...
The other day Timothy, Elaina and I were sitting in the living room while Zachary was playing with his stickers in the dining room. He collected three of his favorites and brought them in to us.
Zachary: Here’s one for you, Mommy.
Me: Thank you, Zachary.
Zachary: Here’s one for you, Daddy.
Daddy: Thank you, Zachary.
Zachary: And one for me.
Me: Um, aren’t you forgetting someone?
Zachary: :::looks around::: Who? My cat?
Me: No…
Zachary: Oh, you mean ‘Laina? She eats stickers.
It made me feel slightly better that it wasn’t that he had forgotten her but that he had a logical reason to not include her.
He ratted out his grandpa a few weeks ago. I swear that he doesn’t forget anything. Unfortunately for Papa Mark, times have changed since Tim and his brothers were kids and the little people are not allowed to ride in the front anymore. In all fairness, he didn't know, but we still thought it was funny the way Zachary brought it up.
Zachary: I rode in the front.
Me: When?
Zachary: With Papa Mark.
Me: When?
Zachary: On the way to the party.
Me: No, you didn't. You sit in the back seat only.
Zachary: No, I rode in the front and it wasn't even dangerous.
Me: Then where did Grandma ride?
Zachary: In the back with my sister.
Me: Tell me the truth.
Zachary: I am telling the truth. I rode in the front. It wasn't dangerous, Mommy.
I am so glad he could reassure me...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Spaghetti-O's
It's only 12:51 and I am already starting a countdown to 5 o'clock somewhere. I did recently list my son for sale on Facebook. If you are interested, please visit my profile. I am exhausted which is partially my own fault because I am addicted to Pawn Stars on the History Channel. What can I say? I love old stuff.
Zachary told me he wanted Spaghetti-O's for lunch. I got out a can. "No, I want cereal." "You already said Spaghetti-O's." Tantrum. I made the Spaghetti-O's. I bring them to the table and he takes them into the living room while I am outside trying to sell a stroller to a girl. I come in. "Mommy, I spilled them on the carpet." The white carpet. "This is why we don't eat in the living room, take it to the table NOW." He picks up the bowl and what is left (about half a can of Spaghetti-O's) and starts to walk to the dining room, slips, falls, O's are everywhere. All over the floors, on the walls, covering the refrigerator and all over his feet. He stands up, having a tantrum, and slips in them and is now covered in sauce. Meanwhile, wakes up the baby who had JUST fallen asleep and he continues to scream. It was like conducting an orchestra. I don't know who writes this music, but I could use something a little more low-key.
One of those days.
Zachary told me he wanted Spaghetti-O's for lunch. I got out a can. "No, I want cereal." "You already said Spaghetti-O's." Tantrum. I made the Spaghetti-O's. I bring them to the table and he takes them into the living room while I am outside trying to sell a stroller to a girl. I come in. "Mommy, I spilled them on the carpet." The white carpet. "This is why we don't eat in the living room, take it to the table NOW." He picks up the bowl and what is left (about half a can of Spaghetti-O's) and starts to walk to the dining room, slips, falls, O's are everywhere. All over the floors, on the walls, covering the refrigerator and all over his feet. He stands up, having a tantrum, and slips in them and is now covered in sauce. Meanwhile, wakes up the baby who had JUST fallen asleep and he continues to scream. It was like conducting an orchestra. I don't know who writes this music, but I could use something a little more low-key.
One of those days.
The Barking
Everything is going fairly well over here in the McClelland home. There are good days and bad, but you will have that when you combine a hormonal woman, a little boy who barks a lot, a one year old and a Daddy that works too much.
I will tell you one thing; two ain't got nothin' on three. If I survive this year of Zachary's life it will be a miracle. The attitude is making a serious appearance and resulting in many a timeout. The barking. O-M-G. If he barks again I think I may reach down his throat and rip out his voice box. "RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUFF!" This is his way of saying, "I don't like that you are telling me what to do," or, "Elaina, get off my toys." He mostly barks at his sister because it scares her, and she backs off from whatever they are playing with so she can cry.
Zachary: RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUF!
Me: Enough barking, NOW.
Zachary: I want to bark.
Me: Then do it quietly.
Zachary: No, I want to do it loudly.
Me: Then you can have a face smack.
Zachary: RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUF!
Attitude at its finest. Don't get me wrong, he is a very good boy, he just loves to push my buttons.
I realized this morning that I have created a sort of monster. We were playing Memory Match and I was getting rather frustrated with him because he didn't want to pay attention and continued to choose the same two cards EVERY turn, but then would get angry if I would get a match. When we finished, this is how it went:
Zachary: Now we can play another game!
Me: No, Mommy is frustrated. We will play another game later.
Zachary: I want to play another game now.
Me: Not right now, I am frustrated because you can't pay attention.
Zachary: (and I quote) Well, that is a shock.
I will tell you one thing; two ain't got nothin' on three. If I survive this year of Zachary's life it will be a miracle. The attitude is making a serious appearance and resulting in many a timeout. The barking. O-M-G. If he barks again I think I may reach down his throat and rip out his voice box. "RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUFF!" This is his way of saying, "I don't like that you are telling me what to do," or, "Elaina, get off my toys." He mostly barks at his sister because it scares her, and she backs off from whatever they are playing with so she can cry.
Zachary: RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUF!
Me: Enough barking, NOW.
Zachary: I want to bark.
Me: Then do it quietly.
Zachary: No, I want to do it loudly.
Me: Then you can have a face smack.
Zachary: RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUF!
Attitude at its finest. Don't get me wrong, he is a very good boy, he just loves to push my buttons.
I realized this morning that I have created a sort of monster. We were playing Memory Match and I was getting rather frustrated with him because he didn't want to pay attention and continued to choose the same two cards EVERY turn, but then would get angry if I would get a match. When we finished, this is how it went:
Zachary: Now we can play another game!
Me: No, Mommy is frustrated. We will play another game later.
Zachary: I want to play another game now.
Me: Not right now, I am frustrated because you can't pay attention.
Zachary: (and I quote) Well, that is a shock.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Beginning of Summer
I thought terrible two's were bad, but two ain't got nothin' on three. Between the attitude, selective listening and tantrums, it's proving to be quite a ride.
It hasn't been long since my last blog and still I come bearing stories aplenty. There is never a dull moment around here.
The other day I took the kids to the pool. It was a great day and the kids were exhausted by the end of it. When it came time to pick up the toys, Zachary wouldn't participate which scored him a timeout.
Me: You are in timeout for not helping pick up toys. Three minutes.
Zachary: I need to go potty.
Me: Then you can wait until you finish your timeout. If you pee your pants, I'll spank your butt.
Zachary: :::whips out penis while in timeout and pees onto the sidewalk while sitting there:::
My grandma: Well, at least he listened. You said don't pee your pants.
Another good one happened on Sunday at the pool. My cousin Ethan started sneezing and my mom said, "Bless you!" Right after that Zachary started saying, "A-shoo! A-shoo! A-shoo!" My mom said, "Bless you, Zachary!" Zachary said, "Now you say, A-sock!" I wasn't present for this one, but I came out to Aunt Colleen rolling on the sidewalk laughing.
Just this morning he decided to try my patience. He ate his yogurt while sitting on the couch and left it sitting on the arm.
Me: Zachary, please take care of your yogurt.
Zachary: ::walks over, moves yogurt, comes back::
Me: Where did your yogurt go? Did you throw it away?
Zachary: No, I put it behind the cushion so you wouldn't see it.
It's going to be a long summer.
It hasn't been long since my last blog and still I come bearing stories aplenty. There is never a dull moment around here.
The other day I took the kids to the pool. It was a great day and the kids were exhausted by the end of it. When it came time to pick up the toys, Zachary wouldn't participate which scored him a timeout.
Me: You are in timeout for not helping pick up toys. Three minutes.
Zachary: I need to go potty.
Me: Then you can wait until you finish your timeout. If you pee your pants, I'll spank your butt.
Zachary: :::whips out penis while in timeout and pees onto the sidewalk while sitting there:::
My grandma: Well, at least he listened. You said don't pee your pants.
Another good one happened on Sunday at the pool. My cousin Ethan started sneezing and my mom said, "Bless you!" Right after that Zachary started saying, "A-shoo! A-shoo! A-shoo!" My mom said, "Bless you, Zachary!" Zachary said, "Now you say, A-sock!" I wasn't present for this one, but I came out to Aunt Colleen rolling on the sidewalk laughing.
Just this morning he decided to try my patience. He ate his yogurt while sitting on the couch and left it sitting on the arm.
Me: Zachary, please take care of your yogurt.
Zachary: ::walks over, moves yogurt, comes back::
Me: Where did your yogurt go? Did you throw it away?
Zachary: No, I put it behind the cushion so you wouldn't see it.
It's going to be a long summer.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Popsicles
Today I am purging (again). I love it. I get such a feeling of cleanliness. Tim is going to be out of town for the week and I need to feel accomplished, therefore, we start with the laundry room. I warned him two days ago.
Me: If you don't go through your t-shirts, when you return, half of them will be gone.
Him: Well, I will just go through the pile you leave.
Me: No, they will be gone. Not here. At Goodwill.
Him: Okay, I'll do it.
Me: No you won't.
Him: Yes, I will.
So, he didn't do it. Surprise! Needless to say, the shirts have been weeded and are in the back of the van ready to go to Goodwill. I don't understand why we have to save every t-shirt that we acquired during our school years. I am not kidding you when I say that he has his kindergarten t-shirt. Yes, that's right folks...he's a hoarder.
I spent the past hour cleaning out the laundry room while Zachary spent the last hour eating popsicles. He thought he was sneaking them, but there just comes a time when letting him eat a box full of frozen sugar is worth it to have some quiet time. Totally worth it. :::smiles:::
Elaina is down for a nap. She has been a feisty one lately. We went out for ice cream last night and you would have thought we gave each child a 20 oz of Mountain Dew for the car ride home. It was a roller coaster of emotions. The kids were buzzin'.
She said her first actual words this morning. "Bye bye" (while waving). I can't believe she is saying "bye-bye" before she is saying Mama. Not that she can't say mama, she just won't.
The other night at dinner...
Elaina: (very quietly) mama, mama, mama
Me: What? Yay, Laina! MAMA!
Elaina: BA-BA! Pa-Pa! DA-DA-DA-DA!
Me: Mama!
Elaina: DADA!
Lovely.
Me: If you don't go through your t-shirts, when you return, half of them will be gone.
Him: Well, I will just go through the pile you leave.
Me: No, they will be gone. Not here. At Goodwill.
Him: Okay, I'll do it.
Me: No you won't.
Him: Yes, I will.
So, he didn't do it. Surprise! Needless to say, the shirts have been weeded and are in the back of the van ready to go to Goodwill. I don't understand why we have to save every t-shirt that we acquired during our school years. I am not kidding you when I say that he has his kindergarten t-shirt. Yes, that's right folks...he's a hoarder.
I spent the past hour cleaning out the laundry room while Zachary spent the last hour eating popsicles. He thought he was sneaking them, but there just comes a time when letting him eat a box full of frozen sugar is worth it to have some quiet time. Totally worth it. :::smiles:::
Elaina is down for a nap. She has been a feisty one lately. We went out for ice cream last night and you would have thought we gave each child a 20 oz of Mountain Dew for the car ride home. It was a roller coaster of emotions. The kids were buzzin'.
She said her first actual words this morning. "Bye bye" (while waving). I can't believe she is saying "bye-bye" before she is saying Mama. Not that she can't say mama, she just won't.
The other night at dinner...
Elaina: (very quietly) mama, mama, mama
Me: What? Yay, Laina! MAMA!
Elaina: BA-BA! Pa-Pa! DA-DA-DA-DA!
Me: Mama!
Elaina: DADA!
Lovely.
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