From Inmates to Playdates

Posts Tagged ‘Lightning McQueen’

I am writing this week’s Thursday Thirteen from my sister-in-law’s house in Candia, New Hampshire.

Me and the boys are enjoying our visit and most of all my boys are pre-occupied with their cousins most of the day which leaves me ample time to blog and snack on bon-bons and Dr. Pepper.

Because of that I have been able to stay two or three days ahead of the bloggy boat which is why I am composing my Thursday Thirteen for this week on Monday. (Except for those last three words!)

If my memory serves me correct, we should be on the Letter T.

1. TALKING – I was wired to be a talker. In elementary school, I pretty much always received an “X” in the “Listens attentively” column. What can I say? Well, apparently a lot. –  Still. love. to. talk.

2. TiVO -  I have always been very fond of the television. The invention of the TiVo has become a necessity in my household, especially since so many of the shows that I love are not fit for viewing by my boys. Some of my favorite shows are The Young And The Restless, American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, Desperate Housewives, Greys Anatomy and The View.

3. TEMPERATURE – I am very particular about the temperature. My ideal temperature would be 85 degrees with zero humidity. Humidity makes me cranky.

4. TIARA – I don’t wear one, but I would should. I would pick one like this one from tutu.com.

5. TONSILS – Had mine removed in the 6th grade. The only part I remember is the enema.

6. TRUCK – McDaddy would like to trade our 4-Runner for a truck. I would pick this one for him. A 2009 Chevy Silverado SS. Not that I know the first thing about trucks, but surely the whole ‘SS’ thing means something cool like Super Special. (It probably means Super Sport now that I think about it.)

7. TWINS – I have twin brothers that are four years older than me. My cousin, Sarah gave birth to twin boys in January. Multiples are proof that God has a sense of humor. I lovingly refer to these guys as Scrubby and Stubby.

8. TEXAS - McDaddy and I spent two weeks in Houston, Texas so that he could attend some type of control system guru training. When he goes to training, I scrapbook in the hotel room. While we were in Texas we drove to Galveston for an afternoon. We have been blessed to travel quite a bit on his company’s dime.

9. TARGET – I go there occasionally, but, I prefer the Mart Of Walls any day of the week.

10. TATTLE – Something I deal with on a daily basis with my boys. It is tough deciding what should be tattlable and what shouldn’t be.

11. THE MAN – This one came to be as I was talking to McDaddy on the phone last night. I assume he was referring to himself because in my book, he IS the man. (Hi McDaddy! I miss you!)

12. THANKFUL - So very thankful for all of the blessings in my life. Especially for these two happy, healthy little boogers. (Disneyland – 2008)

 13. TOW MATER – Up until now, Lightning McQueen has gotten all the attention here at Inmates. I thought it was high time I give Mater his five seconds of fame. Our boys have just about every frazzlin’ CARS toy ever made. Except that the big-wigs at Disney are so very clever. They discovered that if they take a black sharpie to Lightning McQueen they can market it and call him Tar McQueen. Or, they can color some green on and call him Cactus McQueen.  Or they can take off two wheels and call it Finish Line McQueen. Disney folks, you should be ashamed of yourself. Instead, you are laughing all the way to the bank. Because my boys? They totally fall for your Lightning McQueen scam. Because of that we have 416 versions of Lightning McQueen wearning various paint jobs and tires. And this guy? All he gets is the shaft.

Mater. Stand up and be noticed.

Now, wasn’t that fun?

A special shout out to McDaddy for helping me come up with my last three “T” words this week. (Even for the one I didn’t use!) 

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Happy To Be At Home hosts a weekly Thursday Thirteen. Head over there and tell them I sent ya!

This weeks YOU CAPTURE challenge is Nature.

I thought about so many different things that I could capture.

Stevie and Alex had Lightning McQueen and his posse all lined up in a dirt pile over the weekend pretending it was Willy’s Butte. (That entire sentence will mean nothing to you non-Lightning McQueen fans!) Unfortunately, I was in the midst of planting flowers in my window boxes and didn’t want to get potting soil on my camera lens, so I decided against taking stopping to capture the shot.

Then, the boys found a turtle but we were standing in the middle of the road and I couldn’t leave the boys in the road to hurry in and get the camera from the house.

I mean I guess I could have. But something told me that might not be wise.

So.

This is what I came up with.

This was the scene from our back deck on the ONE and ONLY day it did not rain last week. (AHEM!) I thought the sky was so bright and blue.

It was such a drastic change from the dreary. nasty. cold. wet. rain.

And I decided to throw this one in for fun.

This is a crab that ran across the road on our recent trip to Guantanamo Bayto visit McDaddy. I couldn’t believe how large this sucker was. I tried a crab cake one night at dinner. It was probably this guy’s brother.

I’m about to vomit in my mouth just thinking about it.

Sorry.

Visit I Should Be Folding Laundry for more YOU CAPTURE posts.

It’s Thursday.

I have 4,728 things to do before I leave on tomorrow. I put a status update on my facebook page asking my friends to help me out with “L” words. I was impressed with some of their suggestions.

Here’s 13 things – from my friend, The Letter L.

1. LATE - Being late is one of my biggest pet peeves. If you are habitually late, you should by all means get started a little earlier. PERIOD.

2. LONDON – The first stop on our European tour. I would love to go back there someday.

3. LIGHTNING MCQUEEN – Oh sweet mercy. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t see this guy in some form. Underwear, sippy cup, shoes, Leapster game, shirts, cars, plates, socks, shampoo, gummies, you name it, Disney has designed a CARS version of it and in all likelihood the CARS version will cost more! I guess I should be counting my blessings that I have little boys who love this cute little car as opposed to those hoochie mama bratz dolls that little girls love.

4. LAS VEGAS – It always amazes me that Vegas is hoppin at all hours. There is just as much excitement at noon as there is at midnight. The last time I went to Vegas I stayed at The Tropicana in a murphy bed.

5. LAUNDRY – I don’t so much mind laundry, but I really hate to put it away. If I had these, I would love to do laundry. You know you are getting old when new appliances excite you.

6. LIMOUSINE – I have only ridden in a limousine on one occasion. I was arrested for the March Of Dimes and picked up in a limousine. I was taken to “jail” where I had to stay until I raised $500.00 in bail money.

7. LOTION – Last weekend on my Women of Faith trip, I was introduced to the best lotion ever. It will make your hands feel like silk. Thanks! Kim.

8. LOVE – I miss the love of my life. I am super excited to see him in two days. Here we are in 1997. We were engaged at the time.

9. LAKE POWELL – In 1993, we spent a week on a houseboat on Lake Powell. We did it again in 1995. It is the most relaxing vacation ever. The landscape was beautiful, and peaceful. I would suggest that you only do a Lake Powell Houseboat Vacation with people that you REALLY enjoy being with.

10. LUGGAGE – I am currently packing for an exciting trip. My luggage has seen a lot of action. It happens to be red.

11. LONGABERGER – I sell Longaberger and collect Longaberger baskets. I got hooked on Longaberger in 2000 and started selling in 2003. This set makes me happy. Mine sits in my kitchen. The top shelf holds a basket full of mail. The bottom basket is the snack basket.

12. LETTER – Guess it makes sense to include this word. I’m making my way through the alphabet every Thursday.

13. LIZARD – I have not mentioned McDaddy’s location on my blog. I can tell you though that these little scary nasty freakin gross boogers run wild. I AM NOT looking forward to seeing a lizard. The thought of seeing one of these makes me cringe. There is a really good chance that I will not make it back if one of these comes in contact with one of my body parts.

And how about this ugly thing? McDaddy reports they are all over the place too. Be afraid. Be very afraid. I am praying that God will spare me from seeing either of these while I’m there. Otherwise, I may have the big one.

Thanks to my facebook friends for offering up some great “L” words. I was pretty impressed and had to consult google to find out what ligase and lysosomes are.

Try these on for size.

Limburger, ligase, lysosome, Luci Swindoll, lithium (which I might need if I see either of those critters), level, lost, least, longevity, leftovers, letdown, lunch, and laughter.

Laughter. I like that. =)

It’s Thursday.

Time for the letter “K”

Let’s kick this thing off with one of my favorite “K” words.

1. KRIS ALLEN – Kris is my second favorite contestant on American Idol this season. On top of his singing ability, I think he is a cutie. He may replace Michael Phelps as my newest boyfriend (but please don’t tell his wife!)

2. KNEE – One day last year, I was talking with a group of friends about turning thirty. One of them made the mistake of mentioning to me that once you turn thirty you are not nearly as flexible as you are before you turn thirty. I then made the mistake of proving to her that she was wrong. As if I were still a 15-year old majorette, I went down into a full split, much to the surprise of my friends. Two days later, I found myself sitting in Exam Room #4 at my Doctor’s office needing anti-inflammatory medication and a pair of crutches.

3. KITCHEN - I don’t spend nearly enough time in mine as I should, especially since McDaddy is on a 6-month vacation, however, I love my kitchen and I think it is fabulous!

4. KLEENEX – I use lots and lots of tissues. And, I prefer a tissue that will withstand my powerful blow. Not every tissue is made the same. Generic tissues. They BLOW!

5. KEDS - Keds were such an important part of my teenage years. There was nothing better than a brand spankin’ new pair of white Keds. Ah, the memories.

6. KOHL’S - One of my favorite stores. I am in favor of any store that carries diamond earrings, a Leap Frog toy, a greeting card, a set of knives and a fabulous pair of sandals all in the same place.

7. KINDERGARTEN - Stevie loves Kindergarten. His first day was one of the hardest days of motherhood for me. Such a sweet, sweet boy! I get teary eyed just thinking about how quickly he is growing.

8. KETCHUP – I love ketchup. I will only eat fries that are dipped in ketchup. I eat ketchup on hamburgers and hot-dogs.

9. KISS – Oh, McDaddy I do miss you so! Nine more days….

10. KENTUCKY – McDaddy and I spent our first year of marital bliss in Flatwoods, Kentucky (Home of Billy Ray Cyrus). We lived in a beautiful, new, townhouse on Hamor Street. Our phone number was 836-8365.

11. KAY – My maiden name. When I got married I took my maiden name as a middle name which may or may not be legal. There is some conflict between the Social Security Office and the Vital Statistics Office as to what my legal name really is.

12. KAMME, KALLI, KIRKLEN – McDaddy’s sister has three children all with “K” names. They are all unique.

13. KIDS – I have two kids that I love dearly! My boys make me smile. (You might notice that Lightning McQueen is clinched tightly in his little hand even amongst the choas.)

How’s that for entertainment?

Happy Thursday Internets. I’m headed to Columbus for the Women of Faith conference this weekend.

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By the way – I’m hosting a give-away this week from DigitalRoom.Com. Go here to sign up for a free 16×20 poster print.

If you were Stevie’s Back-pack……

You’d look like this……

And…..
 
-You’d hang out on Stevie’s coat rack once you arrived home from school.
 
-You would sit in a cubby in Room 10 at Stevie’s Elementary School during the day.
 
-You’d be aggravated that the lunchbox bangs against you when Stevie walks with you on his back.
 
-You’d have a light jacket in you at all times so that Stevie will be prepared for cool, windy weather.
 
-You would have come home today with a ziplock bag full of items that the kids collected on a nature walk today.
 
-You would have a ring-side seat as kids had to pull tickets because of their bad behavior in Stevie’s class.
 
-You’d carry a nutritious snack to school every.single.day for snack time.
 
-You would have a new library book stuffed inside of you on Mondays.
 
-You would be inspected by me daily.
 
-You would be thrilled when the weekend got here cause you could get some much-needed rest.
 
-You’d have S-T-E-V-I-E-S-L-A-S-T-N-A-M-E written on your strap.

-You would be thankful that you were plucked from the rack at Wal-Mart by a little boy who loves you!

-You would get wiped down every week by the crazy lady that shares a house with you.

-You would chuckle that Stevie puts you on top of his head on rainy days.

-You would carry a pack of gummies everyday in case of a snack emergency.
 
-You would not be happy when you had to carry a 1/2 eaten banana or 1/2 eaten string cheese back home.
 
Aren’t you glad you’re not a backpack?

Welcome to my humble abode. I’m so glad you are here. If you are one of my eight loyal blog fans, I appreciate you and hope you learn something about me you don’t already know. If you are new here, I sure welcome you to visit any ole’ time. I love company.

For starters, this is my blog. I started blogging in June, 2006 for myself and 200 of my closest friends on mySpace. Back in November, 2008 I decided to take the bloggy plunge and join the blogosphere. That whole Inmates to Playdates thing up there, that’s all true. Before hanging up my handcuffs to be a stay-at-home-mom, I was an inmate counselor at a Regional Jail.

I am 35 and I am married to McDaddy who happens to be the most patient man on the planet. He is a control systems genius engineer and also a member of the WV Air National Guard. He is currently deployed for six months where he is diligently protecting our butts, our freedoms and whatever else needs protecting at his current location. I talk about him often here at Inmates and I so proud to be his wife. I miss him terribly. Oh, and did I mention he is hot!

I have a six year old son named Stevie. He is a cool kid who loves Thomas, Lightning McQueen, Monster Trucks and his beloved DS. He is one of the sweetest kids I’ve ever known and I’m not at all just saying that because he is mine. He is thoughtful, polite and loving. (He’s also very smart but I don’t want to sound like one of those mothers).

I also have a three year old son named Alex. He has two speeds. Asleep. And wide open. It is comical to watch him in action. He loves to run, jump, climb and bulldoze. He also likes Thomas, Lightning McQueen, Monster Trucks and his Leapster. He is sweet, independent and cute as a button.

My boys are the joy of my life and I am thankful for the privilege of being a [stay-at-home] mother. Even though I always thought I would have a daughter, I am thrilled that the boys are the best of friends and wonderful playmates.

As my tagline says, I am a self proclaimed princess who gave up a career in corrections for stay-at-home-mom royalty. I have a truck-load of quirks and I am gifted in the art of conversation. Just ask anybody. I enjoyed my time in jail very much but I enjoy motherhood even more. I have recently began working out and lost 25 pounds in 30 weeks. I love the Saturn Skyand Reality TV. I am also a Longaberger consultant and scrapbooker.

This blog is like a bag of chex mix. Sometimes you get a boring ole raisin and sometimes you get the M&M. Either way, it is my life.

I have talked at length about my funeral, the fun I had while riding in a police car and even pap smears.

Some days I talk about my sweet boys, my hubby or my Jesus.

I do hope you’ll stick around for awhile. Feel free to look around and enjoy my daily dose of crazy. Believe me, there is plenty to go around.

Oh, and at the end of the awesome Ultimate Blog Party sponsored by the gals over at Five Minutes For Mom, I’ll be giving away a Longaberger purse, so be sure and leave a comment on this post.

Thanks for stopping by and do have yourselves a lovely day!

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And the winner is……..

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

16

Timestamp: 2009-03-29 00:47:14 UTC

Congratulations, Beth! I will be contacting you by e-mail!

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My prize choices would be – #58 – Kitchen Aid Mixer sponsored by Mom’s Who Think, #123 – Kohl’s gift-card sponsored by The Grotto, #118 – Old Navy gift-card sponsored by Manic Mother, #103 – Surprise Box sponsored by Monkey’s Momma, #91 – Target Gift Card sponsored by Mummy Deals, #89 – Gift Card to Home Goods sponsored by HG Openhouse, #19 – Target gift card sponsored by Shoot Me Now.

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While I could launch into a tirade about my on again/off again relationship (literally) with Suddenlink, I have decided to stick to my original idea of posting Things I’ve Learned [About Boys] This Week.

You should know, however, that this information has been accumulating for the past six years. Because, really, I haven’t learned enough in one week to actually write a whole post. Unless of course, you are referring to my suddenlink experience. And, if that was the case, you should know that I’ve learned that our internet connection stinks and if I had any sense whatsoever, I would have totally contacted Verizon or any one of the other companies who would love to have my internet business and could provide reliable service. Instead, I spent the day letting the Suddenlink guy in and out of my house for the better part of 4 hours. Which also means that is another 4 hours of my life I can never get back that I have given [unwillingly] to the wonderful folks at Suddenlink.

But I’m not talking about that today.

Instead how about some things I’ve learned about kids.

1. When your child gets the bright idea to sip syrup through a straw at a restaurant, you should not allow it under any circumstances.

2. Just because your three year old has been accident free for a week in a Huggie pull-up, you should not assume he will be accident free in big boy underwear on day eight.

3. If your child hits his head and passes out he will probably not remember it. You, on the other hand will probably never forget it.

4.  A 6-year old will call you on it every! single! time!

5.  When potty training a little boy, aiming the gun is equally important as firing it.

6.  If you find yourself needing passport pictures for your six and three year old, M&Ms are a great incentive for getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

7. When their daddy is deployed to a far off land, it is not uncommon for the three year old to mention the fact and the destination to complete strangers.

8. If your three year old is like mine, he will scale to the top point of any object suitable for climbing in three seconds flat.

9.  Regardless of your effort, you cannot monitor their activities 24 hours a day. And, even if you could, you may not have any idea that what they are about to do could put them in danger of breathing trauma. [See #1] ahem!

10. When purchasing red Lightning McQueen Crocs for your three year old, you should be prepared to go to battle every morning or allow the wearing of the shoes.

You can thank me later.

Visit Musings Of A Housewife for other things people have learned this week.

Last week, Beth @ I Should Be Folding Laundry started a photography blog carnival. You Capture is a weekly photo challenge to become a better photographer. This week’s challenge was to capture something with perspective. To look at something differently.

Not sure if this is what Beth had in mind, but here is the shot I captured.

My sweet Alex is rarely seen without something in his hands. Most generally, it is a car of some kind. I would typically be focused on his face, but this time, I wanted to capture his hands. One of my favorite things about being a mommy is holding this sweet little hand in mine.

Head on over to Beth’s place to see other perspectives.

Although I could present you with a post about any number of topics, I have decided to put them on a shelf and save them for a rainy day.

Or a snowy day as the case may be.

After all it is February. In West Virginia.

I had my annual annoyance appointment on Friday and it was too good to pass up. Tell me, what better topic is there to discuss than my trip to the gynecologist.

Yes. You heard right.

To my male readersMcDaddy: You can feel free to exit this post at anytime. I will promise though that I won’t go into great detail about the torture tool, the stirrups or the personal events that take place when one must have THAT examined. All I will say is that its pushed, prodded, poked and papped.

I promise that’s all I’ll say about that.

After navigating my way through the parking garage to an elevator, across a cat-walk, onto another elevator, stepping outside onto the sidewalk, going back into the hospital, down a long corridor, through a waiting room, into another elevator, onto the second floor and finally entering the newly decorated office, I found myself even more annoyed than normal because her last office required two easy steps – parking (for free) and entering her office.

There was something in her “we’re separating” letter about “dreaming of an all-female practice,” and “convenient to labor and delivery rooms,” – but what she failed to mention was that I would need to be armed with a map, $3.00 for parking and an extra thirty minutes to get to and from my vehicle.

An organized woman with a strong will and a sharpie could revolutionize that hospital. There HAS GOT TO BE an easier way.

Anywho.  [side note: Did you know there re people who can't stand that word?]

After arriving twenty minutes late because the hospital only had seven parking spots (which were all reserved for Doctors), the gal at the window informed me that the Doctor would see me in spite of my being late.

Are you freakin’ kidding me?

My mind immediately went to last year’s visit. I waited two hours to be seen by the Doctor only to have the nurse inform me that she would not be able to see me that day because she was delivering a baby. I had to reschedule for the next week.  Which happened to be a huge inconvenience.

So, yeah, I was taken aback by the whole “she will see you in spite of being late” thing.

Whatever.

As I sat in the office trying to get my blood pressure to return to a normal level, I silently prayed that my sweet Alex would cooperate during the exam.

Yes. You heard correctly.

Me + Alex + GYNO Visit = Possible disaster

I had already bribed him with watching a movie in the van on the way home if  he behaved and cooperated.

When it was my turn, the nurse took me back and gave me instructions to strip down. She reported that the Doctor would see me shorty. I stripped down behind the curtain while Alex examined every piece of equipment in the exam room. After wriggling into the hospital gown, I emerged from the curtain and took my spot on the examination table and placed the white sheet over my legs.

Seconds after getting myself situated my sweet Alex looked up at me and said the dreaded words.

“Mommy, I need to go to potty.”

Sweet hallelujah. You have got to be kidding me.

After quickly weighing both options in my mind, I grabbed my pants, pulled them on and threw the sheet around my shoulders. We scurried to the restroom three doors down and made it just in time for Alex to empty his bladder. We rushed back to the exam room without being seen. I pulled off my pants, breathed a sigh of relief and took my spot back on the examination table. I started through the whole ”When the Doctor comes in, I need you stay right by my side and hold my hand while the Doctor takes a look at my leg” spill.

We sat there another ten minutes or so while I answered the 419 questions he had about things in the room. He paused, looked up at me again and said, “Mommy, I need to go poo-poo in the potty.”

Oh! My! Word!

Not again.

Yes again.

So, I repeated the pulling on of the pants, the draping of the sheet and we ran down the hallway. I was fearful we would not make it in time. He jumped on the potty, did his business rather quickly and we returned to the exam room.

Thankfully, my Doctor came in before Alex could decide he had more business to conduct in the potty. My Doctor, (who by the way looks like a Barbie Doll) is cute, friendly, and personable. I like her a lot.

As promised I will not delve further into the actual excavation, but, I will say that the conversation during the procedure always amuses me.  Here I am stretched out in all my glory and we’re discussing Lightning McQueen and Mater. And since that conversation was right up Alex’s alley, he stayed right beside of me while the Doctor “checked on my leg.” I could not have  asked for a better child that day.

Pap smears and potty fears.

Welcome to my world!

Just So You Know is a monthly letter to my boys.

To: My 2 Sweet Boys

From: Your Mama

Date: January 23, 2009

Re: Just So You Know

Dear Boys: January has been an exciting month at our house. We are gearing up for daddy’s six-month “vacation.” I would do anything to change the situation, but, it looks like it is going to happen, so let’s get this party started. Once we know for sure when daddy is leaving, we will count out an M&M for everyday that daddy will be gone and we’ll put them in a jar. Then, at the end of everyday ya’ll can get one out and eat it. That way it will be easy for you to see how many days daddy has left before he comes home. We will try to make this as fun as possible. I do think ya’ll will triple love the web-cam that daddy installed too. [Lord, help us!]

The electronic devices that go by Leapster and DS that you received for Christmas have sure found a great home. Ya’ll aggravate the snot out of us wanting to play them. Please be advised that me and daddy will never let you sit and play those things all day long. It’s not healthy and it’s not good for your eyes either.

For some reason, you guys are on a Monster Truck kick. Not sure why, but it’s kind of neat to see you play with something other than Lightning McQueen and his pals. [ahem!]

Oh, and can we please give “I Want A Dog For Christmas Charlie Brown” a rest. Pretty Puh-lease. The two of you can recite the whole thing and while it is quite comical, it is getting old. That, and it is almost February. So, it’s probably a pretty safe that if they haven’t gotten the dog by now, I doubt they’ll get one. Isn’t it time for “Can I Get A Valentine, Charlie Brown?”

I do enjoy watching you guys watch that “new” show, “Tom and Jerry” though. You laugh just as hard as you did the first time you watched it. It is really great entertainment and can put a smile on my face no matter what kind of mood I am in!

Dear Stevie: Now that you are six, you claim that you are braver, that you can run faster and that you are taller. You are a happy child with many intriguing questions. I am constantly amazed at the way your mind works. My hope for you is that you are always as happy as you are at this very time in your life. Six is a fun year and it looks good on you, kiddo.

You are a sweet boy who loves school. You have learned to read and you impressed Mrs. F. when you read an entire book to her in class even though she had never read the book to the class. You can’t imagine how proud I was (am) of you.

When asked what you want to be when you grow up, you reply ‘a helper for daddy’. That makes daddy smile. You are his favorite helper. I know he will miss you something fierce while he is away.

Your favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, poptarts and the new fancy poptarts that you love, ‘toaster strudels’. Just because the strudels have fruit in them, that does not make them healthy, so please understand that you cannot eat them for every meal. It is necessary to balance your diet with something other than strawberry strudels and smores poptarts.

You are a joy and I’m glad you’re mine.

Love, Mommy

Dear Alex Famous Race Car:

This month you have informed us that your name is no longer Alex. You have changed your name to that ‘famous race car named Lightning McQueen’. I just wish famous race-cars were as fast at picking toys up and learning to use the potty as they are at running and jumping. For now though we will deal with your identity change. It is sweet to watch you use your imagination.

Child, whatever your name is, please hear me when I say it is time that you learn to use the potty. We’ve both enjoyed a much-needed break from potty training, and I’m sorry to say that in the words of Nike, it’s time to ‘Just Do It’. Seriously, it’s time. It is a new year and it’s time for a new start. So, I would appreicate your cooperation. Famous racecars who turned three years old in November, are so ready to use the potty. Trust me on this one. You are doing great, but I need for you to TELL ME when you need to go. You cannot always wait on me to take you. I am old and forgetful, so I will need your help.

We have seen a huge change in your attitude and patience over the past few months.. Wow! We are so very proud of you. I love to hear you say “sanks” [thanks] and “fanks, Daddy.” Three is agreeing you with nicely and I’d love to keep you here for a very long time. You are also much better at sharing with “Steebie.” I am glad that you and Stevie have eachother. You are like 2 peas in a pod. When the two of you are playing together, sometimes I just sneak back to your bedroom to listen to you talk to eachother.

Your favorite foods are poptarts, lunchables and green beans. You also like to share “bibcuts and grabey” [biscuits and gravy] with mommy at Tudors after we drop Stevie off at school.

You are a sweet boy, famous race car. I love you very much!

Love, Mommy