Like Diapers and Snot ...

... Spending New Years with my kids isn't going to last forever and it makes me sad to think about it that way. A close relative was talking yesterday about the feeling she got once her kids left the house. That quiet, lonely feeling. I can only imagine! My husband and I spend 362 days and nights a year with our boys. So the sound of cars crashing into eachother ... the sounds of tattling ... the sounds of two little boys yelling louder than a jet engine are the only sounds that we know. So those few days/nights we don't have our boys is EXTREMELY different for us.

This New Years ... like every New Years ... will be spent with the people I love the most ... my boys.

A Letter to my Son on his 2nd Birthday (a month late)...

Someone reminded me yesterday that I didn't write my sweet Christopher a birthday letter on my blog as I have every other year. We have been so busy lately that I completely forgot. Plus we were in KC for his birthday and I didn't take my laptop with me. So here it is... (backdated to his day)

________________________________

 

My dearest sweet Christopher,

 

Today we celebrate two years with you. I am still in shock as to how fast the past 24 months have gone by.

Mommy Hot

Every morning I wake up and check my blog stats and see who's all creepin in on me.  And then I check to see from what country and what search terms were used to find me. I use the search terms to optimize my website and get my stats up.  This, sometimes, is my favorite part of my day. I've had anything from "Mom big boobs" to "boogers on my toddler that won't come up, advice" to "husband tell me what you're...." - which left me SOOOO complexed and curious that I had dreams about it for a week.

This morning's search terms left me smiling ear to ear. Somebody searched "Mommy hot" which pulled up MY website.  Giddeeeee freakin up!!!!    I still got it ya'll!

Or something like that. Who knows ... they may have been talking about a pissed off Mommy. Either way ... it fits me!  ::wink wink::

Amber Alert: The Nebraska Cornhuskers

 
A win is a win and a loss … no matter how bad … is just that … a loss. I will always bleed Husker Red no matter what the final score of the game is. So the Huskers forgot to show up for the B1G championship game. Shake it off, learn from the mistakes last night, and move on.

I logged on to a Husker "fan" message board last night and was thoroughly upset with the things people were saying. They’re an embarrassment to the TRUE Husker fans. Comments ranging from: "Time to pick another team that’ll actually win me a championship…." To comments of firing Bo and others just completely bashing the boys on the field.

50+ Places in the U.S. to Check out the Lights in 2012

 

Eileen, from Taking the Kids, along with help (input) from the girlfriends at Family Travel Forum and Traveling Mom (my baby - sort of), have come up with a list of 55 places to light up the holidays.

From the largest Christmas tree in New England to a celebration with Mickey and Minnie ... this list is one of the best.  If you have a favorite that's not mentioned on the article, leave a comment and let Eileen and the rest of the girls know about it.  Who knows ... maybe we'll see ya there next year!

 

Check out the list HERE! You might just find something close to you that you didn't know about or have forgotten about.

 

Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays ... or my personal saying: Merry Christmas!  From me ... to you!

A Letter To My Son on his 5th Birthday

Those of you that have been following my blog from the beginning know that every year on my boys’ birthdays, I write them a letter to put into a box for them to open and read whenever they can and want.
Every year, the letter gets harder and harder to write. Not because I can’t think of anything to say. I’m a blogger/writer. I ALWAYS have something to say. It gets harder to write because I can barely make it through the Dear _____ without bawling my eyes out. It pains me to see my boys grow up so fast.

Everybody always says, "It seems like only yesterday…"
But for me … it seems like it was only five minutes ago.
It was only five minutes ago that I anxiously took the test to find out if I was pregnant. It was only five minutes ago that we were playing music into headphones wrapped around my pregnant belly. It was only five minutes ago that your first grunting cry, after several minutes of not breathing, would be the most beautiful sound in the world.
And now … now I have to answer all kinds of questions that even I want to know the answers to. Just know that I’m trying my best. I’ll always be honest and truthful. There’s an answer for every question and while we may not know the answer right away … we’ll figure it out together. Sometimes the questions are hard but the answers are easy. Don't ever be afraid to ask.
_______________________________________________________________________

Dear Cassius,

First things first. Being your Mommy is the greatest privilege in the world. People say all the time that you are your Daddy’s clone. A bona fide mini-him. If only they knew how proud it makes him to hear that. While for me … sometimes it terrifies me. It makes my skin itch to know that someone in the world has the tendency to reproduce his quirks, his gestures, and his attitudes. But at the same time … it makes me melt. Afterall, it’s those quirks, and those gestures, and that attitude that made me fall in love with him. He is an amazing person (and especially Daddy). I am envious of the bond you two share. You are best friends and NOTHING could ever come between that bond. When you are angry with him ... I wish you could see the hurt in him that I see. His heart breaks when you are sick, or sad, or you are disgruntled at him. You call for him in the mornings before you call for me. But I also know that you and I share a bond that nobody else could ever have. When you are hurt - Mom's kisses are the ones that heal. When you are sick - Mom's hugs are the comforter so you can rest. When you are sad - Mom's words are the ones that make you smile. No one could ever take the bonds away that we all have.

Five is an awesome age to be. Afterall, you’ve waited five whole years to start Kindergarten. Well son, the time has come. This is the age you will start "big kid school" and get to walk to my bus by yourself.
You’ve already come to the point where you don’t want me to walk you into pre-K anymore. And that sucks. I don't think it's something I can ever get use to. It sucks that I have to kiss and hug you, and wave my hand and pretend that it doesn’t hurt that you don’t want me to walk you in to school anymore. Sometimes I want to freeze the time that you will always be my little baby boy. But I know that’s impossible.

As all mothers do, I have goals, wishes, and dreams for you. The list is endless. But on this 5th anniversary of the moment that I first heard your grunting cry … I will limit myself to the five that I wish for most:

1. Love your God with all of your heart, mind, and strength. And love your neighbors as yourself. Combined with the strength of the wonderful character that you have become, these truths will have the power to change the world. Your Lord who wonderfully and fearfully formed you in my womb deserves every ounce of your love and affection. Throughout the challenges you will no doubt face in life, He will always provide for you and never steer you wrong. God has a plan for your life. Leave your mark by loving each and every person your life touches; those who love you and yes … even those who don’t. Love has no conditions. It doesn't expect anything in return. It gives freely, multiplies, and grows. Do this and I promise, everything else will work itself out.

2. Don’t ever apologize for who you are and for what you want. Nor for how hard you have worked or where you're going in life. As you learn to love others, don’t forget that your love for them can go only as deep as your love for yourself. I can already see signs that you are quick to apologize and to back down. Don’t. You have learned this from your Dad and me and I wish that we could take it back. Be proud of who you are. Do not live to make others happy or to measure up to someone else’s expectations. Be Cash. This is plenty.

3. Be a student and be a teacher. Learn every chance you get. Read. Be inquisitive. Ask questions. And when you know something well – teach others. Do not hoard your knowledge or your gifts – share them. It is a gift to learn and a privilege to teach. Your Dad is the best example of this. He loves to learn and he loves to teach. He is the smartest person I know. Be like him and you will always find the answer.

4. I wish you wins and losses, trophies and empty shelves. As much as I would love to see you succeed in everything you do … and as much as I believe in your gifts … I must wish you challenges as well. For it is within those losses, the 3rd, 4^th, and 5th places, and the failures in life that help make you who you are. It is my job, as your mom, to do my best to guide you through these moments. If everything were easy for you, you would be ill prepared for the ‘real’ world. Life is not always easy. It gets harder the older you get. But embrace it. It's God's gift. And be thankful for everything and everyone in it.

5. Seek joy. Every single day. Find something that makes you happy and do it. Be it big or small – act sof kindness, listening to songs you love, calling a friend (or your mom), going camping with your dad - it simply doesn’t matter. What matters is that you spend a portion of each day smiling and laughing. This is what everyone says they notice most about you … your beautiful and bright smile. It’s a gift that God has given you. You love to be funny, watch funny things, and laugh. You have taught me not to take life so serious and to pause and enjoy this life God has given me. Thank you for making me laugh. Just make sure you are smiling and laughing as well.

And my "one to grow on" wish…
Just make sure I’m part of these moments. I just want to make sure you’re on track.

Cassius, you are what bliss and joy look like in a little boy. You are dirty and messy, you snuggle and you love me. You are defiant, willful, spoiled, and sometimes downright ornery. You have a wonderful and fantastical imagination. You can find a unicorn in the clouds or a rabbit in a piece of shredded cheese.

Last night you cried and cried that you changed your mind. You wanted to stay 4 forever. While I too wish and cry for the same thing ... I can promise you, that 5 is going to be your best year yet.

My job as your mom is to build a home of love and laughter. A place where you can cry without fear, discover without prejudice, and grow without judgment. Even though I know I have failed at times … please know that your Daddy and I are here for you always. While we can not shower you with material things … we cherish every moment we spend with you. I can’t wait to see what your future holds, the joys and challenges that await you, and the legacy your life will create.
But right now, I’m too busy enjoying you too much. All 5 years of you.

Happy birthday big boy. Thank you for allowing me to be your mommy. It is the greatest gift you could ever give me.

To the moon and back , my sweet smart little man.  I love you.

Mommy

Wordless-ish Wednesday

Today is suppose to be Wordless Wednesday on the blogs.  A day when I am suppose to show you a picture of something that doesn't need any words.  Most bloggers will show you something that is Halloweenie or something. Not me. Huh-uh. 

I'm calling today Worldess-ISH Wednesday.  Because I actually have a few words/sentences to say about my pictures.  So here goes....

This ALWAYS happens to the boys and me when we go to the zoo. 
What are these gorilla's trying to tell us?

Not only that.  But then I had to explain what the one zebra was doing to the other.  And why would they want play "leap frog"?
And then follows with .... "I can't wait to tell Ms. Cindy I saw zebras playing Leap Frog at the Zoo!"


 














And then there's Christopher.  Who evidently thought the gorilla statue was itching or picking his nose.  So he thought he'd help out.  Ohhhh Christopher....

Never a dull moment with the Topinka boys.

I threw a temper tantrum... And then I opened my eyes...

Yesterday I yelled at my kids a LOT.  They were being naughty and mean.  They would not stop fighting and screaming and whining.  I can handle the fighting.  But their screams that are ear piercing and the whining in their wimpy little whiney voices was almost enough to make Mary Poppins pick up a bottle of tequila.  And it was all over the dumbest stuff.  Christopher stole a cracker from Cash.  Cash sat down next to Christopher to color with him.  Choo-choo (the dog) put her tail on Cash's toes.  Mommy cut the PB&J in the middle instead of from corner to corner.
I looked around my little house and wondered how it became so messy.  I wanted to take a broom, sweep everything into a giant box, and throw it all away.  I even contemplated running away and never look back again.  But instead ... I put a hole through the wall, sat down on my bed, cried, and screamed into a pillow.  Hey, it stopped me from losing my cool and blowing up at my boys.  I just took it out on an innocent wall and pillow instead.

After my temper tantrum and my face dried, I went and dropped the big one off at school and put the little one down for his nap, and then I finally had the chance to turn on the TV.

That's when I started to see the first few pictures from Hurricane Sandy coming in and the fury the East Coasters were going through.  It left me mind boggled.  I sat on my couch in my warm, cozy, little, (and still messy) living room.  I looked around at my children's toys and at my fuzzy Uggs, watching TV, checking Facebook on my phone, drinking my Diet Coke.  All while people on the East Coast were trying to figure out how and when they were going to escape from the top of their rooves as the raging tides just took out everything they owned.  And at the people who evacuated their homes for a safe shelter only to find out that their entire neighborhood had been burned down.  And at the little ones, terrified as to what was going to come next and when they would have electricity again.  And then a story came on about two little boys having a slip over who were both killed by a fallen tree.  2. Innocent. Little. Boys. Sleeping.
And that's when my problems AGAIN ........... became so very small.
And that's also when ... for the first time that day ... I cried for somebody else.  Instead of feeling sorry for myself.






And then there's this.  Which I have no words for.  It is one of the most {insert adjective here} pictures I have seen yet...

To my East Coast blog readers (whenever you get internet again):  Please know that you are not alone.  You have the entire world praying for you and thinking about you every second.  As Robin Roberts always optimistically says: "This too, shall pass".  Hang in there.  And don't be afraid to reach out for help.  We are all here for you.

Eff You Allergies!!

I posted this last year. 

And I'm reposting it now.  My allergies were so bad the other night that my eyes literally swelled shut.

Dear Allergies-
I don't hate a lot of things ... but I hate YOU.  Please go away. You're not welcome here. I'd rather sport the Rudolph look closer to Christmas.
Atchoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Pissed off and ready to blow,
Amanda

---------------------

Poor Amanda had a runny nose,
that made her cough and sneeze.
It was quite red and sniffley,
because of her allergies.

Day and night her nose would run.
It caused her such disgrace.
Her biggest wish is that her runny nose,
would run right off her face.

14 Fabulous Fall Getaways (brought to you by....)

Eileen, from Taking the Kids along with help (input) from girlfriends at Family Travel Forum and Traveling Mom (my baby - sort of), have come up with a list of 14 favorite fall getaways.

What better way to see the beautiful leaves changing, smell some home-baked pumpkin goodies, see the Halloween Mickey spectacular, sample some local foods and brews, and soooo much more.

Check out the list HERE! You might just find something close to you that you didn't know about or have forgotten about ... or that you don't want to miss out on!

9/11 - The day my important events, became so small

If there is one day that I take the time to collect my thoughts, write, cry, and remember … it’s today.

11 years ago I woke up early to start planning and celebrating my (then) boyfriend (now, husband) and I's six month anniversary. I turned on the TV as I was blow drying my hair and saw the tragedy unfolding before my eyes.

Like most people, when the plane hit the first tower, I thought it was a terrible accident. And then it occurred to me … and Cale … and my roommate, Michelle … this was no accident.

It was then, that I realized that what movie I wanted to go see ... what restaurant I wanted to eat at ... and what outfit I was going to wear ... was no longer important.

It’s hard to imagine that on a morning – very much like the one today (clear, blue, beautiful skies) – eleven years ago, everything changed in the matter of 102 minutes. I remember feeling sort-of dumbfounded. The next few hours were spent in shock trying to comprehend what kind of person could hate another enough to do this kind of thing. It was impossible to comprehend the massive loss of life that morning. The terror the people on the aircraft felt knowing they were about to die. And the shock and confusion people in the towers felt when suddenly something came crashing through the window.

I don’t know anyone that lost their lives that morning, but for anyone who lived through that moment and the days and the weeks after, were impacted in some sort of way. The world literally stopped that day. I hope that for the generations too young – like my children and their children, and so on – will be taught to remember what happened on this day by their parents and teachers … to not forget.

Never forget doesn't mean that if we do, that history will repeat itself. At least that's not what it means for me. Never forget means to remember the 2,977 people who got up the morning, on a morning very much like today, and went to work, having no idea that their lives would be tragically cut short.

So many people were impacted by that disaster, and it took years to bring those responsible to justice. But through it all, one thing became undeniably clear - Americans are strong, resilient people, and we pull together in the toughest of times.

9/11 was a horrible day ... yes ... but something special also happened that day. A spirit of giving and of survival emerged as countless numbers of firefighters, police, paramedics and everyday people started running into harms way to help.

Please take a moment to remember all of those who died, but also remember the heroes of that day. The men and women who ran into harms way so that others could live. And lastly thank the Firefighters, Police & Paramedics who still willingly risk their lives for us everyday.

Although things will never be the same, once again we proved we're a nation of survivors. And that's why we're the greatest nation on earth.

Winners!! - Rubbermaid LunchBlox Giveaway

First of all ... thank you to everyone that entered this giveaway.  I honestly enjoyed reading everyone's responses.  This kit is definitely versatile for packing kid's lunches, lunch for work, picnics, travel lunch, etc.

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!  Congratulations to:

Entry# 274 - Jennifer P. with her entry for Voting for ME on Picket Fence

Entry# 42 - Mindy M. with her entry for following Rubbermaid on Twitter

Entry# 75 - Susan V. with her entry for following Rubbermaid on Twitter

If you see your name ... check your email for instructions.  You'll have 48 hrs to respond before I am forced to choose another winner.

Congratulations.  And thank you again to everyone who entered this awesome giveaway.


PS:  ANOTHER giveaway is starting shortly.  If you have kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc .... this is one you DON'T want to miss!

*SUPER HOT* FREE $40 Credit for New Users of Paper Coterie

If you are new to Paper Coterie, you can get $40 worth of FREE items and all you pay is shipping!
It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts.  With so many products to choose from like books, calendars, cards, home decor items, memory keepers, journals, planners, and more - you are sure to be able to do a one-stop shop for all those hard to please people in your life.

So what do you need to do?

• Register a new account HERE
• Click through the list of product(s) that peak your interest
• After choosing your product, customize it and then add it to your cart
• At checkout, use promo code Welcome2012 to get $40 off your order
• All you should have to pay for is shipping (and any extra leftover after you've spent the $40)

Some restrictions apply.  But not really.  Check it out to see what I'm talking about.

Enjoy!

Who Wants a FREE Journal?

Paper Coterie is a circle of friends - inwhich I am a part of - who are passionate about documenting the beauty of life well lived. Whether it's in a photo book, guest book, journal, or one of their custom personalized books, they'll help you capture the memories you want to save and share.

If you are new to Paper Coterie, meaning have never created an account with your email address, you can get a FREE journal from them as a thank you.

When you check out you will need to use coupon code: welcomejournal

Click here to check our their selection of journals:

These are REALLY high quality. They are not the cheaper kind you'd find from some of the other stationary places. Shipping was $11.31 for me, so kinda high as far as shipping goes .... but the $18 journal was free. For a Christmas, birthday, anniversary, etc present I would pay $11.31 for this quality custom journal for a someone special.
 
There are MANY designs to choose from and something for everyone. Whether it's a mini-artist that likes to doodle, a child learning to write, a tween/teen that needs to get some thoughts out, a mom who can barely remember her name - let alone a reminder to buy snacks for little league, or a Dad that has to write down what fantasy football league players he's recruiting. The uses are endless for this personalized, custom journal. So check it out today and don't forget to enter the code:  welcomejournal at checkout.

Rubbermaid Lunchblox Sandwich Kit {Review & Giveaway}

Do you remember the days when Mom (or especially Dad) would pack your sandwich in your sack lunch for school, put it in the baggy, and then when it came time for lunch – you had a nice, flat, warm sandwich and crushed chips to eat?

Or are you that parent now who packs their child(ren)’s lunch only for them to come home and whine that their sandwich was warm, their chips were crushed, and their grapes were warm AND crushed?

Or maybe you forget to put your lunch in the fridge once you arrived at work and now YOU are the one that has to eat the warm sandwich and fruit. Or maybe someone stacked their lunch on top of yours smashing all of your food.

Well … thanks to the new Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit you NEVER have to worry about that again!

The kit includes a specially designed Blue Ice™ pack that works with LunchBlox containers to keep lunches chilled on the go, which is really nice if you have things that need to be kept cool in your child’s lunch like, milk, yogurt, cheese, pasta, etc. My son has a very hard time eating the sandwiches I make for him once it comes time for lunch, because (in a whiney voice) "the sandwich doesn’t taste good unless it’s cold".

This kit also saves space in your child’s lunchbox and helps it stay organized because the containers snap together, allowing space to be saved. The Blue Ice pack easily snaps onto the bottom of the sandwich container so that it doesn’t freely move around in the lunchbox if you don’t want it to.

A sandwich fits well in the sandwich container and you also have two little snack containers and a regular sized snack container, that are proportioned perfectly for fruits, vegetables, cheeses or whatever it is your child enjoys munching on. Also a plus: the blox are microwaveable, dishwasher and freezer safe, and BPA-free! So not only are you saving money on baggies, you’re reusing containers that often can go with just a shake out or quick rinse … not even a full trip in the dishwasher.

I love the new Rubbermaid Lunchblox Sandwich Kit and we plan on using it for school, work, picnics, travel, and other family outings!







Buy:
You can easily check out Rubbermaids complete line of LunchBlox products by visiting them here.  The LunchBlox Sandwich Kit is currently available for purchase at Rubbermaid.com, Target, Kmart, Kroger, Safeway, Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie, HEB, other grocery stores and select Wal-Mart stores.
suggested retail value: $12.99 each

WIN!!:
Three winners will receive ONE Lunchblox Sandwich Kit for their back-to-school child (or for their selfish selves) ::wink wink:: Just kidding!

How?
Enter below via Rafflecopter either your login info or email (don't worry - I'm the only one that sees your email info).
This giveaway will end at midnight (CST) on Monday, September 10th.I will contact you via email.  You will have 24 hrs to respond back to me before a new winner is chosen.I'm sorry international peeps - but at this time, the giveaway is only for those living in the US and Canada and you must be 18+ to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As I've stated before ... I am a freelance writer, editor, and professional lunch packer.  I am for hire for the first two.  I was provided the product above for an honest review and I gave it. Unfortunately I was not monetarily compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Back-to-School Review: California Innovations Lunch Bag

It’s that time of year again … back-to-school time. Or in other words … back to homework. Back to new clothes shopping. Back to schedules. Back to setting the alarm clock earlier. And back to planning sack lunches. And if you’re like me, that’s one of the hardest parts of the whole back-to-school season. It’s hard trying to maintain that healthy balance of food choices vs. foods your kids will love - all while ensuring s/he is happy with how they’re carrying their lunch. 
That’s where California Innovations comes in.

California Innovations opened their doors in 1986 with a pretty simple idea: to make products that people love. And they’re doing just that. They focus on making great products that are unique, practical and have integrity.

This school year my little preschooler will be starting school in style with his new Eco-friendly Toy Story lunch bag. The high-density thermal insulation helps keep meals cool until lunchtime. And what’s in it for me? The ultra-safe easy clean lining with Microban that is PVC free and lead safe gives me one less thing to worry about when I’m sending the little man off to school.

We’re in the back-to-school zone and California Innovations is the way to go for sack lunches. With their wide variety of styles and designs, you’re sure to find one that fits your child.
Overall, I am thrilled with our new lunch bag and look forward to my boys carrying them for years to come! It is cute, trendy, durable, and more than anything - ensures that he has a perfectly fresh lunch each and every day!

That’s not all California Innovations carries though. There are many, many other fun and stylish cool lunch bags, coolers, hydration products, and even diaper bags. Their coolers and lunch bags are like nothing else out there. They are insulated for better performance, more versatile, and much easier to use. 
26 years after they opened their doors, they haven’t changed what they’ve done since the beginning – create the best soft-sided insulated products in the world.

Not only are their products great for back-to-school ... but they're also usefull for travel, work, sports, and play.
To check out the super awesome selection of California lunch bags and other products, be sure to visit their website.

Disclosure:  I am a freelance writer, editor, and professional lunch packer.  I am available for hire for the first two.  I was not monetarily compensated. Sample was provided by California Innovations PR reps at Truth Be Told, Inc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Exclusive Interview: Bethenny Frankel

Make sure to check out my one-on-one interview on TravelingMom with Skinnygirl mogul, bestselling fiction book author, and mom to a toddler: Bethenny Frankel.

She shares her tips and stories on traveling with her toddler, Bryn.


Check it out by clicking HERE.

Telling it like it is...

Cale and I watch the Olympics every night.  And we have really great, intelligent conversations about them.  Conversations like the one below as we're watching the men's rings-nastic thingies...


Me:  Holy crap ... look at his arms.  That's almost kind of disgusting.

Cale:  So you wouldn't like it if I were that big?

Me:  We are still talking about his arms, right?

Cale:  {makes a "you're an ass" face}

Me:  That is insane what they're doing! INSANE!!

Cale:  I could do that.  If we had rings, I could do that right now.

Me:  {rolls eyes} ... okay Mr. Manly Man.  Your arms would fall off.

Cale:  Psshh.  Yeah right.  But I would probably fart though.

Me:  Honey, at your age, you'd flat out shit your pants.


Gotta keep the romance alive somehow, you know?

[Disclaimer: No husbands or wives were harmed during this conversation. However, upon posting this, one wife may become missing]

A lie of a 4-year-old

My son will be 5 in three months.  While anyone that knows him would say he's 4 going on 20 ... he is still a four-year-old.  A loving, sweet, still-mispronounces-many-many-words, just learning to ride his bike without training wheels, still sucks his thumb, four-year-old little boy.

But lately ... we've been catching him in lies.  I say "lies" but it's one lie ... over and over.

Cash knows how to wipe his butt.  We taught him as soon as he started pooping in the potty at three.  So for nearly 2 years now, he's been wiping his own ass.  Until recently.  When we noticed that not until has he not been flushing after he pooped .... but there was no toilet paper in there. Not to mention the stains in his undies.

He said he "just forgot to".  So he'd been warned that if he doesn't start wiping his hiney ... he would have to stay in his room for the rest of the day. And that Mommy and Daddy WILL know if he's not wiping.

So a week ago, when he came out of the bathroom after a decent amount of time in there, Cale asked him if he wiped.  Cash told him he never even went poop, he was just in there peeing a long time.  Cash was smart in flushing the toilet so that we didn't know if he wiped or not.  But Cale could smell that Cash had just lied to him.  Now if the kid wasn't such a newbie at lying, he could've easily covered his ass (literally) and said: "Yes Daddy, I wiped" and Cale never would have known because Cash actually flushed the toilet for once.
But instead, he set himself up and didn't think that Daddy would get up and do the smell test.  [Repeat again a couple days later - the exact same thing]

While my heart breaks {and scares me to death} because it seems like "it's starting soooo young" ... it's still a teeny tiny little lie ... from a four-year-old boy who still needs a nightlight on and is too scared to walk down the dark hallway ... over wiping and pooping.

Things This Mom Says...

Add to the list: "Bet you won't do THAT again..."

Thanks to Shell over at: Things I can't Say ... who is a Mom of THREE boys ... I have made my OWN list of "Things This Mom Says."

1. How did a lego piece end up in your underwear?


2. Just because Mommy and Daddy say "Damn" all the time – does not mean it’s ok for you to.


3. No you can’t go to Target in just your t-shirt, underwear, and cowboy boots.


4. Please quit using my wine opener to drill a hole through that.


5. No you can’t sleep in the dog’s kennel.


6. If you keep touching it … you’re either going to go blind or it’s going to fall off.


7. Yes, I still love Daddy when he toots.


8. See that man over there [nodding my head in a certain direction] … I’m going to make him lick your arm if you don’t stop licking mine!


9. Did you just put baby powder on your brother’s head?


10. One of these days, that toilet seat is going to get stuck on your head.


11. I told you if you used Super Glue it would never come unglued. You’re lucky you only touched your toe.


12. What happened to the cereal that was in this unopened box of Cheerios?


13. No you can’t pee in the Walmart trash can!


14. You didn’t flush the toilet. On another note … I see poop but no toilet paper.


15. Your fishing pole is for the lake and the pond. Not the aquarium.

My boys are only 1 and 4.   I'm sure I’ll be adding to this list…..

UPS and Me

The big brown truck and me have a love/hate relationship.

I envy those guys in the poop outfits.  They are always fit.  They get like 203,840 weeks of vacation a year.  They get paid pretty well.  The wasps never seem to chase them.  And they get to meet some really cool people ......... like me.  Who couldn't find a bra but was SOOO excited to see the UPS man and didn't want him to leave and take my package with him - that I answered the door - floppy boobs and all it's glory.  Then screamed like a banshee because the wasps were chasing me.  Right into a big pile of steaming hot dog poo.  Not only did I look like an idiot running after him .... but I smelled like crap (literally).

Yes this is my drawing. No I don't have anything for sale (at the moment).

That's my luck.

But I got my package.  A new virus protector for my computer.  All that ... for a gosh dang download.

Part I of my Random Olympic Thoughts

I’ve always been a spontaneous thinker type of person. I just think of random shit that either confuses me … or makes me giggle out loud. Regardless, here are some of my most recent random thoughts purged onto my blog. And since the Olympics just started – I’m calling this Part I of my Random Olympic Thoughts…

　

　
No one competing in the Olympics has ever eaten at McDonalds … ever.

I'm pretty sure the Queen is contractually bind to not smile.

Ping Pong is evidently exhausting. They towel break after 6 points.

Whenever I’m dreading the laundry pile … I think about the 8mo pregnant lady from Malaysia competing.

I had to Google 39,595,940 of those countries during the parade to make sure NBC wasn’t fucking with me.

Olympic athletes keep getting hotter.

I sooooo wanted the Queen to say: "HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!!".

I have more blog followers than the population in some of the countries competing.

Pretty sure there was competition between Matt and Bob on who would have the dumbest commentary.

The Czech costumes in the Opening Ceremony just really confused me. Did it rain in London earlier? Is that why they were wearing the rain boots? Help me out here…

I’m curious if the USA’s outfits were actually made in the USA … or China. And when did berets = American? I thought that was France … no?

I have to go to bed early so that I can wake up in the middle of the night to watch the Olympics on Twitter.

Fencing would be a lot less boring if they used lightsabors.

NBC totally said "medalled" like it was a real word. LOL

The gymnasts do all these crazy tricks and flips but they can’t jump up and grab the bar on their own?

The athletes and their stories make me REALLY hate myself.

On a good note … gym memberships have to be going through the roof right now.

The starting "beep" sound makes me think the commentators are swearing.

　

Stay tuned for more….

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