Why are kids so weird?

So I'm looking on my phone and find this:

If that's not scary I don't what is. Why are kids so dang weird? 

Tbt kids tales!

I haven't done one of these in a while! 

Once upon a time, my nephew thought he'd be tough. He was about 7 at the time. He and another kid exchanged words at the playground. My nephew, thought he'd be cool and say, "come at me, bro." 

Well the kid did. Came at him with a swift kick to the nuts. 

Moral of the story- don't let your mouth write a check that your ass can't cash. 

They're always your babies.

Even though they may be adults, when they fall asleep in the car you still gotta snap a pic. 

My oldest, Stephen, and my youngest, Eric.  Brothers forever. 

vacation series! The son's girlfriend and what to do if you like her best

So we took Stephen's girlfriend with us to California. I hadn't really interacted much with her, and soon found my self really liking her! Ok so they're both almost 20 and are in college, so I'm really hoping this works out. 

First of all, she's polite, funny, and best of all, she doesn't take any BS from my son. 

So- I asked this question- what am I going to do when she realizes she's too good for him? 

And Jamie asked- what are you going to do when he realizes you like her? You can't like your kids SOs too much 

Of course we asked this in front of them because we have no couth and really don't care that they hear us. Meanwhile- I'll just sit back, enjoy, and hope it lasts!

Vacation series! Traveling with teenagers.

Just don't. They smell. 

vacation series! traveling with kids!

Well, we travel a lot. We recently made the trip from South East Texas to the SoCal region. On the Agenda- San Diego Comic Con (Jamie is covering... Eventually) Beach, Disneyland with kids and Disneyland 60th.  This post is traveling with small children. 

So Eric (4) gets the privilege of being trapped in a car seat for 24 hours.  We left around 6 pm from Texas  and planned on driving straight though. Yes, we are all insane. I had an additional driver and we switched off. 

Life saving prep- we all took showers and put on clean clothes and mucho deodorant before we left. Cars get stinky fast- especially with boys. We also loaded movies on a tablet for Eric's viewing enjoyment. Games apps on phones were also loaded, and Nintendo DS were packed. We also brought a few small toys to play with.  These were amazing! He had 3 movies to choose from, and when he wasn't sleeping he was occupied and not fussing. I also brought a horseshoe shaped pillow for his head- this helped him sleep in his car seat. 

Also, there is a lot of age difference in my kids. Having big brother in the back seat helped. I could count on him and his super awesome girlfriend to help get the movies ready and make sure Eric was attended to. When Stephen was driving I sat in the back and tended to him. 

We stopped often to tank up and use the restroom. For breakfast we stopped at the New Mexico Welcome Center. This was a super nice place to get out and stretch you legs. It also provided an opportunity to have Eric run around for a bit. 

So- do your prep work, have movies and other entertainment to keep them occupied. Stop often to keep the natives from getting restless, and if you can time it during their sleep time that's great. Sleeping = quiet and no one likes a fussing kid. 

Toddler Tuesday- stroller review!

Ok so Eric is 4. That's a tricky age, kinda big for a stroller, yet their little legs get so tired after a while. We had been using a Cosco umbrella stroller, but it was really too small. His legs just hung down and it was awkward. So to Amazon I went! I search strollers with a higher weight limit, 45-50 lbs. I don't use a stroller that often, so I didn't want to spend a fortune. He was already used to an umbrella stroller, so I wasn't too concerned about padding and whatnot- he's four. I really need it for upcoming Disney trip and random mall trips; so pretty limited stroller time. We have no sidewalks in BFE, so it's not like we actually stroll. So I found this:

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller, Slate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QHKAMG4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-y1wvb1XKVF8R

It is beyond amazing. It's a good height for pushing, not to low so the hubs is uncomfortable, yet not too high for me. (I'm 5' 2" on a good day). It has a basket underneath for purses and a kid tray.  Now, to get the child in and out you have to completely remove the tray. I loved this because it is an escape deterrent.  The parent tray cup holder is just big enough for a bottle of water. Perfect! It's rated fr 50lbs so Eric can use it for a while, and it fits him nicely; no leg overhang.  I like the sun canopy.

And look how it folds!!!! Squee, no laying it down on the dirty ground. 

And I just saw it is on sale at amazon for $59.  Perfecto! No sense in breaking the bank for something that he'll outgrow in a year.  Also, the back reclines a bit. Eric loved it, and so do I. I'll follow up and let you know how it preformed at DisneyLand when we go in July.  Now- I am reviewing this as an older toddler stroller. I would not put a baby that cannot sit up in this. Yes, it has a 5 point harness, but I feel it was designed for older children in mind- not babies. 

Other people's kids- do you like?

I mean really? Do you honestly like other people's kids? I'm not talking nieces or nephews or very close friends, but your kids school friends. I'm talking random kids that show up, kids in movie theaters, kids At Olive Garden.  Honestly, sometimes I don't like my own kids, why should I like other people's? I know I am not teacher material - I don't have the patience. Too many kids make me nervous. They're like the children of the corn and are going to get me!!! Am I crazy? Is it wrong for me to not like other people's kids? Is there some fundamental woman gene I am missing? Because when I see a crying toddler at a restaurant, I don't think Awww how sad, I think- please get that kid out of here so I can eat in peace. There is something wrong with me....

Toddler tues!

So, the hubs told the 4 year old we were pregnant. It went something like this:

TH- Eric, you're going to be a big brother! Mama's going to have a baby!

E- Whyyyyyy?

I sense jealousy in the future. 

Later I'll post my review of my new stroller!

Tbt- kids tales

I was induced for Dade. The labor only lasted about two hours, he was a very easy birth. When he was presented to us, we looked at him. His dad looked at him, and looked at me. He said, "is he cute?" And I looked down and replied, "no".

Moral of the story: Not all babies are born cute. Some have to grow into it. 

Caveat: he's very handsome now! See, proud parents!  Also pictured- THE EX. It's ok, we're cool. 

Meh~ toddler Tuesday, save me now.

Sorry folks, I have no infinite words of wisdom today on toddler Tuesday, because my toddler outsmarted me this morning. In a bid to be a big boy, he let the little dogs out of the house. This resulted in various doggie bribery in order to return them home, a very dirty work shirt, and a rush commute. Also, there was an incident in the car over a transformer, which resulted in a spur of the moment temper tantrum (and a very startled driver!). 

So, just an FYI, if you choose not to have kids, I totally understand. It's ok, we have enough people. You're in the clear. No pressure. I just want to live vicariously through you and your ability to sleep in and travel. 

Toddler Tuesday- chillax

Sometimes it's just time to throw caution to the winds and say the hell with it. Currently Eric is playing in the muddy puddles and throwing dirt and rocks. He's having a grand time. I'm not too concerned about the clothes or future mud; he's having fun and making memories. Plus, all that dirt is good for the immune systems. So, uptight mamas, it's ok to let your hair down and let your kids play in the dirt. They'll live and you can drink ice tea on the porch while they explore their world.

What's in your emo playlist?

So I thought it would be super hilarious to make my 14 year old a goth type depression playlist, since his almost to that age anyway. Figured better be prepared, right? While compiling this thing of beauty I realized that I still like all this music and I may just have to listen to it myself. Heh. So we have. Of course the classics, The Cure, The Smiths, Peter Murphy, Souixsie and the Banshees. Then we've gotta add a bit of Skinny Puppy, a dash of Book of Love, and the. Round out with New Order. I'm really excited. I can tell him how the music will "speak" to him, but I'm pretty sure he'll ignore it for something lame. (I'm looking at you, Ariana Grande.) Anyway, I'll let you know how he likes it. Gotta favorite artist? Share with the class! I love new music and am not stuck in the 80's. The Cure is still making new music, they count.