Don't Do This

I had to run out and get something Thursday and Grant was not remotely interested in joining me. He was busy trying to make his own Bow and Arrow (thanks neighbors Matt and Beckett).  I couldn't find a rubber band and then when I found one (in the freezer), I broke the stick that was supposed to be the "bow". Que the melt down. And what did I do to help? Well, I had to leave right away to go get a last minute bday present so I told Grant he could pick one toy while we were there. One. Toy. Nothing else.

Enter Steinmart. Things started well. Grant was even helpful. Off he went to the toy section and let me shop in peace. For about 5 minutes. Then he brings me something ridiculous.

Me: No, Grant. Not that, pick something else.

Grant: But I'll NEVER get anything Ever again. Stomp stomp stomp........(Shop-aholics should really try shopping with a 4 yr old. It would totally break them).

I found him sitting in a toy basket, pouting. We had to leave. Apparently there is *Nothing* at Steinmart, so you really shouldn't even go there.

Fast forward to Michael's Craft store, two doors down. This is where the title of today's blog comes into play. I felt bad, so I said, look, we can go here and you find one toy. He lit up. Great. Problem solved. Off we went.

Are you aware of the all the stuff of Michael's? I couldn't even suggest something. It was a nightmare. After my last threat of WE ARE LEAVING RIGHT NOW, he finally decided on something.

A tube of plastic Knights and Dragons. With swords. $6.99. Fine.

And here's my SWEET angel 2 hours later:

He fell asleep with the "Good Guys" on his face.

Red Box

Yesterday afternoon was great. Perfect weather. I picked up Grant after school and he had been such a good boy that I surprised him with Red Box.

Grant LOVES Red Box. Everyday after school it's the same discussion.
"Mom, Can we go to Red Box and rent a movie? Please. I've been good all day."

Yesterday was the first day he didn't ask. So what do I do? Right. I surprise him and let him go. Of course, he wanted to rent Kick Ass. NOT APPROPRIATE. Rated R or something close to it. He can't read but he liked the "cape" the guy was wearing on the front cover. Nice marketing....to 4 year olds.

We settled on "The Spy Next Door" with Jackie Chan. Let me give some advice to the moms out there who have little boys. Do *not* let them watch Jackie Chan movies. I was busying myself with cooking dinner while little mister Grant started the movie. I went in several minutes later to check on him and couldn't find him.

He was hiding. He ambushed me. When I say ambush, I mean he ran at me full force and almost knocked me down and then started karate chopping and kicking me. Not really attacking me, just pretending to attack. Like Jackie Chan. This little movie did not help me in persuading him out of karate lessons.

Before all the ninja craziness, we stopped at Walgreen's and picked up a few things. Grant always persuades me into buying him something. Since he was so good while I shopped (he stayed in the card aisle and listened to all the musical cards. I caught him dancing to "Shake Your Groove Thing" by the Chipmunks).

Anyway, this is what he decided on for his "one thing" he could get at the store:

They're magically delicious

We ended up at the  park on the way home. Too nice outside to pass up that opportunity.  There's nothing better than watching the joy your kid gets from playing at the park.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us Rejoice and be glad in it!

Pardon the messy face, had a push-up at the park.

Grant's favorite rock.

To Wii or Not to Wii

To the makers of Lego's Star Wars "E" for everyone: Your design is way flawed.  While I appreciate your attention to non-violent battles, I do **NOT** appreciate the degree of difficulty this game exhibits. Grant insists on me trying to get him through a certain level. I thought sure, no problem......WRONG. After twenty minutes of retracing and jumping and reading through the ENTIRE manual, I could not get through level 3.

I was left with a very disappointed 4 year old.  And, I was stressed. Yes, stressed. By a video game. For kids. Wii, I quit you for awhile. (I will come back and play Super Mario Brothers, though. It's an old one from the 80's, when they really knew how to make video games everyone could understand).

Post Wii fiasco. We made it.

Now please understand, we are not a Wii aholic family. Our weekend was well spent doing other great things. We celebrated Grandpa Dod's birthday (#60, woo who- he's not that thrilled) at Saturn Grill.  Saturday afternoon we celebrated Ms. Laine Aiko's FIRST birthday party. Grant enjoyed himself. Especially with new found friend, Walker (Brooke's nephew) which I expected. What I didn't expect was Laine wrestling Grant. To the ground. On his back. She won. In her fabulous tutu and all.


My favorite new experience was Grant and the Pinata. When the candy finally came spilling out (the ribbon pull kind of pinata, not the beat the crap out of it pinata--Thanks Brooke and Dru for that decision of non-violent pinata) the kids were stunned. Deer in head lights kind of stunned. Grant looked up at me and was like, um, holy moly. Now what? When all the parents clued the kids in that they should now get the candy, it was mayhem. And what did Grant hoard, you may ask?

Bubble Gum.

Again, thanks Brooke and Dru.....

Before the Candy. Grant dressed himself. Tie phase.

After the Candy. Stunned.

Really? Blogging?

Grant got chocolate chips all over his nice WHITE shirt this morning. He picked his outfit. Jeans, boots, White dress shirt and tie....and now Chocolate chips. I thought I would be a super mom this morning and make his favorite chocomuffins. And I was a super, until I flipped my OCD switch when we got out of the car at school and found him covered in chips. Melted chips. All over. A tie and melted chips. He looked dirty, which really irritates me. Dirty kids. It's just unacceptable, unless you're at home and can quickly remedy the situation.
We were **NOT** at home. It's the second day of school. SECOND day. And he was a mess. I guess it could have been worse. At least he had on a tie. Maybe that will draw the attention away?
When I really think on it, Grant doesn't care. He was more concerned with his "Show and Share" today. It's always an issue every Friday morning. You would think we would pick something out Thursday, now wouldn't you. That would require me thinking ahead. We tried it once, but he changed his mind by the next day. This morning was no different:
Grant: "Mom, can I take a weapon" Me: "No. YMCA is against that. You know that Grant". Grant: "Well, how about my Ninja sword. It's not a real sword" Me: "Seriously, Grant? No."
He ended up taking  a mini Thunder basketball. Great idea. He tried to dribble all the way into school. We were already late. He can't dribble. And he was covered in chocolate.
You know what, though? I love that little chocolate messy boy. Some might think that was a chaotic morning. It was. But what would life be like otherwise? I'm blessed and thank God for this new day.

                                          Grant's first day of Kindergarten, Yesterday, Chocolate Free!