The Armadillo Tales

Firemen!

The other day after I picked up the armadillo from school, I was still feeling sick and in no mood to go to the park.   Therefore to make up for that I decided to take the boys out for some yogurt.   There is a yogurt place near the house.   The yogurt is so-so.    Afterwards we  hit the dollar store for some stickers.   The armadillo likes to "pretend" that stickers are his band-aids.   He layers them on his fingers and proceeds to show me his "owies".   

As we were leaving and I was putting the boys in their car seats I heard a loud noise in the parking lot.   It sounded like a big truck.   The armadill saw it and yelled "Fire truck mommy!  Fire truck!".  I turned around and sure enough it was a fire truck.    Fortunately it turned up our lane.   As the fire truck was driving towards us the armadillo yelled, "Hi fire truck!   Hi fire truck!".   The armadillo was not yet strapped in his seat and was hanging off the back seat looking through the open back hatch.   The fire men in the truck heard him and they stopped the truck.  They looked out the windows and waved back to the armadillo.    Firemen were waving and saying hello to my armadillo.   Did you read that? 

F-I-R-E-M-E-N!   Wowee!    I don't know who was more excited, me or the armadillo.     Before we reached home I think I asked the armadillo if he was thrilled at seeing the fire truck and fire men several times.   The last time I asked him I think he was a bit exasperated and replied, "(sigh) Yeeessss mommy".   

Underoos Under-who?

They think he's ready.   Ready for what?  Hold on to your hats ... the armadillo's school suggested that the armadillo start using underwear.   "Really?" I said in shock.    The armadillo's teacher told me that he asks to go #1 in the potty and that he's been doing it twice every school day.   Whoa ...    Okay, he's ready but am I?   I know, awful thought, but am I ready to be at his beck and call everytime he needs to go?    What if I'm eating my ice cream sandwich and he needs to go #1, do I stop?    Why yes, of course I do.   Sure my ice cream melts but I figure it's better than cleaning up a wet soiled undewear and pants.   Right?

Now it's off to my favorite store, Tar-jay and look for the underwear that does not have that awful whiny spongy guy printed on it.

Photo credit: Target 

Whew I'm Not the Only One ...

On Babble, an online magazine and community for parents, there was a recent article on the dilema of a mother being friends of the mother of a child she can't stand.   This mother adores her mommy friend, but the child is somewhat of a different story.   It's a relief to see that someone else feels this way.   I have a mommy friend whom I adore.   She is also someone that I can talk openly with about anything, I can yell at the armadillo in front of her and not feel ashamed.    She is someone that I feel comfortable with and enjoy spending time with.  Her little boy though is a different story.   

He is close in age to the armadillo and they have known each other since before they were walking.   He is a sweetheart, sweet like candy.     But when he and the aramdillo get together, he seems more like a bad apple.   This little boy pushes, hits, steals and terrorizes my armadillo.    Sometimes to the point where he is chasing the armadillo around, while my armadillo is screaming "NO!".    I do not feel comfortable disciplining someone else's child.   It's not my place.  I'll only do it if his mommy is not around, but I still don't feel at ease doing it.     My friend does her best at disciplining, she really does, but he still insists on acting out.    I can't help but feel sorry for her sometimes.   I see other parents give a disapproving look when he misbehaves.    Then I feel protective of my mommy friend and tend to give stinky looks back to these people, as if saying, "What's that look for?  You don't know who she is ... you don't know her child ... like your child doesn't misbehave ... ever!".       But then, maybe if I was in their place I would have done the same thing.   I hate that. 

The boys are older now and the armadillo is now somewhat taking a stand against these appalling behaviors.     But they still occur.     I don't see my mommy friend too much anymore.   What with the distance, she moved, and the additions to the families, it gets harder and harder to get together.      

But there's no rule saying that I can't get together with my mommy friend sans kids.  I think I'll call on her to get together for lunch.   I think we can manage that. 

Photo credit: Babble

What's With the Attitude?

Ugh, what is with this attitude Mr. Armadillo?    My dear son, whom I love with my whole heart is causing me to go ballistic every day.    Who turned on the bossy attitude button?   Lately his favorite words are "I don't want to" or "No" or "No go away".   I am becoming highly distressed at his recent inability to listen to what I tell him.   I'm close to my wits end.   Nothing seems to work ... timeouts, removal of toys, etc ...     He's just gets more feisty.

When did my affectionate armadillo turn into an agressive armadilo?    Gotta watch those teeth ... ouch!

Charity or Alternative Motive?

Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto offered eight of his twenty luxury homes to Native Hawaiian families to live.    This arrangement involves his homes in the lavish Kahala neighborhood on the island of Oahu.   These families will live in the homes rent-free for up to 10 years.   I believe the families are responsible for their own utility bills.     Sounds nice, but why not just sell some of your twenty million dollar homes and give the money to charities?    What happens after 10 years?  Do you kick them out?    Where will these families go then?   

There are some skeptics, of course.   Some believe that Mr. Kawamoto was trying to decrease the property values in the neighborhood to buy more Kahala homes.   Others deem that he is trying to upset the community due to previous disagreements.

However I shouldn't critize.   At least someone is doing something.   It's better than nothing.

To learn more about Mr. Kawamoto's program click here.

Photo credit: The Honolulu Advertiser

Friends

As my armadillo spends more time at school he makes new friends constantly.    I LOVE that.    Wowza.   I LOVE that.   This morning when I dropped him off at school his new friend, a very sweet boy, ran up to him and asked him to play with basketball.   He approached the armadillo and ever so slightly touched his hand.  Inviting him to take part in throwing some balls.    I got such a warm feeling seeing this.  I also thing that the armadillo was delighted as well.   They both ran off and got a couple of basketballs and ran to the hoops.   

Yes, my decision to send the armadillo to school at this age is definitely getting positive support on a continual basis.    He thrives on the interaction with other children his age.  I am so pleased he is flourishing.   

Not Again

Today Democratic Presidential nominee John Edwards announced that his wife, Elizabeth is once again fighting the reappearance of cancer.   It is heartbreaking to hear that she is sick again.  I have read her book, Saving Graces, and absolutely loved it.   Her story details the ups and downs she faced from childhood to the death of their only son in a car accident.   It is a must read.   

Nominee John Edwards has confirmed that he will continue his campaign despite the personal setback.    Having read her book I've come to admire Mrs. Edwards and her never ending quest for finding strength and optimism in times of hopelessness.   I would like to offer Mrs. Edwards my support and to let her know that she is in my thoughts.

Photo credit: Yahoo

Aranzi

If I was brave enough to order internationally, I'd be all over the items featured at Aranzi's online shop.   I adore everything listed.    Check it out and tell me if you order something!   

What Team am I Going to Hate Now?

Okay, I'm a week behind in my TIVO recordings so I only just got win that the team I love to hate has been eliminated from the Amazing Race: All Stars.    Now what am I going to do?   Who am I going to root against?  It's a shame that Rob and Amber were eliminated so early.    I think I would have love for them to come in second and have Uchenna and Joyce beat them again like in Season 7.     That would have been more satisfying to watch than have them come in last, after the Charla and Mirna.   Those two women are like firecrackers, irritating but amusing to watch.    

TIVO didn't pick up the most recent episode because Battlestar Galactica ran for 1 hour and 3 minutes, which pushed aside my Amazing Race: All Stars.    What crap.

Photo credit: Amazing Race: All Stars

15 Minute Stretch

I can't believe it but I spent a record breaking 15 minutes at my favorite store, Target.    I love everything about that store and for me to spend less than an hour there is definitely something noteworthy.   I wasn't going to go there at all today but I had to pick up the armadillo's allergy medicine prescription and our family pharmacy is of course at Target.     Since the weather has been somewhat warmer here the pollen count has exploded.   We are all suffering to some degree.   Itchy watery eyes, sneezing, etc ... are part of our now daily woes.     Thus it's time to get the armadillo back on his allergy meds routine.     Since I am no longer eithe pregnant or nursing I can take something as well.  I'm trying some Claritin-D so we'll see how it goes.   

But getting back to the bullseye, I am such a regular at that store that even the cafe guy recognizes me ...

Cafe guy: "Hi. Can I help you?"

Me: "Yes please.   Large soda and six sugar cookies.   That's it."

Cafe guy: "Ah, your usual huh?"

Me: (somewhat embarrassed) "Um, yes please."