Back to life. Back to reality...and the dawn of a new "ism"

It's too soon!!!!

I'm not ready for school to start for Adam, but, he'll be heading back in just two weeks.  I'm not a big fan of this whole year-round thing for elementary students and traditional schedule for junior high and high school students.  It leaves us with too many schedules to manage.  Preschool for Thomas, 4th grade for Adam, 12th grade for Frankie and they're all on different schedules.

I want to squeeze every last drop out of what's left of our summer.  Our summer started late and I'm mourning the early end of it.  The skies may be sunny but mamma's feeling a little blue.

At least I have Thomas to lighten things up --

Conversation with Thomas this morning:

I just explained to my friend, Nicole, that Thomas pronounces his name as "Nomas."  I thought it was adorable and endearing.  He would say things like, "Me Nomas.  This my Nomas choo-choo." I called him over to us so I could show off his cuteness.

Me:  "Tell Cole the name of your choo-choo?" 
Thomas:  "My choo-choo name Thomas."
Me: (astounded) "And tell Cole your name."
Thomas:  "My name Thomas wike my choo-choo."
Kids - they'll always prove you wrong at the least opportune moment.

Conversation with Thomas this afternoon:

Thomas:  "Daddy, what are you making dinner?"
Michael:  "I'm making chopped salad."
Thomas:  (with all the hope a little boy can muster) "Chocolate salad?"
If only Thomas, if only.

Conversation with Thomas this evening:

Me:  "Thomas, are you excited to start preschool?"
Thomas:  "Yes.  And I want go college."
Me: "Oh, you want to go to college?"  (what on earth -- where did this idea come from? Not that I don't want him too.  It's just a tad premature.) "Hmm.  And what will you do in college?"
Thomas: "Wif Steve, and Joe, and Blue."
Me:  "Ohhh, okay.  Of course."
Thomas:  "Yeah."
Note:  If you have no idea what I'm referring to, click here

The torch passes forward as we usher in a year of new schools, new experiences, new language skills and the dawn of... Thomasisms.

Potty Mouths

We have begun prepping Thomas for potty training.  We tried once before, but, it didn't take.  This time around he's showing a little more interest.

He likes the books we borrowed from the library on going potty - they receive his rapt attention.  He LOVES the potty training cartoon movie we borrowed from the library.  (The rest of us are a little bit tired of it, having watched it six or seven times in a row over the last two days).  He's sort of okay with sitting on the potty, but he's not really interested in staying there so much as he likes putting toilet paper in it and flushing. He doesn't really seem motivated by keeping the print (that disappears when wet) on his Pull-Up.

We're planning a potty party for him next Monday morning (for more info see: Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day).  I spoke with the author of this book and while it doesn't really mean that your child will be fully potty trained in a day, it's a great jump start.

And it's been very entertaining to enter this world again.  For Adam, it's been a little too entertaining.

Adam's friend Isaac came over to play on Tuesday.  They had fun playing Legos, swinging on the swing set, jumping on the trampoline (even though I told them to wait at least 15 minutes after eating and they only waited about fifteen seconds).  They were about to go outside again when Adam stopped Isaac.  "Wait," he said, "I have something to tell you.  Well, see, my little brother is two and he's learning how to use the potty.  And he has this potty training movie and it has a train in it.  And you know what it says? (He's so excited he's jumbling all his words together because this is SOOOOOO funny to him).  Well, you know how trains always go Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga Choo Choo?"  "Yeah," says Isaac, seeming confused.  "Well, on this potty training movie, instead of saying Chuga Chugga Chugga Choo Choo, it says "Chugga Chugga Chugga POO POO."  Both boys break into hysterical laughter.  They are beside themselves.  It is the funniest thing they have ever heard.

Guess who else thought it was funny?

Thomas.

So now he runs around screaming "Chugga Poo Poo... Chugga Poo Poo" and then laughing like a loon.

Sigh.

Potty training 101.  I hope Max catches on quickly when it's his turn.

Hippo Birdie Two Ewes, Sonic Hooten

My baby boy turned nine yesterday.  You know how people say things like, "Oh, I can't believe little so-and-so is already X years old"?  Yeah, I don't say things like that.

I have no problem believing that it's been nine years since my son was born because it's been a looong nine years.  But not because of him.  He's a bright spot for me every day.  I am eternally grateful that he's my son and that I get to be his mom.

Adam constantly amazes me.  He's bright, funny, articulate, dramatic, and goofy.  And even though he's a pretty handsome kid, it's almost impossible to get a good picture of him because he does his over-the-top cheesola smile and most of them end up looking like this:

He's completely obsessed with video games, so much so (as evidenced in his interview below) that we have to stop him from playing too much lest he turn into Mario, or Luigi, or Sonic.

To celebrate his birthday, we took him and a few of his friends to see Kung Fu Panda 2.  They were cute.  They laughed uproariously through most of the movie, and didn't cry at the sad parts.  My friend Jill and I did though.  I sure felt like a boob crying in an animated movie about a stupid noodle-loving awkward fighting panda.

And the conversation that followed the movie (from the back of my car) was entertaining on so many levels.  I never knew that eight year-old/nine year-old boys could be so very entertaining.  I don't even remember most of what was said but I do know that it was some sort of contest to see who could tell the worst story about his younger siblings.  I know somewhere in there was a comment about one boy's five year-old sister having three boyfriends. (Yeah, her mom was surprised to hear that too).

The friend party took place the Saturday before his birthday.  On his actual birthday, we held a family party.   We served Adam's favorite foods - Shrimp Cocktail (thanks Nicole for the gift of birthday shrimp), Stuffed Artichokes "the way mom makes them", and garlic pasta.  We had a Sonic the Hedgehog birthday cake, opened presents (Legos were involved), and got overly full.

All in all it was a great birthday.

But cake aside, presents aside, shrimp and artichokes aside...wanna know what my favorite part of his birthday was? It was the part where he said (more than once), "Mom, thanks for making this such a great birthday.  I know you're spending a lot of time and a lot of money on my birthday and just thank you so much."  Thank you Adam so much.  When a nine year-old child remembers to express gratitude, I get to be  gratified in knowing that we are doing something right.

Hippo Birdie Two Ewe Adam James Hooten.  We love you with all our hearts and can't wait to celebrate many, many more with you.

An interview borrowed from a fellow blogger:

.::Favorites on His 9th Birthday::.

What's your favorite color? Aquamarine
Who's your best friend? Cole Barton
What's your favorite food? Stuffed Artichokes
Where is your favorite place? Monkey Island (Bouncing place)
What is your favorite holiday? My birthday
What is your favorite thing to do? Play video games
What is your favorite song? Largo by Ludwig Von Beethoven (bear in mind he recently learned to play this on the piano).


.::His future according to his 9 year old self::.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A video game designer

If you could be anything, what would you be? A video game designer or a video game champion
How old do you want to be when you get married? I don't know.  Around my 20s.
Do you want to be a dad? Yeah
What kind of dad do you think you will be? A good one who will be nice to my children.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Sonic
What makes you most happy? Spending time with my grandpa. I like watching soccer with him.  (I told this to my dad.  He said that Adam was going to make a great politician some day.)

Happiness is...

Do you remember the song "Happiness" from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown?

Out of nowhere this song popped into my head the other day.  It's such a great song that I immediately started teaching/singing it to Adam.

I got as far as "happiness is two kinds of ice cream" before Adam interrupted me.

"Mom," he said, "Thomas and I are two kinds of ice cream.  I'm, you know, like, pink strawberry ice cream that's careful.  And he's chocolate that's messy and runs alllll over the place."

I laughed, and had to agree.

Special - today only: Two, two, two Adamisms for the price of one!

We just got home from watching Rio, and may I say that was a great movie.  Incredibly beautiful animation, funny, moved quickly.

In case you haven't seen it, it the storyline centers around two blue macaws named Jewel and Blue.  Jewel is a no-nonsense, take charge kind of bird.  Adam observed the following:

"Mom, Jewel doesn't take anyone being mean.  She'd beat the tuna fish outta them.  I didn't wanna say a bad word so I said tuna fish instead of, like, crap."


------

We had just stopped at  a Latin market to pick up some platinos maduros for Sunday dinner.  I was speaking to the cashier in (limited) Spanish.  Walking out the door I thought to myself, "Maybe Adam can take Spanish in school and then he can teach me and we can speak together."  Let me stress that this was a thought,  not a verbalized idea.  Out of seemingly nowhere, we have the following conversation.

Adam:  Actions speak louder than words, right?
Me: That's true, Adam (wondering where this is going).
Adam: Yeah, so I think I should learn sign language.   



...Pienso que seré la única persona para hablar español en mi casa.

Interview with an Adam (re-visited)

Mom and Dad
as described by Adam Hooten, age 8 (almost nine)

1. What is something Mommy always says?
"I think that you always say that video games are bad for you."

2. What makes Mommy happy?
“Getting a good present for Mother's Day like a good thought-up card like I'm probably gonna do this year."

3. What makes Mommy sad?

"Well, I know that Dora (the Explorer) makes you crazy mad."

4. How does your Mom make you laugh?
"Your jokes, like...What's green and has wheels?  Grass. I was kidding about the wheels."

5. What was your Mom like as a child?
Why do you ask these questions?"

6. How old is your Mom?
"Thirty-seven." (Good boy, I like that you think I'm younger than I am.
7. How tall is your Mom?
I don't know.  'Round five feet.  (Ummm.... nope, taller.)
8. What is your Mom's favorite thing to do?
“Be with Daddy."
9. What does Mom do when you’re not around?
“Watch the boys.”
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
“You would set the record for setting the record of watching the two danger-boys.”
11. What is your Mom really good at?
“Super Mario World.” (That's what he said last year.  I don't think I've even played it since before then).
12. What is your Mom not good at?
"Napping 'cause of the two little boys."

13. What does Mom do for her job?
“You type.”
14. What is Mom's favorite food?
“Jim's Family Diner.” (Uhhh, no.)
15. What makes you proud of your Mom?
“Watching me, Thomas, and Max at the very same time.”
16. If your Mom were a cartoon character who would she be?
“Well, this is on the Super-Mario World series, you know, TV.  The Amazing Flying Hammer Brother.”
17. What do you and your Mom do together?
“Watch the boys.”
18. How are you and your Mom the same?
“Our lips.  We have the same lips.”
19. How are you and your Mom different?
“I have no idea.  Oh, you're older and I'm younger.”
20. How do you know your Mom loves you?
“You show it with hugs.”
----------------------------------------------------
1.What is something Daddy always says?
“I don't know what Daddy says.”
2. What makes Daddy happy?
“A good present for Father's Day like new ties."
3. What makes Daddy sad?
“What I described for you.”
4. How does your Dad make you laugh?
“Daddy makes me laugh when he laughs."
5. What was your Dad like as a child?
“Hmm.  I have no idea.”
6. How old is your Dad?
“Forty-one."
7. How tall is your Dad?
"Around six feet."

8. What is your Dad's favorite thing to do?
“Spend time with his family."

9. What does Dad do when you’re not around?
“Watch the boys with mom or work."
10. If your Dad becomes famous, what will it be for?
“The messiest office."
11. What is your Dad really good at?
“Let's see...I don't know.  I thought and thought but I don't know.”
12. What is your Dad not good at?
“Watching kids shows with me and Thomas."
13. What does Dad do for his job?
“Electronics."

14. What is Dad's favorite food?
"How about Easter dinner?  That's my guess."

15. What makes you proud of your Dad?
“Being so nice to me, and Thomas, and Max."
16. If your Dad were a cartoon character who would he be?
“He would be more like Shaggy 'cause Shaggy's trying to shave and he's trying to grow a beard.  And he gets little hairs on his face like dad.  And Daddy also has that blondish-color hair.  And he's tall, like Shaggy."

17. What do you and your Dad do together?
“Daddy-son dates."
18. How are you and your Dad the same?
“Blonde hair."
19. How are you and your Dad different?
“I have no glasses."
20. How do you know your Dad loves you?
“He hugs me and kisses me."

Good day sunshine!

When I was younger, I hated living in Florida.  I hated the heat.  I hated the humidity.  I hated the lack of seasons.  I hated the bugs - the flying, biting, crawling, disgusting bugs.

After spending the last nine days there, I no longer hate Florida.  I still hate the bugs (ten mosquitoes, thank you very much for feasting on me).  I don't hate the heat, the humidity, or the lack of seasons.  Actually, the heat was lovely.  The humidity was refreshing.  I wouldn't know about the lack of seasons, but I could live with visiting snow rather than shoveling it.

Also, I didn't realize how culinarily deprived I've been.  I mean, I knew but I didn't fully realize it.

Have you ever read the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle?  Just in case you haven't, it describes the eating adventures of a caterpillar as he works his way through a variety of foods on his journey to become a butterfly. 

I feel like I ate my way through Boca Raton.  I ate every food I missed - corned beef on rye with mustard, bagels and lox, kasha knish, real jewish pickles, cuban lechon asado, moro rice, plantains, and amazing garlic knots.  And it was alllll delicious.  And I am still full.  And I did not become a butterfly.

I also got to shop at my favorite grocery store:  

 and brought home some of my favorite brownies from that store.  My kids love them.

I got to have dinner with this great guy:

(who drove two hours just to have dinner with his daughter).  And he drove two hours again just to have dinner with me at his house and take me to the airport.  My dad is a wonderful man.

I got to see this (up close and personal-like):

and buy souvenirs for my kids.

Okay, I did buy them souvenirs but I did not buy them alligator parts.  Not that they wouldn't have liked it.

I got to have dinner (and lunch) with great friends - the Goots and Marsha & Dom.  

As truly wonderful as all of the above was, the best part was serving Hiram, my step-dad.  Hiram has been part of my life since I was two years old.  He's the whole reason I went to Florida.  He was diagnosed with Stage I prostate cancer, and I went to be with him for his prostatectomy.  It's always an amazing opportunity to serve one of the parents who gave so much of themselves to me.  Hiram has been one of my parents for (almost) as long as I can remember.  And I had the opportunity to serve him and give to him.  I went to the pre-op appointment with him, waited at the hospital during his surgery, cared for his dog during his recovery, cooked some freezer meals for him, and cleaned the house a little.  

Our relationship is stronger for it, and I am better for it.  Thank you, Hiram, for allowing me to be there for you in your time of need.

And when I returned I came back to a colder, wetter Utah.  And while I am so happy to see my husband and kids, the sunshine still beckons.

Hope to see you again soon Florida.

And my kids are bickering.  Vacation...officially...over.