Further Proof that Josh is a Genius...

Only kidding of course, however, the following conversation took place at the playground this afternoon. I know I'm bragging, but it's my right as a mother.

The Players:

Josh: Kindergartner, just turned 6.

Daniel: 2nd Grader, 8 1/2

Scene: Playground swing set

Daniel: I'm smarter than you.

Josh: Really? I'm pretty smart.

Daniel: I'm in 2nd grade and you're only in Kindergarten.

Josh: Well, I know how much 1 billion is plus 1 billion is, do you?

Daniel: Josh, I'm only in 2nd grade! We don't learn that until 3rd grade, so ask me then okay?

Josh: It's 2 billion. I'm good at math. I even know how much 10 + 9 is! It's 19!

Daniel: Really? Cool. But do you know how much 9 + 10 is?

Josh (laughing): Yes, it's 19! And, I know how much 99 + 9 is too!

Daniel: No you don't!

Josh: Yes I do. It's 108.

Daniel: No, it's 109!

Mom's voice from afar: No Daniel, Josh is right, it's 108!

Daniel: REALLY?

Cut scene: Girl rides by on bicycle

Boys (in unison): Girl Alert, Girl Alert!

Honestly, this was the conversation!

Life With a Constipated Toddler

So, the car rides to and from Chattanooga today were interesting. As was lunch.

As you know, Sam has been potty training and been doing GREAT! Except for #2. The poor kid hasn't had a bowel movement since last Wednesday. Needless to say, he's been a bit cranky.

On the way, to the Aquarium, he wanted to watch Finding Nemo to "get in the mood." Most of the way up he was fine. Until we got about 20 minutes away, then he wanted to watch Baby Einsteins. With our DVD player, I can't change the DVD while driving. It's impossible to do. So, I told him he'd just have to suffer. This was sort of okay for him, but he wasn't happy.

He did wonderfully at the Aquarium and 80% of lunch. Then it began.

"I have to go pee pee." So we went. And I'm by myself with the boys so this means abandoning our table, grabbing my purse, but leaving sippy cups and toys so the wait staff does not think we've done a runner, going to the restrooms, and doing our business.

The first time, all was good.

The second time, no luck for Sam. Just sat and nothing. We got back to the table and immediately, "I have to go pee pee."

"Tough kid." We ordered dessert.

I asked for the check and some water for Josh (he's obsessed about drinking water after he eats so as not to get a cavity... that's another story....).

Sam is quickly approaching melt down mode because he has to go potty. The waiter is no where to be seen with our check! I gather up our stuff, trudge off to the potty, thankfully he goes, we trudge back and the waiter is complaining to the hostess that we're not there anymore. He thinks we've done a runner! I hand him my credit card and apologize and explain our "emergency."

But really, he was taking an awful long time -- I mean, we ate our dessert, waited before getting us all packed up, got to the loo, did our business (which is NOT quick) and the waiter was just getting to our table with the check as we were returning! Apparently, he has no kids and is not used to waiting on families with them!

We get to the car, Sam says he wants Thomas, but sees Nemo as I'm pulling it out and insists on Nemo. "Are you sure Sam?" "Yes, Nemo."

10 minutes down the road, "I want Thomas! I don't want Nemo!" "Sorry Sam, I can't change it now. I'll change when we stop." "I want Baby Einsteins!" "Sorry Sam" This continued off and on for I don't know how long.

Finally we stop because Mommy needs a break and a coke to keep me going. Sam asks for Thomas, I put Tomas in, that lasts for 15 minutes before he wants Baby Einsteins! There is no helping a tired, constipated 2 year old!

We finally get home and he continues his, "I have to pee pee" routine every 5 minutes. But, I know he really has to go, he just can't. This has been our bed time routine for the last 5 days as well.

"Okay, boys, dinner is on the table."

Sam, "I have to go pee pee."

Me, frustrated and tired, "Okay Sam, just go."

Sam, "Okay!" Goes over to the royal potty and I hear "Ta-da-da-da" twice! Finally, he has gotten the rocks that were clogging his bum!

HALLELUJAH!

***I am sorry if this post is a bit boring and if you are all bored to tears with me talking about Sam's potty training. I swear, I am most probably done! Thank you for putting up with me!

More Aquarium Pictures

We went to the Tennessee Aquarium again today. We are members there so we like to go when we have a chance.

It's a good day out with the boys!

Here are some pictures. I hope you enjoy them!

Josh and Sam waiting patiently while I got our tickets.

Josh in the tube, Sam just looking at Nemo!

Sam had mustered up enough courage to get inside to look at Nemo and Dory!

This fish follows your fingers.

Cheesy cheese!

Sam wouldn't get in the picture and Josh was being 6 trying to be cool.

Josh touching the Sturgeon (for the first time)

About this point Sam decided he wouldn't go near the big tanks.

Alligator Snapping Turtle -- Josh was looking at the Alligators and ignoring the turtle.

We Survived!

Okay, this has to have been the worst weekend I can remember. I'm sure it could have been worse, no one died, we just all felt like we wanted to die!

As you may recall, Sam came down with a stomach bug on my birthday. That wasn't so bad in the end, because Rich and I were going to go out to dinner to celebrate my birthday on Saturday. Oh, I was looking forward to moule marinieres, and steak (we haven't had it in ages), and maybe some creme brulee for dessert... Yum!

But, when Sam started throwing up at 2:30 AM -- so much that he needed a bath in the middle of the nigh! Rich changed his sheets, I gave him a bath and we got him back to bed. But we decided that we had to cancel that evening...

... and it's a good thing we did because when we woke up the next morning, Rich was sick. It seems he'd caught Sam's bug! So, Rich was sick in bed all day. I was stuck in the house with the boys -- except for a 2 hour window when Josh and I went out to a birthday party. It was awful. The boys didn't understand why Daddy couldn't play. And since Sam was sick we were stuck inside.

Saturday, which was supposed to be a nice relaxing day, turned into a stressful, sick filled day. I was never so happy as I was when I put the boys to bed, ate my pizza I had ordered for dinner and drank a glass of wine! I was so exhausted... I went to bed at 8:30.

And I woke up again at 2:30 because I was now sick. Pizza and wine is great going down, not so great coming back up. So I stayed in bed most of Sunday while Rich, who still wasn't well, looked after the boys. And it was raining so they were stuck inside...

So, today, the first day of Spring Break for the boys, it was drizzly outside this morning, we've done our chores and Sam is sleeping. Hopefully when he wakes up the drizzle will have cleared up and we can get out of the house!

Here's to hoping the week turns out better and that Josh gets through un-bugged!