How My Really Good Day Was Squashed (Literally)

Today was not your typical Monday.  Everyone woke up happy, and raring to go.  I'll take it!  The day proceeded to go splendidly.  I secured a large remediation project for work, which I had been working on for the last several months.  This is a thrilling way to end my year, as my industry tends to slow WAY down in the late Fall.  My Mom offered to pick James up from school today, so I had time to do all of my dinner prep before he came home.  The menu for this evening: harvest soup, cornbread, and baked potatoes.  So I chopped away.....carrots, onions, celery, apples, and an entire butternut squash.  The boys and I decided to get some fresh air at the park before dinner, so they were more then willing to sit and play with Lego's quietly while I prepared dinner.  Now it is Murphy's Law that your entire day can not continue to chug along sooooo seamlessly when you have two toddler boys to contend with.

Cut to 6 p.m.- my soup ingredients had been simmering on the stove and were ready to be blended.  I do not have a handheld mixer (much to my dismay), so I opted to use our blender.  Don't even worry about the details, because by 6:03 p.m. I was wiping squash off of the wall, counters, stove, and kitchen cabinets....... The soup was excellent though!  6:30 p.m.- I had managed to get dinner plated for both boys and they were happily enjoying the meal.  I sit down to savor some myself and after about 3 bites, Henry has an explosive bowel movement.  Upstairs I go to start the bath.  Husband walks in the door at this time.....it was about 6:40 p.m.  Both boys jump in the tub, while I tried to get back to my soup (I was determined to enjoy the meal that caused such a commotion in the kitchen).  6:45 p.m.- cue James "Mom, come look at what Henry is doing."  I walk into the bathroom to find Henry using the water cup (which is usually placed out of reach and only finds it's way into the tub when it is time to wash hair) to dump several cups of water onto the floor.  6:50 p.m.- I am skating with towels in the bathroom and interrogating James as to how the water cup made it's way into the tub......all the while he gave himself aways with his devilish grin.  7:15- Everyone is finally in bed and reading books.  James proceeds to ask me who my favorite boy was today.  My response was, "your dad because you gave Henry the cup."  Tonight definitely called for some wine.  I settled for Advil and H20 though, because I feel James' cold creeping in on me.

I Know The Answer

James is still loving everything about school.  His teachers have informed me that he LOVES to participate and contribute in the day-to-day classroom discussions.  He has the gift of gab, which clearly he must get from his father.  Last week the whole school attended mass; oftentimes the students are encouraged to participate by answering questions that Monsignor Steve asks throughout the sermon.  James' teacher informed me that she was amazed that every single time he asked a question, James would be nearly jumping off of his seat and frantically raising his hand to share the answer.  After mass she asked James if he really did know the answers to all of Monsignor's questions.  He replied, "yes...the answer is always Jesus when you are in church."

Henry is really coming into his own, especially since he gets so much one-on-one time with Olivia (or Livia as he likes to say).  I have a sneaking suspicion that even though Henry was a fairly easy-going baby, his Toddler years are going to prove to be challenging.  The terrible two's have already started to show themselves in some of his actions.  Of course, he is also proving to follow in his brother's footsteps.  He likes to bang his head on the ground, wall, or anything that may provide a hard surface.....cue the SCREAMING.  I would be concerned, but I am smart enough to know that it is just a phase and he will grow out of it.  As James' vocabulary grew, the head-banging frequency lessened.  You just have to pray that they have enough brain cells to spare with all the head banging going on around here.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my morning conversations with James on the way to school, we have time to talk about anything and everything without the interruptions of Henry screaming.....bus, truck, car, stop, and various other traffic related words.  The other day we were talking about people being married.  I asked him if he was planning on getting married.  He told me that he probably would after he was a teenager.  Does he know who he wants to marry?  Of course!  His response, "Since you are already married to Dad, I will probably marry Sarah (his 3rd grade crush)."  Already chasing the older women.

The End of Summer......Sort Of

Today did not truly feel like the end of Summer, last week Sunday did.  With James already having a week of school under his belt, we have mastered out new "routine."

James L O V E S school; on Friday he was incredibly disappointed to hear that he had a long weekend.  St. Patrick's does have a dress code (very standard, khakis & polo); however I failed to realize that the 4K kids do not have to follow said dress code.  This came to my attention after James and I spent a Saturday afternoon organizing a drawer for school clothes, and one for comfy clothes.  I was thrilled about the dress code.  I could finally look at something other then a TMNT shirt.  Even after finding out about the lack of dress code for James' class, I decided not to mention this detail to him.  I much prefer the "tailored" look over the "roll out of bed and throw on your dirty athletic shorts from the previous day" look.  Of course, it was only a matter of time before James noticed kids coming to school in Superhero attire.  On Thursday he woke up and decided to try to win me over with flattery.  He walked into my room and saw that I was dressed up more then usual, due to an afternoon work meeting.  He proceeded to tell me about all the kids that wear "awesome clothes" and that he would really prefer to wear something other then his "handsome clothes."  He went on to say, "Mom you look really beautiful today, but can I just wear my awesome clothes instead of my handsome clothes?"  I told him nice try, but no.  End of discussion.  He didn't even think to try asking again.  I win!

With the boys getting new school haircuts, I decided to chop some extra length off of my own locks.  Jake immediately noticed the transformation upon his return from work.  He told me it "looked nice."  This is the first time I could recall that he actually 1. Noticed I cut my hair and 2.  Commented on said haircut.  I KNEW that he didn't care for the shorter length that I had opted for.  Cut to 4 days post-haircut, and I FINALLY got him to admit that he likes my hair better long.  UMMMMMM......I am pretty sure I chopped my hair off immediately following our nuptials 6 years ago.  So, as we head into the Fall season I am going to TRY to grow my hair longer.  So long summer, you were great while you lasted.  Time for apple-picking, leggings, cozy sweaters, pumpkin pancakes, and the glorious Fall foliage that we get to enjoy for such a brief moment.