Today Lucas Turned 12

Yep. That's right. Our son of 3 years is 12. He would tell you that he's quite capable of everything an 18 year old is but his parents would probably have to put a few qualifiers on that.

He is all about his birthday parties....yes....parties. Tonight it was Red Lobster, Friday it's a sleep over and Sunday is birthday cake with more family. As Eli frequently screams, "It's everything I WANT!" for Lucas this week.

I'm pretty sure the diners around us at Red Lobster were wishing they'd gone to McDonald's because Luke was in fine form. From telling Mike, repeatedly, that he was old, telling Alison he would find her a boyfriend, to telling Sydney that she was marrying one of our friends sons...in front of Sydney's boyfriend then telling us his view that in all couples the man was older than the woman, the man would die first and the ladies are always right. What can I say....I may have influenced that last opinion. Then he proceeded to tell the friends that went with us that the man was very lucky cause he had a good wife....he hasn't lost the ability to schmooze the women.

I can't believe how much this kid has grown, it's great, it's sad but most of all a joy to see him growing and happy. Happy Birthday Lucas!

Long Ways To Go

This morning was the first Saturday we've had where we weren't running out the door to basketball or holiday shopping in forever. So what do the menfolk decide to do? Get up (loudly) and destroy the kitchen while creating breakfast. Does anyone know how making pancakes can encompass 3 counters, a stove top, the table and unfortunately the floor?

Once the feast was on the table our usual table time discussions ensued. Lucas is fixated on his 12th birthday in a couple weeks....Lucas is fixated on all his birthdays 12 months of the year....and thus began the discussion of how old will he be in what grade, when he graduates, when he goes to college, etc.

Sydney received her acceptance into her college choice this week so that is preoccupying a lot of his brain. Once again we tried to explain why people go to college, what college is and that not everyone chooses to attend college and why that may be.

Lucas' breakfast ending epiphany, "Huh. I got a LONG way to go!" Then he assures his dad that he (Lucas) will have a job and that dad can live with him when he's old....in about 10 years. Well. That must mean Eli is taking care of me? Why am I slightly concerned?

Spelling Words

Perhaps you have drilled your child's spelling words one time too many when he has the following conversation with his sister on the way to school.

Sydney to Eli - "Hey can you spell count?"
Eli to Sydney - "YOU spell it!"

End of spelling.....except count wasn't one of his words....she was just messing with him. Needless to say we skipped the spelling portion of tonight's homework, it's time for a night off.

Solution

I really knew that the solution to the sibling bickering that has taken place this holiday break was to send them back to school. I'm not new at this. I'm simply amazed each and every time how thoroughly the first day back to school exhausts kids.

Lucas and Eli were both sacked out on the couch when I got home at 4:00. Pretty much stayed that way until supper, then ate, showered and climbed into bed. No fighting (except when it came to who was going to wrestle with the dog....our bassett hound was declared the winner) no annoying the sisterly units and no arguments at bedtime. Unfortunately experience tells us that they will quickly adjust back to school schedule and the sibling squables will once again ring throughout our unfortunate neighborhood.

Sometimes I need reminded that this in fact is a good thing considering for about the first 9-12 months home they were not comfortable enough to argue with each other....trust me they are now quite comfortable and excel in this area beyond all description.

How Soon They Forget

Christmas break is great. Until boredom set in. Until they are tired of their brothers' face. Until the Christmas toys need to be shared. Until they have a Christmas toy removed for fighting.

Then it's all about, "Is it school tomorrow?" "Can I go back to school tomorrow?" "I want to go to school."

Well that much demanded and sighed over day arrived this morning. Christmas break ended for the boys and Sydney. Can you guess their latest line?

"WHAT! We HAVE to go BACK!" ............now to survive until spring break....(sigh)

You Do Know.....

I've talked about how Eli possesses (or thinks he does) the "World's Best Back Seat Driver's License". Last night we were in the car and he was doing the usual..."go straight, go right, go left..yadayada".

Then we hear. "You do know there is a car behind us, right?"

There is no comic alive who can deliver a straight line like this kid....it's dangerous to everyone within our driving area.

The Best Lie I Ever Told My Kids

As a parent it is always a step forward when you recognize when to and not to lie to your children.....jolly old man in a red suit would be a good example.

The absolute best lie (let's call it what it is) I ever told any of my kids ....older and newer....was that mom's have a special superpower and have invisible eyes in the back of our heads. Creepy...kind of, underhanded....most definitely....sure to make your child think two or three times before trying something behind your back...absolutely.

This is the lie that I told the boys approximately 6 months after we brought them home. They never did figure out that the eyes in the back of my head is the rear view mirror. They also can't connect that just because they may be out of sight I still possess pretty good hearing abilities.

Today during the "last day home before we return from holiday break cleaning extravaganza" Eli was overheard telling Lucas...."Dude keep going, clean, pick up..;..you KNOW mom has those special eyes. She SEES EVERYTHING!" Yes. My best lie ever!