Spring Break Pics part 2

After spending day 1 of Spring Break at the White Sox home opener.  Then day 2 {cold} fishing as the big outing of the day.

Day 3 was welcomed with the Sun shining and smiles all around.  Spring fever was in the air, and getting outside was the order of the day.

But it was a little cold, so Miss Cheryl & J took time to build a site word book for J out of his Highlight's magazine.

He's so proud!

 Then they made some jiggle jello to make shapes out of later.

 J loves helping in the kitchen.

 Followed by burning some energy on the trampoline.

 Then bubble mowing.

 Followed by bikes... then... then... then...

Needless to say, J wanted to do every.single.outdoor activity he owns.  Fresh air and outside play made him one happy boy.

He was so proud of the heart cutout - it had to be the dessert he got after dinner.

LOVE HIM!!!

Spring Break pics part 1

I LOVE Miss Cheryl.

Love her.

Not only because I trust her to make sure you are well cared for, loved in my abscensce, but also worked with on the tried and true Reading, wRiting and aRrithmatic.

This year you spent your Spring Break with her, and probably would not have had more fun if we were in Florida, considering temps there did not reach 80.

We had cold, but pretty weather.  You two spent time being spoiled by Mr. Bryan.  Time fishing.  Playing.  Also, time working on your words.  Doing spelling.  Doing math.

But the biggest reason I love Miss Cheryl today...

She shares pictures.  Lots of them.

Some how she knew mommy was really missing being there for your time off of school.  She included me in your daily activities with text updates and lots and lots of pictures.

Mommy love!

White Sox Home Opener

Daddy lucked out.

Big time.

I doubt next year will be so lucky, but a mommy can hope.

See, daddy announced to J - with ZERO discussion with Mommy - the boys were starting a father/son tradition.

A school skipping tradition.

A thing of Chicago Legend and Pride.

A family tradition.

A day off school to attend the White Sox home opener.

J was over the moon.

What better way to start Spring Break.  okay, so it was a week ago...

Whew.  A discussion for another day.

Today however, J made the day...

Daddy:  "J are you hungry?"

(insert contemplative look)

Daddy:  "Dude, it's a hot dog - Yes or No."

J:  "Well... Am I paying for it or are you?"

Daddy:  (laugh) "It's dinner - Mommy & I can get this."

J:  "Alright then - I'll take two with a pop."

I guess my lessons on saving money are working.  And this is translating over into grocery shopping as well.  He will think long and hard about whether he wants to buy something with his own money or not.  I use it on ANYTHING I don't want to buy from books, to toys, to Oreos.

It's AWESOME!

My Easter Fail

How does one make a 5 year old question the bunny? 

Glowing bubbles.

How does glowing bubbles = a 5 year old questioning the bunny?

Oh - the big $2.99 sticker price on it.

One inquisitive and overly observant little boy noticed this minor detail upon pouring through his basket.

Mom - Look he says!!  Does the bunny pay in bunny bills? 

He found it hilarious, if not truly puzzling.

Mom has learned - MUST BE MORE OBSERVANT.

Sigh.

Easter 2013

I'm not sure about anyone else, but man - oh - man did Easter sneak up on me.

Truly.

Totally snuck up on me. 

I did not even think about decorating until AFTER Good Friday.

Crazy.

Thankfully, I had shopped for J's Easter outfit last fall, so he was all set to go. 

After school Friday, we visited the Bunny.  It was so nice to do that with Daddy.  I know J was as excited as I was to have him around all weekend for all our festivities.

We did Eggs on Saturday.

Bunny Visited Saturday Night.  Mommy was delighted to see the Bunny limited the candy loot this year in favor of vending machine little toys.

Also, he must have known J was starting Spring Break, as he brought him the requested - Cannon Blaster.  He also added to his dinosaur collection.  T-Rex was so happy to have friends he came to the party.  J was a little distressed by this, I won't lie.  Kind of made me chuckle.

The best adds though, the Space and Dinosaur books.  J is so totally *in to* both of these topics, the Bunny did a great job with finding good grow into books. 

Then off to see Grandma & Grandpa M on Sunday.  I'll have to post, but Grandma M has her own little Super J now.  The cape & shirt could not be more adorable.

Today is back to work Monday for me, but the boys are stealing one last day before J officially kicks off Spring Break with Miss Cheryl.

Boys took in the first (of many I am told) White Sox home openers.

....Love these life making moments....

You make me laugh...

Kiddo, you crack me up.  Daily.  Belly laughs.  Here are some of your more recent chuckle moments.

Mom you know what'd be really cool?

No - what?

If Mr. Kyle's name was just Kyle.

It is.

What?  Why do I have to call him Mr. Kyle.

Cause it's polite.

Awweee Mannnnn.

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Hey Mom...  I was once in your belly because you ate me.

yeah... Not going there yet.
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In a discussion of healthy vs. non-healthy foods...

French fries are un-healthy. (1 min delay) Well, they do come from potatoes, and potatoes are vegetables.  And vegetables are healthy.  So they are sorta healthy.
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Mom, when I get big.  Like 6, will I be able to drive a car like you?

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In a discussion about my childhood...

Wow mom.  You are REALLY old.  What are you - like 90?

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In a discussion about getting your picture taken with the E. Bunny...

Daddy asked if you were too old for that.

The look of horror on your face I believe matched mine, as I kicked daddy under the table.

Needless to say, we have a date with said Bunny tomorrow after school.

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Speaking of the Easter Bunny... What would you like this year?

Well... I'll give you a hint. 
I do it in the pool. 
Pirates Shoot it.
It starts with a "K" sound.

A cannon ball.

Nope.  No more guesses for you!

.... Next morning ....

Sorry mom... No more guesses.  It's between me & the bunny. 

(enter guilty grin) okay, okay.  I'll let you guess.

Cannon?

(happy grin) Maybe... I'm not telling.

Whew... Way too much work.  Maybe you are getting to old.

Consequences - I suggest... You suggest...

Wow Bud... This weekend started off with a bang.  In the form of leaving breakfast with grandma and grandpa M to deal with a rather surprising and totally unacceptable meltdown at the end of breakfast.

Looking back on it, I get you were tired.  I get you were in general cranky.  I get you wanted to stay home, and I said sorry.  Grandma and Grandpa hadn't seen you in a while, and they wanted to see you.  We do what we do.  I'm teaching you that you respect family commitments, even when you don't want to do them.  You do them because it is the right thing to do.  And yes, I care about how it makes them feel, and I want you to care too.

So while, yes, I can see why you  melted down, I am still issuing consequences because your meltdown was completely unacceptable. 

What I did love was how after you got your emotions under control, you recognized you deserved consequences as well.

Mommy's suggestion was - you melted down because I would not discuss buying you a toy at Cracker Barrel that would be candy filled insanity until AFTER you ate your breakfast. 

Really dude?!?! 

You know Grandma would have totally sprung for it... All you had to do was eat 5 more bites.

Nope... You pulled tears and madness.

But they are no match for Mommy.  And thankfully the grandparentals totally understood your meltdown was exacerbated by an audience and promptly left upon you returning to your tear state after my first pass at calming you down.

So yeah.  Have your tantrum bud.  I will keep you safe and love you, but do not mistake that for my letting you off for such behavior.

I won't.

Ever.

Never.

Ever.

Ever.

Got it.

Good...

So as such... I suggested, we pick a toy in current rotation for donation as a consequence for reacting so poorly.

Counteroffer...

No TV for 3 weeks instead.

Clarification:  No TV means, no video, no TV, no You Tube - not even the pistachio commerical, no video means just that - none.

Contemplation...

Ooooookkkkaaayyy

Further clarification:  You do know this means when you go to Grandma's for Easter, there will be NO TV.  And you do understand that this time period includes the entire week you are off for Spring Break.  That means 5 days you would NORMALLY be in school - there will be no TV.

None.  Whatsoever.

Further Contemplation...

Okay...

Alright then... We have a deal...

And because Mommy realizes you have no real concept of how long this is, I will offer to let you revert to the initial suggested consequence, should you decide this wasn't really the best idea.

We are 5 days in, and so far so good.  You are doing great with taking charge to keep yourself busy and not whining about no TV.

Love you!