Some recent faves!

Can you tell I'm procrastinating writing in my blog?

The Secret Life of Boys

Yesterday I saw one of the best movies I've seen in a long time...well, who am I kidding--I hardly ever GO to movies! But for what it's worth, "The Secret Life of Bees" is definitely worth seeing. And no, I have not read the book...and in some ways was able to imagine the parts in the movie where more subtext would've made it that much more meaningful...but in the end, I suppose I was blissfully unaware.

A great movie.

I highly recommend.

As for my boys, well...the following happened as I was giving them baths before bedtime last night:

(both boys playing happily in the tub while I wash my face and straighten up the bathroom)

Benjamin: "Jonny, watch! Do this!!" (B proceeds to stand up in tub and begin smacking his belly, dangerously close to the goods, with the greatest of vigor)

Jonathan: "Ha, ha...okayy!" (copies B, and hilarity between the two of them immediately ensues...they are both whackin away at their junk and laughing hysterically)

Me (feeling a bit intrusive all of a sudden): "Ok..." (and with that I leave the room to fold laundry in bedroom for a minute, where I begin to overhear the rest...)

Benjamin: "Jonny, if you want to get clean and all soapy you have to get sit...ok, Jonny? You have to sit down."

Jonathan: "Nnnno!"

Benjamin: *yelling* "Mommmeeee! Jonny hit me!!"

Me (at door of bathroom again): "Jonathan, keep your hands to yourself, Buddy...and Benjamin, don't order him around so much!" (all very effective, as usual)

Benjamin: "Jonny, you can't hit me...ok, Jonny? You can't hit. That's what I'm telling you." (Benjamin repeats this statement when he realizes how much his brother is not paying attention to him...and just when B starts to get frustrated...)

Jonathan: "Benny, hug?" (PLG impromptu hug erases all animosity...both boys make the "ahhh" noise and giggle)

Jonathan: "Benny, key-assss?" (PLG impromptu smooch...for realz.)

Benjamin: "Mommy, we're ok...you don't need to be in here. I'm not so naughty to Jonny anymore. Go be with Daddy in his office."

So glad they had it under control.

And of course, the political.

A season never to be forgotten! What an inspiring time it's been...motivating, empowering, unifying, truly exciting...and unbelievably fun.

In the Interest of Time

Some pictures to update my blog on all that has been happening in our lives the past month or so. Benjamin's first day of preschool, Jonny in his oh-so-appropriate t-shirt from Dawn (bday gift!), Benjamin with me at youth group retreat, us with the Millers at the Mayflower Family Fun Night, and Jonny in the famous Koetsier's ballon house during one of his many bday parties last month.:)

A more substantive post to follow real soon.

Real soon.

"Integrating the content areas"

That's what we call, in teaching, when you integrate one subject into the teaching of another. For example, practicing how to spell and learn the meaning of math terms. Or using music to teach science.
Embracing the "multiple intelligences".

Anyway. Care much? Didn't think so.
But it seems Jonny is doing this with his gymnastics and music skills.

Sitting in our circle in our Music Together class this morning, we were all shaking egg-sized maracas in our hands and mimicing the instructor's rhythm...a feisty Latin beat was the teacher's choice today (Mommy's hips were moving, even as I sat with J in my lap). Anyway, so at the end of the song, we all follow the teacher's lead and plunk our maracas down on the padded, colorful floor right on the final beat.
And this is when Jonny jumps to his feet, bends over and does a somersault right into the center of the circle...stands up and pumps his fists in the air and shouts "Ta-Daaa!"

No joke.
Hilarious.
I almost peed.
And as you might imagine, it was a total hit. Except when J realized how much of a success this stunt was, he attempted to do somersaults at random times throughout the session.
Not so appropriate during the "skipping in a circle" segment.

Have I mentioned how much I love this kid?
He is a bona fide handful of craziness and impulsivity...but such a bright and present spirit.

I adore you, Jonny C.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of integrating gymnastics into music.
Or, as it might be in your case, a little bit of theater into a group setting.

Hmm...whose side do you get this from?

What I Appreciate

As a mom to Jonathan Richards, I appreciate witnessing another mom running after her 2yr old son in the gym parking lot...with the child running so fast, the mom's not gaining much ground...and she's somehow trying to keep her purse from flying up in her face and still look like she's got it all together at the same time. And was that her water bottle that went flying? Yup, been there, too.

As a lover of all things "fall", I appreciate very much the lengths to which my little town will go to celebrate it.

As a non-conformist to the "put together and preppy" crowd at preschool drop-off, I very much appreciate the few other moms who have nasty, sweaty hair and are wearing non-designer sweats on the playground at pick-up time. (secretly, I am jealous of the Ann Taylor crowd for some insane reason...but only because their hair is blown dry and probably smells terrific)

As a lover of snacks that are sweet AND salty, I deeply appreciate those who put peanuts in their bowl of candy corn. Seriously? It's my addiction right now, and it aint pretty.

And finally, as an avid writer, there's often little else I appreciate more than someone else's ability to put my own views and feelings into words. And in a much smarter and more clever way than I ever could.

Cheers to that.

Why we're naked THIS time...

As I put their toys away in the garage after our late-afternoon walk to 'Bucks (mmm...hot caramel apple cider)...I walk into the backyard to find them covering eachother in wet woodchips...and Jonathan, eating them. That's right. As he sees me he starts to whine, realizing how truly non-delicious they are....and then, as I start wiping them off his face, he ralphs.

Ever think you'd see your kid throwing up woodchips?
Me neither.

So, off went his clothes, covered in nastiness...and Benjamin's too, as he'd managed to cover himself in enough wet woodchip-ness that his hair was literally thick with it.
Clothes in the washer, I made them both hang their heads out of the back door onto the deck and spastically ran my hands through their hair.
And then?
Then I cut them loose in their diapers and went for the camera.
I mean really...what else can you do in a situation like this?

When Brian and I first talked about kids (oh, on our third or fourth date...lol) I remember saying..."I absolutely want to stay home with them, if I can."
I look back on this and laugh because I KNOW I was picturing a far different picture. For one, I was totally picturing a girl (at least one) in the mix. I was also picturing something a bit more idyllic and serene...and far less rambunctious and messy. I never pictured purple crayon all over my red sofas.

But the BEST news here is that if I could start over and script my life any other way, I'd change nothing. Not even the money being spent on vodka and wine each week...:)

Here's to life with the Richards' boys.
Sorry bout your coffee pot last Saturday, Bergsmas.:)