Mommy the Meanie

That's my new given title from Thing 1 & Thing 2.

Forget that I take them to see a movie.  Forget that I habitually let them have Popsicles in the middle of the day. Forget that I take them to Museums of their choice, play Lego's with them or increase their Pez collection whenever I see one they don't have.

Forget that I feed them, dress them and cuddle them.

Yep forget it all, I am Mommy the Meanie.

I have earned this title because after asking nicely (which of course they don't hear), I TELL them to go clean their room, clean the toilet, put their clothes away, clean up their toys and 

HURRY UP!

Not all at the same time, I spread it out. 

It's come down to Thing 1 not wanting someone to tell him what to do.  And of course, Thing 2 follows.  

We've got loss of privileges going on over here.  

Why can't they just do things when they are asked instead of when they're told?

I over this meanie stuff...when do I become Mommy the Magnificent?

A New From of Discipline

Have YOU seen THESE?

These things are called Silly Bands.  They are little plastic bracelets in various shapes; zoo animals, rock band, dinosaurs, etc.  Lots of different shapes and lots of different colors, so attractive to little eyes.  Not very attractive to mommy's eyes.  At $5.99 for 24 for of them, they get not much more than an eye roll from me. 

BUT, the boys are fascinated with them and I am using it to my advantage.  Notice how my son poses when I tell him I want to take a picture of the bands.  Are those the CUTEST guns you've ever seen? 

 So here we are at dinner, with the new bands and after a very busy day of packing, the boys are acting up just a bit.  I'm tired! I'm tired of packing and I'm tired of asking the boys to stop goofing off and nagging them.  

Then it hits me.  I tell them that every time I have to nag re-ask them to do something, I will take one of their new bands.  Instant silence. 

I think I've got 'em.

I tell them they can earn them back by being good, but that this is how it's going to work for now.  The older one says "This is not a good plan". 

So far, after approximately 2 1/2 hours of being in effect, 1 band has been lost and re-earned.  In fact, just a minute ago, I reminded them it was time to go to bed after letting them talk for awhile.  They, of course continued to giggle.  I told them they would both lose a band if they continued and instantly,

NO MORE NOISE.  

Well, let me tell you that I am one happy mommy today, maybe even tomorrow.  We will have to see how long this one works.  

My Sweet Boy

My sweet boy had his first day of summer vacation today and spent the day hanging with mom.  Unfortunately, I have the worst headache today from this head cold.  I tried to make the best of it and he was very sweet to understand.

As we ran our errands this morning, and stopping for some of his favorite hot chocolate, I began telling him about when he was younger ( only 4 short years ago) when he would chat away and of all the words he mispronounced through his toddler vocabulary.  We laughed about it and it made me think of all the little things he does now that one day I will look back on and will make me smile.  So I have thought of a quick little list of the five that always make me smile.

1- The way he will all of a sudden start freak dancing (ANYWHERE) and yell out "Break It Down".

2- In all seriousness, refers to his little brother as Little Rat.  I really do think he means it as an affectionate term. He will say, " You want to go play outside, come on you little rat".

3- Every one of the many dimples around his mouth when he really smiles.

4- How he ALWAYS has a song in his head and is forever singing.  We will sing the same song over and over again until someone tells him to stop. Then he'll change all the lyrics by changing the vowels in the words.

5- The fact that at 6 years old, he has slept with a stuffed animal since the time he was a few months old.  I can still see him rubbing the Pooh bear around in circles on his cheek like when he was 9 months old.

Love you little man!

Slip 'n' Slide

Ohhhh, the slip 'n slide...

I bought this contraption a couple of days ago.  The boys had so much fun, in fact, so much that the elder who played for about 2 hours was sore for a few days from lifting himself up off the ground.  And this kid is in good shape! He is known to "Drop and gimmie 10 " without being told.

Is this not the greatest invention ever??? The weather here is in the 90's and I was very tempted to join them.  And now writing this, I think "why not"?? What makes you as an adult think that the slip n'slide is now off limits? Wouldn't they love for mommy to race them down the track?

Tomorrow, I think I'll join them.