The beginning...

OK. So. Yesterday, Tristan put noodles in the fish tank at school.
As I was apologizing profusely to the teacher, I glanced at Tristan who grinned at me.

He's been in school a month. This is his first incident. I'm surprised it took this long.

Idealism

Today Cade said to me, "Mama, one day I might change the world."

You just might, kiddo.

Trumped by a Stuffed Animal

I can't get Tanner to tell me he loves me to save my life. I've begged, pleaded, bribed, tried to get him to mimic me, etc. I have resigned myself to the fact that he will not utter that phrase. Today when I picked him up after his nap and handed him his beloved teddy bear, Doggy Bear-Bear, he nuzzled it and said, plain as day, "I love you, DOGGY BEAR-BEAR."

The Eyes DON'T Have It

OK, I know this isn't the last time something similar will happen, but when my kid gets in the car in tears because someone made fun of him at school, my heart shatters into about a zillion pieces. Then I want to smack the kid and the kid's parents for making a child who would hurt my boy. So anyway, Cade got into the car on Friday and immediately slumped down, "I had a bad day," and he was on the verge of crying. And it was MY fault!!! See, the kids had to make a cowboy, so I helped Cade, and we made the hat pulled low over the face so that only a smile showed. We thought it was really cool, kinda different. Cade was excited to take it to school and show everyone. Well, some mean little punks made fun of his cowboy because it didn't have eyes. Things like that are evidently very important in first grade. Note to self: faces must be discernible. The teacher must've caught wind of this because she asked Cade if he wanted to make some eyes, and he said no. HE SAID NO!! Because HE liked it the way it was!! So even though his feelings were hurt and kids were making fun of his creation, he refused to change it because HE liked it. He. Did. Not. Cave. I'm so proud of my kid. Still heartbroken because he had his little feelings tromped on, but I'm PROUD of Cade for standing his ground. Take THAT, little punks who made fun of MY boy.

The first of many mishaps, I'm sure...

Yesterday Tristan flooded my bathroom.

I walked into my bathroom to run water in the tub for Tristan and Tanner. As soon as I rounded the corner, I knew something wasn't right?


"What in the world?!? What...where? TRISTAN!!!!"

He had turned on the faucet and plugged the sink.

According to my mom, Tristan ran behind the bed and cowered, whispering, "I didn't mean to, Mommaw," while I frantically threw all the towels in the linen cabinet on the floor and called neighbors in search of a wet/dry vac.

Speaking of my mom, she came to the doorway a few times and snickered at me. I think she thoroughly enjoyed this whole scene.

Later as I was giving the kids a bath, Tristan very hesitantly asked me, "Are you mad, Mommy?"

"Yes, I am, as a matter of fact," said in a VERY curt tone.

Big blue eyes clouded with uncertainty, he asked, "When will you not be mad anymore?"

"I don't know yet, Tristan."

Tiny voice, HUGE blue eyes, "Will you still be mad tomorrow?"

Sigh. "Probably not"

Sunshine returns to his eyes, mischevious little grin with a smidge of relief appears, "Ok, I can deal with that."

G.R.O.S.S.

Overheard:

Tristan: "Look, Daddy!! I can lick the dirty off my feet!"

Daddy: *hysterical laughter*

Hug me then GET OFF

Not even 4 years old and he won't let me hug him in public. He's barely tolerating this one. He even wipes my kisses off in his sleep.