The Shortest Month

"At midnight tonight, February 2010 expires. Forgive us if we kick it once or twice just to make sure it's dead."

The above quote is from Tommy Tomlinson's In My Opinion article entitled "Our Shortest month was painfully long" from today's Charlotte Observer. He goes on to talk about the much-maligned month of February here in the Carolinas and around our nation: coldest winter month in 33 years, wettest winter month in 40 years, Peppers left the Panthers, Toyota's troubles, school budget cuts, failed health care bills, the Tar Heels' losses.

As for my family, we were glad to see January become the past, and I think I actually wrote in this blog a "good riddance" of sorts. February held so much promise. That was until I learned that my kids were faking their good health and ended up with yet another head cold followed by weeks of coughing through the night. Oh, and I can't forget about the conjuctivitis (pink eye) that hitched a ride at the end; there's no better way to alienate your neighbors and friends than simply share that little tidbit. And who can forget all the potty-training fun and Rick traveling out-of-state? Maybe the highlight was when I had Stanley Steemer come and do the carpets only to leave behind a jug of water, dirt residue, and chemicals that Sam promptly picked up over his head while peering into it. That was a fun night filled with several phone calls to Stanley Steemer, the chemical company, and Poison Control (he's okay, but his poor little eye and sensitive skin took a bit of a beating). Well, then there's the minor accident with the kind, old man whose picture I'm sure I'll see on NBC anyday now framed by a Smucker's advertisement celebrating his 107th birthday. If I didn't say it succinctly before, GOOD RIDDANCE!

Now, I'll stop complaining. Already I feel bad. We're so blessed; we're so fortunate, and with that being said we're so glad it's almost March.

Tommy ends his article by saying,

"But there's good news: on Monday, March begins. Spring! Daffodils in bloom! March Madness! (Go UK!... I added that last part). Forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday: Rain and possible snow. OK, that's it. Wake me up on Memorial Day."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

24-Hours Accident-Free!

Well, we've been potty training for a week, and although Sam has been very different from Jack to train, he has followed the exact same stages (interestingly enough, so have I):

The Excitement Phase
Sam- I'm peeing on the potty! I'm wearing undies! Mom's giving me candy and juice! This is so cool!
Mom- Ugh! I've got pee everywhere--even my hair! That little weapon has the most inaccurate trajectory. Is Dad home yet? I'm out of laundry detergent.

The Resistance Phase
Sam- NO! I don't want to sit on the potty! NO! NO! NO!
Mom- I said treat, didn't you hear me? When did you start throwing tantrums? Is Dad home yet?

The Boycott Phase
Sam- NO! I don't have to go potty. I will not go potty. These undies suck!
Mom- Fine! How long can a child go without eliminating? Seriously, where is the pee? Poo? I haven't left the house in three days, should I take this opportunity to go to the pediatrician and join the REAL WORLD? Is Dad home yet?

The Occasional Compliance/Accident Phase
Sam- Mom, I gotta go potty! I'm mobile. I can pee on trees and Mom's okay with it!
Mom- Good boy! See the light? It's there, near the end of the tunnel! It's the weekend, and Daddy's home. Life is good again, except Dad needs a little potty training. I'm sure he'll do fine...Mom's going away for awhile; be good for Daddy!

Accidents
After backing into the car of the nicest centegenarian on the planet yesterday as I was leaving Harris Teeter, I was pretty sure my day couldn't get any worse (and thank God, it didn't). Fast forward 24 hours (17 calls to the insurance company, auto body shop, and the aforementioned senior citizen), and we decide to call Dad (who's in Arizona this week) to catch him up on all the fun we've been having. At the conclusion of our conversation he remarked, "Yea! Both Sammy and Momma went 24 hours without an accident." Any bets on who has the next one?

Kid Science Rocks!

This just makes me giggle!

They are preparing to step in front of the wind tunnel with their capes on. I'm hoping Jack's shirt will dry (tip: play in this order 1) water table, 2) wind tunnel).

Super fun pipe drum!

Sam, in his element of choice:)

Jack gets ready to race the Knex car he made.

Finally! After a year of renovation, the kids' area at Discovery Place is open! The place was absolutely nuts with kids and parents, but it was still a lot of fun to explore. Every which way you turn, there is another "play" station--it is truly overwhelming. The boys had a blast--Sam preferred the water table and Jack especially liked the racecar ramp. Top it all off with a choo-choo ride there and back, and you've got yourself a fun-filled day!

"Blizzard 2010"

Sam tries to catch snowflakes.

Earl scraped snow off the bed of his truck so the kids could throw snowballs.

Okay, it wasn't a blizzard, but it was a pleasant surprise. There were no Armageddon warnings from the local TV stations' meteorologists, no long lines at Harris Teeter for bread and milk, just a plain, old-fashioned, pop-up snowfall that delighted all of us to no end, and made everything look so beautiful. Welcome, snow!

Happy Birthday, Hon!

We'll help you, Daddy!

So, I got a little carried away with the paint...can you blame a kid?

A birthday message for Daddy!

Happy birthday, Rick! We love you even if you are getting up there in years:) You are the best hubby and daddy in the world! We had so much fun planning your party--thanks for wearing the hat. May this be your best year yet! Love, wifey & boyz

I'm NOT Slacking!

So, I've been MIA for the last couple of weeks for a few reasons, but I'm not giving up on this blog thing--I've had over 12,000 visitors in the last 18 months (which is a total fluke and has no direct correlation to the quality or content of this website, but is a funny story--ask me about it some day)!

Reasons:
#1 Both of my boys have been sick. First, Jack came down with a cough and head cold. Then, Sam threw up for an entire night. Next, Sam came down with a cough and head cold (thanks, big brother!). And finally, Jack threw up for an entire day (thanks, li'l brother!).

#2 My computer picked up a virus, which caused Rick to declare war on it. Seriously, I'd be upstairs painting (see #3), and I'd hear him yell out. I'd go downstairs and he'd be pumping his fists in the air--another small battle won in the war. Then, he'd spend a few more hours installing, removing, running programs, following steps. More yelling. He monopolized the machine for the last two weeks, finally wiping the hard drive clean and ordering me a new laptop, which I picked up today and I'm typing on right now--yea! And, now, Jack has his very own computer to play Curious George games on pbskids.org!

#3 I decided to finish painting our bedroom (walls, doors, trim, window grills--everything!). I started painting it about 15 months ago while Rick was out-of-town on business, finished one wall in one night, and hadn't touched it since. He kept calling the color "poop brown." I kept reassuring him it was "caramel." Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer. It took me just over two weeks to finish it (well, 15-months and two weeks), but it's done...and I think it's beautiful. Once I figure out how to access my pictures from this new machine, I'll post them.

#4 Nothing much happens in January.