It’s time for a review of what’s been happening in our house this week.

I’ve been working A LOT lately, and I am still hacking up a lung. I just read though that honey is a very good cough suppressant. Unfortunately I’m not a huge fan, so I’ll have to figure out how to make is palatable.

James is also recovering from a cold. He got to take a day off of work and got to take a 3-hour nap. Can you hear the jealousy dripping?

Speaking of jealousy, our Jumpshot got his first taste this week. A girl he’s liked for over a year has a boyfriend. He spotted them hugging. He said the sight of them tortured my body. Poor guy. He now refers to her as the girl he used to like. We’ve all been there, buddy. I got him an Icee to help take his mind off it.

Diva is planning a toy garage sale. I agreed to it one of those moments I was saying yes to everything because she was talking incessantly, and I thought she would forget. I was wrong – again. She’s also reading! It’s all so very exciting. She gets so proud of herself, and I’m proud of her too. And the day has come that she has dreaded for years – homework has begun. She’s actually enjoying it – like I told her she would.

Manchild has a new favorite word – underwear. Apparently it’s the funniest word ever. He uses the word all the time and just laughs and laughs. He’s also getting a little sneaky. He hid half his sandwich behind his back and made me believe his finished the whole thing.  Everyone else saw it and laughed at him, which is the worst thing you could do. Now he thinks it’s funny, and he’ll keep doing it.

Jumpshot has started track practice, and the first meet is next weekend. I’m booking my scrapbook day on the 20th, so I’ll have some more layouts to show you.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward an hour next week. It’s my least favorite day of the year.

Have a great week, everyone!

It’s Weekly Wrap-Up, Sunday style. Can you guess that I’ve been working this weekend?

Although I haven’t had a lot of time to blog lately, I needed to get this week’s Wrap-Up done because the kids have been busy this week.

It’s our first week back from Winter Break. Only three weeks left of the third nine weeks. Goodness!

On Tuesday, Diva’s class had the Valentine’s Day party they were supposed to have on the 12th. School was canceled that day due to a threat of snow. They also had a pizza party that day for placing 2nd in the school’s fall fundraiser. Of course Diva insists I go to every class party, so I paid a visit and helped set up. She’s always happy to see me and always sad when I have to leave to go back to work. I did get a class hug before I left. They saw Diva hugging me and joined in.

Valentine’s Day apparently left a lasting impression on Manchild because he is still wishing us Happy Valentine’s Day. Tonight he asked me if he could give me a Valentine’s Day kiss. Well of course! Today was also his testing to see if he qualifies for pre-K. As you know, I’ve been anxious about the test, and we even rehearsed a couple questions, one being where Mom and Dad work.

He learned where Dad works but had trouble with my place of employment. In all fairness it’s rather lengthy. So the time came where the lady administering the test asked Manchild where does Dad work. Do you know what he said? He said Dad doesn’t work. The lady checked the application and saw that yes, James does have a job. So she asked him what does Dad do during the day? Manchild’s response: Watch TV.

James loved that.

The testing went well. I got to sit in and witness it all. And the verdict is that he’s going to pre-K. Yay!

But the biggest event of the week was the science fair. It was a lot of work. James and Jumpshot built an invincible Tic-Tac-Toe computer game. Jumpshot and I spent two nights decorating his display board. The Cricut came in very handy!

The science fair winners were awarded cash prizes: $75 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third. Jumpshot’s project was the most popular, but unfortunately he did not beat out the AM radio, the mummified hot dog, and whatever third place was. He was very upset. But we’re already planning for next year’s project, so watch out!

We used my computer for the display, and when we got home I immediately swabbed it down with alcohol. Die Germs! I already have a cold. I don’t need anything else.The thought of all those middle school children manhandling my computer. I wanted to burn it.

We ate out as a family on Friday. That went pretty well. No spills – for once. Diva had art class, which she is loving.

Next week, Jumpshot starts track for the first time. I steered Diva away from ballet because I heard the recitals last all day. Now I find out track meets last all day too. Someone neglected to tell me. But it’ll be o.k. That’s why we have two cars.

Have a great week!

I know every mom has had this day – the day you want to change your name because if you hear “Mommy” one more time…. I had that day today.

Work has been a little taxing on the brain lately. I worked until the very last minute before I would be late picking up the kids. So I rushed over to pick them up, only to be greeted with “Can we get an Icee?” “I’m staaar-viing!”

Why do my children associate me with food and drink? As soon as they see me, they request either food or drink. What am I doing to create this Pavlovian response? Do I look like a vending machine?

Then we had to swing by the store to pick up my prescriptions – the ones that keep me sane. So that started a discussion about what toys they are owed. Yes owed. Apparently I promised Diva a prize for a good test score. I don’t remember that, but I don’t remember a lot of what I tell the kids. After the 100th question of the day, I just say yes. I’m just too tired.

Also Jumpshot has some birthday money burning a hole in his pocket, and he didn’t get a soccer ball from the store like his brother and sister. Not that he wanted a soccer ball. But he’s very score-minded. He wants his toy.

So at the store, Easter merchandise greeted us at the front door. So it’s a chorus of “Mommy, Mommy, I want this. Oh and this and this and this.” As we’re waiting in line at the pharmacy, all I hear is “Mom, he’s being mean to me,” and “Mom, she’s elbowing me.” Oh. My. God. Stop. It.

So we get home. The first remark out of Diva’s mouth as we cross the threshold is that I’ve forgotten to do something. I think she likes to point out my shortcomings.

Manchild hears us and comes running to see us. “Mommy!” He’s beaming. Finally a child happy to see me for the sake of seeing me. He gives me a hug … and then states, “I’m thirsty!”

As Charlie Brown would say, Good Grief!

What a fantastic week!

The kids were out of school all week, and I was even off for Mardi Gras. The sun finally peeked from the blanket of clouds we’ve had for what seems a month. And it’s beginning to warm up, finally.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day. We all got a little treat this year. I think I even managed to get James a decent gift this year. I got him a watch. It has a titanium face and a resin strap. I like titanium for men. It’s manly.

The kids and I celebrated Mardi Gras by being first in line at the scrapbook store for their awesome sale. Go me! I got some new paper that I’m very excited about. Aren’t the snails the cutest?

Diva had another art class this week. She drew a wiener dog and a bowl of fruit. She’s loving it, and I couldn’t be prouder. She’s very shy, and she cried last time when I had to leave the room. This time she was still nervous, but she didn’t cry. Afterward, she told me her heart was beating out of her chest when I left, but she calmed down soon after. That’s my girl! I told her it would get easier.

Jumpshot finally finished his book – 15 minutes at a time. Next is the science project. And then track will start up soon. Boy, he keeps me so busy.

Manchild got a new treasure – a Lego Thomas the Train. I just checked on him, and he’s sleeping with it. His new phrase this week has been “In your faces!” I’m not sure which cartoon it’s from, but I’m sure that’s where he picked it up.

Have a great week!

There are lots of signs my children are growing physically and intellectually.

Getting Big

Manchild is excited about starting school in the fall. He’s been asking to play school, and he’s been drawing circles and ovals. His pretend play has been constant. Mostly he gets his toys to argue with each other. The top arguments? I’m taller and I’m first.

Diva lost her other front tooth last night. That tooth was very determined to stay put. It took weeks to pry it from its home. But gone it is. Isn’t she cute?

Jumpshot would request a kiss on his head every morning when I dropped him off at school. Not so anymore. He’s still requesting hugs and kisses every night though. So I guess not all is lost. He’s also retreating into his own little world more and more, engrossed in his music. The only problem is that he sings at the top of his lungs. A word, a word, a word, a wooooord. Is it terrible of me that I find it hilarious?

Dressed as Tyrone Watching the Backyardigans

Manchild is also testing his boundaries. He’s been very bossy lately. Last night he ran in the living room and barked at me Fix me a drink now! Who does he think he is? I replied That’s not the right way to ask.

Pleeeeese? he smiled. Not going to cut it mister. I instructed him on the proper way to ask me for something. Oookay, he sighed. Can I have a drink, please? Much better.

Diva is 6. I find it hilarious that everytime she recounts something in the past, it’s always preceded by Remember when I was three and …? Sometimes it was actually when she was three, but mostly it’s stuff from last year.

Enjoying Saturday Morning Cartoons

On the way to his friend’s house, Jumpshot flipped through the radio stations and found one that lost its satellite feed and filled with silence. This is my favorite radio station! I can’t stop listening to it. What’s going to happen next? He does make me laugh.

It snowed again yesterday. This is Louisiana! It’s not supposed to snow, much less three times in a season! I missed my opportunity to take any pictures because it melted as quickly as it came.

Have a great week!