Dad! Mom's Right!

I think it was the bad weather...but can't say for sure. However, Jim and I couldn't see eye to eye on anything yesterday. Let me be clear - we weren't fighting. But we just couldn't agree on anything either.

Silly stuff...I thawed pork chops for dinner...Jim didn't want them. I think BMWs are pretentious...Jim thinks they're not. Jim thinks 30 minutes is long enough in Barnes & Noble, I say let's just stay until the dudes are ready to go. Just stupid stuff like that ALL DAY LONG.

But here's the silver lining...whenever Tanner heard us disagreeing...he'd pipe in with a solid, "D-a-a-a-a-d, Mom's right". The little cutie took my side every time...further agitating Jim.

I figure it's just the tables turning after hearing over 2 years of Brian siding with Jim (most of the time). My turn for a little back-up (probably not as articulate...but also not someone you can really argue with!). Thanks little Tanner Bananer! I love you more and more every day :)

Back to the Doctor - 2nd Day in a Row

Yep...another call. This one from Staci (our sitter) from Gymanstics. Tanner is screaming in the background. This time he dislocated his elbow :( It's the first time since he got the cast off in November, but still disappointing. I was hoping to never hear that cry again.

Back to the same doctor's office. Same nurse (who thinks Tanners is just so stinkin' cute). Doctor asks "What happened?". Tanner says angrily in tears 'Can't you see, I dislocated my elbow again!". Silly doctor!

And oh the drama. As we're waiting for the doctor to come in, Tanner blubbers/whines:

'I can only stand. I can't sit because it hurts my arm'
'I think I'm going to have to stand for 59 years!'
'And you're going to have to do everything for me. I won't be able to sleep. I won't be able to eat. I won't be able to do anything!'
'I never dislocated my elbow when I was 6 years old, only 5 years old and 4 years old and 3 years old and 2 years old and 1 years old!'
'I'm never going to have a birthday again because that will mean that my elbow will be dislocated'

It was so pitiful I had to laugh and comfort him at the same time. Poor little dude. Tough week. I wonder what tomorrow will bring...maybe a day of peace?

Proud Parent

We received our first call today from the secretary at school. I answered the cell phone, not recognizing the phone number, and you might imagine my terror when the caller says 'Hello, this is Ellen from Meadow Brook Elementary'.

My mind immediately raced to - Tanner dislocated his elbow. Or, Alex was in the Principal's office for bolting across the street. Or Alex had a seizure. Or either had knocked out a tooth on the playground. Completely terrifying thoughts race through a parents head.

So, Ellen goes on to say that Tanner got a pencil eraser stuck up his nose and they couldn't see it/get it out. I laughed out loud. Perhaps not an appropriate response? But seriously, an eraser stuck up his nose!

I was en route to GR from South Haven, so I called Jim to take care of it (he was closer to the school than I). I was riding with Kim Trent, who independently comes to the same conclusion as I - these boys are certainly Daddy's little guys!

I may not have raised Jimbo, but I've heard enough stories and can draw enough reasonably accurate conclusions to know that this little stunt was likely right up his alley as a child. Tanner reports matter-of-factly to the pediatrician (with Daddy in tow) that he thought it would be funny. The doctor suggested maybe it wasn't a good idea, and Tanner reluctantly concurred.

So, for those of you wondering how to fix such an ailment - here's the scoop. Hold one nostril closed and blow in your childs mouth strongly (as if doing CPR). The lodged object will launch from the clear nostril.

So, crisis averted. Jim handles the Tan-man's predicament...further evidence that the apple likely didn't fall far from the tree. :)

Totally Newsworthy

Alex came to me in the kitchen tonite and for the first time ever and completely unprompted asked sweetly if he could please take out the trash. Melted my heart - I smiled and said of course - and thank you! I'm just completely shocked...and will savor the moment as I'm guessing I'll be the one begging in years to come.

Then, when Tanner saw Alex taking out the trash, he pleaded to do the same! So, I sent Tanner out with a bag of recycling.

They were so proud of themselves! Too cute.

"Mom! We look like twins!"

No, really? They shout and I always get a chuckle.

The past week, they've been announcing it when they wear the same clothes. Actually, the same PJs. It's this cool new game to wear matching PJs. It only took them a few years to figure how fun that could be I guess :)

I've never pushed or even suggested matching clothes. In fact, I won't even buy them identical clothes (always coordinating - same shirt, different color).

PJs on the other hand...there are only some many choices out there. Since comfort certainly outweighs looks when it comes to good pjs, I buy 2 if I find good ones.

Oh...I guess there is another exception to my 'no matching' rule. Coats, shoes and backpacks must be identical. I just don't have the patience on the way out the door for the brawls over one vs. another. In fact, though they had matching coats this winter one was labeled 'Alex' and one 'Tanner' for school purposes. They were fighting over which named coat they got to wear, so we wrote boldly 'Wooden' over the first names to make that fights go away.

Anyhow...yes fellas...you look like twins when - and only when - you wear your matching pjs :)

Bedtime Piano

We just found clip-on lights for the boys beds...and Alex is happy as can be playing his little piano book in bed. He plays away (having memorized nearly the whole book of songs) while Tanner reads out loud next to him. Not exactly quiet up there...but calming for each in their own way.

The Potty Dance

No, I'm not referring to the traditional shuffle and leg crossing you expect from a kindergartener. I'm talking about MY potty dance...which is performed while waiting outside the mens restroom...waiting for 2 little 5 years olds to emerge from their duties. MY nervous shuffle knowing that the curious little dudes are in there all alone - because they refuse to go in "womans" because they are "mens".

I can hear them...I can imagine the trouble they are getting into...but I can't control it! Perhaps it's God testing me...I can't control all aspects of my life...I know...they are my daily reminder!!!

Tonight at the library a 50 year old professionally dressed gentleman stepped out briskly, steps ahead of the little dudes. Alex says 'I'm following this man!' and starts chasing after him. I quickly grab his hood (thank God for hoods!) and keep him back. So I begin to wonder and groan...why so fascinated with this man? (Which prompts me to find a book about strangers...we'll see if the Berenstein Bears can get through on that front). I have this terrible suspicion that they probably peeked at him under the stall door and chased him away from his private time.

Why oh why? Why boys? Why curious boys? Why fearless and social boys? Why 2 of them? Help me Lord...or help all those looking for some peace in quiet in a public restroom when the Wooden boys stop in for a visit.