Irene

"Irene," means "Peace". At least to some... A hurricane about to strike, I spent the better part of 11 hours warning Jax of the dangers of venturing outside during a hurricane... especially one named "Irene". (See the thing is... I already know a hurricane named "Irene" - see left).

After varied conversations about falling trees, crazy winds and flying branches - I took Jax to bed. But not without the usual forty-five minutes of banter. "Mommy, flying branches can't get me" (because I'm a superhero). "Mommy Irene is bad? evybody ok?"

But the one, THAT MADE MAMA's day, was the one that summed up my feelings on the matter exactly:

"Mommy, may I put my raincoat on and jump in the puddles?"

I'm quite certain there are people that didn't fare as well as we did in this storm. At the end of the night... after sleepy talks about giant puddles and colossal raindrops on our heads, we said: "Pease god, make sure evybody OK".

Imagination

I don't remember the last time I fell asleep in my own bed. Actually, come to think of it - I have trouble falling asleep without a certain little one telling me tales.
Jackson is a 'first born' for sure. His sister (god bless her sweet little heart), drinks her milk, lays in bed.. and with a couple of soft swipes across the tush, she's out. But Mr. Man needs a little more cajoling.

We read books. Mostly about bugs. "Dat bug mommy he has yatta yegs" (caterpillar). "Dat bug mommy, ew gross. He has poopie on him" (brown bugga). "Dat bug mommy, oh I yuve him". (Spider).

Then we rock. What used to be (to the tune of twinkle twinkle) "nonny nonny nonny boy, he's a nonny nonny boy, nonny nonny little boy, nonny nonny baby boy.." - you get the point, is now sung with mommy in place of anywhere boy went. *heart meltz* (Is he rocking me??) As an added joy, "Jackson" when referred to by name and mostly because of this song, tells us...: "NOT JACKSON, ME A BOY". I digress.

A few nights ago during the usual bedtime madness, rocking - - Jackson said "mommy, I see a moyocycle.. in my eye". Huh, wtf is he talking about now?? Then: "Mommy, I see Buzz and Woody in my eye." "Mommy, I see many choo choo, in my eye."

And. this. is. what. I. live. for.

Me: "Jackson, that's your imagination." Jax: "I yuve my magination."

Silly girl

Juju thinks it's hilarious when I tell her no. TROUBLE.

Soccer with my little love

Poll Time

Dog Days Are Over

Try A Little Tenderness

Tenderness..... We all know the feeling of receiving, but how do you teach this? A tender kiss on a boo boo. A tender I love you. A tender tickle to the face.

Jax is two and a half. Juju is nearly one. He Loves her. She LOVES him. But "HoWW" do I teach him tenderness. I suppose I am really, Just. Not. Sure. I get concerned when he's rough or does something "not-tender" (to put it politelty) but in the meantime, I just try and show him how nice "TENDERNESS" feels.

-The "love buggies". The come here and there to tickle Jackson's face (TENDERLY). "Oh - guess who's here... THE LOVE BUGGIES". He immediately lays on the floor in preparation of the impending tickle.
-Boo boo kissies - no need to elaborate.
-Song. It calms the mood. It sets the tone. Bottom Line. Tender songs seal the deal for calm behavior. When in doubt - sing a song.

The ones that work for us:
-Sea of Love
-In My Life
-Everyday
-Ripple
-But who really cares. Sing what works.

And then all of a sudden, just when doubt is filling your mind... Little guy (girl) runs up, flips their arms up in your face....... and rubs you oh. so. gentle. on your cheeks. gives you a kiss. and throws their arms around you. And you hope and you pray that the tenderness will stay. Forever. Forever. Forever.

And this hope only makes You, all the more tender.