Dirty Little Secret

Alternatively Titled: Clean Little Secret

I should not be sharing this little secret about myself.  Its not like I need to give anyone else another reason to think I am totally weird.

I just could not resist sharing this with you.

I have been doing something for about 20 years now. 

Yes, I started when I was still in the womb. 

Not.

I read the directions on shampoo bottles.

A normal, well reasoning person would have deducted that they might not need to read the directions at all, as applying a soap based product to your hair is a fairly simple process.  But even if they did want to reinforce accuracy, surely once or twice would have been enough.

Not me.  I read every single bottle I buy, and sometimes more then once. 

In my normal practice of things, I decided to try out this new (to me) brand at Target.  I try to go organic whenever possible, and when that cannot be done, make sure it is at least free of parabens. 

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When I turned over the little guy to soak up the directions like a good book, I discovered this.

 

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Shampoo daily on wet hair while singing.

And you know what?

I did.

It never felt so good to be weird.

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Knock Knock

(ha, did you totally say "Who's there?" in your head???)

Anytime we go anywhere, its a drive.  A typical outing to a grocery store is about 30 minutes away, so the kids and I have spent lots and lots of time in the car together.

Recently, my trusty DVD player broke, and there has been lots more bonding and singing and joke telling.

I use that term loosly, joke telling.

Its more like the most random words passed off in the form a joke.

Let me give you an example.

One of the kids will shout, "Knock knock!"

The other two will look at each other with great anticipation and shout, "WHO'S THERE?"

"Truck."

(they are really getting giddy now)

"TRUCK WHO?"

"Truck went to the store and found a bird and he had legs and his legs were orange and he liked letters!"

Ha, ha, ah ha, ha ha ha ha ha, ah ha ha ha…. they erupt into a harmonious laughter and are just delighted in their joke.

One more:

"Knock knock."

(looking at each other in wild anticipation then screaming in unison)

"WHO'S THERE?"

"Daddy."

"DADDY WHO?"  (they really are in unison, I kid you not)

"Daddy tells me to say "Come on in when someone says Knock knock!""

Uproarious laughter.  

One more.

"Knock knock."

Making the obligatory eye contact prior to responding.

"WHO'S THERE?"

"Jesus."

My dear sweet children (apparently in the same frame of mind) instead of saying, "Jesus who?" said,

wait for it….

"YAY!  YAY!!  YAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"

And started laughing and clapping with an excitement that rivaled visiting Disney World.

I guess they were pretty darn excited Jesus was at the door.

And man, was my momma heart proud at that moment!

 

 

· 24 Comments

Kids Will Be Kids

Last weekend we had the pleasure of spending lots of time over at my grandma and grandpas house in Bemidji.

My grandparents have this wonderful hill (awesome pics in that link) in their yard that I remember playing on as a wee little child.

I was wee once.

Anyway, my dad and cousin Scott and hubby were hanging out with the kids on the hill when they (yes, the adults) got the brillinat idea to send the kids down the hill in a mini car.

I was horrified and laughing nervously and kicking myself for not being the cool mom who can just go with the flow and lets the kids have fun when…

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I saw dear hubby sending down my baby.

My baby I tell you!

I think it occurred to him that she might need help steering or stopping, so he had a brilliant idea.

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 (love Scott's expression)

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Yeah.  She loved it.  

And I am pretty sure he did too. :)

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Good and Bad of Parenting

Sometimes I feel like I was blessed with three wonderful and inquisitive and insightful children.

Other times I wonder if their disobedient behavior is a direct correlation to the dreadful way I behaved as a child.

Either way, there are good days and bad days.

Its a good thing that despite their behavior, they are loved and treasured every day.

 

 

The Good and the Bad of Parenting

Good: Your children have finally grasped the concept of picking up after themselves and being tidy.

Bad: They demonstrate this talent by trying to clean up the parking lot at Walmart… (i.e. used napkins, old gum, socks…)

 

Good: The kids are able to play independently on the computer and are really learning from great sites like Starfall and PBS kids.

Bad: They are curious by nature, and seem to be drawn to that delete button right by your in-box.

 

Good: Manners and Etiquette are starting to really sink in!

Bad: Your child now burps and farts everywhere you go just so he can proudly proclaim, “Excuse Me!”

 

Good: The kids want to help with laundry.

Bad: They start by taking every piece of clothing and folding it into a undistinguishable blob then get bored after seven minutes and leave you to re-do everything.

 

Good: You finally hit a stride in parenting where everyone has a general idea of what is expected of them, and you are able to co-exist peacefully.

Bad: You leave the house.

· 21 Comments

How I Wish

I wish someone had whispered in my ear… … that afternoon in August when we were all sitting outside, and as the sun set behind the trees, a faint wind stirred, causing me to rub my arm and get a chill as I lounged in the shade. I wish someone [...] Read more »

· 31 Comments