Added to mention - for those who might be worried what ever happened to Christopher's finger, upon close inspection of previously posted photo, you can see that it has grown back in nicely.

Into the mouths of babes...

There is a wonderful blog for all you mommies out there - Sparx is the author and she is absolutely hysterical! Wonderful wit, teriffic use of words... and her son "spud" has many similarities to my little bubbah.

Today's antics into all-things-spud begins with his affinity for her coffee, and the occasional can of beer. We have the same strange delights in our house as well. Christopher becomes visably and audibly annoyed if I do not share my things with him... namely coffee, the phone and any alcoholic beverage that happens to be within reach (either his or mine). He tosses back an (empty) longneck with surprising grace for one so young... he also shows a preference for white wine over red, but in a pinch will gleefully sip a Cab right along with us.

(The age-old trick of letting them taste wine because they won't like it?? Yeah, that worked for Parker, but was worthless with Matthew and Chris!)

I've often wondered where they get the idea and then the desire to actually consume these "adult beverages". I've spent quite some time (nearly 6.5 years in fact) believing that is was some rogue gene in my offspring that led them to their atypical toddler tastes. Comforting is the fact that, evidently, this phenomenon is not unique to my children - even 'across the pond" they have issues that raise eyebrows...

Makes me wonder what parlor tricks they will come up with later in life.

*please note: this photo shows Chris with his two favorite things - my phone and my morning coffee!

Mr. 8 turns EIGHT!

Happy Birthday to the boy who made me a Mom!!! 8 years ago today, after a greuling 18 hour labor, 2 epidurals and tons of swear words, you made your way into the world, just a bit after midnight and turned your Dad and I from just husband and wife into parents.

The last 8 years have been wonderful, filled with love and joy and frustrations and worry and angst and delight and pride.... often all at the same time! You paved the way for your brothers, and will most certainly bear the brunt of being "first" for everything. So far, you are blazing the trail marvelously.

I am delighted by what you can do, by who you are becoming and by what I see in your future. You have so much talent that you, thankfully, inhertied from your father (athletic prowess being one) and yet I also see much of myself in you.

Happy Birthday, dear Charles Parker... and many happy returns of the day! I love you more than there are words.

Invasion of the body swtichers

We have been witness to a strange and unusual occurrence around here lately. Being one who believes strongly in the whole "family systems" theories, I know that we each have "roles" in the family. All families have them - one's the "perfect child", one is the "black sheep", one may be the "peacemaker" while another is the "screw-up"... you can probably pick out each one in your own family of origin.

Where it becomes odd is when the roles begin to change. For the last 6.5 years, Parker has been the "never stray far from the line" kid, while Matthew is the "marches to his own beat" kind of kid. For years we suspected that Matthew may have a hearing problem - his name would need to be repeated in rapid-fire succession about 8 or 10 times for the sound to penetrate into his brain, and then it took a bit more time for the brain to alert the body that a reaction was required. Forsight is not his strongsuit. Honestly - neither is reacting.... he just moves at his own pace, when the mood strikes him and is generally a very happy if not frustrating kiddo.

Parker has been "analytical boy" since day 1. He follows the rules, imposes stiffer punishments that either Steve or I would dream of, and has been one to do exatly what was asked of him.

That is, until lately.

Something has happened to old Mr. Nearly Eight. He's acting more like "Mr. Nearly 14" or something. He's grouchy, disinterested, has actually been overheard muttering "Yeah... what-ever!".

And even more amazing? Matthew is now becoming Mr. Responsible, Mr. On-Top-of-Things, Mr. Reliable.

Family systems theory in practice!

Comfort in numbers

No - not the scale kind of numbers... that beast continues to torment me, showing me nothing other than my ability to maintain my overweightedness quite well. I am still exactly where I was before Thanksgiving.

I mean working with others brings you comfort, motivation, encouragement... The FF gals have started another summer challenge - how physically active you can be over a specific timeframe to increase one's overall health (and hey - if I shed either pounds or seconds off my 5K time, I will be thrilled!)

What is comforting is knowing that if I slack off, my team will suffer. It gives me that little push I need to get my sorry behind out of this desk-chair and to the gym, where it belongs!! For some reason, its just not enough to do it on my own...

The kicker will be if I can continue this pace once school starts again. It is my goal to get at least 20 points per week. (A point is earned through 15 minutes of activity, every mile walked or run, and/or reaching 10K steps in a day. My max so far was 6 points in a day) So far, I have met that goal 2 of the last 3 weeks. I'm on track to make it again this week.

At the end of this challenge, I sure do hope to be celebrating by wearing my happy size!! It's closer than its been in years.... I'm just not quite there yet...