{Vocabulary}

I attended a training once in which we learned that the children in households where adults have college degrees have a broader vocabulary.  Most of the time (I mean there are always exceptions, right?), these families, in addition to being more educated, also have very different lifestyles than families of parents who are not educated and are maybe, say, on welfare.  Kids in these educated households were exposed to more language.  And I don't mean that the parents sit down and said "ok today we are going to learn what 'juxtaposition' means."  But in everyday conversation, the educated parents were using more words and bigger words.  The example I remember was that this "educated family" might have a conversation such as:
"So what do you want to do for dinner?"
"Oh I don't know.  Let's go out somewhere."
"Ok, I'll call Mariachi's and make reservations."

The presenter basically told us "Kids on welfare don't make reservations so they wouldn't really be exposed to that word."  It made a lot of sense to me.

My kids teachers and my other co-workers tell me all the time "Mason talks so well."  And while I know Brandon and I probably have something to do with it, Mason also has the best little language teacher around in Ellie.  But Mason is also a sponge.  SPONGE.  He picks up everything.  He picks up things in ways that Ellie did not.

He learns things from tv.  I told ya'll the story of all the things he is learning on tv, right?  He can see a show or movie once and then recognize the characters anywhere.  (Ellie is not that way.  We are currently struggling to get a birthday list from her.  She is evidently not influenced by pop culture???)

And lately I have noticed more and more things that I know he is picking up somewhere.  A lot of it, I hear from his teachers.  He'll say things like "Oopsy daisy!" or "OH sorry Mom (yeah MOM, where did that come from???) That's my fault!" if he drops something.  It all just cracks me up.

But his most interesting mimic came while he was staying with my parents a few weeks ago.  Now I KNOW without any doubt that he did NOT learn it at my parents house.  Not that they are saints or anything, but I just know they don't talk this way.  This new little phrase, which I will not type here, is a three word phrase that ends with an emphatic IT.  I have been privy to hearing it pass his little lips twice now- once in the bathtub and once this very morning in my closet while trying to get his shoes on.

Mason is that kid who you say "Mason, you need to sit down in the chair."   and he will push you until you go to him and sit him down.  And he is still likely to stand back up just to spite you.  And glare.  And dare you to try to get him to sit down again.  So I feel like any punishment or reaction when that darling phrase escapes his little lips will only serve to reinforce the reaction he is seeking.  (Yeah I have learned a lot working in Early Childhood Education!) My mom came up with the idea to just simply say "Oh let's don't say that!  Say: 'Hallelujah, Praise the LORD!'"  (Which is actually another phrase he loves saying.  And no we don't go to a church where they dance in the aisles.)

When he said "the phrase that will not be mentioned" this morning, I resisted, HARD as it was, from popping his sassy little mouth.  I gained my composure and did as Nana instructed with as little reaction as I could muster.  He repeated "Howyalooyuh!  Praise dee Lord!" and we went about our business.  So when you hear him singing the Lord's praises, you know what he really means.

And let's talk about where he learned that other little phrase...Shall we?  I asked him.  He first told me he heard it from a teacher.  Which I actually believe, though I have never heard it from her myself.  Then...THEN he told me that "Daddy says that!"  And really, what little boy doesn't want to be just like Daddy?  And yes, I can attest to the fact that while Brandon and his Purdue education have taught our kids words like "reservations", he has also shared not so nice words with them.  Words that I say "You better watch it!  They are going to pick this stuff up!"

(Now I will give the disclaimer that I taught Mason "shit".  We were moving, I walked to one door and it was locked, I said "shit" and Mason repeated "shit shit shit shit shit".  But he hasn't ever said it again.)

Hopefully from here on out, we can work on words like  propinquity, maritorious, inevitable and possibly coprolalia.

{Sweet Summer}

Yes, I know it's been a long time.  All I can say is SORRY!!!  Wait, what?  This is the first time you've checked the blog in a few weeks.  Ah well, then I see we are on the same schedule.

We are off to a fabulous summer.  We've been spending lots of time at the pool.  (My aunt and uncle have a pool and they like my kids a lot so they let me come along with the kids)  We have had a babysitter a grand total of THREE times and Brandon and I have gone to adult get togethers.  And everyone survived.  Even though the kids are still talking about it like it was total torture to watch Toy Story on a "palace" (pallet) and eat popscicles in the living room which is totally against the rules.  But really what fun is a babysitter if you don't break the rules?  Not fun according to Ellie. More on that later.

This week Ellie is at my parents for Vacation Bible School at their church.  She is having a BALL.  As per usual she is having another first at Nana's...A play date!  No, we have never had other kids, besides family, to our house.  Are you judging me?  Quit!  The thing is that I don't have any close friends with kids her age that she knows well.  But, she was lucky enough to be in VBS with my parent's back door neighbor and Ellie and their little girl have hit it off so Jennifer (cute name, huh?) is coming over to play this afternoon.  I hope this will be the beginning of many play dates.  I am really hoping that she will make some playdateable friends in Kindergarten.

Brandon is also out of town so Mason and I have been hanging out the past two days and I am really enjoying it.   It occurred to me on Sunday afternoon after we left Ellie at my parents that Mason and I get very very little one on one time.  I know it is surprising, but Ellie monopolizes the conversation and in general gets her way in most all situations.  I mean I DO have rule and she does mind me, but We are both missing his sister and Brandon very much, but we are both also really enjoying our time together.  In general, Mason is a super chill kiddo and he makes me laugh so much.  


And did I mention that my kids are GROWN?  Well, they are.  It is both awesome and horrible at the same time.  Gone are the days of naps being on time or having to be sure we had something they would eat or staying close to a potty or carrying a bag with us all the time.  My kids are potty trained and eat pretty much usual kid fare.  They do better with naps, but it is not the end of the world if they don't get one.  And they do not need my constant supervision.  This has enabled to to spend so much time at the pool.  It has enabled me to do more around the house.  When I'm not at the pool.  Why is it horrible?  Well, Mason is just still barely small enough for me to pick up over my head without throwing out my back.  And Ellie, well, I can barely lift her.  No one really needs to be rocked.  Mason called me Jennifer for a few hours the other day.  (I told him we are not on a first name basis) And they are just SO BIG.

The only reason the whole growing up thing really bothers me is this:  What if they turn out to be punks???  I mean obviously I love my mom and spend oodles of time with her.  I respect her opinions and I still need her. But what if they don't???  And with every day that they become more independent, we inch closer to the day one of them is going to drive off in a car with a boy or ask a girl on a date (obviously you know which is which).  I mean, first it's Kindergarten and what next??? Do not answer!
Ok, panic attack over.

On other news: we had a nice visit with Brandon's mom a couple of weeks ago.  She came down from IN for the afternoon and entertained the kids while I did laundry and sat on the couch.  Amazing.
I am volunteering for VBS at our church in a couple of weeks.  My assignment?  CRAFTS.  Seriously?  I don't consider myself particularly crafty.  I mean I am crafty in some ways, but I am not creative per se.  However, it seems they have the activities all set, they give you the supplies and you just have to help the kids put it all together.  I think I can handle that.  BUT, last night at the organization meeting they told us they are expecting 150-180 kids.  HELLO!  That's a lotta crafting.

I am taking a staycation the week after the July 4 holiday.  I haven't made all the plans yet but I hope to get the house all neat and clean, get some easy meals prepped, eat out some, relax and enjoy my family.  We weren't planning on a big vacation this summer because we were going to do a beach trip during Fall Break.  I am SO hoping BP will come through and get things cleaned up before then!  I haven't been to the beach in two years and I am having withdrawals!!!

{My Best Weekend}

Even pro bloggers like me have a glitch now and then.  I put these pictures up last night from home in hopes of being able to write the rest of the post at work (ssshhh, don't tell) and I somehow accidentally posted the blog entry.  I knew because my mom commented.  Now on with the post...

Well, we had a great weekend.  Ok I had a great weekend.  I think everyone in my house followed suit.  There was nothing specific that made it great, but it just seemed like everything clicked and went well.

Saturday, I had made plans to take the kids to my aunt and uncles pool.  We got there about 9:45 and stayed until 1:30 or so.  Ellie loved the water.  She was cautious, but I could tell she would warm up fast.  Mason, on  the other hand, wasn't so keen on the pool.  He basically freaked the freak out and didn't want to get back in.  He spent the rest of our time there wandering, playing with the dog, and eating.

Saturday night, we had a babysitter for the second time...ever.  We were invited to a UFC pay-per-view party at some friends house so my cousin and her cousin came to babysit.  It was reported that both kids went to bed in hysterics because they " missed their Mama".  Abbey told them she missed her mom too and to go to bed.  Exactly what I would have done!

Sunday, I slept late thanks to my wonderful husband.  Needless to say, we missed church.  But I got up and mopped all the hardwood in my pj's.  My floors are a chore and they have been so dirty and I have been so stressed so accomplishing this small task gave me so much peace.  Again, it's the small things!

Sunday afternoon, both kids took great naps and I got to make this:

and this:

Saturday night, Brandon said he would like to go to the local catfish dive, Harper's.  This was an incredibly nice treat for ME because a. I like Harper's and b. we never go out to eat.  Like never.  And the benefits of going out to eat really only hit me this weekend.  Benefit #1-someone else cooks.  Benefit #2 and really a bigger benefit for me- someone else CLEANS.  Do you know how much time I could save in my life if I didn't have to clean up the kitchen every night???  Anyway, it was a rare treat.

Now you have to be prepared for Harper's.  When we went to the bathroom, Ellie very loudly announced that "if that was her bathroom, she would never use it because it's gross!"  But the food is G-U-D good!  To our complete surprise, Ellie scarfed her fish.  We had to end up telling her that we could take it home so she didn't make herself sick!  Now she says she wants her birthday dinner there!

Monday, we decided to go back to the pool.  The weather didn't look terribly agreeable, but we went anyway and it turned out lovely.  Mason, again, spent his day fully clothed and wandering.

My cousin, Shelby (Chebby to those of us who know her best)and her friend Becca taught Ellie that she would not drown.  Ellie is sooo cautious.  (No clue where she gets that...haha!) and even with a Coastguard approved flotation device, she would barely leave the steps.  Shelby decided we had to go hardcore so she took Ellie to the deep end and let go of her hands.  After a momentary freakout (and it was a really good freakout complete with high pitched shrieks and panic), Ellie announced that she could swim and she didn't want anyone to touch her. At all.  For the rest of the day.

After all that swimming (and freaking out), she relaxed by the pool.

Then Biz brought Charlie over for a visit while she and Tim went to run some errands.  Ellie told me she had it completely under control.

Isn't he getting big???  HI!!!

And the highlight of Ellie's day was to be able to give Charlie a bottle for the first time.  (Not Charlie's first, Ellie's.)

And she also put him to sleep.  I am totally not kidding here.  I was trying to get him to sleep and she said "Mama just get me try." So I did and he passed out.

And after trying to get dinner ready, dealing with two kids, one husband and a baby, I decided I like it when Charlie visits, but I love it when I get to go to bed with no thoughts about "when the next feeding will be"!!!

{Happy Memorial Day!}

It was pointed out to me today that I have not "blogged" in quite some time.  Sorry folks.  Life has just kind of gotten in the way.
Brandon has been traveling a lot lately.  This week he left on Sunday and got back last night.  The weeks when he has to leave during the weekend are not often, but GAH they are hard.  Somehow, they are harder than when he is just gone a FULL week, as in Monday through Friday.  I dunno...  But I DO know we miss him when he is gone.

And yes he is reading this and saying "OH she just misses me helping give baths and get dinner ready and load the dishwasher."  Um, YEAH.  That is A LOT of stuff to do!  I feel bad when I have single mom weeks because I feel like I spend 99% of the time saying "NOT NOW.  I need to do XYZ before ABC so we can JKL."  (No mom, those are not abbreviations. Just use blanks instead of the letters)  Anyway, I feel bad.  I feel like I ignore my kids in order to unload/ load the dishwasher, get everyone fed, bathed and in bed.  And I am SO TIRED.  WHINE WHINE WHINE!

And then about halfway through the week, I decide I am NOT ignoring my kids any more, by golly.  So have watergun fights, snuggle on the couch and watch tv, check the cow that is ready to calve and not much else gets done.  Then Brandon gets to come home to a sink full of dishes and the glass container that got stuck to the counter because Mason spilled his milk and I did a quick clean up and never got around to going back and really cleaning it.  (And just between us, I think it kinda irritates him.)  Contrary to popular belief.  Ok it's a popular belief to the two little people who live downstairs in my house.  But contrary to that belief, I AM NOT SUPERMOM.

And for the record, I do miss adult conversation.  And Brandon.  I miss Brandon.  He's a nice guy once you get to know him well enough to marry him and have two kids, three dogs, two cats and 20 cows with him.  Really.  He is.  I tell him all the time I wish the rest of the world knew the sweet guy we know at home.

Anyway...

Tonight I have BIG PLANS.  I plan to clean the house.  I really really really want to get the house in order so that I can do all the other things I really want to do this weekend.  Man that is a lot of reallys.

Tomorrow, I am planning to go to the pool for a little sun.  I have big hopes that Ellie is going to be a swimmer this year.  Hopefully hopefully she will not get her father's swimming gene, which is non-existant.  He literally sinks like a rock in any kind of water.  He is kinda like a cat in his love for water.  I, on the other hand, am a fish.  I could float for days.  It's a skill I am extremely proud of and a skill I have had since long before I had all the extra "fluff" I have now so no wise cracks, please and thank you.  Back to Ellie...

She tells me she is going to jump off the diving board.  But Ellie has been known to talk a good game before and not follow through on her promises.  (I won't attribute this trait to either Brandon or myself)  But she has been much more willing to get her face wet in the bath and shower and she like to "swim" in the tub.  HOWEVER during the aforementioned watergun fight, she got extremelyt upset when she got wet.  In a watergun fight.  And she stripped her clothes and ran around naked because she hated the wet clothes.  GAH she got all of his annoying traits!

Mason, sweet Mason.  Well, two weeks ago we went to my Uncle's house and Mason fell in the pool.  So every time I say "Wanna go swimming on Saturday???"  He says "NO!  I FALL IN!"
Some other Mason highlights:

• He started calling me Twinkle Toes out of the blue.  We have no idea where this came from.  He came up to me one day in the kitchen and said "Hello there Twinkle Toes."
• Several weeks ago, we were in Target at a particularly busy time on a Saturday.  Because I am a smart mom, I put Mason in the stroller.  Strapped in with no chance of escape.  So while I am checking out, he starts saying in his "outside voice" as Nana calls it, "Hello Ladies!  Get on board!  Get on board Ladies!"  Over and over and over and over.  I turned to my sister and said politely "Who does this little boy belong to???"
• He came up to Brandon the other day and said "You don't need THE calories!"  This was also out of the blue.  When Brandon brought him to me and had him repeat it, I hit Brandon over the head with a frying pan.  When Brandon came to, he explained that Mason came to him in the living room and said it.  He's a funny kid.
• He asked for gum on the way to school.  I gave him some.  He started crying which is very unlike him.  He was saying "MY GUM!!!" I thought he had dropped it.  Then he said "It's in my nose.  I can't get it!"  I had to stop the car and dig chewing gum out of his nose.  No. More. Gum.

Charlie and clan are doing great.  He is growing so much.  Last weekend, I sent the kids to Nana and Poppop's and sent Biz and Tim "out".  (They went to Walmart and Zaxby's.  They are so wild.)  And Charlie and I had some quality time.  And I decided once and for all NO. MORE. BABIES.  Don't get me wrong.  I LURVE Charlie.  Adore him, actually.  But we were together during "the witching hour" (another Nana-ism).  AKA Hell hour AKA 6-8 pm.  And Charlie just wasn't feeling his Aunt Jeffer time.  And I felt so helpless.  There was (obviously) a complete absence of those lovely post partum hormones and it was still equally unnerving.  (DISCLAIMER:  Charlie is a super easy baby.  WAY easier than my babies.  Or at least one of my babies.  I won't name names.  But he is easy.  He was having a kind of bad day.)  So I will just stick to my two and let Charlie visit and be happy with that.  

One last thing...we had a little family scare over the last few days.  My 13 year old cousin was struck by lightning.  (Brandon can give you the statistics on this subject)  He had a rough couple of days, but he is doing much better today.  Thanks to everyone who said a special prayer for him and his family.  They have a long road ahead, but things are looking much better.

Everyone have a great Memorial Day weekend!  Thanks to my Pop, my Grandad, my Uncle, Brandon's grandfathers and everyone else who has served our country!!!

{Lucky Number 7}

Seven years ago today, I was nervously waiting the in "Bride's Room" at my church.  My grandmother was helping me get zipped into my dress.  Biz was in the ladies room with my aunt Susan getting her make-up done.  Mom was running around making sure everything was just so.  And freaking out a little that her baby was going to be married to someone.  And live with him.  And share a bed.  EEEEEPPSS!

It was a HOT day.  That spring had been really moderate and we really hadn't had any HOT days until that day. It was a scorcher.  Or maybe I was just nervous!

And then there's all the talking I did during the ceremony.  My mom told me "Don't just stand up there like you don't like each other during the solo.  Hold hands.  Talk."  Oh I talked.  The only thing I really remember was that I basically quizzed Brandon who, no matter what he tells you, was as nervous as a...who is it they say gets nervous in church?...

Ok anyway...so I was asking "What did you do this morning?  Who were you with?  Did you have fun?  Did you sleep good last night?" and on and on and on.  At the reception, the theme question from everyone was "What were you talking about?"  I was little miss Chatty Cathy Bride.  I didn't even realize I was doing it!

It's funny to think back on all that.  What a simple time compared to all we have going on now.  And isn't it amazing how things can change over just 7 short years.  Two incredible children, a farm, a house, another wedding and now another baby, we've welcomed new relatives and said good-bye to some we love.

And some things have remained the same...same jobs, same great families to support us through everything, one of the same dogs we started out with.  :) And me and Brandon.  I know we have changed, but in the important ways, we have stayed the same.

He says that one of the reasons he really liked me on our first date was that we had great conversation.  (And YES I am serious!  Our date on was on the up and up!)  We talked about everything that night.  The conversation was easy and fluid.  And I kept it going for our wedding.  And we are still talking after 7 years.  Although I sent him a text this morning that he hasn't responded to.  Should I worry?

Brandon, I love you!  You are the man of my dreams who has made all of my dreams come true!

Charlie (yes again!)

He is so dang cute!  Ellie is completely smitten.  She thinks she's ready to have him by herself for a few hours.He looks just like Biz!

Welcome Charlie!

My sister and her husband had their baby today!!! Charles "Charlie" Jackson  is healthy and everyone is doing well.  He is so sweet!  I can't wait to get my hands on him tomorrow!
Biz allowed me and my mom to be in the room when she delivered.  Words cannot describe how amazing that was!  Really.  I am speechless!  Here's another picture!