Shhhhhhhhh...don't tell That Dad!!!

Today I made brownies. Delicious, moist brownies. And they were even good for me (if you don't think about the whole partially hydrogenated oils thing....).

That Dad hasn't tried them yet, but I know he's going to luv them!!! And they're so simple!!

The recipe is as follows...

1 box of brownie mix
1 can of black beans

Puree the beans, liquid and all, and dump them into the brownie mix. Mix thoroughly, and bake according to package directions. Allow to cool completely, and enjoy delicious, fiber rich brownies!!

That Dad...he's a good one!!!

That Kid is so good at sharing! He shared his germies with me! :) So, I've been fighting this cold for a few days now. Tuesday, I lost my voice completely. That Kid enjoyed it, because I couldn't yell at him; only whisper angrily. I have to say, it's much more effective to whisper at him. :) But, knowing that I could not effectively parent our child, That Dad took That Kid to the basement and kept him down there so I could rest my voice. It was back by Tuesday night. :)

But then, the sniffles started. And the coughing. And Wednesday, none of us slept well, because I was up every few minutes coughing. And That Kid was up every few minutes asking for a drink, or for "big hugs". I sounded like Estelle, Joey's agent on Friends; and felt like I had been hit by a semi-truck. Yesterday afternoon, That Dad kept That Kid company while I took a nap. And you know if That Mama's taking a nap, something is very, very wrong.

I'm starting to feel a bit better now, and will hopefully get this kicked by Saturday or Sunday. And I'm also hoping I don't share my germs with That Dad. Last year, we kept passing the same cold from person to person. We were all miserable. I don't want a repeat, thanks!!!

I wish there were more of me...

That Mama, That Mom, That Mother...we could figure out more, I'm sure. I just...well...I'm spreading myself too thin. On Sunday, I took That Kid to church when he'd been sick that weekend because I had a booth at the Sale-a-Bration; I had to take cake balls for the bake sale; I had to teach Sunday School; and I had quizzing that afternoon. But, after Sunday School, my co-teacher and I decided that I needed to take him home. So I left my cake balls, and packed up the rest of the stuff.

This Friday, is the Women of Faith conference downtown, and I really, really, really wanted to go. I couldn't afford the $100 ticket though, so I had decided I wouldn't get to go. Until yesterday...I got a phone call from one of the church secretaries. She said there were several free tickets available...but with everything going on this week, I just can't. That Dad is working on Saturday so I can't go Saturday, and when I mentioned I wanted to go on Friday, That Dad wasn't thrilled. He reminded me that I have a lot to do this week and next, and I needed to get it done.

I need to tell one of the women who runs quizzing that I can't paint quiz boxes right now; and I really, really wanted to volunteer at That Kid's school but I don't know if I'm going to be able to. I talked to the director about doing it on Wednesday afternoons, but...well...she never got back to me so I won't mention it again. It's actually nice to be able to relax on Wednesdays...I can drop That Kid off and get things done I need to do. The only problem is I get started doing something and have to quit to go pick him up...and by the time I get back I have lost my motivation.

So...if there were more of me, one of me could have stayed home with That Kid on Sunday. One of me could stay home to keep cleaning when it's time to pick That Kid up from school. One of me could paint quiz boxes. One of me could go to the IEP meeting, while the other stays home to finish getting the house ready for our company. And one of me could stay home Friday and Saturday while the other one goes to the Women of Faith conference this weekend. How many times have other mothers said this? I know I can't be alone...and I knew this was what would happen when we had That Kid. I'm That Kid's mother. I'm not That Mama anymore. My decisions are made based on his needs. I love him to pieces, and he knows that. I just wish that occasionally I could multiply myself to make life easier. :)

Changes...

Recently, That Kid has been acting shy. Those of you who know That Kid know he's far from shy! However, when we go to school he hides behind the door, and behind my legs. His teachers have to coax him out from behind me to find his name and answer the question of the day (Are you wearing (color) today?).

He LOVES school. Cries when he can't go to school. Asks every day if there is school. And loves walking into the building. It's just physically going into his class that he has issue with for some reason.

The teachers are the same teachers he had last year, so it's not that he's afraid of them. He loves his speech therapist that he works with, and in general does very well. He's been wearing big boy underwear to school every day and not having accidents...until he gets home, that is.

I just wish I could figure out what's going on with him. It makes me sad to have to pry him off me, and then see his little eyes peering back from his teachers arms looking so sad. :( Maybe I'll have That Dad take him to school on Thursday and see if it's any different!

You have to lose a tooth first!

Thursday night, That Kid and I were laying in bed and he asked me, "Mama? Where a Tooth Pairy?" I told him the Tooth Fairy would come after he lost a tooth, when he was asleep. But since he hasn't lost a tooth yet, she wouldn't come.

"Mama! The Tooth Pairy coming! The Tooth Pairy take my teeth from my mouth and leave Tooth Pairy coins!"

Then he proceeded to pretend to fall asleep so the Tooth Pairy would come. :)

I don't know where he heard about the Tooth Fairy. I certainly didn't tell him. There is one little boy in his class who had a tooth pulled recently...maybe they were talking about the Tooth Fairy at school. I don't know. But, I do know I'm not ready for the Tooth Pairy to come visit us yet!!

It's cliche but...Thank You for Being a Friend!!

I have some of the best friends in the world. Some of them I've never met in person. Some of them I've only seen once, 6 years ago, in a park with gray squirrels infected with the West Nile Virus (and that's why they were gray...LOL). Some of them, I see often. Some of them I see once a year, but talk to on the phone weekly. :)

This post is about my online pals. From the first two groups I mentioned. The girls I can go to with just about any problem, and they help me through it and have me laughing so hard by the end of the day that I forgot why I was angry (sorry about your small...well...you know! Kthxbai!!). :)

It amazes me that we were brought together. We should have never, ever met. My friends should not be almost all on the East Coast (and not forgetting Miss Ellie across the Pond!!), because I have only been on the East Coast once in my adult life...and that was to meet some of these girls. Yet, because of circumstances out of our control; things that we didn't want to have happen to us, we met. And became friends. Very, very good friends. Friends that have seen each other through births, deaths, and illnesses. We have celebrated first days of school, Holidays, and Birthdays. They virtually held my hand while I was pregnant with That Kid. They showered me with gifts after That Kid arrived. And they were some of the first people That Dad called when That Kid was born.

So it is to these girls I say, I love you. Each and every one of you. I am blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for cheering me up when I'm down. I love you. Alot. ;)