Update on Dr. Love

Here is the conversation I had with Benjamin yesterday after school:

B: Mom, E. said she loves me.
M: That was nice of her.
B: Not really. Everybody laughed at me.
M: Why did they laugh?
B: Because E. kept following me around and telling me she loved me and singing a love song to me.
M: Oh. So what did you do?
B: I told her that she could be my girlfriend as long as she doesn't touch me or talk to me or tell anyone. And she can't sing that song any more.
M: That's quite a deal. What did she say?
B: She said yes, of course!

(On a side note, Benjamin told me recently that he plays tickle monster with E. at recess. She chases him and if she catches him, she gets to tickle him. I guess if he didn't let himself get caught all the time, she wouldn't have been able to fall in love with him!)

A personal moment of gratitude

While blog hopping, I came across this blog. And it caused me to really stop and think about my "trials", which are nothing in the grand scheme of things.

So today, I am grateful for:
a son that doesn't like to listen
a son who is so tenderhearted it makes me crazy
a son who is trying to prove that it isn't only cats who have nine lives
a daughter who, for the past few days, is trying to beat her record for overall fussiness

And I promise myself to hug them a little longer each day.

A Conversation with Benjamin

This kid is so funny. He comes up with the most bizzare/amazing ideas. It's hard not to laugh when Benjamin is around.

This conversation was prompted by something that I found in his backpack. On the back of a homework paper was written "I know your full name. It's Christy Watley. I know your other full name. It's Christy R*****." (I can't remember it)

Mom: So, Benjamin, why did you write that?
Benjamin: Cause I wanted to tell Mrs. Watley I knew what her name was.
M: You really like Mrs. Watley don't you?
B: Yeah.
M: What do you like so much about her?
B: (Shrugs his shoulders and blushes)
M: Do you think she's nice? I think she's really nice.
B: Yeah, she's probably the best kindergarten teacher ever.
M: Do you think she's pretty? I think she's beautiful.
B: Yeah, she's pretty.
M: I'm glad you like her so much. You are lucky to have a special kindergarten teacher.
B: I'm lucky alright!
M: So what about the other girls in your class? Do you think any of them are pretty?
B: Well, we need to keep this between the two of us, because if any of the girls heard what I was going to say, they would try to attract me.
M: I promise I'm not going to tell any of the girls in your class.
B: Well, I think M is pretty of course. And I think C is pretty, and K and E and one more, T.
M: T has really pretty hair.
B: I guess, but I like her cause she's got the bling.
M: The bling? What is that?
B: It means she dresses with the bling. You know, she dresses appropriately.
M: Dresses appropriately - I don't get it.
B: It MEANS she dresses to attract! Do you get it now?

I already knew he was an early bloomer where girls were concerned. But after this conversation, it's clear that I'm going to have to really keep an eye on him!

Annual Bluebonnet Extravaganza

Here are some shots from our annual trip to the bluebonnets. Some are better than others, and some showcase the kids' personalities perfectly. Take special note of Benjamin's Egyptian arms and Nicholas pushing Benjamin's nose -- classic White House behavior!

8 Months Old

Eliana turned eight months old yesterday. What a sweet girl she is. And even though she still cries more than any baby I've ever known, and some days nurses more than she breathes, and only naps for 15 minutes at a time, I can't imagine not having her. She is a gift.

Happy Birthday Sam!

Yesterday Sam turned 8. I can't believe that eight years has gone by since I held my first baby for the first time. So in honor of Sam's birthday, here are some things about Sam:

1. When Sam was younger, he was incredibly patient. He never cried or was the least bit fussy. He was the perfect first baby.

2. Sam's first word was bear, because he loved to see "Bear in the Big Blue House." His next word was outside, because he loved to look out the window and be outside. Then came Daddy, and about 5 words later came Mommy. When he was a year old, he could say over 75 words clearly. (we should have sensed trouble at that point!)

3. Sam has been a daddy's boy from day one. We used to joke that he only loved me for my food. Even as a baby, he preferred his dad -- he would even reach for his dad immediately after nursing. And to this day, he's still a daddy's boy.

4. Sam was "Sammy" from the minute he was born. He's still called Sammy by most of our extended family. After his first day of Pre-k, he came home and told me that he wanted to be called Sam. It was a little sad for me.

5. Sam has the most incredible imagination I have ever seen. He can come up with the most elaborate games and "pretend worlds" for him and Benjamin to play. He can build the most amazing things out of paper and tape. He never ceases to amaze me with the things he comes up with.

6. Sam likes to be funny. It all started when he was about 2 and I would ask him a question. He would get this silly look on his face and say, "Do-de-da!" For example -- "Sam what is your favorite color?" "Do-de da!" " Sam, what do you want for lunch?" "Do-de-da!"
He still likes to be funny. And sometimes I get frustrated when it's time to be serious, but I do appreciate the fact that he likes to laugh and have a good time.

7. Sam can be a lot of talk, but little action. Like his run in with snakes.
He LOVES everything snakes, but freaked out a little when he saw one. He's the same way with spiders. He laughs at me when I get grossed out about a spider, but he won't go even put on his shoe if it has a cobweb on it for fear that there's a spider around.

8. Sam loves to learn new things. He went through a dinosaur phase when he was 4 or 5, and completely immersed himself in finding out everything there is to know about dinosaurs. He's loved anything science/technology for as long as I can remember. He loves to read anything science related. He loves to share his information too. I admire his passion for learning -- he jumps in with both feet and doesn't stop until he considers himself an expert.

So, happy birthday Sam. May your year as an eight year old be a good one with laughs and learning and many happy memories. We love you!

Another Photo Attempt

They turned out ok . . . I do really love the picture of Sam.

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Does anyone want to make this with me? I bought the punch and paper, but I have yet to sit down and do it. I love the idea!

Brown Day, Blue Day

Brown Day was a little slower -- a lot slower. Today the boys got to make brownies for the first time. I know, they are a little old to be making brownies for the first time. But I'm knid of a control freak when it comes to cooking in my kitchen. They were both really excited to finally get the chance to cook something. They loved it, and it wasn't so bad having to sit back and watch.

Blue Day was the last day of color week. To find out what we were going to do, I had the boys play Blue's clues. Sam and Benjamin rolled their eyes when I told them to look for paw prints, but Nicholas thought it was great. The clues told them that we were going to go out for dinner. To figure out where we were going, I made a little sentence like the game Mad Gab -- that's where you have to figure out the real phrase from a bunch of miss-matched words. So the boys' words were "ON COLD HANDS," which was "Uncle Dan's". And after dinner we were going to "GOATS WIN MING HAT TEE WHY" or "go swimming at the Y." Sam and Benjamin thought it was fun to figure out those clues. And of course they loved going to the pool.

Color week was a success! Way to go internet! Another great idea!

Red Day, Green Day

Ok, here's the quick color update.

RED DAY:
For red day, we went to Books A Million and each of the kids got to pick a new book. Then we came home and READ the books. (Insert punny laugh). Then we had pasta with red sauce for dinner . . . well, all except Sam who has a strange aversion to cooked tomatoes of any kind (except pizza sauce. But even then it has to be the RIGHT pizza sauce.) I digress.

GREEN DAY:
For green day, we went to the zoo -- outside with the green plants and green trees and green lizards and green snakes. The kids loved it! Nicholas even sat in the stroller without complaint, which is quite a feat. Afterwards, we went to the zoo gift shop and the kids each got to pick out something small, and green. I hadn't planned on buying a treat, but I was in need of air conditioning after carrying Eliana and pushing the stroller around the zoo.
Green Day dinner was turkey and guacamole paninis with green salad and limeade, followed by lime sherbet.

Tomorrow is Brown Day. I have to say, I'm really having as much fun as the kids are. I feel like a fun mom again. And I'm beginning to see that occupied kids are happy kids (you would think that I'd have figured that out after having kids for 8 years, but some how that lesson has escaped me). For now there is peace at the White house. What more can a mom ask for?

A Week Of Color

I decided to do something different for spring break. Borrowing an idea I saw online (of course), we are having Color Week. Each day will be represented by a color -- We will do an activity that has to do with the color, for dinner we will have something of that color, and if the kids want, they can wear the color of the day.

To start it off, Monday was "Black and White" day. And in honor of those colors, we visited Shamu at Sea World. For our family Christmas present, we bought season passes to Sea World. And I think it may become a tradition! Yesterday was a very wet, rainy day in San Antonio, but we opened our umbrellas and had a great time. There were probably 100 people or less in the park. We had the best seats at every show! We didn't have to wait in line or fight the crowds for anything. The boys would have preferred sun, but Josh and I loved it! The only bad thing was that the roller coasters weren't running. Sam has been waiting 2 years to be tall enough to ride the ELECTRIC EEL . . . maybe next time.







Today's color is Red, but you'll have to check back tomorrow for the details.

The thing I hate most about Texas

Allow me a moment of sentiment:

We live in a pretty transitional area. A lot of people move here to attend School. And when three years is up, they all move away. Then there are people who make a temporary job stop in Waco, and move on to bigger and better things.

We came to Baylor, not with the intention of staying, but with the idea that we would move on as well. But we stayed and we love it, except for the fact that we seem to be saying goodbye quite frequently. Today we said goodbye again to a sweet family as they begin the next chapter in their lives. It was a first for Nicholas -- he's never had a friend leave.

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you that have been a part of our lives. Thank you for enriching our lives in a way that only you could. Thank you for the small moments and the large lessons. Thank you for being a part of our journey. And good luck on yours.

Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.
~Charles M. Schulz

Things heard around our house

Nicholas brought me an empty glass and said, "I so thirsty mama. Make me happy!"

Josh was explaining to Sam how roller coasters work. He ended by saying something like, "So the force prevents you from falling out." Benjamin, who had been half listening, suddenly shouted, "YES! I knew the force was real!"

And here's a little ditty we made up to go with this face:

Eliana Joy White
You are putting up quite a fight.
Just be quiet and say good night.
Eliana, sleep tight!

(to be honest, the song does nothing for her, but it lets me pass the time with a smile)

And finally -- cake. I recently had a piece of GIANT chocolate cake at Cheddars. I knew that I had to take the boys there because no one can appreciate a foot long piece of chocolate cake like three boys. Of course, it was a hit. And after they had devoured every last bite, the only word out of their mouths was "MORE!"

A 3000 Word Essay on Beauty.

Enough said!!

A Failed Attempt

Here's what happens when you try an impromptu photo shoot with children who would rather be engaged elsewhere . . .


Not bad so far, but here's where the fun REALLY begins.

Me: Say Cheese

Nicholas: I not say cheese.

Nicholas: I don't like it pictures. Pictures stupid!

Nicholas: I not gonna have pictures.

Here's the story of how it happened . . .

Late one night, a mother sat comfortably at the computer. Here brief moment of silence was interrupted when her blonde six year old came in softly crying.
"What is the matter?" She asked as she tenderly lifted him onto her lap.
"My tooth hurts," he sobbed. The mother looked at the boy's tooth. It was indeed very loose. "Well," she began. "You can pull it out now or you can wait until the morning and see what happens."
"I'm convinced it needs to come out," said the boy. "But I'm afraid to pull it out."
"Would you like daddy and I to help?" The mother asked.
The young boy nodded his head yes, and began to cry even harder in anticipation. The mother called in the father to help relieve the boy's pain. The father wiggled the tooth and pronounced it ready to be removed. So the mother held the boy, while the father reached his hand into the boy's mouth . . .

"I CHANGED MY MIND!" The boy began to scream. "STOP!! I DON'T WANT YOU TO DO IT! STOP RIGHT NOW!" The boy was now thrashing his body around, pinching his mother with his free hand and trying desperately to move his mouth away from his father's hand. But this did not stop the tooth removal already in progress.

A sudden loud shriek let the mother know that the tooth was out, and she relaxed her grip on the screaming boy (to which he responded with a swift, hard kick). He was full out sobbing now and he turned to both of his loving parents and said, "I TOLD YOU TO STOP! I DIDN'T WANT MY TOOTH TO COME OUT! LEAVE ME ALONE!" And with that he ran into the bathroom to rinse out the blood.

The parents tried to console him with hugs and praise of how brave he was. The boy would not listen. He stomped off to bed.

The next morning, he showed off his new look to his older brother. The older brother asked if it hurt. The young, now toothless, boy responded, "No it wasn't so bad."
Hearing this, the mother asked if he would like his other loose tooth removed.
"No way!" exclaimed the boy. " I'm not letting you do that again. I've learned my lesson!"