Three Mommies

 T-Man told me that three mommies 

came down from Heaven with him.

"Oh, really?"  I asked.  "I can think of 2 -- 

your birth mom, V, and me!  

Who is #3?"

T-Man:  "The third one is the peach baker.  She bakes peaches."

Apparently we don't bake enough peaches to earn that title!

*********************

While outside coloring on the driveway yesterday

T-Man asked me a question.

"Is today tomorrow from yesterday?"

After much, much, much thought I figured out that this was a true statement.

Today is the tomorrow 

from yesterday.

{ponder that!}

Such a Boy

T-Man set a goal to read 10 books tonight -- he did it!  Of the 10, some Christmas books were in the mix.  He read about Mary and Joseph traveling by donkey.  Eric asked, "Did Joseph let Mary ride the donkey or did Mary make Joseph walk?"

T-Man:  "Mary made Joseph walk."

As it should be, T-Man -- as it should be ;)

Rhymes with Eric

I slaved in the kitchen all day in preparation for dinner last night.   The sweat was pouring down my face by the time I finished dialing the phone dinner preparations.

When the door bell rang, we were ecstatic shocked to see the Pizza delivery man at our door. T-Man introduced himself:

"Hi, I'm T-Man what's your name?"

"Derrick" the delivery man replied.

I paid for the pizza and tried to send Derrick on his way.  As he was about half-way down the driveway T-Man yells, "Hey Derrick,  I am trying to ask you another question!"

Derrick was kind enough to indulge T-Man.

T-Man:  "Did you know that your name rhymes with my mom's husband's name, Eric??"


Uh...T-Man....Your mom's husband's name would be "Dad"!

The Costumes Have Been Removed

 At the end of last week we were told to take off our animal costumes and it was now time to be Latter-Day Mormon Prophets.  Here is the list of cast members:

T-Man:  Howard W. Hunter
Mom:  George Albert Smith
Dad: Brigham Young
Grandma Suzanne:  Gordon B. Hinckley (I was really jealous -- I want to be Gordon)
Gidget (the dog):  Lorenzo Snow

That lasted about three days and then we were told that we were now going to be Follow the Prophet song (ancient) Prophets.  Here is the cast list:

T-Man:  Adam ("Maw-um, I LOVE being Adam!)
Mom:  Moses
Dad:  Enoch
Grandma Suzanne: 
Gidget:

As were were getting out the Halloween decorations T-Man came across some wooden grave/head stones we stake in the front yard every Halloween.

"Moses!!  Here are your 10 Commandments!!  

Upon which I was then instructed to carry them around with me all day.  If they were not in my hands, I was asked where I had put them.  Yesterday, I got a pile of leaves.

"Here you go, Moses; a burning bush for you!"

My reply:  
"Adam, you have been cast out of the Garden of Eden.
Now go get your pants on so we can get to school on time!!"

Attention Readers

To Whom it May Concern:

T-Man would like to have a baby brother.  I wish we could involve you in the naming of the baby, but alas, we cannot.  T-Man has spoken.  The baby's name will be:

Bubble Suds Telephone M*****

What a lucky kid this will be -- I can already think of numerous nicknames we could call him:

Bubs, Bubsy, Suds, Sudsy, Bubby T, Tele, Suds-a-phone ......

p.s. Don't read into this. No, we have not been chosen :)

A Mother's Three Favorite Words

The three words every mother LONGS to hear from her child:

"Come here, Pig!"

Now lest any of you think my parenting skills are lacking and are sitting at your computers with your mouths hanging open drooling on your keyboard, this is how the week went down:

Minus the polo logo, T-Man has a sweater similar to this one.  It has been now been named his "zebra costume".  

On Tuesday, I was wearing a sweater of this color:

T-Man:  "Mommy, what color are you wearing?"
Me:  "Pinky/Peach"
T-Man:  "You're wearing pink -- you get to be a pig!"

All afternoon I would hear:

"Come here, Pig.  Let's play a game."

"Hey, Pig, can we go to the park?"

"Pig?  Do you want to have snack with me?"

On Wednesday, I wore:

I got to be an elephant for the day.  

Did you know elephants have big poops?  

Yep, that was news to me.

On Thursday, I wised up and chose black.  I couldn't think of too many large black animals with big poops.

I was hoping for ant, fly, cute panda bear.  Nope -- Thursday I was the black sheep.

Friday the sweater will be going to the washing machine.

It would be tragic if the striped sweater shrunk, 

no longer fit, 

or met the same fate as some of his socks 

and disappeared in the dryer.

Shrink-a-ma-doodle

In an effort to complete all the tasks that I must in a day, I include T-Man in as many as possible. This way he learns new life skills, we spend A LOT of time together, AND I accomplish my to-do list. With Eric out of town, this has been a must all weekend.

I had a house-warming gift that needed to be shrink-wrapped. T-Man was tutored in wrapping the shrink-wrap around the gift, bow-tying, and then heating with a hair dryer to make it shrink. HE LOVED DOING IT! In fact, I was unable to get him to stop so the gift even began to shrink/melt. When he finished he squealed,

"THIS IS THE BEST SHRINK-A-MA-DOODLE I HAVE EVER USED!"

(one of us has been watching WAY too much of the new
The Cat in the Hat cartoon!!)

The Tummy Pack

First Day of 4 Year Old Preschool


They are required to have a large, adult size "backpack" so that a folder for exchanging notes with the teachers will fit inside.

T-Man has always had a small "backpack" and was therefore thrown for a loop when this large sized bag appeared and he was told he had to wear it.

To accommodate the weight, he decided to
wear it on his front side.

When the kind, little old secretary at the school told him
he had it on backwards he replied,

"No I don't. I'm wearing a "tummy pack".

I want my tummy pack to have a drink holder in the front to accommodate my Diet Coke!

To be a dad.....

My sister-in-law just posted this on her FB page -- Had to steal it :)

Soooo see Eric in this video:

Ice Cream Pizza

And who says T.V. is bad for children to watch?

T-Man loves to be in the kitchen. Two weeks ago he created a Mac & Cheese sandwich - it actually was quite tasty. Last week, he created a Pea Sandwich -- um, I passed on that one, but he ate the whole thing! This week he watched "Tea.m Umizoo.mi" and learned to make Ice Cream Pizzas; cookie crusts, ice cream for the "sauce" and he used mini-M&M's for the "colored candies on top. What better way to end our Family Home Evening on "God's Creations" than with a T-Man dessert creation -- YUMMM-IE!
Other T-Man "funnies" the past few weeks:

• (While putting a party hat on my head) T-Man: "Here you go little buddy"

• After I had a particularly rough day, I took a moment to shed some tears on the stairs. T-Man came and sat by me, but his hand on my shoulder and said, "I'm sorry that you're so sad"

• T-Man wanted to know if he could ask his T-Ball coach a question. "Sure", I replied. "What do you want to ask him?" "I want to ask Coach T-Rex if we can call him Coach Tyrannosaurus Rex"

• After being given a choice of leaving the park in 10 minutes or 15, T-Man replied, "Those aren't the choices I want."

• T-Man: "Water is made up of Hydrogen and 'Oxrygen' {he pronounces it ox-ri-gen}, right? My favorite element is Ununoctium"

• Mommy: "Hey T-Man, where did Grandpa go on his mission? " T-Man: "Australia and I am going to go on my mission to Madagascar (no connection to the movie; he hasn't ever seen it, he's moved on from the states (somewhat) and onto countries)

• Before T-Ball tonight he accidentally fell out the side door of the car. I panicked, "Are you okay???" T-Man: "I'm fine ..... but I think I might have hurt my first metacarpal and my femur." (After checking my map of the human skeleton, that's finger/hand and front of the leg that may have been injured. They looked fine -- all is well)
  

I have to walk around with cheat sheets, laminated posters and maps, and cliff notes just to be able to answer his questions!

A "State" of Confusion!

Dollar store, shmollar store!

About a year and a half ago, I bought T-Man a puzzle of the United States at the dollar store. This $1.07 purchase (that's with tax) has now cost me upwards of a hundred dollars and most of my sanity, I am sure.

He has now become obsessed with the United States. (He is slowly moving into the World Map with much prodding). I think we need an intervention -- Someone please stop him/me!

They say when your child shows an interest in something you should foster that interest. Fostering or obsession? You decide:

1. We have recently checked out "The Scrambled States of America Book" from the library.
2. He owns "The 50 States" book, a place mat of the U.S., and soon to be the proud owner of state cookie cutters (shh, don't tell him - that's his birthday surprise)
3. He owns one of these:

4. He owns three different United States puzzles, one puzzle of the world, a box of flash card that teach the countries of the world and their capitals, and a car license plate game. (One of the puzzles had to be "repurchased" after the dog decided she needed relief and did so on the puzzle -- anyone need a white Maltese?)5. Last week he made this from Play-dough:
It was done entirely out of play-dough and he traced around each puzzle piece to make each state. It was easily a two-day project.

(Please note the shirt and refer back to this photo after reading item #13)

6. Yesterday he spent the entire church meeting cutting out the 50 states that he and I printed off of the computer (each on it's own individual sheet). What he didn't finish at church he finished at home that night.

7. Since 9:30 this morning (it's now 2:00), he has painted all the states he cut yesterday (along with the kitchen floor, his undies, his t-shirt, and every exposed piece of flesh. He won't even stop for lunch.8. Eric taught him the abbreviations for each state -- he now abbreviates long words he doesn't want to write.

9. Cars are beginning to look like states to him. "Mommy, Tennessee looks like a limousine!"

10. I cannot calculate the number of hours spent on the driveway drawing the states, writing names, capitals (each must have a star by it) and the abbreviations. I am getting a good start on my farmers tan -- (did you know that Broiler chickens, chickens 5 to 12 weeks old, are Delaware's most important farm product? You do now!!)

Some even have landmarks and tourist attractions listed. He INSISTS on writing 'Hollywood' by CA every time and 'Pottery' by New Mexico. Some days "the capital has to have parenthesis around them, Mommy". Sometimes the maps on the driveway have to have this:


11. Every month he receives two different state maps and a booklet to go with each in the mail. The maps used to adorn the walls of my living room, but have since been moved to his room. We hear him at night talking about rivers, etc. from the maps. Many-a-tear has been shed by he and mommy when maps don't line up right or don't fit correctly, or have to bend around a wall.

12. We went to visit a Montessori school to see if it would be a good fit for T-Man. I left the room for 5 minutes to see the other classrooms and when I came back he was on the floor working a world map puzzle with the teacher!

13. A recent trip to Walmart cost me $5.00 when he spotted a blue shirt of the U.S. Did I mention he already owns a similar one in grey? Oh, and one that says "Illinois Rocks"

14. He LOVES to watch Fox News weather -- state maps galore!!

15. Let's not even talk about the debate over Puerto Rico. He insists the capital is pronounced 'San June' in English and 'San Juan' in Spanish and he doesn't speak Spanish. 'San June' it is little man!

We have been through this obsession before: Presidents of the Church, The 13 Articles of Faith, The 12 Apostles, Puzzles in general, Little Einsteins, musical instruments, and the list goes on. Most have not lasted this long. I guess when there are 50 states, 7 continents, and countries aplenty it's not surprising it has lasted so long.

"Juneau" the capital of Alaska??

We made a feeble attempt to get him to talk about planets last night. Here's how it went down (warning: rated PG-13)
Mom & Dad: "Do you know the names of the planets?"
T-Man: "Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus"
M & D: "That's right"
T-Man: "Mommy, do you know why Uranus is so big?"
Mommy: (Through sobbing tears and laughter): "Krispie Kremes and chocolate, T-Man; Krispie Kremes and chocolate".

It's a "state" of confusion at our house I tell you, a "state" of confusion!

Matching

T-Man got his left flip-flop wet and had to go change shoes per his request. Being the mean mom I am, I kindly asked him to put on matching shoes before he came back outside. This was his idea of matching:


We were just hanging out in the backyard so I didn't really care that they didn't match.

OH, but alas, they did!
Just ask T-Man -- they matched on the inside -- both shoes said "OLD NAVY".

Touche` little man, Touche` :)

Deep Thoughts . . .

By T-Man

1. "If you don't want to do something .....
(dramatic pause, baited breath, waiting for a philosophical debate)
"then you don't do it"
Umm, we'll be talking about this comment as a family later.

2. "How many syllables are in the word 'immersion'?

3. While watching cartoons, we asked T-Man if he wanted to go to a restaurant with the grandparents or if he just wanted to go home. Silence, crickets chirping, no comment. We repeated the question, "restaurant or go home?" In a slow, methodical voice he answers "I want to go to the restaurant with Grandma and Grandpa --
when --- this --- is --- over"

4. "How do you spell Bummer?" He then spelled it using his bathtub letters that stick to the tub wall.

5. In order to do it correctly, T-Man says you have to SING your phone number using the Articles of Faith songs. For example if your phone # is 555-123-4567, you would have to sing the Article of Faith song #5 three times, then sing #1, #2, etc.

6. Do you want to go to Walmart or Walgreens, T-Man?
"mart is not a color, mommy, green is"

7. While pointing to a 40 MPH speed limit sign:
T-Man: "Is that how many years Moses was in the wilderness for?"

8. T-Man: "I am so much happier!!"
Mommy: "Why are you so much happier?
T-Man: "Because you gave me a piece of muffin!!"
(If only a muffin could really bring about so much happiness!!)

9. After returning home from an appointment, T-Man didn't want me to come home, he wanted his grandparents to stay and play with him awhile longer. "Mommy, can you not come in the house?" (I stood in the garage for a few minutes, then went back in) "Grandma, can you guys stay here? (Fine, I went back to the garage for a few more minutes, then tried again.) "Mommy, can you go shopping at Walmart?" YES!! Just make sure you tell your father you told me I had to go shopping so you could play with your grandparents longer. I LOVE this little boy!!

10. There are two kinds of sign language: American Sign Language and T-Man Sign Language. He will show you the ASL version and then very carefully explains how you do his sign language. For example, the color orange in ASL looks like squeezing an orange under your chin. His version, "you draw your fingers like this under your nose" (it looks like he's drawing a mustache on his face).

We've been thinking we need to have T-Man tested. For what? We don't know. All we do know is there is a 30 year old trapped in a 3 year old body.

-Crying, drippy-nosed children forced by their mothers were lined up to take pictures with the Easter Bunny at the mall. T-Man? Walked right up to him, sat on his lap, and posed for the bunny picture (sorry, it's a picture of a picture) then asked if he could have a coloring page.


-He volunteers to take himself to the naughty step when he knows he has made a bad choice. He was told if he kicked the dog, he would go to the naughty step. He kicked the dog and said, "I'll go to the naughty step by myself." One morning he hit the dog with a toy. He was sent to the naughty step. A few hours later, he hit me and said, "I have to go to the naughty step now."


As a side note, we're VERY excited to see an adoption article in the April 2010 Ensign magazine (not yet available online) -- WE LOVE ADOPTION!!

"The Dance"

Billy Elliot meets Flash Dance Meets Funky Town meets Elai.ne Benes (from Seinf.eld)

This is only a small portion of the (at least 10 minute) dance routine T-Man created. There is a truck sitting on the couch that plays music when you push the corresponding buttons. It's probably another one of those "you had to be there" moments, but we thought it to be entertaining! Mid-video T-Man states "I have a sock in my throat". I think he meant he had a "frog" in his throat :)

(I apologize for my laughter in the background and the shaking video from my laughter!)
(and pardon the messy room - migraine headache + three year old = that!)

Purple Lee

Meet Purple Lee

He is a relatively new member of our home.

Please do not say hello to him.

Oh, don't get us wrong, he is friendly, lovable, and loves people.

We prefer you only say "Hi" to him

That way all the members of our house can giggle uncontrollably when we hear you say,

"Hi Purple Lee!"

hyperbole (hye-PER-buh-lee):  A figure of speech in which deliberate exaggeration is used for emphasis. Many everyday expressions are examples of hyperbole: tons of money, waiting for ages, a flood of tears, etc. Hyperbole is the opposite of litotes.

Another Boost to the Self Esteem

 We picked Eric up from the train station tonight and on the way home we were talking about who Eric's favorite person was.  I shouted,

"I know - it's T-Man!"

T-Man replied, "No, It's Mommy!"

Eric said, "No, Mommy's my wife" (apparently meaning that we are equals so I can't be a favorite)

Here, dear

would you like to dig yourself into a deeper hole?  :)

Apparently T-Man mistook the word "wife" for "life" and
from the all-knowing car seat we hear the three year old's translation of  things:

"MOMMY HAS NO LIFE!"

Eric tried to nip it in the bud by laughing uncontrollably which led to a continuous repeat of

"MOMMY HAS NO LIFE" {giggle, giggle, giggle}

"MOMMY HAS NO LIFE!"

Thanks boys!

"Saturday is a special day..."

and am I feeling SOOOOO special!!!

 

Every Saturday night is our "get ready for Sunday" night and it always includes a bath.  Tonight was no different.  T-Man was in the tub playing with his hair; spiking it, putting bath bubbles in it, and just plain ol' messing it up.  He cracked himself up!  What came next wasnt' so funny.

T-Man:  "I have funny hair!  {giggling} I have funny hair!!!  Mommy, my hair matches yours!  My hair matches yours {more giggling}!!"

Mommy:  "Thank you, T-Man"

Balle"Wii"na Shoes

E.melda Ma.rcos eat your heart out!

$1.48 (+ shipping if you order online)

 

Okay -- I am pretty sure this is not how these are to be used.  Sil.icone Skin Covers for the Wi.i Remote (they belong around the outside of the remote controller) --  not on your feet!!

T-Man modeling Skin Covers

No shoelaces to deal with ...

Non-slip bottoms ...

They offer a very slimming look for even a wide foot ...

The Colosseum

Silence filled the kitchen for over 10 minutes. 

Silence can equal one of two things in our house; complete and total concentration or a HUGE mess for Mommy T-Man to clean up. This is what resulted from Monday's silence:

Of course, I had to inquire what this colorful project might be. 

To the untrained eye this might appear to be a simple McD.on.alds cup holder and some colorful flying discs from "Mike" the robot.

Oh ye unwise and uneducated!

It is clear to see that this (according to T-Man) is the Colosseum in Rome and it is full of people's faces (aerial view).

Don't you see it?

(He just told me that this is where The Lit.tle Ein.steins live)

Definition of Self Portrait

Apparently in "Mommy School" we need to cover the definition of Self-Portrait again. One of us thinks the definition is not "to paint a picture of oneself", but rather "to paint oneself."