Today, I found myself repeating the same things over and over and over again. “Put your shoes in your shoe bin;” “Wash your hands after using the bathroom;” “Don’t just walk on the toys, pick them up;” “Stop arguing with your brother.” Finally, after one repetition too many, I gave in and added that age-old…
Tonight was Store Night at AWANA. This quarterly event is set up to enable the children to spend their hard earned “AWANA Shares” or “AWANA Bucks” on a variety of fun prizes, such as stuffed animals, footballs, games, and craft kits. Store Night is always a bit hectic, but the truly dedicated children still manage…
“Mommy,” a little voice says, “is today a special day?” “Yes, Connor. It’s Daddy’s birthday.” “Are we doing anything special today, Mommy,” he asks in an I have something in mind sort of way. “No, I don’t think so, Connor.” With that, a little head leans toward my ear and begins to whisper. “Mommy,…
Photo by ronny827 The boys have been watching season one of the old Flipper TV show on Netflix. Both boys are enjoying the show, but our animal lover, Connor, has been transfixed. Tonight, he informed us that he can understand Flipper’s “talking.” “Oh, really,” Patrick said with a chuckle, “What’s he saying right now?” “I…
After my little exchange with Connor this morning, he fell back to sleep for two hours. When he finally awoke, we ate breakfast, and then headed downstairs to start our schoolwork. Connor whined, complained, and cried his way through math, usually a favorite subject. “Are you feeling alright?,” I asked with concern. “No,” he…
We woke this morning to a light dusting of snow on the ground and rain pattering on the roof. The radio reported a mixture of snow, ice, and rain for the remainder of the day and a host of school closings. Upon hearing this, Connor, our 7-year-old, looks at me and sleepily asks, “Are you…
It’s time to get ready for bed. The boys head upstairs to brush their teeth. Ryan is acting silly and causing a bit of mischief, a tendency he has when he is overly tired. Connor is trying diligently to ignore his brother and to stay out of trouble. Finally, frustrated with Ryan’s antics, Connor stops,…
I spent the day pulling up sub-flooring in a New Orleans shot-gun house flooded in Hurricane Katrina. It was a long day. As I’m cleaning up for dinner, my cell phone rings. It’s Ryan. Patrick and the boys are at a conference in Baltimore. “Mommy,” he says. “Yes, Ryan?” “I have a new favorite restaurant.”…
Connor celebrated his seventh birthday on Friday. Friday morning Connor ran excitedly into our room, jumping on the bed with a big Good morning! Patrick responded with a Good morning, birthday boy! Do you feel different at seven? Yes, replied Connor, my FEET are FASTER and my LEGS are LONGER! They grew during the night!…
Ryan has been waking up early, too early, and staying up late, too late,… and today it caught up with him. He was cranky and tired all morning and into the afternoon. When I had had enough, I suggested he actually nap during quiet time today. He didn’t argue – a clear sign that he…