The Souy Part is Serees!

Remember my child who created a test to see if the Tooth Fairy was real?


Well, he is at it again.

Now that Christmas has come and passed, we are weeding out the play room.  It was time for some of our games to hit the road. Boggle Jr. was one of them.

ED, however, had other plans.  He wanted to keep it, for like, forever.  I wanted to pass it on to EM's teacher.  It would receive a lot more attention at school, then collecting dust, on our shelf.

That night, after making the announcement that I was donating the game, I found this note on my pillow:

Dear Mom  I want "bogel.Jr" to stay in this house or I will souy you!  from.Eli
P.S. The souy part is serees!

In case you can't read 2 grade spelling, he threatens to sue if I take the game out of the house, and he is serious.  At least he is consistent in his mis-spellings.

 The next morning I told him that I had found the note, and that we would talk about it when we had the time.  Which wasn't during breakfast, but he kept asking.  In a very serious voice, he would look at me from across the table and ask "can we talk about the game now?".

At dinner that night, we did talk.  I laid out my reasons for donating it to the school and asked ED to explain his reasons for keeping it.  Finally he blurted out "I want to save it for my children".

Where does this kid come up with these things?

For more Tiny Talk fun head over to Not Before 7. 

This is Only a Test

 

We don't do Santa Claus.  We don't do the Easter Bunny.  So, when it came time for the Tooth Fairy to visit, I figured I could finally have my fun with imaginary characters.

Well, JT guessed right away that there is no Tooth Fairy.  Apparently, the fact that he received real money meant that the Tooth Fairy does not exist.

This gets filed under, "Things I Wish I Knew Before", because then fake money would have been left under his pillow.

For awhile ED was going along with the story.  Down to the fact that he believed he saw a bright light shining in his room when the Tooth Fairy visited.

Obviously, his big brother couldn't have him believe in something that wasn't true, so the two of them have had this "does, does not exist" conversation for a couple years.

Now, ED has been wiggling a loose tooth of his for several months.  While playing shepherd in the church nativity, wiggling his tooth.  In the middle of dinner, yep, wiggling his tooth.

One night he decided to pull it out himself.

He didn't tell us, because he was performing an experiment.

He placed the tooth in an old jewelry box, left it on his bedside table, and went to sleep.

No money the next morning, meant there is no Tooth Fairy.  He was puffed up like a proud peacock while telling us this story.  Hubby and I tried to salvage the situation by stating that "...of course the Tooth Fairy didn't come, because she wasn't told to come.  What, you think the TF flys around the world, checking under ever kid's pillow?  She has better things to do, you know."

Well, that didn't work; and now I've been reminded, for several days, that his tooth is still sitting in his room, waiting for his money, which I apparently provide. I've even been given an IOU note.

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday.  For more fun head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

The School House Edition

The kids started school. This is what they had to say about their first day:

EM: Kindergarten was a lot different then I thought it was. I was surprised.
All of this said in a positive voice.

I would like to pack tomorrow. I want food I know, food from home.
Ah, Jamie Oliver would be so proud. Since two of my children are boycotting school lunches, the good news is, I'm putting on the pressure for the kids to pack their own lunches, since I hate that job.

ED: It was boring.
Apparently, he is combating his boredom by reading, during class. And, though reading is a good thing, while his teacher is giving instructions tend to be a no no.

JT: Finally, a teacher with a really good sense of humor.

Overall, the start of school was a success, for everyone. I've begun cleaning out the closets, and I might finish a painting project, or two.

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday. For more laughter, head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Appropriate, and NOT!

I'm walking down the stairs, JT comes up to me and demands why I would allow them to listen to a song with h.e.l.l. in it.

Who, what, where, I was just hanging curtains in the boy's rooms, and now I'm being given the 3rd degree by my 9-year-old, about swear words and songs.

What do we have playing? What did EM and I pick out to listen to, that morning? Are we listening to the Glee soundtracks? Did I forget to remove several of the songs, um more objectionable songs, off of the play list?

Then it hit me. We were listening to Newsboys. They have a song, one of their old ones, one of the lines is "... boycott Hell."

Which began the discussion of appropriate uses of such words. And that the singers were the Newsboys, a Christian group, so that makes it OK.

Just as I'm about to add, "... but it is never appropriate for you can't use it, even to repeat their song", he jumps in about a preview for Family Guy, and how they used h.e.l.l. in a commercial. Apparently, the Neighbors from Hell moved next door, and JT described the whole preview. And, how that was an appropriate use of the word, right.

Wrong.

I'm thinking, it is time for a DVR.

A Kid's Point of View

Welcome to Tiny Talk Tuesday, where we share the funny things said by the little ones in the house.

One night we went out for ice cream, armed with "Buy One, Get One Free" coupons. One for Hubby, one for me. We ordered separately.

EM: Did we have coupons?

Me: Yes, buy one, get one free.

EM: Well, I've finished mine. Can I now have my free one?
You have to love a girl who works the angles of a deal.

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One Saturday morning we dashed, out of the house, to drop the boys off at a robotics class. We were about to park when we hear this.

ED: I don't have on my sneakers.

Needless to say, Hubby and I were a little perturbed, and we let him know it, maybe a little to forcefully. Thankfully we only live 5 minutes away, so Hubby dropped JT and I off at the children's museum, and returned home.

When we entered I signed in JT, and told the museum employee (a fellow mom) that ED was coming, but forgot his shoes, and would be late. There was some laughter, because we've all been there.

However, JT heard this exchanged.

JT: Oh, you yell at ED in the car, but laugh about it with her.

Me: Moms talk differently to you, then we do with other parents.
OK, you need to admire a kid who sticks up to his brother. Just not to me, then it is considered "giving me lip".

For more Tiny Talk fun, head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

The Facts

The kids are growing up, and that means questions are being asked.

Yes, those type of questions.

{{{GULP}}}

One Sunday we were watching (at the time) 18 Kids and Counting, and it was the show where Michelle Duggar delivered her 18th child.

I had seen this one before, and knew where the story line would lead us. We kept watching, because if JT was going to start asking questions it might as well come from watching the Duggars.

And the question came ... "How does the baby come out?"

We had covered this question once before, about 5 years ago when I was pregnant with EM. And, it was 6 o'clock in the morning, or earlier. And, he asked if the baby came out of my mouth.

Good morning.

At that time the Berenstain Bears came to my rescue (The Birds, the Bees, and the Berenstain Bears.) Apparently, the answer that satisfied JT when he was 3 did not pass muster now that he is 8.

Thankfully, we were able to quickly, and painlessly, re-cover that topic; this time using a little more detailed terminology ... which he already knew, just never realized how it was all connected.

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After that little discussion I wasn't too surprised when ED asked his question the other night,

"Mommy, when did Daddy and you first mate?"

OK, a little surprised, and my heart did stop for a couple seconds.

Now, if there is one thing I've learned since having children (other then always check on the kids when there is silence) it is to ask a clarifying question, before answering their original question.

Me: ED, what do you mean?

ED: When did you and Daddy first see each other.

Me: Oh, when did we first MEET?

That question I can handle.

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday, for more laughs head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

First, before you read today's posting make sure there is nothing in your mouth, I don't want you choking or spew your coffee from laughter. I'll wait.

Ready? Good.

The other evening the boys started to talk about volcanoes when ED said:

Then the volcano erections. Spewing lava everywhere.

(I was only half listening to the conversation, and paused thinking "did he just say ... no ... that wouldn't make sense. )

Hubby: You mean erupts.

ED: Yes, it erupts.

(Once Hubby corrected him I realized he said what I thought he said, and I sat there processing it, then laughing, very hard.)

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday, for more big laughs head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Sunday morning EM walked up to Hubby and started talking about her boyfriend. (If you are new to my blog, EM is 4 years-old.)

EM: Daddy, AB is my boyfriend. We kiss.

Hubby: I need to meet this boy.

EM: Oh Daddy.

Hubby: Well, when are you getting married?

EM: Oh Daddy, you need to keep your eyes open and see what happens.
(Um, who is keeping their eyes open? She is still looking, or Hubby just has to guess who this AB boy is?)
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JT participated in a design/engineering type tournament. His specific job, while the rest of his team was presenting, was to place weights on their newspaper structure, to test it's weight capability. With each weight he carefully studied the structure, made sure it could hold more, and continued.

Near the end it was his turn to present, and one of the other boys took over placing weights on the structure. Well, JT's replacement saw that the structure could not take much more so he went for broke, and placed the largest weight on the structure, which smashed it.

In the middle of his presentation JT stops, turns around and cries "WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?" Poor kid, here his baby was smashed the moment he walks away from the table.
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Speaking of JT, yesterday he called the mom of a classmate to invite the classmate to his "Afternoon With a Teacher", which he won at the school's silent auction. The conversation went something like this:

JT: Hello, Mrs. PS. I invited KS to come to Afternoon With a Teacher. (Me: introduce yourself.) Oh yes, this is JT. Anyway, I was at the school carnival, which I think you missed, but KS was there with a relative, and she wanted to bid on the Afternoon With a Teacher, but I had already put down $30, so she couldn't. So, I won the Afternoon, and KS asked if she could come, since I can invite a friend, and I told her I would think about it, and she is invited, so I needed to know if she can come. I don't know when it is, but it will be some time, and we will do something, with our teacher, because it will be me, and KS, and our teacher. (Me: give me the phone.)

After all that, Mrs. PS and I were able to piece together what is happening, when it is happening, and that KS will probably be able to attend. And, I applaud my son for taking the initiative and calling Mrs. PS.

For more Tiny Talk Tuesday head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

A biography of ED

By EDH

(written by ED, sometime last year. This is typed, I think JT typed it for him. They printed out the page and then cut out the print, taped it to construction paper, and stapled the pages together in book form. The "biography" is two pages long.)

First Page:
A biography of ED. By EDH

Second Page:
I am ED. I like robots. GO JEFF GORDAN! I like to play the drums and I like my Mom and Dad and i like my brother JT and cordy.

Thats it good by.


For my Tiny Talk Tuesday head to Mary's at Not before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

My kids love books on tape, or CD.

The only problem is they like to listen to the same story over, and over, and over again.

And suddenly a 4 hour CD becomes very short.

Presently they are listening to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. (They have also moved onto The Magician's Nephew. We could listen to them all but I'm reserving these CD's as a prize for JT after he reads each book.)

The kids have been off school for 2 weeks straight due to snow. We have listened to A LOT of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. A LOT I tell you!

Now the kids are trying on their British accents. LOL! I wish I still had my British accent to pull out at such times, unfortunately it has been long lost, and theirs is not even close.

Then they try to talk like Aslan. They walk around the house saying "... and He Beaver and She Beaver..." in a deep voice, or as deep as a 7-year-old can go.

Oh, and then there is a part where Aslan tells the woodland creatures to take the Daughter's of Eve to the tent and "... to minister to them." In the context given it sounds like a day at the spa, and after these past two weeks a day at the spa, even given by woodland creatures, sounds good, very good to me.

For more Tiny Talk Tuesday head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Um ... no

Lord have mercy.

My oldest has gotten it into his head that I should have another baby. He has asked if I am having another baby. He has said I should have another baby.

I don't know about you, but when kids start talking like this I become a little worried. Especially when they start praying. When kids begin talking to God, well things can happen. Not that I'm opposed to them talking to God, and things happening ... just not if it includes me and 9 months of weight gain.

Oh dear, I'm in trouble now.

For more Tiny Talk Tuesday head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Nature vs. Nurture

Since having children I am now fully convinced that one's personality is all about nature, nurture has absolutely nothing to do with a child's development or behavior.

One Sunday morning Hubby was telling EM to fetch her black sweater to wear to church (it actually is a zip up, fleece jacket) She already had a white, short sleeved cardigan (more like a bolero) on, over her short sleeved (what EM calls her) "princess" dress.

EM: Daddy, you don't wear TWO sweaters (and strikes a pose)

Seriously, you can't teach this.
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This past Sunday JT had a youth group activity after church, which included sledding. After trying to shove a change of clothes, plus snow gear, in a backpack I pulled out his jeans.

Me: JT, these are nice jeans. You can wear them to church tomorrow. (Something we don't allow the kids to wear. Though we let them wear shorts in the summer?)

JT: (bug eyed with surprise. He is our grunge kid) Sneakers?

Me: Yes

JT: I L.O.V.E. You let me do cool things.
(and if "cool things" are defined by the occasional wearing jeans and sneakers to church, then we should be good to go through the teenage years.)
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Saturday afternoon Hubby and ED ran some errands, including the grocery store. Hubby bought a few extra items (not on the original shopping list), and upon arriving home the two began to unload the car.

Hubby: ED, you carry this bag, it is light (it held 2 bags of potato chips, two of the extra items)

ED: Mommy isn't going to like this.

Again, you can't teach this stuff, they just say it. I have no idea where it comes from.

:::cough:::

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday. For more laughs head over to Mary's @ Not Before 7.

Talk of Christmas

Christmas makes children talk, even more then normal, if that is possible.

We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. After opening our presents ED recounted all the other Christmas' we would be attending during the next several days, Christmas' which included presents.

Hubby: ED what is the meaning of Christmas?

ED: Jesus is the meaning of Christmas, but right now I'm focused on presents.

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And stay focused on presents he did. Several days later we were attending a family Christmas, enjoying a lovely meal at a restaurant.

ED: When do we open the presents?

ME: This isn't a present Christmas gathering.

:::chuckles around the table:::

It took ED some time to process the fact that Christmas is celebrated without presents.

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Santa Claus visited my parent's house the day we were all there celebrating.

We haven't included Santa in our family's festivities before, if I'm buying the presents I want the full credit. Our children have funny ideas about Mr. Claus, one year not believing him, the next year believing in him.

EM and I were looking at the pictures from Santa's visit.

Me: EM, is that really Santa Claus?

EM: No. He (the guy in the picture) wears glasses.

Me: So the real Santa does not wear glasses?

EM: Mom, just go with me, OK.

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday. For more fun head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Christmas Program Weekend

This Christmas season our weekends seem to have a theme. This weekend we will enjoy Christmas Party Weekend. The following weekend will be Celebrating Christmas Weekend. This past weekend was Christmas Program Weekend.

Leading up to Christmas Program Weekend was many, many practices. EM had the majority, between church and school. Apparently she has been keenly watching her music teachers, because she has spent the past few weeks conducting her stuffed animals. She had even created her own song books, complete with musical notes.
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Then there was JT, who sang a duet in the church program. Because of his song he asked if he could wear a lapel mike. However, our church has only two lapel mikes and the two main characters needed them. After thinking this through he raised his hand and offered a solution:

JT: Let's take up a special offering and buy a third mike.
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After the program Sunday night, it was time to leave for home and we were leaving the fellowship hall to gather our children (whom could be heard on the other side of the door.) Looking at Hubby I said something about rounding up the kids, he said something about hearing them, and a random lady said:

Random Lady: Your children are very entertaining.

:::crickets:::

Seriously? How do you respond to that; yes, yes they were very entertaining during the program, some of it unscripted. At the same, you know your children, along with other kids, have been running around the hall, playing, and have now moved (loudly) into the hallway. Seriously, how do you respond?

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday. For more talking fun head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

When I Become President ...

Driving one night with JT in the car he started talking about what he would do when he becomes president. Here is his list:

1. Stop war
2. Lower taxes and lower health care costs
3. Make cars safe
4. Everyone pays less for electric and water
5. Prevent forest fires

After hearing all his campaign promises (honestly, this list came voluntarily from his mouth, the boy just talks) I asked ED and EM.

ED: There shall only be bikes. Trains and subways are OK, and planes. Motorcycles and cars are a little dangerous. But, there will still be race cars.

EM announced she would be a princess, not president ... this conversation sounds vaguely familiar. So, as a princess...
EM: Just sitting around in my room wondering what to wear.

When I asked her again if she wanted to be a princess or a president she announced
EM: I just want to be a girl. (you can't argue with that.)

Happy Tiny Talk Tuesday. Visit Mary's at Not Before 7 for more TTT fun.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

My children crack me up; what they say, what they do, it is never ending.

EM: When I grow up I'll be a cookbook. (Have absolutely no idea where that came from, but since she announced it I figured I would ask the other kids.)

Me: ED, what do you want to be when you grow up?

EM: Do you want to be king?

ED: No, I don't want to be king.

Me: Why not?

ED: I can't be a king, we don't live where there are kings.

(Smart kid ... sometimes)

ED came to the top of the stairs, carrying his bedside lamp in one hand and the plug in the other hand.

ED: Mom, my light needs a new bulb, it doesn't work, see. (He turns the switch on and off.)

Me: ED, the lamp needs to be plugged in for it to work.

Later that day ...
Me: ED, did you plug in your lamp?

ED: Yes.

Me: Does it work?

ED: Yes. (oh, if only all problems were that easy to solve.)

For more Tiny Talk Tuesday head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

This past weekend Hubby and I enjoyed a weekend away with our Sunday school class. A weekend of food, friends, sleep, and more foods, ... and no kids.

My parent's were brave enough graciously took all three kids for the entire weekend. The kids were bouncing off the walls over the prospect of staying with Gran and Grandpa for a whole weekend, without Mom and Dad. Here is a recap of their favorite moments from the weekend.

EM: We got to watch TV at night

ED: Roasting marshmallows and wieners outside, on the fire

JT: Going to the park and riding the razor. I rode more laps then Grandpa. (Not sure I correctly understood him since the razor is some miniature car contraption. Come to think of it I've never seen this contraption and beginning to wonder what my 8-year-old is driving around the park.)

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The Sunday after Halloween (C.A.N.D.Y.) we were watching TV after supper, and passing around the candy bowl ... one piece each. Hubby was holding the candy bowl and helped himself to a second piece when EM turned around.

EM: Daddy, what are you doing?

Me: What is Daddy doing?

EM: He is sneaking! (Oh yes, and he and I have been sneaking candy since then.)

Happy TTT. For more fun head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

My children, at their young tender ages, have already become fans of Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth, not the book ... yet.) I'm excited that 1. they know quality TV when they see it, and 2. they will watch period movies with me.

My children, no matter what they watch, like to act it out. WALL-E, they assign the main character and EVE. Cars, Pooh and Friends, Ben 10, Transformers, and now Pride and Prejudice.

Take note that at the point my children began to play act they had not seen the whole movie. At this point, they had seen up to the part where Elizabeth Bennet turned down her cousin's, Mr. Collins, marriage proposal. At this point my children, at their young tender ages, haven't mastered the American English language, so Jane Austen's English English may take a few more years to understand.

The kids (collectively): I'll play the girl, you play the girl, I'll be the guy, I'll be the other guy. You be the other guy.

EM: Oh cousin, I will marry you.

ED (playing Mr. Collins): I will not marry you.

JT (playing Mr. Bennet): Lizzie, you will marry him.

OK, OK, the plot is all wrong; but watching them act, and for several days, was hilarious.

For more Tiny Talk Tuesday head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Our daughter is 4, going on 14 ... or maybe 24. 24, definitely 24-years-of-age (because then she will be out of the house, paying her own phone bill, and I won't have to listen to her being on the phone. All. The. Time.)

No, our 4-year-old is not calling her friends on the phone, or at least a real phone, or real friends. She loves to talk to her imaginary friend on a play phone. (Honestly, I'm contemplating placing the play phones in a time out due to this behavior.)

Below is the start of her conversation with her imaginary friend Jenny:

EM: Hi Jenny. yes, ummm, yes. Well, I simply adore fall.
Hubby and I were in stitches as she walked out of the kitchen continuing here conversation about fall.

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Last week we were organizing clothes for school picture day. The younger two allowed me to pick out their clothes. JT is old enough to pick out his own clothes. Actually, let me rephrase that. He is old enough to know what he wants, and though it may not be what I want, clothes is one of those issues where I pick my battles (Mommy approved for church, kid approved ... within reason ... for school.)

The night before I was giving him some clothing guidelines.

Me: Pick a nice shirt, not a regular t-shirt, maybe one with a collar. Think you can pick something out you don't mind wearing?

JT: Sure, I also have on nice underwear.

Me: :::sigh:::, with smile

I have boys. I have elementary age boys living in my house. I'm constantly amazed at how they continue to morph into this "boyish" behavior. As they get older, they become more like boys. Fun boys, with a wacky sense of humor. Like telling their mother they are wearing nice underwear for picture day.

For more Tiny Talk Tuesday head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

ED drew this the other day. He likes to draw, and it seems he has a never-ending stream of creativity flowing from his brain. His latest creation is this guy:

Me: ED, what does the "R" stand for?

ED: Romance.

Me: Romance Boy? (We are in trouble)

A couple days later ED changed is mind.

ED: The "R" stands for Row.

Me: Super Row?

ED: Yes.

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Last night the kids were asking how Hubby and I met. We explained that Dad's cousin was my freshman roommate, and that is how we first met.

ED: Mommy, did your cheeks blush when you first met him?

At this Hubby and I laughed because our first meeting is memorial in the fact that neither of us took notice of the other, we simply said "hi" and went our separate ways.

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EM still likes to point out differences in people, and group them. The other day she was sorting everyone in our family in "boys" and "girls." Since she and I are outnumbered I commented that we need to stick together in this house of boys.

Me: EM, we need to stay friends.

EM: Mommy, we can't be friends. You are my mommy.

Well, this girl has it right. Now, we shall see if she remembers this when she is 15 and begging to stay out late/purchase $100 jeans/watch an R rated movie and tries the "but you are my friend" line.

Happy TTT. For more fun head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.