You are SOOOO Jealous!

Here is a conversation I overheard at bedtime the other night.

"Sam, you need to go in and use the bathroom.  It's time for jammies."

"I don't want to wear jammies, I want to wear my clothes."  (This has been his big kick lately, and frankly, some things aren't worth fighting over."

"Fine, you can wear your clothes to bed, but you still need to go potty and put on a pull up."

"I don't want to."

"Well, you need to.  Come on Sam."

"But Daddy, I don't want to sit down.  I want to stand up."

"Okay then, stand up and go potty."

"Look Daddy, I'm standing up."  Pause.  "You are sooooo jealous right now."

Hmmm, jealous of what I'm not sure, but oh, that kid is funny.

Socks & Underwear

Michael's birthday falls on October 31, yes, Halloween.  I try to make it special for him, but often feel like his day is overshadowed with pumpkins, costumes, and all things trick-or-treat.  For years I have told him that I am not decorating for Halloween, but for his birthday.  I even have a tote marked "Michael's Birthday Decorations" but since he doesn't particularly love black and orange, I think he knows I'm just humoring him.

As October drew to a close, I knew I was running out of time to get him the perfect present.  Granted, I had not a clue what that was.  So, I asked.  Apparently he didn't have a clue either.  Sooooo, I asked the kiddos.  One by one I asked them what they wanted to get Dad for his birthday.  Here are their replies.

Ray, "I was thinking I would make him a hug coupon book like I did for your birthday."  Not bad, very sentimental.

Rob, "Hmmm, how about a new shirt?  Maybe Angry Birds or Star Wars."  Well, it is the thought that counts.

Sam, very enthusiastically, "Underwear!" Huh?  What?!

"You want to get Daddy underwear for his birthday?"

"Yup, and socks."

"Socks and underwear?"

"It will make him smile," says Sam with a face cracking, light up the room smile.

"That it will!" I agree laughing.

Later that day, Sam, Rob and I stop into Target.  After careful consideration, Rob chooses a green Yoda shirt and Sam ends up finding "pirate" underwear and socks for Michael.  What soon-to-be 34 year old man doesn't want to wear skull and cross bone undies and socks?!

That same evening, Michael informs me that he thought of a gift idea for his birthday.  Sam overhears this and yells, "Underwear!"

"Huh?" asks Michael.

"Shh! Sam, remember, it's suppose to be a secret." I try to interject.

"You want underwear for birthday right Daddy?"

"Um, sure," Michael replies.

Sam is very pleased with himself and at least the print of the undies and the socks will be a surprise.

Where IS that Camera?!?!

I have it said more than once in my life and say it frequently now as the mother of 3 unique boys, "Where IS that Camera?!?!"  Sometimes I am quite certain that our life would make a hit reality show or maybe an award winning primetime family comedy.  Yesterday was a perfect scenario...

Characters:  Michael-the father figure of the family.  Type A(a) personality.  All T's must be crossed and all i's must be dotted at all times, no exceptions.  Boots never go with shorts and black never goes with brown and that includes when toddlers put their own shoes on.

Robert-Middle child, age 5.  Traits: stubborn, spontaneous, stubborn, imaginative, stubborn, unique, stubborn, strong willed, and STUBBORN.

Billie Jo-the mother, but in this case, useless to all as she lies ill in bed.

Setting: While outside it is a cold and frosty Minnesota Saturday morning, the Wicks family is inside their rural single family residence.

Plot: Michael versus Rob.

Rob has been on a big shorts and tank top kick lately.  Don't ask me why.  I have no idea.  He certainly doesn't get it from me.  I am typing this in my hooded sweatshirt, fleece pants, wool socks and slippers.  Even still, yesterday morning he declared, "Summertime!  It's summertime outside!" and came out of his bedroom donning blue and white pin stripe shorts and a tank top.

When I took to my bedroom ill yesterday morning, Michael decided to round up the crew and head to Target.  There was a prescription waiting and we were nearly out of toilet paper.  (Sam is potty training and goes through A LOT lately, which reminds me of another blog entry to author...)  Michael told Rob he needed to wear pants so they could go to the store.  Rob refused.  Michael insisted.

Rob took off at top speed.  I heard my bedroom door quickly open and then latch.  Click!  The locked was pressed in.  Quick!  Under the covers Rob flew.  Whoosh!  Back out.  Approaching footsteps in the hallways.  Flip.  Under the bed.  Scurry, scurry, he was gone into my closet.

(Now this sort of thing may have disturbed some for their rest, but honestly, I was barely phased.  I peered out one eye for about 2.2 seconds.)

Click!  Michael unlocked the door.  "He's in the closet." I told Michael.  PHEM!  "He was in the closet."

Rob escaped through our laundry pass through into the laundry room next door.  He then locked that door.  And escaped again into the boys' bathroom through the next laundry pass through.  That is where he was apprehended and sentenced to a day in denim.

Conclusion: After some screaming and the promise of a slushie and popcorn, the W-X boys all have a successful outing to Target while Mom stays behind for a more successful attempt at resting.