...and I am not talking about computers!
Seriously, is anyone else out there done with walking on eggshells all the time?? I mean, we have opened our borders to people of all walks of life for hundreds of years. We have NEVER asked them to conform or give up their cultures, heritage, or history. I am all for the "melting pot" concept our country was founded on...but (see, there it is again)...don't ya think the double standards are getting a little old??
I mean, I don't go to Mexico and threaten lawsuits if my waiter doesn't speak English...I don't go to Canada and stage a protest because the French language is offensive to me...I would never go to the Middle East and threaten to bomb the place because the schools won't let me wear shorts and a t-shirt. Are ya getting my point?? But (there it is again!), these people all come here and do the exact things I am talking about, and we adapt our laws! How messed up is that??
I think the US is the only country in the world without a national language. The majority of the people in this country speak English, so why not set that as the national language of this great nation? Why do I have to pay higher taxes, so the public school system can afford to pay ESL teachers? Shouldn't English be taught as the first language, not as a second language? I have no problem with speaking your native tongue, but do it at home. Don't force me and my family to alter our education, work habits, shopping habits, etc. because you don't know English.
Before I say anything else, please let me answer a few questions that may be running through your mind right now. NO, I am not a racist or a white-supremacist. YES, I live in a very culturally diverse area of town. YES, I am friends with my neighbors and coworkers, regardless of their backgrounds. (And this includes Nigerians, Peruvians, Brits, and Indians.) YES, I enjoy learning and experiencing these different cultures. My point is that I am tired of being forced to watch what we say or do for fear of a lawsuit or military attack.
I firmly support building a wall around our borders. Not as a means of keeping immigrants out, but as a means of keeping them out ILLEGALLY. Feel free to come to this country in an effort to live the "American dream", but do it through the proper channels. Take the classes, learn our history, learn English, become citizens, get a job, pay taxes, etc...These things are all part of OUR culture.
I am tired of all the illegals in this country getting free education, free housing, free health care, etc...free for them anyway, as the real Americans in this country are footing the bill. And now our President is trying to include them in the next national census and to provide even more health care coverage. Am I the only one who sees a problem with this plan???
I realize I am venting and may not be making any new friends with these words, but I am struggling, too. I am having a hard time paying my bills and putting food on the table and providing good health care for my family. The difference is, I am a REAL American...I cherish the freedoms we have in this country. I refuse to "milk the system" simply because it is there and I can. I am not going to sit on my butt all day with the assumption that I am "entitled" to and the governement will take care of me. Get real, folks...we are headed in a really scary direction...
The Constitution of the United States of America was written with purpose and has worked just fine for over 200 years...why in God's name would anybody want to change that now???
On that note, I will sign out for the time being...but I have one last thing to say:
God Bless America!!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
"We've only just begun..."
"to live...white lace and promises..." Okay, I am no Karen (sp?) Carpenter, but I do like that song. Anyhoo, the reason breaking out in song is today I am celebrating my 8th wedding anniversary. Brian and I were married in Gatlinburg, TN 8 years ago, today. It has been an ever-changing, sometimes rough, but always fun ride. Brian, if you are reading this, I love you!! Thank you for 8 great years of marriage...I can't wait to see what the next 8 years bring.
You know how you hear those stories of "love at first sight"?? Well, ours was not quite that much of a fairy-tale. We were coworkers from 2 different parts of the country who happened to get promotions/transfers to Nashville within a week of each other back in 1999. Believe it or not, his apartment was over my garage in the same apartment complex!! Little scary, huh?? If you believe in fate, this story is for you.
Anyway, we got along great and became fast friends. (We were both involved with other people at the time, or I suspect we would have been together even sooner.) Many months later, we went to dinner...I knew at the end of that night that Brian was the man I wanted to spend my life with! I think he knew it, too, but it took him a little longer to acknowledge the fact. We started hanging out a lot...bowling, watching basketball games, lunches, dinners, happy hour and shooting pool... We were having a great time with our new found friendship (love??).
And, to make a long story short, here we are...8 years of marriage, 2 kids, 3 houses, a cat, and a new state to call "home" later! They always say things happen for a reason...perhaps our meeting was predetermined?? (Who are "they" by the way??)
You know how you hear those stories of "love at first sight"?? Well, ours was not quite that much of a fairy-tale. We were coworkers from 2 different parts of the country who happened to get promotions/transfers to Nashville within a week of each other back in 1999. Believe it or not, his apartment was over my garage in the same apartment complex!! Little scary, huh?? If you believe in fate, this story is for you.
Anyway, we got along great and became fast friends. (We were both involved with other people at the time, or I suspect we would have been together even sooner.) Many months later, we went to dinner...I knew at the end of that night that Brian was the man I wanted to spend my life with! I think he knew it, too, but it took him a little longer to acknowledge the fact. We started hanging out a lot...bowling, watching basketball games, lunches, dinners, happy hour and shooting pool... We were having a great time with our new found friendship (love??).
And, to make a long story short, here we are...8 years of marriage, 2 kids, 3 houses, a cat, and a new state to call "home" later! They always say things happen for a reason...perhaps our meeting was predetermined?? (Who are "they" by the way??)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Are you ready for some football???
The annual NFL Hall of Fame Game just finished up on this lovely Sunday evening...and I could not be more thrilled!! No, not thrilled that it is over, but thrilled because it means the newest installment of NFL football is right around the corner. I know, most of you are thinking, "Oh, great, this means my husband is gonna be glued to the TV for the next few months." BUT...(see, there's that "but" I always have)...In my house, this is such a good thing! Seriously, we LOVE football in this house...preseason, regular season, college, pro...you name it and we are probably watching! And, the completion of the HOF game means the "official" preseason starts in a matter of hours...And, the start of the "official" preseason means it is only a matter of hours (okay, weeks, but who's counting) until the completion of preseason football...And, the completion of preseason football means the start of regular season football...
And so on and so forth...
Anyhoo, this means I can quit watching crappy TV at night, because I will have a ball game or two to watch a few nights a week!! Yippee...
So, my Titans looked pretty good in the game this evening, and I can only hope that they will continue the success of last season. There have been several changes made to the roster...some good, some bad, but all in all they are in for a pretty good year.
Okay, I know you are not here for the latest in the NFL (that's what ESPN is for, right?), so I will try to keep posts football-free from this point forward.
Tomorrow is the first day of school for the boys...and of course, all the other thousands of kids who also reside in our county! As of 11:00 PM on Sunday, I am taking bets...for what, you ask??? Well, the "little" one is so excited to ride the bus with his big brother. (I really think that's the only reason he is excited about starting school.) Well, I am about 90% sure the boy will refuse to get on the bus in the morning. Those of you who know the child are probably applauding me for my optimism...probably thinking it's more like 100-200% that he won't get on the bus... LOL It's a good thing the bus comes early, that way I have plenty of time to dry up the tears (his, not mine) and drive him to school.
Oh man, did I just say I am glad something is happening early??? What the heck...something has to be wrong with me!! For real, though, we have to be out and ready to catch the bus at 7:15. Yes, that is AM! Can you believe that??? What type of insanity is this...These kids are in elementary school, not high school or taking college classes. School doesn't start until 8:15...what are they gonna do with my kids for an hour??? We live 2 miles from the school... Two miles!! I mean, I could walk to the school in less than an hour, and they want my kids that early?? Crazy!!
So, I am signing off for now, but I promise to have LOTS to post tomorrow, as I am quite sure my kids will have had an interesting first day of school.
Oh, yeah, anybody want to make a bet as to whether or not Mom (that would be me) wakes up on time??? You bet I will...I'll be kickin' them out the door before sun-up!! LOL I will also take bets as to whether or not Mom (yep, still me) stays awake after the kids are off to school...
And so on and so forth...
Anyhoo, this means I can quit watching crappy TV at night, because I will have a ball game or two to watch a few nights a week!! Yippee...
So, my Titans looked pretty good in the game this evening, and I can only hope that they will continue the success of last season. There have been several changes made to the roster...some good, some bad, but all in all they are in for a pretty good year.
Okay, I know you are not here for the latest in the NFL (that's what ESPN is for, right?), so I will try to keep posts football-free from this point forward.
Tomorrow is the first day of school for the boys...and of course, all the other thousands of kids who also reside in our county! As of 11:00 PM on Sunday, I am taking bets...for what, you ask??? Well, the "little" one is so excited to ride the bus with his big brother. (I really think that's the only reason he is excited about starting school.) Well, I am about 90% sure the boy will refuse to get on the bus in the morning. Those of you who know the child are probably applauding me for my optimism...probably thinking it's more like 100-200% that he won't get on the bus... LOL It's a good thing the bus comes early, that way I have plenty of time to dry up the tears (his, not mine) and drive him to school.
Oh man, did I just say I am glad something is happening early??? What the heck...something has to be wrong with me!! For real, though, we have to be out and ready to catch the bus at 7:15. Yes, that is AM! Can you believe that??? What type of insanity is this...These kids are in elementary school, not high school or taking college classes. School doesn't start until 8:15...what are they gonna do with my kids for an hour??? We live 2 miles from the school... Two miles!! I mean, I could walk to the school in less than an hour, and they want my kids that early?? Crazy!!
So, I am signing off for now, but I promise to have LOTS to post tomorrow, as I am quite sure my kids will have had an interesting first day of school.
Oh, yeah, anybody want to make a bet as to whether or not Mom (that would be me) wakes up on time??? You bet I will...I'll be kickin' them out the door before sun-up!! LOL I will also take bets as to whether or not Mom (yep, still me) stays awake after the kids are off to school...
Friday, August 7, 2009
Gotta love technology...
So, I am sitting outside with the laptop managing my Facebook account, playing Farkle, chatting with a coworker, talking in person to the hubby, and listening to the Sirius 80's channel on our wireless speakers...
On top of all that technology, we have the sounds of Mother Nature in stereo, too...crickets, birds, frogs, the crackle of the torches, and the clink of ice against glass in our adult beverages. Okay, so the adult beverage is not necessarily a product of nature, but still part of the whole ambiance...maybe??
And, why the heck are birds up at this hour??
"Thriller" is on now, and I have the strong desire to get up and do "the dance"...ya know the zombies with the hands in the air?? Gina, you know what I'm talking about...you and your kids do it quite well!
Anyway, I think it's funny that we have the capability to do all this wireless stuff, keep up with what the neighbors are doing without looking out the window, stay on top of current events, criticize anyone and anything, and all the other stuff that happens by the second in this country...BUT (yes, I always have a "but") we can't manage our country's finances, lifestyles, borders, social programs, etc??? Anybody got any ideas on this one?
I must say that our parents always felt sorry for how tough it was for my generation to grow up in the era we did...with the drugs, drinking, sex, disease, etc. so readily available...I gotta tell ya, I would much rather my kids be drinking and having sex than running from terrorists and waiting in line for the doctor and repaying a debt they had nothing to do with...
This was once a great and powerful country, but it seems lately we are so worried about what everybody else thinks that we forget what our own citizens think. People come to this country to "live the good life". That's great, but let's not cause the rest of us to have hard times in an effort to give those people every thing their hearts desire.
Okay, I am really climbing high on the soapbox now...gonna step down, because I don't want this to turn into a political bashing blog...
And, I am gonna wrap this one up...although I have accomplished nothing...because I find it very difficult to type and maintain Facebook at the same time!! More later, I promise!!
On top of all that technology, we have the sounds of Mother Nature in stereo, too...crickets, birds, frogs, the crackle of the torches, and the clink of ice against glass in our adult beverages. Okay, so the adult beverage is not necessarily a product of nature, but still part of the whole ambiance...maybe??
And, why the heck are birds up at this hour??
"Thriller" is on now, and I have the strong desire to get up and do "the dance"...ya know the zombies with the hands in the air?? Gina, you know what I'm talking about...you and your kids do it quite well!
Anyway, I think it's funny that we have the capability to do all this wireless stuff, keep up with what the neighbors are doing without looking out the window, stay on top of current events, criticize anyone and anything, and all the other stuff that happens by the second in this country...BUT (yes, I always have a "but") we can't manage our country's finances, lifestyles, borders, social programs, etc??? Anybody got any ideas on this one?
I must say that our parents always felt sorry for how tough it was for my generation to grow up in the era we did...with the drugs, drinking, sex, disease, etc. so readily available...I gotta tell ya, I would much rather my kids be drinking and having sex than running from terrorists and waiting in line for the doctor and repaying a debt they had nothing to do with...
This was once a great and powerful country, but it seems lately we are so worried about what everybody else thinks that we forget what our own citizens think. People come to this country to "live the good life". That's great, but let's not cause the rest of us to have hard times in an effort to give those people every thing their hearts desire.
Okay, I am really climbing high on the soapbox now...gonna step down, because I don't want this to turn into a political bashing blog...
And, I am gonna wrap this one up...although I have accomplished nothing...because I find it very difficult to type and maintain Facebook at the same time!! More later, I promise!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Time flies when you are having fun...
But, it really flies when you are getting old!!! Although, I guess in some way getting old is kinda fun. Okay, maybe not, but I don't want to start out sounding like a pessimist!!
Not that I am all that old, but lately things are going on to make me feel really old!! Today, my best friend's daughter got her driver's license. Yeah, I know, right?? When I met this girl, she was so tiny and would crawl into my lap to snuggle. Well, she's still tiny but, oh, so grown up at the same time. Anyway, she was 5 years old when her mom and I became great friends. I was lovingly referred to as "Daddy Erin" for many years of this child's life. Her sperm donor (okay, fine, her father) was not in the picture, and I was often called in to help out with sensitive issues. Anyway, skip forward a bunch of years, and this child - now, a young woman - holds a special place in my heart. So, I am so proud of her for accomplishing one of life's many milestones! SLR, "Congratulations!! I love you."
Speaking of life's milestones...my youngest Mann is starting Kindergarten next week. Double whammy, huh??
Wow, there's another reference that makes me feel really old. Do y'all remember the game show called "Press Your Luck"? You know, the little gremlin-lookin' thing would come out with the evil laugh and steal the contestants' money...The contestants would take their "spin" and sit and chant "No whammy, no whammy"...Any takers on that one...anyone, anyone??? (Of course the "anyone, anyone" makes me think of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"...yet another of those "I'm dating myself" thoughts)...
Back to the youngest Mann...So, Austin starts kindergarten on Monday, and it still feels like last week that we brought him home from the hospital. (Maybe because he still acts like it was just last week...) He says he is ready, and I say I am ready for him to go...BUT...it still makes me feel really old. I can't believe my "baby" is going off to "big boy school". I honestly think he only wants to go, because he can ride the big bus with his brother! (LOL) You know all little boys want to ride on big trucks, trains, and buses...at least, both of mine did! Today in the car he asked his brother, "Sean, can I sit by you on the bus?" And his brother's response... "Everybody's gonna see and hear all the mean things you do to me." OMG...are you kidding me right now?? Their school is 2 miles from our driveway, and the eldest is worried about what the "Little Mann" might do...What is wrong with this picture??
Okay, I keep rambling and going off track...yet another sign I am getting old, right??? LMAO!! (Mom Mann, keep your mouth shut on that one)
Tomorrow is orientation and open house at the boys' school. I am kinda excited to see Austin's reaction to his new classroom. For the last 3 years he has been at the same school, and the last year he was going with me everyday as I went to work. It should be very interesting...BUT...I know, there's that "but" again...I am hoping the kids in kindergarten will force him to get over the whole baby act. I swear if he keeps it up everyday, they are gonna tear him up... The eldest moves to 3rd grade this year. He is excited, because his class moves upstairs this year! Oh yeah, he's in the big time now!! Weird as it sounds, that kinda makes me feel old, too. You know, your baby is sent UPSTAIRS to school everyday...so far from the clinic and the principal and the front doors...okay, I am done.
Not that I am all that old, but lately things are going on to make me feel really old!! Today, my best friend's daughter got her driver's license. Yeah, I know, right?? When I met this girl, she was so tiny and would crawl into my lap to snuggle. Well, she's still tiny but, oh, so grown up at the same time. Anyway, she was 5 years old when her mom and I became great friends. I was lovingly referred to as "Daddy Erin" for many years of this child's life. Her sperm donor (okay, fine, her father) was not in the picture, and I was often called in to help out with sensitive issues. Anyway, skip forward a bunch of years, and this child - now, a young woman - holds a special place in my heart. So, I am so proud of her for accomplishing one of life's many milestones! SLR, "Congratulations!! I love you."
Speaking of life's milestones...my youngest Mann is starting Kindergarten next week. Double whammy, huh??
Wow, there's another reference that makes me feel really old. Do y'all remember the game show called "Press Your Luck"? You know, the little gremlin-lookin' thing would come out with the evil laugh and steal the contestants' money...The contestants would take their "spin" and sit and chant "No whammy, no whammy"...Any takers on that one...anyone, anyone??? (Of course the "anyone, anyone" makes me think of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"...yet another of those "I'm dating myself" thoughts)...
Back to the youngest Mann...So, Austin starts kindergarten on Monday, and it still feels like last week that we brought him home from the hospital. (Maybe because he still acts like it was just last week...) He says he is ready, and I say I am ready for him to go...BUT...it still makes me feel really old. I can't believe my "baby" is going off to "big boy school". I honestly think he only wants to go, because he can ride the big bus with his brother! (LOL) You know all little boys want to ride on big trucks, trains, and buses...at least, both of mine did! Today in the car he asked his brother, "Sean, can I sit by you on the bus?" And his brother's response... "Everybody's gonna see and hear all the mean things you do to me." OMG...are you kidding me right now?? Their school is 2 miles from our driveway, and the eldest is worried about what the "Little Mann" might do...What is wrong with this picture??
Okay, I keep rambling and going off track...yet another sign I am getting old, right??? LMAO!! (Mom Mann, keep your mouth shut on that one)
Tomorrow is orientation and open house at the boys' school. I am kinda excited to see Austin's reaction to his new classroom. For the last 3 years he has been at the same school, and the last year he was going with me everyday as I went to work. It should be very interesting...BUT...I know, there's that "but" again...I am hoping the kids in kindergarten will force him to get over the whole baby act. I swear if he keeps it up everyday, they are gonna tear him up... The eldest moves to 3rd grade this year. He is excited, because his class moves upstairs this year! Oh yeah, he's in the big time now!! Weird as it sounds, that kinda makes me feel old, too. You know, your baby is sent UPSTAIRS to school everyday...so far from the clinic and the principal and the front doors...okay, I am done.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Boys will be boys...
Why is it that my kids feel the need to pee at the same time?? Do other siblings do this type of thing?? Obviously, those of you with little girls will say "no"...at least I hope you say "no", otherwise we need to have a little chat!! LOL Seriously, any of you with 2 or more boys at home (or if you know anyone with boys who do this), please let me know what your thoughts are on this one...
So, my eldest has a new Wii game that he just couldn't live without...he spent his own money to get it, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. However, he has spent the better part of 2 days since acquiring said game in front of the TV. Now, this is both good and bad at the same time...good, because the little one LOVES to watch him play new games; bad, because they both end up spending way too much time staring at the television. Anyway, those of you who read the last post know the way my eldest is while playing the Wii...constantly moving, turning around to see who is watching, etc. Well, he has a tendency to ignore the "biological breaks" that our bodies require on a regular basis. In other words, he has mastered the art of gaming and doing the "tee-tee" dance at the same time. It is true...he'll sit wiggling around and squeezing his legs together forever instead of pausing his game to go pee. (Go ahead and laugh, but you know your kids do the same thing while playing games or watching TV.)
Okay, I know...that doesn't sound all that weird for a kid to do, especially one who is engrossed in some activity or another. However, my kids are a minor exception to that common occurrence. As I stated previously, the youngest Mann likes to watch the eldest while he is gaming. So, by association, he will ignore the same "biological breaks" that the eldest ignores. Seriously??? I mean, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go...right? (Okay, I can't count myself in that last one, because I have been known to "hold it" forever.) But... These are young boys with bladders that aren't fully developed yet, so they do not have the same level of control that we, as mothers, do. Alright, enough of the anatomy lesson and background...back to the matter at hand. So, the eldest is in full fledged wiggle-mode when he suddenly jumps up and proclaims (loudly, I might add), "What the heck, man, I have to pee so bad!!" For real?? You just now realized this fact?? You've been doing "the dance" for almost an hour, and this comes as some sort of a surprise to you??? I mean, I can see if there were no way to pause the silly game that you might hold it for a few minutes til you get to a "save spot"...but, to hold it to a point where you have to run full-speed to the bathroom...Hello??
Are ya ready for the fun part now?? Before he can get halfway to the john, the youngest of my darling children jumps up and says, "Oh man, I have to pee so bad!" Power of suggestion, perhaps?? Anyway, I tell him to go upstairs because his brother is using the one downstairs. He says, "Mommy, I have to go too bad...I don't think I can make it upstairs." Seriously...again?? You weren't even the one playing the silly game, and now you gotta go too?? Well, the point of all this is as follows:
The eldest jumps and runs...the "little" one follows because he can, and he knows it will drive me nuts... So, they proceed to both go into the downstairs powder room and pee simultaneously... Yep, you read that right...they find it is so great to go pee at the same time. They like to "make it crossover and overlap". Yuck...
And they say it is weird for girls/women/ladies to go to the restroom in groups...Go figure!!
So, my eldest has a new Wii game that he just couldn't live without...he spent his own money to get it, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. However, he has spent the better part of 2 days since acquiring said game in front of the TV. Now, this is both good and bad at the same time...good, because the little one LOVES to watch him play new games; bad, because they both end up spending way too much time staring at the television. Anyway, those of you who read the last post know the way my eldest is while playing the Wii...constantly moving, turning around to see who is watching, etc. Well, he has a tendency to ignore the "biological breaks" that our bodies require on a regular basis. In other words, he has mastered the art of gaming and doing the "tee-tee" dance at the same time. It is true...he'll sit wiggling around and squeezing his legs together forever instead of pausing his game to go pee. (Go ahead and laugh, but you know your kids do the same thing while playing games or watching TV.)
Okay, I know...that doesn't sound all that weird for a kid to do, especially one who is engrossed in some activity or another. However, my kids are a minor exception to that common occurrence. As I stated previously, the youngest Mann likes to watch the eldest while he is gaming. So, by association, he will ignore the same "biological breaks" that the eldest ignores. Seriously??? I mean, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go...right? (Okay, I can't count myself in that last one, because I have been known to "hold it" forever.) But... These are young boys with bladders that aren't fully developed yet, so they do not have the same level of control that we, as mothers, do. Alright, enough of the anatomy lesson and background...back to the matter at hand. So, the eldest is in full fledged wiggle-mode when he suddenly jumps up and proclaims (loudly, I might add), "What the heck, man, I have to pee so bad!!" For real?? You just now realized this fact?? You've been doing "the dance" for almost an hour, and this comes as some sort of a surprise to you??? I mean, I can see if there were no way to pause the silly game that you might hold it for a few minutes til you get to a "save spot"...but, to hold it to a point where you have to run full-speed to the bathroom...Hello??
Are ya ready for the fun part now?? Before he can get halfway to the john, the youngest of my darling children jumps up and says, "Oh man, I have to pee so bad!" Power of suggestion, perhaps?? Anyway, I tell him to go upstairs because his brother is using the one downstairs. He says, "Mommy, I have to go too bad...I don't think I can make it upstairs." Seriously...again?? You weren't even the one playing the silly game, and now you gotta go too?? Well, the point of all this is as follows:
The eldest jumps and runs...the "little" one follows because he can, and he knows it will drive me nuts... So, they proceed to both go into the downstairs powder room and pee simultaneously... Yep, you read that right...they find it is so great to go pee at the same time. They like to "make it crossover and overlap". Yuck...
And they say it is weird for girls/women/ladies to go to the restroom in groups...Go figure!!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Is it too late to tell my kids that "Mommy" is a 4-letter word?? (Okay, it's 5 letters, but you get the point)
I wish I had a buck (hell, a nickel would make me wealthy) for each and every time I hear, "Mommy" throughout the day. And I don't mean the kind of "Mommy" that is followed by a valid question or statement...I am talking about the "Mommy" that I hear over and over and over and...(you get the point) simply because one of the kids needs to hear their own voice.
And, by the way, why is it that those silly young-folk (insert wink and a te-ha-giggle) feel the need to talk ALL the time??? More on this one later...
Anyway, back on track here...Who in God's name thought it would be smart to teach kids to say "Mommy" as one of their first words??? Seriously, whoever this was had NO kids attached to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 4 weeks a month, 52 weeks a year...Oh, I have gone a little too far again, huh?? LOL For real, though, those of you with kids know exactly what I am saying...and those of you who know MY kids (especially a certain 5 year old who shall remain nameless) have witnessed first-hand what I am talking about. It starts first thing in the morning and does not stop til the (Thank you, Lord) point in each day when the kids have to go to bed. Don't get me wrong, I have said it before and I'll say it again, "I LOVE MY KIDS!!"...
My whole point here is this...basically, as a Mom, you hear some form of the "M-word" many, many times over the course of your life. When it first starts...you know, the "mama" thing...it is SO awesome, and you call all your friends and family to spread the news. A couple years go by, and "mama" becomes "Mommy". Cool, yes, that your little ones actually use (and understand) real words; however, at what point does that word (Mommy) become the ONLY word your child seems to know??? Okay, maybe not the ONLY word, cuz you have to take into account the other word used WAY too much by kids...you know, the "n-word". So, basically, kids go through a couple years in which the only words they seem to say are "Mommy" and "No"...
Each day would be something like this:
No, Mommy, I don't want that...No, Mommy, I will not get out of the bathroom while you pee...No, Mommy, I don't want to take a nap...No, Mommy, I'm not hungry...No, Mommy, I don't want to go yet, because I'm hungry...No, Mommy, I don't want to eat that (even though it's what you asked for...)No, Mommy, I don't need to go pee...No, Mommy, I can't brush my teeth yet, because I have to pee...No, Mommy, I don't want to wear any pants for bed...No, Mommy, I don't want to get in bed without any pants...And so on and so forth...
Not that ANY of those are examples from my daily life...
So, going back to the "talking ALL the time" issue I mentioned a few paragraphs back, I must vent. Really, I am just sharing this next part so that both kids get equal "playing" time on this field...
The eldest of the Mann children loves to play video games. And, I don't mean that in the typical "wow, I love that game" sense. I mean, the boy would sit all day, everyday in front of the Wii...like 16-18 hours a day!! The scary thing is, he is REALLY, REALLY good at just about any game he tries to play. As a parent, it is hard to tell your kid to stop and "go play with your brother for a little while" when you know they are doing the thing they are good at doing...right? BUT...isn't there always a "but"??? In my house, that request is made for one reason, and one reason, only...
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The suspense is getting to ya, isn't it???
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...
...
The eldest "Gamer" child prodigy NEVER stops talking while he is playing games. He sits here and talks to the characters, talks to the obstacles, talks to his remote, talks to anyone and anything that might (or might not, actually) listen!! It is really annoying. So, I find myself actually requesting the madness and volume of 2 boys playing than the non-stop banter my son has with the Wii...Seriously, he literally never stops running his mouth while he is playing a game. It's crazy...I honestly don't see where he comes up with the energy and focus to do so well in a game while he is talking to it...
On top of all that chatter, he is constantly turning around to see who (if anybody) is watching...Dang, man, I can barely make it through some of these games with total white-knuckle concentration, and this child is doing flips and sh**...
And yet, the child does not have sense enough to come in out of the rain...
And, by the way, why is it that those silly young-folk (insert wink and a te-ha-giggle) feel the need to talk ALL the time??? More on this one later...
Anyway, back on track here...Who in God's name thought it would be smart to teach kids to say "Mommy" as one of their first words??? Seriously, whoever this was had NO kids attached to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 4 weeks a month, 52 weeks a year...Oh, I have gone a little too far again, huh?? LOL For real, though, those of you with kids know exactly what I am saying...and those of you who know MY kids (especially a certain 5 year old who shall remain nameless) have witnessed first-hand what I am talking about. It starts first thing in the morning and does not stop til the (Thank you, Lord) point in each day when the kids have to go to bed. Don't get me wrong, I have said it before and I'll say it again, "I LOVE MY KIDS!!"...
My whole point here is this...basically, as a Mom, you hear some form of the "M-word" many, many times over the course of your life. When it first starts...you know, the "mama" thing...it is SO awesome, and you call all your friends and family to spread the news. A couple years go by, and "mama" becomes "Mommy". Cool, yes, that your little ones actually use (and understand) real words; however, at what point does that word (Mommy) become the ONLY word your child seems to know??? Okay, maybe not the ONLY word, cuz you have to take into account the other word used WAY too much by kids...you know, the "n-word". So, basically, kids go through a couple years in which the only words they seem to say are "Mommy" and "No"...
Each day would be something like this:
No, Mommy, I don't want that...No, Mommy, I will not get out of the bathroom while you pee...No, Mommy, I don't want to take a nap...No, Mommy, I'm not hungry...No, Mommy, I don't want to go yet, because I'm hungry...No, Mommy, I don't want to eat that (even though it's what you asked for...)No, Mommy, I don't need to go pee...No, Mommy, I can't brush my teeth yet, because I have to pee...No, Mommy, I don't want to wear any pants for bed...No, Mommy, I don't want to get in bed without any pants...And so on and so forth...
Not that ANY of those are examples from my daily life...
So, going back to the "talking ALL the time" issue I mentioned a few paragraphs back, I must vent. Really, I am just sharing this next part so that both kids get equal "playing" time on this field...
The eldest of the Mann children loves to play video games. And, I don't mean that in the typical "wow, I love that game" sense. I mean, the boy would sit all day, everyday in front of the Wii...like 16-18 hours a day!! The scary thing is, he is REALLY, REALLY good at just about any game he tries to play. As a parent, it is hard to tell your kid to stop and "go play with your brother for a little while" when you know they are doing the thing they are good at doing...right? BUT...isn't there always a "but"??? In my house, that request is made for one reason, and one reason, only...
...
...
...
The suspense is getting to ya, isn't it???
...
...
...
The eldest "Gamer" child prodigy NEVER stops talking while he is playing games. He sits here and talks to the characters, talks to the obstacles, talks to his remote, talks to anyone and anything that might (or might not, actually) listen!! It is really annoying. So, I find myself actually requesting the madness and volume of 2 boys playing than the non-stop banter my son has with the Wii...Seriously, he literally never stops running his mouth while he is playing a game. It's crazy...I honestly don't see where he comes up with the energy and focus to do so well in a game while he is talking to it...
On top of all that chatter, he is constantly turning around to see who (if anybody) is watching...Dang, man, I can barely make it through some of these games with total white-knuckle concentration, and this child is doing flips and sh**...
And yet, the child does not have sense enough to come in out of the rain...
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