Langston Archives - Roubinek Reality

Don’t Sass Me, Young Man!

March 30, 2013 By Jamie Roubinek 16 Comments

“Don’t sass me, young man!”

“You don’t talk to your mommy like that!”

“Don’t talk back to me!”

I say some variation of those three phrases almost daily.

I don’t know if it’s his age, or his birth order. {He’s the third child in terms of our “whole” family, but he’s the oldest in terms of the kids who are in this house day in and day out.}

Whatever the case may be, anytime I get on to him, he has a comment for me. Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense. It’s like he HAS to have the last word. Already! At age 3. Oh man.

When I’m getting on to him, he doesn’t even wait for the last word to come out of my mouth before he’s opening his. Sometimes the response is “No” and sometimes it’s just some loud jibberish that he uses to make his point.

We do time out a lot and sometimes I even catch myself arguing with him. It takes me a second to tell myself, “Jamie, this is ridiculous. You’re arguing with a 3 year old and YOU are the boss. Not him.”

While I want to raise these boys to be confident in their opinions, I also want them to have respect for their authority and I can’t stand seeing kids sass their parents. I get that there are some things not worth fighting about with your kids, and that line your kids cross is all dependent on what’s important to you as a parent. For me, the sass and the backtalk are disrespectful and crossing the line. I can’t stand it.

BUT, to be perfectly honest, I don’t really know what to do about it or how to stop it.

Yesterday, my dad came over to pick up my niece, who was in town visiting. Langston hadn’t had a real nap and had been a bear for several hours. When my dad walked in, I told Langston to do something (or maybe it was to stop doing something) and he yelled ”no” at me. The next bit of dialogue was basically an argument between us. {Another moment when I question why I’m arguing with a 3 year old.}

I told him to go to time out and he refused. As I went to grab him to escort him to time out, he took off running from me. I was literally chasing him around my living room and he started laughing. All of this was taking place in front of my dad and my 20 year old niece, who probably think I have very little control over my kids. Fun. And embarrassing. :/

After about 2 minutes, I did win the battle and took him to time out, but I still felt defeated. Hearing him argue with me and sass me is such a beat down. I think I’m more embarrassed of someone seeing THAT than I am an epic meltdown.

What’s a mamma to do? I can’t stand it! So tell me, what tips worked for you??

Filed Under: Boys, Langston, Parenting

He’s a Boy Now

February 1, 2013 By Jamie Roubinek 1 Comment

Over the last few months, we’ve had so much going on with our family, with much of our attention on Riverson and Brantley’s health. Somewhere along the way, Langston became a little boy and left the toddler phase far behind.

We’ve spent more than a month, now, dealing with Riverson’s HSP. Thankfully, he’s doing a lot better and we’re just waiting for the spots to finally fade away.

Brantley’s eczema turned out to be food allergies. I’ve been consumed with changing my diet and making sure I’m doing everything I can to help her feel better.

The point is, both of these issues have pretty much consumed me.

The other day, I took a good look at Langston and thought to myself, “Oh my gosh, you’ve changed so much. You’ve grown.”

He left the toddler world far behind and took a big leap in to the little boy world. I have such mixed emotions about it.

What I Love

The other day, he got in to his car seat and as I was buckling Riverson in, I heard Langston say, “Yay! Mommy look!” He had buckled himself in to his car seat and he wasn’t the only person excited. All I could think was how much time that would save me when trying to leave the house, because no matter how hard I try, leaving the house takes us a ridiculous amount of time!

Potty training is no longer going on. He’s basically independent when it comes to that and sometimes we don’t even know when he goes to the bathroom. He just goes in, takes care of his business, and doesn’t say a word to us. It’s pretty nice, actually.

He’s on my team, sometimes, which seems so hard to believe, since he and Riverson have almost always been two little tornadoes merged in to one giant catastrophic one, when they play in the house. I catch him telling Riverson not to do things “because Mommy said” and it just makes me smile.

What I Can’t Stand

He knows he’s getting bigger, and expects to be treated that way. He hates taking a nap and especially hates going to bed at night. Every night, we deal with his melt down before bed time. It really doesn’t matter how much we prepare him for it, or what kind of routine we’re in. He just doesn’t want to be finished for the day.

It’s just another reminder of how fast these babies will grow up and that is the biggest thing I hate. Before I know it, he will be starting Kindergarten.

One thing is for certain, he’s turning out to be a great kid, who’s also a loving big brother and adoring little brother.

While I hate losing sight of the sweet baby I once held in my arms, I love each new stage he enters and one thing’s for sure; this little boy loves his family.

What about you? Was there a moment you looked at your child and realized he/she had really grown right before your eyes?

Filed Under: Langston, Parenting Tagged With: boy, brother, growing up, independence, toddler

Our First Broken Bone

November 16, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek 4 Comments

I could have sworn my kids were too young for a broken bone. Apparently I was so very wrong.

Tuesday night, I picked Langston up out of the tub and he cried. I thought it was so weird. This was the same cry he had earlier in the afternoon when he asked to sit with me in the chair and I picked him up. Weird.

I sent him out of the bathroom with his clothes so Daddy could dress him for bed. After a few minutes, Jeff said, “Did you see this?” as he pointed out a red knot around his collarbone area.

I knew there was something hurting him, I just didn’t know where it was.

As we both tried to touch it, he yelled and squirmed away from us.

Jeff said, “I bet he broke his collarbone.”

Immediately, things started making sense to me. That’s why he was crying every time I picked him up or when I grabbed him by the arm to guide him to the bathroom since he refused to go. Um, yeah, I feel terrible now.

That’s why he’s been throwing left handed and giving me a high five with his left hand.

And, that’s why he woke up on Tuesday morning saying, “Mommy, my tummy hurts while pointing to his throat.” He doesn’t really know what a shoulder is. Just one more reason why it’s so great to teach them about body parts early on. #momfail

But, to make matters worse, I couldn’t pin point a specific point in time when it might have happened. I started replaying every little thing we had done and decided it had to have happened on Monday evening, before I left for my Dallas Moms Blog contributor meeting.

When I got home, Jeff told me Langston couldn’t fall asleep and got up out of bed four different times. So unlike him. Now I know it was probably because he was in pain and couldn’t get comfortable.

We decided to let him go to bed and we would call the pediatrician first thing in the morning.

Wednesday morning, the pediatrician’s office told me I would need to go somewhere to get an x-ray and not even bother wasting my time to go to their office.

I was trying to avoid going to the ER and paying a $150 co-pay if we could, so I called around to nearby CareNows. I found one with a 1 hour wait and we were able to get in at 11:00.

Biggest waste of time and money ever.

They had no idea how to handle my 3 year old who wanted nothing to do with strangers wanting to touch his arms and shoulder. Oh, and be still for an x-ray? Yeah, right. He wanted NO part of it.

After much coaxing, the doctor suggested I would probably need to go ahead and take him to Children’s where they could possibly sedate him if needed, to get the x-ray.

Oh, and I had to pay $50 before I left there. Not sure what I paid for, but with Riverson having a meltdown and Brantley crying in hunger, I would have paid them whatever they wanted just so I could get the heck out of there. If Jeff’s mom hadn’t been there to help, I might have lost my mind in there.

We made our way to the Children’s ER and they were expecting us, prepared for a difficult toddler who wanted nothing to do with these examinations.

Y’all, there is a reason we have a hospital just for kids, called Children’s. We were in and out of there in 30 minutes, with a diagnosis….

A fractured collarbone. His first broken bone.

The longest part of our time in Children’s was spent in the x-ray room, which is actually an amazing little room. A mural of hot air balloons covers all four walls. It was the PERFECT distraction and we were able to get things done in less than 10 minutes.

The nurse even told me she was prepared for a battle, but was so impressed with how well he did. I just LOVE Children’s.

I got to see the picture within 5 minutes and she showed me a nice little line in his bone that’s not supposed to be there. So, I guess it would be classified as a crack, but she called it a fractured clavicle.

They tried to put a sling on him. He refused, so they sent it home with me, in a box.

He still won’t wear the sling, but he’s protecting his arm and shoulder like crazy.

It really hasn’t slowed him down much. He’s still playing and running, even though I’m constantly telling him he has to walk.

He won’t use his right arm though, as you can see in these two pictures from his Thanksgiving feast yesterday.

Isn’t that craft so cute?! I love the way they turned out. I was in charge of the craft for the party but absolutely can NOT take credit for the idea. I got it from my friend, Katie, who got it from her friend, who found it on Pinterest. Don’t they ALL go back to Pinterest?

If you think about it, will you say a little prayer for our little guy? He’s still in a lot of pain and there’s not much we can do for him, other than give him pain medicine and try to keep him down as much as possible, which is almost impossible.

Thanks friends!

Filed Under: Langston

Trick or Treat for Halloween 2012

November 1, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek 3 Comments

I’m not sure how it’s already November! The time is flying by! Halloween snuck up on me, just like Riverson’s birthday did. I knew we HAD to trick or treat but I didn’t put a ton of thought in to what they were going to wear.

To be quite honest, there was a time yesterday, when they were being naughty, that I contemplated not even taking them to trick or treat. Jeff gets off work so late now and I knew I was going to have to do everything myself. Three kids under 3 1/2. I wasn’t looking forward to it.

But, I got over my pity party, sucked it up, and went to work trying to make them as cute as possible.

I even made a quick little vlog to link up with MamaKat’s new Vlogging Workshop. I’ve been doing more vlogging lately, like yesterday, and I think it’s fun to find other vlogs people have done.

Here I am introducing you to my cute babies on Halloween night.

I swear my face was not cut off, when talking about Langston’s “sponsors,” BEFORE I put the video on YouTube. Oh well, I always have something to learn about making my videos better.

We met up with several of our neighborhood friends to trick or treat just like we did last year. We love this group and these girls have become great friends of mine!

After all of our picture taking, it was time to hit the sidewalk! Fortunately, we only hit a few houses before Jeff could join us.

checking out his stash

We decided to call it a night and head home once everyone was good and worn out. As I walked in the back door, I got a phone call from Hallie.

The big kids were with their mom for Halloween night but they decided to trick or treat in our neighborhood and she was wanting to stop by with her friends. One of them needed to use the restroom.

The boys were so excited to see her and it was fun to see all of her cute friends dressed up. I actually wish I had a picture of them, but I did snap a quick one of them digging through their candy.

Yeah, they were using pillowcases for their candy!

We had a fun night.

But, I have to be honest. I’m glad we’re past it. It’s stressful!!

Filed Under: Brantley, Friends, Kids, Langston, Riverson, Uncategorized

Potty Training: This Boy’s Turning a Corner

October 27, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek 9 Comments

Tuesday morning, I dropped Langston off at Mother’s Day Out and told his teacher he wouldn’t be there Thursday morning like he normally is. It was time to get serious about this potty training business!

I think when I told her, it made it real. I had to follow through since I told someone else that’s what we would be doing. The truth is, I HATE potty training. I didn’t want to do it. Why couldn’t he be one of those kids who potty trains himself? I’m just not cut out for it right now.

I mean, the last time we tried this potty training business, he peed on the floor twice and I stepped in poop. Most. Awful. Day. Ever.

I threw in the towel and couldn’t have been happier about it!

Then I quickly realized how tired I was of changing his diapers.

So, Thursday was the day. I had received input from a gazillion people, which is great because it makes it feel like everyone’s pulling for you. {I LOVE having so many friends in the same season of life as me!} My friend, Heather, mentioned skipping the naked part I had tried, going straight to underwear, and let him be uncomfortable when he wets on himself.

That’s exactly what we did!

Thursday morning, he fought me about taking off his diaper, but finally agreed to put his underwear on. When I saw him walking around holding himself and squeezing things, I knew it was time to sit on the potty.

We started out standing but he asked to sit, so he did. I sat in front of him, on the floor. Riverson was in and out of the bathroom because he just couldn’t stay away.

After singing songs and talking about Halloween for a good 10-15 minutes, I heard him say, “It’s working, Mommy!!!” And he was right! It definitely was working. Riverson and I even got sprayed, but what’s a fun day of potty training without getting peed on, right?

He was so proud of himself and of course, I was ranting and raving about how amazing he was and how proud I was of him.

I thought it was going to be smooth sailing from there. HA!

After his nap, he woke up super cranky. I took him straight to the potty but he jumped off and said he didn’t want to pee pee in the potty. He walked in to the kitchen and within three minutes, he was peeing in his underwear, on the floor.

I could have screamed!

Fortunately, the rest of the day was pretty uneventful, until right before bed time. I saw him in the other room, looking suspicious. I asked him if he needed to go potty. He said no but quickly changed his mind to yes. He ran to the potty and when I was about to catch up with him, I saw his underwear on the floor about 10 feet away from the potty and poop on the floor.

He was POOPING in the potty! I couldn’t believe it! I have so many friends who’s kids try to avoid pooping in the potty, and here was my kid on the first couple of nights of our real potty training adventure. I about freaked out, I was so excited!

He went to bed in a diaper, and I wish I hadn’t done that.

He woke up a different kid yesterday.

He peed on the floor twice before nap time. The second time, I had him sitting on the potty but he refused and got off. I put Riverson (23 months) on, just to see if it made Langston jealous to see me praising his little brother so much. He could have cared less and then he peed on the floor outside of the bathroom. Nice.

Right after nap time, I made him go to the bathroom. He tried to fight me on it, but I made him sit there, knowing he had to pee.

Oh man was that a war of the wills. I could see him scrunching his face up, trying to hold it in. He was so. dang. stubborn.

I knew this was my test. I wanted him to know who’s boss around here, so we sat on the potty and even though Riverson was up and playing around, I told Langston he could play too, as soon as he peed in the potty.

After almost an hour of sitting on the potty, he finally decided to give in.

I think he finally knew I meant business. The rest of the night was uneventful and he came running to me everytime he needed to pee in the potty.

The real test came at bed time. I put him in to bed in underwear, with a waterproof matress pad under his sheet on the bed.

I said a prayer that he made it through the night and woke up with a dry bed, but I knew I’d probably be washing sheets in the morning.

Yall, this morning, he woke up totally dry and we went straight to the potty! Woo hoo!!

Now, we have a soccer game at 12 and this is our 3rd day straight of potty training. I can’t decide whether to take him with a diaper on, or let him wear underwear. I feel like putting a diaper on him will just make him take a step back. Oh what to do???

Filed Under: Boys, Langston

How Potty Training Defeated Me

October 15, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek 21 Comments

Langston’s almost three and a half. He can tell me, when he’s in the bathtub, that he needs to get out to get his diaper. He can even hold it until he gets his diaper on. He’s also the only child in the mother’s day out class who’s not potty trained. I knew it was time for potty training, even though he has no interest in using the potty. Any time we offer it to him, he firmly says, “NO!”

I’ve had it planned for a couple of weeks. This weekend was going to be the perfect time for us to potty train Langston.

We didn’t have the big kids this weekend and our calendar was surprisingly clear. Perfect, right?

Apparently Langston didn’t really like my little plan.

After a recommendation from my friend, Shannon, from Milk and Cuddles, I bought the “Oh Crap Potty Training” ebook and read it, last month, searching for as many tips as I could.

I started first thing Friday morning with Langston and took off his diaper. He ran around in a t-shirt all day.

I gave him extra juice for breakfast and once again around mid-morning.

The first time he needed to pee, he started walking around the house, holding himself. I kept telling him we needed to go to the potty and even went to set him on it, but he quickly got right back off.

I moved his little potty in to the living room and set it right in front of the TV. He’s never had any interest in sitting on it, but when I saw this, I thought we were making progress.

He didn’t sit for long, but he did go back to it several times.

Finally, he was holding himself saying, “I need a diaper” over and over. I took him to the potty and again he got right back off.

Eventually, he started to pee a little and I rushed him to the big potty and sat him on it. He cried and I told him I would help him. He yelled “no” and I practically had to hold him on the potty as pee was flying. Riverson even got hit by it because he insisted on being right in the middle of things.

Langston kept crying and when I helped him point it in to the toilet, I kept cheering for him and telling him how proud I was of him. As he finally relaxed, his crying quickly turned to happiness and pride and he finished the job, in the potty!

We hurried out of the bathroom (after I cleaned up the pee splatter) and made phone calls to his daddy and a couple of grandparents.

After Nap Time

I hoped he would come right out of his room to get me right after he woke up and we would go straight to the potty together. He DID come straight to me when he woke up, but when I went to take his diaper off, it was warm. He had just peed. Great.

I took his diaper off and gave him plenty of water. While I was sitting on the sofa, I was looking away from him for about 15 seconds when I heard something fall on the floor. He was backing away saying, “Ew, that’s gross.”

I peeked over the ottoman and saw what I feared to find. Yep, he pooped on the rug. Ugh.

I quickly went to get it cleaned up and when I came back to make sure it was all cleaned off of the rug, I stepped on the rest of what I missed, WITH MY BARE FOOT!

As I limped out of the living room to get myself cleaned up, he laughed at me. I was not amused!

By this point, Riverson was ready to get up from his nap. This made things a little harder because they wanted to run around and play. It was harder for me to watch his every move and look for signs that he needed to go potty.

Nevertheless, I took him to sit on the potty several times over the next few hours, but he just kept getting right back off after about 45 seconds.

He continued to walk around holding himself.

The boys were both sitting on the sofa watching a movie and I walked in to the kitchen to get a quick snack for myself.

Just as I was about to turn the corner in to the living room, I heard what sounded like water spilling.

As I got to the doorway between the kitchen and living room, I saw a stream of pee going from his body, up in to the air and landing on the middle of the sofa cushion.

I froze.

I didn’t know how to respond. My body wanted to scream but I kept my cool.

He looked at me with fear on his face and said, “You need to clean that up.”

I was done.

I wanted to cry.

It’s a little depressing to feel like a failure, but this potty training business has definitely defeated me, at least for now.

I put a diaper on him, threw the cushion covers in the wash, fed him dinner, and put them both to bed.

He’s apparently not ready, so I guess we will try again next month.

It’s safe to say I will never be writing a book on potty training tips.

I’m so jealous of the moms whose kids WANT to use the potty.

Filed Under: Langston, Parenting

Fall Soccer Begins

October 10, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek Leave a Comment

We’re starting a new chapter with fall soccer!

Since the moment our sonographer told us we were having a boy, I knew we were about to go down an exciting road of team sports. After all, it’s the kind of people we are. Langston has sports loving parents and we’ve turned him in to a sports loving little boy!

The only problem is we don’t really have a history with soccer. For me, asthma and running sports don’t mix, so I never played soccer as a kid. It was a BAD combination.

Watching his big brother and sister playing soccer was really the only experience we have had with this sport.

Fortunately, it doesn’t matter to Langston. He’s just happy to play!

And play he DID!

This past weekend was his first game and I’m sure I was much more nervous than he was.

Our little #18 wasn’t the star of the day and didn’t even score a goal, but I can’t tell you how proud of him I was.

He paid attention,

cheered for his teammates,

and he couldn’t wait to get in the game!

He ran up and down the field with the rest of the kids, chasing after the ball, just like he was supposed to do.

You know what I loved most about the entire game? It didn’t matter how far away from the ball he was, or how often he touched it. As long as he was on that field he NEVER stopped smiling!

So proud!

And my very favorite part of being Langston’s mom during the game:

As the pack of kids were running down the field with the ball, a balloon floating up in to the sky caught Langston’s eye. He stopped right there, threw his hand in the air and started jumping up and down saying, “Bawoon, Daddy, bawoon!” I couldn’t stop laughing.

I just love that kid!

And so does his youngest fan!

We have so much fun ahead of us!!

Filed Under: Langston

It’s Not Always What You Think It Is

October 2, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek 3 Comments

Saturday morning, we were enjoying some down time as a family. Since Langston’s soccer game was cancelled {thank goodness!} we were able to spend some time hanging out.

The boys were running around the house and I noticed Langston’s diaper needed to be changed. I took it off of him and thought, “Right after I do ______, I’ll go grab a diaper and put it on him.”

Let me stop there and give a little side note about our pottytraining progress: We have none.

No, seriously, Langston has no desire to use the potty. None.

He can tell me when he needs a diaper on, but after trying to make him use the potty one night, I decided we both needed to come back to it. It wasn’t pretty.

It’s probably my fault more than his. I just don’t have the energy to make it my #1 priority right now. I’m hoping to very very soon, though. I’m tired of changing THREE little people diapers all day long.

Back to my story.

Brantley started crying letting me know she was ready to eat. So what does any mom do when they hear their hungry baby cry? Feed ‘em! And that’s exactly what I did.

A few minutes later, Langston came out of the hallway saying, “Yuck! Ew!”

I remembered he wasn’t wearing a diaper and I panicked.

In our hallway, we have a set of three big cabinets the boys love to crawl in and out of to play.

Lately, I’ve had blankets in there, which has kept them from being able to crawl around in there.

However, when I’m nursing the baby and they are out of my sight, I’ve found they are usually doing something naughty.

So, when I jumped up remembering Langston didn’t have a diaper on, I was scared to death that he pooped somewhere.

As I turned the corner heading down the hallway, Riverson was coming toward me with a bag of wipes saying “Yucky! Yucky, Mommy!” {Oh great.}

Blankets were in a big pile on the floor.

I just knew I was going to dig through those blankets and find a nice surprise.

“Langston, did you poo poo?”

“Um, nope.” {His usual response even when he DID.}

“Langston, where is the poo poo?”

“Um, it’s over there in the door?”

“You pooped on the door?”

“Um, nope.”

By this point, I’m furious. I’m not sure if I’m more mad at myself for letting him go without a diaper while I wasn’t watching him, or mad at him for pooping while playing in the cabinets and in all of these blankets.

I walked out of the hallway and in to the kitchen to get Jeff so he could tend to Brantley.

When I walked back in to the hallway, the smell was gone.

Wait, what?!?

As I walked in to the living room, the smell was back with a vengeance and Langston was playing in his room.

Riverson, however, was playing very quietly in the corner of the living room…..

……wearing a very dirty diaper.

I let Langston have whatever he wanted for the rest of the day.

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Filed Under: Boys, Langston, Riverson

An Update

October 1, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek Leave a Comment

Today, I’m guest posting over at New Life Steward talking about walking the line in my role as a step-mom. It’s been one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. Head on over and check it out!

I also want to thank you, friends, for the many prayers for my step-dad. The surgery went well and although the doctor found more cancer than they were expecting, he thinks he got it all. We will know more when the pathology report comes back.

After a few days in the hospital, my dad went home yesterday and seems to be doing better than I expected. He’s practically had to learn how to swallow again, but he’s talking normally and for those who know him, that’s a relief. The man can’t live without talking.

Langston also started soccer practices last week and although he loves it, it’s definitely stressful for me to watch. I’ve learned we need to get there at least 15 minutes early for practice. He doesn’t really get things figured out until the second half of practice. I’m still just trying to get him to realize who his coach is and why he needs to listen to her.

Then there’s the playground. I have to remind him we’re there for practice and not to run for the playground.

I made this little picture to share with our Facebook friends on Saturday morning.

A few minutes later, we found out the game had been cancelled, due to rain. What a relief!

We need some more practice, to say the least.

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Today’s the last day to enter the latest giveaway! If you live in DFW, you don’t want to miss this. If you don’t life in DFW, head on over anyways. You will want to see these precious newborn pictures.

Filed Under: Blogging, Langston, Parents

These Are The Days of Mother’s Day Out

September 12, 2012 By Jamie Roubinek Leave a Comment

Remember the days when Fridays were our favorite days of the week? Yeah, I vaguely remember those days.

Times have changed and now TUESDAY is my favorite day of the week.

It’s my break from the chaos of three needy little people and two who turn my house upside down in a matter of minutes.

It’s the day I get to send Langston and Riverson to Mother’s Day Out. I told you guys in this post about school how Riverson is really not a fan of going to school. He is still getting peeled off of me, trying to take my shirt with him, when I drop him off. There are still lots of tears and it breaks my heart to walk away from him.

However, I’m happy to report things are getting a little better with each week he goes.

Last week was his second week. He hated the drop off and I left hoping the day got better for his teachers and him. I was so happy when I picked him up and found this report in his bag.

Just look at that report!!

Oh the little things that make us mammas happy now! ”A better day!” Woohoo! We might actually take this separation anxiety and kick it to the curb after all. Well, that is until I go and do stupid things like this.

Yesterday was another day of having him peeled off of me at drop off. It didn’t make it any better when I realized I forgot his bag and had to go back home to get it. I told his teacher I would drop it off at the office so we wouldn’t take the chance of him seeing me.

That’s a great plan and all if you don’t pull in to the parking spot RIGHT. IN. FRONT. OF the playground he’s playing in. I didn’t even realize it was his class that was out playing. Yes, he saw me. His teacher had to take him inside and I’m sure they had to start all over with him. Put another one in the “dumb” column for me.

Fortunately, it didn’t completely ruin his day and for the first time, he actually ate his lunch. He wouldn’t eat the previous two weeks and, for those of you who personally know him, you know that’s a BIG deal for Riverson to not eat.

We’re making progress, friends!!

Now if I can just get Langston to stop unbuckling his car seat, we’ll be in good shape. He scared me to death!

Fortunately, I caught it on the way to school, which is only a couple of miles away. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t taken a turn and saw this happen.

Just another thing I have to double check before I can start driving. :/

And, because their naps at school are not nearly as long as their normal naps at home, they usually come home on Tuesdays and I’m in survival mode.

They are tired and aside from being grumpy with me, they are like tornadoes running through our house. Destructive!

He wishes he could play Xbox like his biggest brother!

I usually try to figure out a way to get us all out of the house. Yesterday, we were lucky enough to have a play date for us to go to at our local ice cream shop. I decided to be ~~dumb enough~~ brave enough to load the boys up in the stroller and stick Brantley on my chest in the baby carrier.

Maybe trying on clothes at Target yesterday, which was a bad idea for a girl who had a baby five weeks ago, got me motivated to walk, I don’t know. Either way, I’m feeling it today. Our street is on a hill, so no matter which way you go, you have to walk uphill at some point. Not fun.

It’s hard to tell, so let me explain that picture for you. The bottom gray is Brantley’s back in the carrier on my chest. Riverson’s legs are hanging over Langston’s seat and that’s Langston’s face you see because he’s turning around yelling at Riverson. Ha!

Never a dull moment!

The boys were happy as could be knowing they were going to eat ice cream.

I even let them get the Cookie Monster flavor which is solid blue.

There’s a method to my madness. I knew their blue mouths would make me laugh and make for some great photo ops! I was right!