Live, from the Duncan Zoo!!!

The fruits (and vegetables) of our labor!!!!!

2013-05-20T18:13:00.001-07:00

Something new I've tried this year is growing my own fruits and vegetables. I've never grown anything before. I've tried, but to no avail. It seemed I didn't inherit my mother's green thumb. I haven't tried growing anything in years, but figured it was time. I've always wanted to eat fresh fruits and vegetables picked from my very own garden. It looks like that time has come. I knew the squash have been growing, but when I walked outside yesterday, I noticed the very first watermelon too. I'm so excited! It won't be long now!

Don't Waste Food

2013-04-09T17:53:00.001-07:00

Teenage boys are gross!

Food doesn't go bad around here very often, which is great, because my husband HATES to waste food. Just the other day he walked in to the boys' room (aka "The Party Barn") and found a plate of chicken nuggets just laying on the table, uneaten. The boys were all at school, so this food had been left over from the night before. Needless to say, he was not very happy!

The boys were home when he and I got home later that day, and the interrogation began the moment they walked out the door. "Who did not finish their chicken last night?" David says, "Oh, that was me." "That is a waste of good food...." "No. I just ate them."

WHAT?!? Gross! And the end of that conversation!

High-Tech Birthday

2013-04-07T06:06:00.001-07:00

My son will be celebrating his 8th birthday next month and guess what he wants....ELECTRONICS! Big surprise, right? I've been searching online for the best gift for him, and was hoping I could get a little help.

I am considering buying a Kindle , but he wants the Ipad. Anyone have any experience with these items? Which one would be best for a high-tech 8 year old?

"Gotta Go Number 2!!!!!!!!!!!"

2013-04-05T15:49:00.004-07:00

Nothing like asking your 7 year old for a hug, only to have him respond with, "Can't. I gotta go number 2!" as he dashes for the bathroom. But that's not all - no way! Less than a minute later, he comes walking back in to the room with his pants pulled up just high enough to touch the bottom of his shirt (and hide his you-know-what). "Wanna hear something funny Mom? I was going number 2 - well, actually I'm still going number 2 but, I just ate a twinkie and now my poop is green and yellow!"

Before I can even respond, he runs off to the bathroom to finish what he started, as I sit and ponder the event. What a silly kid! I love that he wants to share everything with me.

While he goes back to finishing his business, I continue to go through the numerous emails I have received this week. I'm focused on my task when I over hear a conversation between him and his Daddy..."Hey Dad! I just went number 2 and it was my favorite kind; I went to wipe, and didn't even need to!"

I sure do love being a Mom to boys!

The Zookeeper!!!

2012-02-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

I realized today that that my job as a parent is very similar to that of a zookeeper. Zookeepers take care of wild animals by feeding them, cleaning their living spaces, and working to keep them healthy. I take care of 5 boys (who have a tendency to display some of the same behaviors exhibited by wild animals...especially in the bathroom!) and do pretty much the same thing: feed them, clean up after them, and spend countless hours at doctors offices!!! Add THAT to my list of credentials!!!

It's just been one of those weeks!!!

2012-02-10T20:14:00.000-08:00

This week has been such a trying week. My son has been struggling with socializing for as long as I remember - an unfortunate effect of his disability. I am trying everything I can, visiting numerous doctors, counselors, therapists, etc. in an effort to help him be successful. Despite these efforts, he continues to have difficulties.
He is in a very small, intensive behavior modification class at school. He has very patient teachers and therapists, working diligently every day to help him learn better strategies to cope with his frustrations and social skills, but it seems he is getting worse with each passing day (He is 11 now, and has taken to using profanity directed toward the teacher, running out of the classroom or from other adults, refusing to attempt his school work, etc). When I talk to him about his behavior, he finds ways to try and justify it in his own mind - things he thinks makes it okay. It isn't okay! I've tried everything, from positive approaches such as "earning" something, to taking every single thing out of his room except a bed (this week he wasn't able to attend the science fair award ceremony or attend the Valentine dance at school). No matter what I try, I can't seem to find something that matters enough to help him change. He just doesn't make the connection between his actions and the consequences.
He is a genuinely caring child, so amazingly sweet and loving at times. I know he doesn't get up each day planning ways to make everyone around him stressed and frustrated, I know he wants to do better. He even tells me each day, "Mom, I'm going to have a good day today!" But then something happens - and he doesn't.
I was so overwhelmed this week, sadden by my inability to make things better for him. The doctor wants to add another med...I wish I knew of a better answer. I wish I knew how to make him understand that HE is responsible for his choices, and that HE has the power to change them...it's so hard watching him continuously struggle to fit in, to find his place.

The Tooth Fairy

2011-07-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

Did you know the Tooth Fairy makes house calls AND brushes teeth?

I had no idea! I spent at least 6 or 7 years losing teeth, looking forward to visits from the tooth fairy and sometimes, even after I finally lost the tooth, it still took her a couple of days to stop by - but now....she's making house calls for children who have yet to lose any teeth?

Yes - it has been confirmed...in fact, she made a stop here, just tonight! Here's what happened...

"Jonah, it's getting close to bedtime. You need to go use the bathroom and brush your teeth."

"Sure Mom"

(5 minutes later....)

"Jonah, go to the bathroom and brush your teeth now...."

"Okay, Mom."

(30 seconds later....)

"NOW"

"I am Mom!!!!"

(Finally!)...Using the bathroom AND brushing your teeth usually takes AT LEAST 5 minutes right? Yet somehow tonight, it took well under a minute. Why you ask? Well, the explanation is simple....the Tooth Fairy came!

Yes, it's true! She made a stop here, to help Jonah brush his teeth! Can you believe it? I couldn't either, so I asked him to do what he insists on doing every other night anyway - blow in my face so I can smell his "clean" breath! Big mistake....I guess this Tooth Fairy is tired of waiting for Jonah's teeth to fall out - she did a horrible job! I distinctly smelled the gourmet cheese hotdogs and fancy canned baked beans he devoured for dinner. It was as if a toothbrush never even reached his gums .

"Jonah, are you sure the Tooth Fairy brushed your teeth?"

"Yes Mom! She knew I couldn't wait to get back to the game so she did it for me while I peed. Wasn't that nice?"

"Well, yes Jonah, it was nice. But she didn't do a very good job. Your breath doesn't smell "minty" like it usually does."

"Yes it does! Smell it again! (whheeeewww)

"Um, no Jonah...I'm sorry but I think you need to go do it over again. You don't want to get cavities!"

"FINE!"

{STOMP, STOMP, STOMP...}

"When she comes back, I'm going to tell her you didn't like the smell of her toothpaste!"

Lesson learned - the Tooth Fairy has "Beenie Weenie" flavored toothpaste - and isn't afraid to use it!!!

The Beginning

2011-06-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

I am surrounded by boys! As such, I am constantly overhearing crazy conversations. One Sunday afternoon a few months ago, as I was in my room with the door wide open, I heard the conversation that has driven me to online blogging. At first I thought I should publish a book - and even started a collection of the things I heard, but then realized it would be years before the world would have a chance to enjoy what I do daily.

So, after doing a little research, here I am. The story that started it all....farting! I know it is my job to teach these boys right from wrong, but I just can't compete with the fart. I can't even keep track of the number of times I've said, "please don't do that at the table" and "not in the car!" I know they know, but I guess the humor behind it is too much - a far greater power than mom's words.

Enter the oldest, dragging himself to the table at 1pm (wake-up time in the teenage world) for breakfast. He's quietly munching on a bowl of Fruit Loops as I'm heading out of the laundry room for the fifth time with folded clothes. I almost made it out of the room when, you guessed it, he farts! Now, I know I've said it before, "not at the table!" but I say it again anyway. He says, "Sorry but you were all the way over there!" I respond with, "It doesn't matter! The air is on and blowing in this direction," and continue on my original quest to put away the laundry as he giggles in the background.

As I'm folding the clothes in my room, I hear him laughing harder, at a conversation he is now having with another one of the boys in the house. "Wouldn't it be funny if I farted over here, you farted over there, and the wind caught them and combined them?" I'm not trying to eavesdrop on them, but who can help but listen to that? The conversation went on for 5 to 10 minutes, slowly bringing in the scientific aspects of what would have to happen for the "breezes" to combine into one huge "fart tornado."

As if I'll ever be able to compete with that!