Gameboy

Jack is a competitive kid by nature. He always wants to race or play a game. For awhile, Candyland was his game of choice. And every time we saw him carting that big candyrific box around we inwardly give a little sigh. (It is not the most interesting game.)

We recently went on a trip with Scott's side of the family...there are 25 of us in all. Jack, of course, brought Candyland because there were lots and lots of potential players.

I wanted to get a picture of all the games that happened but, sadly, I couldn't. Here are just a few of the match-ups:

Blake, Amanda and Jack (with Logan observing)

Amanda, Drew and Jack

Grandmama and Jack (with Logan observing)

Shortly after that trip, Jack and Scott had a special day out. They first stopped at a store to buy checkers before heading to the pier to play a couple games, have lunch and ride some rides. Checkers is now Jack's game of choice.

This past weekend, we went to my parents' house. Though there are certainly not as many potential competitors, Jack did manage to get in games with me, Scott, Nana and Granddad...multiple times.

Jack and Granddad

Nana and Jack

The kid is pretty good.

On the last day of our trip, Scott taught Jack tic-tac-toe. He played it for several hours on the way home in the car with either Scott or I. Let's just say that it was a long, long drive...

I have to admit that I don't like playing games. I never have. So it seems strange to me that my oldest would love it so. But he does... And because of that I'm (nearly) always up for a game with Jack. And now wondering what the next game on the horizon is...

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Has spent ALL summer drawing...people, cars, a dog, trees and swings
• Said to his brother, "Some people like me are called models!"
• Always watches out for his friends' younger siblings at the park and tells their moms if the toddlers are doing something dangerous

Which little love bug:

• Grabbed me by the hand and pulled me to his room saying, "Mama, can you help me build a waterslide in my room?"
• When asked if I could get a little love (like a kiss or cuddle) said, "No, Mama. It's not your birthday anymore."
• When I said something about him being born, got very upset and said, "I wasn't born. I was in the neighborhood!" When I asked him what happened in the neighborhood he said, very matter-of-factly, "I walked up to you and asked if you wanted to be my mama!"

The other side of the camera - Painted lady (and boys)

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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This was an idea I was going to include in my Tuesday Tips for Summer Survival, but well, you know...I bailed halfway through the summer.

On a very, very warm day, the boys stripped down and make quick use of some body paint. I even got in the act.

A box (and a day) of love

I recently celebrated my...um, 25th birthday, again. You may remember that was a complete slacker for Scott's birthday. The poor guy had to make his own birthday treat and buy and wrap and hide his own birthday present. So I was really, really hoping that Scott would be a total slacker to relieve a bit of my guilt.

No such luck...

The night before we went out to a grown-up meal. Of course, we took the two boys with us but it was at a nice non-chain restaurant. I even put on clean clothes which clearly signifies how nice the restaurant was.

The morning of my actual birthday started with love...lots of love. Jack had decided that he wanted to get me "love" for my birthday. There were lots of kisses and "I love you"s. Scott helped the boys put together a box of love which consisted of lots of drawings, a couple of gifts and a song by Jack (written down by Scott).

Here are the lyrics:

Mama, I love you...really much.

I love you in the springs

and even in the afternoons.

I love you everywhere we go together.

Jack had memorized his song and sang it to me several times.

We spent the morning at the pool and then had an unexpected visit to the doctor's office (for a weird bump on Logan's thumb). I, of course, told the boys that the doctor's visit was no big deal...she was just going to look at Logan's thumb.

"Shots, mama?"

"No. Definately no need for shots today, my dears."

After the doctor inspects Logan's thumb (which was completely fine) she excitedly says, "We just got our shipment of flu shots in this morning! Want some?"

"Um...sorry boys! I guess I lied. Yes, doctor, we'll take two."

The last minute doctor's appointment (during nap time) and the surprise shots left the boys in bad moods. They perked up a bit after a late nap and getting to work on my very unusual birthday cake with Scott.

This is a recipe that Jack invented and called "Chocolate Syrup Banana Ice Cream Cake." Oddly enough, there was no chocolate syrup or bananas. There were, however, graham crackers, triple chocolate fudge cake, mini fruit-flavored marshmellows, chocolate frosting, nuts, jumbo chocolate chips, cookies and cream ice cream and sprinkles. Only a 4 year old boy could invent such a conncotion!

After Scott picked up one of my favorites for dinner, Chipotle, we dug into the cake which was actually really good but seriously rich!

Then I was treated to a concert from all the of my boys. Scott on guitar while Jack and Logan took turns seranading me. So sweet...

These videos are each really short but pretty entertaining if I do say so myself.

Jack's original birthday song (and no, he can't read but it looks like he is):

Logan playing the guitar and some impromptu singing (try as you might, you can't ignore Jack talking throughout):

Jack needs to get some 'privacy' to help him think of the words:

An impromptu birthday song by Jack:

Hovering...

I had seriously considered homeschooling the boys after they completed their time in preschool. But after the very difficult summer I/we had, I now know that homeschooling is not in the immidiate future for us.

At the start of this summer, when the difficulties began, I had attributed it to the boys being creatures of habit...the lack of a strict daily routine...not as much active play...and not as much social interaction with their friends. But now, I wonder how much of it was me...

It took me a couple of months to realize that when the boys are in school, I'm a pretty different person. I eat better (usually a salad for lunch versus, during the summer, nothing at all or their lunch leftovers). I get 9 hours during the school week by myself (versus none during the summer). And I get way more adult conversation with other moms of preschoolers (as I work at their school 2 days a week with other moms and several of us stay on the playground every day afterschool with our kids).

Because their preschool is a co-op (with lots of parent participation) and because I'm the type of mama to consider homeschooling, it seems natural for me to want to be very involved in the boys elementary school.

At first I thought this made me a helicopter mom, hovering around my kiddos. Then I remembered that I was doing it for selfish reasons.

So now, I'm on the hunt for alternative elementary schools...ones that want (and even need) lots of parent particpation. I'm not interested in being on the PTA or fundraising but being in the classroom and knowing the other kids and parents.

Sorry boys! Expect to see me hovering for the next couple of years...

Oh yeah, and...only 13 days, 22 hours, 34 minutes and 56 seconds until school starts...but who's counting, right?

Calling all cooks!

HELP!

I'm a vegetarian. The rest of my family...not so much, though Jack has had an aversion to hamburgers for awhile.

I'm the primary cook in the house but I won't cook meat. (Ocassionally Scott will cook meat but for the most part it's what Scott and Logan order when we go out.)

My question it this...do you know of any substitues for meat? I'm not talkng about tofu hot dogs or other products that pretend to look and taste like meat. (I love a good veggie burger but only the ones with black beans and real veggies...ones that no one could ever mistake for meat.)

I like watching a Food Network cooking shows...Rachael Ray, Melissa d'Arabian...but frequently their recipe calls for ground beef or turkey. Is there someway to make my own non-meat version? Maybe ground chickpeas or another bean? Does anyone have any experience with this?

I appreciate the help...Thanks!

Random Tip #39

While running out the door I noticed that I had a strange looking bleach stain on my black yoga-style pants (which is really strange because I don't use bleach and furthermore, I don't do yoga). I didn't have time to change (heck I barely had time to put on the unattractive outfit I was already wearing) so...

I used a black permanent marker to color over the unsightly stain making it look like a much more acceptable wet spot.