There's a reason I didn't teach kindergarten...

Those people are saints.

Patience is one of the main things I pray for, and I'm being totally serious.  As a mother, my impatience and exasperation are probably my worst qualities.  Today was a personal test.

I was a driver for a field trip.

I used to think Sam was a wild-child, and he is when he's comfortable with friends and family.  He will push my limits ALL DAY LONG.  However, when he's around most other authority figures, he's an angel.  *BRAG ALERT*  I am often told by his teachers what a "sweet, smart, child" he is and that he is always on his best behavior, seldom has to be corrected, etc.  As another lady put it, "I guess he's so busy being good for everyone else that when he gets home, he's spent."

'Tis true.

But today...today I had four little boys in my car, including Sam.  It's maybe a 5 minute car ride to the museum. It went a little something like this:

"Hey, what's your name?  Are you Sam's mom? What do I call you?"
"You can call me Ms. Alli."
"I don't want to call you that.  My sister is Alli, and I don't like her."

Fair enough.

"Mom? Do you have a tissue?  E's nose is running."

I hand the child a napkin from the glove compartment.  He blows his nose, and tosses it back to me.  With, well, snot on it.  I tried to take it in stride, but...gross.

"Hey, is this a Mercedes?"
"Ha! No.  No, it isn't."
"That's what I'm going to drive when I grow up."

Wow.

Then Sam has to stir up the age-old Ole Miss/State debate by asking who they "cheered for."  Now, we (I) have tried to teach him that everyone doesn't go to the same school, and that's ok.  Do I really think that?  No.  :)  BUT, I don't want my kid making anyone feel bad, and I don't want anyone to make him feel bad.
So he launches in to why the bulldog is a better mascot than a rebel by telling the child that a "rebel is just an old man."

Can't imagine where he got that info.

They start their infantile argument, which I tried to cut off by asking, "Who's excited about the museum!?"

Child from the backseat:   "I am. Hey--I can burp my ABC's."
Me:  Let's not do that.
Child: "ABCDEFGHIJK..."

There were other comments that I'm not going to get into.  Comparatively, Sam looked pretty tame.

I have to admit, it was pretty funny.  Dear Lord, boys are gross.

We arrived, found their teacher, and she (thankfully) took over.  She is wonderful.  I seriously don't know how they deal with it.

But aren't they cute?

 

 

Lately...

It's funny.  I always feel like we're so busy, but I honestly couldn't tell you that much excitement is going on right now

January and February are full of birthdays--Mom's, MP's, and Joe's.  We've had A LOT of cake this month. If I have the willpower to give up sweets (or some variation) for lent, I'll lose at least 5 pounds.  At least.

"Spring" soccer has begun, but the temperatures haven't been very spring-like.  They should call it winter soccer as far as I'm concerned.  Sam has a good time, but I can't say that I have a good attitude about getting up for a game every Saturday.  It was rained out last weekend, and I nearly cried with happiness. Give me baseball any day of the week.

Alex is all over the place.  Truly a mess.  Two of his favorite things are being outside and singing. Not necessarily at the same time.  His set list includes:

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
"ABC"
"Jingle Bells"
"Skitta Marinky Dinky Dink" (I have no idea how to spell that.)
"Itsy Bitsy Spider"

He's quite the little soloist.  Every time I try to record him, he stops singing.  It's really frustrating.

Have I mentioned that when he wakes up, his hair sticks up everywhere?  And I mean everywhere.

I don't remember what I had done, but he was NOT happy with me this day.  Even if it was his 100th day of school.

He insists on sleeping with approximately 9 million stuffed animals. 

And he can mow down a doughnut in no time.  

Valentine monster

I love how his shirt turned out. 

Big fan of bubbles.

Sam was bundled up like an Eskimo last week, but this week I can send him to school in shorts.  

Oh, Mississippi. You're so fickle. 

Groucho Sam

Anthony and our neighbor took the kids to New Orleans last weekend to see the aquarium and insectarium..  It's a good thing I didn't go because I don't "do" spiders.  They had beautiful weather, and the kids loved it.  It was a great day trip for them.  It was great day for me because Anthony brought back 3 pralines.  And I ate all of them.  At one time.  I'm not kidding.  

Yep.  We're not really busy, but we're still busy. Ya know?