Play Date

Last week Burke had some friends over to play (twins).  They played well for several hours,  mostly outside, my favorite type of playing.  Then they came inside to play upstairs in the play room.  When I came up to get them to take them home I found that the play room was messy with toys (of course) but they also had EMPTIED the linen closet.  They made a heaping pile of clean sheets, blankets, comforters, pillow shams, and the like.  I just stood there with my mouth open trying no to loose it in front of the friends.  I couldn't completely hide my emotions and I am positive the twins mother knows all about how mean I am.

Later that night the boys were putting all the toys away and I was restocking the linen closet, frustrated that they couldn't possibly do that part themselves.  Blake began walking so I got out the video camera.  I recorded her for a while and then the messy room, just to capture the memory.  Then I interviewed Burke on camera: "Burke, look at how messy this room is."  (Pause)  "Do you have anything you'd like to say?"  (Even looonger pause as Burke surveys the room.)  Burke answers while slowly scanning the room, "This...was...the best day ever."  I nearly died laughing.   I was expecting at least a little apology or remorse.  Not even on his mind.  I guess getting a laugh out of it was better than going to bed mad. 

Give Credit Where Credit is Due

Doesn't this five year old look mature?  I think so.  Not to mention handsome.  Well, OK, I just did.  He's handsome.  Which is why I couldn't help but laugh today when he reminded me that even though he is growing up fast he's still working on it.

After watching a couple of hours of TV after school I told Charlie to turn it off.  He protested and started whining back at me.  We carried on a conversation for a few moments in this fashion where I explained my reasons and he whined back at them...or me...take your pick.  Then I suddenly remembered that I am the parent, so I sent him to his room.  Using all of his near perfect temper tantrum skills he began throwing a massive temper tantrum on the way to his room.  That, of course, involved stomping and door slamming.  After a few minutes he came back down stairs...all smiles and happy to be alive.  Me: "Do you have anything you want to say?"  Charlie:  "Sorry."  Me: "For what?"  Charlie: "I can't remember."  Me:  "I'll show you."  (Whine, whine, stomp, stomp, cry, stomp, bang!)  Leaning on the couch in his mature GQ way, he gave a slight smile and said, "Nu-uh.  I was much louder than that."  Well, I guess I am the one who should be apologizing for failing to give credit where it is due.

Tornado

Blake disappeared during family scritpure reading.  I just put this roll in the bathroom a few minutes before she discovered it.  She seemed to be quite unaware that this action would end with me looking at her very seriously saying, "No, no, no."  I think I know what to give little miss Blake for Christmas.

Trick-or-treat

Our jack-o-lanterns.  Isaac carved BOO, Burke's guy was a pirate, Charlie hung tight to tradition, while Theron went for the CROC which was perfect for the shape of his pumpkin.

This was the best photo I could snap of the this squrimy little owl.

Charlie went as Dumbledore or as he little to call him Elvis Dumbledore.  That could be a really interesting costume.

Theron went as a viking. 

Isaac made a pretty good Harry Potter.

 

Burke went as a pirate.  But not just any pirate, "Cubby" from Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  Its was pretty funny having a costume that was so specific yet unknown.  All the moms who saw his costume kept saying, "Oh, a pirate!  I have an eyepatch you can borrow."  Which really means, "Some mom you are.  Don't you even know that pirates have eyepatches?"  This caused me to reflect on pirates.  I think we give them a bad rap assuming they are all careless or wimpy enough to only have one good eye left.  Well, not this pirate.  He has two good eyes.  After all...he is just a kid and has his whole pirate career ahead of him.

Where's Waldo?  Or should I say Travis.

Unicorns and glitter?  European shoulder bags?  If you are laughing right now, you are a true Flo fan.

And finally...the loot.