Austin's Favorite Person in History

As their last History assignment this year (and our last sample to be turned into the charter school) I had each of the kids write about their favorite person in History from this year.  Tyler had read a book about Helen Keller and absolutely fell in love with her.  So of course her paper was on Helen Keller.  She did quite good on it too.

Austin's favorite person was George Washington.  His writing is pretty legible, but just in case you can't make it all out, it says the following:

My favorite person in history is George Washington.  He is famous because he was our first President.  I like him because he cut down a cherry tree.

Austin's Bug

Yesterday Austin turned his Spiderman sandwich container into a bug catcher.  He spent the day gathering grass, stick and other things for his bug's new home.  I've not actually seen this bug but based on how much stuff he's put in this container - I'm sure there is more than one in that thing.

We've convinced him to leave the container outside, but if he had his choice he would check it every half hour.  This morning before we left for his t-ball game he checked on it again.  After his game we had a birthday party to go to and on the way we had the following conversation.

Austin:  Mommy, I just called my bug and he's scared at home all by himself!

Me:  What?

Austin:  I called him and he answered me on his little tiny bitty phone and told me that he is scared.

Me:  Oookay.  Well, maybe you should call him back and tell him a story that will make him not scared because it is going to be a few hours before we head back home.  We have a birthday party to go to, remember?

Austin:  I don't have to call him back anymore.  He has really really good ears and can hear stuff far away.  He has amazing eyes too and can see very far.

I thought that was the end of the conversation.  Apparently, I was wrong.

On the way home we had the following conversation.

Austin:  I think I need to check on my poor bug again.  I guess I'll call him again.

Me:  I thought you did not need to call him anymore because he can hear too well.

Austin:  No Mommy!  I can tell him a story and he can hear me but I'm going to ask how he is and I can't hear that good.  So I have to call him so I can hear his answer.

(Duh - why didn't I think of that!)

Later while talking to Shaun I found out he had told Shaun that he had loved the bug so much that the bug had run away.    Then he explained to us that when he had called him on our way home he didn't actually get to talk to him because the bug wouldn't stop talking the WHOLE time.   Shaun and I got a real kick out of that, considering that is one of our frustrations with Austin at times!

Lessons Learned

When I picked up the boys from daycare today they were playing with a big plastic bat and ball.  You know, one of those huge ones that look like a flimsy plastic caveman club from the Flinstones.  As one of the older boys took the bat I warned Austin to back up so he did not get hit.  Of course, my dear 5 year old doesn't think Mommy knows what she's talking about.  So he happily stayed right where he was and in the next moment fell down holding his cheek screaming. 

After some comforting and an ice pack on his red cheek we had a little talk about listening to Mommy and about not standing close to someone when they have a baseball bat in their hands.  Imagine if it had been one of the t-ball bats they use for practice and games!

I told Austin to make sure in the future that he does not stand too close to anyone who is holding a bat.  He agreed and I told him to listen to Mommy next time so he does not have to learn his lesson the hard way.  It was quiet in the car for a few moments after this.  Then I hear Austin speak up.

"You know what I decided Mommy?  I think it is better to learn my lessons the easy way from now on!"

Now only if he would remember and live by this.  Someone I have a feeling this conviction will not be long lived though.

Austin's Instructions for Making Milk

At lunch today Austin instructed me in how to make milk.  Here are the steps (in his words) in case you did not already know how it is done.

1.  The farmer gets a bucket and puts it under the cow.
2.  The cow squeezes the farmer
3.  The farmer squeezes the cow really hard
4.  The cow farts
5.  The milk comes out
6.  The farmer puts the milk in the carton
7.  The farmer puts the milk on the shelf at the grocery store where it says 'MILK' in big letters

And that is how milk is made.  All of a sudden milk is not quite as appetizing anymore after step 4.

Austin's On-stage Debut

Last week Austin had his on-stage debut.  He was a penguin, a very adorable one at that.  We've discussed for quite some time now how he will most likely end up on stage one day so this year we signed him up at the local theater to perform in their winter/Christmas performance. 

His part was not big - just one of many penguins that waddled up on stage towards the end of the 2nd act and sang a single song.  I must say though he was very adorable.  He practiced his penguin waddle for weeks.  And mom even made his costume!  For those who know me very well, I'm sure you can imagine the look of panic in my eyes when they announced that we had to make our children's costumes.  But made it I did and it turned out pretty good.  Thank you Lord for velcro and staples!

While we still think he'll be on stage one day, I think I'll wait another year before we sign him up at the theater again.  For the little ones they have them sit with you until their cue.  So they sat with us for the 1st act and most of the 2nd act for three performances over a 2 day period.  He was so cute onstage, but prior to that each performance I almost lost my patience (okay, I DID lose it!).  He just does not have the ability to sit still and quiet that long when he is excited about getting up on the stage.  And I refused to let him just run around and disrupt other parents and grandparents who were trying to watch their precious ones onstage.  Each performance we ended up in the lobby for a period of time.  Given, by the third performance he was getting better though.

The first performance though was my favorite.  After the kids sang their song they were to sit while the big kids did one more song before they all took their bows.  After the song was done Austin stood a tad bit longer than the other penguins so he could bestow a huge dimpled smile and big wave upon the audience.  All my frustration wrestling with him through the performance just melted away at that point.  There is a very good reason the Lord made this one so stinking cute and funny.

Help! I'm talking and I can't shut up!

A couple weeks ago I saw a shirt with this caption and immediately thought of Austin.  When I told Shaun about the t-shirt he asked me why I did not buy it for him.  I think I'm going to have to have one made up.  Especially after today - the boy has talked non-stop and the thought actually crossed my mind at a few points to duct tape his mouth.  I know bad mom - but I did not act on it!  He seriously talks non-stop even in his sleep!

I think today he told me over a dozen times that he was going to be quiet and then barely took a breath before he was off talking about something else.

Tonight for dinner he was eating corn dogs, and it is NOT the first time he has eaten them.  Not by a long shot.

"Mommy, something is freaking me out about this hot dog and bread mixing thing!" 

This is after we had talked about having mac & cheese and hot dogs for dinner.  But we realized we did not have hot dogs - Austin's solution was to pull the bread off the corn dog and then cut up the hot dogs to go in the mac & cheese.  We settled with corn dogs though because he didn't want mac & cheese.  (He informed me of this after his solution to the missing hot dog problem).

After this he tried to convince me that the corn dog had given him a brain freeze.  But knowing him - I guess it could be possible.

For dessert he was allowed to have one piece of my homemade peppermint bark which he calls candy bark.  I should have seen this one coming -

"Daddy, why do they call it candy bark when it does not actually even have real bark in it?"  Good question, actually.

Wondering if I should hit the "publish" button yet - he is still awake after all - there may be more to write tonight.

Christmas Lights & Green Eyed Monsters

Tonight after picking up my youngest from daycare I choose to take a bit longer route through the neighboring blocks so the kids could enjoy some of the Christmas lights. Jesse gets so excited when he sees the lights "Christmas Lights! Christmas Lights!" he says over and over.


As we passed one house I noticed a brand new Camaro sitting in the driveway. I made a comment about the car and Austin asked me what a Camaro was. I told him it was the very nice car that was sitting in the driveway - one that mommy would really like to have. I told him it was a "sweet" car.

"Do you know who's going to come now Mommy?" Austin asked me.

"No, who?" I asked.

"The Green-Eyed Monster is going to come now. And you know what he is going to tell you? He is going to tell you that you can ride any car you want and that you can steal that one. But you can't listen to him Mommy! Ok?"

Wise advice from a 5 year old.

Pianos and Computers

These last two weeks my 5 year old has been on a creative roll (actually this is really just normal Austin).  Give him a piece of paper and a couple markers and he can make anything. 

Last week, he drew himself a piano.  He drew some piano keys on one side, some music above it and then letters down the other side which he told me was the words so he knew what to sing.  We were driving and he sat in the back with the piece of paper on his lap "playing" the piano.  A few minutes into his masterpiece I hear him say, "Uh oh.  The batteries died.  Mommy you can turn on the other music." (meaning the radio).  I start to hear paper shuffling and then a few moments later I hear "Okay, Mommy.  Turn off the other music.  I found some batteries for my piano!"  And the recital began again.

A couple days later he folded a piece of paper in half and made himself a laptop computer.  As we were driving that day he asked me what type of music I liked then proceeded to type his "secret" code in his laptop.  Not so secret anymore though, as he quite loudly announced each letter and number as he typed it in.  Then his laptop began to play music for me.  This consisted of him singing to the tune of the "Go to sleep" lullabye.

Halloween, halloween.
You must give us some candy
We dressed up,
It's Halloween
It's Halloweeeeennnnn timmmeeee!

When we got home he had to set up his laptop in his room to play music for all his stuffed animals while we did school.  Every 15 minutes or so he would take a break from school to go change the music for his animals because he said "they like variety Mom!"

A Weekend with Austin

I have two adorable little boys. They really are good kids, but they are exhausting! So here is a little peek into life with my middle child (my eldest son). He'll be 5 next month - a bright boy if I do say so myself (yeah, yeah - I'm a little partial) and full of drama! I just know he'll be on stage someday.

Saturday morning my three year old comes running into our room, crying and babbling. The only word I can make out is "Austin". Right behind him comes Austin, saying over and over again "I said I was sorry, Jesse!" This is my first clue that he did something that probably is not an accident. My daughter does the same thing when she does something to Austin and is trying to keep him from telling us.

I finally get Austin to tell us that he "accidently" knocked Jesse over. As he says this Jesse starts going crazy again. He has a ticked off look on his face as he says something over and over again. Once again all I understand it "Austin" but his gesture is clear. He looks like he is hitting himself in the neck with his arm. Jesse has a habit of tattling on his brother, but is usually so upset that he can't talk clearly. So he proceeds to demonstrate on himself what Austin did to him. I think he usually inflicts more harm upon himself with his demonstrations than Austin ever does.

I look at Austin - "So, you hit Jesse in the neck with your arm and knocked him down? And you say it was an accident?"

Austin looks at me for a moment and I see the wheels spinning in his head - how can he get himself out of this one. Finally he looks at me, sighs deeply and then turns around and walks out of our room. As he leaves I hear a dejected mutter, "Fine, I'll just go put myself in my room now then."

I wish they were always that easy to punish!

Then on Sunday we were in Target, shopping for school supplies when all of a suddent Austin very loudly announces - "Oh no Mommy! I have to go poop REALLY bad!"

In the past I would have been mortified, especially when I noticed the couple near me start giggling. But this is just pretty much normal for Austin. I tell people that he has no volume control, no on/off switch and no filter between his brain and mouth. We are working on installing these things but it is a very lengthy and arduous process.

Since I know he has a tendency toward dramatics as well, I calmly ask him if he really has to go right this instance or if it can wait until we get checked out.

He looks at me for a moment, rolls his eyes up like he is thinking and then says "Yes, I have to go right . . . oh wait a minute mommy." (pauses while reaching back and touching his bottom) "Yep, my poop went back in, we're all good to go now Mommy."

At this the couple beside me can no longer hold back and they both double over in laughter. I just smile and push my cart on to the next item on our list.

Then later that night (Warning: this might be TMI for those with a sensitive stomach!) he walks in and announces to my husband and I that he has finally learned to wipe his bottom all by himself.

"Great job Austin" we tell him.

"Yep, I only use three squares and then I use my finger to check to make sure I have it all."

I looked at him for a moment and then asked, "You use your finger to check your bottom?"

"Yep!"

"Okay, Austin. We're not going to do that anymore. Don't touch your bottom with your finger. Use another piece of toilet paper to check, okay?"

"Okay"

Then I had to ask - "Um, do you wash your hands after that?"

"Yep! Oh. . . um, I mean nope! I don't!" He smiles at me.

"Okay, so from now on please use four pieces of toilet paper, don't touch your bottom with your bare hands and please always wash your hands afterwards, ok?"

"Ok, mommy!"

Ughh! Boys!!!!!

Cupcake Logic

My daughter wanted to learn cooking this semester so my husband has stepped up to do the teaching for this subject (he is the best cook in our home after all!) So on the two days that she is not part of the co-op and is doing homeschooling at our home, he is teaching her to cook.

They started with desserts. He told her that one of my favorite cakes is angel food. So they made angel food cupcakes. That night after dinner we enjoyed them with fruit and whipped cream. Yummy!

However, prior to that the boys had to do some taste testing. When I got home from work my 4 year old started telling me about how good the cupcakes were and mentioned that the paper was the best part. My husband looked at him and said, "I told you not to eat the paper. Did you eat it?"

My 4 year old looked up at him, smiled and explained to his "clueless" daddy - that of course he ate the paper. That had all the brown parts of the cake which are the best part!

Now, I must agree the tops of the cake where it is brown is the best, but I don't think I like it enough to eat the paper just to get a bit more of it. However this child of mine is the one that licks the very last morsel of his food from his plate or bowl - so I guess it should not be a surprise that he would eat the cupcake paper since some of the yummy cake was attached. Can't let anything go to waste!!!

Link between Hiccups and Talking?

My middle child (my eldest son) likes to talk. He talks all the time about whatever he can think to talk about. He even talks when he is sleeping. We've asked him on multiple occasions why he talks so much and his answer is always the same:

"Because I don't want to get the hiccups!"

He says this with a very serious look on his face and very matter of factly, as if this is the most obvious thing in the world. He is convinced that talking will keep the hiccups away and he definitely does not want to get the hiccups!

He's Brave

Scene: Austin getting ready for bed tonight.

"I'm wearing nothing to bed tonight! Only underwear - cause I'm brave! I'm brave like God!"

Hmm, not sure how being brave like God means you should only wear underwear. I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure God does not run around in just underwear!

Breaking His Heart

This morning as I walked into the kitchen to make myself some coffee, I noted the boys already at the table eating breakfast. Shaun had gotten them breakfast and in the process I had heard him get after Austin for not listening. This has been a big thing lately with Austin that we’ve been working on him regarding.

As I walked in the kitchen they both looked up at me and said “Good morning, mommy!” (Jesse’s is a bit more of a series of grunts that are vaguely recognizable with some hand waving involved.)

Then Austin’s big smile disappears off his face and he gives me the sad puppy dog look.

Austin: “Mommy, I’m soooo sad today.”

Me: “Oh, why is that? Because you got in trouble with Daddy for not listening?”

Austin: “Yes, he broke my heart, Mommy.”

Me: “Oh, really?”
(as I turn my back to him so he does not see my smile, he is definitely going to end up on a stage someday as an actor or a comedian!)

Austin: (big sigh) “Yes, he broke my heart.” (Big pause then another big sigh) “And he broke all my other shapes too. My circle, my square. . .”

Me: “Really?” (that is all I could manage at this point)

Austin: “Yes! And he hurt my feelings too!”

What do you say to that. I just kept my back turned until I could look at him without laughing. Then I had to go tell Shaun that he had broken his son's heart and all his other shapes too. Then I laughed again at the confused look on Shaun's face. All in all it's been an amusing morning!

Spitting Incident

Last night I was relaxing when my 4 year old son came in and said something to me. He was obviously excited because as he said it he spit on himself. I mentioned something to him about his spitting on himself, to which he smiled and spit in my face.

Now, he is a challenging child at times. His goal in life is to make people laugh, even if that means he gets into trouble. He is only 4 years old so many times his idea of what may be funny can be questionable. This was obviously one of those times. It was obvious he was not being defiant, he just had it in his head that it was funny.

I proceeded to slap his mouth. Not hard, but enough to get his attention. While I do agree with spanking when needed, I usually don't agree with slapping a child on the face, but in some cases (biting, spitting, cursing) a light but firm "tap" on the lips gets their attention faster than anything else can. Especially with a child who believes something is funny. This got his attention and he realized that mommy was not fooling around.

After I had his attention I explained to him that spitting in someone's face was not funny. In fact it is rude and disrespectful. When I punish my children for something I've learned to talk to them immediately after to make sure they understand why they are in trouble. Then I have them apologize to whomever was affected and we all confirm we love one another - usually with kisses and hugs.

After I spoke to him about why he got into trouble, it was time for the apology. Obviously though the way I asked it this time, confused him a bit.

"Ok, so what do you say now?"

A little bit of a confused look passed over his face, then he smiled and says in a cheerful voice, "Thank you, Mommy!"

I started laughing, I could not help myself. I usually tell him to say he is sorry. He is obviously used to the above question being asked in different circumstances. He was a bit confused but eager to please! As I am trying to stop laughing he, smiles at me then his face scrunches up in a bit more confusion. A bit more tentatively this time he says, "Your welcome?"

"No, honey. Mommy means what do you say when you've done something you should not do?"

He is a bit dramatic at times so this time he really scrunches up his face, rolls his eyes up and put his finger to the side of his mouth. Obviously really putting some thought into this one. Then he looks back at me with a huge smile, that dipple of his coming to life.

"I know Mommy! I'm sorry!!!" With that he put his arms around me, gave me a big huge kiss on the cheek and ran off very pleased with himself.

I was left sitting there smiling to myself thinking about how much I love that little boy!

Happy Birthday!

Today my middle precious baby is turning 4! I've realized that I've been thinking of him as 4 for quite awhile now. Maybe it is because of how much he talks and some of the stuff he comes up with. I would not be surprised if he ends up on a stage entertaining people some day. His goal in life is to make others laugh.

Everytime I said "Happy Birthday" to him today he would respond with "Happy Birthday!!". He had been so excited for this day to come. Shaun has been marking off the days on the calendar since the beginning of the month. He's told me many times today that he has had a "very wonderful and fun birthday!"

I took him to get his very first Webkinz today because his sister has quite a few and he wanted one of his own. He picked out a snake which he decided to name "Snake". We got online today and adopted his Snake and his sister sent him a Webkinz mail already with a package for his birthday. He loved that!

One the way to church tonight he took his sister's little bible that she received when she was dedicated. He wanted to read to us so he opened it to the front and started "reading":

"First God made the world, and he made all the animals, and he made the plants grow. Then he put a rock over there and then he made the dirt and some streams. He put the sky up there and made the grass grow. He made everything and then he made ME! Happy Birthday!!!"

So Happy Birthday my dear boy. You have definitely brightened our life!

Austin's Prayer

My eldest son, Austin has nightmares and wakes up crying quite often. I've gotten into the habit of praying with him each night and asking the Lord to watch over him each night and to protect his mind. Tonight as I was praying Austin wanted to pray as well.

It was very cute and adorable, but what really hit me was how sincere he was and how very trusting he was. He had no doubt that God was going to answer his prayers. We just spoke of this at church last night. I need to find that faith again, the faith of a child. They never question that we will take care of them or that God will take care of them.

Austin's Prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for this day and thank you for everything.
Thank you letting us go everywhere like the store, and Cheri's and Krysta's.
Please watch over my blanket tonight and keep the bad dreams out of my blanket's head.
Amen!"

(I had already prayed for him and his dreams so he did not think it was necessary to go over that ground again. However, he had told me that his blanket has bad dreams too and that he wanted to pray for his blanket like I pray for him)

Austin the Talker

My middle child, Austin, talks alot. In fact, this past year each week my daughter had to write sentences using the current week's spelling words. Almost every week she would bring home her assignment and at least one sentence somehow incorporated how much Austin talks. A typical conversation with him sometimes goes like this. . .

Me: "Austin, can you please be quiet for a little bit for Mommy."

Austin: "Yes mommy. I can be quiet"

Less than 15 seconds later. . .

Austin: "Mommmeeee, I'm being quiet!"

Me: "Austin, you are talking right now. To be quiet you need to not talk."

Austin: "I know mommy. I can be quiet" (Now he begins his idea of a whisper which is only slightly quieter) "Mommy, see I can be quiet. I'm being quiet right now mommy! Aren't I being good and quiet mommy. I told you I could be quiet."

So you get the picture.

Tonight Austin wanted to me to read to him. We had read a couple Dr. Seuss books and I asked Tyler if she could bring me another book to read to Austin. She walks in with another book and very matter of factly says. . .

"Mom, here is one that Austin can learn something from." as she hands me the book. I look at the title, it is "Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now!"

Where does he come up with these?

So as I've mentioned before, Austin is finally potty trained. This is such a wonderful thing for us. Now we only have one left in diapers!

However, we still put pull-ups on him at night. He is getting better about waking up during the night and going and/or staying dry. But we still have the pull-ups so an accident does not cause a set back.

Friday night at bedtime we had the following conversation:

Me: "Austin, go take off your underwear and put them in the dirty clothes. Then bring me a pull-up and we'll get you ready for bed."

Austin: "Okay Mommy!"

He runs off and a few minutes later comes back in the room. In one hand is a pull-up. The other hand is playing with himself. Now I know this is normal for boys, but I don't necessarily want him doing it in front of everyone.

Me: "Austin, honey. Don't be doing that in front of people, okay."

Austin (with a very serious look on his face): "But Mommy, it's my tail! It's my potty tail!"

Where in the world does he come up with these things! And what do you say to that? The best I could come up with was - "I know, honey. But don't play with your potty tail in front of other people, okay."

Lunar Eclipse - A 3 yr old's perspective

We had a very good view of the recent lunar eclipse from our house the other night. It was amazing to watch. Tyler was kind of excited to see it. I took Austin, our 3 1/2 yr old out to see it. He took one look at it, his eyes got really big and he said:

"Look Mommy! It's an apple juice moon!"

Looking at it I realized the part that was already in shadows was about the color of apple juice.

How to sleep better

Last night Austin was sitting at the table when bedtime came. This is our conversation:

Me: "Austin, it's bedtime. Finish up so we can get to bed." (He was working on his "homework")

Austin: "Wait Mommy!"

Me: "Why, it is bed time. We need to get you to bed."

Austin: "Wait, I have to rub my eyes first!"

At this he proceeds to ball his hands into fists and starts rubbing his eyes vigorously. After a few seconds of this he looks up at me and smiles

Austin: "Okay, mommy. I'm tired now, we can go to bed."

I guess that has been my problem all along when I have trouble sleeping - I forgot to rub my eyes to make myself sleepy first!