Flu Shot Negotiating

Today was the day I took Grant for his flu shot. I told him about it last week. I know, I know, you shouldn't tell your kids until the very second something is about to happen, but I wanted him prepared. I don't like surprises, especially the ones that are no fun (like flu shots).

He seemed fine with this information. I explained the process to him and said it will hurt, for a millisecond, and then it's gone. "Okay, Mom". I also told him crying about was unnecessary. I'm not mean. I'm just fed up with crying kids. Why? I had the fabulous luck of having my office RIGHT OUTSIDE the operatory where they have been administering flu shots. To kids. Screaming, out of control kids. For 3 weeks now. Closing my office door didn't help. Poor Grant.

So, back to today. I woke up Grant and the first thing out of his mouth was, "I don't want to get a flu shot". Then the whining and hiding began. Just for a little bit. Nothing dramatic. Or should I say more dramatic than usual. Of course this put us off schedule, but we made it right on time for the shot. On the way in, Grant decides to start his "negotiating".

"Mom, I'm not getting a flu shot. Why don't you just ask them if they'll give you one and I'll just watch?"

"No. You're getting a shot. Here. Now. Today. No more negotiating."

Silence.

Good attitude (pre-shot).

We made it back to the operatory and everything was going along fine. Grant accepted the fact that he was getting a shot. What he didn't accept was that he had to get it in his leg and when the nurse asked him to take off his pants, he slowly started backing away. Like he was going to get out of the room without a problem. Very charming. Slow, slow, maybe they won't notice.

So, I tackled  helped him get his pants off and set him on the table. (He no longer is light as a feather, more like a heap of bricks). He laid down like he was asked and put his hands on his sweet little belly.

Awful. Just awful. I got all teared up.

He did great. Didn't move a muscle. After she finished he closed his eyes tight and started crying. Quietly. Calmly. Nothing like the million kids outside my office. What a great kid!

I love you, Grant Matthias. Mommy is proud of you. My brave little boy.

Concerts and Candy Corn Trees

Grant woke up Sunday morning ready to go. We dressed for church in a flash and since it was still way too early to leave, Grant decided to put on a concert. His teacher told me on Tuesday he sang it for her and she loved it! It's been non stop playing around the house with the neighbor kids.

Last Saturday I took of the neighbor boys to the zoo with us. Exhausting! They ran everywhere. And what animals did we see, you may ask?

The snakes and the aquarium. That's IT. They went from one playground to the next. I kept trying to encourage them to go see the animals, but no. They just wanted to play. Next time I'll take them down the street to the park.

Beckett, Grant and Jack

I also was crafty last weekend and made a candy corn tree. Becket came over last night and said, " I really wish we could  get a candy corn tree seed". Cracked me up. I told him the truth. I made it. It didn't exist in nature.

Football and Breakfast

We stayed up a little late last night. OSU was playing Texas A&M. On a Thursday night. We also had a major homework set back. My fault, though. Apparently if you read 20 books a month you get a *Special Prize* (which I'm sure is something totally ridiculous, but a very big deal to Grant). So we read 7 books.

Guess what? I can read books to Grant and watch football at the same time. Yes, I turned the TV on mute.
Grant went off to sleep like a good little boy. I gave him the good news this morning:

                         We beat A&M at the last minute with a field goal!

                  And this is we how show our love for the Cowboys today

Go Pokes!

Last weekend we got together with Auntie Jessica and family. Grant had so much fun. With Nathan. The grown-up of the play group. They played Star Wars and were so fast moving that I couldn't get a good picture of the "battles".  Thanks for playing with Grant, Nathan. I hope we can do it again soon!

Nathan does have kids. And an awesome wife, who is very patient. Very. Scout is precious and very young. Just 7 weeks? That was up for debate. Clearly none of us could do any math because Nancy's breakfast was SO WONDERFUL.  See:

Bacon, Goat cheese Eggs, Fancy pancakes, fruit, you name it.

Auntie Jessica, Bryan and Connor

After breakfast the kids decided to go play. We watched. And walked and walked and walked.


Grant was hiding from Stanley.

Edie was trying so hard to get Grant to dance. He would not. And, no, the stick is not a weapon, it's a wand, thank you very much.  It took lots of searching to find the perfect one!

Still in the tie phase. With Crocs. What a doll.



The Youngest Bachelor

Grant woke up this morning all on his own (awesome) and picked his show and share right away (helicopter). I asked him what he would like to wear today, since it's no uniform Friday. Here is what he chose:



The cutest boy IN THE WORLD.

 I snapped a picture at school because I thought no one would believe me when I said he asked for a cool guy jacket AND a flower to go in his pocket. But the next part is what really put me in tears:

Mommy, can I have a pink flower so I can give it to Ms. Hines (his teacher) when I get to school?

Have you EVER met such a sweet little boy? Honestly, I wanted to hug him forever this morning. He's at that age where hugging isn't cool. He said, Mom, get off me! Ughhhh.

Salisbury Steak

What? Manners? What's that?

So, I was able to get to have lunch with Granters at school the other day. I arrived and he was setting the table. SETTING THE TABLE. Apparently he is totally capable of this. At school. He's much too busy at home to hardly eat, let alone set the table. Well, his little game is up. Now I know.

Cleaning up.

You eat family style at the YMCA. The children ask to be passed things and say please and thank you. Holy Moly. And here I thought I was teaching him all these wonderful things. Ah, well. The point is that he really does have manners and was a perfect little gentleman at lunch. The kid behind him had 2 and a half "meats" as they called them. He must eat his mom out of house and home.

Did you notice his shirt is still white at the end  of the barbecue Salisbury steak meal? That's right, everyone. It can be done.

Oops, I forgot!

I had two oversights.

1. Happy Belated Birthday to Uncle Jimmy. He shares the same birthday with Grant. Here he is with my new Aunt Linda. Hi Aunt Linda! This photo was taken by my cousin, Rachel. Nice!

2. How could I forget the sweetest guest and Grant's party. Sorry, Laine.

What a little trooper. Light Saber and all!

My "Badge"

 

Your Badge

I write like
Kurt Vonnegut

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing

I came across this on some one's blog. It analyzes your writing. Apparently I write similarly to Kurt Vonnegut.  Hmmmmm.

I wasn't satisified completely, so I did another analysis. This is what I got. I like this one better:

I write like
J. D. Salinger

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!