The Poop Post

(I should probably preface this post with an apology for possibly - all right, definitely embarrassing my child in the future)

So it was inevitable. 

I can sense your excited anticipation of wanting to know what the heck I'm talking about...okay, maybe not, but I'll tell you anyways.

It was inevitable that I write a post about poop.  How could I not?  I'm a parent.  And as with a lot of other parents out there, poop can sometimes rule our lives.  It's been ruling mine for a while now.  For those without kids...well, you're probably not reading this blog, but if you are (glad to have you) and if you see kidlets in your future, let me just say...it will definitely for sure without a doubt could possibly happen to you.

Of course everybody's poop story varies somewhat, but all have one thing in common.  There's a lot of it and sometimes it seems like it will never end.

Have I lost you yet?

Anyhoo, our poop story is ongoing with our boys...we're forever cleaning someone's bum.  It particularly revolves around Big T, however.  Put simply, he holds it...or trys to.  If there was a category in the Guiness Book of World Records for poop withholding, Big T's name would be there, undefeated.  I've discovered that it's pretty common...especially with boys.  Other than the fact that it's always on our minds, it's frustrating because he was potty-trained pretty easily...really only took a day if I remember correctly.  We never had to night train him either.  In fact, I remember telling Hubby that we should save money on pull-ups and not use them at night because he never wet the bed! 

But it's the 'ol #2 that my 'lil man has a problem with.  He just does not want to do it!  And if there's a couple things I know about kids (or my kids) ... you can't make them eat and you can't make them poop. 

No amount of bribing ("I will take you to the toy store RIGHT NOW!") or encouraging ("Come on buddy, I know you can do it!") or forcing ("You ARE sitting on this potty") or ignoring ("Oh, you pooped?  I had no idea.") will make him go.  He's capable; he's done it before, but he just doesn't like it, plain and simple.  I really want him to get over this before he hits Kindergarten in September because afterall, kids can be cruel.

This has been going on for a good couple of years, but I'm happy to say that the other day, HE DID IT!  And, wow, was he proud...and I was proud...and Hubby was proud.  We were so proud that out came the camera (I know, gross, but tell me you haven't done the same thing) and the pic was emailed to Hubby at work.  (Sorry for ruining your lunch, babe.) 

But don't worry, I won't be uploading a poop pic here.  It's enough that I'm writing about it and will probably get chastised by Big T when he's old enough to read this.  But I've just gotta say...you would be shocked to see it.  For a kid who holds it in for a good week, there's no wonder it freaks him out.  Nothing that big has ever come out of me!  It's all I can do from letting out a blood-curdling scream and calling 911, but I've gotta keep it together for his sake.  (Are you getting a good visual?  Sorry.)

Wow, it's pretty shocking how much poop is involved in my day-to-day life.  Never would've thunk it.  And I've never talked so much about poop in my life...and to complete strangers.  Of course if the person I'm talking with is also a parent, they're not offended and they happily share their poop stories with me. 

And do you want to know the wierdest thing of all?  I'm actually interested! 

And in case you're interested, I've just typed the word "poop" 13 times. 

Ah, just another day in my life. 

Now, excuse me while I go clean some poop...14.

Speechless Sunday

Pay It Forward With Compliments

Paying it forward usually relates to good deeds, as in a good deed done for someone and then another done for someone else.

What about paying it forward with compliments?

I don't know what's come over me, but I'm really into giving compliments these days.  If I see something nice about someone or something, whether it be something they're wearing, something nice they've done or just a nice smile on their face, I don't keep it to myself.  I've just got to mention it...to them!  I just can't let the moment go by.

It's been happening a lot at work lately.  For those who've just tuned in, I work about 20 hrs a week at a local Starbucks so it's really an ideal place for connecting with people...in fact, it's part of the job.  About 85% of our customers are regulars so I actually enjoy seeing them, continuing conversations and just joking around with them. I actually can't believe I'm saying this as in the past there was nothing worse than customer service in my mind.  How things change when you need dental benefits!

Where was I going with this?  Oh, yah...compliments, not letting moments go by...

It all started one night when an older lady came in to work...I'd say she was in her late 60s, early 70s...and she was/is the fittest woman of that age I've ever seen!  At first I didn't say anything, just your basic chit chat, then she went over to put cream in her coffee.  These days I really take notice of someone (especially women) who are fit because I'm struggling with fitness, wanting it to become a regular part of my life, yet not liking it all that much.

So I just HAD to say something to her.  I mean, she really looks great!  So I went up and asked her if she was a runner.  Of course she said yes.  I proceeded to let her know how great I thought she looked and that she was what I aspire to be.  Well, at least aspire to look like.  She could be a crazy person for all I know and in that case, forget about it!  But I don't think so.  I think she's a sweet and confident older lady who after spending years looking after the wants and needs of others, she now really cares for herself.  Something I struggle with daily.  She was so chuffed.  She thanked me for making her day.  She felt good and so did I.

It happened again not long after that...the same sort of genuine connection.  This time with a cute, old Greek lady (why they're all old ladies, I have no idea) who I started out talking about the weather with and ended up tearing up because of her thoughts on the awfulness of racism and how my darkest side is no more dark than her own, etc. She was so lovely and I told her so.

The compliments came back to me a couple nights later when talking with a guy about music ended up with him saying I was so much younger than he was, to which I asked him when he graduated from high school and I had 11 years on him!  He was generally taken aback and with widened eyes and a loud voice said (and I quote) "GET THE @#$! OUT OF HERE!"  Now that felt good..

My latest compliment came by way of  Bring Mommy The Vodka who gave me The Sunshine Blogger Award!

Thank you, Sarah!  Just when you think no one reads your blog...

And now for my acceptance speech (of sorts)...here are a few things you don't know about me:

1) I'm not much of a baker.  I tend to take the easy way out, opting for Duncan Hines before scratch.  These days I even make chocolate chip cookies from a mix 'cuz I can't have chocolate chips in the house or they won't make it to the bowl.

2) Dangerous Liasons with Glenn Close and John Malkovich is my all-time fave movie.

3) I knit...well, I can knit.  Every year I want to take a sock-making class and knit everyone socks for Christmas.  Maybe this year will be the year!

4) I used to be quite shy until one day I decided enough was enough and I was missing out on too many things.  It was as simple as that.  Now if I can only do that with exercise!

5) I like lizards and geckos and wouldn't mind having one as a pet.

Now I'm going to "pay it forward" and give a shout out and the Sunshine Award to some blogs that I enjoy.

1) The Mommy Therapy
2) The Surburban Princess Diaries
3) Wendy Can't Cook
4) Buried With Children
5) Hair Bows & Guitar Picks
6) The Good, The Bad, & The Family

So there you have it.  Wow, that was a long post.  And it only took 3 days to get done.  Wonder why that is? 

Also, make sure to check out these fabulous blogs by these fabulous mums! 

Day 1 of Summer!

Aaaah, it's finally here.  The 1st day of summer!  And the weather has cooperated FINALLY!  For those who don't know, we live on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada.  A Beeeeauuuuutiful place, but a rainy one!  We've had teaser days here and there where it looked like summer was upon us, but they were always short-lived and rarely were they more than one day in a row.  I've been saying for a while now that I want to complain that it's too hot!  (Not that I ever complain...wink, wink)

But today was beach weather!  And we headed down to it (the beach that is), with buckets, shovels, towels, sunscreen, umbrella and snacks in tow.  Basically anything "I" could carry because unfortunately my boys have yet to see the value in helping their mommie out.  (Helping Mommie = Treats!)

But I digress.

I LOVE SUMMERTIME!   I love everything about it.  In no particular order:

I love the morning when I can go out on my patio in my pajamas and enjoy a cup of coffee and all I can hear are the birdies chirping (because the boys are on the iPad and iPhone)

I love long, hot summer days going to the beach, my toes buried in the sand, the boys playing in the water.  The dirtier, stickier and the more tired they are the better because it means that they had a good time.

I love warm, summer nights with warm breezes, having a bbq with friends and a cold glass of wine or (better yet) sangria by my side.

I love bare feet and flip-flops and lovely painted toes!  Even though my feet take a beating every summer and are pretty much dirty all the time, anything more restricting than flip-flops or crocs is a definite no-no.

I love fresh fruit - especially watermelon!  I also tend to eat better in the summer, wanting crisp veggie salads and some salmon cooked on a bbq!  MMMMMM!

ICE CREAM! (I love it) 

I love day trips with the boys to local waterparks with their buddies, spending the day together and having a picnic.

I love how positive I feel.

I LOVE beach chairs.  I'm kind of obsessed with beach chairs.  I want a new one every year.  I should own a beach chair shop.  I'm always disappointed if I don't bring one along with me when I go to the beach and I always want to know where people got theirs.  My BFF in California always has great beach chairs and I'm always jealous of them.

Here's my current beach chair:

Found this near a dumpster...can't believe someone was throwing it away!

Little K and what he loves about summer!

I could go on and on. 

But what about YOU?  Tell me what YOU love about summer.

Big Man On Playground

Big T was the Big Man on Campus Playground today.  It was pretty cute actually.  When we first got to our local park there were quite a few kids there, mostly younger than my "Big" Big T.  Pretty much as soon as we arrived, Big T took out a few of the select Hot Wheels that he brought along with him, and pretty much as soon as he did that, he was swarmed by some other car enthusiasts.  This at first made him pretty anxious, screwing up his face and high-tailing it away from his pursuers.  But seeing as they were younger than him, they didn't get his blatant oh-so-subtle hint and kept on going after him...and if they did understand, they didn't care.  Gotta love their persistence!

Perhaps it was the 'ol "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude...or perhaps Big T finally stopped freaking out enough to recognize that these kids weren't trying to take his cars from him but just wanted to compliment him on his fine taste in automobiles, but he finally stopped and basked in their admiration of him and his stuff.  He told them what makes and models his cars were...told them how many he had at home.  He let them marvel at his brand-spankin' new Lightening McQueen runners and "Oooh" and "Aaah" over his McQueen t-shirt.  A couple of them came over with their Mom, wanting to know his name and if they could show her his stash and maybe even check out his bike.  He was very patient and sweet to all the 'lil guys and let them hold his cars and tried to teach them all about drifting, etc.  Things every wee lad should know.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who worries thinks about and hopes that their kids will have the confidence they need to deal with their peers and all that's coming their way when they get to kindergarten and beyond.  Big T is usually pretty confident in social situations, but he does have moments of angst, which always sort of breaks my heart.  I think we'd all like our kid to be popular, but also kind. 

Today my baby big boy was both. 


"So this is a Mustang, a Corvette, an El Camino ..."

"This is the way you drift ..."



Speechless Sunday

Desperately Seeking Willpower

“I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it”  - Mae West

Love this quote by Mae West.  Though when she said it, I highly doubt she was referring to this:

I've been bad.

And it tasted sooooo good!

I tell ya, when I was single and kid-less, I had willpower to burn.  So what is it about being a stay-at-home mom that makes me lack it so badly?  There are some days, like today, when I just simply cannot and actually do not want to resist temptation.  And it's not because it was a particularly trying day today.  In fact, it was a pretty good one, what with Big T having his 'lil preschool graduation ceremony, playing in the park, lunch with friends and a gorgeous sunny day (finally!), and the boys getting along for the most part.  All was as it should be. 

So why I just had to have peanut butter cups is beyond me. 

Some questions simply can't be answered.  And sometimes you've just gotta go with the flow. 

Don't resist...

Don't deny...

Don't regret...

...and most importantly...

Don't buy more than one pack!

What's For Dinner?

Clipart from www.freeclipartnow.com

"What's For Dinner?"  More horrifying words have not been spoken and I've decided they are banned from being used in our home.

If there's one thing that probably stresses me out more than anything else, it's trying to figure out what to freakin' have for dinner.  Hubby asks me this every day and every day I say, "I don't know".  (Sometimes while laughing hysterically)  Thankfully I wasn't born in the 1950s when dinner was expected to be on the table when the man of the house came home from work, 'cuz it ain't happening 'round here.

This has become such a dilemma for me and it hounds me each and every day, so much so that I'm paralyzed by the not knowing and so I've kind of given up, handed in my notice; I am waving my white flag.  Basically I'm done.  Dinner, you win.  I hope you're happy.

There are three reasons behind this major frustration of mine:

1. I'm a vegetarian (and not a very good one) 
2. Hubby is from Scotland so it's pretty much meat and potatoes for him. 
3. I have young children. 

'Nuff said?  I thought so.

You know how you're not supposed to be a short-order cook for your kids?  Well...um...even before we had kids Hubby and I were having two completely different meals.  It was always: "What are you having for dinner?  I don't know, what are you having for dinner?"  Throwing Big T, who is beyond being a "picky eater", and Little K, who is just 2-1/2 (so not his fault), into the mix and it's just plain brutal.  There have actually been nights when we have had 4 different meals on the table.  (Don't say it...I know it's crazy) 

I actually have a fantasy.  No, it's not lounging on a sandy beach in the Caribbean with hunky men seeing to my every need...hmmm....no, not that.

It's cooking one delicious, healthy meal at dinnertime for my family.  They'd be sitting at the dinner table, huge smiles on their faces, eagerly awaiting my fantastic meal, mouths watering, anticipation...(hey, much like the above clipart).  There is no ketchup involved and every delicious morsel disappears without complaint.  Afterwards, cute 'lil elves would come and clean up, leaving my kitchen counters clear & sparkling clean.

Yeah, that's my fantasy. 

Maybe I should've been a 50s housewife afterall.  (They had elves back then, right?)

Speechless Sunday

I notice a lot of blogs have something called "Wordless Wednesdays" where they just post a picture.  I've decided to have "Speechless Sundays" where I'm going to post pics that leave me...well, speechless. 

So here's my very first "Speechless Sunday" pic:

Date Night

Just wondering...what is this thing I've heard about called "Date Night"?

I've heard rumours that it's a lot of fun and even a pretty important thing to participate in, especially if you're married with kids.

From what I've heard, it has something to do with two people, who have kids together, getting something called a "babysitter" to come to their house and stay with their kids for an evening. Apparently the two people get dressed up nicely (so NOT in their pjs then) and head out of their home to a place - I think it's called a "restaurant" or a "bar" - and, um, "relax".

Now, this is just what I've heard, so please don't quote me.

Apparently they partake in food and drink that doesn't require Ketchup. (WOW! Is this for real?) Also something that could occur on this "date night" is they could see something called a "movie".  Another thing they could do - and I think this is pretty wild myself - is they chat about things that don't involve kids, poop, laundry, bills, wierd smells, stains, etc...

So I've gotta tell you, if the rumours are true, it all sounds pretty good to me. I think Hubby and I are going to get us one of these.

One of mine & Hubby's first date nights...my 37th birthday party.

And how we spend our nights now.

So I want to know...Do YOU have date nights and how do YOU spend them?

I Must Be Crazy!

With all that I have to do looking after my two 'lil dudes during the day, working nights and all that "needs" to be done - ie: laundry, dishes, cleaning floors, revamping office, (showering) cleaning the carpet, going through boys' old clothes, (showering), throwing out old, broken toys, (showering), getting bike tuned up, exercising, (showering) visiting my mom, shaving my legs, grocery shopping, (showering), reading blogs and just being plain fabulous, I just took on another project.

Call me crazy.  (Okay, I had a shower this morning...cross that one off the list!)

Big T has only 4 classes of preschool left - FOREVER!  (sniff, sniff)  I can't believe how fast the last two years have gone.  It's been a lot of fun, especially since his is a parent-participation preschool. 

Since there weren't any real plans for a 'lil graduation ceremony, I thought I'd take it upon myself (and elicit the help of a couple of my mommy friends...sorry, girls!) to organize something "small" to which the teachers said "Feel free"...and then I think I heard them snicker.

Of course my original thought was to have something "small" (there's that word again), but I'm sure it will turn into something a 'lil bit larger than that.  But as Hubby always says, "If you're going to do something, you should do it right!"  ('Cept when it comes to recycling, 'eh, babe?)

So what started out as buying kiddie graduation caps for some cute photos is now me making caps for about 30 kids in two classes (by Monday, I might add) recording some music for my iPod (someone suggested the theme from Rocky - fun!) a medal for around their necks, a diploma for each child and possibly a small stage setup.  But you know what, I actually like doing these sorts of things so I'm not really complaining about the details.

I guess how I feel about this situation, that I alone have created for myself, can be best summed up in the words of Britney Spears:

"Oops, I Did It Again!"

I'd Like To Thank The Academy...

I've always wanted to be an actress...let me clarify.  An academy-award winning actress.  I kind of gave that up a long time ago after high school when my mother sort of talked me out of going to acting school for a more stable job.  Since then, I've dabbled, but have gone in completely different directions.  I have no regrets, however, on the choices I've made (well, at least not all of them)...especially now since I've been given my very first blogging award!  I'm so new to this that I didn't even know there was such a thing, but it feels pretty good that someone, somewhere has actually enjoyed something I've written...'cuz I'm enjoying myself immensely.

So instead of "The Academy", I'd like to thank Caffeinated OC Mommy for giving me the "Stylish Blogger Award".  You made my day.  Here's my new button that I will proudly display on mee blog.  So even if I'm not really stylish in my dress these days, at least my blog will be.

I've always looked good in black.

In order to officially accept my award there are a couple things I need to do.  I need to mention 7 things about myself that you don't know and then award some of my favourite blogs.  So here goes nothin'...

1)  I love the taste of coffee and will opt for that flavour in just about everything...coffee candy, coffee ice cream, coffee liqueur, coffee chocolate, coffee, coffee, coffee.

2)  I have two older brothers, my best friends in high school were boys, so I'm not at all surprised I'm the mum of two boys and know that if I were ever to have more children, I would have twin boys.  (And that would be okay with me.)

3)  My family were all born in Canada but I was born in San Fernando Valley, California.

4)  I have a crush on Boston Rob from "Survivor", but only when he's all grungy, hungry and sporting a goatee.  When he's back home, has cleaned up and gained weight, my crush is over.

5)  I still have all my childhood dollies/barbies in a bin in my storage.

6)  I've always liked my name.

7)  As a kid I used to eat Tang and Jell-O with a spoon and probably still would if a craving hit me hard enough. (So I don't buy the stuff)

So that's a bit about me...and now for some blogs that I enjoy and that have inspired me to start my own.

1)  Fighting Off Frumpy
2)  The Meanest Mom
3)  Her Bad Mother
4)  Making It Work Mom
5)  Jill Shalvis
6)  Mommy Needs A Vacation
7)  Raven's Rest Studio

Since starting my blog I have come across many other wonderful and funny blogs!  Probably too many to mention here.  And since Big T went to bed before 6pm tonight, I've got to get to bed as he'll no doubt be up at the crack of dawn asking to play with my iPad.

And make sure you check out Caffeinated OC Mommy.  Oh, how she loves controversy!

The Bug Whisperer

Boys and bugs...what a combo.

Had a mini bug massacre on our patio the other morning.  It was Big T and Little K against a small army of rollie-pollie bugs.  Little K seemed to take on the role as Commander In Chief, calling out orders and "There's another one, Guy!" to which Big T (obviously the heavy) went all "Braveheart" on those poor unsuspecting little crawlers.  It was definitely an ambush as the bugs were just chillin' under our patio doormat.  They didn't see it coming and they didn't stand a chance.

So I have a few thoughts (no surprise there) when it comes to this.  My first instinct is to tell them that that's not nice...those bugs weren't doing anything to them...how'd they like it if the bugs did the same thing to them...it's hurting them, scarying them, etc, etc.  I want my boys to be compassionate men, afterall.  Usually that's my stance and I've been pretty firm about it in summers past when it was Big T alone smashing millipedes between two Hot Wheels.  What a summer of bloody carcasses that was.

Now that the weather's getting warmer (finally!) the bugs are arriving.  Obviously there were no survivors from last year to pass on the knowledge to others that ours is not the patio you want to venture on to.  Poor 'lil buggers...(haha...couldn't help myself)

And now I've become somewhat of a bug whisperer...self-proclaimed, of course.  I'm at a point now that if a bug or spider sets up camp in our place somewhere, I'm hiding it like Anne Frank until I can transport it to the safety of a nearby leaf or grassy knoll.   (Or if Hubby's home, get him to do it!)  Here's a pic of the spider that's currently hanging around our bathroom. 

I'm calling her Emily.  Looks like a girl spider to me for some reason...or maybe it's because being the only female in this house, I need an ally.  The boys don't know about my little friend and I don't plan on telling them.  I haven't gotten around to relocating her yet, but she seems happy enough.  She comes and goes as she pleases, always coming back to her resting place.

I suppose there is one good thing about this situation and it's that the boys are working so nicely together and they're wreaking their havoc on something other than each other for a change.  Since they're going through quite the phase right now where they're screaming bickering about absolutely EVERYTHING, I'm kind of enjoying them getting along as they take part in their little "project".

So I'll keep up my own 'lil covert operation of rescuing what bugs I can and to the others I just have one thing to say...

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"

Ronnie's Rotten

When I was a kid we used to sing a song and it went something like this:

"McDonald's ain't your kind of place,
Hamburgers in your face,
French Fries up your nose,
Pickles between your toes..."

I can't remember the rest...something about rattlesnakes. 

Anyhoo...I did go to McDonalds (aka, Rotten Ronnie's, Micky D's, MD) when I was a kid.  Didn't we all?  But in my late 20s and for most of my 30s I took a great deal of pride in having never set foot in one.  And it wasn't only because I became a vegetarian.  I just thought it was gross.

And then I had kids.

Here's Big T with his 'lil best bud, Big O (woah, say that 10 times)  having fun with their Happy Meal boxes.  They were happy all right.

When I first had Big T, I was still naive enough to think - and say out loud - that I wouldn't take my kid to McDonalds...that there were lots of other "healthier" versions and better quality of french fries out there. 

(Insert picture of me eating crow here)

I hate to say it, but I think they know me in my local MD.  Not by name yet so there's still hope.  I know, maybe they know me just from the fact that I push around a huge orange double BOB stroller and I'm kind of hard to miss.  Yah, that's it.  It's got nothing to do with how many times I'm there with my kids in a month.  (And no amount of torture will make me tell you the exact number!)  Phew, that makes me feel better.

What doesn't make me feel better is that I'm about to dedicate another bin to all the toys that come out of that place.  I think I heard that they're the number one toy manufacturer in the world or something crazy like that.  Not only do they add some addictive substance to their fries (rumour only) but they make it impossible for a parent NOT to buy a toy.  I've done it, however.  I wouldn't call it one of my most pleasant of experiences.  And one other thing...(uh-oh, starting to rant) I tend to buy the exact same thing every time I go in there and every time I pay something different.

Oh, well. 

As long as they don't dedicate a menu item to me, I figure I'm okay.