It's Raining Zombies!

Right now we are in the middle of an epic rain storm in Colorado. It is raining buckets and has been for days.  Many of the neighboring towns have been evacuated or displaced due to flooding and road washout. This is highly unusual for my state as we are a usually arid climate. We have been lucky to escape any sort of damage...until today. Our window wells have filled and are starting to take on water in the basement.  The current state of events has the water in the streets up to our grass line and rising.  Our neighbor has a lake in her yard, and the playground across the street is under water. All from just today.

In the meantime, my son has decided it is high time to get ready for a zombie attack!  Out of the blue he started pulling medical supplies from the cabinet - you know, for those that get infected during the attack.  He also got the guns ready (nerf of course) and blankets and pillows. The kicker is that zombies apparently love the rain so there is no keeping them at bay in this weather! They just keep poking their nasty green faces up a the window which leaves us no choice but to take. them. down.

 

I, for one, am really happy he is planning to take the Nyquil...if anything, I'll be able to sleep in the middle of the apocalypse. Nighty night!

 

C.

 

Tooth Fairy - real or FAKE?

"You'll have to put your tooth under you pillow tonight so that the tooth fairy can take it and leave you some money!"
"Nah - I want to keep my tooth.  I'd rather just have allowance."
-several minutes pass-
"Is the tooth fairy real"?
"Do you think she is real?"
"No.  I don't.  I mean - where does she even LIVE?"
"Maybe she lives in a fairy tree with all her little fairy friends..."
"*blank stare* She isn't real. I don't believe in her."
"Well, if you don't believe, then she isn't real.  Do you still believe in Santa?"
"Oh yeah! Santa is real.  And the Easter bunny is totally real.  But the tooth fairy? Nope."

Crisis averted with Santa! I'm not ready to field that little lie yet. I've had a lot of learning to do with these mythical 'people' since they never visited my house growing up. My mom didn't think she should fill our fragile little minds with such nonsense.  On one hand - thank you, Mom!  On the other - it has made it really that much more difficult to pull off this lie to my offspring! I don't have the right answers.  I don't know the fees involved. To wrap or not to wrap...UHG!

I'm really torn on my feeling about the imaginary people.  We teach our kids to always tell the truth and discourage telling "stories" that could sound real but really aren't.  And here we are, as adults, telling our children maybe the biggest lies of their lives! And perpetuate the lie for years on end. The justification?  It makes holidays and occasions "magical".  Somehow telling a complete stranger a child's wishes and dreams and then having a mystery man sneaking into one's home (which is a really creepy notion) is like magic. And as I think about it we are not only being hypocritical about truth telling but we are telling our children it is OK (in this instance) to tell a stranger their name, sit on their lap, and tell them what they want the most at this moment in their lives! WHAAAAAAAT?!

So I wonder what is wrong with thinking your parents are the real heroes and fulfilling your gift wishes? Why does some fat guy who "sees you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake" get the credit? That guy isn't there for the temper tantrums.  He isn't there for the victories. He isn't there to make lunch and he isn't there to kiss boo-boos.  So why do we allow him to be there during one of the annual events when we show our loved ones how much we care by giving them presents?! The topic makes me a little bitter but I play along because I guess I have to.

Now back to fielding the lie - I've heard stories of when children found out the truth.  They were destroyed! I have a feeling it will be heartbreaking for my boy. Santa and his elves have done some pretty awesome things over the years. And while it will become a reality that there was never a Santa Claus I hope that he will realize we only wanted things to be special and magical for him.  And in the end, we were the awesome ones!! :)

C.

Parenting Win - #1

Wow! It's been a long time since I wrote down my thoughts about anything...well, besides what you count on the Facebook. It is time....

 

Once upon a time, I had a baby.  He has since grown up a little and is now a 7-year-old in the 2nd grade.  I've said a few times that 7 isn't my favorite age.  When my darling little prince turned 7, his sass and sarcasm was turned WAY up!  On one hand, I'm proud.  After all, there is no lack of sarcasm in our house so he only "...learned it by watching you!" I can't be mad about that...he's doing a good job! On the other hand, I don't really like that he is fighting fire with fire. He's too young for this! Where did my little sweetie pie go? I know where he went...to elementary school! Bah!

 

Other children are bad news! Sure they help build character, make your child learn how to deal with little jerks, invite them to their birthday parties, and encourage taking risks but they also help develop that annoying little habit of lying to their parents and talking back.  We all learned dirty little tricks from our friends. As a parent, you can only hope that you have instilled enough of the good to overcome the trickery of peers.

 

Cue the parenting win....remember how I said my little prince was getting extra sassy?  That is still true but I got reminded of his giant heart and compassionate spirit.  I am lucky that my boy hasn't outgrown me yet.  He still tells me he loves me.  Still hugs and kisses me in front of his friends.  I ask him frequently if he will still love me when he's 13.  He promises me yes.  I got this darling, heartwarming, amazing little letter yesterday with a cinnamon apple treat...

 

He is the greatest little man I could have ever hoped for! Everyday I thank my lucky stars he is mine. I think about him so often it is ridiculous.  I wish that I had more time with him but alas working fulltime is a must.

 

The thing I wish most for my boy is this: that he grows up healthy, happy, and achieves every goal he sets out to achieve.  I suppose that is more than one wish. And to all his future girlfriends - I will not approve of you...at least not at first and it will take a long time for you to prove yourself to me.  Yep, I'm gonna be THAT mom.

C.