I have a rule in my life that really should be made the eleventh commandment: Thou Shalt Not Remain Home on a Three-day Weekend. Absolutely not. No way. Don't even think about how much you could accomplish around here in three days. Just pack your bags and hit the road.
So we're going to try some camping again. When I report back to you about this weekend's camping expedition, I hope to not include any details such as train derailments, gate closures, rain or vomiting, but I make no promises. Whenever we pull out the camper, it rains and something goes wrong. But we're excited nonetheless.
Besides, this trip is planned around Aggie football! We're camping at Lake Somerville, which is not too far from Aggieland (a.k.a. God's Country). This will allow us to take my dad to his first Texas A&M football game, which is an experience everyone should enjoy at least once in life. (Truly! It's not just a game. It's a fun-filled event of traditions!) My mom will keep the boys at the camper. What a great mom!
And because this house is in shambles, I will be taking a break from blogging next week. I feel pretty certain that not one of you would like to volunteer to come clean my windows, blinds, baseboards, ceiling fans, or toilets, so I'll be busy with that next week. I'm hoping that telling you this now will help hold me accountable. If I post anything next week, you have my permission to slap me silly.
But I will be back on Monday, September 10 to fill you in on all the exciting details of camping and cleaning. Y'all be good while I'm gone.
Gig 'em, Aggies!
The Eleventh Commandment
Stump the Mom
Sometimes I just don't know how to answer the kids' questions. I mean, I don't know everything! Here's one that has stumped me today:
"How did God make the sea?"
Hmm.
"Well, He just did."
And I could see the wheels turning in his head, as if he was thinking, "Ah hah, she doesn't know everything!"
Tiny Talk Tuesday
Garrett's (2 1/2) favorite phrase is, "Don't be widicuwous (ridiculous)." Can't imagine where he learned it!
For other families' tiny talks, please visit Not Before 7.
"You Have Your Hands Full"
I hate that statement. I hear it a lot, when I've got all three boys in a public venue. If I'm in a good mood at the time and the boys are not embarassing me, I might reply with, "Yes, but my hands were empty for a long time, so I'm glad to have them full now." If the boys, however, are running circles around me and hanging from the grocery shelves, then I grit my teeth and smile, instead of giving these perfect strangers a piece of my mind.
But really, this mom's description of shopping with six kids takes the cake! You must go to this eBay posting and scroll down to read this seller's reason for selling this item. Trust me when I say this is an absolute must read!
And Let the Games Begin
Jack's (2 1/2) potty training has not gone well over the last 2 weeks. I knew that traveling would cause him a setback, so I've tried to be understanding.
Shortly after today's lunch, he dropped his toys and screamed, "I NEED TO GO POTTY!" I was in the middle of changing Garrett's diaper. So I told Jack, "Hurry! Get to the potty! Good job for telling me!"
Because that's where Jack's biggest problem is...he doesn't tell me he needs to go. He just goes, you know, wherever the need strikes him.
As I finished Garrett's diaper, I heard Jack tinkle in the potty, and I kept praising him. "Good job for making it to the potty! You've been dry all day. I'm so proud of you!" Even Garrett and Liam (4) chimed in.
Jack flushed, redressed, and washed his hands. That sounds great, doesn't it?! I thought so, until I saw his shirt.
As he stepped out of the bathroom, I saw that the lower two inches of his shirt were soaked. Thinking that he forgot to lift his shirt out of the target zone, I said, "Uh oh, you forgot to lift your shirt. Take it off." As he lifted his shirt, I noticed that his underwear was also wet, which told me that he didn't make it to the potty quite soon enough.
I calmly went through the whole scenario with him for the millionth time. "Jack, when you need to go potty, you stop and go right away. Do not wait until it's too late."
To which, he replied, "Liam did it."
"Jack, Liam did not pee on your shirt and underwear."
And this is where the true sibling rivalry begins.
