Bounce Baby Bounce

A while back, Owen decided that he'd really like to have a trampoline. He mentioned it a few times in passing, and then it became more a focused subject to him. We told him that if he worked hard and saved his money that he'd be able to buy one. (I promised him that I would match his savings- since I also wanted a trampoline.) One of my proudest moments while he was saving was when he looked at my mom who had suggested that we buy him the trampoline, and told her that he was buying it with his money. I reminded him that he didn't have enough to make the purchase yet, and he simply replied, "I'll just have keep working until I earn enough." Seriously, I know an awful lot of adults who can't understand that concept. Last weekend, after many weeks of hard work, he hit the magic number, and we were off to Wal-Mart to make the purchase.

He carried his little, "spend" box into the store so proudly and helped the cashier count out every last penny. (A big thanks to the patient cashier who didn't get frustrated by a four year old with a box full of small bills and coins.)

We got it home, and within a couple of hours- we were in business! Let me tell you, I'm loving this thing, because on the days when he's spent several hours bouncing, he goes right to sleep! Plus, it's a lot of fun!

And in typical Owen fashion, he wants to make sure that he keeps that trampoline clean. After learning the hard way that sandboxes and trampolines are not a good match, he was right out there getting it swept off.

He cracks me up.

Success!!

Guess what!

We are FINALLY a diaper free home (during the day)  Our little man decided that it was high time to stop crapping in his pants, and we couldn't be happier.  

It's kind of funny because we'd allowed the potty training process to become a power struggle, and honestly what a stupid thing to have a power struggle over.  I mean, who's going to win that one? The one with the actual control over his bodily functions, or ones trying to bribe, bully, plead, and coerce?   Lesson learned- you're not going to win a power struggle with a two-year-old over anything potty training.

Let's just say that we didn't win the struggle.  We did however accept defeat, and stopped worrying about it all together.  We changed his diaper in the morning without a single word about using the potty.  We cleaned up foul messes without complaining. We just dropped the subject all together.

Three days later, he got up, took off his diaper, brought us a pair of roos to put on him- and he's been using the potty every since.  He did it. On his own terms.  He won.

(Don't tell him, but I kinda feel like a winner too!)

Here are a few pictures from our Big Boy celebration at Chuck E. Cheese.

(Who looks like the bigger kid in this picture?)

YAY!

Inappropriocity

Is that a real word?  If not, it should be.  And once you read this post, I'm sure you'll agree.
Because by definition, Inappropriocity is being naked in inappropriate places.

Gather round folks, and I'll tell you the story of the time that I durn near died of embarrassment.  I do believe that this one even tops the tow truck incident .

 Last Friday, we kind of had a lot going on.  Dr. appointment in the morning, Owen's class picnic at Hummel Park, and a Mommy/Daddy/Eli date to celebrate his big accomplishment (more on that later).  Well, when Matt and I got home from the dr.'s office, we had to quickly get the boys dressed and ready to go to the picnic.   We sent Owen to his room to get himself dressed, (like he does everyday!) Matt threw some clothes on Eli, I packed the lunches, and we were out the door in a few minutes. 

We got to the park, played, ate lunch, played some more.  Everything was going wonderfully, that is until the elastic that adjusts the size of Owen's shorts, (and therefore holds them up around his skinny butt), ripped.  The kid was running along, and then all of the sudden his shorts were around his ankles.  And guess what, in the getting ready rush, he hadn't put on his under roos.  You know what isn't the best time to find out that your kid didn't put on under roos that morning? If you answered, "In the middle of the class picnic, in front of God and everyone." You would be correct.

And to top it all off, instead of being totally embarrassed, he shrieked with laughter, and just kept running- until his mortified mother spear tackled his naked butt to the ground to try to rectify this catastrophic wardrobe malfunction.   

I. Wanted. To. Die.  A thousand deaths.   If I could have willed the earth to just swallow me up, I would have done it.  I don't embarrass easily, but this was almost the end of me.  

One Year Later

May 17, 2010

Nolan is born!  

Can you even believe how adorable this little guy was right out of the oven?  Ahh, I just love him. 

 May 14, 2011

Nolan's first birthday party. 

I honestly can't believe that it's already been a year. 

 Nolan, it has been so fun to watch you grow and change this year.  You are about the cutest, funniest, little guy ever.  You're a joy to have around, and we're so thankful for your sweet little self. 

Happy Birthday!

He was cracking me up with the big cheesy grin every time he saw the orange light from my camera.

Exhibit A

  After taking a tumble, he was very sad with a very big pout. He was so sad in fact that he managed to skunk his mama into taking a pouty face picture with him.  Too bad he looks anything but sad in this pic :)

And of course the four boys together.  Eli was psyched to be there.



Birthday Preview

There's gonna be some superhero action up in this joint!

P.S.  Who said that my baby was allowed to be 5?  Uncool.

This Much

Today we were outside sitting on the front porch and Owen started playing the, "I Love You THIS much game".  It went like this: "I love you all the way to the Jeep (sitting in the driveway), all the way to those deers over there (fake ones in the neighbor's yard), all the way to that tree (down the road a little ways), and ALMOST to Florida.  (Long pause)  And all of the way to the moon, and all of the way to the sun.

Thanks little dude.  I love you that much too.

I dare you not to laugh

Don't Take it Personally

I've heard this phrase several times in the past few days, both directed at myself and at some of my mama friends. It's something that people say to make someone "feel better" about something negative that's happening in their lives.  It's one of those phrases that usually has the exact opposite effect of its intended meaning.  Kinda like, "With all due respect."  My brother has a translation for "with all due respect", but it would be inappropriate to post on a family blog. 

"Don't take it personally." becomes even more personal when it's said to a mother about her child(ren).  "Don't take it personally" when it comes to our kids is impossible.  Whether it's a 5th grader with too many school infractions, or a preschooler that had to sit alone to complete his work, or a 6 month old that isn't gaining weight as others think she should.  It's personal.  We are the ones responsible for them. We're responsible for their behavior, their attitudes, their growth.  When people look at a misbehaving or dirty, or inappropriately dressed child, the phrase, "Who is his mother?" often comes to mind.  Of course it is a little tongue in cheek. Of course there is (most likely) a father to blame as well- but who is it that shoulders most of the burden? The mother.
So of course we take it personally. How could we not.  People judge us by our children.   They are an extension of us.  Being a mother is the most difficult job that I've ever had the privilege of having.  It's exhausting on so many levels.  It's rewarding, joyous, fun, infuriating, and heart wrenching all at the same time.  Above all, it's personal.  It's personal right down to its core.  These children once resided in our wombs.  They are pieces of our hearts walking around outside our bodies.  They are a part of  our soul. 
I am not saying that fathers don't have some of these same connections.  They certainly do.  The father of my children is a perfect example.  He is AMAZING! He loves these boys with his heart and soul.  He would lay down his life for them in a heartbeat. But does he feel their successes and failures on the same level that I do?
No.
His heart doesn't break when something bad happens at school.  Tears don't come to his eyes when he watches them master a new skill.  Does this mean he loves them less? Absolutely not, it just means that it's not as personal for him.  By nature, it's just not.  Have you ever heard of a "father's intuition?" 
As wonderful as my husband is, he has been guilty at times of telling me to "not take it personally." Many well-meaning husbands (and friends, and acquaintances) have been guilty of this uttering this phrase.  I don't even really blame them (usually) because they can't understand how what they're saying is completely ridiculous.  You have no idea how much I sometimes wish that I didn't take everything that happened to my kids personally.  It's a lot to feel.  It's a lot to deal with.   It doesn't help to have someone flippantly tell you, "Don't take it personally."   Okay, no problem.  Would you also like to ask me to stop blinking?  Because that's totally under my control as well. 

Yesterday was one of those days where my heart was breaking because of things happening with my kids.   I was told not to take it personally.  (Not by my husband- after nearly 5 years of this parenting business, he knows better.)  And this blog wrote itself in my mind as a result.  It's certainly not meant to hurt or offend anyone.  These are just the thoughts rolling around in my mind, and I needed to get them out. 
I guess what I am saying is.
Don't take it personally.

;)

Town Mouse/Country Mouse Part 2

The weekend after Chicago, we put away our city mindframes and headed out for a different kind of fun.  We finally had a beautiful day, and Matthew and I both woke up with one thing on our minds, Turkey Run.   We quickly got everything together and headed out the door with two sleepy boys. 

They perked up quickly when we arrived at the park.  It's hard not to get excited when you see the natural wonders that Turkey Run has to offer.  

In case you were wondering who was up for "Parents of the Year", I can inform you that we won't be on the list.  Who leaves home for a 3 mile hike without their child's shoes? 

Us.

We do. 

 Fail.

   Fortunately for us, he HAAATEESS shoes, and probably wouldn't have worn them if we'd have brought them.  That boy loved feeling the mud squish between his toes. And he had a cow if he saw any "wawa" and Matthew didn't set him down to walk through it. 

Owen scampered up those ladders like they were nothing.  Eli even climbed every one of them by himself- with a very watchful daddy ready to catch him.

Remember what I said about "Parents of the Year"?  Yeah.   Here's my kid sitting in a creek. In the first weekend of April.  Awesome.   This is nothing compared to what Owen looked like after he tried to jump into the "Punch Bowl" like his dad, slipped, and ended up soaked from the neck down.   It was 85 warm degrees on this day though- so I promise they weren't going to catch hypothemia or pneumonia or the plague or anything.

We had an AWESOME day, and Owen decided that he likes that kind of fun even more than cities and museums.  (That's our boy!)  Although, I'm not sure that even this beat that darn train!

Town Mouse/Country Mouse

At the end of last month, we were invited to spend the night in Chicago with our Walroths.  Owen was on spring break and we were excited to get away for a couple of days to do something fun with the kiddos.  We parked the car in Hammond and the train into town.  This train ride was a serious highlight of the boys' trip.  So much so that Owen declared that the $4, dirty train ride was the best part of his trip.  Never mind the $70 in museum tickets, or the amazing architecture, or the cool landmarks, nope- the train ride trumped it all! 

When we arrived in the city we had a short walk to the hotel.  They were staying in the Hilton on Michigan Ave. Which is pretty much one of the coolest hotels that I've ever stayed in.  It's old school Chicago elegance and luxury.   And check out this view from their window. 

Not too shabby, eh?

After dropping off our stuff, we (Gessners+Sar&Allie) made our way to the  Field Museum.  Actually we made our way to the aquarium, discovered that there was a line that stretched from Chicago to the moon and back... twice- and decided that we'd go to the Field instead.  It was an excellent change of plans, and Owen declared it the "Coolest museum he's ever been to."  (Not to be confused with the coolest thing that we did in Chicago- which was obviously riding the stinky train.)

One of the boys' favorite exhibits was the Underground Adventure.  We went through a shrink chamber, and then emerged into an underground world at about 3/8 of an inch tall.  

Huge, scary, robotic  bugs were everywhere, and the boys loved every second of it. 

<<<<

Another favorite was the dinosaurs.  The Field Museum is home to the most complete T Rex skeleton that has been found.  They named her Sue, after the scientist that found her.  We watched a 3D movie about her discovery and what life might have been like for her when she was alive.  It was fun, and Owen loved the "scary" parts of the movie. 

Sue, Gessners.  Gessners, Sue.

After the museum, we walked back to the hotel and got ready for dinner.  It was a teensy bit of a fiasco (on the restaurant's part), and needless to say, we had some tired kiddos on our hands before the evening was over.  

Now you'd think that trying to house 4 adults and 3 kids in one hotel room might be a bit of challenge, but after the early morning, the late night and the miles of walking, there were nothing but snores in that room by 10:30 pm.

The next morning, we had an amazing breakfast- and then we headed for "The Bean".  Real life occured there, and our photo op didn't go as planned, but we still enjoyed getting to see it.

Real Life Happening.

Back bending toddler. Check.

Sobbing four-year-old, being kept from running away by his dad's iron grip on his skull. Check.

Strollers & baby carriers. Check

 Four best friends doing the best they can with this thing called parenthood. Check.

All of the above reflected in a gigantic, bean-shaped mirror. Check.

And in case you forgot what cute looks like- here it is.  Two handsome boys loving on their sweet little Allie- all while rocking their Sue shirts. 

All-in-all, it was a super fun getaway with our favorites!