I need to edit that last prayer!

My husband was tucking my daughter into bed and saying prayers with her when he said:

"God, please help HC to be a good listener and to say 'Yes ma'am or Yes sir' when we are teaching her."

He continued the prayer and then said Amen.

HC says: 'Dad, can you please tell God I DO say Yes Ma'am and Yes sir!'

Husband says: 'Ok'

HC says: 'Ok, so tell him'

Husband then told God that HC does say yes ma'am and yes sir.

I love it!! My daughter is such a character, she keeps me laughing.

Childishness

What came first? The chicken or the egg?

I have been wondering why my son seems to find Adventure so often and then it hit me. I would never let my 2 year old daughter go into another room without me. Sure, maybe for a minute but not for 10 minutes or so. I hovered over her ALL the time because she was my first and I was a little too interested in every move she made!

My son isn't rebellious. He has a love for life and is very spunky. But so is my daughter and she seems to stay clear of these mishaps. I now realize I give my little man freedoms he isn't ready for and then - WHAMO! He finds something he shouldn't find! So my son is just a normal curious 2 year old. But I have let down my guard and as a result.... he 'appears' to be mischievous.

Several of you asked if I lost it. I actually did not. I was shocked and felt a little deflated but I couldn't be angry at this 2 year old boy peering up at me saying 'I did it'. Of course he was corrected, and told not to touch pens/markers or draw on the walls, but I felt as though I was wrong somehow and not him. I let him down. I let his almost 4 year old sister supervise him so I could get a few things done.

His was a childish act and not foolish. Childish = an innocent mistake that is provoked by their lack of knowledge or understanding. Foolish = choosing to try something while knowing the act is wrong, but doing it anyway. Childishness is a natural progression in life and foolishness is what I want to guard against! How does a 2 year old realize a dry erase board with dry erase markers isn't the same thing as a wall and a sha*rpie? He doesn't if I am out of the room.

So that is my new revelation on markers on the wall! I am not saying my son wasn't wrong or that I am an awful Mom. I am saying, maybe I let us both down - I need to guard him from his childishness more, rather than passing that duty to my 4 year old daughter when I am busy.

Find your DNA

Momma Roar tried this quiz and I thought I would see how I faired. I'm not sure I understand all of the categories and what they mean but it was fun anyway. It appears I am an Animated Architect, whatever that means. :) Click the highlighted link below if you want to try the quiz too.

Animated Architect

Any Suggestions?

Why am I ever fooled by a moment of quiet? You would think I would have learned this lesson by now!

This is in our playroom downstairs.

Any ideas on how to get sh@rpie m@rker off of a wall WITHOUT taking the paint?

I did find a way to clean it off of the armrests. I used a baby wipe and baking soda. There is not a mark on our futon now. This is supposed to work on the wall too but our paint isn't the best on this wall. Another idea was Pine Sol (non-diluted) on a damp cloth. Both worked if the paint were of a higher quality.
Poor Buzz didn't see it coming! My son also managed to color the tv but it was on the black part of the tv. No harm there!

Mommy's Rule

I always love my visits to 5 Minutes for Mom. They have great posts, they always keep me in the loop of what is new and they have contests!! Who could ask for anything more? They also support Moms. Here are two Mom-run Toy Websites they suggest and I now love!

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First, I love the retro feel of Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles' home page. The retro gas pumps and the Collector Coke Ride-Ons bring a warm feeling of the innocence of childhood. But don't let the Retro convince you they are out of touch with the current toys, they have the most darling golf carts. Even a pink girl-friendly golf cart!

So cute!
This is a cooler!
Motorbikes, Firemen Costumes, Cute Coolers, Music Boxes and more. If you want a place to find a unique gift or a special keepsake, this is the site to see! This Mom-run toy store has free shipping for orders over $60!!
MusicBoxes are so sweet!!

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The second stop is A Rocking Horse to Love and this is not JUST a rocking horse toy store. Oh no!! They have a plethora of gifts to choose from and free shipping for purchases of $60 or more! I included pictures of a few I know would be big WINS in our home.

The rocking airplane is adorable. Especially since my son loves airplanes and anything that flies. What a cute idea!!

My little princess would love this great toy box!! Isn't it precious? I love it!

There are so many other great items to choose from! You really can't lose with either of these great Mom-run Toy Stores.

NeatReceipt Scanalizer

Is your life full of organized piles of clutter? Then 5 Minutes for Mom has found the tool for you! Here is a quote from Jennifer Donovan, a feature columnist for 5MinutesforMom: "The NeatReceipt Scanalizer is really limitless in its potential uses. It was first designed for business purposes, but they have expanded it to include many personal applications as well. The unique thing about this portable personal scanner is the software which stores, sorts and analyzes the data that you provide as you scan in your items. You can scan your child’s artwork and date it by month or year and store it forever! You can scan recipes or articles from magazines and then sort them and search for them by title or categories that you have assigned."

I know I would love to use mine to scan old photos and many other priceless documents. This scanner is awesome!! If you are interested in winning won, go to 5MinutesforMom and find out how you can win one. There are 10 up for grabs!!

Let's Talk About ME!

Throwback Thursday

Sorry for the bad picture quality. This is a picture of my brothers and sister and I with some friends. I believe this was 1982 and I think it was in Toledo, Ohio. We were taking a picture because we were moving in a few days. In the back is three guys and me (the one on my right was a guy named Jeff - I had a slight crush) and in front - my sister, another little guy, my baby brother (lovin' the hulk) and my brother, using little brother as an arm rest! This is my first Throwback Thursday and I love it! Hopefully I will have better clarity on future pics. Don't you just love that this one is a polaroid?

Visit Pinks and Blues for more Throwback Thursday!

Our 4th

Our holiday was a little ho-hum this year. We are used to going to my mom's to celebrate because it is her birthday. This year we slept in and then we loaded up in the van and drove to Schlotzsky's for lunch. As we drove up, my husband and I were discussing whether we would be the only patrons at this little deli. When we walked in we were surprised to see three other families were ahead of us. So then our adventure began. We started counting the number of families that came in while we were eating. Exciting isn't it! I bet you are sitting on the edge of your seat!! By the time we left, we were 1 of 11 who chose to celebrate the 4th of July at Schlotzsky's.

After lunch we ran a few errands and then headed home. Our game plan included taking naps and then getting ready for church after dinner (we grilled at home). That was a bust! My daughter was so excited to go to church for "the America Birthday party" that she could not find the strength to sleep. Neither could my son, but for different reasons - he just wanted to be up because HC was! I was taking a nap in my room while my husband watched a little sports center in his recliner. He chose the wrong nap spot! My kids kept getting up and down and my husband chose to let them stay awake. I awoke to banging and much noise thinking all was well in my home. My daughter was so hyper and excited she was talking a million miles a minute. It was funny. My husband filled me in on the activities and then I realized church was out!! The kids hadn't slept all day and they woke up at 6:30 am. No way we would leave our house!! :)

I was disappointed because they were having a little party at church. Complete with the jumpers, hotdogs and fireworks. I was looking forward to seeing how the kids reacted to the big bang and the colorful lights in the air. I guess we will see them next year!! We did buy a cake, since HC knew it was my mom's birthday she HAD to have cake. So we cut the cake and sang Happy Birthday to America and that was that! They went to bed and we settled in for the night!

It wasn't a bad day, no disappointments. At least we have a roof over our heads and a comfy home. Many others do not have this luxury! Thank you again to the soldiers sleeping in the sand while I decided whether or not I wanted to take the kids out to church in their tired state.