Just So You Know

To: My Sweet Boys

From: Your Mama

Date: February 10, 2010

RE: Just So You Know

Dear Randy and Ralphie Stevie and Alex, 

I cannot be sure but I think I missed doing a  Just So You Know post last month. Just so you know, I am so sorry about that. Since the great basement project of 2009 started, I am a little behind on most things and a lot behind on some things such as my scrapbooking. As you know, the great basement project of 2009 has evolved into the great basement project of 2010. We are working hard to get the playroom in order, and you should know that once that happens, I don’t expect to see one single monster truck or CARS car on the coffee table ever, ever again. Thank you very much.

Rarely a night passes that there isn’t something with four wheels on the coffee table and really, we have toyboxes, buckets, and baskets for all manner of toys so I am confused as to why they are left out every. single. night. Can we work on that? Pretty please?

Dear Stevie,

You had a great time working on your pinewood derby car last month. Unfortunately it was a tough lesson in sportsmanship for you, but you must remember it was your very first year doing the derby. You designed a great car and you did 97% of the work all by yourself. If you ask me, your car was the coolest one there. For someone that really didn’t want to do Scouts, you certainly enjoy that hour a week you spend with the Tiger Cubs. We are proud of you for trying something that you didn’t really want to do and even happier that you really enjoy it!

You were also the cutest wise-man ever in the history of church Christmas plays this year (which by the way was held in January because of the stupid snow and its erratic behavior!)

Regarding your teeth. Most every kid in your class has lost a couple of teeth. You, on the other hard are still holding on to the same twenty-one teeth you’ve had for the past six years. It’s as if they are holding signs that say “Don’t mind us, we actually like it here!” Child, if genetics has anything whatsoever to do with teeth, you should know that you are in for a long, frustrating road of orthodontic treatment and appliances. And if I’m being honest, I love your baby teeth. Especially the right one in the front that sits a bit crooked because that extra tooth had to have somewhere to hang out. I’m kinda dreading you losing your teeth because there will be pain, and well, blood. Which is a no-win situation for you and me. So, no, I’m in no hurry for you to lose your pearly whites. I will tell you that daddy is a floss fanatic. You should totally follow his lead because I am not so fanatic about the flossing and well, your teeth will be much healthier if you floss often.

You really enjoy first grade and have lots of friends. You are a reading machine and enjoy riding the school bus one day a week to attend gifted. I am thankful that you enjoy school. I love you sweet boy!

Love, Mommy

——–

Dear Alex,

Sweet child. Where do I begin?

First let me start by saying, I understand the stubborn streak. Shoot, I may even be to blame for it. So, understand me when I say I get it!  That doesn’t mean that I enjoy it though.

Last week at school, for instance, the monthly calendar asked us parents to work you our sweet children on the Pledge of Allegiance adding that each student who could recite the pledge would be given a flag. To my surprise, you knew the pledge word-for-word. When I asked if you were going to recite the pledge at school the next day, you replied with, “We’ll just have to wait and see!” I explained to you that I would not be a bit happy if all the other kids recited the pledge except you. When I picked you up on Wednesday, every. single. child. in your preschool class, except you, came from class carrying a flag.

When I asked you why you didn’t say the pledge, your response was, “Well, I really didn’t want a flag.”

Sweet mercy, child. You are so stinkin’ frustrating.

It’s a really great thing that you are so darn cute!

After a ten-minute rant, I took your favorite shoes away and promised you would not get them back until you said the pledge. Sadly, the whole shoe bit really matters to you. The next day, I was happy to see you carrying a flag. It would be nice if you would just do things when people asked you to instead of requiring a bribe or issuing a barter.

While I have your attention, can I also mention one more thing? Dinnertime is an important time for our family. I attempt to fix something that will appeal to all four of us, however, that is not always possible because we must eat, um, I don’t know, vegetables and healthy stuff from time-to-time. Your cooperation on days that dinner does not appeal to you would be appreciated. When I gave you a pre-dinner pep talk today, explaining that you would eat what was put in front of you without quarreling, you replied, “I might just cause some trouble!”

That statement stopped me in my tracks. There’s going to be trouble alright. Between you, me and the Pampered Chef spoon if you decide that causing trouble is acceptable because clearly, it is not. I would be lying though if I said that you’re statement did not make me chuckle inside.

So often I see mannerisms that remind me of myself (foot stomping and door slamming) and I am reminded that there is a God and that He does have a sense of humor. I love you very much, but you have to understand that you may not stomp your feet, or slam your door. Mkay? Thanks. Let’s just hug and kiss and love and smile instead.

Your new favorite thing is to play is kitchen. I love our lunch dates and I enjoy every meal that you fix for me. You are the best chef I know and I will join you for lunch any ol’ time. I am thankful that you are mine! I love your big hugs and your sweet smile! Oh, and just so you know, we love your manners, too!

You are really into Monster trucks, Tom and Jerry, and Brown Sugar and Cimmanum poptarts. And you call license plates – silence plates. And I would bet the farm that you are the best medicine taker / breathing treatment patient that there ever was. Seriously, you are a champ!

Love, Mommy

Tagged as: Alex, Stevie