French Press Friday

The Perfect Porch

Although it hasn't been French Press coffee, I've been having my morning coffee on this front porch for the past week.  This is my parents's summer home in Ohio.  It may not be the most beautiful porch, but it is by far my most favorite porch!  I suppose that could make it the most beautiful, couldn't it? 

Some beautiful reasons:

JoJo reading in the air chair.  Every home should have an air chair somewhere.  They are wonderful!

 

Mouse on the porch swing.  What's a porch without a swing?!  (This pic makes his legs look longer than they are.  Wierd isn't it?)

The boyos playin' with old toyos.  I have fond memories of those Fisher Price playthings...


 More stories of summer vacation to come....

"What's the deal?  It's an island!"
"Mainland rules don't apply"
              and
"Memoirs of an Island Girl"

An Assignment

The other day I gathered and scattered various objects on our table.

lids of two different sizes

It was SO very hot...again...and the boyos were getting cranky.  Or was it me?  When four people are couped up in a small space for days on end because it's just too hot to be outside...EVERYONE can get cranky.  True?  This scattering of objects was an attempt to waylay the Crankies.

A catapult made by Bud

Once all the objects had been gathered and scattered, I gave the boyos some simple instructions.  "Invent games!"

Angry Bird and a pig

"Using some, or all, of the items on the table see how many different games you can come up with."

Dixie Cups

It did NOT go as I had planned.  I had PLANNED to get them started and then let them go.  I would get some semi-quiet to read for a bit.  Nope.  There is no semi-quiet when you put three boys together and ask them to cooperate while inventing games.

Various tape lines

 

There was a lot of arguing, a little crying, a bit of yelling, a lot of stomping...and eventually some game playing!  They did it!  They came up with three different games - all of which involved things flying off the table. 

I must admit, for a while I did not think they'd finish the assignment.  I thought  I'd be sending them to their separate corners to cool off.  I thought my wonderful idea was going up in smoke!  A bit dramatic, yes, but I was terribly frustrated.  My idea was not coming to fruition.  But when the whole ordeal was over - when they boys had finished their fun - I realized something.  They had to work through the problem solving aspect of this assignment in their own way.  They each came up with a game.  They each got a chance to explain their game.  They each got a chance to play their game with their brothers.  Was that my goal for them?  Yes.  Did they accomplish it the way I had imagined?  Heck no!  Ah well.  You know what they say:

"The best laid plans of mice and "MOMS" oft' go awry."

Hm.

Maybe the Rolling Stones lesson is a better fit here.  I did not get what I wanted, but I got what I needed!

The Domino Effect

I think one of the reasons we as moms get so distracted is because of the domino effect.  You are familiar with it, I'm sure.  It happens when you begin one task which then causes another to be put on your list, and when you are busy taking care of that "one task" you see three more that need immediate attention.  An example:

I took a load of laundry downstairs to be washed and immediately saw the 3 other loads already waiting to be put in the machine. 

I also saw the two throw rugs Hubby tossed down there.  I decided to get those rugs done first and shook them out before tossing them in.  One of them scattered sand and dirt all over the floor.

While down there, the boys asked me to get the Playmobil Airport down for them.  We keep it up because it's one thing we want to remain as a special activity, only being used occassionally.  So I pulled it off the top shelf only to see tiny mouse poopies on it. 

Gross.

Had to go upstairs to get the disinfectant.  Back downstairs, wipe down the airport, tell the boys to wash their hands.  Go back to sweep up the sand and dirt from the throw rug.

Re-sort the pile of laundry because apparantly I'm the only one who can decipher what the piles mean.  My loving family members see a pile and just add to it. They don't understand the complexities of laundering clothes.  You can't wash jeans with white socks!  Well...actually you could if you wanted to.  I don't want to.  So the re-sorting begins. 

Upon finishing that task, I see the totes full of clothes for the boyos that REALLY NEED ATTENTION!  So many are hand-me-downs, for which I am grateful.  But there are way too many.  I have been meaning to get to this project all summer.  *sigh*  I pass by, choosing to put if off just a bit longer.  Choosing to finish my coffee with Hubs.  Choosing to read a little more.   But I put the task on the top of my mental list knowing full well it will be the first domino to fall. 

I wonder where it will take me?

French Press Friday

The following is what is born from a 9-year old waking me with spider nightmares at 4:00 AM and my inability to go back to sleep because my brain won't shut off.



"Coffee on the Porch"

I sit on my porch
In the sweltering heat;
No fan for my face,
No pool for my feet.

Hot coffee in hand,
You must think me crazy.
Go in and get ice?
Nah, I'm too lazy.



Enjoy your weekend!  Avoid the sweltering heat. And never be too lazy to fetch ice.

Roll With It, Baby!

When Bud was little, we had trouble with his behavior when he did not get his way.  He knew how to pitch a fit, boy!  The screaming would start along with tears.  The attempts to argue, persuade and otherwise talk us into giving in to the desires of his toddler heart were impressive.  Yes, he was good with words even as a toddler. 

When he was a little older and we could begin to reason with him, I would talk to him about what was coming up - a play date, for example - and explain that it could not last forever.  "When it was time to go, it was time to go...and NO PITCHING A FIT!"    That seemed to work.  It even got to the point that he would chant it with me. 

But when he was younger, we just had to teach him that he could not always get what he wanted.  Hubs and I, being the classic rock fans we are, found this particular song very helpful.  The refrain was sung to our little Bud a lot!  Hubs and I had a blast.  Even if - most times - all our serenading accomplished was to infuriate our toddler even more.  At least we kept our sanity!



4th of July...

Old Traditions and Some New

I've never done much as far as decorating for the little celebratory days, like the 4th.  I decided to give it a try.  A bit of my "quick, let's throw something together, boys, because tomorrow's the day" decor.

Found the subway art on pinterest.   The white chimneys are from Gold Canyon.  The red glass is something from mom.  Sadly, I don't remember the story.  Mom, if you are reading, please refresh my memory! 

The star-studded candle holder is from Gold Canyon, too (it's called the Changing Seasons candle holder, just in case you're interested).  The other things were quickly made in my craft room and throw-togethers.  Maybe next year I'll get the cloth ironed.  Maybe not...

The back patio this year is a mess.  So many things I wanted to do with it and it just didn't happen. I did manage to fill a couple of pots with patriotic colors, thanks to the help of JoJo and Mouse.  We planted these before Memorial Day.  And they haven't died yet due to the heat!  Although they did get pretty close to it once or twice.  I think I could hear their sighs of relief and thank-you when I drowned them with water from the hose.  Just before turning it on the boys!

A favorite turtle from my mom.  He look so cute sitting with the potted plants.  I love the simple grin on his face.

Hubby will grill steak tonight for supper.  I just got it in its marinade.  What a delicious marinade it is!  A good friend shared it with me years ago and we've been enjoying it on chicken and steak ever since.  Also on the menu: a mix of salad greens, some of which will be from my garden (!); baked beans; french herb bread from the bread machine.  The phrase "as American as apple pie" popped into my head this morning.  So I thought it would be appropriate to bake an apple pie to enjoy as well.  I decided this would become a new tradition for our family.  Any tradition that fills the tummys of my guys is a good tradition!

Hubs and the Boyos just returned from their second visit to the local firework stand in as many days.  That is an old tradition.  Every year they stock up on noise makers and they giggle and run and attempt to blow up unwanted toys.  I enjoy the fun they have.  As a kid I remember having snaps and black snakes once in a while.  Sparklers were a yearly tradition, as I think they are for everyone.  But actually setting off firecrackers was something my brother and I never did as kids.  Maybe it was not permitted in our neighborhood.  That's a possibility!  I do remember seeing big nighttime displays with family or friends.  At least they seemed big.  Everything seems big when you're a kid, though, doesn't it?  Whatever the tradition, it's always fun.

We talked around the lunch table today about celebrating the 4th.  The little boys did not know that our country is the only one to celebrate the 4th of July.  What a good teaching opportunity!  They found it kind of cool.  Happy Birthday to the US of A!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

A first harvest from my miniscule,  measly little,  petite garden!

Cherry tomatoes, lettuces, and some fragrant marigolds.  They remind me of childhood summers...

The Importance of Imagination

Not too long ago I read that a loss of creativity begins in grade school and increases through adulthood.  This concerned me.  Even more so were the percentages.  A child under the age of 5 tests at 90% for originality.  By age 7 it has already dropped as low as 20%!  And by adulthood...are you ready for this?  By adulthood, our originality gets a score of 2%!   Wow!  That is sad.  Maybe that's why when I ran barefoot through the grass last night to watch the setting sun with JoJo and Mouse, I felt like I was a kid again.  All I did was run barefoot through the grass!  But that was something I did all the time as a kid.  Wouldn't think of doing it as an adult.  Except for the fact that my little guy asked me to go see the setting sun.  Which was gorgeous by the way.

Well, this post was not intended to get philosophical.  Just wanted to share some of the measly 20% creativity my boyos have.

Allow me to introduce you to two new superheroes in our neighborhood,

 Justice Man and Swamp Boy!

Rejoice!