Grant

My sweet child. My firstborn. He was, like most parents believe, a perfect baby. He came into this world with a non-conical shaped head and no zits on his face. He was cute; looked like a Docter. His personality was brilliant - good-natured, happy and smiling, eager to see the world, bright.

My firstborn. Grant.

Each year brings new adventures and a variance in their nature. The early years, ages 1-4, are just hysterical! They see everything for a first time, giving words to their visions. And the words they use usually aren't spot on. And that is what makes everything in the world disappear, as you see it through the eyes of a child - innocence.

These youngsters age each year, becoming more wise, growing into that soul that will become old. They don't make those "word mistakes" anymore, but correct those that do. They form their own jokes and riddles, actually making sense, and not using the words "poopy" or "toilet" to get a laugh. They start to ask the tough questions; they understand more of reality than given credit. They learn things in school that you don't know and have now become smarter than their parents. They surprise you with their generosity and care for others.

Grant turns 7 next Friday. Sometimes I wish I had my sweet precious tyke back. I caught a glimpse of my little guy as he lost his other front tooth. I love a child without his two front teeth-sweet, youthful, uninhibited-are just a few words that come to my mind. This little stage is fun, until I see the gnarly, gangly, yellow teeth that take its place!

Has my Uncluttering Gone too Far?

While doing research as to how to "dye" ice cream for an upcoming birthday treat, I happened upon the McCormick website - home of food coloring and spices and such.

Intrigue set in as I caught a glimpse of the tab "How Fresh Are Your Spices?". Ooo, I couldn't wait to be done with my "project" to head on over and click.

Well, I gathered up my own trays of spices and began to seek the freshness through their "Fresh-Tester." If my spice didn't have a best by date on it, I then plugged my code into it. Some interesting results ensued.

I had spices that were over 13 years old! 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, etc. (And McCormick was even pretty cute with witty sayings dating our spices to what was going on that year.)

So, needless to say, I now have 2 empty bins to place in my cabinet. As you can tell from the picture below, I threw out 20 spice jars and kept only 8. I was shocked that spices went bad so quickly. According to their site, the shelf life is from 1-4 years, depending on the spice. I know many of folk who have spice racks, and most of those sit around for years and years!



So, I just wanted to inform any of you ladies out there about this wonderful tool on the McCormick website. http://www.spicecheckchallenge.com/ Check it out sometime! It will change your life! Or at least a shelf in your life!

Weird

"Mom, you look weird," says the second born William.



I'm wearing a dew-rag today. It's tied underneath my hair like a huge headband, a bit like a babushka. Anyway, I used to wear it like this in my earlier years. And I wanted something to keep my hair out of my face today because I'm going to help Lizzie & Brandon clean their new house.

Will said I looked "weird" because I believe he never sees me like this. I am pretty plain in my style - pajamas pants, t-shirts, glasses and flip flops. He most likely didn't have the words to say, "Mom, you look different."

So, William, you will be my inspiration. An inspiration to look "weird" a lot more - to get out of my comfort zone of pjs and t-shirts and get more exciting in my approach at life! Will, thanks for what you said. And little do you know that the yellow and orange rain boots I wear around the yard, which you think are normal, are a bit weird. Yet I have confidence in myself and don't care what others think. I pray my boys will have a style all their own and be confident in who they are also.

My Dear Child

Adam John, oh, Adam John. I shake my head daily with him, wondering where he came from.

Lemons - likes to squeeze them... into his milk! And he enjoys eating them - rind and all!

Afternoon comes, playing with a buddy outside. Will joins him and drags him off around the side of the house. All three boys squirm on back.

"Mom, I went bops outside."

He's kidding, right? Nope.

They've been asking for a dog. I don't think so.

Right in the Wanker

"I made a new friend in Treasureland today!" Adam exclaims.

"What's his name?" the mother asks.

"I don't know," Adam says.

"Well, good for you, guy!" states the mother.

The next day on the way home from preschool from the back seat of the Ta-Ho, a discussion begins among Will & Adam.

"I made a new friend in Treasureland," repeats Adam. "I kicked him right in the wanker and he laid right down! It was so funny!"

"Did he cry?" questions the mother.

"He didn't cry," says Adam. "He said thank you and he kicked me right back. He's my new friend!"

As the mother continues down the road, shaking her head, she smiles to herself. She thanks God for her little boys and the beauty of their ways.