Sunday, June 13, 2010

Lil' Gary

I love my dad.  He's a great dad.  And by all accounts a great person.  As with any person, he also has his faults.  One of his (many!) faults is being a literary jerk.  If you don't talk in perfect english he calls you on it.  "Dad, will you make me a sandwich?"  His response:  "You're a sandwich!"  "Dad, can you put my shoes on?"  His response:  "I don't think they will fit me."  It was a great childhood.

Friday, Bennett decided to take one of his looooong naps.  Brogan, the 11 year old that I am watching likes to play in the boys room with a knight set Harrison has.  He had it all set up that morning and wanted to go back and play with it.  Around 4:00pm he asked (again) if Bennett was up yet.  Harrison looked at him and said "Do you see Bennett?"  There was a lot of sarcastic emphasis on 'see.'  Brogan was a little confused and looked at Harrison and said "No."  Harrison said "Well, then he's not up!"  

My dad said Harrison sounded practical.  My brother, Nathan, decided Lil' Gary should be his new name.  And my mom said that if she would have been here she would have had to walk away!  Two Gary's are too many!!!

Love you, Dad!!!! :)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

My baby(ies)

The boys and I just walked Grays Lake.  We had along two boys that I am watching this week, Brogan and Declan.  They are 11 and 8.  We were having a nice walk, no complaining, no hurrying, just nice.  Harrison at one point was walking past me and I ruffled his hair like I do.  He shot away from me and gave me a dirty look.  I didn't think too much of it because he had been a little owly at me 30 min or so before because he got sand in his Keen's and I should have known that he wanted to wear his tennis shoes...  

Anyway, a little while later Bennett caught up to me and reached up to hold my hand.  It hit me how nice that was.  His little, tiny soft hand in my hand.  His confidence in me and his love for his mommy.  I don't know what made the moment so special, it just was.  While we walked hand in hand over the bridge, I watched Harrison up with his 'friends.'  Again, they were 11 and 8 and they were older.  Could it be possible that he didn't want me ruffling his hair because he was too old for that?!?!  NO!!!!  I am trying to keep that thought out of my mind, but all I can see is him up ahead of me looking and acting like a big boy.  Having a big boy laugh.  Enjoying big boy conversations.  At least I still had Bennett holding my hand.

And then, 5 minutes later Harrison tripped over his own two feet and needed his mommy to help him up.  All is well...

Short takes

It sometimes gets crazy around my house.  I don't know why it gets crazy; I mean a five year old 2 three year olds, a two year old, a 9 month old and a 4 month old, what's crazy about that?  So far no one has hung from the ceiling fans (not from lack of trying - "BENNETT!!  Get off the table!") and no one has squished Graysen (Annabelle has come close!) but there is always tomorrow.  Here are some short stories from the past month.


As most boys do, we have an obsession with bugs in our house.  ALL bugs get a proper welcome and announcement.  "MOM!  There is a HUGE fly over here!  It's going to eat Annabelle!"  "No, Harrison, it will not.  I will be right there with the fly swatter."  Often times I think Miles is going to scrap his nose on the concrete because he gets so close to the little ants he sees.  "Beth, I see a aaaaant."  His voice is so cute and deep.  Often times when Caden sees a bug he immediately asks if it is a bumble bee.  There is definite fear in his voice.  We have spent a lot of time talking about the good things that bees do, but there hasn't been a lot progress.  He does not like bees.  Dead bugs are also good.  This quote was made so dry and matter-of-fact that I couldn't help but laugh.  "We found a ladybug.  I killed it.  They wanted to see what was on the inside."  And then I got quizzed as to why that was funny!  


One day when I was changing Graysen's diaper this is what I heard:  

"Oh what a cute little penis.  Isn't it the cutest, Mom?  It's so little!" (now imagine a 5 year old talking in a cutsie baby voice.  That is what is going on here)  "It's just soooo cute and little!  Aaaahhhhhh"  
(now we switch to serious, 5 year old voice) "But his penis won't always be little.  It will be BIG!  It will be big like Daddy's.  And then.  You know what?  It will get hair on it!"

What can I say?  Has anyone ever had a parenting class that prepares them for a conversation like that?  I think not!


There are a couple of balls that we have in the house that can be tossed or thrown around.  Not many because I refuse to have a toddler proof house, but some.  Bennett and I were playing catch one day and the ball hit the wall.  Bennett then noticed the crack in the living room ceiling.  (This crack has been there since we moved in 3 years ago.  It has been patched and is fine.  The house is 100 years old.  It has some wrinkles!)  I decided to play with him a little bit.
B:  "Did I do that?"
Me:  "Oooo.  I think so."
B:  "No.  I didn't do that."
Me:  "Oh.  Then who did?"
B:  "I think it was Caden.  Yeah, Caden did it.  Does he have to go to the naughty spot?"
Me: "No, not right now."
Little stinker threw his friend right under the bus.  Beware future potential friends.  He's a sneaky one!


One day there was conversation about future careers.  Harrison is currently set on the armed forces.  He is going to be a pilot.  His big dream is to do fly overs at football games!  Bennett is going to be a chef.  He will cook his lunch EVERY day!  Caden is going to be a fireman and Miles is convinced he will be Daddy.  All very good goals and very fun to hear about.  I asked Harrison about Graysen and Annabelle.  "Graysen is too little to decide and Annabelle will be a smiler.  All she does is crawl around, hit Graysen and smile.  Oh and climb the couch.  She will be a smiler."  Now, I will add that she doesn't hit Graysen that often and she is getting much better at gentle touches!  Also, from Harrison's description and for other obvious reasons, it is safe to say Annabelle will be a super model when she grows up.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Favorite People

We were all on the porch this evening watching the storm roll in.  Before Harrison came out Chris, Bennett and I were on the swing.  Bennett was in the middle and gave us both a big 'leg hug.'  He wrapped his arms around our legs and squeezed. He seemed to be so happy and proud to be with us on the swing.  I took this opportunity to boost my ego a little.

Me:  "Bennett, who are your favorite people?"

Bennett: "Um, Harrison and Caden and Miles and Annabelle and Graysen and... you guys!"  

I guess Chris and I are on the bottom of his list, but I am very pleased that Harrison is on top!

Smile...