From where I sit at the laptop, I can see into the backyard and can see the boys playing. Yesterday, however, I was sitting at the table with a friend when I hear the outside faucet go on. I yell out the window, "turn it off! It's only 55 degrees!" The two outside turn off the faucet. A few minutes later, Bear walks in and says, "Mom, Beav's totally naked out there." What!?!?! I look out the window and see him, t-shirt on, pants off, naked from the waist down, waving back at me.
"Welcome to my house," I said to my friend, who is cleaning up from her Danny Thomas-style spit-out when she, too, saw what was going on.

The Fine Art of Procrastination

There are various methods by which one can avoid a task. One can take up another task; start a fun project; play with the kids; sleep; simply ignore the work that needs to be done. Another great method is verbalizing how awful the task is going to be--that is, loudly complaining and whining about it--like, for hours. Now while I am a procrastinator, my method is pretty low-key: the children. They constantly will interrupt a task, so sometimes if I'm dreading it, I joyfully abandon the task in favor of a game of CandyLand or a great knock-knock joke. However, when it comes right down to it, if it needs to be done, I get it done without much complaining (save the juice-spilled floor--that one I do complain about. I mean, could it really be spilled twice each day? Really?). By the way, there are sub-procrastinating ways, too. One might do a more tolerable task, or one that is likely to be completed quickly when there is a big task waiting to be finished. In fact, the sub-task is usually done in the middle of the big task. The sub-task is also quite unnecessary. Like when putting away dishes (which I don't like doing), fix a little snack. Or instead of cleaning the garage-the front step gets hosed off. So, my dear, when you had two and a half-hours to get a 20-minute task done, there is no room for complaint. Just get up and get it done.

More than words....

Here's a list of songs and my mistaken understanding of their words, so far. By the way, I will probably continue to add to this list.
"Man in Motion"
Jenny's take: "wanna be your man in motion, underneath this pair of wheels"
Real words: "wanna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels"

"Chattanooga Choo-Choo"
Jenny's take: "Suddenly-aaaay....I used cacoughany phase"
Real words: "Satin and lace, I used to call 'Funny Face' "

"I'm a Believer"
Jenny's take: "when I needed sunshine on my brain"
real words: "When I needed sunshine I got rain"

The real sad part of this is that I only recently discovered the real words--like, in the last 5 years or so. Anyone else want to 'fess up to this?
Here's a fun website to look at other people's interpretations of lyrics:
http://www.kissthisguy.com/

Calgon, take me away--again.

Ever have those 5-15 minutes where all hell breaks loose? Like when you head to bathroom for some "time alone," only to hear that 3-letter word 20 seconds later?
"MOM!" comes the shout from outside the door.
"What." I try to say calmly, not wanting to answer, but knowing if I don't, he'll only say it again.
"Come quick!"
"Why."
"I've spilled the juice!"
Oh, bother--well, not being able to exactly leave my post, I must give instructions on how to deal with this. Thankfully, by the way, the dog was cheerfully outside, eating her weight in sticks.
"Get the towel from the kitchen and throw it on the spill. I'll be out in a minute."
Then here it comes.
"But I want more juice!"
Did he just say what I thought he said? "Oh you don't even want to ask that right now. I'll be out soon."

Now, this was just part of the plan for the day. You see yesterday, Dad thought it would be a good idea to give the boys White Castle for lunch yesterday while I was at work. I told him later, "Now we're having black bean soup for dinner. Do you want this to happen?" because he knows full well what I'm talking about. "Oh sure, " he says, "after all they'll be on spring break." Little did he know we'd be at Target 18 hours later. And while I made sure everyone hit the bathroom before we left, we still had to make not 1, not 2, but 3 trips to the bathroom. 1 for one child, 2 for another. The 3rd remains strangely untouched by yesterday's menu.

Why is the bathroom such an interesting topic? I never was too obsessed with bathrooming until I had children, and now my life seems to revolve around who has peed, who has pooped, or who needs to, who wants to and when will I have time to go? Even now that we have a dog, it is moreso, because now I get to think about when the dog needs to go, where the dog has gone, and when the dog will need to go again.
How strange my life has become. But it sure is entertaining when I step back to look at it.

A boy and his dog

I walked by the window to see Buzz and his dog running around the backyard. He was laughing so hard, his face was red. It was pure joy. Both of them were having such a good time together, I had to snap a few pictures. What a happy sight!

It's in their blood!

Welcome, Bear and Beaver to the Sauerkraut-eating, Mustard-loving, Bratwurst-bearing family. The other night you joined your Dad, myself and your older brother in a most German of meals. I told you it was in your blood--eventually, you would like grainy mustard and sauerkraut and a really good bratwurst (Kenrick's homemade, of course), because both sets of great-grandparents, grandparents and your parents love it. Your older brother joined us a few years ago, and while you both chose to drag it out, I knew you'd come around sooner or later.
Vilkommen!

Pax vobiscum

Well, you learn something new everyday. Today at church I learned about the "pax vobiscum," or "peace be with you." When Jesus appears to the disciples after Easter, he meets them in the locked room. He passes through the wall, according to the Word, and the first thing he says is "Peace be with you."
The liturgy has this, too. Our pastor posed the question about where this should be in the liturgy and why. Some said it should be at the beginning of the service, some said at the end, and mostly everyone agreed that having in its current place, in the middle of the service was a strange place for it. It's almost like a commercial break--a social time for people to get up, wander about, stretch and offer hands and hugs. I have to admit, it does seem like a strange place for exchanging greetings of peace.
Then pastor illuminated me. He pointed out that the moment we offer greetings is the moment after the eucharistic prayer in which Jesus joins us bodily in the service. How appropriate, then. The words of institution are spoken, Jesus is present in the sacrament, and we greet each other "Peace be with you," just like he did. I had never thought of it like that, but I understand, now. It gives the communion feast all the more importance and meaning to me.
I enjoy learning the "whys" about the liturgy--there are times when I don't know why we do what we do, but once I learn, it makes more sense. I think I get more out of it, too. Rather than just going through the motions, I get more presence of mind about being at church and with God.

Happy Birthday, Beav!

Today is your birthday, Beaver. You're such a big boy--wow! 5 years old! Mom and Dad can hardly believe that we have a 5-year old around again. You have had such a great year, being 4, and now that you're 5, it'll be another great year, too: full of fun, surprises, learning new things, some tears, and definite joy. I remember the day you were born so clearly, and yet can sometimes feel like those baby days are so short, they're almost foggy memories, now. But now you're a big boy, growing, laughing and learning everyday. Mom and Dad have truly been blessed by God, and he has loaned us such a precious gift in you. Happy Birthday, Beaver!