I think he's Serious.

So... when I told the boy to give away all his toys in order to get a "mater truck",

he got busy.

After each room, he'd come and tell me he had all his toys together.  I'd mention another room, another stash.  He'd go and get those.  No kidding, folks, he didn't blink an eye. He did comment at one point "this is heavy" and another time, "this is a lot of toys."  But his resolve didn't waiver.

Mine did.  I was bluffing at first, and then thought it was a great idea.  I was intrigued to see what a one-toy house would do to our daily life.  But as we started gathering it all up in bags and boxes, I caught sight of a truck one set of aunt/uncle had given him, a turtle another aunt had given, a plane a cousin had painted, a boat from an uncle, a monkey from a bunch o' cousins, a firetruck from Pop and Grandma, books from other aunts and uncles and Nana... I was reminded how many relatives we have (mostly far flung).  I couldn't give this all away.

(Note- much later, my mom asked me why I just didn't pack everything up for a while.  Brilliant idea!  But I am a rookie parent, still, and one still recovering from a cold at this point.  I punted.)


Anyway, we did go through *all* the toys, books and clothes in the house.  We came up with 2 diaper boxes and 2 bags of "stuff" that will go to a local abuse center for women and children.  And the next night, look what JimDad and Kboy are working on:  

It's hard to tell here (we're not noctural, it's tech and lighting issues).  But this is a very happy boy, with a fully assembled mater truck wagon, towing another truck behind.

I'm not sure what he learned, exactly, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't what I wanted to teach him.  Sigh.  Such is life, I suppose.  Perhaps I'll be better prepared next time...

an even trade?

Honest to goodness conversation that we just had: (and a very needed smiel on a rough day):

Kaden:  Mommy, I want this Mater truck.  (pointing to an ad)
Me:  You mean the wagon?  We don't have room for that.
Kaden:  But I want it.
Me:  Well, I suppose if you wanted to pack up ALL your toys, and give them to a little boy who doesn't have anything, then we would have room.
Kaden:  OK!  (runs off to the living room)
Hmm, what I need now is a bag.  I've seen one around.
Nana:  You could use this box over here.
Kaden:  Yes, thank you!
Nana:  What are you doing?
Kaden:  I'm packing up all my toys to give to a big boy like me.
Nana:  Why? 
Kaden:  So I can go buy the Mader truck.
Nana:  Is it really worth it?
Kaden:  Oh, yes.

After a few minutes, he has piled all the living room toys into a box and a bag.
Kaden:  Ok Mom, let's go get the Mader truck.  I packed up all my toys.
Me:  Well, that was just the living room.  What about the toys in your bedroom?
Nana, speaking to me:  I don't know where you got this from, but it wasn't your childhood.

Now, if you'll excuse me folks, I have a huge pile of toys that either need to be loaded in the truck or put back away...

Captiva Tri

This morning, Jim had another triathlon... on Captiva Island.

And when I was standing on the almost deserted beach (after the swim part ended),

I saw a dolphin swimming and thought, this tri thing is good.

 I did forget my camera, so if you squint below to the left of the cones,

you'll see Jim coming around the corner at the start of the run.

As he passed by, he told me his time was unofficial, since he blew a tire, tube AND spoke...

so he walked the bike back and didn't finish that leg.  Suprisingly, he wasn't in a bad mood about it.  And, God Bless him, instead of quitting, he said "I'm not ready to be done yet" and kept going.

The pic above is a random racer. It occured to me that there were a lot of competitors who *looked* good-- not only because of fancy/matching trisuits, but also good form on the run: even breaths, calm face, nice stride. Then I realized they were smack dab in the middle - or even end- of the pack. Hmm. 

Jim loved the idea of carrying Kaden across the finish line.

I didn't mention that the boy had a wet swimsuit.

Or that the finish line wasn't that close.



But they did it in good stride, anyway.  Kaden was thrilled to get a bottle of cold water (just like the racers, mom).... and the tri medal.  I don't think Jim will get it back ;)

Mail Call!

Yesterday, we came home to this outside our door:

 Kaden says, "I think it's for me."  I look at it and say yes, it is.

"Because it has my name, right here, see?  KADEN (LASTNAME)

Who's it from?"  Uncle Steve. 

 "I don't know what it is, Mom.

Do you know what it is?"

You know what I love most about this?

He didn't let me help unless he got stuck (i.e. packing tape).

So look at all the ways he kept moving it around, trying to get it open.

"Mom, this is big! But I still don't know what it is."

"Hey, look, it's a chair!"

"Thanks, Uncle Steve!"

Not a Big Storm

We live in a state that had NO natural disasters this past week.

No hurricanes, tropical storms or earthquakes.

Just rain.

More than the usual 10-30 minute afternoon thunderstorms.

Four straight days of it..

We've gotten drenched going grocery shopping,

watching a freshman football game,

coming out of the bank.

And all of those activities started with clear skies when we left our house.

Honest.