Poor Man

We were driving home from camp when Abigail spotted a man on the side of the road. "Awhhhhh, that poor man.  He doesn't have a car.  That's so sad."  I replied, "Abigail, he's taking a walk."

Toy

Aunt Kee-Kee gave Big Daddy a Strawberry Shortcake doll that came in a McDonald's Happy Meal.  He brought it home and gave it to Abigail.  She was very happy because she and Donny had recently watched the Strawberry Shortcake movie. Donny was very upset because he didn't get a toy.  We tried to explain to him that it was just a little toy that happened to come with his cousin's lunch.  Donny has never been to McDonald's so he didn't really understand.  He finally came to me and asked, "Mama, will you go to Old McDonald's and get me a toy?"  I felt bad for laughing because he was so serious.

Dress Code

Apparently I missed the dress code memo for dinner tonight. While I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, Donny came to the dinner table in wearing a jacket and tie.  He also brought a phone so he didn't miss a call from a secret agent.

Soccer Practice

Bath

Big Daddy made Donny's day when he dumped bubble bath in the pool. Donny had so much fun playing in the bubbles. Abigail watched from the deck and thought it was great.

What To Wear

Another day, another moring of fighting with the kids about what they are going to wear to camp.  My lovely daughter refuses to put clothes on and my dear son refuses to take them off.  Donny wanted to wear jeans with shorts over them,  so the "air can flow through",  a long sleeved t-shirt with a buttondown shirt over the t-shirt.  It took me twenty minutes to talk him out of the outfit he wanted to wear.  We finally came up with an outfit we both liked.  Meanwhile, Abigail refused to wear a pair of shorts over her bathingsuit.  I gave in because I needed to get some clothes off Donny.  I feel like I live with two teenage girls.

Hat Day

Today was hat day at camp.  Donny knew right away what he wanted to wear. Donny is not like other children, he couldn't just wear a hat.  The morning turned into finding all the right accessories to complete the outfit that would match the hat.  He started by bringing me a pair of PJ bottoms to show me the color he wanted for his clothes.  Once he was dressed,  I ran to Abigail to get her ready as fast as possible.  I knew the longer I took with Abigail the more accessories he would have on when I returned.  I worried all the way to camp and started to cry.  I was so afraid someone would make fun of him.  When we got to camp, his junior counselor walked over and I jumped out of the car.  I asked him to watch over Donny today and not to let anyone make fun of him.  He asked why that would happen and then I opened the door. "Ohhh, hi buddy!"  I kissed my little man goodbye, pulled away and started to sob.  I called Big Daddy and he assured me that our little boy would be just fine.  Well, when I picked him up at the end of the day, his junior counselor told me Donny had a really great day.  I am so proud of my little boy.

Imagine Nation Children's Museum

Big Daddy and I decided to keep Donny home from camp today.  We didn't want him on the long bus ride to the Bronx Zoo.  I took Abigail and Donny to the Imagine Nation Children's Museum.   They had so much fun and I loved watching them play.  I am beginning to wonder if Abigail understands how to make friends.  She pushed a little boy away from the refrigerator and knocked him down because she wanted to play.  I put her in a time out and her brother gave her some friend making pointers on the ride home.

Donny and a little girl spent about a half an hour building a castle.

Camp Bully

Getting the kids off to camp was very difficult today.  Donny started soccer last night after a full day of camp, so you can imagine how tired he was this morning.  I was very proud of him for trying and he even had fun with one of his best friends.  I knew we would have to be very sensitive to his needs this morning. When he woke me bright and earlier and asked to look at aircraft carriers on the computer, I politely sent him to his father for help.  I guess Donny didn't want to bother Big Daddy while he was drinking his coffee.  When Donny insisted on having Decor Snowflakes (sprinkles) on his breakfast I cheerfully agreed.  However, when he walked out of his room wearing corduroy pants, a button down shirt and a long sleeve t-shirt underneath, I had to put my foot down.  I looked him in the eye and asked, "What's her name?"  To which he replied, "Tasha."  My sweet, sweet boy.

The battle began.  He started to cry immediately.  How do you convince a child that the idea is good, however the execution needs a little help.  He didn't want to hear anything I had to say.  We were on his bed and I hugged him and told him he didn't need those clothes to be handsome.  The most handsome part of him was his heart and mind and that if Tasha was going to like him, it wouldn't be for the motorcycles embroidered on his pants.  I could see on his face we were making progress.  I started to apply his sunscreen and asked him to tell me about his girl.  He couldn't believe I wanted to know about her.  Before I knew it, he was dressed and ready to go.  Donny being Donny, he put on two hats and a pair of sunglasses and posed for me.  I gave him the thumbs up and off he went.

Now you are probably wondering about the camp bully.  Big Daddy arrived early for Abigail's pick up.  He decided to sit on the hill and watch his princess play since he rarely is able to just observe.   She was playing in the sandbox with another little girl.  Big Daddy watched as the shovel went into the sand and then over the head.  He looked around to see if any of the counselors noticed, not one.  Again the shovel went into the sand and was dumped over the head and no one saw a  thing.  As the shovel was  was about to dump for the third time, he jumped up and yelled, "ABIGAIL!"  Yes, our daughter is the camp bully and yet I am not surprised at all.

Lazy Day

Today was a perfect day, no humidity and a light breeze. We spent the afternoon playing in the yard.  

My Guy

Ashley

Ashley licked Abigail's toes today and she laughed.  I said, "Oh Abigail, Ashley loves you so much.  You know, when Donny was your age he called Ashley She-She."  "Mommy, that's not her name!  It's Rash-ree."

Camp

Abigail and Donny started camp today. Donny wanted to drop Abigail off first so he could see how happy she was. When we told him he was the first drop, he asked us to tell him everything about Abigail's time at drop off. I was sick to my stomach dropping Donny. I'm so afraid someone is going to pop his bubble of innocence. He came home so happy and really loved his day. I feel much better about tomorrow.
Abigail was so funny. She marched down the hall, put her backpack in the cubby and started to walk into the room. We stopped her and asked for a kiss and she said okay, kissed us, said bye and off she went. She never looked back. Big Daddy and I watched her through the window, she was so ready for today. Once she was home, she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I sure had fun today." My heart just melted. She's ready to fly.

Perfection!

We were blessed today!  Friends were generous enough to share their slice of heaven with us.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  The kids had a wonderful time and did not want to leave.  I think this lake is as close to perfection as it gets.  Thank you, thank you, thank you dear friends!

Secret Agent

I was greeted by a secret agent this morning around 7:30. How did you start your day?