A Mom Thing

"MOM...there is no toilet paper in the bathroom...MOM!!??"

 

Ahh. Music to my ears.  Some might be annoyed by this particular shout-out...I thought it was hi-lar-i-ous.  A true case of "turned tables" (or toilets as the case may be). 

SO FUNNY TO ME.  It's usually me left without TP because they have used the very last shards and left the lonely empty roll there to taunt me.  And you inevitably have to shamefully ask someone to bring you some...or do the AWFUL crouch run to the stash. AW-FUL.  Ultimate crawl of shame.

So.  Middle Guy needed TP.  It was my moment to shine.

Here's the replay:

Middle Guy: MOOOOOOMMMMMM -- there's no toilet paper in the green bathroom.

ME: Nothing.

MG: Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!!!!!!!!!!!

ME: Pause. Yes, honey?

MG: Moooooooooooooom, I SAID there is NOTOILET PAPER!!!

ME: Oh, imagine that. You need some buddy?

MG: YESSSS!

ME:  Really. Well, isn't that funny.  You are going to the bathroom and there's no toilet paper. Wow, that really is a  bummer.  Let me see what your dad thinks.  .  . Honey, MG is in the bathroom and there is no toilet paper!?!

H:  Wow. Really?  WHAT A BUMMER.

MG: Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom. It's not funny!

ME: Yeah, it is.  What's it worth to ya?  Can I take a picture of you?

MG: YES MOM. Anything. Just get me some toilet paper.

HAHAHAHAHA.  DOes that make me evil mom?  Maybe.....Maybe next time he uses the shards, he'll replace the roll. If not, at least I got a good chuckle from it.

 

Happy Halloween!

 

   

    

 
 
 
 

Papa's Red Canoe

 

In the country, papa also has a canoe.  He takes it out in the pond he built.  It's a shallow pond that feels deep and huge when you're in that canoe, navigating the fish, seaweed, rocks and lilly pads.   So fun.  The kids feel independent and free and in control in that canoe.  

Country clubhouse

 

Papa built this clubhouse in the country for the kids.  Aren't they lucky? It has working old windows, some of their artwork framed inside. A table and 3 chairs. Maybe 4 chairs. A teapot. Some cards.  What else could you need? 

There's a loft, too. It is hidden behind a trap door and was not revealed until the kids were a bit older.  Old enough to climb the ladder and scurry up somewhat safely.   They love it. 

It's a perfect little hideaway.  JUSTFORTHEM.

They won't forget their helmets again...

 

 

The kids begged to ride their bikes in the alley tonite. Daugher PROMISED to watch the boys.  We let them go.  I heard screaming and ran outside.  There was Middle Guy - crashed (minor crash). But no bike helmet.  And Little Guy - no helmet.  THEY ALL were in a world of trouble.

We spent the rest of the night in helmets.  ALL FIVE OF US. At the dinner table, through dessert.  Til Bed. AMEN.  Tried to make fun of it but make a point.  RIght?  Right. 

You do the best you can to figure out this parenting thing. . .

 

Scout-time!

Why is the boys' scouts campout always on one of the coldest, wettest days of the year?  Good thing in OUR house, the Souts campout is a "boy thing." 

The three boys (Little Guy, Middle Guy and H) were all set to go right after Basketball today.  SO CUTE.  Love the shirts.

Daughter and I had a great day, too.  We went to downtown Evanston and walked for 4 hours.  We snacked and played and walked and browsed.  Then we went to see FAME with another mother-daughter couple. THEN we went to dinner. SO fun.  

A nice day all around.  Hope the boys keep each other warm tonite... Brrr...

A really perfect day...

We had SUCH a perfect day today.  Largely unscheduled. Just what I needed.

• Made the kids griddle eggs and canadian bacon for breakfast.

• Basketball for the boys.

• Walked out to lunch with the kids in the neighborhood.

• Bought some silver hoop earrings while winding our way home.

• Watched "Joe vs. the Volcano" with the family on the rainy afternoon.

• Dropped kids off at gran/papa's for an hour and hit grocery store.

• Made French Onion soup and garlic bread while listening to Beethoven. Daughter made the appetizers (roasted red pepper, cream cheese and Chicago Flats)

• Looked through old Paris (JYA) scrapbooks with the kids.  Marveled that I don't really look all that older.

• Great family dinner all the kids loved.

• Played "Farkle" -- new dice game we found at Walgreen's ... by the fire with a glass of wine.

• Reconnected with my past on Facebook.

• Made box chocolate cake and ate a slice.

• Fell asleep watching Swingers (Vince Vaughan) with H.

Per-fect.

Organization Station

 

What IS it about "organization" that warms the soul?  It just FEELS GOOD.  Helloooo Fall.

The last first front tooth has been lost.

Little Guy lost his first front tooth the other day.  HIS first front tooth is OUR last first front tooth. I love the look...had to capture this moment on film.

They are growing up so quickly.  Sometimes I love it.  They are turning into such fun, nice, loving people. Sometimes I just want to hold onto them in a tight bear hug and say, "NO, slow down...!"

Daughter is easily 10 going on 16. She craves her independence. She rolls her eyes. She is hugely responsible and fairly self-sufficient.

Middle Guy is starting to look like a little man. He has a highly advanced sense of humor which always makes him seem older. He likes to watch football. He thinks girls are ... not so bad.

And Little Guy is losing the baby look.  He's almost too long and lanky to snuggle properly. He'll always be my baby though. 

Time flies.

Papa's Red Truck

 

Another country toy for Papa is his big old red truck.  Perfect for boys running errands.  Off they go....!  Three happy passengers.