Oh, Boy!

I've never had an issue with correct anatomical terms, and I certainly don't have a problem with my kids using them properly.  It is what it is.  A penis is a penis; a vagina is a vagina.  I'd much rather have them calling it like they see it instead of giving their parts endearing or weird titles.  It may be the nurse coming out in me, but I really don't want my kids to be uncomfortable or embarrassed when they need to reference reproductive organs in actual, serious conversations someday.  And believe me, everyone at some point in their life will need to have an actual, serious conversation regarding sex organs. So at our house, words like scrotum, uterus, and nipple are just normal words like leg, arm, and nose.

That being said, I also grew up in a house full of boys.  I know that in the ordinary day-to-day life of a male, it isn't normal to say "testicles" or "scrotum".  It just isn't.  I don't want my son to be naive either, so I think it's important for him to know a few of the slang terms also (at least the ones that are least offensive).  When he asks about terms he's heard, I honestly (and sort of maturely) define things for him and then tell him when and if it is ever appropriate to say those things.  So far it's mostly worked pretty well for us.  However, sometimes E doesn't always fully understand...or she has penis envy.

Case in point:  While they were wrestling the other day, E shouted out, "Mom, J just kicked me in the nuts!"

Party Rock is in the House Tonight

Everyday I'm snorkeling.

 

Five Signs That Your Mom May Be Sick

**  You've made yourself corn dogs...twice...before 11:00 am.  (Corn dogs!?!  Gross.)

**  You ate those corn dogs wherever you pleased, and your mom knew about it and didn't even care.  (Tables are overrated, right?)

**  There seems to be no limit to how much Gatorade or hot chocolate you are allowed as long as you can get it yourself.

**  You were playing on the stairs with the scooter for at least ten minutes before your mom realized it and made you stop.  (Safety first, people!)

**  You've been asked to turn down the volume on the computer, TV, and iPod several times but never once have you been told to turn them off. 

He Wants to Learn Even When He's Sick

We've had enough screen time in the past three days to last us for the next month.  What else is there to do when the harsh coughing keeps us all from sleeping?  While some of us are watching mind-numbingly stupid (stupid, stupid!) shows like The Bachelor, others in the house choose shows about ancient Jerusalem.  J was so genuinely excited about it too. 

J:  I'm watching an outstandingly cool show.  It's about ancient Jerusalem.  The facts are awesome!

Once again, my six-year-old son has proved to be more of an intellect than me.  I'll grow up someday...maybe.

Influenza Sucks

A confirmed case of Influenza A apparently isn't a photo-worthy moment...

 

J: Are you taking a picture?  Really, Mom?  Now?  In the doctor's office?  Oh, for crying out loud!

The Perfect Shot

Sometimes capturing that perfect shot takes a lot of work...

 

 

 

especially when your subject doesn't want to cooperate. 

 

 

Coaching Ain't Easy

 

 

Along with a fantastic break from school and work, all of our usual activities came to a temporary halt over the holiday season as well.  Well, we can't be on break forever (darn!), so we've jumped back into the swing of things.

 

A new activity this year for J is basketball.  He loves basketball and enjoys watching it.  However, he's still finding his comfort zone on the court. 

 

After last night's game he broke down in tears in the car:

 

J:  (sobbing) I don't think I played very well.  I had to fight back the tears when I was playing.  I almost cried.

 

Steve (a first year coach):  Me too, buddy.  Me too.

 

There's a big learning curve going on at our house right now...for the player and the coach.

Snack Time

 (luke warm) hot chocolate

 

with a side of marshmallows

Loco for Legos

A Page Turner

I thought he was sleeping.  

He should have been sleeping.

 I didn't have the heart to make him turn out the lights after he excitedly reported, "I only have two chapters left!" 

A good book is worth losing sleep over...even if it's a school night.

Crashed!

Problem Solved

Problem:  Reading books in a dark car

 

Daddy's solution:

 

An Attempt at the Record

With the BCS National Championship game being played now and the Super Bowl just right around the corner, one would think that it's almost time to put away the football for the season.  But the truth is, there's never an off season around here.  

There's always catch to be played, a record to be broken.

The paparazzo and her camera were too great of a distraction tonight, so the consecutive catch record, held by J and his Grandpa S, remains unbroken at an impressive 459 catches.

I'm sure he'll be begging to try again tomorrow.

Captive Audience

No posing here.

100% authentic.

I was blessed to find E "reading" a story to her favorite listener, Squishy Bear.

Again my heart goes pitter patter.

Saturday Morning Entertainment: Mt. Pillows

Dress for Success

Dressed in a dress. 

 

This is E's preferred style of clothing regardless of the weather. 

 

She was delighted when I slipped this little number over her head and said, "This will look fantastic on the beach this summer!" 

 

Quickly responding in a correcting tone, she said, "This looks fantastic right now."

 

That it does, little miss.  That it does.

 

So with her fantastic dress,

 

 

uncombed locks,

 

and the PBS Kids website,

 

 

she carried on with her ordinary day.

 

All in a day's work...

if you're E.

Technical Difficulties

I've been capturing more of the ordinary, but for some reason I'm not able to upload any photos to Blogger unless they're off my phone.  There's no "Browse" icon to click on.  Anyone else having this problem?

Chocolate

We found the golden ticket!

 

We finished the book this afternoon, so we're enjoying one heck of a chocolate party at our house tonight.

 

 

It's a good thing we didn't have any lofty resolutions related to better nutrition.  We're just going to look like Augustus Gloop after we're done eating all of this.

 

 

The only thing better than this would be a river of chocolate.



Every Single Day

Lost in his imaginary football world of games and leagues,

 our boy makes countless trips up and down the short hallway

every

single

day.