Things kids say....

Some humor to lighten up the day...

When my daughter was little we were in the car going somewhere. And she started a conversation regarding what it meant to be a hero. This was around the time of 9/11. I tried to explain that heroes were ordinary people that did extra-ordinary things when the time called for it. To which she responded, "I would like to be a hero, but there is no way I am wearing my underpants outside my pants".

My good friends Jorge and Sara have two beautiful kids. Melina is the handful... Here is a FB quote from them that had me rolling: Me trying to encourage Melina: I say "Melina, you can be anything you want to be." With a big grin, she responds, "I can't be a purple unicorn that poops pretty butterflies." [bends over and grunts a little].

I was traveling home on the airplane and was listening to my iPod. The little kid next to me asked me what I was listening to. I said Led Zeppelin... Little kid, my Dad cries when the dog dies in that story...

Standing in crowded line with my daughter at the grocery store when she was 7 or 8. "Dad, can't believe you just did that. That really smells..." And no, I didn't do anything... Honest.

Laugh every day, for life is meant to be enjoyed!

Overparenting

Lil John is 19 month old today... Perhaps I failed to mention that he was born at 8:08 pm on 8-8-08. No it wasn't planned that way! Trust me...

We are fortunate enough that Camille can stay at home with him as her classes are at night, but we also knew it would be good for him to be around other kids and interact and learn. Daycare wasn't needed or required, so Camille took the time to look at some alternatives... which lead us to a Little Sprouts program at the City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis. John loves the time in the school, around the other kids and parents that are actively involved in the process.

Since work prevents me from attending the classes, I pour through all the information they send home to learn about his experiences and understand the philosophies. Recently, they shared an article on Overparenting that was published by Time Magazine. The magazine talked about helicopter parents that fly in, protect and fight all the battles for the kids. Here is a link to the article.http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1940395,00.html

As parents, we want the best for our kids, for them to be safe, and for them to be the best at everything we weren't. I think it is critical we all take a step back, breathe, and let our kids be kids. If we don't allow them to learn from their mistakes, to get the bruises of life, how will they ever survive college or worse, corporate America? Our kids need to learn to problem solve, to get themselves out of jams and be aware of what's happening around them. If I respond to John's groan every time a ball gets stuck under the chair, soon his reaction is to sit and complain until I solve his issue. Instead, I encourage him and help him solve the issues at hand so he learns. We want our kids to be strong, independent, make decisions and most importantly weigh the consequences of those decisions. Flying in, solving the problem, only hurts our children in the long run... let them learn!

Fast, friendly food

I know that this is typically the recipe posting day, but I wanted to change it up a little bit and talk about types of food. There is a push right now for organics and local food - and I have to say, I am in agreement. Our budget doesn't allow for all organic all the time, and our lifestyle doesn't allow for all fast food to be eliminated. From December on, I've been more intentional about getting the crap out and the good stuff in and it has made a difference, not just on our grocery bill, but on our mindset.

Our non-negotiated items are milk, eggs, chicken and cereal. Those are the items we eat every week, so we want them to be as pure as possible. A gallon of organic and local milk cost me $3.79 at our local good foods store, and it is yummy milk (3 year old approved). And the local farmer's market provides us fresh eggs and veggies year round. There is nothing like fresh pico de gallo, you know? yum. So I'll leave you with that recipe and encourage you to buy organic if you can - the wax free pepper and tomato are nice to chop up.

Pico de gallo

4 organic roma tomatoes washed and chopped
1 organic green pepper chopped
1/4 C organic white onion chopped
1/8 C cilantro chopped extra fine
1 T lemon or lime juice

Mix together and enjoy :)

The Book Thief

I am in this book right now, and I can't put it down. I get so irritated when I fall asleep reading it, because it is that good. Death is our narrator during holocaust Germany. It is riveting, sad, touching, read, poignant, and a touch humorous, but all in good taste.

The language is thought provoking and the style whimsical, and yet meaningful - much like our narrator. Zusak has captivated me in a few short pages, so I can only imagine what my review will be like when I am finished. I'll let you know :).

Growns up

There is my baby talking to his best friend on the phone about Mario Kart, Webkinz, and Pokemon...time flits and flutters by in a gale force wind.

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

I liked my teachers. Hard to believe since I now am one, heh. Mr. D was my Senior AP gov teacher. Unfortunately for him, I was his TA. Every day I would pour my angst with the world out on his desk as he tried to grade papers. Finally, one day Mr. D said, "Julie, be like Peter Pan and fly." I so flippantly said, "What?" like "You're nuts, D." and Mr. D, in his most controlled but annoyed voice said, "Think happy thoughts and fly."

So I left. I am a quick study on voice inflections, but his message eluded me until years later. The simplicity of this world eludes us. Our human traits get in the way of, really, a pretty nice way of life. It wasn't until after college when I heard about Mr. D's battle with cancer that I thought to that day and recognized the lesson in the frustration.

Stop thinking and judging the world, Julie, and live. Fly. Be happy.

Fast forward to my own boys.

Drew is a serious kid with a need to know all details all the time. He is also one that will go critical faster than I can spin around and go Peter Pan on him. He, like Jane from Finding Neverland sometimes needs the reminding that it is good to be a kid. It is good to laugh with abandon, to relax around the little bro, and let life come. He sometimes needs to reminder to have faith, trust and Pixie dust. When I saw this vinyl banner at bpboutique.com, I wished for a place in my house to put it. Perhaps it is at the bottom of the stairs by the family room. It is a good reminder for all of us that indeed, sometimes we need to lighten up.

Mr. D. lost his battle with cancer, and I cried the day I found out. I had always wanted to tell him what a difference his frustrated comment made - but I never took the chance, always leaning on tomorrow...but, indeed, he impacted my life in a way that is impacting my kids - all for the better - all for the good.

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust - it is an underlying value at the Brock house. One in which we can build laughter, love, and pure joy, which is a solid foundation in my book.

Oh the Technology Irony

I have a ton of technology. This is a side effect of being married to my husband. He likes technology. He likes gadgets, games, and gizmos. As a whole, I like the benefits that come with being married to a technology lover. For our first Christmas together, I received one of the first mp3 players - that's right, it was the size of a house and could hold, WHHHHAAAAAA? oh yea, 16 songs. I. Was. Cool.

So when Randy decided he wanted a Droid for his birthday/Christmas gift, I was all for it. When we decided we could upgrade my phone as well? Well, I was excited to say the least. Finally I would have my technology in my fingertips. I would have my calendar, web, texts, EVERYTHING in my hand. Oh sweetness of the world, mama LIKES streamlining.

However, the technology is only as good as the person entering it. So when my droid rang it's hot "droid" ring and reminded me that this was my week for blogging? Heh, it reminded me on MONDAY instead of SATURDAY. So here I am, 12.5 hours late on my post...and I have nothing to say other than, "Doh!" in my best Homer voice.