"I'm amazing"

Kevin and I take the children out on dates once a month.  One month he has Olivia and I have Benjamin.  The next month we switch.  Last night Benjamin and I went out on our date. We had to head home early, so we finished up our date this morning by going to garage sales.  As we were driving I asked Benjamin to tell me something about himself that I didn't know.  He said, "How about I'm amazing?!"  I told him I already knew that.  He laughed and said, "How about I'm amazingly funny!?" 

Yup, he sure is!  He makes me smile.

What I should be doing....

...finishing my grocery list.  I started it about 10.5 hours ago.  Yeah....about that.

What I am doing....Everything but that.  I have checked on a washing machine part for my brother-in-law, looked up how to write I LOVE YOU in some binary form, looked at a low carb website while eating cake, and even considered doing the 30 Day Shred exercise video (I ruled that out after the whole "eat cake" thing).

I had better go do it.  I wish Mom was here already.  She is the one person I know who actually LIKES to cook.  She cooks almost all day long.  It's insane.  I'm glad she's coming to visit, but I'm even happier that she's insane!!  6 days and counting......

Sweet babies....sigh...

Today I had the worst headache in the history of headachekind. It was one of the kinds that feels like you're being jabbed in the eyes with toothbrushes while being repeatedly whacked on the back of the head with a tire iron. It was fantastic.

So, where do the "sweet babies" come in? Right....

I'm in bed, all curled up, and Benjamin hops in the bed with me. He says, "Mommy, I came in here to pray for you. Let's pray. Dear Jesus, please make Mommy's headache go away and not hurt any more RIGHT THIS SECOND. Amen. Ok, bye." Then he hops down and goes back in the front room with Kevin. See! Sweet, huh?

Then Olivia had a change of personality this evening. Kevin had taken Benjamin and Amara to Lab-X at church and I stayed home with Olivia. We had all the blinds closed (lest the sunlight make my brains explode through my eyes), the lights off, and were cuddled up in my recliner. Now, the odd this about this is that Olivia is NOT, in any way, the cuddly type of baby. She's one of the "Oh oh, wait, I think you're touching me! NO NO NO!" types. Well, we sat in that recliner, cuddled up, watching Cherub Wings for 35 minutes. She even nuzzled down into my chest and stayed that way.

I'd love to say the headache was worth all of that...because it sure was special...but, did I mention the toothbrushes and tire iron?

.....Nah, it was worth it!!

Footwear Fiasco!

7.03.09

Our daughter loves shoes! We didn't teach her this. Apparently she came programmed this way...along with Super powerful amplifiers and a strange love of Mardi Gras beads!

Well, on this particular day, she was wearing one shoe from her many pairs of shoes. She loves her shoes so much that she must carry them all around the house lest they feel lonely. As a result, we couldn't find the other one! Let's just say that that was not what she wanted to hear:

"How can I show my face with only these snazzy beads and one shoe!?"

"What's that? You think you may know where my beloved shoe is?!"

"Allllright. I'm listening." (Oh, and I love her hair in this picture)

"YAY! You found it! You're awesome Mommy!"

"This calls for a celebration! Water all around!"

Snakes and Sleep

5-18-09

What a creepy title, huh?!

As you may have already figured out, I love pictures of my babies sleeping. So, one night I thought I'd shake it up a bit and take pictures of them as they headed off to Dreamland. I figured I would have pictures of them drowsily curled up in their little beds, chubby hands holding on to their stuffed animals. Yeahhhh...about that:

Look at my snake, Mommy. His name is Mr. Blue Snake!

Mommy, Mr. Blue Snake is going to bite you!! Don't worry though, his poison isn't poisonous! (imagine that!)

What are you talking about?! I am going to sleep!

...but now I need to do a quick bedtime karate kick!!

Nah, really. I'm lying down right now.

....right after I do a few Bouncity Bounces!

Bouncity bounce, bouncity bounce....

And BAM!

BAM! BAM! (yes, he really is sleeping!)

(Side note: Turns out that Benjamin had a change of heart about Mr. Blue Snake and his poison producing abilities. We had to part with Mr. Blue Snake because while we were in PA Benjamin prayed every night about God keeping our house safe so that Mr. Blue Snake didn't come to life, spit poison on everything, and destroy our house! Wow. Yeah. Anxiety.)

The Joy of PB&J!

Olivia really loves her PB&J....as evidenced by these pictures.

"Peanut butter, how I love thee!"

"Let me shove you in my mouth!"

"...and rub you on my chin."

You can see the "happiness" all over her face!

Peanut Butter and Heartbreak

Last week, a friend and I were making cookies. There was some peanut butter left on the spoon we were using, so I let Olivia have it. I put her on the stool and let her have at it!

She really liked my idea!!

A LOT!!

However, taking away the clean spoon didn't go over so well! (Is it terrible that I chuckle every time I see this picture?!)

Conversations in the Car

On the way home from VBS today, Benjamin and Jasper were talking about what they learned today.

Jasper: This fish picture means that I am a Christian.
Benjamin: I am too. I'm a Christian.
Jasper: I've been a Christian for a long time. Like, since I first heard about it!
Benjamin: Me too!

Another conversation went like this:
(Benjamin drops his VBS craft on the floorboard)
Benjamin: I sure love having feet!!
Jasper: Me too!
Benjamin: 'Cause if you drop something in the car then, bwoop, you can pick it up with your feet!
Jasper: Or you can open the gate with them!!
Benjamin: Yeah!

It is hard not to laugh. So cute!

Little Rabbit Foo Foo gets a conscience!

Today I was singing the Little Rabbit Foo Foo song to the kids. Olivia was just dancing...as Olivia is prone to do. Benjamin, however, was analyzing the actions of Little Rabbit Foo Foo...as Bulgriens are prone to do.

For those of you who aren't familiar with this song, you can find the lyrics here.
(just for grins, notice that there is a warning at the top of the page telling you that this song is sensitive and may be offensive to some. Perhaps they are picturing this rabbit:)



Anyway.....

Benjamin: Mommy, why does he keep bonking those field mice when she tells hiim not to? Why does she keep giving him chances (side note...we don't do X number of chances at our house. Do it the first time!)?

Me: I don't know. He should just obey the first time, huh?

Benjamin: Yeah. Mommy sing it again, but make him obey this time.

Mommy: Ummm. Little Rabbit Foo Foo went hopping through the forest...

Benjamin: Mommy, he probably shouldn't go in to the forest if he can't do the right thing when he is there.

Mommy: Huh? Oh. Right!

Benjamin: Sing it again.

Mommy: Little Rabbit Foo Foo didn't go hopping through the forest...

Benjamin: That's good. Now make the Good Fairy tell him no more chances.

Mommy: ...And the Good Fairy said, I won't give you any second chances because you should obey the first time...

Benjamin: Mommy, I love this song!

"Yook!"

Benjamin's teacher suggested that he keep practicing his handwriting through the summer. A couple of weeks ago (I'm behind due to vacation...and just being me) he was going camping with Kevin and a group of guys from church. So, his journal entry was about that.

A few nights before the journal entry I was telling Kevin and Benjamin that, on Saturday night of the camping trip, a man was going to be frying fish for everyone. Benjamin immediately said that he didn't like fish. Well, this was news to me! After all, he is my son and any self-respecting person from New Orleans doesn't have children that don't eat seafood! I assured him that he did like fish very much.

After he did his writing, he brought it to me. He looked very worried and said, "Mommy, I didn't write YUM." So, I read it. And this is what it said:



If you can't read his, his last line says, "I will eat fish. Yook." (yuck)

I laughed and laughed...inside, of course. I love that boy!

Tips for putting your kids in a box!

Yeah, that sounds like a nice, serious title, doesn't it? But, you know me......

No better place to be than kicked back in a box while wearing a pair of beads!

Don't have a box? A clothes basket will do. Remove clothes. Add brother.

You can even play patty cake while in a box. Good hairdos not required!

Playing in a box is VERY exciting! You can imagine you're on a roller coaster!

Box too small? Just stand in it while you're talking with your friends.

Keeping hydrated while playing in boxes is important. You need not leave the box though. Have someone bring your drink to you.

Any box will do! Remove all toys and throw them on the floor first. Who plays with toys these days, anyway?

Seafood...well, kinda

Benjamin's class has been doing something called ABC days at school. Each day is a different letter and they do some sort of activity that starts with that letter. For instance, they did an Easter Egg hunt for E day and had a Silly Sock day for S day. Well, Benjamin was sick on O day. On this day they had Octodogs for lunch at school. Benjamin was very sad that he missed this.

For those of you who are asking yourself, "Self, what is an octodog?" I will tell you. A hot dog with 8 slits in it. So, your pork product that is named after a canine magically becomes a sea creature. Imagine that....

I don't know what Benjamin's teacher did, but this was what Good Ole' Mommy came up with:

I took Ramen noodles (seaweed) and cooked them with mixed vegetables (logs and rocks). I drained the noodles and left out the seasoning packet. I then took the hotdogs and made the 8 legs. Boil the hotdogs for a few minutes so that the legs curl. In an effort to have some sort of nutritional value, I also used a cheese stick (obviously don't boil this or you end up with a jellyfish or something) and slit it as well. I used fennel seeds for eyes.

Kevin was impressed. Benjamin thought I was a genius.

What an observant son....

Friends don't let friends pee in the ditch

A few weeks ago some of the neighborhood boys decided that it would be great fun to pee in the ditch across the street. Benjamin, being clueless that peeing right out in the open was a bad thing, shared his excitement with me. I informed him that we DO NOT pee outside. I then had to add that, "Yes, when we are out geocaching in the woods and there is absolutely no potty around, then it is okay, but not desirable" and "Yes when we are on a long trip to Michigan and there are no rest stops for 100 miles, then it is okay" and "Yes, when you are out at the houseboat with PawPaw and there is no potty around, then it is okay" and "OKAY BENJAMIN YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!" (asking questions helps him learn, asking questions helps him learn, asking questions helps him learn)

He asked me what he should do next time his friends want to pee in the ditch. I told him to just not do it. He asked me if he should tell me when they do it. I said, "Yeah, that's fine."

Now for a quick disclaimer: I do not know what other peoples' rules are concerning ditch peeing. This is simply my own rule.

Fast forward to the next week. I am inside talking with a friend of mine when Benjamin runs in the house, "Mommy, the kids are peeing in the ditch!!! But I didn't I just came and told you." My friend asks if her son did it, and Benjamin said yes. My friend heads outside to get her son...who is also a "no peeing in the ditch" rule violater. Benjamin then tells me that he told his friends not to do it and that if they did he was going to tell. Kid1 tells Benjamin that if he tells then he really isn't his friend. This concerned Benjamin very much. I explained to Benjamin that helping our friends not do things that they shouldn't do is, indeed, being a good friend. He seemed pleased with this idea.

So, today at lunch Benjamin says, "Mommy, a couple of days or a week ago" (yes, 5 year old time) "Kid1 was going to pee in the ditch. I told him that he shouldn't do that or I would have to tell you. Kid1 said that if I told you then I wasn't his friend. But, Mommy, I told him that I WAS his friend because friends help each other to not make bad decisions." Kid1 didn't like Benjamin's rationale.

Benjamin asked if I was proud of him...which I certainly was. He also asked if I was sure that that was what friends did. Since I am only the Mother, and what do I know, he decided to ask Laura. She confirmed for Benjamin that this was correct. (It sure is nice to have a whole block of neighbors who will back you up in your parenting...thanks you guys)

So, all is right with the world now...until next week.

I really am proud of Benjamin. My sister said I'm going to get him beat up......

I guess you can't win 'em all.

You say Bulgarian, I say Bulgrien

How about a little pet peeve post? When I married Kevin I thought how great it would be to escape all of the "Are you related to Jimi Hendrix?" jokes. While I can see how one could think that we are related (fair skin, stick straight dishwater-colored hair, Christian lifestyle), it was still terribly annoying. But noooooooo, I inherited the name Bulgrien. I wouldn't have it any other way, but I cannot tell you how hard it is for people to say this one. We have heard: Bulgarian, Bull-grin, Ball-grin, Ball-green, Bull-grine, etc. So, say it with me now. BULL-GREEN. Yup, like the male cow and the color of grass. Yay!

Clones aren't always bad...

It was a very fun weekend around here. We were supposed to have a garage sale, but as garage sale fate goes, it rained. Our neighbor Stephanie, in true "Stephanie Style" said, "Hey let's have an impromptu surprise party for Jasper!" Keep in mind that it is like WayTooEarly o'clock. She said the plan was to start it at 10am. We all still thought it was a great idea.

Benjamin and I went out to the store to get a gift for Jasper. Before the pictures, I guess you need to know that the boys in the neighborhood all love Star Wars. I am not sure if it started with Jasper or not, but Jo and Amara's Dad is quite the Star Wars fan too. Benjamin has never seen it, but he is still convinced that he is an expert. *shrug*

Ok, back to the story....I had remembered seeing a Star Wars mask in the clearance aisle of Wal-Mart for $3. When I got to the store, I found that it wasn't just a mask. It was an entire costume!! For 3 bucks! I thought that it might be more fun for the boys if they all had one and could play together at the party, so I bought one for Jasper, Jo, and Benjamin. They were devastated.



Or perhaps not. The boys wore them ALL DAY LONG!! They ran around the neighborhood in them, they wore them into the night at the chai party, etc. I have never had a Clone clear the lunch table before, but I guess there is a first time for everything, right?

Benjamin even wanted to wear his out to dinner, but one must draw the line somewhere.

Jo's sister, Amara, seemed a bit sad that she didn't have a costume. I told her that she had to be Princess Leia. So, I brought her in and put her hair up in those buns on the side of the head. She makes a beautiful princess!

Benjamin had a great time. This neighborhood is amazing. Whenever I think of wanting to live somewhere else (more storage, indoor laundry room, etc), I have to remind myself that finding a neighborhood as great as this one is very rare. I love this place and my neighbors!

Pronunciations of a 5 Year Old...

...can be very funny!

Yesterday Benjamin got punished for disobeying me. He was rather upset that he wouldn't be able to play with his friends for the rest of the day. Benjamin pulled out his paper and pencil and headed to the table. This is the conversation that followed.

"What are you writing?" I asked.

Benjamin replies, "I am writing a note to Jasper."

Excited that my son took the initiative to do some writing, I said, "Oh, that's great! What are you writing about?"

"I am telling him that I am drownded!! He was drownded last week too."

Mother says that "drownding" the children is really quite frowned upon. I told her, "If he would only obey, I wouldn't have to 'drownd' him."