You can't Kill Monsters with Logic

     Caleb is scared of monsters, as most 5 year olds are. He is convinced they live in the quiet corners of our house waiting to eat him when he enters a room alone. The thought of entering my bedroom to get a diaper for Clark as I wait in the living room reduces him to tears. This is frustrating for me because he is my slave, and I need him to fetch and carry for me all day! =)                                                 


 

    I have tried the blunt truth: "Caleb, there are no monsters."

 

 

    I have tried logic: "Caleb, I have been alive for a long time and I have never seen a monster. I'm not even very strong.... they would have eaten me by now if they were real."

 

 

    Yesterday, we even experimented: I put Clark on the floor in the middle of my room. Caleb and I retreated down the hall and announced, "Free baby! Come and get a delicious baby!" Sure enough, no monsters came out and ate Clark. (I can't decide if this experiment proves I am a smart mom or a bad mom.)

 

 

    Caleb seemed pretty convinced by the results of our experiment. We enjoyed a monster-free day. Today, unfortunately, the monsters are back. It goes to show that truth, logic, and scientific experimentation are no match against the power of imagination.

Dinosuar Teeth and UFO's

Anderson motioned me over while he was looking through a toy catalogue today. He pointed to a collection of 'authentic-looking' dinosaur teeth. "This is what I'm going to get you for Christmas," he said.

 "Wow!" I managed to reply with a straight face.

 "Yep" he said.  "But, I don't have any money, so you'll have to get me some."

So, not only do I get to be the owner of dinosaur teeth, but I get to spend $29.95 of my own money to become one.

Later today, Anderson ran into the room yelling, "Flying Saucer! Flying Saucer! Get the video camera! Quick!"  

I asked him if he thought the noise we were hearing from outside was his 'flying saucer.' It was really only a street sweeper truck. "Aw man!" he said as he slumped his shoulders and walked out.

My boy is growing up too fast. So, it makes me happy that he is still young enough to choose dinosaur teeth as a gift and believes that filming a UFO is a realistic possibility.

I pity the Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy works overtime for the Harris family. Not only does she come for lost teeth, but
she also comes at Halloween. We have arranged for her to pay the boys five cents for every piece of Halloween candy they leave out for her at night. Anderson is highly motivated to earn money and leaves quite a bit. Caleb leaves enough to prevent the tooth fairy from feeling insulted by his lack of participation.

I feel sorry for the Tooth Fairy, though. I imagine that she intends to store this candy away and use it later, one piece at a time, to reward good little children. But, I bet she stares at this candy all day when the children are at school. I bet she feels her self-control slipping. Before she knows it, her lips are smeared with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Starburst wrappers (mostly the red and orange ones) litter the floor around her. Poor Tooth Fairy! She’s going to have to pull out her larger pair of wings.

If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

I have been comparing Clark to photos of Anderson and Caleb as babies. They all look so much alike! I had better start labeling photos!

Here's a game for you: Name that Baby. Submit your answers as a comment. The winner gets to label baby photos for me. =) Good Luck!

Baby 1

Baby 2

Baby 3

Let's Bust Some Mutton!

Caleb and Anderson came home from the County Fair with "Mutton Busting" ribbons. What is mutton busting? It is similar to bull riding, but instead of a bull, you ride sheep. Check out this awesome video of fearless Caleb bustin' some mutton:

First Day of School: 2011

School has started, and the boys have both adapted really well.

My boys have such different personalities: Anderson focused all his energy on starting Second Grade; for weeks beforehand, he was thinking about it, talking about it, and full of "what if" scenarios. Caleb approached his first day of Kindergarten like he approaches most new things: no worrying, and an easy-going attitude. He just walked into his classroom without a look behind him.

I know in life that Anderson will always think things through and be prepared. I know that Caleb will never stress whether he is prepared or not. Both are great qualities.