wordless wednesday - passionately angry

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ramblings of a three year old

Grady's world of three has been an completely insane and mind numbing amazing journey so far. Granted, he swings through moods and personlalities faster then Sybil, but when he is in a happy place, he is the funniest kid EVER! Here are some of his latest ramblings.

Me: What did you learn about at school today?
Grady: Dinosaurs!!
Me: (knowing it was 'B' day and he was supposed to learn about Betsy Bee) You did?!? What did you learn?
G: That they eat police officers.
Me: They do?
G: Yep. They rip their heads off and eat them...... I don't think I want to be a police officer when I growed up Momma.


This was his response when we were ghosted the other night by a neighbor. They left us a pumpkin (aka punk man) full of treats.
G: MOM!!! The punk man dinged our dig bell and left me me candy!! Why did he ding my ding bell Mommy??
M: To leave you a special treat.
G: Oooooh. The punk man doesn't like candy Momma?
M: Nope, he is sharing them with you.
G: I don't think the punk man should ding ding bells Mommy. He can scare people.

Hubby: Grady you need to pick up your toys before you can have a snack.

G: Dadda .... you're killin' me!!! (said as he throws his hands in the air)

And my all time favorite he said this morning in the car.
G: Momma! I know what I am going to learn about in school today!
M: What honey?
G: I'm going to learn about chickens and Jesus!!

And this is where he left me speechless!!

weekend wrap up

Well, nothing like a weekend to remind you of the true meaning of fall in Wisconsin - football, rain, more football and of course... more rain. Drake had his second game of the season on Saturday in a torrential down pour. Like any good mother, I stood, trying to wrangle Grady away from the looming puddles, while watching 20 boys running and tackling each other through sleeting rain. The boys had fun and looked like little mud monsters when they were done. Nothing beats getting tackled in a HUGE mud puddle, and no I am not talking about Grady! I had the good fortune of having my soccer game cancelled on Sunday thus preventing me from a puddle jumping extravaganza. Believe me, there is nothing worse then the smell of soaking wet soccer cleats!!

This weekend also marked a painful loss for the Buckeyes. They obviously did not get the memo about the game on Saturday night. I can't even believe I stayed up to watch most of it. Thinking of the game still pains me. HELLO!! It was suppose to be their time to shine... sigh. No such luck.

Speaking of getting demolished - my childhood house got smooshed this weekend by one of the huge trees in our yard. It makes me so sad to see my old house that way and to think that huge tree is gone. Thankfully no one was hurt but I can't imagine the cost that is going to be involved in trying to fix a century home.

On a happy note, Drake finally got his new glasses. the first pair of glasses made him look like a bug. No seriously, they did. Hubby tried to surprise me by taking Drake to pick them up a few weeks ago. When I walked in the door from work I could not hide my horror. This is what I saw: Scary isn't it?? I feel bad because I think I actually shrieked at the sight of him then had to back peddle because I hurt his feelings. Slap another Bad Mommy Star on the mantle boys and girls! I returned those glasses and out we went to search for new ones. I have not had a chance to snap a picture of his new specs but they are quite dashing. Maybe once he finally pulls out his front tooth that has been loose for months... But that is another story for another day!

photo hunt 124 - wild

Oh yes. THE original wild child. Gotta love a boy who rocks the Rolling Stones Sticky Lil' Fingers shirt while jamming with his head phones. Don't forget his lanyard guaranteeing him back stage access so he can hang with the band. Party on Wayne!

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can i get an 'oh yeah!!'

Oh yes! The day is finally here - the first day of pre-school for Grady. Now, in all honesty, he did start back last week when I started school but 'pre-school' had not started. Yesterday was his official first day of pre-school.
We went out this past weekend to get his supplies which included a new blue folder. He was so excited about that silly folder. We spent Sunday morning decorating it with race car stickers and flames of fire. He was also determined to pick his 'outfit'. Thankfully he chose the same outfit he and Drake wore for their pictures last month but he was sure to add some accessories shall we say? Notice the black head band and mandatory side kick, Doggie.
When we got to school I was a bit taken a back by the door to his classroom. I knew ahead of time who his classroom teacher was but some last minute rearranging changed the classroom assistant. Remember Mrs S??? If you click on the picture and read the sign you will see what I am talking about. Done? Yeah, that's right. She is his new classroom assistant. I am sure she loved the skull and cross bone shorts he wore the first day of school!!! Grady seemed unphased. When I picked him up and asked him how his first day was I got this:
I wonder what she is going to think of my boy always wearing hair accessories???

who will come and visit me in the underworld?

There is nothing like being confronted by a barely 5 foot tall elderly woman and accosted for your choice of body jewelry while dropping off you 3 year old at preschool. I suppose I should preface this little tidbit of information with some history or background shall we say. Grady goes to a Christian preschool, well with us being Christians and all. What!?! An Irish lass that is not Catholic? Let's just say, I am a recovering Catholic, among other things. I have had my fair share of guilt to last ten lifetimes believe me! Ok, back on track - so Grady goes to a nice all day Christian preschool with amazing teachers, most all well up in their years. They are strict but loving which is exactly what that little demon angel needs.

Well, while dropping off Grady the other day the sweet 70+ year old Mrs. S came to greet him. She always wears ankle length skirts and her silver hair in a bun. She is the epitome of the church lady. "Oh my and how is my Grady today?" When I began to answer how he actually left the house today without a temper tantrum because I told him he could throw water at his teachers, well with it being water day and all, she abruptly stopped me with a look of shock on her face. "Do you have something in your mouth??" "Um, yes. It's a tongue ring... I've had it forever. So I was saying, Grady...." "Did you get it for your..... husband?" **here is where I begin to stutter and blush uncontrollably** "Uh... well...no.. I mean...uh... I had it... but we don't.... yeah no, uh.. I just like it?." "Well now, God did not intend for you to put things in your tongue. He gave you a perfectly beautiful tongue, one not to be defaced." (perfect? I can, if I so choose, pick my nose with my long Gene Simmons like tongue. If this is perfect I am indeed terrified). "Ok then. Well have a great day!!" "I will pray for you and that you remove that... that thing!" (picture now me fleeing for the safety of my car, knocking down the other students in my attempt to regain the little composure I had left).

Now, under different circumstances I really think I would have come back with some sort of sassy quip of sorts. But really, it was 7 in the morning and I had but only one sip of my morning brew. I will also say she is a very nice lady and that Grady is very fond of her. I will also say that I am very liberal but do have the same base beliefs that she does, I just don't feel that I have to wear long shirts and my hair in a bun.

After some thought I did come up with this, "Well, this is just my earthly vessel and we both know it doesn't come with us!". So now I throw this out to you, oh Internet. What would your response have been? Don't be shy and help a lassie out!

wordless wednesday - can he puleeze sleep with me??

I could not resist the smile and answered 'yes'.

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wordless wednesday - the picture i can't delete from my camera card

This picture was taken a year ago and I can't delete it from my camera's memory card. Every time I see that remnant of a tear, I just can't do it.

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wordless wednesday - glad to be home...

... and have things back to normal??

dilemmas, dilemmas

Oh internet, I need your help. You all know the issues with Grady and his Darth Vader wear. If not you can read here and oh, don't forget to look here too. And before you say, "Yes Kat, we all know his issues, suck it up already! Geez, we are soo tired of hearing about it already!", hear me out please! I know, I know.... sorry! But here is the low down: We leave for Nevada in three days to visit the/my parental unit. That's right folks, Nevada - where it is hot as Hades in July. Now, Grady loves him some Star Wars that is fo' sho'. With that being said - AGAIN - do I pack the shirt? Here are some of my selfish reasons to not pack the shirt:

1. I don't want to see him wearing that shirt in every vacation picture.
2. It's black with long sleeves.
3. It's hawt in Nevada, plus the whole high altitude issues we may encounter.
4. I don't want to see him wearing that shirt in every vacation picture.

I should also add that it is just not the shirt - the ensemble also includes his Vader mask and cape. I was hoping, when I recently bought the cape at Great America, that he would fall in love with it and be content to just wear the cape out and about. Um..... yeah, no such luck. I don't mind the cape and quite honestly, don't mind the shirt, but I am a bit worried that he will shrivel up and die out West if he wears that Death Star trap. On a good note, I did get him to wear that rockin' "Mom Rules" shirt, even if it was for 30 minutes. Maybe bribery will have to be in full swing when we head out west - but what to bribe him with...? I know I won't leave the house without Vader and if I try it will be ugly friends, UGLY!

So there you have it - my dilemma in a nutshell or should I say nutcase? Weigh in, post your thoughts, feelings and/or otherwise about this insanity called Grady. I'm ready... I hope!

PS: A little shout out to Barefoot Foodie and Cheaper Than Therapy for helping me tackle the three column html. You girls rock!!!

wordless wednesday - question of the day - how long will he keep this shirt on??

because i am always late to the party

These past few weeks have sucked. Instead of reveling in all that is good with summer vacation, I have been galavanting across the countryside to various appointments, doctors visits and what not. Drake has skateboarding camp, Grady is playing soccer, hubby's sailboat racing season has begun, we're all out of milk and I need to be at my soccer game in ten minutes - across town!! Sigh... is this really what I signed up for when I let hubby shot one through the goal posts? I think the effects of the alcohol prevented me from fully understanding the consequences of my actions during those few minutes of time. Minutes!? Did I say minutes? Oh, I definitely meant hours honey... hours!

The worst is trying to get Grady out of the house. Well, I guess I should clarify - trying to get him out of the house not dressed as Darth Vader. I am all for self expression and whatnot but seriously - this shirt can walk on its own. He is now in the stage of refusing to let me wash it. I used to be able to convince him that Vader needed a tubby and he would fall for it - sucker. Now... yeah, not so much. Vader dislikes all things clean. He also has long sleeves and is all black. I swear my kid is going to melt away to nothings wearing that hot box all summer. Or is it a precursor to the Goth years to come? For the most part I shrugged my shoulders and let him wear that gawd forsaken thing but somedays... somedays I am so tired of it. I hate looking at it. I hate that every picture this summer has him wearing it. For the record, I did actually buy him summer clothes. I am also getting tired of the 'looks' from the neighborhood hens that say, "Oh there he is in that shirt again" with a weak smile. I sooo want to smack them.

So there it is, my suckit Monday tribute. Better late then never!




***ADDENDUM***


Visual proof from nap this afternoon of Vader obsession. Sigh....

wordless wednesday - to the batcave!!

thoughts of a three year old

Hubby took Grady outside after dinner last night to burn off some much needed energy while I finished up in the kitchen. I was enjoying the peace and quiet of the moment when I was quickly beckoned outside with a syrupy "Oh honey!!" I replied with an ever so sweet What the hell do you want now?! "Yeeesss"".
Hubby: Would you like to know what your son just said? Anything you want to tell me??
Me: Uh...no. Not that I can think of. Why?
H: Grady, tell Mommy who you just saw.
Grady: I just saw my other Daddy.
Me: Your who?
G: My other Daddy. He was running.

Hubby proceeded to tell me that as a man in our neighborhood ran by Grady exclaimed, "Daddy look!! There goes my other Daddy!" Thankfully the man had his iPod on and could not hear my son exclaiming his excitement about his questionable parentage.

Not even ten minutes later my cherub spouted this:

Grady: Mommy shut up!
Me: Excuse me?? We don't say those words.
G: I can only say them outside right?
M:No. You can never say that. It's not nice.
G: Oh..... Mommy, I smell garbage. snort snort.

Ah yes. He is such a little angel in disguise. It terrifies me to think of what he was saying when he went to pre-school. Guess it is better not to know!!

monday mayhem

Well, since I have not broached the subject of our dog Barley since my fence-sitting episode, I guess no time is better then the present. We did ultimately decide to put him down. Two bites within two months is a lot and we just couldn’t take the risk of something more serious happening to one of the boys, or worse, someone else. I still don’t have the words to adequately describe my emotions or all that was associated with that decision and that day. It is taking a long time to process and most days I am choosing to not process at all, it just hurts too much. Yes I know, avoiding is not going to make it go away, but at this moment it is making it easier to go on with my day-to-day life. I am also dealing with the aftermath of the decision with the boys. Drake is obviously taking it harder then Grady and there have been a lot of tears shed on an almost daily basis. So what better way to cheer up a sad lad then by offering him another pet to take his mind off his loss?

I will now introduce you to Buddy (Grady’s) and Lightening (Drake’s). We had to go to the dentist this morning to get three of Drake’s cavities filled. Our dentist has an incredible aquarium filled with fish, crabs, shrimp, starfish and hermit crabs. Grady and Drake were fascinated with the hermit crabs so I offered to get them one. Well one turned to two because neither could agree on one and lord forbid they actually share something between them in their lifetime. I mean, hello!? …they can’t even share a room!! So after much deliberation they each painfully picked out their new pets and $50 later we were the new owners of two hermit crabs.
Grady’s Buddy started out in the Superman shell but quickly moved to one of the extra shells I put in their habitat. I will also take this moment to point out that it was more expensive to buy a painted crab then an ordinary crab and that both boys HAD to have a painted crab, (of course they did). Thankfully Grady was not upset with the move and luckily he and Drake got to watch Buddy move from his Superman shell to the new and improved shiny shell. I missed it, because I was at the doctor for a possible hernia from my soccer game yesterday – story to come later, but heard it was quite the sight to see! The new pets have been occupying a lot of their time and attention – so far – and can’t get too hurt by being manhandled by two over anxious boys. I also just read that these crabs can live up to 20 years…yikes! I was looking for a quick fix, not something I was going to have to take care of when I am old and gray. Maybe I should have just settled for a goldfish…. Or two!

father's day debacle

It just wouldn't be a Father's Day without a little manly dilemma. Can you guess who caused it?? Yes, it was the ever troublesome three year old. Grady, unbeknownst to us, managed to close the bathroom door and get it jammed. Somehow, when he closed it, the drawer closest to the door, slid open and made it impossible to open the door from the outside. Being as everyone was outside of the door - we had a problem.
Even the hinges were on he inside of the door, so hubby was at a loss. I remembered the skewers we use to make smores and thought they may fit into the small space we had to work with. Sure enough they did and the fine act of little movements, trying to close the drawer from the outside, began. After twenty minutes and two bent skewers we got the door open again. Another reason why Dads are so important! Happy Father's Day hubby!!

I will also add on to the greatness of Father's Day with my great and oh so exciting news. I was added to Alltop's list of Mommy bloggers! Confirmation, as my button says, that I kick ass. Sorry as I gloat, just for a brief moment.... ok, there I am done. If you click the button on the left you will find me - way, way, WAY down on the bottom - just where I like to be!!

photo hunt 114 - emotions

For this lassie, hunger is a serious emotion. Obviously I passed this 'emotion' to my son, who felt so hungry that he needed to gnaw on the nearest tree. Or perhaps he need a HUGE does of fiber.... with that one you can never be too sure. I pity can't wait to meet the person that captures his heart someday - poor soul. Did I mention there is a 'no return' policy on Grady? No...? Well now you know!!

more reasons i love my boys

Boys... you gotta love em! Yesterday, on my way to my soccer game, Drake and his friend C were in the backseat. They wanted to come to my game, not to watch me, but to play tennis. While driving along I hear Drake's friend C exclaim, "Oh man! I can't find my balls! Drake have you seen my balls??" I almost drove off the road from laughter - and the fact that I was laughing so hard because my eyes were filled with tears. I then had to block all the questions about why I was laughing so hard. Thankfully the radio was on and I could blame my hysterics on some random commercial.

And then there is Grady. Grady, who was trying to convince me this morning that he was a Power Ranger and Power Rangers do not go to school. I laughed and said that Power Rangers indeed go to school because that is how you become a Super Power Ranger. Thankfully that worked and off to school he went. And to make Monday better, his preschool had Lucky Charms for breakfast - score!!

So there is my life in a nutshell - boys, balls and Power Rangers. Ain't life grand?!

thoughts of a three year old

Here is the conversation I had with Grady in the car this morning. He was trying to convince me that he was now a girl and could take gymnastics but would be a boy when he played soccer.

Me: Grady, you make me laugh!
G: You make me laugh too Momma.... but not today.
M: Not today??
G: Nope. Just on Wednesdays, not today.

Geez, didn't realize that I was only funny one day a week. Talk about crushing my ego!

wordless wednesday - cause this is how vader rolls