Rotten Sandwiches and Messy Desks.

Last night while sifting through Max's backpack, I came across a bunch of junk and this...



In case you aren't sure what "this" is, it is a ham and cheese sandwich from
THREE WEEKS AGO!

Lately, I have seen Max be very overwhelmed with stuff piling up. I have recognized how easily things get lost or misplaced in the little pile ups we create. It's frustrating and it is time to simplify. I thought I had, but now I mean business.

So, last night we talked. I shared a story of the time when I was in 3rd grade. My teacher, Mr. Lamareaux asked everyone to get a pencil out. I looked through the heap of papers and junk in my desk and no matter how deep I dug, I couldn't find one. The anxiety of knowing the class was waiting for me was making it even harder to search. Although I was TOTALLY at fault for my messiness and disorganized clutter, I never will forget what happened next.

Mr. Lamareaux took my desk, turned it upside down, and shook every little bit of anything and everything that was in the desk, onto the floor. Dramatic, yes. Embarrassing, very much so. As I think about it now, I cry for that little girl who was ashamed and humiliated.

I knew when I saw Max's sandwich I had a chance to help instead of blow up with frustration. We took everything out of his room last night with the plan of returning things slowly and with real thought...Do I need this? Could someone else enjoy this? When do I plan on using this?

So, for awhile I will be the Librarian of Toys and they will be checked out and in by me. I really hope our experiment works for us. I have put Order at the top of my list, for my sake and his. Who would have ever guessed a rotten sandwich could create a pivotal turning point? Crazy motherhood.

Yes, Peas!

So, Sam doesn't like rice cereal. He gags. He coughs. He spits. Picky. Picky. Picky. But, he does like peas! After the first taste of tartness, he squirms and makes a hilarious bitter face, but always comes back for more!

He couldn't get enough of them, so he sucked the leftovers off of the highchair.

What's in a Name?

The other day on the news I saw that the #1 name for a dog is...you guessed it, MAX!!! Then an article I read said both MAX and SAM are on the top 10 for naming your pooch. Here are some more ways to use their names...

If SAM was a piece of luggage, he'd be SAMsonite.

If SAM was on the menu at Quiznos, he'd be a SAMmie.

If SAM was a warrior, he'd be a SAMurai.

If SAM were a beat, he'd be a SAMba.

If SAM was a fish, he's be a SAMon.

If SAM was an island, he'd be SAMoa.

If SAM was an appetizer, he'd be a SAMpler Platter.

If SAM took up to 50% of your paycheck and there was nothing you could do about it, he'd be Uncle SAM.

If SAM was helpful to others, he'd be a Good SAMaritan.

If SAM was an warehouse selling a 50 pack of toilet paper, he'd be a SAM's Club.

If SAM was a cartoon character, he'd be Yosemite SAM.

If SAM was a 49er, he'd be Sourdough SAM.



If MAX was an engine, he'd be DuraMAX.

If MAX was a saying in the 80's, he'd be "Grotty to the MAX"

If MAX was a grocery store, he'd be Food MAXx

If MAX was a department store, he'd be TJ MAXx.

If MAX was a body part, he'd be a Gluteus MAXimus.

If MAX was Mel Gibson in a movie, he'd be Mad MAX.

If MAX was a spy, he'd be MAXwell Smart.

If MAX was a real estate company, he'd be ReMAXx.

If MAX was a prescription, he'd be MAXimum strength.

If MAX was a shoe, he'd be Nike Air MAX.

If MAX were a Gladiator, he'd be MAXimus.

If MAX were a rich man, he'd be MAXamillion.

Got any more?

Question Of The Day.

Today during the normal after school routine (snack of popcorn and m&m's and homework before wrestling) Max read something on a test he brought home.

Max: "What does this mean?"

Mom: "Hmmmmm." (me thinking really hard) "I'm not sure."

Okay, side note...in my very tired brain I truly thought about this one, but couldn't come up with anything good. All I kept thinking was CARS.

Max: "Did you know most kids think their parents know everything?"

Bummer. He's got ME figured out. I don't know everything.

Clearing My Thoughts.

I am awake and I should be sleeping. Every time I think about going to bed, Sam lets out a whine or little cough (he's in his crib asleep). Lately he's been really clingy. Separation Anxiety? Teething? Tummy Ache from new foods? It's tough being a bitty baby! Being the last one to bed gives me some quiet time to think about my day. It was a normal day really: Cleaning, PTA, emails, feeding, taking a power walk. But this afternoon, I was in the car by myself with the radio on. It was about 10 minutes spent listening to static before I came back down to earth and thought, "Huh? What am I listening to?" The funny thing is, is that I wasn't listening to anything. It made me think of all the static in my life. I thought of being here today. What am I doing right now? Am I even present or am I just kind of tuned out? This again was clear when I tuned out while Max was doing his 25 minutes of reading for homework. He asked me a question and I was there, but I wasn't. So, here's what I get out of this: Every once in awhile we get a chance to put things in perspective. Today was mine.

Boys These Days.

They are so smart...sometimes too smart for their own good.

They do listen...whether you think so or not, and mostly when you don't want them to hear what you are saying.

They are sensitive...not always wanting to show their soft side, but they have one.

They LOVE Dad and tolerate Mom.

They want to work hard...not afraid to get dirty.

They ask for advice...when you take the time to talk to them about nothing in particular.

They love Mom's oatmeal cookies (with secret flaxseed).

They hate Mom's yelling but love her cheering.

They fast and pray on their own for others in need...like Mom and Grandma.

They light up the world with a contagious belly laugh!

They grow up so fast and make me proud they are mine.

Use Your Head.

After a month of trying, Sam finally rolled over! I think it would have been sooner if it weren't for his head. I thought his arm was getting in the way, but as Grandma pointed out during Easter...it's was his head, he couldn't lift it. At Sam's 4 month check up, his Doctor confirmed what we already knew...he is beautiful and growing perfectly! She said his weight and height put him at the 50th percentile (oh, could someone explain this to me? I probably should understand this, I've just never taken the time to figure it out). She also commented on his head, I guess it is considered large for his age and weight.

Leon says Sam has my head. He also says my head is shaped somewhat like a Pterodactyl's (as in flying dinosaur). Nice. I still say Sam looks a lot more like Leon...


What do you think?

April Fools Dinner

On The Menu Tonight...Cake, sort of.


You should have seen Max's face when I said we were having cake for dinner. I almost had him convinced I decorated the cake with green candies!



Yummy Meatloaf and Peas!

For Dessert...Chocolate Cupcakes with Peas and Carrots (Skittles and Tootsie Rolls).