My son is obsessed with butter

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO STEPHANIE!

I don't know why, but David frequently has an obsession with butter. When he was about 2.5/3, he would frequently ask for butter in EVERYTHING! He would lick his butter off of his toast. His obsession subsided over the past 6 months or so. However, about 2 months ago, while riding home with a friend, he was asked if he wanted cream cheese on his bagel. I wasn't there, but I believe said "I like butter." Well, on Saturday he asked if he could have a piece of butter bread for breakfast. I put the butter on the table (my first mistake) while I went downstairs to get a new loaf of bread. This is what I found I came back upstairs.....

"I LIKE BUTTER"

Needless to say, the butter was destroyed!

Big Brother

David decided he wanted to feed Ellie today. Me, being the calm and adventuresome mom that I am, said yes. It was messy, very messy. David said, before every bite, "open up Ellie". These were pictures after I had cleaned up a bit. If she ate for him well, then he would have become her #1 feeder. But, of course that didn't happen! I wonder who she would eat for??

David's first swim lesson

This was a first that wasn't exciting to watch. He was soooo excited for swimming. He just jumped up and down as he waited his turn. He even wanted to jump in the water, which he did. Then, for the next 10 minutes he just held onto his coach and cried uncontrollably saying "I want to get out, I want my mommy" over and over. Hopefully the 2nd swim lesson is better than the 1st.

I love tights.....

.....and little girls in them.

This is what happened every time I tried to sit her down for a picture. You know, I may abandon her if I sit her down. The only safest place is in momma's arms. What a momma's baby-LOVE HER!

Ellie's First Park Date

Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day...the first taste of spring. AHH....wonderful! While daddy and David went to the driving range, Ellie and I took a trip to the park. She has been to the park before, but always tucked in the sling. This was the first day that she went for a swing ride, went down the slides and had her first taste of bark. It's always so enjoyable to see your children having their first experiences with things. Well, not always. But more on that in another post. She loved the swing. I believe she will be my dare-devil. I kept pushing her higher and higher and she just squeeled. Here are a few pictures....

She enjoyed chewing on the swing...I did not enjoy it. I think it was because she couldn't stay sitting since we were going so high.

"Practice What You Preach Brother Man"

This is a new phrase I used with David tonight. He said something to me and I did not hear him. I, inappropriately, responded with a "huh"? To which he replied "remember, mommy, you shouldn't say "huh", you should say "pardon me?". Yea, kid, I know. Try doing that yourself sometime. I learned the "huh?" from you!!

Earlier today we were leaving a friend's house and traveled home via their backyard. There was a random miniature toy in the backyard-it had clearly been laying there for a great period of time and was long forgotten. David asked if I thought Casey would let us borrow it. I said I was sure he wouldn't mind. The RIGHT thing to do would have been to go back inside and ask permission to borrow it. Well, I did the WRONG thing. We had only gone outside to take Casey home so none of us had coats on-it was to be a quick trip. I didn't feel like going back inside and asking to borrow a toy that Casey had likely forgotten even existed. And, I knew that as we had left Casey was going up to take a nap. And no mommy wants to be interrupted when children are going down to take a nap. Anyway, I said I was sure Casey wouldn't mind if we borrowed it-so we headed home, toy in hand. Once inside, David said "mommy, we took Casey's toy and did not pay for it. We stole it like I stealed candy at the coffee shop yesterday". Since I was feeling guilty that I allowed him to "borrow" the toy without asking, I took the opportunity to explain, in detail, the difference between stealing and borrowing. I conveniently left out the part about needing to ask to borrow something before actually borrowing the item. I knew I would get caught red handed if I had done that. So, although I got caught, he obviously learned from yesterday stealing incident. It may have also been because I asked him what happened to the thieves in the Bible-He told me they died on the cross next to Jesus. That's right-steal another piece of candy and you might have to die on a cross. How is that for changing a child's heart or should we say scaring them into good behavior??? I know that I really do want a child with a pure heart and a desire to do good because of their care. But right now I just want him to not steal and if he doesn't because he thinks he might be crucified, so be it!
P.S. Casey, your toy will be returned promptly!

A First Time for Everything

Today David and I, together, reached a milestone....a first in our mother-son relationship. He stole chocolate and I helped him confess. It was a beautiful moment. There was lots of beautiful conversation, loving touches....I just hope I can remember this time together forever! Back to reality...I wanted to hide under a rock or throw up (or maybe a combination of them both).

We were at the Treehouse Coffee Shop in Audubon where a friend and I were leading a discussion group. I say what we were doing that to show that I actually know the owners-they recognize me and know my name! David had been asking for something to eat and I had told him repeatedly that we were going home soon and we would eat when we got home. As I was preparing to leave, I couldn't find him. Of course, I panicked. Then I found him in the corner with the children's treats. This is what I found.....said child with an obviously full mouth, said child with an empty candy wrapper in his hands, said child standing next to a bowl full of candy identically matching the empty wrapper in said child's hand. I asked him if he ate the candy to which he very willingly replied "yes, I was hungry". Ok, you got a point for yourself there because you didn't lie. That should help you during your sentencing. He was very nervous looking. I think he had no idea that he stole or what stealing was even about. I think he was nervous because I told him that he could not eat and then he went ahead and did it.


My first thought was to grab our stuff and hit the road. I didn't want to confess that MY child, my wonderful son stole something. I thought better about running. This was a learning opportunity and I had to take it. After David and I "spoke" about the incident, I gave him money and made him go and tell the owner that he took the candy and needed to pay for it. He did that. I also told him the money would need to come out of his bank when we got home. He was very shy...I think maybe he got it.

I don't know when I can show my face again....but I know that I dealt with it and I believe I handled it well. Hopefully this little learning experience will be the last of these sorts. However, I am sure the "firsts" in the future will bring even bigger and better embarassment! Oh, how I love being a mother!!

Lessons Learned:

• bring extra change with me in the event I must pay for $.25 candy stolen
• feed the kid before you leave the house. feed him extra good in the event he gets really hungry.
• only visit places once...his way they can never get to know you in the event your kid steals from them.
• scope out "private" places in public in the event you need some "private" time with your resident thief.
• rehearse your "i am shocked he did this. he has NEVER done this before".
  
  
  Does this look like the face of a thief???