Brazil

International Montessori Week is coming up, and Allen's class is studying Brazil (remember, last year was Italy).

This evening, as we were waiting for our pizza, Allen kept repeating some word. And then he announces, "That's Porgucheese."

You mean, Portuguese, buddy?

xoxo,
AHC

PS Of course, once we laughed and corrected him, he kept saying, "Porgucheese Porgucheese."

We need a bigger house

Allen came to work with me today. And he wasn't really feeling it. By 10:30 he wanted pizza from across the street. And was really annoyed that I couldn't make them be open and get him pizza then. By 1:00 he was over his toys. Apparently his dragons, Leapster, and cars don't have the same appeal at the shop. He wanted to play on the computer. So we did some stuff ... then we looked at an email from Aunt Kristen.

You see, when we go to Chicago (on the 25th), we'll be going to Shedd Aquarium. It will be great fun. But, the show is holiday themed, so Kristen wanted to let us know that. She thought that if we really didn't want to go, we could check this out. Well, once we visited the website of this awesome children's museum, it was all over. We had to go. But Allen also wants to go to the aquarium ...

Fast forward to bedtime. As usual, I laid down with Allen until he fell asleep. He was feeling particularly talkative. So we talked about the aquarium. He decided that he was going to get a pet whale, sea anemone, coral, and fish. Mommy would get a pet shark. And Daddy would get a pet octopus. And they (along with Bailey, our Beta fish) would live in a giant fish tank in his room.

I finally got him to settle down to go to sleep. Then he whispered,
"In the paradise, lions are going to be nice right?"
"Yup," I replied.
"I learned that from you I mean the Bible book I mean the Bible."
I asked him, "And, what do we have to do to get to the paradise?"
"Drive?" he asked?
I laughed, "No."
"Walk?"
(laughing) "No. We have to obey Jehovah. Now go to sleep."
"OK." (silence, then whispering), "I'm playing with your hair so you can feel better."

Five minutes later, he was asleep ...

xoxo,
AHC

PS Allen says, "a long long days ago" when referring to something that happened in the past. I love it.

Dragons and Snowflakes

I'm not sure why, but Allen has started waking in the middle of the night and wanting to come to our bed. So he was in bed with me this morning. The two of us were sleeping in after Daddy left, and Allen wakes up, and says, "Mommy. TBS. The Boss Stinks." For those of you who don't know, that's a commercial on the station TBS for reruns of The Office.

So that's the way we started our day. A little weird, but fun. He played with his Chuggington trains downstairs, and then suddenly showed up with his pajama shirt off. Evidently he antagonized the dogs because they appeared in the bathroom while I was getting ready. Poor Murphy curled up right at my feet, while Mia jumped up on the bed in hopes she'd be safe there (something about throwing his rubber alligator, lizard, and snake at them, I think).

We took Daddy lunch, and Allen got to see the office dog, Dusty. He wanted to take her home. Renee said he could. We had to intervene and explain that there wasn't room for him at our house. "We can put her in the trunk," Allen said.

Onto Wal-Mart where we had some groceries to pick up, plus some glitter for my craft project I wanted us to take on. Of course, we had to visit the Cars area. We found a car and moved on to other things. Then as we were getting ready to check out we went past the How to Train Your Dragon display. After me telling him that we'd already gotten a toy today and maybe we could get this another time, Allen said -- very seriously -- "Mommy, I think I'd like to put this toy back and get a dragon instead." Well, how could I argue with that? Such a grown up reaction. So I bought him both.

Well, with a new dragon and a new car, we had little interest in the craft project (making snowflakes). Mommy ended up making them alone. She had far more fun than she should have (I love glitter!).

Tonight, after dinner, Allen "needed something sweet." So he got cookies ... notice how he's "two-fisting" it with the bag on his lap ...

xoxo,
AHC

Weekend Random

Sorry, folks, no pictures. But I do have a few cute stories to share ...

Saturday morning was bad. Really bad. First of all, it was pouring out. Getting ready for service was challenging, as Allen couldn't find a certain car that he "needed." Crying ensued. We dragged him to the car. Then arrangements didn't quite work out the way we'd planned, or the way Allen wanted. So he threw a tantrum. In the middle of the Kingdom Hall. A foot-stomping, screaming, flailing tantrum. I dragged him to the car. After a talk (and discipline), he improved. We talked more at home. And everything was better.

Later, at Nana and Papa's, Allen came up to me and said, "Mommy, I want to have a talk in the living room about this car." I obediently followed him to the living room and knelt down to his level. "Mommy," he explained, "this car stays at Nana's." "Oh, did I put it in your backpack to take home last night?" I asked. "Yes," he replied. "I'm sorry," I said. Fortunately, he forgave me and all was OK.

This morning, he had to go pee-pee, and as he did, he let out a huge fart. "Now that's a fart," he stated. Then he dragged Murphy into the bedroom to play. Awhile later, Brian was coughing in the shower, and Allen, panic in his voice says, "Oh no! Daddy has the throwup bug!" It was so sweet.

Aunt Kristen, you'll love this! Before we left for meeting this morning, Allen looked at our calendar. He pointed to the 25th and said, "I know what we're doing on the 25th! We're going to see Aunt Kristen!" I'm not sure how he remembered that, but he did. And tonight he asked if we were sleeping in one of Aunt Kristen's guest rooms. I explained that we'd be sleeping at Uncle Peter and Aunt Eileen's. He said, "And then we'll go meet Aunt Kristen and Uncle Josh in the morning?" I think he might be a little excited about our trip.

This week should be interesting. Nana and Papa leave tomorrow for Pennsylvania to pick up Gigi. So Allen and I are manning the shop together on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fortunately, we have the Leapster and the help of the "girls" so I'm optimistic that it won't be horrible. Tomorrow, I think we're going to make snowflakes and put them up on our windows. And do laundry ...

xoxo,
AHC

Tonight's bedtime convo

"Mommy, will you sing to me ... do you remember when you sang those songs to me when I was a baby and two and three ... and I'm going to be bigger and bigger as big as the house ... I don't think worms have families ... I'm whispering in case you're asleep so I don't wake you up .... Love you love you blanket Mommy."

This was pretty much the way the entire afternoon went, too. Didn't stop talking for more than about five minutes all day. He also fell out of his bed before we laid down to go to sleep. Scared the bejeebers out of him ... but he recovered nicely and quickly ...

I'm off to start on Allen's scarf ...

xoxo
AHC

It was bound to happen ...

Allen wearing my sunglasses. Unrelated to this post, but cute.

Well, actually, I'm referring to two different things, both of which "happened" today ...

The morning started out well enough. Allen in a great mood (after sleeping all night in his bed), relatively smooth ride to school, during which Allen replied to a question I asked him with, "Yeah baby!"

Then things started to go a little haywire. First, I received a phone call from my Mama letting me know that Gramma and fallen. She fell on her hip that she'd had replaced, and couldn't put any weight on it. Good news: she didn't hit her head; Bad news: she cracked her thigh bone, and was admitted to the hospital. I supposed it was bound to happen at some point.

Because Mama was still at the hospital with Gramma at Allen's pick up time, I closed the shop early and headed out to pick him up. As usual, he was excited to see me. He gleefully hopped in the car, ate his snacks, and then informed me that he "decided we should go to Dunkin' Donuts." He wanted to go inside and eat his donut there.

No sooner did we pay for his orange sprinkle donut, than he announced that he had to poop. I quickly asked the girl at the counter to hang onto the donut for us, and off we went to the bathroom. While we were in the bathroom (those of you know Allen well, know that when he has a "big job" we're usually in there awhile. Occasionally, playing games) I noticed that his eyes looked puffy. I made a mental note to keep an eye on it.

Twenty minutes later, we emerged from the bathroom and retrieved the donut.

As we arrived home, I noticed Allen kept sneezing, and he was definitely congested or something. I figured it was either allergies or he was getting sick. And I also noticed him repeatedly picking his nose. Several times, I told him to stop, and finally he said, "I'm trying to get this round thing out."

I looked up his nose. Saw something, but thought it might just be a big booger. Went to retrieve a Q-tip. It was unsuccessful. So then I got a flashlight and looked up there.
Me: Allen, did you stick something up your nose.
Allen: Yeah.
Me: What was it?
Allen: Bird seed, I think. From my school.

Thankfully, I was able to get it out with the help of a tissue and the aforementioned Q-tip. And when I called Brian, he said, you guessed it ... "it was bound to happen."

Hope ya'll had a better day :)

xoxo,
Allegra

Feelin' Groovy

As some of you may know, due to some health complications, I've been under the weather, for oh six months or so. But, after finally visiting my doctor again and some adjustments to my medication, I'm finally feeling fabulous! I'd say I'm feeling like my old self again, but honestly, I don't remember the last time I felt this good!

Anyway, I don't know how long this feeling will last (hopefully for a long time), but I'm taking advantage of every good minute that I get! I apologize in advance if I get to happy and positive for ya'll, but honestly I just can't help it.

Armed with this new energy and a beautiful day, yesterday Brian, Allen, and I went for a lovely bike ride through our neighborhood. We rode past the river, and down by Brian's favorite piece of property facing the water. We marveled at how out of shape we were as we pushed ourselves to go over the smallest of hills. We discussed whether it was lack of practice or added weight that made us so much less steady on the bike (remember when you could ride, no-handed?). The wind blew through our hair, the sun warmed us (maybe a little too much), and Allen provided random commentary (at one point announcing, "I'm a grown man, baby" from his luxurious trailer hitched to Daddy's bike).

Then we stopped at the park. Oh the park ... how Allen has missed you! We played hide-and-seek, and swung on the swings ...

I even climbed over the top of the monkey bars, at Allen's request:

All in all it was a fabulous outing. So fabulous that we decided to ride our bikes to Nana and Papa's house for dinner. Dad made homemade Margaritas (boy were they strong), and Allen found some new shoes:

What a fantastic day!

xoxo,
Allegra

Pickled Pigs Feet

I'm giddy today. Allen's first stage performance is tonight. I haven't been this excited in a long time (of course winning Best Gift Shop helps, too). We will videotape the performance, so I won't tell you what he's doing. But I will share some other cute things he's said lately ....

Last night, he still had soap on his legs after the bath water drained. So I filled his bath cup with water and rinsed him off. He said, "Thank you Mommy. You're so kind!"

A little while later, I was singing a song to him, and he said, "That's enough! That's enough!" Brian asked him why he didn't want me to sing anymore, and he said "Because it's annoying."

Last week, as we were walking into school, we had the following conversation:
Allen: Mommy
Mommy: Yes, Allen.
Allen: I love you.
Mommy: I love you too, buddy.
Allen: And Mommy ...
Mommy: Yes
Allen: I really like your outfit today.
Mommy: Thanks, Allen. You look pretty handsome yourself.
Allen: I know.

Here are a couple random shots of my handsome boy ...

Stay tuned for a recap of tonight's performance.

xoxo,
AHC

PS I just realized I forgot to post about the Title. Lately, when Allen is insistent that he doesn't want to eat, but I know he's hungry, I'll say, "I know what you want ... Pickled Pigs Feet." This continues into suggesting all sorts of gross foods (like fried grasshoppers, etc.). Now, he says, "Pickled Pigs Feet" and cracks up in anticipation of what will come next.

Snow, Singing, and Cupcakes

We awoke to a gorgeous morning with the snow already melting. So sadly, we had no chance to play in it. But we did get a picture of it before it was all gone ...

Since we slept in this morning, we lazed around the house in our pajamas for awhile before getting ready for our day ... Allen serenaded us  with some of his made-up songs, and I was able to catch one on video .... (which isn't uploading, so I'll have to try later).

As planned, we ran errands, but first we ate a delicious lunch at a new place called Shoofly Kitchen. I had the fruit and nut wrap and it was scrumptious. They have a cute little boxed lunch for kids that includes multi-colored goldfish. Allen was thrilled.


Allen has outgrown his dress shoes, so we went to the local shoe store -- Lipsitz -- to purchase a new pair for him (I'm all about supporting local shops ... have you heard of the 3/50 Project?). I love the owner of the shop because he really knows what he's doing, and he takes time to make sure the shoes fit well. And he interacted beautifully with Allen.

Anyway, I was able to get all my supplies for my Italian opera project that I'm working on for Allen's school. Allen's class is learning all about Italy this month, and one of the things being introduced to them is Italian opera. I will be visiting the class this week to tell them about opera and then to tell them the story of an Italian opera. I decided I should show up with visual aids, since we're dealing with 3-5-year-olds.


Now, I'm not sure how familiar you are with Italian operas, but they're pretty much all focused on sex and death. So I've had quite a time trying to find one that I could make appropriate for this age group. Originally, I'd planned on The Marriage of Figaro (sounds innocent enough, right), but it was so inappropriate that I couldn't find anything redeeming in it. So now I've settled on La Traviata -- a love story about a Courtesan who dies of Tuberculosis. I know I know ... what am I thinking, right? But at least I can tell it as a love story and end it before she dies. And we won't mention her occupation.


Back to my visuals ... I'm not finished yet, but I have made my little figures of the main characters of the opera. Aren't they cute?

I'll show the completed project once I get it finished.


Finally, Allen got "pupcakes" at the grocery store today. What are they, you ask? I didn't know either. Dad had to translate for me .... Cupcakes (how did I not know that). I think he really enjoyed it, don't you?

 

Then he sat next to me on the couch. I called to Brian in the kitchen, "Could you please bring me some water, babe?" And then Allen says, "Can you get me some chocolate milk, honey?"

I think that's all for tonight. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, my loves!


xoxo,
AHC

Toilet Thoughts

As Allen sat on the toilet tonight, he called me in to him:

"Mommy, I want you."

"Yes baby," I said, walking into the bathroom.

"I missed you," he said, looking up at me with those blue eyes.

Laughing, I replied, "I missed you too."

He smiled. Then he said, "Are you my friend?"

"Yes!" I replied.

Another smile. "Good." 

After another few minutes, he called to us again from the toilet ...

"What is Jehovah doing up in heaven?" he wondered, pointing up to the ceiling. "Is he playing games?"

The mind of a 3-year-old ....

Cookies

(Photo: www.marthastewart.com)

Nana made "Grammy's Chocolate Cookies" from Martha Stewart's Cookies book because Allen wanted chocolate cookies.

Allen was so excited to try them. He whined until they were cool enough to eat. I asked if I could try a bite. He looked at me, thought a moment, and said,

"You can lick it."

At least he was (sort of) willing to share.

xoxo,
AHC

Cuteness

Some great quotes from my son, of late ...

After Nana got some yummy chocolates from someone:

"I'll have a taste of your present." (accompanied by a sly grin).

While bathing Allen, and getting ready to wash his (ahem) "privates."

"It's not a private, Mommy, it's just a butt."

Asking me to read a short story called Pierre:

"Can you read Pear-A, Mommy?"

xoxo,
AHC

Melt

(photo: scottrudkin)

Allen spent the day with Nana and Papa today. He went with Papa to run an errand in Bluffton, and he said,

Papa, will you take me to Target? Is that a deal?

Heart Melt number one. He totally got toys. Papa is such a sucker.

Tonight after dinner we were sitting on the sofa, when Allen climbed up and hugged me and said,

Awww Mommy. I'm so glad you're here.

Heart Melt number two. He totally got lots of kisses.

I love him till my heart hurts.

xoxo,

AHC

Humpty Dumpty and Backyardigans

Pajama Day

I'm a bad mommy. I'm totally ill-prepared for Allen's first school break. We've spent the past two days home all day watching Nick Jr. and snuggling and playing with cars. I wish that I would have prepared better and made some plans for us to do some fun activities, but alas, I'm at a loss.

In my defense, yesterday I had a major allergy attack and was miserable for most of the day (I'm a little better today, but still sneezing). And today Allen was a little under the weather, so we couldn't really be away from home much. But the point is that I had nothing planned. Tell me, wonderful Moms, what do you do with your kids on break? Do you plan special activities, or do you wing it?

Anyway, today was a pajama day. As I said, Allen was a little under the weather, so I was really not able to leave his side for much time. Everytime I told him I was going to take a shower, he whined that he wanted me to stay with him. So I did. Until 3:30. Then I finally showered and got dressed (but didn't do my hair or makeup).

Allen, on the other hand, is still in his pajamas.

He was not inclined to get out of them. He never is, really. We have a daily fight with him to get dressed. Today, I was not up for the fight. Do you ever stay in your pajamas all day? How about your kids? Do you ever let them stay in their PJs instead of getting dressed? Sometimes I wish Allen had Pajama Day at school like my friend H just had (loved that picture, P, by the way).

Not only did we not get dressed today, but we didn't keep the house too neat either.

 

(Allen took this picture)

With all my energy spent on being patient with my kiddo since he was pawing me all day (I'm a human lovey), I didn't have any left over to clean up or even to take pictures. Except for these:

 

In the first picture, he's begging for the camera, and he's saying, "Say fine, Mommy. Say fine." (I hate hearing myself in him). I don't know what he's doing in the second one, but doesn't it look like he's praying?

Well, that's it for today, my friends. Don't forget to enter my giveaway over at the shop blog!

xoxo,

AHC

Stories

(photo: abakedcreation)

Allen and I had a great day at home together today. He was in a particularly good mood, which made me in a good mood (except for the fact that I sneezed 50 million times today).

This morning he counted to "fiveteen."

This afternoon he told Nana and me a story. It was really long, and I don't remember all of it, but I know he borrowed some of it from Backyardigans. Here's what I remember ...

A princess had a gweaming (gleaming) jewel that she brought to the sphinx, but then a dinosaur came and ate me so I couldn't help her.

He went on about the gweaming jewel and the dinosaur for quite awhile, and then this is how the story ended:

Then I pulled my pants down, and I peed.

It was great.

Nana came over after field service, and Allen wanted to know about her day. The conversation went like this:

Allen: So how'd it go?

Nana: Good. I placed a book.

Allen: Ohhhh ... That's so gweat! 

I think he might have told her he was proud of her or happy for her too. He's too much.

On a different note, did you watch the finale of Sing-Off? Did you guess the winner? Was it who you wanted?

Also, visit the shop blog and check out our giveaway. Enter to win (we'll ship anywhere in the United States). Time is running out ... you only have until Thursday at noon to enter.

xoxo,
AHC

Books and other amusements

I missed my kid a lot today, since after I dropped him off at school, I didn't see him again (really) until after 5:00. Plus the shop was so quiet today! I only had four customers the entire day, and three of them were at the shop between 4:30 and 5:30. So I was very lonely.

Once I did finally get to see Allen and spend some time with him, he climbed into my lap, put his arms around my neck and his head on my shoulder, and said, "I missed you." It was so sweet.

For some reason, Allen is a little obsessed with the wolf in the story of the Three Little Pigs. He likes to say,

I'm gonna puff ... I'm gonna puff ... I'm gonna blow your house away!

And then he gasps twice and blows ("fffffffffffff"), and we "blow" backwards. So we had to do this like a million times tonight before bed. It was a rollicking good time (can you see my sarcasm dripping off the screen?)

In other news, Kristen and I are happy to announce that we are resurrecting the "Book(s) I Read" blog! Click on the link over there to the right to take a look at the newest post. Read it, and then let us know what your favorite children's books are.

In the meantime, have you watched Sing-Off? If so, who do you want to win? If not, you're missing out. It's a really fun show. Plus Ben Folds is adorable.

xoxo,

AHC

Happy

We tagged along with my parents today, and visited Hilton Head congregation where Dad gave the talk.

Allen was dapper in grey pin-striped pants and matching vest.

And he was over-the-top good for the entire meeting.  Sat down, got his "Bible Book" out, and found his favorite pictures (Jonah and the Big Fish and the story of David killing the bear and saving the lamb).

We accepted hospitality and had a scrumptious lunch at Truffles (side note: I totally typed scrumptious before I even looked at the Truffles homepage ... weird, eh?). I had the Portabella sandwich which was heavenly.

Allen was alternately amusing and atrocious at lunch ... he entertained himself by talking to himself in the mirror behind us, wielding the fork dangerously (and trying to get the steak knife), and "waiting" under the table. He also announced that he had "pink eyes," but that he was all better now. He agreed that Mommy took good care of him while he was sick.

Since we were in the Bluffton area (shopping mecca for us Beaufortonians), we had plans to go to Target, Kroger, and World Market. As we discussed where to go first, I said, "We'd better go to Target first to make the kid happy." To which Allen replied:

I am happy.

Jehovah [God] makes me happy.

Hearts immediately melted. He made out like a bandit at Target.

In the car on the way home, Nana was cleaning off his hands (he had been eating Funions ... he has a strange love-hate relationship with them), and when she was done, he said:

Now I'm good to go.

Too much. Just too much.

Now I sit in bed in a Benadryl haze with the Eagles game on, and my husband next to me watching very animatedly (he talks to the television almost non-stop, and occasionally gestures or dances around ... depends on how well the game is going).

I'm going to go to bed now because I'm getting up to workout with my personal trainer at 6:00 a.m. (yes, I am that crazy).

xoxo,

AHC

Sweet boy

I had a rough day today. Between the tedious task of bill-paying (not to mention stressful) and the kid being particularly ornery, my nerves were shot.

Sadly, when I have days like this I tend to take it out on my boys ... well, more specifically on Brian. I don't mean to, but sometimes it happens. 

So tonight, my voice was raised slightly, and Allen immediately came over to me and reached up for me to pick him up. Then he snuggled me, and stayed close to me.

When a few tears were shed. He said, 

"Don't cry Mommy. You're not sad. I want a happy girl. I want a happy Mommy."

And then he gave me a hug. He also patted me on the back during one of those great hugs he gave me.

It made me realize how fortunate I am to have this little guy in my life ... no matter how difficult he can be sometimes.

xoxo,

AHC

P.S. I apologize to my boys for being so grouchy tonight. I love you both like you wouldn't believe.

The show

The title of the post doesn't really have anything to do with the topic ... I just really like the song by Lenka, and it was playing on Pandora when I started typing.

Anywho ... didn't my kid look dapper tonight for the meeting? We discovered this awesome store while in Illinois. It's called Zara, and it has some rockin' kids clothes. Sadly, online purchasing is not an option, so I will have to shop while in Illinois visiting my sister, or while in Atlanta during Market (because I have so much spare time then).

So tonight at meeting, Allen wanted to answer. So, during the part on using Good News for People of All Nations (paragraph 2 to be exact), I suggested he say, "We love everyone." (The paragraph was discussing how we imitate Jehovah's impartiality). Allen was called on, and he said (quietly, but not whispering):

"I love everybody. "

 How cute is that???? Boy do I love my kid and all of his sweetness. Frequently I wonder how I was so fortunate to be given this fabulous child. You better believe I thank Jehovah every day for that little man ...