The Weekend Update

***UPDATE***

 It appears that something I wrote was terribly, and totally misunderstood.  I hope not everyone took it that way.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, then GOOD!  I changed it and we can all move on! :)

As I woke up this morning, all I wanted was to be back at my mother-in-law's house hanging out by the pool with the kids.  It was nice watching the kids play with their daddy and Aunt Lisa.  Nate had the best time and he deserved it.  You see, late Saturday morning began the long, and painful torture of Nate Trenary (and parents).  We (smart parents that we are) took Nate on a boat for a 3 hour wedding and celebration.  The wedding was lovely, and Bryan and Sonyia looked like the happiest people alive!  On the other hand, Nate looked like a little crazy person and Randy and I looked like two sweaty, exhausted parents. Ha!  Who would ask a feisty 2 year old to behave in a small space, with nothing to do, without a nap for hours and hours...that would be US!  As you can see, we didn't think it through...at all.  So after an "almost" fall down the stairs, an outburst during the ceremony, fits being thrown in front of everyone, refusing to eat, peeing all in my shoes, on my dress, and his pants, we made it out alive!  Nate was asleep in the car before we even left the parking lot!

But, things turned out just fine.  Once the boys were back at their MeMe's house swimming, all was good.  Zachary stayed under the water most of the time, while Nate finally decided to get in the pool!  He loved it and kicked all around for hours.  In the evening, Zachary got to watch Monsters vs Aliens 3D on his Poppy's new TV.  The effects were so cool. :)

It turned out to be a nice weekend.  Now back to reality :) But Z will be out of school soon, and I'm looking forward to the freedom that summer will provide!

Why are they doing this to me?

Randy and Nate at the back of the boat after having to leave the ceremony.

 

Zachary had a good time!

Finally...some fun!

This is the first time Nate has actually enjoyed the pool. ;)

Zachary in his element!

Daaaaaaad! 

Go, Nate, Go

c-c-c-c-c-cold

The boys making pancakes with MeMe.

Nate was loving it!

1...2...3...4...5...6.........

There's nothing like thinking your 2 year old has taken to potty training so easily, to only discover that the honeymoon is OVER!  Today for instance, he has wet his pants over and over again all day.  The only time he went in the potty was when were out running errands.  I guess we will be going back to taking him to the restroom every 20 to 30 minutes...no exception!  It is just so frustrating. I feel like I am constantly cleaning up puddles and washing clothes. Not to mention, when he does "make it" to the potty he seems to spray all over the toilet, bathroom floors, walls...you name it and he has "hit" it! 

His behavior has also gone down hill this week...why me???  Nate has been hitting me quite a bit.  And NO, I don't allow it, I don't stand for it, and YES, he is punished.  He is hard headed and very stubborn...the strong willed child.  He usually starts hitting when he is being put into his car-seat.  He wants to get in by himself, which is fine, but he also "wants" to explore anywhere and everywhere in the car before getting in his seat.  And he doesn't like to be told "no"!  So, when he is asked to get into his seat and doesn't comply, I have to "help" him.  That's when he gets sooo ugly.  Deep breath...this too shall pass.

You know, I used to think that Zachary didn't throw fits in public because I wouldn't allow it.  I used to think that he never hit or tried to bite me because I wouldn't allow it.  I used to think that he did what he wad told, because that is what I expected.  Guess I used to think that he did so well because I was a good parent.  Boy has Nate taught me a thing or two. :)   Kids are people too...guess I had forgotten that.  They have their own personalities...some are more likely to rebel, throw fits , question authority and on and on.  Others are more likely to "go with the flow", do what is expected and not ask too many questions.  It is what it is!! 

I think the earlier you "know" your child, the sooner you can begin parenting them in the way that best fits their own individual needs.  So I know Nate is going to challenge me, it is my job to be consistent and to discipline in a way that will teach him what is expected, as well as what he will need to know for the future.  He will rebel, but he will learn what is right and that will one day pay off...right?  

But for today, I'm just breathing deep and counting to ten.  1...2...3...4...5...6.......

Yes...this is a fit!!  You might have even seen this one if you were at the PC Carnival. ;)

Love you Nate!!

The Path

The Path

wilting

falling away

floating, flipping, flying through life

wondering where to go, what to see, how to find

to find that dream

the dream that lives inside

burning

burning day and night

a light that shines more than others

bright, brighter, brightest

flash

fade

forget

falling away

wilting

Monday Munchie

Got the munchies?  No?  You must be crazy...I always have the munchies.
A comfy couch + bad TV + something to munch on = one HAPPY girl!

Here is a great (and quick) recipe that I got from my mom.  It was given to her in the form of a Christmas gift this past year.  We LOVE it and believe it or not, it's not as HOT as you would think!  I just made them for the Faculty Meeting at Zachary's school tomorrow.  Give it a try and enjoy. :)

Firecrackers

3 sleeves of crackers
1 ½ cups canola oil

2 tsp. garlic powder 

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 pkg dry ranch salad dressing

1 tsp. black pepper

2 ½ tsp crushed red pepper

Mix all ingredients except crackers. Place crackers in gallon jar. Pour mixture over crackers. Seal jar and roll jar about 20 times to coat crackers. Enjoy!

Love Like Crazy

I heard this song today for the first time, and I like it...a lot.  Pray hard, love hard, and work hard...sounds like the recipe for success.

Love Like Crazy

Lee Brice

They called them crazy when they started out
Said seventeen's too young to know what loves about

They've been together fifty-eight years now

That’s crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week

He bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street

Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed

Yea that’s crazy

Just ask him how he did it; he'll say pull up a seat

It'll only take a minute, to tell you everything

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You

Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common since

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy

They called him crazy when he quit his job

Said them home computers, boy they'll never take off

He sold his one man shop to Microsoft

They paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it

He'll tell you faith and sweat

And the heart of a faithful woman,

Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You

Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common since

Never let your prayin knees get lazy

And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady

Never get to old to call her baby

Never let your prayin knees get lazy

And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out

They've been together fifty-eight years now

Aint that crazy?

What's in a Name?

Randall: (origin-German) wolf shield, handsome, intellectually successful

Lynda: (origin-Spanish) variant of Linda- pretty one (hahahahaha)

Zachary: (origin-Hebrew) derived from Zechariah- God has remembered

Nathan: (origin- Hebrew) God has given; gift of God

That Didn't Just Happen...Did It?

In a prior post, I shared that Nate was potty training and doing great...better than great.  The only problem is that he wouldn't poop in the potty. (Yes...most of you don't care about this, so feel free to stop reading now.)  Well, yesterday, I left him with a sitter for a few hours and he did it!  He just told her he had to go and went like a big boy.  I couldn't believe it.  I even asked if she could come back today! ;)

That was going to be my big exciting post for today (not that anyone but me actually cares about it), but NO...an event happened today that totally overshadows that news...a very horrible and disturbing event!!

Zachary had a Sing-a-Long performance at school today.  He has been so excited about it all week.  He kept telling me that he was singing a solo.  I couldn't believe it...well, I shouldn't have, because what he meant was that he was standing in front of the microphone with two other kiddos.  Which is totally cool, but very different.  Anyways, he was very excited.  He kept telling me to make sure I was there on time. :)  I'm rarely ever late, so I thought that was funny.

Nate and I arrived 30 minutes early and got in line outside of the school.  Nate was running around and refusing to listen to me.  You know, acting like a toddler without a nap.  After about 15 minutes he walks over to me and says "poop".  After confirming that he really had to go, I asked the dad behind me to save my spot and I headed into the school with Nate on my hip.  I open the door to the school and ALL the students were heading to the assembly.  I couldn't "break through" their lines to get to a restroom.  AND THEN IT HAPPENED!  I felt this warm feeling down my arm and could faintly hear the word "poop" in my ear.  The look on my face must have been horrible, because a teacher  immediately asked if I was ok.  I just blurted out the word "restroom".  She pointed and I ran. 

By the time we made it, there was poop all down his legs, sliding down my arm and now in my hand...my hand people...my hand!  Imagine, half  Elmer's school glue and half Elmer's paste (remember that paste with the little stick?)...OMG!  It was everywhere.  I can't even describe how horrible and gross it was.  I couldn't get it off of him and everything else.  I had no wipes...I had left the bag in the car...what???  Did you know that toilet paper will not get this type of poop off of anything?  I think I finally just massaged the poop into his skin, washed us up the best I could, which wasn't very well, and then headed out to get back in line. (Something else horrible took place, but I can't admit what it was...I was panicked...you do crazy things.)  The line was already moving, so I guess we had been in the bathroom for about 15 minutes. 

I smelled, he smelled, and there we were smiling at Zachary while he sang as if nothing had happened.  That's how much I love you Zachary.  I really wanted to leave, and the fact that I started crying about 5 minutes into the clean up didn't help!!  But we stuck around, recorded the performance and took you home a few minutes early.  (If you are reading this Mrs. Stagg, don't worry, I washed my hands really well before using your pen to sign Zachary out of school...I promise!!) :)

There is no moral to this story and nothing to be learned...though wipes and a change of clothes would have been nice...hahahahahaha!  So I guess there is something to be learned!!

I'm still mortified thinking about it all.  That didn't just happen...did it?