My Answers

Remember this? Well, here's my answers...



"If you don't have a p*nis how do you hold it?" (When you have to go to the bathroom, but you have to wait.)
I just have to squeeze my muscles together so that the pee doesn't come out.





"Why are small poops harder to push out than big poops?"
Well, small poops aren't really ready to come out yet, so it's harder to push them out. To which Quinn said, "Oh - are they not sludgy and slippery enough?" Yup, that's right, they're not sludgy and slippery enough. If you've ever read, "The Body Book" from USBorne books, you'll know what we're talking about - it refers to poop as sludgy stuff.

Of course, the only revenge for having to answer such questions is to take your kid to see the dinosaur exhibit at the zoo, which he loved, but the revenge comes by forcing him to take a picture with you in front of one of the meat eating dinosaurs!

Those Crazy Green Liberal Neighbors

Another conversation between Mike and I using our blackberry messenger.

Cathy: My dad got us a water barrel.
Cathy: I want to order a compost bin and maybe a clothes line today.
Cathy: Our neighbors are gonna think we're crazy green liberals.
Cathy: Cuz only liberals compost and save water.
Cathy: Not to mention your lawn mower.
Mike: You're funny. Do you think you could ask your dad if he could get another one?
Mike: I want to build solar panels too.

Why I Love Blackberry Messenger

Yesterday, while I was at work, the following conversation took place between Mike and I on our respective Blackberries.

Cathy: Can we eat at 415ish. I gotta take tuck to the vet
Cathy: Pork????
Mike: Uh chicken. Or it will go bad. We can make it bbq though
Cathy: Fine chicken.
Mike: (smiley face icon)
Cathy: (tongue sticking out icon)
Cathy: I need some poop from tuck
Mike: So go get some
Mike: (tongue sticking out icon)

So - I got home around 4:10 and realized dinner was no where near being ready. When I asked Mike what was up he said, "You never told me you needed to eat early." Aha! Enter the blackberry, where it saves your conversations until you delete them. Proof! Finally. For the past 8 years we've the following conversation whenever Mike didn't remember something. He'd say, "You never told me." I'd say, "I'm pretty sure I did." BUT, I never had proof like I do now.

*blackberry messenger is a free service between blackberry users - it's sort of like text messenging, faster. And free for us.

It's Monday...Smile! Or pretend you're someone else.

I am Spiderman!
My name is not Quinn.
My name is Spiderman!
You're Superman!
I am Spiderman!
Let's go get those bad guys!
Ready?

Bullets

• I went to Costco with my dad today to look at hearing aides. On the 20 minute ride there he said, "It sure is raining" three times. When we got there I held his arm while he held the tiny umbrella above the both of us.
  
• Quinn's speech teacher wants to dismiss him because he's doing so well! YES! I won't have to wake up the boys to take Quinn to speech! BUT! What if he falls behind with his speech? I'm going to ask if she'll evaluate him in a year to be sure he's still developing appropriately for his age.
  
• Liam loves to eat meat. He throws a fit if we don't offer him any (which is probably why he loves it so much). Last night he shared my steak with me.
• I'm waiting on two boxes to arrive. If they do not arrive tomorrow I will be freaking out on Saturday morning. One box holds 24 Curious George books to be given out instead of goodie bags at Quinn's party. The other box holds Curious George plates, candles, and a table cloth.
  
• Mike fell asleep Tuesday on the couch before the kids went to bed. At 9:30 I woke him up and said, "McCain won!" And he believed me. Ha!
• My favorite post in reaction to the election was Sue's. She put into words perfectly how I feel about NOT having to explain the historical significance to her preschooler, because to him, Obama is our next president - and that alone is exciting enough. It will be many years until the students in my class realize just how exciting this is.
• One girl in my class told me on Wednesday, "My daddy's mad because the guy he voted for didn't win. But I told him that's okay, because I voted for spiders and more people voted for pumpkins and it was okay. I learned a lot about pumpkins."
  
• A few weeks ago John Stossel did some show talking about how little government actually impacts our lives. Did you see it?
• I have to make a crapload of chili for Quinn's birthday party.
  
• Actually, I have to make three crockpots full of chili for Quinn's birthday party.
• Quinn's birthday isn't until the end of the month.
• We opted to have his party early in the month in hopes of warm weather so the kids (17 of them - 14 boys!) can run around outside.
• It's supposed to be 45 degrees and rainy.
• Liam makes me laugh. Seriously. That kid is getting funny.
• I finished one out of four scrapbooks from our Disney vacation.
• I took Quinn to the barber today to fix the haircut he got in DisneyWorld. It was a great experience, but they really messed it up!
• This weekend I was so sick I wanted to die. I called the doctor and got an antibotic for a sinus infection. Mike was awesome and took care of the kids all weekend. Wish I could say the same about the house.
  
• Tonight when I tucked Quinn into bed he said, "Sleep with me." When I declined the invite he said, "Do you have to help Daddy sleep?" Then he said, "But Daddy's a big boy. He doesn't need help."
  
• Maybe if I was forcing myself to blog everyday in November I wouldn't have to do a bullet post like this. But if there's one thing I don't need right now, it's another commitment.
  
• I love The Office.
  
• Goodnight!
  

In case "Find a husband for my daughter" is on one of your lists of things to do...

When we pull out the crayons and paper here Quinn rarely colors. He makes lists. I suppose I might find this behavior odd, except for the fact that Mike and I are constantly making lists. A list for the grocery store, Target, Home Depot, things to do around the house, things to do over the summer, vacation places we want to go, stuff to buy for our Disney vacation, outfits the kids already own (for vacation), things we already have for vacation, foods to avoid, foods to eat, Mike's strange symptoms (more on that later), and various other things. Seriously, at any given point in time we will have a list of something nearby. So tonight before bed Quinn asked to pull out the crayons and "color". And he made two lists.This first list is for me. "For the next time you go to the store, mama. You need to get hot dogs and bug juice from 7-Eleven. And a diet pop for you."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

This next list is, "Save this one for when I grow up and get bigger and drive a big car like Daddy. It's for me when I'm bigger." And what's on this list, Quinn? "It's for when I'm bigger and I need to get a new vacuum and a new baby."

.

.

..

.

.

.

.

.

So...if any of you mother's or father's of daughters under the age of 10 years are looking for a future husband - one who likes to stay organized with lists and one who will help out around the house with vacuuming and be more than happy to provide you with some grandchildren - I'm accepting applications now. Oh - and he's pretty darn cute, as well, don't you agree?

Watch Your Mouth Haiku

A bit of advice

Just for all you married men

Listen up real good

When your wife tries on

Swimsuits and says, "How's this one?"

Don't you ever say

"You need more support."

No, it's not a compliment

That her boobs fall down

.

There once was a time

When she didn't need "support"

At least not that much

But after having

Gone through 2 pregnancies and

Nursing two babes

She already knows

She needs to find more support

It's just not out there

.

And your suggestion?

That it can be found in a

Catalog - yeah, right.

No matter how much

Support they claim to offer

Results will not be:

***Okay, though. In all seriousness - anyone have a secret place where they buy swimsuits that offer reasonable support. I *love* my bras, but need some help in the swimsuit department. This I knew before my husband chimed in with his opinion, which he seriously thought of as a compliment!

For more haiku fun

Visit Jennifer right here

It's a weekly thing!

This place is beautiful!

Last night we went out to eat at Brio. Oh how I love Brio, until we get the bill, and then I think, "Why does all the really good food have to come from really expensive restaurants?" Anyway, it was our first time there with the kiddos and when Quinn walked into the restaurant he exclaimed, "Oh! This place is sooooo beautiful!" Maybe we should vary his restaurant experience from the mall eatery, McDonald's, Ed's, and Omega (like Denny's). But then again we walk out of those places not feeling like we just spent a week's worth of grocery money for One Meal.

Quinn Quotes

While on a nice long walk this morning.
Q - I want our dog to come back now.
M - She can't come back. She died.
Q - Did she go back where she came from?
M - Kind of.
Q - Okay. I want a new dog. And a new cat. Please.
M - We'll see.

After he finished crying because we didn't have time to play Chutes and Ladders tonight before bed. I handed him a tissue.
M - Here. Wipe your tears off.
Taking the tissue and started to wipe his ears.
Q - Why do I need to wipe my ears off? I can hear you.
M - Not your ears - your tears.
Q - Oh. Sorry. I couldn't hear you.

He's been showing signs of being a pre-reader for many weeks now. Always asking what things say and starting to recognize brand names. The other day at lunch he turned his (empty) bowl over.
Q - Hey. What does this say? Does this say Gerber?
M - Let me see. Yup it does.
Q - Did Gerber make this?
M - Yup they did.
Q - Does Gerber make everything?
M - Pretty much.

Awhile ago we talked about his last day of preschool that was coming up. He said he didn't want to stop going to school so I explained that I could sign him up for more school for during the summer (thankfully). So, after his last day of speech until September we had this conversation. (S = speech therapist)
S - Okay Quinn. I'll see you in the fall.
Q - No you won't. You'll see me soon. Mommy is going to sign me up for more speech. Mommy, sign me up for more speech.
M - I can't Quinn. There is no speech in the summer.
Q - Yes there is. Just sign me up.
S - Okay Quinn. I'll see you later. Goodbye.
Q - Goodbye. See you soon. Mommy, are you going to sign me up for more speech?
M - I can't. Miss. Danielle is not going to teach speech this summer.
Q - Is she going on vacation?
M - Maybe.
Q - Can I go with?
M - I don't think so.
Q - Why?
And at this point I will not continue the conversation with you. But trust me when I say it lasted the entire ride home and then into the house and continued until he put some food in front of him for him to eat. The why questions just never end at this age, do they?

Not That Kind of House or How We're Paying for Our Disney Vacation

Today on the way home from preschool the following conversation took place while stopped at a stop light.

Q - Hey mommy. There's that guy. Where's that guy going Mommy?

M - I don't know. Where do you think he's going?

Q - He's going to come to our house.

M - What's he going to do at our house?

Q - Um...he's going to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

M - Really? Where are Mommy and Daddy going to sleep?

Q - You'll sleep with him!

M - There's not enough room in our bed for another person.

Q - Yes there is. You can sleep on top of that guy.

M - I don't think so.

Q - I think so.

Q - Go mommy. The light is green. Go faster. Crash. (which is what he says whenever the light turns green.)

What Did You Say?

What we heard:
Q - "I put your shit on the table."
us - "what did you say?"
Q - "I probably should sit on the table."

Conversation Cupcakes

****
I took Quinn to school on V-Day to drop off flowers for the teachers and cards for the kids. He was too sick to stay for the morning, so we said hello and Happy Valentine's Day to his teachers. One of his teachers gave him a little treat bag which I made him wait until we were home to open it. Inside he found: a heart pencil, little pad of paper, eraser, and some chocolate crunchy cereal treat. After taking everything out he said, "Oh look! It's all of my favorite things!" Little does he know he'll be getting a whole big bag of treats and things next time he goes to school.
****
Every year I make cupcakes for my little cupcakes at work to frost, decorate, and eat on Valentine's Day. Since there was no class on V-Day I bought them the next day. Quinn helped me make the first batch. Here's some of my favorite quotes from the experience together.
- "These are going to be de-lic-ious!"
- "Ohhh....it's going around and around and mixing it alllll up."
- "It's going to be like magic. We put them in the oven and boom! they will turn into cupcakes."
- "Woot! There it is!" (when I asked him where the measuring cup was)
- "This is going to be so exciting when Daddy gets home."
****
Yesterday before lunch. After noticing just 3 cupcakes left.
Through tears: - "Oh no. We're almost out of cupcakes. I love them. I want to eat them all the time."
****
This morning as I was putting away the container that once held the beloved cupcakes:
- "We should probably make more cupcakes."

Monsters

Sometimes after I feed Liam early in the morning he decides to not go right to sleep and cries for awhile. This morning was one of those times. During his crying Quinn woke up, of course, to go potty and we had the following conversation:

Q - Liam wants to wake up.

M - I know, but it's too early, so he needs to go back to sleep.

Q - Maybe there's monsters in his room.

M - There's no monsters in our house.

Q - Maybe someone made some noise.

M - Maybe.

Q - Liam woke me up.

M - Yeah. I'm sorry. He'll stop crying soon.

Q - Are the monsters in my room?

M - No. There are no monsters in our house. You are going to be nice and safe and comfy.

Q - Safe and comfy? Okay.

Lately Quinn's been have a little trouble falling asleep. He talks of monsters and tells me not to make noise after I tuck him in. He's okay if I tell him what I'm going to be doing. (Usually dishes, so I'll say, "But I have to do the dishes before I go to bed, so you'll probably hear the water running.") The other night I had to cut up veggies to bring to work. After about 10 minutes of chopping I heard Quinn crying hystrically in his room. Different type of noise he wasn't used to - I had to go and explain it to him. Then he was okay and eventually went to sleep. I'm thinking this phase is normal and I know he could be way worse about it and insist on sleeping with us. It's just the midnight trips to the bathroom and the early morning trips to the bathroom usually involve a conversation about monsters, noise, or whatever he was dreaming about. Once he told me to make his bed stop going up and down - that one freaked me out just a little. The other night I had to "take all the bees out" of his room for him. Poor guy.

Maybe I should start telling him that Maggie will chase away the monsters, bees, and whatever else it is. But that might not be too comforting considering this is the norm for Maggie...

I Hate New England or Saturday Night at Our House

After dinner on a Saturday night in our house.

First - Liam gets a bath.


Then - Quinn works on a few puzzles. He was in puzzle mode tonight and didn't even ask for help.


And finally - the kids are in bed and we sit back and watch TV (or Mike watches TV and I look around the internet).

Me - I hate New England. Who likes them anyway?
Mike - People that live in Boston.
Me - The same people that like the Red Sox?
Mike - Yeah.
Me - That's just wrong.

**And it's not that I hate New England, it's just that I really do not like the Patriots. At all. And Tom Brady can bite my big fat toe. And Bill can bite the other one.**

What Did You Say?

Yesterday at work I was sitting with a group of 4 and 5 year olds. They were working on a turkey project - basically water color painting however they wanted and then adding a turkey body to it. I really liked the way everyone was working (they were so into it), so I said, "Oh...everyone is working so hard." To which little Maggie says, "Yeah. Everyone except for you."

Yesterday at work we were, um, discussing very professionally, some issues and one of the first grade teachers said, "If they're a pain in the ass...." And I said, "Oh my gosh, did you just swear?" (I have never heard her swear and she's retiring this year. Picture the perfect first grade teacher - she plays guitar, sings songs to help her kids remember - she's just such a sweet Grandma type lady.) To which she replied, "What you've never heard me say fu#!ing? Or #*$&? You've never seen me hold both fingers up out the window on the way to work? Where have you been?" We were all in tears laughing so hard. It was nice to have the little stress relief after a very rough two weeks.

Correction Please

Quinn likes to correct us. All the time. For example:

Q - Mommy, what's Liam doing?
M - He's sitting on his bouncy chair.
Q - Noooo. Liam's sucking on his fingers.
Q - What's Liam doing, mommy?
M - He's sitting on his bouncy chair.
Q - No. He's sucking his fingers.
Q - What's Liam doing, mommy?
M - He's sitting on his bouncy chair and sucking his fingers.
Q - (big smile)

He'll do this with everything. Ask us a question, then correct us, even if our answer is partly correct. Another example.

Q - What's this, daddy?
D - It's your puzzle.
Q - Nooo. It's mommy's puzzle from work.
Q - Daddy, what's this?
D - Is it mommy's puzzle from work?
Q - Yes! (big smile)

Sometimes I'll just keep answering wrong to see how long he'll go. And he really doesn't stop. He'll eventually say, "Mommy, just say it. Say what I say, mommy."

Yesterdays Conversations with Quinn

Conversation with Quinn, while he's riding his trike.
Q - (laughing as he chases down Maggie, our dog, and then runs into her)
M - No! Do not chase Maggie.
Q- No, I hit Maggie.
M - Do NOT hit Maggie.
Q - I already did hit Maggie.
M - Don't do it again.
Q - I already did it again. (apparently I missed the first attack)
M - Do you need to get off your bike and go inside? (please note - I hate when I hear parents ask their kids these types of questions. At this point in the conversation I was losing it and didn't know what else to say. It seemed to have worked, but still.)
Q - No.
M - Then do not chase or hit Maggie with your bike.
Q - (turns his trike and continues riding around - avoiding Maggie)

Conversation with Quinn while he's playing with Liam.
M - Don't touch Liam's face.
Q - No, I touched Liam's chin.
M - Don't touch his chin.
Q - (taking a finger towards Liam's eye) Should I touch Liam's eye?
M - No! Move back.

While tucking him in at night.
M - Good night. I love you and I'll see you tomorrow.
Q - Where are you going mommy? Are you going to sleep?
M - Soon, Quinn. I'll be going to sleep very soon.
Q - Good night, mommy. I love you lots, mommy.

We'll Try Anything

In an effort to help Liam with his gas and fussiness we've taken him to a chiropractor - the results - not very promising.
And then we had another bad night (which followed by a bad day) - with him waking up six times with bad gas - lots of burps and farts and crying in pain before each passing of the gas.
So, I've been reading more about elimination diets and am thinking of trying to take out more food.
The following is a quick email conversation Mike and I had this morning.

From: Cathy - Creative Memories [mailto:mccathy@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:18 AM

To: Michael J

Subject: diet?

Eat: turkey, cranberries, potatoes, grapes, spinach, organic grape juice, olive oil, rice.
Avoid: wheat, soy, diary, tree nuts, peanuts, corn, eggs, strawberries, chocolate.
Maybe eat: citrus and tomatoes


From Mike:

Are you thinking about trying this?

No other vegetable but spinach and maybe tomatoes? That seems strange.


This would test my skills at inventive cooking. It could be fun. :-)

Love Ya,

me


Thank God I married someone who actually enjoys cooking, because I sure don't.

Getting Ready for School

M - Today when you go to school you're going to go by yourself. And play with the other kids and teachers.

Q - Where you going, mommy?

M - I'm going to go home and then come back and get you.

Q - No. I drive to school by myself.

M - Not yet. Maybe next time.

Conversation With Quinn

Q - Mommy, you have to go potty too?
M - Yup, I'll go when you're finished.
Q- Mommy, you stand up to pee?
M - No, mommy needs to sit down to pee.
Q - Why?
M - Because mommy doesn't have a penis.
Q - What do you have mommy? What do you have?