From August 2008

Mr. M

The Merry Mirth of Matthew   Today, I laughed.  My children make me laugh.  The full belly split in your side laugh.  Matthew wanted to get the milk and he announced “I’m strong, I have big muscles.”  He is struggling with the gallon of milk while I am terrified it is about to drop all over the floor when he announces “I can almost lift it!”  Terror consumes my heart while I bite my lip to keep from laughing at the pride in his voice regarding his “big muscles.” Matthew keeps me laughing.  I have never met a male who talks as much as he does.  He will talk the entire time we are running errands.  He tends to make up stories using the names of Hannah’s friends and the neighbor children.  He makes all sorts of stories up about Jackson Quarles and Ryan Brashear.  He talks about tools, tractors, tornadoes, you name it.  His mind never stops.  When we stopped in Birmingham for dinner, he suddenly announced “BURNingham, it’s on FIRE!!!”  Later, he began talking about MISTERssippi and TenneSEAT.  Geography suddenly becomes hysterically funny. Matthew’s finest moment occurred when he went potty by the side of field in KS.  He was so proud of his accomplishment. And to think Greg was worried he wouldn’t be able to go on the side of a road.  After that, he felt that all grass should be “watered” by his personhood, including his grandmother’s front yard, our pastor’s front yard, and of course, my front yard. Who knew at 46 that life would just begin…lots of laughter, lots of hugs, lots of sweet kisses and best of all, little bouquets filled with weeds, picked by my son just for me.  Who needs roses?

Just to Remember

I thought this was pretty...the son was sparkling on the ice in the trees like diamonds...so I took a picture...just to remember the quiet beauty of new snow.

Haircut

Not the best picture but I love it. This boy looks so handsome with his hair spiked. His oldest sister is always wanting to spike his hair, I love it spiked but unfortunately, his dad's comments have made him shy about the spike. I took him for a haircut and tried to talk him into spikey hair. He was dead set against it...however, he relented at let the girl spike it "just this once."  Hannah snapped a pic while I paid. We went for pizza afterward and he hid from one of his classmates so he wouldn't be seen with the spike...one day we will get him to wear to school but it's going to take baby steps.

Learning Hockey

Matthew delights in teaching me hockey. (I have to admit I still look at this "Rink" and see a face and it just cracks me up...it's like a very low level robot, I digress) Anyway, for the past few nights, M cuddles up and shows me what the defense or offense is doing...I did finally grasp icing. I also was charmed when he realized the cat was next to him, he had his favorite soft blanket, and me to cuddle up and teach hockey to be what he always wanted...he and the cat have had a stand off type of relationship until this moment (M being a little shy of animals, unlike his sister.)

Representing...You!

I was straightening the kitchen up this morning after the kids left for school. I came across some of Hannah's schoolwork...I perused it and found this...I laughed out loud (you know the kind of laugh that goes down to your belly?) This is so Hannah...she loves cats...she loves to ice skate. I think the ears peeking up above the skate is what gave me such delight.

Valentine Suprpise

Our trip to St. Louis occurred on Valentine's Day. No romantic evening for this old married mom. We stopped in Illinois at a Bob Evans' restaurant. The nicest gentleman dressed in a very nice black suit greeted me with a flower and we were seated at a table with a red tablecloth and candle. M had hot chocolate and as you can see, that was an uptown affair also. I think this was one of the sweetest Valentine's Days ever. It really is the thought that counts and what a delightful surprise.

International Relations

My kids amaze me with their insight into history and politics. The other day while driving to Ice Skating, the topic of conversation ranged from Flappers, Hoover, Teddy Roosevelt, to FDR's Betrayal of Poland in WWII. (They have so many questions, I have to admit sometimes they make my eyes roll to the back of my head. AND a lot of times, I don't have the answer...and I'm driving so I can't Google the answer.)

Today's Discussion.. The Ukraine. Now anyone with half a brain knows that Putin wants the Ukraine back given his lament that the worst thing to happen in the 20th Century was the break up of the USSR. How could Obama say he was not aware of Putin's plans? Arrogance? Stupidity? No idea...my kids knew Russia was planning to "offer" its military and our leader didn't??? (I would think the creation of the USSR would be at the top of the list next to Hitler and WWII. I seriously doubt Poland and the surrounding countries were happy to be absorbed into the not so happy world of Communism. I digress.)

Back to the Ukraine and the headline that Obama was unaware of Putin's plans for the Ukraine...

Here is Matthew's response to my comment about Putin's Power Play:   "I think Obama is on the 4 man Penalty Kill."