STINKY JOHN JONES

Is it just me......

......or would life without kids be boring?

I know.  I complain a lot of the time, and wish for more sleep, more room in my bed, time to myself, a shower in peace with the curtain shut, etc.

But, for some reason, tonight I had an epiphany. 

Life without kids would suck.

Imagine coming home from work..........to nothing.  Or worse. A snoring husband passed out on the couch because he is now able to hit happy hour at the bar each night after work.

Imagine waking up in the morning..........to nothing.  No kisses, hugs, morning romps on the bed with the kidlets.  No one screaming for you to get up and make them Spongebob shaped pancakes.

Imagine the holidays.  No Santa, no toys under the tree just waiting for that special someone to open them with wide eyes and glee.  No Easter bunny or tooth fairy.  No anticipation. 

Imagine dinner time.  No conversation.  No milk out the nose as they laugh and snort.  No one to curl up on your lap and share your dessert. 

I just can't imagine life without the joy the kids bring.  To get to watch them discover new things.  That first snow.  Or the first time they see mountains.  Or even the first time they taste something hot, like cocktail sauce, and their little noses shrivel up as they scream for juice. 

I just can't imagine. 

Now git, go kiss your kids.  I am going to take a page out of Stink's book and slobber on mine. 

Interview of a Mommy by Chachi

First, I need to thank Margie at Gunning It  for tonight's blog fodder.
She had this posted on Facebook, and it was too good to pass up. 

Chachi's Interview of Mommy.......

1. What is something mom always says to you?  Be quiet. 
uh-oh, #1 and she already sold me out!

2. What makes mom happy? Be good.
of course!

3. What makes mom sad? I don't like your shirt.
Fashion advise from a 4 year old!

4 How does your mom make you laugh?  Tickles me.

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?  Ride horses.

6. How old is your mom? 10
Have I mentioned that I love this kid!

7. How tall is your mom?  *her arm span*

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?  Reba

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?  Watch tv or go out to eat or carry groceries in.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  me
Self-esteem gone wild!

11. What is your mom really good at? magic markers

12. What is your mom not very good at?  riding a big giant monster
not enough practice?

13. What does your mom do for her job? work

14. What is your mom's favorite food?  Spaghetti sauce

15. What makes you proud of your mom? Doing stuff I need like a drink.
What a kid!

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?  A horse
I hope that has nothing to do with size!

17. What do you and your mom do together?  Help do the dishes.

18. How are you and your mom the same?  We are the same color.

19. How are you and your mom different? Mommy is kinda brown.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  Hug me.

This was a blast.  I think tomorrow night will be Stink's turn!  Can't wait to hear what he has to say!

Boys

Boys, boys, boys, boys, boys. 

Please, someone, come save me. 
And while your at it, fill me in on how to raise a boy. 
Seriously.

See, I am a woman.  I have a sister.  My first child is a girl.   The female gender is all I know.

Enter boy. 

Boy who enjoys throwing himself across the floor just to see if it will hurt.  Who thinks nothing of trying to climb a wall.  Or riding a spring horse with no hands while standing up. 
Boy who likes to swing bats without looking first.  Or throwing a ball at a particular collector item to see if it will break.  Who loves chocolate milk, and loves to sprinkle it around more.  Who no longer is allowed to have a big boy cup since he decided to dunk his food in it.
Boy who needs to be reminded to pee IN the toilet each and every time he enters the bathroom.  Who insists he can ride a quad or dirt bike or drive a monster truck at age two. 
He loves to tease his sister, or rather torture her.  A little tug of the hair here, a smelly foot in the face there or how about riding her stick horse naked because he knows it annoys her. 
Boy, oh boy.  All boy. 

This child of mine is a ball buster.  A get right under your skin and push your buttons just to see you squirm.  His current mode of assault is to lick.  Wet, sloppy kisses to the point of dripping. 
He can find the largest puddle in the parking lot or the muddiest spot in the grass.  White shirts can be worn once, no amount of Shout will help.  He needs a bath each and every day and could use two.  If it smells, he will find it.  And most times, roll in it. 
And then I remind myself, he is a boy.  All boy. 

So tell me, does it get better?  Or shall I buy stock in deodorant now? 

Life Lessons.....

.....that backfire. 

I know you know what I'm talking about, right? 

Let's take this for instance: 

Child comes to you complaining about a bully.  A friend who pushes them into playing, say Barbies, when they want to play stick horse.
Life lesson:  No one can make you do anything you don't want to do.  Stand up for yourself.

Backfire:  You ask same child to take a bath.  They don't listen.  You demand it.  They return, "You can't make me." 

I guess I should have added a Mommy clause. 

How about this one.....

Lesson:  Do not poop in the bathtub.

Easy enough, huh.

Backfire:  Child realizes he needs to use the potty, scoots out of the tub, sits wet butt on toilet, then proceeds to skid mark back into the tub. 

Maybe I should have mentioned wiping during this lesson? 

Now, it's your turn.  What life lesson has backfired for you? 

Snow Day

Last night, the anticipation as the newscast predicted a foot of snow.   The kids jumped with joy as they collected their snowsuits and boots, gloves, hats and scarves.  This was to be the first "playable" snow storm for Stink in his two short years.
Yes, we had others, but none where the accumulation would be anything worthy of snow-angels. 

As we woke this morning, they scurried to grab their belongings, as we began the long arduous layering of clothes.  The extra pair of socks, shoving well padded feet into boots.  The wrapping of the scarves under the coat until it will no longer zip.  A hat under the hood.  Two pairs of gloves.  Last, the snow pants and jackets. 
Finally, they were dressed, although neither could walk far without falling over. 

Stink ran for the door.  He crashed through and tossed himself into the snow.  Head first.  I ran to grab my camera, while Chachi cautiously entered the white abyss.

Cheese, they screamed, tossing the snow up high into the air.
Click, click, click went my camera, catching each and every moment.  Savoring Stink's first.  Chachi's grin.  The snow glistened from the flash. 

It's evening.  I finally have a moment to sit down and copy over my pictures.  Oh, what a great post this will make, what great memories, I thought to myself as I watched the progress bar zoom by. 
Done, as I clicked the button to delete them from the card.

Only, they were not done. 

And I already deleted them.

Gone.  Stink's first snow.  Gone. 

Damn you technology.