Our first (but I'm sure not last) broken bone

Wow, this year is sure starting off with a bang. I should first start this blog by saying that the boys have always been early birds, but now they are really taking it a step too far.  I decided to take the boys to Arnold (along with my Dad as a reinforcement) for the 3 day weekend. I really don't know WHY I thought this would be a good idea.  The first morning they woke up at 5:45 AM - crack of dawn, still pitch black outside.  That night I explained that they got up too early, and they are not allowed to come out of their bedroom until they see day light (except to go to the bathroom). Well, I was awoken at 6:30 to them screaming and jumping on their beds.  They weren't sure why I was mad - they didn't leave their room....... I think we had one or two nice quite moments while we were there. I managed to take a picture (don't they look so nice an innocent? sitting nicely next to each other?) That was the ONLY time they weren't wrestling or screaming their heads off. I was SOOOO glad to get them home!

Today, while I was at my acupunture appointment (helps with the arthritis), my Mom and Dad were so nice to take Mason to the park.  Grandpa was helping Mason on the monkey bars by lifting him up to them. This was fine, but Mason insisted on doing it all by himself.  He jumped for the 2nd bar (might have been successful if he had just aimed for the one closest to him) and missed. Grandpa said it was a pretty nasty fall.  Mason didn't cry, but was really complaining that his arm hurt. Omi and Grandpa new it was bad when they took him to the Yogurt Shack, but it hurt too much to eat any :(  Daddy came home a little early from work and we took Mason to the doctor.

They took X-Rays - which Mason thought was really neat, especially since they don't need to use a flash :)

The X-rays found a fracture so they had to put his arm in a splint. Once the swelling goes away (48 to 72 hours) they will then put the cast on.  In fact, while the splint is on the doctor doesn't want Mason to go to school (are you *%@&#** kidding me?) in case he should fall on it and make the break worse.

He is proud of his splint and sling, just trying to keep him from bouncing off the walls... he has SOOO much energy.

Having dinner with Mommy and Daddy after and getting an ice cream cone always helps!  I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we have no further injury to the arm until the cast gets put on and that when the cast gets put on, it does NOT become an instant weapon. Watch out Grant! I am also hoping I keep my sanity while having Mason home all week (not to mention we have another 3 day weekend).  SO glad it's not summer - I don't know how I would keep him out of the pool!! Until next time...

Artic Swim

Okay - it's in the 40s outside - which to me is freezing. Grant is insisting that he wants to go swimming. I have told him over and over that it is winter time and it's too cold to swim.  Of course, he refuses to listen and we have this argument a couple of times a week.  Shockingly we had the argument about half an hour ago. He got pissed off and stormed into his room - I stupidly thought this was the end of the argument.  While in the kitchen the alarm chimed signaling that a door to the outside was opened (thank you very much Bay Alarm). I go back to my bedroom and the door is open. I look outside and there is Grant.  He has his swim trunks in one hand and has managed to turn on the jacuzzi.  Thankfully we have a cover and he hadn't managed to get that off yet (thank goodness Mason wasn't around, he would have had it off in less than a minute).  

He was so pissed when I brought him inside. I am thinking I should just let him go "swimming". The jacuzzi temp is 50 degrees right now and the wind chill factor outside is insane.  If it wasn't for the fact that he'd get pneumonia I would let him get in and be miserable, it would serve him right :)

Last night he called me Mean Mommy - guess I'm just living up to his expectations.

I really hope there is an end in sight...

Ok - I am about to lose it with Grant's crying, rude attitude and talking back.  It is as bad as it's ever been. We don't know what to do about it anymore.  On the flip side, thankfully Mason is doing really well - but LOVES to antagonize Grant. Let me tell you - that is not helping the Grant situation.  I think what Grant really needs is a daily nap. So sad that doesn't happen any more.  For Grant, nothing in life is fair.  I guess, for him, that legitimizes constant crying and fit throwing.

All I have to say, whoever said terrible twos - hadn't hit 4 years yet. 2 was a piece of cake!

When will the crying stop???

Okay, Grant was 4 years old in October..... shouldn't he be over the whole crying thing? It is really unbelievable how often that child cries! 

As parents, we like to think of Olympic sports our children could possibly compete in, we are saddened that crying is NOT an Olympic sport. Grant could win in all the categories:

1) Tear production (serious alligator tears he produces) 

2) Cry stamina (he can go on FOREVER - in fact sometimes it goes on for so long he really does forget why he started out crying in the first place) 

3) Cry volume  (that one speaks for itself) and last but not least 

4) Mucus production - there is WAY too much snot in my life.

If you were to ask Grant how is day was, I am sure that he would tell you that his parents (especially his mother) are mean and unfair.  His life is totally miserable and no one is nice to him.

To that I say, cry me a river, but then I remember that he already did!!!!

2009 - Wonder what this year has in store for us...

We are sad to see the holidays and family vacation time go, but glad to start up a routine again. Grant will be starting a new school this year (which we are all excited about for different reasons). Grant is so excited that there are goats, we are thrilled that it is MUCH closer to home!  Mason is very concerned that Grant gets alone time with Mommy while he is in school (they are now on opposite schedules). He has given Mommy a list of rules to follow while he is at school. They are as follows:

1. Grant is not allowed to have any treats

2. Grant is not allowed to watch any cool shows

3. Grant is not allowed to do anything that is really fun

4. Grant is not allowed to play with any cool toys

Seriously? I really wonder how Mason's mind works. 

We had a fantastic Holiday Vacation - spending a week in snow filled Arnold. The boys LOVE sledding. Thank goodness they wear their helmets without putting up a fight. Grant has NO fear whatsoever. He was going down the sled run with jumps with the 11 to 14 year olds. He really is unbelievable.  Mason caught too much air on a jump and got the wind knocked out of him, he was convinced that he broke his back! Too funny. The good news is after the back breaking scare Mason was very cautious (which is unlike him).

We had so much fun, the boys with some help even built an igloo on the front deck! So, so far 2009 has been very entertaining. Stay tuned....