May Flowers and Showers and more showers

I feel as though this year is a race to the finish line as we approach the end of the second quarter of the year and the summer is upon us despite the incessant clouds and the persistent rain. Life has entered a little bit of a lull, until the craziness of the summer starts and me feeling as I am not sure I know where everyone is during the day, but the weather I will take. So, let us see…where to begin?

Horseradish- Ben is growing and there are days that I look at him and wonder where my baby went, my first son. He is growing in every way and I am challenged to keep up with him. He is his own person and definitely has his own ideas about things. He is an amazing big brother, thoughtful and at the same time is the world’s biggest pain in the ass. I was stopped for speeding so he is going to help me by telling me what the speed limit as he reads it from EVERY SIGN! I am about to loose my mind and I need to stop teaching him the rules of the road…as I am reminded every time I break one! I know I wrote about the minivan and then end of my life….what is worse is that he can see the speedometer. UGH, I do love the fact I can actually have a conversation with him, he wants to hear the news and understand the world and is not afraid to speak up about what is right, even if it is ONLY right in his mind, which happens a lot.

Anyway, Ben was being particularly evil on Sunday, I had given it my all in the punishment department, and I was LOOSING. Finally, exasperated, I lay down on the couch and sent him to his room. I told him I was out of ideas and he needed to go up stairs and no come down until he could tell me the rules he broke (we only have 3) and what should be done as “consequences”. Therefore, he heads upstairs and is down very quickly….HMMMMM, this should be good I think to myself. He sits down with his dramatic little politico self and says…”Ya know dad…..I broke rule 1 (do it/listen rule) and rule 3 ( naughty rule, NO kicking, biting, hitting, punching, swearing, name calling, flesh twisting, hair pulling….you get the idea).” “So, I am going to eat horseradish”….I almost died!

The back-story to this is that his (Mitchell's) mom and dad tell his friend Mitchell that he would have to eat horseradish if he gets mouthy. Mitchell somehow got near horseradish and had such a reaction that his mom and dad added it to the parental bag of tricks. Well, all they have to do it threaten Mitchell with it and he backs down. He must have shared this with Ben…who LOVES to eat….probably thinking HOW BAD CAN THAT BE?

Well, I love horseradish and being of Polish descent, I always have it. Therefore, I asked him if he was sure and he said yes dad! He strutted over to the table with a “Bring it on” walk and a shot eating grin and sat in his seat, adjusted his placemat and waited. I got the jar and a t-spoon out of the drawer….took some out and walked over to him. as he said, “I’m ready” and opened his mouth like a Baby bird. I stuck the spoon in his mouth, he closed his mouth, and then the reaction started. You would have thought his head was on fire, the look of shock and dismay. I did everything I could not to laugh! Finally, he asked if he could spit it out and I agreed only after making him promise he was going to behave. Worked like a charm and now all I have to do is say Horseradish and all is calm again!

Bryce is the complete three year old….moody…tyrannical and all the while he is FUNNY! Most of the time I am stuck with the invisible leash as he moves to break away from Daddy but remains close; he is fine and doing well. There is not much news to report on him other than he drives me crazy and I cannot wait for him to be a little older. He strives for independence yet still wants me to do for him. He is hysterical and as funny as Ben is Bryce is just a comic. I am sure that will come back to bite me later but he is funny. He is playing T ball, which is just organized chaos with sticks and hurling objects. I stand there on Saturday mornings and watch, as Ben has become the base coach! It is hysterical to watch, but I see the love between my kids and the encouragement that they give one another in their individual choices. They could not be more different yes, they have core values that I am very proud of and they are family.

Speaking of family, mine is as nutty as ever. So, the remainder of fun things in snippet form. We are getting ready for beach season as the house opens up and the beach weather begins. I am wondering when that will be as the rain has put a damper on things. Ben is having his birthday party and I bought an outdoor gym set which cost more than my first car! OMG, who knew? I did get my new ring and I love it, the kids know which stone is theirs and can tell the story of the magic ring that holds dreams and wishes to anyone, they feel like telling it to.

I am employed for the moment; I will keep you posted on that one. On the dating front, there is no one right now that I have met. I have been talking to a great person so we shall see and go from there. I get my “daddy” award on the 17th, and I do not have a thing to wear!

To all of you I hope you are well and that your family is happy, healthy and filled with peace of love.