I guess I don't want to talk about it either

I know I haven't posted in two weeks - geez I feel such shame and guilt. Guess I better give you a funny story to make it up.

Dateline: Living room.

Scene: me sitting on couch, watching TV.

Brandelion: in the restroom right by the living room.

Enter Brandelion, stage left. Fast paced walk, no pants, no underwear. Only wearing a t-shirt.

Me: uh, Brandelion???

Him: (holding hand up in a "talk to the hand" fashion), Don't ask. I don't want to talk about it.

Exit Brandelion, stage right. Bare bottom. Very cute.

I'm not sure what happened in that restroom. He came back out a few minutes afterwards and picked his pants and superman underwear up out of the bathroom and put them in the washer.

Don't ask.

Peace Out,

Working Gal

A little bit, honey, just a little

A few months ago, Brandelion and I were having one of our Sunday afternoon, just me and him trips to the grocery store. I try to do this a couple of times a month - I like to have the time alone with him, away from his dad and his sister. I always try to make is special (usually by buying him something - I am not above bribery) and always tell him how much I like it when it is just me and him.

We had just pulled into the parking space, when he hit me with it,

Mom, when I was a baby, how did I get in your tummy?

*PANIC ALARM goes off in my head....desperately trying to remember all of the so-called parenting books I had read. I'm sure this was a topic, but my mind is going blank!!!*

Then I remember the standard advice: Just answer the question at a level he can understand and don't give him too much information.

So I answered the following way,

When a mommy and daddy love each other very much they make a little tiny baby, and the baby grows in the mommy's belly.

Whew, that wasn't too bad, let's hope he doesn't ask (1) how the baby is made or (2) precisely how it gets in the belly.

He replies, How did I get out?

Well, sweetie, when it was time for you to get out, Mommy went to the hospital and the doctors, nurses, and even Daddy helped me push you out.

Then, in the sweetest, most loving, and slightly shocked voice,

DID IT HURT?

In my head I'm thinking: "hell yes it hurt!! Like nothing else. In fact the only thing that has ever hurt worse in my entire life was giving birth to your sister! And the stiches, oh, the stiches I had!"

Instead I said,

A little bit, honey, just a little.

How to be fancy

Yesterday, the high temperature around here was 80. I wore a sweater, having not seen the weather forcast. I was VERY HOT all day long.

So, today, I opted for a skirt and a sweater set - much more comfy for the weather.

When I walked out into the living room, Brandon was watching cartoons. He said to me,

"wow, mommy - fancy!"

I hadn't worn a skirt in a while - too cold outside.

I sorta laughed and he said,

"you should stick your pinky finger out - that's what makes you REALLLY fancy. Yep. I learned that from Sponge Bob."

Hee Hee!

DramaQueen needs a video too

This is DramaQueen getting her things gathered for bed.... (this came out way too dark -- but, still cute)



And the end result:

Yes, that's right, a blanket UNDERNEATH her...why fight it?

Ready to grow up

This story comes from AtHomeHubby last night after Brandelion earnestly talked his ear off about growing up. This is going to be a long post. Indulge me. The conversation began with

Daddy, does everyone have a last name?

AtHomeHubby patiently explained that yes, we all do, and was then peppered with questions about what everyone's last name is. Then the little one asked,

When I have kids will they have *insert last name* as a last name?

OH MY GOD!!! He just realized (or at least vocalized) that he may, someday have children!!

Then it got pretty serious,

Daddy, when I have kids will you take care of them?

No, son, you'll be a grown up then, and you'll take care of them.

But I don't have a job.

You will.

But I don't have a car to go buy groceries.

You will.

Will I live in this house?

Well, you can, but you will probably have your own house.

**crying** DADDY - I don't want my own house, I don't want to lose you....DADDDDYYYY***

(insert a bit of working gal jealousy here - I was never mentioned. Commence guilt.)

Can I live next door?

Sure

Where will I work?

I don't know, what do you want to do?

I can be a cook at *insert name of restaurant where AtHomeHubby works part time*!

(working gal recalling cute saying: Brandelion used to say, "I want to be a COOKER!")

Sure son, you could even be a chef, and OWN your own restaurant.

Like the pizza restaurant we go to for lunch sometimes?

Sure.

If I have a girl, I want to name her Ainsley (Drama Queen). And if I have a boy....I don't know - what should I name a boy, daddy?

You can figure that out later when you grow up and get married.

Who am I going to marry?

A girl.

But will I have to kiss her? That's gross

(score 1 for team No Kissing)

Maybe when you get older you will want to kiss a girl.

I don't know....

I tell you what, why don't you just focus on being 5 for now. Then next year you can think about being six.

Then the funniest moment:

Daddy does Claire have our last name?

Yes, she is my niece.

Your NURSE! How can she take care of you - she is just a BABY!

My little man is growing up. I am so proud of him, but it also really pulls at my heart strings. He takes everything very seriously, and I realize how observant he is. This made me realize that I need to keep his world as child like as possilble, and keep all grown up issues (like money, stress, etc) out of his earshot.

Kids are so absorbant, I think sometimes we forget.

Still here..

A series of computer problems plagued my long weekend...but, I'm still here. First, a weight loss update - I'm down 2 more pounds for a total of 13 lost!!! Woo hoo!! We had a very nice weekend - Saturday 1/13 was my wedding anniversary (6 years) and also AtHomeHubby's birthday.

The kids and I snuck out of the house Saturday morning to buy party supplies - Brandelion was SET on having a surprise party for him. AtHomeHubby calls me while I am at the store - he woke up much earlier than I thought he would. I quietly informed him that he needed to go back to bed to be "surprised" in about 20 minutes. It worked out well, Brandelion picked out a racecar theme for his dad's birthday and DramaQueen enjoyed shouting " 'prise!!" We had cake (at 10:30 in the morning!) and I made breakfast.

For our annivesary, as we are short on funds, we decided to check out a big Asian supermarket that we had never tried. We felt like we had been transported overseas, and had a bit of culture shock -- we felt quite tall, and also, quite cramped, given that we Americans have an expectation of more personal space than other cultures. The kids loved looking at the the fish, crabs, and lobsters in the tank. I didn't have the heart to explain why the creatures were at a grocery store. Yikes!

We bought sushi making supplies and had an "in house" date after the kids went to bed. We made california rolls, shrimp hand rolls, and smoked salmon rolls. They came out pretty good, especially for a first attempt at sushi making.

As a side note - AtHomeHubby is a great cook, and I am decent at following a recipe, but usually leave it to him. When it comes to sushi though - it seems I have a knack! It was fun to make something for the person who is always cooking me all sorts of yummy stuff!

Overall, the kids stayed in bed and we had a nice night in - celebrating our six years together. It made me very nostalgic - and I just kept looking at him thinking how lucky I am and how much I love him.

Reason to lose #3 - I want to be healthy and married for a really, really long time!

I know his computer skills are good, but....

Yesterday my friend over at Long Island Dad posted about the confusion over their names - then, as if my son had read the blog post, he comes in my room this morning and says,

Mom (whispering)

Mom... (talking)

Mom....(louder....and I still didn't want to wake up - it was only 5:30)

finally, in frustration,

STEPHANIE WAKE UP !!!

To hear my name coming out of a five year old's mouth was shocking - All I could say was,

"You call me 'Mommy' "

And he said,

"Okay, Mommmmy (sarcastically) ... can I have some oatmeal please?"

My son believes in ghosts

Here is yet another story about Brandelion. You would think that DramaQueen never does anything, but she does whine alot, and cutely imitates her big brother. Brandelion, though, is just at that adorable age where he is really starting to tell stories.

This has been an ongoing saga for about the last week. I was waking up the other morning when he appeared about 2 cenimeters from my face and said,

"mom - there is a GHOST in my room. I went potty last night and when I went to bed, I KNOW I didn't lock my door, but when I woke up, and looked, my door was LOCKED!!! It must be a ghost."

Cut to the last few nights trying to get him to go to bed where we have tried to convince him either (1) there is no such thing as ghosts, (2) even if there are ghosts, they can't hurt you, or (3) daddy must have checked on you that night and accidentily locked your door.

side note: this is called arguing in the alternative - it
occasionally works for me in front of judges too!

NONE OF THIS IS WORKING!!! He has told us the story about his door for over a week, and he is just convinced. I, once again, blame Disney, and their AWFUL show "Danny Phantom". This show, which Brandelion has called, "Fanny Tasm" (cute, huh?) ever since he first saw it - is really too old for him. We try to keep him from it, and have now decided to go all out ban on it - but, the idea of ghosts has stuck!

I'll update if we ever figure out a way to get him over this! He will eventually go to sleep but it pratically requires an all-out exorcism of all of the demons lurking in and around his room.