Half-pint Gets Sick...Again...

It's been that kind of a holiday season for Half-pint. The weekend before Christmas the kids and I spent a few days at Grandma's house so I could utilize Grandma's help finishing a few homemade Christmas presents. The last night we stayed, Half-pint was hoarse and had a terrible night sleep. He joined Quarter-pint and I in the basement around 2 am, but neither Half-pint nor I slept very much...he was too uncomfortable and I was listening to his best sleeping Darth Vader impression. The next morning I promptly got him an appointment with the doctor so he could confirm what I already knew...croup. Then Half-pint generously shared it with me for Christmas! What a kid! A few days after the holiday I had full-on laryngitis (the adult version of croup).

It's taken three weeks to rid Half-pint of the residual cold after the croup (and I'm still working on getting rid of mine), and just as he was getting back to normal, his belly started to hurt, then his throat. So we headed off to the pediatrician again. The MD was surprised when the rapid strep test came back negative and informed me what I already knew: either the strep test would come back positive in a few days (after they grow the culture), OR he has a virus which means diarrhea is coming. The verdict is still out, but given the two options I'm praying for positive strep.

I knew Half-pint was really sick when (in a 3 day period) we missed or rescheduled: speech therapy, gymnastics, play dates, swim lessons and his friend birthday party, and he never put up a fight. So needless to say, we've been spending a lot of time on the couch in pjs watching movies. Thank goodness for the Movie Box! Quarter-pint is literally running laps around the house and I'm trying not to get whatever Half-pint has! Wish us luck!

Happy 5th Birthday Half-pint!!!

I had a hard time with this birthday...I realized that my little Half-pint (who's really not very little-50 lbs. and taller than my elbows) is starting "big kid school" in a few months. We have year round school, so he'll most likely begin early July-on MY birthday! Happy Birthday Mom, I'm off to Big Kid School. Thank goodness it's only half-day kindergarten! Enough of my whining...this post is about Half-pint.

It's amazing how your life changes the moment your first baby is born---and how it continues to change every day after that. Half-pint is such a blessing to our family. He consistently astonishes me-with the things he says, the concepts he understands, the compassion he shows, the ingenuity he displays, the tenderness of his heart, the joy of his spirit, the humor of his personality, and the creativity of his mind. He is a joy to all around him. He has a truly contagious smile-a flash of his adorable dimples and you can't help but smile back at him. He relishes in his role as big brother; and as all brothers, he sometimes wishes to relinquish that role. But he truly loves Quarter-pint; he's lost when they are apart (which, other than preschool, doesn't happen very often).

Half-pint likes to get Quarter-pint up in the morning so they can play together, or so Half-pint can show his brother something amazing he's recently discovered. I look forward to every discovery and epiphany that Half-pint experiences and shares with me.

Half-pint is still a momma's boy, but has bravery to support him through new events (like going to big kid school). He is fun--full of teasing and laughing, not to mention tickles. He is smart, clever, and happy. He is self-reliant, energetic, and helpful. He works hard at learning new things and often catches on quickly. He has a mind that easily figures out puzzles, patterns, and problems-just a week or so ago, he figured out how to get the hex key off the top of the door frame...he simply lobbed his toothbrush up and knocked it down-he was pretty pleased when his toothbrush came down along with it.

Half-pint is truly exceptional-not in a genius sort of way, but as a genuine kind of kid. Half-pint you are precious and delightful, strong and caring, beautiful and kind. We love you!!!

Happy Birthday Half-pint!

Half-pint Wants "Green Money"...

Half-pint has been talking about "green money" (i.e. bills, NOT coins) for some time now. The other night as I was on my way out the door for youth group, he told me about his grand plans:
"Mom! I know how to get green money!!!"
"How's that?"
"I want to sell lemonade! I can sell lemonade to get green money! Make me some lemonade so I can sell it tomorrow!"
It's been a warm November here in the inter-mountain west, but NOT lemonade stand warm!
"Where are you going to sell the lemonade?"
"On the street-outside-outside our house! What about flowers? Mom, you get some flowers on your way home tonight so people can pick the kind they like. I sell flowers to get some green money!"
"Who's going to buy your lemonade and flowers?"
"The people outside, going by."
"We live on a quite street, there won't be very many people. I have an idea...you can earn green money by helping me around the house...setting the table, picking up your toys, making your bed, that sort of thing..."
"No, I don't like that idea!!! I want to sell flowers and lemonade."

Quarter-Pint's "Marshmallow Power"...

Both the boys love cereal. One of the current favorites is Lucky Charms. They call it "Marshmallow Power". I don't think they even know the real name. A few days ago, Quarter-pint was really excited about "Marshmallow Power". He kept pulling it out of the pantry and getting a little bowl full. Like most kids, he eats the marshmallows and leaves the cereal. Fill, Eat, Repeat...

I was where I always seem to be when they begin their antics-at the kitchen sink-when Half-pint alerted me there was a problem in the family room. I was aghast to see Quarter-pint dumping the ENTIRE box of cereal out onto the sofa and floor. As I hollered at him to stop (before I could actually get to him), he proceeded to dump out the remnants. I quickly scooped him up as the last of the marshmallow dust was hitting the rug. The only "marshmallow power" he received was an expeditious trip to his room!

Half-pint Halloween...

This year, the Halloween season seemed to come earlier than ever before. I was shocked when the costume Half-pint was interested in was sold out in his size when I began the epic adventure of finding costumes for the boys-in mid-September! I thought, "we'll be able to find something...it's still early". Then, when I hit the search hard again in early October, I was stunned when literally all the costumes Half-pint was interested in were sold out in his size-even at the on-line stores. I was really feeling like a bad mother...I couldn't even find a costume for my little guy-what a slacker I was!?! (Quarter-pint's was easy...even got it at a discount at a consignment store...in mid-September.) After literally searching ALL the stores in the local mall AND the outlet mall with no luck we came home and hit eBay. I found one that he really liked, won the bid and we waited for it to arrive. When the green monster with 3 eyes (very adorable I might add) finally arrived, I could smell the stench of old cigarette smoke through the plastic packaging. I nearly pass out when I actually opened it! It went straight in the washing machine, but one trip through the wash cycle wasn't enough. Half-pint tried it on and to our utter horror, it was too small! I toyed with the idea of cutting it all apart, sewing hems on all the cuts and making a one-piece suit into three, but quickly decided that was entirely too much work. Luckily for Half-pint I got a great deal on-line on a pirate costume. I bought it with the intention of "dress up", but with the entire Halloween costume fiasco (which lasted a good 6 weeks) I decided to offer it up. He was thrilled and quickly decided that was the costume for him! Thankfully he's pretty agreeable about those kind of things!

(this little giraffe loves lollipops)

Then the week of Halloween, we were hit with a HUGE snow storm...HUGE...3 snow days from school-amidst 2.5 days of non-stop snow! (I nearly went CRAZY, especially because the timing of the storm was the first week back from a 2 week fall break!) Half-pint's Halloween party at preschool was postponed, and then cancelled due to the weather. The trunk'or'treat activity at church was a huge maybe right up until the 28th, and we were all praying that the weather would hold and the snow would stop in time for the actual holiday.

Thankfully, the snow let up and the weather warmed up enough that trick'or'treating was actually pleasant (I just wore a light weight jacket-no heavy coats!). The boys were excited about the annual tradition of trick'or'treating at Daddy's office. They get to see their cousins-that makes it really fun! Quarter-pint started to get the hang of the whole free candy thing. He loved it!

Then, on Halloween evening, we did more trick'or'treating at the church activity. All the way home, the boys ate as much candy as they wanted...it's it great to be a kid! We got pizza for dinner and Half-pint set his mind to man the door. By 5:30 he was sticking his little neck out the front door and yelling to anyone within earshot that we had candy and they should come to our door. He was actually soliciting trick'or'treaters!

I took the boys out in our neighborhood to fill their new candy bags (hand-made while waiting out a snow storm). When we came to houses with a bowl of candy on the porch, Half-pint would intentionally take candy he didn't like. I questioned him about it and was quite surprised at his response:

"You don't like that kind of candy."

"I know."
"You can pick a different kind, something that you like."

"I know, I want to take this one."

"WHY???"

"So I can sell it at home, to the kids who come to our door."

Wow, I was shocked...he understood it on some many levels...like we can take his candy and pass it out if our candy bowl runs out...what kid actually plans for that??? Is he a budding entrepreneuer?

As soon as we got about a block and a half away from home, Half-pint stopped going to doors to get more candy. He waited patiently on the sidewalk while I escorted little Quarter-pint to the door, then we headed home...we did not pass GO, just straight home. Half-pint was ready to eat his pizza and hand out some more candy. When we walked in the door, he quickly pulled all the "sell it" candy out of his bag-it went into the candy bowl by the door. He loves to man the door-even more than getting the candy himself (of course he has access to the entirety of our candy while manning the door-smart kid!)

So, Halloween was a success after all, despite the costume fiasco in September and the weather the end of October. They can't wait to do it all again next year!

Half-pint's Sayings...

Recently, Half-pint has said a few funny things...

A few days ago, while driving in the car, Half-pint was unusually quiet. When I asked him what he was thinking about, this was his response...

"What are you thinking about?"

"What we talked about this morning"-very matter of fact.
"We talked about a lot of things...which one?"-I honestly had no idea what he was referring to...
"I want to sell my money and buy new money."

"Really? What kind of money to do want???"

"Green money. I don't want coins."

That makes sense- "What will you do with your green money?" Now I'm pretty curious.

"Put it in my piggy bank"

Duh Mom!

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Today while at the grocery store I took advantage of the seasonal flu shot at the pharmacy. I had the boys get flu mist about 6 weeks ago, and Daddy got a flu shot at work, so it was just me left...and I kept forgetting to make an appointment. The boys were not waiting as patiently as I would have liked, but when it came time for the pharmacist to actually administer the shot, both boys were quite still. Just as the needle touched my arm, Half-pint yelled "Mom!!! RUN!!! Run from the shot!!!" He was quite serious and worried for me. It's a bummer that he'll have his kindergarten well check in a few short months-that means shots! Poor kid! He has no idea what's coming!

Quarter-pint Makes A Mess...

***WARNING***

***THIS IS A POTTY TRAINING POST***

About a week ago, around lunch time, Quarter-pint took his shirt off. I was a little surprised, but didn't think much of it. A little while later, he took his pants off. Still didn't think much of it-my boys like to take their clothes off (see past posts about this topic). About 2:00 I found Quarter-pint playing in the bathroom. To my surprise he was completely naked, sitting on the cold tile floor playing with his little potty. To my horror he was sitting in a puddle of pee. As I began to clean up the floor, he sat on his potty, peed, and then tried to empty the bowl from the little potty into the toilet...and he missed. That meant more pee on the floor. I quickly put his naked little body into the tub so I could clean the pee off the floor-and to keep him contained, if only for a few minutes. While I went to work on the floor, Quarter-pint pooped in the bathtub. As I began to freak out at the situation, he then accidental stepped in it. I couldn't believe the whole scenario! Needless to say, as soon as I had Quarter-pint wiped down, the bathtub cleaned up and the floor taken care of-the boys were promptly put into the (clean) bathtub upstairs. Oh, the joys of precious little boys!