Thursday, February 18, 2010

Bathroom Humor


The situation in the Spencer boys' bathroom has reached critical mass!  I've written before about the little boy pee that somehow, mysteriously, magically is not in the porcelain receptacle that it should be quarantined in.  I've awakened in recent nights to the sound of a child staggering like a drunken sailor to the hall bathroom to use the facilities. (I might add here that my boys have NEVER wet their beds.  A miracle that has not gone unnoticed by their Mama who is NOT prone to being a ray of sunshine in the morning.)  When I should be hearing the distinctive sound of potty hitting the water in the toilet, I hear nothing.  Nada.  Which can only mean one thing.....the toilet opening is woefully inadequate for my children and should be enlarged to the size of, oh, a SWIMMING POOL to ensure that their pee actually makes it into its intended target!

To combat the germs that must surely be having a frat party in that petri dish we call the boys' bathroom, I've placed Clorox Clean Up wipes in the bathroom for the boys to use when their aim is off or they get distracted or if they just get a hankering to make the bathroom shine like the top of the Chrysler Building.  And I must say, things are better.  The boys have gotten into the spirit of keeping their space "fresh and clean."  Miracles DO happen.

Now that the potty issues are relatively in control (until Kai starts to potty train, have mercy) I've focused my rage at the copious amounts of Sponge Bob Square Pants electric blue toothpaste that is decorating the sink, counter top and wall.  I marched Owen into the bathroom yesterday and demanded that he scrub and scrub like Cinderella (a comparison he didn't quite understand given the fact that he is a boy with no sisters and doesn't have a clue what a Disney princess is) until no traces of toothpaste remained.


I left him in the bathroom, confident that he would be there until next week because toothpaste has a way of turning to mortar if left for more than a few minutes.  As I walked past the bathroom I heard heavy breathing and some muttering.  Alarmed, I listened closer and heard something that reminded me how lucky I am to be the mother of these three crazy boys.

With a voice as menacing as he could muster, while scrubbing vigorously, I heard him saying....
"Alright tough guy....
I've got you."

Owen was reading the riot act to those crusted on blobs of toothpaste!  He was whooping some blue toothpaste booty, not taking any prisoners and giving it the what-for!  

Sure enough, the bathroom was sparkling clean when he walked out of there with a satisfied grin.  Mission accomplished, a child's imagination in tact and a Mama taking the time to have a much needed laugh while savoring the sayings of a precocious 4 year old.  It makes those minty blue blobs almost worth it.  Almost.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

School is Canceled Along With My Sanity

Prince William County Public School System has canceled another day of school as a result of the Snowpocalypse of 2010.  This makes almost two weeks with no school. 

Apparently some dude in a suit rocked back in his administrative chair, smoking a cigar and decided that because it smelled like snow, or it was too white outside, or I don't know what, he figured that instead of instructing our children and giving us parents back our sanity, it was better that our children remain at home until all 30 inches of snow has melted from our lives or we've been carted from our homes to the looney bin, grateful for the chance at some quiet in our padded room.......whichever comes first.

Can he possibly fathom what is happening to my impressionable young student?  Drew's brain must be turning to mush.  Brain cells just dropping like flies with every episode of Sponge Bob.  I'm certain of it.  Why else would we be having conversations like this?

"Mom, can you please open the bathroom for me?"  
(Only those older than 30 are able to open our Kai-proofed doors.  We've removed the door knobs altogether.)
"Sure, Drew.  Give me just a few moments."
"How much is a few?"
"About 2-3."
"How long is a moment?"
"About 2 minutes."
"So you'll be here in about 4-5 minutes?"
"Yes."
"How many seconds is that?"
"About 240."
"So you'll be here in exactly 240 seconds?"
"Yep."
"That is too long!" 

I could just feel the life force being sucked out of me with each new question. 

Luckily I had enough life left in me to open the bathroom door within the 240 second time frame.  But I just couldn't resist the golden opportunity of saying to Drew, "Don't forget to wash your hands for exactly 500 seconds after you go to the bathroom."

A few minutes later I heard the sound of running water and 24....25....26.....27.......

I love him.  I really, really love him.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Snow Days, Snow Days These Are....

Wednesday  02.03.10
Another school day canceled and book club luncheon (and gab fest) postponed.

Snow ice cream devoured by boys and neighbors. Tasting very sweet with a hint of something else....don't worry, it wasn't yellow snow.  It just had a unique "organic" taste in the background.

A fire, warm and crackling, to thaw out chilled toes and fingers.


Popcorn picnics in their jammies watching "Ice Age:  Dawn of the Dinosaurs."

Nachos for lunch with a side of hot chocolate topped with canned whipped cream (or a "squirt" as Owen calls it).

Dinner by candlelight (because candles have a calming affect on my boys and by that time I needed some calm).

A flyover by an Uncle piloting a Huey from Andrew's Air Force Base, circling our house like we were fugitives (those under 5 feet qualify, in my opinion)....my boys have TWO helicopter pilot Uncles.  They feel like the coolest kids around.  And they are. 

Friday  02.05.10

Then the BIG ONE hit.  The "snowpocalypse" as it has been called.  Over 2 feet of snow dumped on us in the space of 30 hours.  We (but mostly Jay) shoveled our 200+ foot driveway 8 times.  He certainly gets my vote for the strongest most hard working man around. Hefting around snow and kids is a lot of work!