Subway

It's no news to anyone who knows Ares, that Subway (or, Subway-Eat-Fresh, as he calls it) is his favorite restaurant.  McDonalds?  No.  Subway? Yes.

We've started making our own Subway sandwiches at home to save money.  He's still happy, and so are we.  The key, is to get every condiment and meat and cheese out of the refrigerator and line it up, so he can pick what he wants, just like at the counter of the restaurant. A little extra time, a lot less $$.

We're at Walmart, in the checkout aisle. It's around 11:30: (Where there's a Subway.)
Ares: Mom, I'm hungry.  No, I'm staaaarving mom.  Can I get Subway?
Me: No, you didn't eat your breakfast (at 10).  I told you, you can't eat whenever you want to.  You need to eat when everyone else eats.  You don't get your own special meals. 
           **He spent the last 5 days in Cincinnati.  We can always tell when he's back from  grandma's house.  At least his teachers won't mention anything this time!! Sorry Auntie Cindy! haha.**
Ares: No, I mean, when I get home, can I get Subway at home?
Me:  Yes, when it's time for lunch, we can make you a Subway Sandwich. 
Ares:  Wheeeee!!  *Running out of the checkout aisle and gets three lanes away*
Me:  Ares!  Stop!  Where are you going?!?
Ares: To the cheesemaker!! We need salami!!
Me: Ares, you're only three, no one can see you over the deli counter, besides, we have salami at home.
*the guy behind us in line thought he was funny*

I think it's hilarious that he calls everyone at the Deli counter 'cheese makers'.  It's because they give him a piece of cheese when we're up there.

Merry Christmas 2012

I've been MIA for a while because we've been in Cincinnati for the Holidays.  It started on Friday - after it took us each 2 hours to drive home from work due to the 2-4" that turned into roughly 8".  We got off to a late start, but once we hit Columbus, it stopped snowing and the roads were better, so we got to the house around 1AM.   With Santa waiting on the zip line platform for Ares, Christmas lights and lasers to welcome us.   After a 2 minute talk with "Santa" we pull around to the front of the house and Ares says "Santa sounds a lot like Grandpa Doug".  Haha,

We got to see lots of friends and Adam's family this weekend.  Ares played with his 'girlfriend' Evelyn for an evening and the rest of us socialized with some good food and drink (Adam made Paella for friends and family).  YUM!!

My favorite picture of the weekend.  It was a Ninja Turtle Christmas.

From the Dollar Store.  One of his favorite things to play with. 

Swords are always a win. 

Adam won the Left Right Pot game.  $69  Ares was enjoying some of the winnings too. 

Grandma Jean and Papa Jim got Ares the Madagascar 3 Movie with the afro. 

Catching rainbows. 

Big Paella Dinner made by Adam

they had fun.  and with a little bribery they cleaned it all up themselves

All 4 brought PJ's to change into at the party on Christmas Eve. 

This kid is LOVED.  He got a tablet, a large work bench, 2 wall tracks, clothes, EVERYTHING ninja turtle, movies, books, scooby doo things, Incredible Hulk things.... and we haven't even celebrated christmas with my family yet. 

Probably my second favorite picture of the weekend. I just wish my hair was combed! This is Adam's sweet sweet grandmother.   =)

Dork - How Many Squares

Hello, I am all things dork.  I admit it, hell, I'm a senior analyst.  For an insurance company.  There's no hiding.  A number crunching-code monkey.   Which is why - I am always second guessing myself.   Have you seen that box of squares going around Facebook?   This one?

Well, some people are coming up with 45, some can only get 24.  I'm trying to get to that 45 number, but I. just. can't.  All I can come up with are 36.  Am I missing something? Or is the answer 36?  I'm going with 36.  Final Answer.

****  UPDATE ****

Apparently Dorkage runs in the family, as my brother (and Kristin) both noticed 4 blocks that I missed.   See below:

Worries

I put Ares to bed last night.  As usual, I talked to Mousie (or, as the last week has gone, "Ballpark".  Because apparently one evening, Mousie and Ballpark switched names.)  We put him to bed really early, because he got out of his bath early, so I talked to Mousie for about 10 minutes.  What he did that day, what the plans were for the next day, and, since we haven't been to Cincinnati in a while, I expanded into Friday, and what we were going to be doing on that day.    This entire time, he's complaining that he's hungry.  Never mind he had a yogurt, a piece of chocolate, a sucker two glasses of juice and a HUGE plate of fettichine Alfredo for dinner.   He must have cried, whined and complained 8 times that he was still hungry. He didn't want water, but I told him he was done eating until the morning.  I told him he makes me very happy, and he responds "You make me happy too *deep breath*  but you know what else would make me happy?  Some food."     Bwaahahaha.  Sly little guy.  I told him he can decide what he wants to eat for breakfast and tell me in the morning.

We did our 'family hug', got tons of hugs and kisses (and, of course, returned the hugs and kisses) and I got up to leave.   "Mom?".   "Yes Ares?"  "What about those kids who died?  The ones with blood on their shirts?"  *sigh, sitting back down*    All he knows is 40 seconds of the news and a brief 2 minute conversation with me (which was more of me reassuring him that we are around to protect him).   Why must a three year old not forget things like this?  When will he stop thinking about it?  How will I know if he is thinking about it? He only says something every few days. 

"Well, kid, you know how you love school because you get to play with your friends all day?" 
"Mmmhmm - I like to play with Colt and Davis and Lukas and Kenny."
"Well, all of these kids are in Heaven with their friends.  It's like they're in school all day long, and they get to play all day long."  (Why did I pull out the Heaven card?  Beats me.  I'm not even sure that I believe, but it just seemed easier at the time.  If he wants to believe, then that's great.  The kid can believe in whatever religion he chooses.)
"What's Heaven?"    (I should have known that would come next.  Me, PSR/CCD drop out should not be the one to explain these things.)
"Well, it's a place where people go when they die."
"What about the bad guy." 
"Oh, no, not bad guys.  That bad guy does NOT get to go to Heaven.  He will never be by kids again."
"Yeah, because he's bad.   But that is so far away mommy."
"Yes, baby, it is so far away.  Mommy and Daddy are here to make sure you stay safe."
"And Ballpark"
"Yes, and Ballpark."   (Although, I have no idea if he means Ballpark or Mousie.)
"And Mousie"
"Yes, Ares, and Mousie"
"And Grandma and Grandpa"
"Yes, kid, now stop worrying and go to sleep."  *as I walk away*
"OK mommy, I love you, can I have another kiss and hug?"
"Anytime"

Fast forward to this morning.  Ares wakes up, and says "I've decided what I wanted for breakfast.  Raisin bread with butter and yogurt."  Glad that's what he thought about last night. 

Mom... What Can I Do?

This is my kid's way of telling me that he's bored.  That or he just flat out asks "Crash cars with me?"

On weekends, here's Ares favorite way to pass the time.  His balance is getting really good, he loves to do it, and I only freak out once or twice (well, verbally, I'm nervous on every jump he's gonna bite his tongue or hit his head or not land on something soft/feet etc). 

I'll be honest.  Last week I was (unknowingly) coming down with the flu (which explains the sudden exhaustion) and this weekend I was still taking 2 or 3 naps a day from the flu.  So Ares wants to entertain himself?  Well, OK! No problem!  Daddy, get out the camera.  But please, next time, take less than 300 pictures so I don't have to search through all of them to find ones to post?   Thanks!

Air Guitar!

Perfect landing!

Thank goodness there were pillows down there on this jump.

He calls this is 'Barrel Roll'

I just LOVE his smile!

Exhausted - for now....

An Update

As Adam got home from work, Ares runs up to him and explains 'the happenings' as he knows it.   Apparently a really bad guy hurt some kid and now they're all dead.  The kids have blood on their shirts (not sure where that came from) and the bad guy is dead (with hand motions of him getting hit in the head and falling over staring up at the sky - again, I'm not sure where that came from).    Adam tells him he has heard, and that it happened really far away from here (wish I would have thought of that the first time I explained it - doh!) 

Ares didn't mention it at all the rest of the night, nor on Saturday, but on Sunday, he comes down from his nap (which he did not sleep at all, just read books) asking why the kids all died.   So again, I explained that the very bad guy cannot hurt anyone anymore and that mommy and daddy will always keep him safe.  At first I thought I did a good job of explaining and alleviating fears that he might have, but now I wonder.  How much is he thinking about this?  40 seconds of the news. Max.  It may have been less that he has seen.   I will never underestimate the things that this kid might pick up anymore on TV or on the Radio.  Our kids are bright.  It makes me really hope that the parents of the kids who were in the school that day take their children to counselors. 

Horrific. Absolutely Horrific.

It's not news to anyone what happened this morning in CT.  The most horrific thing any parent (can't) even imagine.  Sending your child to school, and not having them come home that day.  Such a tragedy.  More than once today, it brought tears to my eyes.  I was so preoccupied listening to the radio on the way home, that I missed my exit.  This brought me to tears, lol.  All I wanted to do was hold and hug my kid.  So an extra 5 minutes, I got to give my kid a hug and a kiss.  He asked me to carry him to the car, I always say no, but this time, I was more than happy to.  20 families cannot do that tonight.  20 families of students only a year or two older than my kid.  They're just children! Babies!

We got home, and I asked him to go play with his cars.  I didn't think he was old enough to understand or to explain this situation to, although, a part of me wanted to tell him if he sees anyone with a gun, to run the other direction and hide.  I wasn't sure how to bring this up without scaring him.

He walked into the room in the middle of the newscast.  I asked him to leave, and he says "No mommy, I need to understand this.  I need to know why this happened. Mom, I need to know!!"  I really haven't seen Ares be so adamant about anything like this before.   So I paused the news and told him that a very bad person did some very bad things to kids his age.  (I left out the school part.) I let him know that the bad guy killed himself and that he can't hurt any one else.

This is when he decides to hit himself in the head, fall over, stick his tongue out and stare up at the ceiling for a good 40 seconds without talking or moving.   I asked him what he's doing, and he says that 'the bad guy died like that.'   I wasn't sure how to react.

He follows with an explanation that if he sees a bad guy with a gun, he's going to grab his long sword and 'hit the bad guy and get my - and save all my friends so our mommies don't cry and we can see them again.'  Apparently the 45 seconds of the news that he watched, he picked up A LOT more than I would have ever imagined.

I took the moment to explain that if he sees a person with a gun, that he needs to run away and follow directions that adults tell him.  If he's in a cartoon, or in his playroom, or dreaming in his sleep, then he can go ahead and get his sword or nun-chucks and play, but if he really sees someone with a gun "what do you do?" Ares: "Do this!" (And he runs away as fast as he can).  I guess that's the best that I can ask for.   The disturbing thing about my son, he wants to see the blood.  That scares me.  I had to lie and say there wasn't a lot of blood, and that news cameras don't show blood.

Babies, these children are just babies.  Babies of people just like me.  My heart goes out to each and every one of them.  I can only hope that this country does more with mental health programs.

Super-immunity

Not me.  I have the flu.  I had my flu shot earlier this season, so I didn't get hit too hard, but the exhaustion and the upper respiratory issues I've had are terrible!  Supposedly I got it from Anna and Cassie (whom we had dinner with on Saturday night), as they are both sick, but Ares, who ran around the house with them for a good two hours hasn't gotten anything.  *knock on wood*.   This kid (aside from allergies, of course) has a super-immunity to sickness.  *knock on wood again* 

I am so grateful it was me and not him that got it.  Not a single thing I took was able to make me better.  I had to take a day and a half off of work, and am still not feeling better, although, I have managed to stay awake for longer than 3 hours at a time today.  That's good!   Stay healthy out there!!

Phone Pix

Santa at Wings and Strings

Ares making his gingerbread house at Lowe's.



Ares making cookies at Grandma Venus' house.

He was very meticulous - he had to use the sprinkles in the same order that they appeared in the sprinkle container (5 or 6 different kinds of sprinkles) even though most of the sprinkles actually landed next to the cookies.



"Mom, I Love You But....

... I'm not going to get the mail with you today."    On Friday it was "...I didn't want to put paint on my foot."   (I guess it was a classroom project.)

Anytime he knows he's going to say something that might hurt my feelings, he either starts with "Mom, I love you but" or he ends with "but I still love you.".   It's nice to hear.  OK, I lie, it's the best thing EVER to hear - my kid telling me he loves me.

He's Write!

Ares and I went to watch Adam play soccer yesterday, and during the second half, he asked if he could write my name.  Fortunately, he happens to know how to write every letter in my name.  He knows about 8 or 9 letters, but all 5 in my name.  So here's his rendition of "ATHENA".   Remember, he's only 3.  The whole spacial-recognition isn't there yet.   (The A with the circle around it in the center of the page was drawn earlier, it's not a part of my name.)

He started on the left, the "T" is above the first "A" and went down toward the right, ending with "Super-A" as he called it, that happens to be above the "E" and "N".   Not bad for a three year old.  He's left handed, so it might never get better. haha

Fun Christmas Stuff

Ares let us do a half hour photo shoot with him last night.  At 8:30PM.  I'm not sure what I was thinking (lies - I wanted to get some Christmas-sy photos for the photo books I'm making for our Grandparents.  And you all know how I am, I want to do something - I want to do it NOW.)  I'm very lucky that Ares was cooperating with us.  If he hadn't, it would have been my fault. I mean, I typically put him in bed at 8:00, so starting a photo shoot around 8:30, not one of my brightest moments.  At least it worked out for us.  This time.

Adam got some really cute pictures - and I'll post after our grandparents get the books, no point in ruining the gift ahead of time.  But here's a general idea.  Note:  The candycane isn't in the final picture, nor are the fingers in the mouth.  haha. 

He thought it was the coolest thing, to be wrapped up in Christmas lights.  Seriously.  Since Adam was shooting with the flash off, Ares had to be SUPER still for up to 5 full seconds at a time.  That's an eternity in 3 year old time.  Actually, I lie, there was one little subdued flash that was focused on one spot.  So not only could Ares not move after Adam clicked the shutter, but he had to keep his head in a specific spot before that, so his face is lit up.    Therefore, the candycane at 8PM was a bribe, as was a half hour of cartoons.   Food and TV as bribery, again, mother of the year.   But we got some good pics - I promise, better than the one above.  I'll be sure to post it after Christmas for all to see.

We do participate in Elf on a Shelf.  Ares totally does not understand the premise.  I might as well threaten no yogurt for breakfast or no book before bed because the Santa-not-coming to him is like an idle threat.  Maybe next year?  Meanwhile, Adam has fun with it.

Hey baby, I'm an elf and you're a fairy....

... let's make a gnome!

Nap Time

Ares is pretty much an every other day nap taker now.   We put him down for his nap today, and when he woke up an hour later, (we know he went to the bathroom twice), he told us he only read five books when he was up there.  I asked if he slept at all, and he shook his head yes.  I wondered how long, and he looks me straight in the eye, and with the most serious look/voice he says "I slept like, 8 hours!" Then flashed that Ares-smile that makes everyone giggle and went on his merry way.

At least when we put him down for a nap, if he doesn't sleep, he does stay up there quietly reading books for a long time.

Today we also got to see Uncle Justice and Aunt Katie.  He runs in the house and yells to them "I saw Santa TWICE today!  I'd never seen him TWICE before!"    Thank goodness he decided to NOT be as observant as he is for other things, because the Santa's (one at Lowe's and one at Strings and Wings) did not look anything alike.  It was an exciting day for him though.  Tonight we get to see Cassie and Anna - he is so excited I can't get him to sit still for anything.  Guess the haircut must wait until tomorrow.

Where's the Reindeer?

We're driving home, and see a house down a street that has a lot of Christmas yard tack out.  So we drive by the see everything out, and Ares notices there's an inflatable sleigh, with Santa, presents and lights, but no reindeer.  Here's our Conversation:

Ares: Mom, where's the reindeer?
Me: I don't know, there's some over there *pointing*
Ares: No, there's a sleigh behind those deer, but there's no reindeer by that big sleigh.
Me: Well, maybe they got hungry and went to get some water and food.
Ares: What?  Why?
Me:  Because they can get tired from flying all of the time.
Ares:  They don't fly mom!  *said in a 'your-crazy' tone of voice*
Me: Yes, they do, reindeer fly, that's how Santa gets around, isn't it?
Ares: Yes, but those are just ornaments! They can't fly!

Do all teenagers start to get their attitude at the age of three?   It wasn't a bad attitude, just a "mom, you know nothing, I know everything" attitude.   *sigh*

The Perfect Little Boy Advent Calendar

My mom doesn't use Pinterest (yet).  It's my ultimate goal to get her on there.  She's so crafty, and has great ideas, we can all benefit from her being on Pinterest.  This year, she put together an advent calendar for my son.

My 3 year old wakes up every morning, and asks if it's "December xx".   He actually knows the date each morning, because he knows which number car he gets next.  He slept over Grandmas last night, so we brought him home this evening, and he asks us "Is it December 6th?"  I told him it was, and he responds "Then I can open the #6 advent car!?!"   (Not even realizing that St.Nicholas visited last night.)

For the third year in a row, wants 'cars' for Christmas.  Sure, he loves the Hulk and the Ninja Turtles, but he still asks for cars.  So each day in December, his wish comes true...

...using a micro-machine type of car, stretchy ribbon and Christmas labels.   It was so simple for her to do.  She tied a knot around the center of the car, tight enough that it won't go anywhere. Since it's a stretchy material, when it comes time to take it off, all I need to do is pull a little to get it out from around the wheels - and I have the happiest kid - EVER.  Genius, my mother is a genius.  Ares even thinks that this calendar is better than the chocolate one.  I know - my kid said that!

I might have to do something like this next year too.  If you have a girl, maybe some Polly Pockets or little doll house furniture?  You could probably furnish an entire house with 24 days!  

Ares' Christmas Concert

It was pretty fun.  For the first fifteen minutes we were there, Ares and Lukas ran around like crazy men.  Later, Davis and Ares started talking into the microphone.  They were hilarious!  Ares did very well the first couple of songs.  I wish he would have kept his fingers out of his mouth, but I can't complain.

The next few songs though, he just stood there with his fingers in his mouth.  At first, it was driving me nuts, but then, I looked around.  There were a total of 4 boys that were just standing there - not singing.  Ares, Davis, Lukas and Colt.  Our four inseparable boys.   I think Darah and I laughed so hard we were crying.  the ONLY four not singing - ours.  lol. 

Mom, Adam and I all got there early, and tried to take pictures of him.  He was happy to see us, and happy to be there, but not happy to take pictures - that is, until I told him that Grandma and Grandpa Doug weren't going to make it, and they want to see him smile.  He smiled huge - but refused to look at the camera.  I think Adam got one good picture
After the concert, Ares was ALL hugs and kisses.  He was SO happy!  Mom and I got a HUGE 'squeezie' hug that lasted a couple of minutes, and Aunt Cindy, Kassi and Mike all got giant 'squeezie' hugs as well, for a long time.  He was so happy.  It. Was. Awesome.   The day ended with cookies and juice (although, Ares wanted water) and a sleepover for Ares at Grandma's.  That worked out well for Adam and I.  He had work to finish at home and wasn't feeling well, and I got to upload video and go to bed early.   Love my family!

Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

Sounds good, right?  Well, that is, unless you're a little 3 year old with a peanut allergy.  I was at work. Ares with family.  It was a homemade cookie that no one in the room knew what was in it.  The kid took a bite, and started coughing, and then complained that something was in his throat.  Then, his stomach was hurting him.  My aunt took a bite of the cookie, and (apparently) has no taste buds, (haha!!).  She gives him some sort of allergy medication and calls me.  She determines that it wasn't nuts, and that he's just freaking out because they were worried.  He's doing better (aside from a tummy ache) and calls me crying.  I tell him his stomach hurts because he was coughing so much, and he'll feel better after he gets some water in him.  Auntie calls him a drama queen - I agree (since she said there wasn't any PB in the cookie). 
Fast forward another 10 minutes - Ares is projectile puking in the car, and then in a parking lot.  
Fast forward 8 hours (he's fine, by the way), Kassi and I take a bite of a similar cookie, there is no doubt peanut butter in there (for the record, the cookie was yummy!).  It seems like each time he has PB, the symptoms get worse and worse.

I guess I need to get another EPI pen prescription for him.  =(  Poor kid.    He was telling his mousie last night that he 'throwed up'. 

Wait, we had a Weekend?

I'm not sure I remember it, or can recall relaxing - once.   It started with Ares and his friends (never, EVER relaxing) at Lowe's to put together Sandman's Plane.  They all had a good time, and LOVED 'flying' their planes around the store.  It was cute. for a bit. 

Katie's birthday was this weekend, so we all went out to a nice lunch after the Lowe's trip.  It was pretty relaxing, except they made Ares the wrong thing, and then only brought half of his food out roughly 10 minutes after everyone else started eating.  Luckily, Adam got two mini burgers and gave Ares one to hold him over.     I think this kid is going to grow 5" next week.  He has been eating non-stop.  I mean, two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners... last night, he had his second dinner at 8:30PM and then woke up at 3AM asking for more food.    Adam didn't let him have any, but Ares woke up this morning "starving".

After lunch we managed to get a 45 minute nap in before we left to meet his friends (again) in Kent to see Santa come in on a train.  The line to actually sit on Santa's lap was about 2 hours long, so we got some free hot chocolate, let the boys play with the stones on the path and headed home to watch football and clean. 

Sunday I had all the girls over (mom, and her side of the family, aunts, grandma, cousins, and Aunt Jeannette's daughters and granddaughters) for our Krajcer Christmas party.  It was fun, but I think I stood for about 10 hours straight.  After cleaning, cooking, and the party, mom had people over for a Tupperware party, and then we had to clean... oh wow did we have to clean.  What a mess my house was!  Thank goodness for my mother!  We were all in bed by 9:30.  Of course, I couldn't sleep at all.  I think I was beyond the exhausted stage that my body wouldn't settle down.   Bummer.  I'll sleep well tonight though!

Happy Monday everyone!