Vegmom Moments

WHAT LINE?

Today was a mish mosh day... So here are the high lites!

• Doc Visit - Ears are clear (for now)
• Another different park - Veg took me on a ship ride to Africa
• Lots of Work stuff accomplished
• Only one tantrum
• While talking to NeeNee on the phone he had to take a break to breath some "Oxygen" (his new favorite word)
• While not having the best behavior at one point, I said "Your crossing the line now"  and he says "what line, I don't see a line"  grrr!
• Since our sign of the day was "Balloon"  we took our silly Balloons out side and blew up a bunch until one of them popped in my face.  (I don't like that part)
• Number of the day was only 5 so it was much easier to count 5 things every where we went instead of 100 like yesterday.  And the Letter "C" is everywhere, so that was also eventful.

For now I shall try to Relax a bit and then get back to workin' for a bit!!!  Hope your week is going well, where ever you are!!

SUMMER DAY TAKE-4

THURSDAY MAY 31st  2007

LETTER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC SPOON - Cc

NUMBER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC FORK- 5

SIGN OF THE DAY - BALLOON

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT TODAY - (this one is empty today, we'll see what the rest of the day brings)

THURSDAY MAY 31st  2007

LETTER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC SPOON - Cc

NUMBER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC FORK- 5

SIGN OF THE DAY - BALLOON

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT TODAY - (this one is empty today, we'll see what the rest of the day brings)

HOW WE BREATHE?

While reading his new Body Book the other day, we learned about INHALING Oxygen and EXHALING Carbon Dioxide.

He seemed to be overly excited by these two pages in the book, so I stopped and took a deep breath while saying "Oxygen" and Blowing out, saying "Carbon Dioxide"  The more I did this, the more he laughed, and it turned in to a silly game.  One would breath while the other said the words.  This was so much fun for both of us, but I thought it was "just fun".  I wasn't sure how much he was really retaining, until today at the park he took a deep breath and said.. "Shew, that was a lot of walking, I needed to breath some Oxygen for my Lungs"  ha ha!!!

The best part was, I was able to explain how the trees make oxygen to help us breath and live.  He was interested, so I seized the moment to explain how being nice to the environment and the trees, helps us to breath fresh air.

I'm not sure how long this excitement to learn will last, but I tell ya, I'm taking every bit I can!!!  And boy is it keeping me thinking in the process.. Following his cues and learning stuff on the fly to feed his wondering mind....  I think all kids go through those phases... my message to parents is seize the moment!  Follow their lead and let them tell you what they want to learn... Its amazing what you can learn in the process.... 

THE EAR LESSON AND MORE

So today wasn't as "happy" as the other days, we did have a few tantrums for some reason, and I'm totally annoyed at Hubby tonight (which is making me want to have a tantrum) but that is another story... In spite of it all, Veg and I did get some good fun in before the drama occurred.

We went to the Car Wash (yes, this is his favorite place), For a quick lunch, Target & Starbucks (where he counted 100 sugar packets because 100 was our number today) and then to the Park.  He ran around like a looney bird and threw a stick in the stream.  We stopped at a picnic bench to talk about ears... (his learning request)   He also decided to roll down the grassy hills, which was great fun, but he quickly got red itchy dots... So home we came for a shower.

While he was in the shower, I ran to get a straw... I told him that the straw represents the Eustachian Tube in his ear (he still wanted to learn about ear infections).. So I covered the bottom of the straw with my finger and let it fill up with water.  Explaining that when his ears are working correctly the water drains out like "this" and removed my finger. (he thought that was sooo cool)  But when they get plugged, blocked or swollen, the water won't drain out like "this"!  And I covered up both ends with both hands. 

He kept asking me to release the water, and I explained that I couldn't just like when his tubes get clogged.  He started to "GET IT" and asked some really great questions.  And then to my surprise, as I flipped the water back and forth, bubbles started forming in the tube... and he said "Look Mom, there is the infection"  Well, Yes it is!  ha ha!  I explained this is how the bacteria settles in the water and the more I flipped the straw the bigger the bubbles got.  So he said "Mom, the infection is growing"... And we discussed why that hurts so much in his ear, and why sometimes medicine is needed and then I released the water, so he could see it all working again. 

So I'm not a doctor and not sure If I did that correctly, and after the Cemetery thing, I'm not sure I can teach anything... But he seemed to get this and even explained to his Dad what a Eustachian Tube was.  So I hope he is happy with the results.

We didn't get to discuss "movies"  so I guess that will be moved to tomorrow! 

SUMMER DAY TAKE-3

WEDNESDAY MAY 30th 2007

LETTER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC FORK (yes the spoon turned in to a fork today) - Bb 

NUMBER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC FORK- 100

SIGN OF THE DAY - PLATE (some of her signs don't match the ones in our book, not sure why?)

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT TODAY - Ears & Movies

WEDNESDAY MAY 30th 2007

LETTER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC FORK (yes the spoon turned in to a fork today) - Bb 

NUMBER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC FORK- 100

SIGN OF THE DAY - PLATE (some of her signs don't match the ones in our book, not sure why?)

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT TODAY - Ears & Movies

SUMMER DAY TAKE - 2

TUESDAY MAY 29th 2007

LETTER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC SPOON - Ee

NUMBER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC SPOON - 2

SIGN OF THE DAY - BED which also turned in to SLEEP and PILLOW because Veg wanted to know all of them.. so I guess today was "Signs of the day"

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT TODAY - Memorial Day & Ears (again)

WHAT EXTRA ACTIVITY DID WE DO -  I wrote down a bunch of information about "Memorial Day" and then took Veg to a local Veterans Cemetery.  With all the uniformed Tombstones.  We talked in kid terms about what the cemetery is, and why Memorial Day honors the Fallen Soldiers Etc.  I thought I did this VERY WELL..  ha ha... I seriously did my research, I learned more then I even needed to know about this Holiday and tried to bring it down to his level with short easy sentences.  Also finding a place in town that fit the perfect memorial experience... And it was also a perfect time to teach him about how to act respectful.  No running, no talking loudly, and no stepping or touching the flowers, etc.  I did get him to Salute, which was really sweet, and we looked for our numbers and letters of the day, and then read the tombstones.  It wasn't creepy at all, and was really a nice experience.  Amazing the stories those short words on the stones can tell.  We found one that had been in three wars.

But when we left, I asked Veg what he learned about Memorial Day and he said "People live inside the white stones, and when their people come to visit them, they leave flowers and we aren't supposed to step on the flowers" 

I'm afraid that for the rest of his life he will think that Memorial Day is about not stepping on the flowers.  I tell ya... I don't think I'm cut out for this Learning Business!!  Good thing I'm not a Teacher!

We then went to a big park, long walk and play ground visit.. Along with another car picnic, and ride back home.  With everything left to do at home, including lots of work, we never did research ears... So I'm hoping tomorrow WILL be the ear day...  Great thing is, that Veg is loving crossing things off our list in the book as we do them, so he understands at bed time, when we haven't finished stuff. 

I'm thinking about Play-doh ears with all the different parts, and showing how water gets stuck in the tubes etc.  (he wants to know about ear infections specifically)... So we'll see how this goes!

SUMMER DAY TAKE-1

MONDAY MAY 28TH 2007

LETTER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC SPOON - Gg

NUMBER OF THE DAY PER THE MAGIC SPOON - 1

SIGN OF THE DAY - DIRT (click on this link to see the sign in action - I'm telling you this one was silly)

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT TODAY - Memorial Day & Ears

What extra outdoor activity did we do?  We went to a park and met some new people from a local Mom's site, played on the playground for what seemed like hours, had a car picnic because it was too hot outside.  And never did learn our special things since the day passed so quickly.. With book reading, and house chores and what ever else life threw our way... Oh I did get out for a 3 mile jog, but there was certainly no learning being done... Except I did learn that I didn't like to run anymore without my Ipod (its battery died 1/2 way through my journey).  *smile*

SUMMER DAY - BOOK

I had one of my light bulb moments a couple weeks ago, and then couldn't wait to get started.  Although yesterday was officially a Holiday (Memorial Day)  It was also the beginning of our first full "Out of school summer week"  So I was able to start our Summer Day Book Routine...

Of course having nothing planned in advance (as always) I just rushed around the house yesterday morning to find an empty note book.. I put some bright & cheery summer'ish stickers on the front and a label with Veg's name.  Then we sat down for Breakfast and I told Veg what the book was. 

1. Each morning the Day & Date goes at the top of the page (helping him to learn months, days etc.)
2. Letter of the Day is the next part... I told him to pick a letter any letter... and suddenly he decided to use his magic spoon.  I didn't know he had a magic spoon, but apparently he does!   
3. Number of the Day - Same as above
4. Sign of the Day - I got out an adult version sign language book, and flipped the pages, he told me when to stop, and that was our "Sign" of the day.
5. we ended this portion with "what would you like to learn about today?"
6. Then on the right side, we started two lists...  1st list is things we can do for fun..  2nd list is things we have to do that may not be so much fun (like me working, or doing dishes, etc.)

The lists serve two purposes... Mainly so he can see what has to be done that day with out any surprises and hopefully handling those things well.  But also give him the ability to help plan our day.  So I don't care so much that he wants to play a video game first, because I know that we have 20 other things planned.  Or he won't mind so much if I have to spend to do the laundry before we can play a game. 

The Letters and numbers have become SOOO much fun...He caught on quickly when I pointed things out around the house that contain that letter or number..  Then Every where we go, we look for the letter or number of the day.. Just in the middle of nothing you'll hear from the back seat... "There's an E on that sign, spell that word for me"  Or this "look Mom there are 2 birds, and 2 trees, hey there's the number 2 on that building"

And the Sign of the day was hilarious... The rules with that one is:  Once you've learned the sign, you can no longer say the word.  So yesterday the Sign was "DIRT" and Veg looked EVERYWHERE to find and point out dirt alllllll   daaaayyyyy long, just to see me do the silly sign.  I tell ya, I will never forget the sign for "DIRT".

Obviously the question of "what would you like to learn about?" is always interesting in our house... Yesterday it was "Memorial Day and Ear Infections"

But we ran out of time yesterday with everything on our "to do" list that we never got to learn about those things.. So we agreed to move them to today...  We also ran out of time today, and never got to do the Ears again... I guess that will be tomorrow's thing..   But we did get to learn about Memorial Day (I'll post about that later)

And as for the To-Do lists... How very cool it is to make him a part of our To-Do lists...  I actually heard this from his mouth "Mom, it looks like you have a lot of things on the "have to do" side and not as much on the fun side.  What if I help you with those so we can have more fun"  (geesh, he is getting that at 4 years old, I wish my Hubby could get that at 37 years old)

Seriously, I can't believe how fast the days have gone by and we still haven't gotten every thing done... not on the fun list or the have to do list. 

This morning he was sooo excited to eat his breakfast and fill out our book for the day...    And we both are learning so much.  Possibly the best light bulb moment I've had yet!

I've decided to start posting some of the items on the blog to possibly get ideas flowing to other Moms in the same situation...  if you have ideas, please share them in the comments section...

NEW FAVORITE SNACK

This is soooooo good!!!  If you like Mint, Chocolate and Non-dairy Ice Cream.. then you must try it.  Personally, I give this 10 veg stars!!!  Yummmy!!  Click on the picture to go to the Turtle Mountain Website.  You can even print coupons and look at recipes !!

**just don't look at the fat grams if your in to that kind of thing.   shhhh!!  I won't tell.

SO PROUD

If you've read the other posts from today you can see that my Veg has been quite the kind young man.  What I didn't mention, is he's also been very helpful.  "I'll get that door for you!",  "Can I feed the dogs tonight?",  "Can I help you make the Pancakes?",  "Heres the Soy Milk Mom, if you hold the cup I'll pour it",  "Can I mop the floor for you?"... 

Well.. Tonight, he was carefully carrying his plate to the garbage to spill in the crumbs before putting his plate in the sink, when he tripped and dropped a bunch on our freshly cleaned floor... My mouth spoke before my brain had enough time to think... I was disappointed in my words and stopped them before they came fully out of my mouth.  Because it was clearly an accident.  So before I had a chance to say what I was about to say... Veg piped up with "oops, I'll clean that up for you Mom" And he ran to get his sweeper.  Then quickly showed me how he had scooped up every last crumb, poured them all in the trash and said "See I told you I would clean up my mess"  I was soooo proud of him!

And then said so out loud "I just want you to know that you have done a lot of wonderful helpful things today and I'm so very proud of you, And you should be very proud of yourself and all you've been able to do"

Then he says... "Aw Thanks Mom, and I'm very proud of you, I even like you today, I think you can be my friend now, and you should be very proud of yourself for being my friend"

HA HA!! 

A TRUE MOMMY MOMENT

One of those moments that make it ALL worth it!!!

"I Love you Mom, your the greatest person!  Thank you for such a great day!"

A SPECIAL SUMMER DAY

Lil'Veg and I decided to go have some fun today... We started at the new ATM machine for cash and it wasn't working.  Then went to the Putt Putt by our house and they were closed.. I began to worry that this wouldn't be all the fun I had imagined...

But then we ended up at "Fun Center" In town, and we were practically the only ones there.  So I decided it was a good day to test Veg on the Bumper Boats.... He was super excited to be going on a boat and thought the whole thing was a cool idea.  Until we sat down, got in to the middle of the pool and I remembered that I CAN'T DRIVE BOATS!  Yes, we went in circles until I think Veg was ready to heave his breakfast.  About 3 seconds in to our journey he started saying "I'm scared, I want to get out now, stop the boat"  Well, that is easier said then done.  Because that requires making this thing go straight in an opposite direction.  And I couldn't get it to go straight at all, let alone in the opposite direction.  So we bumped and turned and bumped and turned, until finally (all but 3 minutes total) we made our way back to the side, only for the lady to say..."You have to go to the same rail you pulled out of"  UGH!!! Nice!  Can't she see I have a scared kid, and a very bad driver in this boat!  Hmm, but being Mother Hen, I saved the day and got us back to the "dock".  Veg was very happy to be back on dry land, and this brilliant idea was one that I will "NEVER" have again!!!

So then it was time for PuttPutt...  That was fun.  I actually got 4 hole in ones (with out hubby there of course, so he won't ever believe me)  And Veg has gotten a lot better at hitting the ball since his golf lessons.

Then it was time for games... With just him and I, the coins seemed to last a bit longer, and we ended up with 85 tickets.  The nice guy at the counter (felt bad for making us wait) gave us extra tickets.  So Veg picked Bubbles, Frisbee, and Cards for his prizes.

While walking around looking for games, many of them didn't work.  So he walks up to one and this other family was standing there.  That Mom told Veg that the machine was broken, and all of a sudden he stomps his little foot, slaps his head and says "DARN IT"...  I laughed so hard, and that Mom couldn't contain her self.  I've never heard him say that, it was just one of those had to be there moments...

And then we left, blew some of his new bubbles in the parking lot, and he shouted out.. "THAT WAS SO FUN, this has been the best special day"  When we got in the car, he said "I just loved this day, it has been a great Summer day"

We met Hubby for lunch (mexican) and Veg decided he was going to make Rice Tacos.  He's never liked anything more then rice at those places, but suddenly he grabbed some of my tortillas, filled them with rice, and made 3 big ol' rice tacos...  He thought they were the greatest. 

With all the excitement of the day, he even took a long nap.  Still sleeping actually! 

So all in all it was a SPECIAL SUMMER DAY! 

VEGAN CUPCAKES TAKE OVER THE WORLD

I decided I needed to come in the office today to get caught up on work.  Undisturbed... NO phone calls, no meetings, and no people coming and going through my office doors... NO dogs barking, and no Lil'Veg or Hubby asking for the next thing to be done.... Just me and my laptop!  I intended to conquer the world in one day... Get the next two weeks worth of work done in the next three hours!  Could it be done?  Probably Not!  Will I try?  Absotutely!!!  But first... I must tell about my cool package!!!  (hence the pic to the left)

Before leaving my house I stopped at the mailbox and noticed the most beautiful hand made wrapping package with cool stamped images and other decorations... Open the box to find this AWESOME BOOK.....  I mean really, it doesn't get much better then this!   An ENTIRE BOOK of Cupcakes made without animal products.  The coolest thing EVER!  There were also some cute scrapbooking supplies in the package, as well as a couple Vegan ingredients to help me get started on my Vegan Cupcake Journey.  A very nice hand made card that had to have taken hours to create, along with a Starbucks Gift Certificate to provide me a couple Birthday Fraps!

THANK YOU SH, FOR THIS MOST AWESOME BIRTHDAY SURPRISE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOOK STORE FUNNIES

Veg accompanied me in the Ladies room while at the Bookstore today and noticed a machine on the wall...

"Mommy what is that for?"

<its just a machine>
"A candy machine?"
<Nooo>
"Well what is it?"
-----think think think - try this-------
<Its a machine that holds lady supplies>
"Oh, Ok, What kind of lady supplies?"
<Things that ladies have to use sometimes>
Looking at the coin slot, he says "Woh, Mom those cost a lot of moneys"

SO I'm thinking he's lost interest because if something cost too much he usually loses interest...

As were walking out (now in a public area) he says:

"Mom, Your a lady right?"
<Yes, I am>
"Do you need some of those lady supplies?"

ha ha ha...

While checking out of the bookstore, Veg tells the lady that he is growing up...

So she says "What are you going to be when you grow up?"

and he replies "I'm going to grow soo big that I'll go to Heaven"

And before she could get out any words he goes on to say...

"If grow big and do all good things I'll go to the good heaven, but if I do bad things I'll go to the bad Heaven...  The Bad heaven is called  Hell, and you don't want to go there"

Shocked by this response she says just to appease him "Yeah you don't want to do that"

"No, Not at all" he says...

Then goes on to say with pointing his little finger at this poor lady "So you be a good girl and do what God wants you to do, because you want to go to the good heaven, and not that heaven that's called hell, OK?"

BIRTHSTONE RING CHARMS

Well Hubby gets a few more gift kudos this year... My B-day is next week and He showed up today with a single pretty rose, a nice card, and two charms for my necklace.  One with Veg's birthstone and one with Veg's favorite color "yellow"

Not sure why there are two (since I only have one child) but hey, the thought was definitely there!!  And it was a great gesture!  They are small enough that you can hardly tell I have two on the chain!  So I'm not complaining!

Kudos to Hubby for that one!!!

BOOKS BOOKS & MORE BOOKS

You'll notice on the left side of this blog there is a new book list... I'm trying some new Amazon features so bare with me.. But you'll see my comments about each book and why I recommend them....So its kind of cool.

Here is the whole story on the book thing lately!!!

School Book Choices:

Veg read some books at school that he loved (or had them read to him).. Too Many Dogs & The Human Body book.  He came home and spoke about them for days... and kept saying that if I could buy him those books that he would read them to me because he new how.  Knowing that he can't quite read yet, I was sooo excited by his enthusiasm and decided "I HAD TO FIND THESE BOOKS"  But I couldn't find them... None of the local stores had them, I looked every where... And then decided to order them.  I found them on Amazon and ordered them yesterday..... Guess what.. Today when we got home they were sitting on our porch!  How cool is that???

Well I don't know who was more excited, me or Veg but he read me both of the books and I read them back, and we must have gone through them at least 20 times each.  The dogs book is just a cute short one, but it is easy for him to read via memory and pictures.  Soon he'll be reading the words too.

The Body book, has all muscles and bones listed in a cool way.  Showing innards and outards, and explanations about what everything does.  Short Excerpts of the brain, heart, etc.... But... knowing this was a "school" recommended book, I was expecting it to be totally Veg friendly... When we flipped to the last three pages.... I found Sperm, Eggs, Cells and babies!  And needless to say I wasn't prepared for the questions about "where do babies come from" tonight..  Thankfully he didn't ask.  I am glad that this book will open that dialog though in a kid friendly way.  (and at least I have time to think about how I will answer the questions)

Then there was the Library:

Our local library is doing a really cool reading/listening program for the summer.  You sign up, list 20 books that you've read to your child on a cute little sheet.  And then return the paper for bag that is filled with $200 worth of prizes for the kids.  So easy and fun... I mean heck we read 20 books a day, let alone in a summer.  So we went up there and signed up.  Veg was so excited.... We could have signed up from home but I wanted him to have the pleasure of understanding it was from the "Library".  I asked him to pick a "fair" number of books that we could bring home and take care of... He requested 10!  So He picked 10 books and we read every one of them while still at the library.  Then read them all again at home "all night long"  He picked the best books this time, I think I like them as much as he does.  So I listed some of them in that new Amazon thing-y-do...  Anyway, we have to wait till after June 18th to pick up the prize pack.  So I already have it marked on our calendar.  I know we will be done with a lot more then 20 books by then.

And the book store:

When I picked Veg up today (his last day of school for the year)  I asked him "what in this whole town would you like to do for a special treat"  And out of everything he could pick, my kid asks for the "Book Store"  and really, how cool is that!!!  It had to be a certain bookstore, the one with a Starbucks and train set.  Well Heck... What more can you ask for?  Do I have the Perfect kid or what!  ha ha!!!  And of course I drag my self out of the way to take him to this perfect place, with no thought of myself (Not, I really wanted an Iced Soy Mocha)  hee hee!! 

So we drank our beverages, shared a cookie, played with trains, read more books, danced on the stage... and of course didn't leave empty handed!  We found the "Summer Activity Books"  Only this time Veg was with me and he immediately saw the "Mazes" books...  He grabbed the one he wanted for ages 6 and up.  And then chose an activity book for 1st Graders. 

On our way out, we called Hubby to see if he wanted to meet us for dinner.... While we were at dinner, Veg completed 26 of the mazes (and I'm not talking about the easy kind).  Tonight before bed, I let him work on his new activity book (the 1st grade one). 

It said, do one page a day and it should last 90 days.... Ummm?  Well???  We are already 20 pages in to that one too.  And of course my Veg...

Question?  Color everything in that starts with a C.  (He only had a blue marker)

Veg answer!  He colors everything with his blue marker that started with C, and then stopped and said, but the "corn" should be yellow and the "carrot" should be orange.  (yup, your right!)

I think it was AU that said, this is going to be a Loooonnnggggg Summer!  But it will be one full of books, that's for sure!!!  And all his choosing, which makes it even more special!

SCHOOLS OUT - BITTER SWEET

Kids bring so many more changes to our lives then we ever imagined.  Some good, some difficult, and some sort of in-between...  But it seems every day there are more surprises then the days before.  Today the surprise for me was how sad I was that Veg was completing his last day of his first year of school.

It was only 9 months ago that I was writing this about his first day of school and how nervous I was for the whole thing to be happening.  New Routines, New Schedules, Added Worries, Added responsibilities...  Wondering how he would do?  How he would fit in?  Would I have all the right things he needed and running around like crazy to find them.....  It was a strange time for me, and yet, how fast it has come to an end.

I won't have to pack lunches in the morning or worry about getting Veg dressed and out the door, I won't have to rush to pick him up or make the 60 miles worth of driving each day to and from... I won't have to worry about waking him up in the mornings, or sick bugs, and we'll get to spend that much more time together that I missed so, when he started this journey...  I won't have to worry about the notes at school, buying extra soy milk, or kids not being nice....  For 2 1/2 months, none of those things will need to be done...

And yet, I'm still sad to see this first school year end!  Veg loves his teachers, he loves his friends and more then anything he LOVES his lessons.  He has learned soooo much (we both have) and he's come soo far socially.. 

Saying goodbye today Sure was Bitter Sweet!!

ATTEMPTING TAEBO

Setting the scene... Beautiful day outside but I was couped up indoors with a sick Veg.  Counting the moments till Hubby got home so I could get out for a walk/jog/something outdoors...  Hubby gets home from work and requires his "get home from work stuff" shower, etc....  Finally it is time for me to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather...

I step down my porch and hear "KABOOM" thunder in the distance... "No-can't be"  Walk to the mail box and "kabosh" the sky lets loose and I'm soaked in a nice warm rain.  (Still not actually minding that too much)  I'm going for this walk, dang it!  and then "KABOOM" thunder is closer.... Rain is harder... and I realize, I will have to pass on my outdoor trek!  *SIGH*

So I come downstairs (determined that I'm going to get some "me" time, even if not outside)  I look at Mr. Treadmill, then I stare at Mr. Treadmill,  then I curse Mr. Treadmill... And decide to do TAEBO! 

Haven't done that in a while.. Its quiet, there is no one needing me, and requires no set up time... So alas, in goes the DVD....TAEBO BOOTCAMP AB WORKOUT...

I'm about 15 minutes in to it, really getting in to the groove "feeling the burn" focusing, I'm doing this.... then I hear "knock knock knock"  on the door... "It's Me and my doggies, were here to see what your doing"  knock knock knock... OY!  Pause the dvd, open the door.. and there is Veg and yes, the dogs... "We want to walk on the treadmill with you"  Can you imagine all 4 of us on the treadmill... ha ha!

So I explain that I'm not using the treadmill today, that I'm doing taebo and of course I ask "Where is your father?"  but this falls on deaf ears, literally, know one is hearing me...  And I go back to my Ab workout... Suddenly there is a Veg wanting a hug... pause the dvd.  Hug... and then there is a Veg looking at me in this contorted stretch as if to say "Mom what the heck are you doing"...  Restart the video... Focus, get in the groove... Stop the video, there is a dog trying to hump my leg.... Remove dog from the area and continue my Ab Work out...  then there is heavy breathing, look up to see a very big dog mouth hanging over my head... try to move my head, and get a lick from same dog.  Ewww!  Move over out of the way of all dogs and kids and resume work out....

I am followed.. I am doomed.. I am not meant to have "me" time today!    Roll to my side for the leg lifts to find one a tail whacking me in the face... Stop work out.... Move dogs, as Veg is saying "Mom, what are you doing? can we do the treadmill"  in my Mean Mom voice I say "I'm not doing the treadmill today, I'm doing this, you can do it with me but you must be quiet, Dog 1 you stay here, Dog2 you stay over there"  As I hear hubby upstairs saying...

"Come on dogs and veg, leave her alone, she wants her space"  UM, Yeah ya think?  But does he come and get them.... noooooo... am I bitter about this?   yeeessss!

Eventually Veg is bored of watching me sit up, sit down, crunch, lift and stretch, so he goes upstairs... closing the door behind him and leaving the dogs...  Two dogs of which do NOT understand how I can be on the floor and not wanting to play with them.  A snout in my face, a tail whacking me, fur flying around.. Pause DVD's... Move dogs again and tell them to stay... They listen and do not budge, they know I'm serious... Ha Yeah right!  Back to my work out I go... Quiet, Silence, Focus, All is good.... then... I hear "smacking of lips", Look over to see both my dogs deciding this was a perfect time to lick their bottoms... Very smartly saying  "This  is what we think of your exercising on our floor lady"...  Thankfully the licking bottoms was after I got a lick in the face... by the way, did I say... ewwww!!!

Eventually I did finish my DVD.. My Abs are feeling a little burn, both my dogs must have very clean bottoms right now, and Veg is happily playing with his Dad upstairs....

Hmmm?  Did I learn anything from this experience?  Yes!  Mommy's don't ever get "me" time while in the same house as pets and tots, but thats why were the Mommy's!  and I guess thats not so bad!

ONE TIME OUT

Along time ago we began the "One time out" rule at bedtime.  After all his needs have been met, And it goes like this:

"You can come out of your room one time, after that, I won't speak any more and you'll be directed back to your room"  (we also explain that he can come out for emergencies or bathroom visits)

He'd come out of his room and ask for new music or for a new shirt, or something... But he always always always would use his ONE TIME OUT!  Even if he didn't need anything at all.  He'd stand at the toilet and try to make stuff come out, just so he could stay out a little longer.  Or he'd say he missed a spot with his toothbrush.....  However, after much consistency and me sticking to the "I won't speak" rule, he has really done good at staying in his room after that "one" time.

Well tonight, he comes out of his room and walks up to me with a guilty smile...

"Mom, this is my one time out" 

<Ok, what do you need> 

"I don't know, can you tell me what I need?" 

<No, your the one that came out, if you didn't need anything then you can go back in your room>

"But I need something"

<What?>

"I Needed to come out"

*SIGH*

GROSSER THEN GROSS

I thought the first request for a Peanut Butter & Mustard Sandwich was pretty gross... But he still eats them a year later.  eeeww! 

And now, there is the need to put cheese sprinkles in to his Soy Yogurt before eating it up.. and again I have to saw Ewww....

But there is a new game that he likes to play with his Dad called "What's Grosser then Gross?"  I have to admit, what comes out of Veg's mouth is pretty funny, and I have to keep Hubby saying kid friendly stuff or there is no telling what would come out of his mouth.

"Hey Dad, you know what's grosser the gross?"  <what?>  "a piece of grass mixed with some Tree Sauce, with pickles on it"  and he always throws in this "Ewww, that's gross" 

Every once in a while he throws dog poo, or mud and bugs in to the equation... And those are the times when it isn't good to be eating dinner during this game.  So this weekend he was very upset that no one would play the Grosser then Gross game with him.. Rather then listening to the whining "I want to play, why won't anyone play with me... Is there anyone in this whole place that will play with me?"

I suggested we play a new game called "Gooder then Good"... ha ha!!   This made Veg very happy, and the rest of us could eat our meals with out thinking of Dog Poo. 

"Hey Mom, you know what's gooder then good?" <what?>  "Strawberries on top of soy ice cream with some sprinkles, Mmmm, that's good"

So... the only problem with this game is when he plays it now, we are usually NOT eating... Which this very yummy game tends to make us hungry!

Sooo... Today a whole new game came about..."What's bigger then big" ha ha... This was all Veg's idea (or possibly something from school, I don't know)

And it goes like this:

"Hey Dad, what's bigger then a bush?"  <a tree>  "whats bigger then a tree?"  <a house>  "whats bigger then a house?"

Ok you get the idea.... This went on & on & on... Until Hubby said "Universe"  and that there is nothing bigger then that...  We thought this would end the game... we thought we were done....We thought there may be silence for a few moments...

But Nope?  "Hey Dad, what's a Universe" 

HA HA HA!!!  Maybe we should have just stuck with the Grosser then Gross game!

SUMMER ACTIVITY BOOKS

While at Target I bought some Pre-School & Kindergarten Activity, Learning and Phonics Books for Veg to work on over the summer.  They were a cheaper price then I've seen in a long time so I bought a bunch.  Thinking they would last him a while, and it would be something educational we could do together while he was out of school or on our vacation.

But tonight he was feeling antsy and was not in to the Toys Much.. I decided to pull out one of these books.  I couldn't help but laugh when he zipped through 25 pages within 30 minutes... And not only did he know the answer and complete every activity but he went a step further:

Example:

Question - find two squares on this page and color them blue

Veg Answer - (he runs to get a blue marker, because the yellow just won't do)  Colors in the two squares that are the "expected answer" and then colors in another two squares that he sees at the top of the page that were only there for decoration.  then he says "Look Mom, I found 2 sets of 2 squares, and that makes 4.  2+2=4 right Mom"

On to the next page....

Question - find an item that is bigger out of each row.  (expecting only one item to be circled, but it didn't say that)

Veg Answer - "That one is bigger then that one, and that one is the biggest of all three"  so he circled two of them because they were both bigger then the first.  (and he did that for each row, finding all the bigger ones, and then finishing up with the biggest item on the whole page, which wasn't even part of a question)

Next Page...

Question  - Find all the items in each row that belong together

Veg Answer - He finds all the items that do go together in each row, and then says;  "Hey, that dog bone goes with that dog over there.  & That butterfly should go with that Caterpillar over there..  Mom, they didn't have these in the right rows?"

Question - find 5 bunnies on the page and circle them

Veg Answer - He circles 5 and then says "But Mom, there are really 7 bunnies, why did they put 7 bunnies on the page with the number 5 on it?  The 7 bunnies should be on the page with the number 7".

He then does the mazes, more numbers, more shapes, and finding things that are different, alike, bigger or smaller out of each activity. 

And the last one he did before bed was to find 7 mice...Simple enough.. He finds and circles 7 mice.  Then says "Look Mom, these 5 are the same, but those 2 are different!  See, some are grey and some are brown, they are different, they are not the same"  <yes your right> And then he has to point out, which are bigger and which are smaller and which is the biggest of all.

Needless to say... I don't know what I was thinking buying books for Preschool & Kindergarten and expecting it to keep his interest for very long.  We'll have this whole stack done by the weekend..

At this rate, we could be doing the 5th grade books by Summer's end!  ha ha... Just kidding!  I do love seeing his mind work though.  How fun this will be for both of us!

WORK PICNIC

Yesterday was our Work Summer Picnic, and although it wasn't as great as last year, it was nice.  They did a Caribbean theme this go around and had some Island music.  But there was a Flying Ant thing going on, and you couldn't walk two feet with out a bunch of those buggers being on you.  Lil'veg doesn't do bugs about as much as I don't do bugs, so he was getting a bit agitated. 

The hit for him was a blow up slide and he really had no interest in anything else.  I personally wasn't interested in standing in front of the slide waiting for him to come down a 1000 times, so I had to redirect his attention.  They had 5 games for the kids & adults to play, and we got 5 little prizes.  They also had a miniature petting zoo and pony rides all of which my Tot had no desire to be around.

In the end it was a beautiful sunny day, and it was nice to be out...  But I can only give 2 Veg Stars to this years event, VS. the 10 veg stars from last years....

ANOTHER SUPER HERO PARTY

Lil'Veg woke up yesterday morning asking if it was time to go to MH's party.  I had to explain the party wasn't until 5PM but he wasn't having that.  We even looked at the clock, we looked at the clock Book, so he could figure out how long 5:00 really was.  And for the next 8 hrs. that was ALLLLL I heard about.    And he was going to be Batman..  He had all his clothes laid out, his costume sitting in the hallway, I've never seen him so prepared for anything.  He was EXCITED... And soon became Batman... He just couldn't wait...

Running around tossing Batarangs and getting all the invisible bad guys.  About 30 minutes later, he was sooo over Batman, and the belt and all the parts, that he threw them all on the floor and decided Spiderman would be his costume for the party.

If you don't know Veg, then I will tell you, he has been Spiderman for every costume'ish thing since he was 9 months old.  We even have pictures of Spidey through the years.  He's had one in every size.  Even when offered other choices, he always comes back to Spiderman.  He's never seen the movie, nor does he know anything about it, but for some reason he loves the costume.   

When it was finally time for him to go to the party, he couldn't contain him self!  He even wanted to help set up, but I didn't want him in the way, so I could only let him help place the napkins.  *SMILE*

There was no one there that he new, and yet, he walked up to every one and did his little "Spidey Stance".  He played on the playground with all the other kids and had so much fun.  When Some of them began to play rough, punching and more... Veg ran over in that direction to see what was going on?  I only had to tell him once that those kids weren't playing a nice way, then back to the playground he went.

They had a treasure hunt and Pinata, pizza and cupcakes and more....  MH's Special day was a big hit!

Veg DID get mad at me when it was time to leave, and even ran away from me at the play ground.. So we had a couple private talks, an apology, and a great conversation in the car to make it all better.

I have to say publicly how proud I am of that Veg Man...And how thankful I am to Montessori.  Seeing him in Social situations really shows how far he's come since starting school last August.  The skills they provide are more then I could have ever imagined, and will help Veg in so many ways as he grows.  I'm sad to see the school year coming to an end.. And will be looking forward to August to see what the next year brings.

And a big Thank you to SH for a great afternoon!  She put so much work in to that party... I hope MH enjoyed it as much as his attendees did.

BIGGER NOT ALWAYS BETTER

This is the biggest grapefruit I've ever seen.  About the size of 4 navel oranges.  I had to buy it because it looked so pretty and it was organic.  But have to say I wasn't impressed with the taste!  *Sigh*

THINGS HE SAYS

Although I always cherish everything my Veg says, sometimes I remember more then others, and sometimes I just can't help but share them...  This is one of those times... Here are a few conversations and near misses that happened today:

-------------------------

"Mom can we stop at that place and get lemonade"

<They don't have lemonade at that one>

"Why, did they run out of lemons?"

---------------------------

While in a public restroom this afternoon Veg had to do his #2 business and he says

"Mom, turn around and look at that picture on the wall because I need my privacy"

<OK>

"Mom, don't look, I don't want you seeing my privates, keep looking at that picture"

<I'm not looking>

"Look at all the silly people on that picture Mom"

<are you done yet?>

"Is that a lion in that picture?"

<are you done yet?>

"Hey Mom, look at that man in the picture he has a whiskers"

<are you done yet?>

"Ok, I'm done, but don't look because I need my privacy"

<Alright, I'm not looking>

"Mom, can you wipe my tush please?"

---------------------------

Tonight while I was about to do MY" #2 business, Veg comes running in saying he HAS to go... (Do I get Privacy... nnoooooo)  And since I'm the adult and have more control over my own business, I let him go first... and of course I turn around so he can have "his" privacy.

Then I hear this out of his mouth:

"Hey Mom, I made a little mess, but its not my fault?.. It got hard and I didn't know it"

(trying not to laugh and thankfully I had my head turned in case I was laughing, and then he says)

"Mom, why does it do that?" 

(Oh boy, here we go!)

Realizing I needed to get back to my business, and wanted to take my shower... I decided to take the REAL Easy way out of this conversation and tell him to go ask his father that question.  After all "He" would know a lot more then me on that subject!

---------------------------

While practicing his golf swing in the yard today he says

"No body teach me, I want to do this all by myself"

<OK, you tell me if you need help>

"I don't need help I can do this all by myself"

<OK>

(2 seconds later)  "Mom, Can you put the Tee in the ground and put the ball on the Tee for me please"

------------------------

"Mom, I want to be like B at school"

<But I think your great just the way you are>

"But B does it this way"

<And you do it your way, which is a perfect way for you.  I think your great, and I love you all the way around the earth and back (making a circle with my arms)

"Thanks Mom, I love you this much (taking his finger and making 1/2 a curved line)"

<what is that with your finger>

"It's a moon thats not round yet"

---------------------------

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Is it just my kid, or do they all have to announce "What, Where, & How" The Poop happens..

"Mommy, I'm going Potty"

"Mommy, Its a Poop this time"

"Mommy, I'm all done, ooh look, I made three pieces"

"Today its brown but yesterday it was a little green"

"OOh, look at the pretty pictures that came out of my bottom"

"That one is so cute, it looks like a little baby worm"

"I wiped three times"

"Mommy, I'm flushing the toilet"

All dressed and back in the family room I hear "Mom, guess what" (as if he didn't think I heard the whole conversation that just happened)  "I made three poopy pieces in the potty and I wiped myself and flushed"

<Nope, I didn't know that but thanks for sharing>

FAIR AMOUNT

The older my little guy gets the more freedom we begin to allow.  With Freedom comes Choices, and with choices comes responsibilities.  (Yes Mom, I know he's only 4)  ha ha!

He knows before bed he can have 2 Squares (one for each hand)  Nee Nee started that!  And after 7 O'clock he can't have certain drinks... Etc.

Well when it is time to go to the park I used to say, You have "5 Minutes"  and eventually I started saying, You can go down the slide 5 times.  This way, he can count and know when it is time to leave with out a fuss.  But now, I will say, "How many times do you think you should go down the slide"  Usually he will give a responsible number and I agree.  If he gives an outrageous number, then we negotiate and it "usually" works out.  But when he gets to "his chosen" number, then it is time to leave.  Never fails.

So at home, I've given him access to all his snacks, so he can help himself when he's hungry, and I'll watch him only take a few that fit in his hand, or he pours some in to a cup but will only eat as much as he is hungry for and put the rest away.

I was so proud tonight when he came to me with a bag of Choc-covered cashews (his favorite junk food treat) and said "Mom, can I just have two of these, that is a fair number, right?" 

It is nice to know that allowing him to make choices the past few years has turned in to a 4 year old that is beginning to make wise decisions without anyone telling him what he should or shouldn't do.  I only wish I could stop eating when I'm full or only grab "2" of something that is so tasty!  ha ha...

THE GRUMPIES

Well I've been ordered by my Mother to make a post so here it is...

Seriously, I have had a case of the grumpies this week.... Getting back on my Frap Addiction has saved my Karma but the lack of exercise this past week has caused the grumpies to settle in.  And when there are Grumpies, there are no funnies, and when there are no funnies then there are no posts!

So yesterday I got out for a run and the day before I got out for a walk... I bought Veg the game "Perfection" which has caused some joyous laughter.  It seems every time that little thing Pops I jump.. Even though I know its going to pop.  I see the timer counting down, I hear the ticker getting slow and then POP!  and it never fails, I jump every time.  It seems Veg does the same thing, and this caused us to laugh beyond control. 

Then I was looking at the Local Mom Forum and someone posted about plastic surgery, while someone else mentioned that she likes her chest to be touching her belly button and has no desire to lift them.  Which started a whole other conversation including me saying this:

"Just wanted to agree with you that My used up milk factory wakes up every morning and says hello to the floor because that is the only thing it sees....

And they like my belly button now also because at least they have a friend.  ha ha!!!   So you are surely not alone.."

Well then that led me to saying this:

I tell ya, my belly is not anything I'd show another sole, and my bottom has more dimples then a golf ball.. My boobs haven't seen "perky" since who knows when and I think they actually miss the pump.  Thats the last time they got any affection and were "called to attention".  My eyes are starting to get saggy, face is getting lines and my arms wave before my hands do.. But None of this would be there if I didn't have my kid, so I wear all my extra skin proudly.

I exercise to feel healthy and not feel grumpy!  But taking a knife and slicing off parts of my body, putting fake stuff in side to lift things up, is something I can't envision my self doing.  Not to mention a vacuum cleaner that sucks out Fat?  Eww.... I certainly wouldn't want to be the one to clean out that bag..

Which now brings me to this post... I'm not quite sure if I've gotten my funnies back or not, but I'm hoping after I come back from my jog, get dinner on the table and finish up some more work, that I will possibly have something funny to say!

Or at least a product review or something..... There has to be something in my brain that I can share!!  Or could it be that I have blog-block?  Is it possible?  Has the Vegmom lost her blogability? 

I hope not.. If so then NeeNee will not be a happy camper, and we can NOT have that!!

THE MOST ANNOYING SOUND

When the battery of a fire alarm is about to die, there is that nice little high pitch sound that beeps every so often to warn you.  Yes it is annoying and if you can't find the culprit then it is even more annoying...  HOWEVER.... When it is a Carbon Monoxide Detector that is the offender consider it torture.  Because it doesn't STOP!!!  it beeps, and beeps and beeps, but try to find what is beeping and it stops.  Walk away and it beeps.  Is it upstairs?  Downstairs?  I don't know because it stops beeping as soon as I stand up, or move, or walk...  (And I don't know its the carbon monoxide detector, that would have been too easy)

Sit back down and try to do my work... "BEEEP"....  Try to find the beep, "Nothing"....  Go to the bathroom.."BEEEP"  ...  Determined to find this horrendous sound....go downstairs, upstairs, hallway, room by room by room, NO BEEP....

Sit back down at my computer, all is well, then.. BEEP!  ARGH!!!!  get back up, look in the garage, stand and stare at the one in the basement... Just staring at it like a dog begging for food at the dinner table... nothing, no noise...So I get back to work at my desk... and you guessed it..

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP... I feel like there is a little teeny person in there torturing me.. "lets see how long it will take before she spills the beans" 

Finally Hubby comes home, he wants to mow the lawn, but I kindly told him "your not leaving this house until you find that beep"...  Three times the thing beeps and he doesn't hear it....    The little teeny person inside the detector is now laughing its butt off...  Finally Hubby hears the beep, and goes on the hunt.  the noise gets louder and louder.

He's downstairs and I'm upstairs.. We will conquer this noise!.... we waited and waited... We were on a stand off.. As if we were standing outside of a Saloon on a Dirt road with our blazing saddles... And yet NOTHING!  not a peep!  The tiny little people, were determined to drive me mad!

FINALLY... The last and final torturous beep.... THE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR!!!! It was in the basement. Hubby got it off the wall and replaced the battery... The little people will have to have their fun another day... and I may be able to sleep tonight!

LIQUIFIED CRAYONS

Yes, I still carry a diaper bag with me, even though there are no more diapers... I just love the pack, it holds so much stuff and is more of a sling type back pack then a diaper bag.  Although I mentioned to hubby the other day that I needed to break down and buy a new one.  I've had this one for 4 years now, and I don't really need something that heavy anymore.  So a lightweight small backpack would probably do the trick.  Anyway.... I posted a while back about everything I still carry in my bag.. and one of those things is crayons....  The bag stays in my car while I'm at work and Veg is in school, and I've been saying how Extremely hot this car gets....

So today, I opened up one of the zipper pouches in the bag and noticed everything was stuck together.  Realizing something had spilled, I tore the thing apart and found nothing... I've never had this happen before, what could it be??  Baffled for certain... There was no odor, nothing broken, nothing liquid... So we went in to the restaurant for dinner, and I pulled out a box of crayons... HA HA!!  There was a Box, and in side the box there were 12 very perfect looking crayon wrappers.  But no crayons!  The wax had literally disintegrated.

So I look again, and the entire bottom of the bag is adorned in beautiful colors of blue, yellow, green, orange, red, etc. The zippers on the bag are pretty much useless, and everything inside the pouches were covered in dried wax.

Needless to say, I will be searching even harder now for a new bag... And I need to get some window coverings for my car!  IT GETS PRETTY DARN HOT IN THERE!!!