Confessions

I admit, I let my son play Mario Party on the wii. In fact, he knows what many of the characters say when they win. Now that I've confessed I will get on to the story.

I just told my son that he could play Mario Party. His face lit up in excitement! He exclaimed, "I love you mom!" I told him that I loved him too. Then he made a circle with his arms and told me that he loved me more than the world. I replied that I loved him more than the world!

My son's face became serious. He said, "I do care about the world more than you mom. But I do care about you."

(= LM

Funny Comments from a Four Year Old

I love my son. He brings me joy and laughter every day. I a recent comment that I would like to share in the hopes that it will bring a smile to your face!

My son just said, "Mom, I just tasted an egg burp!" I said, "eww, sorry!" He replied, "No, it was a delicious egg burp."

(= LM

My baby is growing up!

My son is the most wonderful little creature in the world. This morning we were in the bathroom getting ready and he said, “Remember when I swallowed Dad’s apple?” My thoughts grew worried because on more than one occasion I have found an apple peel stuffed somewhere in his room. I asked him what apple he was talking about. He replied, “Remember you told me that the bump in my neck was caused by eating Dad’s apple and now I’ll be a big and strong man?”

(= His dad’s name is Adam.

LM

DIY Washing Machine Repair = Fail

One day I was doing laundry and noticed there was water on the floor. Truthfully I was not doing laundry but when my husband pointed it out there was indeed water on the floor. The washing machine was also full of water and wet clothes. Judging by the sticker it was only around five years old so I was determined to fix it.

Thank you to Tsu Dho Nimh for helping me diagnose the problem.

I am pretty sure that the tube is loose or there is a problem with the pump. I have repaired computers numerous times. I had no doubt that I could repair a washing machine. I took every screw out of that washing machine and the thing would not open.

I refused to read the manual so my husband put the screws back in after we spent over forty dollars at the laundry mat. My DIY Washing Machine Repair equals fail. (=

Prime Color Lesson plus Bath Incentive

I have found an ingenious way to teach my son his prime colors while encouraging him to take a bath. My four year old son hates taking baths. He does not like water and fights us at most bath times. I actually got him excited to get into the bath by taking out the food coloring. After a quick correction, he should not eat the water just because it had food coloring in it, he jumped right in the bath. He did an experiment and saw hands on that blue and red make purple. I told him we would combine red, blue, and yellow in subsequent baths. My fingers are crossed that this can keep his interest and help him become more comfortable in the bath!

What have I done? Back to school rap.

There is less than one month before I start my part-time MBA program. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. One day I will record my raps but for now you will just have to imagine a smurf sounding voice busting out these rhymes, yo.

Little boy you have to realize that mommy has to work and go to school.
Managing my employees, signing up for soccer mom, yes I am a fool.

Our lives will be disrupted but it will be less than three years.
Work hard to improve your life and we must both ignore our fears.

No name brands, cable is gone, we have to watch our budget closely.
This is character development son, I really believe that - mostly.

Stop asking for a little sister sweetie, there is no way in hell.
Unless you can magically come up with thousands of dollars worth of things to sell.

I know you are only four years old but please try your best to be supportive of me.
The guilt is already killing me, but in the end I am sure you will see,
I promise it will all work out and this is the best thing for our family.

AYSO soccer verses ICP Hatchetman

I have a delimma. Recently I traded in my fast, stick shift, cute, little red sports car for a mom-mobile. That was so hard. Now I am faced with how to decorate the ugly hatchback that gets good miles per gallon and has enough room for sports equipment.

My baby sports car had no decorations as none were needed. A young redhead with a hot red car said enough. Man, I loved that car.

I do feel that my new car needs something. It is so plain and I cannot keep trying to unlock other people's cars. This brings me to my delimma.

I have narrowed the decoratation to two choices. I could accept my fate and put the AYSO soccer sticker on it. It might even make the people that know me smile. The other choice is the ICP hatchetman. I could settle for a Tool or NIN sticker, or even make my own design but I am torn between the two extremes.

My introduction to the world of freelance writing.

My introduction to the world of freelance writing. Stay with me, I do get to the topic! (=

I was not planning on having my wonderful son so soon so I did not have a lot of money saved up before his birth. I work very hard so that he can attend a Montessori preschool. He is under responsive to proprioceptive input so I feel this is the best environment for him. You can read some articles I've written about it on Associated Content.

This is the story of how we learned he had some sensory issues.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1614275/underresponsive_to_proprioceptive_input.html

I had never heard of this before so I wrote an article explaining some of the signs and symptoms of proprioceptive dysfunction. All of the information is based on research and my personal observations.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1681720/signs_and_symptoms_of_proprioceptive.html

For other moms that are going through this I published a list of exercises that we do with our son to help minimize the symptoms.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1695308/ways_to_help_children_that_are_under.html

In his Montessori school they are able to help him manage his condition while teaching him the appropriate outlets for when he is having sensory problems. This comes with a hefty price tag though. In my opinion it is totally worth it.

I am going back to school to get my MBA so in essence we are adding two college tuitions to our lives right now. I tried many side jobs to avoid going into debt. When I found freelance writing I knew I had found something special. I make a little extra money while enjoying a creative outlet.
I am not a professional writer but I like to think that I have been and will continue to improve. I have found many great resources through Associated Content.

Here are some very helpful links that I've found along the way.

Barefoot Scribbles - http://thebarefoot.wordpress.com/

Web Writers - http://webwriters.ning.com/

Accentuate Writers Forum - http://www.accentuatewritersforum.com/files/

LM (=

Tips for surviving a wedding with a four year old

Tips for surviving a wedding with a four year old:

- Teach them yoga. If they become wild have them show off the tree pose.

- Don't be afraid to use the phrase, "I'm the mom" as many times as you need to and to whomever needs reminding.

- After they are dressed and before pictures make them get naked before eating.

- Use the wedding cake as incentive for good behavior.

- Let family and friends watch them but keep an eye out for anyone sneaking them sugar.

- Let them pee on a tree before the ceremony. Otherwise they will swear they don't have to go until the vows are being read. (This might only work for boys.)

- Ignore all nasty looks and snarky comments. You are providing an alternative method of birth control for the bride and groom.

LM

Morning rap

Here is a little rap for your enjoyment!

Could it be the milk on your table or your sticky hands
that make the morning so long?

Or is it the battle of the clothing, the matching socks
that has inspired this song?

My son I love you and I want to encourage your independence.
But it is summer dear, no sweaters and underwear is required for attendance.

Dad you're not helping by suggesting he wear his transformer pajama pants to school.
I know it isn't a fashion show but wearing his Tony Hawk outfit makes him look so cool!

Brushing your teeth is a requirement sweetie, it is not mommy being mean.
You already get away with three baths a week even though I'd like you to be clean.

Oh and since when have you hated bananas especially in your cereal?
Seriously love your breakfast demands will not become imperial!

Alpha Female

I have decided that I will become the alpha female in my house. Our dog is so sweet to my son. She licks him and treats him like a pup. The dog listens to my husband and follows him every where he goes. After speaking with a dog trainer this weekend I've realized that our dog is mean to me because she thinks she is the alpha female.

Behaviors that indicate that our dog thinks she is the alpha female:

When I sit next to my husband she comes and barks at me nonstop. When possible she jumps up and tries to wedge herself between us.

When I get out of bed to hit snooze in the morning, our dog jumps into bed, takes my spot, and snuggles with my husband.

She will not listen to commands from me. If my husband says the same command she immediately does it.

She humps me. It is not pleasant.

So Operation Take Back Alpha Female starts today. Watch out dog, you're not going to get treats from me for just being cute anymore!

LM

Four Year Old Jokes

Today my four year old son had a variety of jokes.

uh-oh, hope he isn't becoming an axe murderer joke:
s: Why did the marshmallow mouse cross the road when there were so many cars?
me: I don't know, why?
s: Because he wanted to be crushed by the cars.
me: That isn't a funny joke.
dad: That is pretty funny.

cute jokes:
s: Why did the mouse cross the road?
me: I don't know, why?
s: Because he wanted to get his walnut!

s: Why did the house fly?
me: Why?
s: Because he was a rocket ship!

Grasshopper, you are almost there!

The dog has almost become a successful grasshopper hunter. My husband and my son go out with their nets and catch bugs to feed the animals. It is beyond cute! The grasshoppers are quick little things so we've been training our dog to eat them if they get loose.

She is getting pretty good!

LM