Random funny things

This was our conversation over breakfast this morning:

Me (trying to instill a little bit of confidence):  You know that you guys are important?  And you can do anything you want to do?

Parks:  Yeah.  Because George Washington won that war and we are free.

Me: Um, yeah, I guess.  So you can do anything you want to do.  If you want to be an astronaut, you can be one.  If you want to be a teacher you can be one.

Maddie:  Yeah I want to be a school bus driver.

Me:  Awesome.

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A conversation with Maddie over homework.  I was trying to help her with her vocabulary words.

Me:  Maddie, what does "active" mean?

Maddie:  It's like when you're in a play, like, "LAAAAAAAA!" (using her best opera voice)

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On Sunday I brought up a box of Chex from the pantry and Maddie announced that we were going to make a treat.

Parks:  Oh, oh.  I love those things.  What are they called?  Those brown things.  Oh yeah!  Muddy Friends!

I think from now on Muddy Buddies will now be immortalized at our house as Muddy Friends!

To be a saber-toothed tiger

Parks decided to climb into my bed the other morning and I was using him as a pillow.  "You're really heavy!" he exclaimed, "How heavy are you?"  Not wanting to reveal my true weight, I replied "750 pounds".  To which he retorted, "Nu-uh.  You don't weigh as much as a saber-toothed tiger." Well, he got me there.

A conversation over lunch

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Parks' and Maddie's conversation during lunch today. It went a little something like this:

Parks: Maddie, what talents do you have?

Maddie: What?

Parks: Talents. Like, things you do good.

Maddie: Uh, twirling around and round.

Parks: No. Not that. Stuff you do good.

Maddie: Front flips on the tramp?

Parks: No, something you're really good at.

Maddie: Eating? Writing the letter "P"

Parks: No, like if you do something really good you can be in the talent show at school.

Maddie: Folding clothes?

Parks: No. You can't show somebody that!

Maddie: Kissing somebody

Me: "WHAT?"


p.s.  I'd almost forgotten I have a blog here.  I'll try to use it a little more often.  :) 

Rumpus

So I finally figured out how to get movies off our new camcorder.  I know, amazing.  So here's Parks in his performance last night as the Shaman in "Rumpus in the Rainforest".  It was dang cute.

Look for more exciting videos coming soon. :P

Dr. Seuss Day

Apparently, today is Dr. Seuss' 107th Birthday. You probably wouldn't know that unless you have a school-aged child. Somehow, it's a big deal at school. One more reason to celebrate, I guess. So Parks stayed up late last night, and got up early this morning to make a packet of "Seuss-ish" pictures. His remake of the cover of "There's a Wocket in my Pocket" was my favorite.

He also drew this one a while back. I wonder if every six-year-old dreams of having a world like this:

I think I could use a pizza land right about now.

100 Days

What is it about the first of the year that puts me in a slump? Honestly, every year it happens. I don't take any pictures, we don't go on any outings, I don't (ahem) blog. Something about the winter or cold weather just makes me want to hide away somewhere.

But, Parks just completed his 100th day of school. Yay! In elementary school, that's a big deal. They do all sorts of events and activities that have to do with 100. Anyway, this year, they did a writing exercise where they filled in answers about 100 different things. Here are some of Parks' responses:

100 FEATHERS would make me giggle
100 PAPER CUTS would make me say ouch
100 SISTERS would make me mad!
100 PUNCHES would make me sad.

I could eat 100 ICE CREAM but not 100 SHRIMP.
I wish I had 100 LEGO SETS because I ONLY HAVE ONE.

In 100 years from now... I WILL DIE.

Well, there ya have it. 100 Days down, only 80 more to go.

Parks

So, have you ever been reading a blog that was over the top with someone gushing about their kid, and you thought, "Enough already!"?  Well, full disclosure/ fair warning here:  This is going to be one of those posts. 

We just had Parks' parent-teacher conference this week.  I've decided those conferences are parent pay-back time.  It's either the time you feel really guilty about all the things your kid is not doing (read: all the things you're not doing as a parent), or it's a time where you just get to revel in the fact that maybe you are doing an OK job as a parent.

In Parks' case, I just loved every minute of his teacher telling him (and us) how wonderful he is.  These are the exact words she wrote on his assessment:

"I think I should just steal you and take you home with me.  You are a great friend, great reader, great listener, super on task 1st grader.  Great mathematician, great writer, and an awesome student.  What a smartie!  I think you are super great!  Keep up the good work."

Honestly, what parent is not going to feel good knowing someone else sees how wonderful their child is?  I guess as a parent you want and hope and wish your child is the perfect little angel when they're away from home. So it's nice to know he actually has learned how to behave and listen and learn, even if he doesn't always do so at home.  Know what I mean?

He also had a part in his class Halloween program last night.  Unfortunately, I was heading up a ward chili cook off, so I couldn't be there, but he had plenty of support from Aaron, Maddie, and G&G Cameron.  And thank heaven for video.  Here is part of his part:

(He was "The Thing" from Fabulous 4 for Halloween.)

Finally, I kept thinking that Parks was over his phase of creating and drawing every minute of his life.  It seemed like he hadn't created anything for awhile and I thought he'd moved on from that phase for a minute.  Well, apparently all he needs is some holiday to inspire him.  He created most of these pictures in just a day, although some were made at school.  They are now proudly displayed on his bedroom door.

Anyway, I just love this boy.  He is the best and I'm so glad he's part of our family.

Ha ha halloween!

I posted this on Facebook, but who doesn't like a little redundancy in life? 

We were at the store last week and Parks saw these and said, "Mom, look at this trick-or-treat bucket!" Apparently he's expecting quite a haul this year.

The joys of eductaion

This is what happens when your six-year-old learns to read and write: 

Apparently he knows how to operate a chat screen too. What a sneaky little bugger, eh?  I'm keepin' my eye on this one.

Because it's somehow obligatory

Here's a picture of Parks on his first day of first grade. Not sure what we'll do all day without him around, but I'm sure we'll figure it out.

They say it's your birthday

Today Parks turns 6. He has been so excited. Each day he reminds me how many days are left, and not to forget to buy him presents. He's even left reminders on the computer for me. I have gotten him some presents, but unfortunately, none of them are on his list. Here is his list from this year, word for word:

1. Toy tarantula with a remote control
2. Hulk costume
3. Turtle
4. Dinosaur with a remote control
5. My own calf wich is going to be a cow
6. A shark kite
7. My own cd player
8. My own big art set
9. A rug with spiderman
10. A mp3 player

Really? The calf/cow thing is not going to happen. He already has an art set (apparently it's not big enough?), and don't you think six is a little too young to be blasting mp3s? In any case, hopefully he's happy with what he gets.

We sure do love Parks. I think we get along pretty well together. He seems to know just how far he can push me and rarely goes over the line. He's so intelligent. It's been a lot of fun watching him learn so many new things. It's fulfilling to see him grow up and experience life.

I've been thinking a lot about Parks and about how he came to be. Well, not THAT part, but how he came into this world. So I dug up some old pictures. Here's me, very pregnant with Parks.  I think I was 39 weeks in this picture.  Yikes!

Parks was due to come into this world on April 11.  However, at the time I was finishing up my first year of an MBA program.  I was working 40 hours a week, and I slept my way through the rest of the time.  I remember feeling like I wanted Parks here, but I still had so much stuff I had to do first.

At my 40 week appointment, the doctor said Parks looked fine and that he could stay in there another week.  I was fine with that, so he stayed.  At 41 weeks they checked things out again.  Things still looked good.  At 42 weeks, I had just taken my last final for an accounting class, and I felt like I could finally have this baby- NOW!  So on April 26, fifteen days past my due date, the doctor finally said it was time for Parks to come.  I was induced and after 18 long hours Parks was born.  Yay!  We were so glad to finally have him here.  Aw, look at him:

Could you just eat him up?  We sure love this little boy.  We had another whirlwind after all that when Parks' pediatrician said he wasn't doing so hot.  To this day, we still don't know exactly what was wrong with him.  His blood pressure wouldn't stay up and he was having trouble breathing on his own.  He got to take a helicopter ride to another hospital with a larger NICU.  It was hard and strange to see him attached to so many wires and tubes and not know what the heck was wrong with him.  It was also funny to talk to the other parents with children in the NICU.  Usually they had preemies, so their first question was, "How big is your baby?"  When we told them he was over 8 pounds, they could hardly believe it.  Here is is in his little house:

He does look pretty big, doesn't he?  Anyway, that was a crazy, stressful, tiring week.  But after one week in the NICU, all his vital signs looked great and we got to take him home on my birthday.  What a great gift for me.  I guess he really just wasn't ready to enter this world.  But we're so glad he made it and we're so glad he's a part of our family.  We love him so much and have loved seeing him grow into the wonderful boy he is. 

He grew:

And grew:

And grew:

And grew:

And grew:

And grew:

Into the handsome little devil he is today.  

Happy Birthday Parks!  We sure do love you!

Spring is here

Spring is here and that means soccer. We've never been a soccer family before, but this was the year, I guess. Parks had a hard time deciding to play soccer, and an even harder time getting to his first game. Fear of the unknown, I guess. But after 3 games, he's really starting to get the hang of it.

And I'll say this, he is a great runner. He really likes to run near the ball, he just doesn't love getting in the thick of it. But Tuesday he played defense and seemed to like that a lot more. He even scored his first goal. We'll see how the next month or so progresses, but I think we can officially say we're a soccer family now.

And the best part? Treats at the end!

Kid Funnies

Yesterday I got "Hello, Goodbye" by the Beatles stuck in my head. I kept singing it and eventually Parks started singing it with me.

Aaron, ever the trivia expert, asked, "Parks, who sings that?"
Parks responded, "Mom."
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After church yesterday I asked the kids what they'd learned. Parks said they passed off the 4th Article of Faith song. So I started asking him how it went. I'd say the first part, then have the kids tell me the next part. Like this:

Me: "Second"
Parks: "repentance"

Me: "Third, baptism"
Parks: "by immersion"

Me: "Fourth, "
Maddie responds: "Laying on a bed"

I guess that kind of sounds like "laying on of hands". Sometimes it's just a laugh a minute here.

A new meaning to an old song

Today Parks and I went out for a bit of last minute shopping. We stopped for lunch and during a familiar Christmas song, Parks said this:

"Hey mom. Santa and Jesus were born on the same day!"

Me:"Uh, no they weren't. Santa just comes on the day we celebrate Jesus' birth."

Parks:"Well, they have the same birthday."

Me: "Nope."

Parks: "Well Santa was a baby on Christmas."

Me: "What?"

Parks: "It said that in the song."

I stopped to listen and "Santa Baby" was playing over the speakers. I guess that makes sense to a 5-year-old.

Dear Elves,

I intercepted Parks' letter to Santa's elves before sending it on its way to the North Pole. I sure love this boy.

And if you need a translation: "To Santa's Elves, Elves, my sis has been nice. I have too but you should be so happy of us"

A Pirate's Life for Me

Parks turned 5 this weekend. Today actually. So this past weekend has been filled with all sorts of games, food, and pirate paraphernalia. This was the first year Parks got to have a "friend" birthday party. After 2 hours of chasing small children around, I decided there is a very good reason he doesn't get a friend party every year. He wanted a pirate party, and he got that. But after this weekend, I'd really be OK if I didn't see anything pirate-related for at least another year. It was fun, and I think Parks had a good time too. Below are some pictures of the birthday adventure. Arrgh!

Ew.

Unbeknownst to me, Parks has been saving a treasure: a Ziploc baggie full of his used Band-aids. He says he's keeping them so he knows how many times he's been hurt. He refuses to let me throw it away.

I'm relatively certain that when the Easter Bunny brings baskets on Sunday, the bag-0-band-aids will mysteriously disappear with him. That Easter Bunny is one sneaky guy.

Parks quote of the day

Today Parks was asking me to do several different things all at once. I told him I only had 2 hands and could only do one thing at a time.

He responded, "Mom, it would be cool if you had a button on your nose and you could push it and transform into 10 hands. That would be cool."

Yeah. Pretty cool, Parks, pretty cool.

Christmas Highlights

I know it's nearly the New Year, but really, who needs another holiday so close to Christmas anyway? I'm about holiday'd and treated out. So why bring Christmas back up? Because I have nothing better to do on New Year's Eve!

Anyway, we were able to spend Christmas with my side of the family this year. We really enjoyed participating in Christmas Eve traditions and feeling the spirit of Christ the night before Christmas.

Christmas day, however, was a whole different ball game. Here are some highlights:

-On Christmas Eve"Santa" visited us and brought everyone Christmas PJ's. Parks and Maddie were a little afraid of him until they found out he had presents. Then they were nice and friendly.

-Parks woke up at 3 a.m. Christmas morning. He swore he just couldn't sleep any more. It was all I could do to get him to think about something other than Santa so he could catch a few more hours of sleep.

-We managed to hold the kids off until after breakfast at 8 in the morning. From there on, it was present city. I think next year the kids are only allowed to have 3 presents total. I couldn't believe what a haul they got! Present opening literally lasted 3 hours. Of course they did stop to play with each toy as it was opened, but still.

-One of the first presents Maddie opened was a package of batteries for a toy yet to be opened. She responded, nearly in tears, saying "That's not a present, that's batteries!"

-We did a present exchange where each member of the family got to pick a present from a stack and then open it. Then the next person could steal the previous present or pick a new one. Parks ended up with a gigantic talking My Little Ponly. He was crestfallen. He started crying and screaming all at the same time, "I HATE THAT PRESENT!" Luckily some kind soul sacrificed their present so he wasn't stuck with the "girl" present.

It was a good day and we really enjoyed being with family. And finally, here are some pictures and videos from the big day:

We put the kids to work making Christmas Eve dinner.

Some of Parks' favorites:

Is it Parks or Spiderman? Hard to tell

Maddie loved:

Something from Maddie's list:

Here's what Parks thinks:

Hope you had a Merry Christmas too!

I'm right, you're wrong.

I like to think that I'm right about pretty much everything. I especially don't like it when someone tells me I'm wrong. But when a 4-year-old tells it to you, it doesn't seem nearly as harsh as if an adult had said the same thing.

Last week Parks was looking for the shirt to a pair of his pajamas. He asked me to help him find it. As I'm searching through his pajama drawer, he says, "Mom, I think it's in my summer drawer since it has short sleeves." I say, "No, I'm sure we left it with its matching pants." Parks responded, very matter-of-factly, "No mom. I'm right and you're wrong." So we searched in his summer drawer and found it. He was right, and I was wrong. I found it a little humorous that he would put it so bluntly though.

Now the only question left to ask is if he knew exactly where the shirt was to begin with, why did he send me on a wild goose chase to find it?