Welcome

I was kind of amused today when I got home and found a "Welcome to the neighborhood and ward" packet on my door step. Thanks. I moved here six years ago. What I found most amusing was that I'm on the included phone list. Hmmm...

Is it ok to play?

Before actual post - Do you have those times where you just don't feel like blogging. And maybe don't even feel like reading anyone elses blog. And then the desire starts to come back and you're like, wait I missed so much and now I need to catch up but where do I begin. Or do I just start from here and sort of forget those weeks that just went by. Well...moving on.

So I usually stay away from "controversial" topics on here. Because I don't like confrontation. And honestly, I have my opinions and you have your opinions and that's just the way life is. I probably won't change mine you probably won't change yours so lets just sit in a circle and sing Kumbaya. But I have a dilemma and I'm actually interested in hearing your opinion. Yep yours. Not that I don't feel that away about any post...back to subject.

Will wants a toy gun. I hate guns. Dilemma. Do you let your kid have something that you really really dislike cause its just a toy and making a big deal about not having it seems like a bigger deal then the fact that you don't like it? Or do you say, no, I don't like this and I don't care that I don't know anyone else that has said this, its still my feeling?

History - When Will's dad Pat was little his mom didn't want him to have a toy gun. She bought him a toy drill and instead of having a gun like all the other kids, he used his drill to shoot things. And he was laughed at. Now the main point of this is that even if you don't give a kid a toy gun, they will make one up. Use a stick, their hand, a drill, what have you. So is that any different than just buying them the gun?

Here's my issue. Guns are made to hurt things. Kill things. Not a fan. And I'm not saying that I have a problem with people owning guns. Not the point. You have your gun and we can talk about that another time. I'm talking about kids. Little kids. Pointing a toy at someone and pretending to kill them. Cause that's what you do with toy guns. You take turns being the bad guy and you kill each other.

Now I know the vast majority of kids that grow up playing cops and robbers do not go on to commit school massacres or such. But you know what, some do. And not that I'm worried about my kid becoming a criminal, but it just seriously disturbs me to see him point his finger at someone and make shooting noises.

Today I read a story in the paper about some kids running around outside with an air gun. They were running around the neighborhood chasing each other and all of the sudden the kid found himself staring down a real gun. It happens that they were running outside of a police officer's home. He heard kids yelling, looked outside and saw what he thought was a real hand gun. He went outside and pulled his gun on the kid. Now luckily the story ends there. The kid didn't get hurt. But he could have. Just because of appearances.

So does it come down to what kind of gun, where you let them play with it, how you let them play with it, or is that just all irrelevant and you say, you know what, I don't want you to have a gun? And if you do, do they grow up wanting this thing so badly that it becomes a bad thing? Something that they get into trouble with because they don't understand the power of a gun? Circles and circles and circles in my mind.

So...does your kid have a toy gun? Did you have a toy gun growing up? Talk amongst yourselves. And then leave a comment :)

Lego Time

Will and I were building this awesome helicopter this morning. He came across the round white piece in front on the picture. He asked me what it was for and I told him I wasn't sure. (Keep in mind this is a fire and police set) After looking at it for a few seconds Will decided he had figured it out. "Oh I know. I bet its for a chicken stand. Do you think they have a chicken stand outside the police station?" Uh....yeah...I bet its for a chicken stand bud.

Will quadrupled

My little boy turns 4 today. Crazy. I know its a cliche, but you really can't believe how fast they grow up, and how much they change in those first few years. It seems like just yesterday...

He was so tiny, only 5 lbs, and the only thing that got me through those first couple of weeks was cuddling with this tiny little bundle. He learned to climb on the couch before he could walk. Thought I was in for trouble but turns out I ended up being very lucky and have so far avoided any major accidents.

(One)
(Two)
Somewhere between his 1st and 2nd birthday the truck/car/vehicle obsession began, and man I had no idea what was to come. Who knew that buying him a matchbox car to keep him quite during a shopping trip would turn into this...
(only a partial collection at the time)
(Three)
This year has been really hard, lots of new adjustments. I tried to prepare myself that it might be I would have a little toddler acting out a lot just because of the things he was going through. But much to my relief he has handled everything really well. He is such a calm, mellow kid that I have a hard time when I'm around "normal" kids cause I'm just not used to it. (Not that he doesn't have his moments, don't ask him to share) He is such a wonderful part of my life and I wanted to make note of some of my favorite things about him.

~ I love his truck obsession. Sometimes it gets old for me and I don't get it at all, but its so fun to have a kid that will get so excited just by driving past a construction site.

~ He is the best hugger. Ask anyone that has received his bear hugs. He will come and tell me that he needs a hug and then after receiving one asks if I need a hug too. Hugs are too special to not dedicate to one at a time.

~ His is still a cuddler. And I can't tell you how much I need that. I hope he stays that way for many years to come. Ok, it might be weird if my teenager is still cuddling on my lap, but I'm gonna hope it never goes away. When he is feeling needy for some cuddling he comes up and makes this little whimpering animal noise and that's his sign that I need to pick him up and give him some one on one attention.

~ He is extremely interested in learning. I think he will absolutely love school, but I wish for a very patient teacher for him. Its more than a "why" stage with him, he actually wants you to explain things in a very detailed manner, to a degree much further than I almost always have the answer. And he remembers things that I never thought he was really even listening to. I feel bad at my lack of knowledge for his questions, but I really don't know how earthquakes happen, what they do when the water gets to the sewer plant, how radio towers work, or what the speed of light is. This kid needs to watch the science channel non-stop to fill his need for information.

~ He is extremely kind hearted. Two recent examples. I recently mentioned this, but we were at the fair and he didn't want to leave a lone lamb that was crying outside because it was probably lonely and he didn't want it to be sad. We were at the store looking at toys and there was a little tiger in a circus cage. He stopped and went back to it and very concerned told me that somehow the tiger was stuck in that cage and maybe it needed help. He is very sensitive and gets his feelings hurt very easily, but is also quick to apologize very sincerely if he knows he hurt my feelings. He will also come and ask you to tell him sorry when he is upset. Sometimes this ends with me saying "I'm sorry that you are upset", but if you say sorry, he will say thanks and move on from the issue. I'm guessing this won't last forever.

~ He loves animals. Especially dogs. He has very deep attachments to the dogs in our extended family and asks when he gets to see them next on a weekly basis. He also tries to watch out for them and if he thinks one is not being treated fairly by the others, he will try and go to their rescue.

~ Before Will could talk we taught him the sign for more. He was very good at using it for when he wanted more bottle/food but he quickly learned it could be used for other things, including asking to be tickled. He would place your hand on his tummy and then make the sign for more. He still loves to be tickled and if you start tickling him he will ask you to stop so he can take off his shirt, cause then you can get better access.

And just for fun...
Happy Birthday bug! I love you more than words can express.

Please, don't close your eyes while driving

While in Kanab last weekend, my little sister Alex was reviewing for the drivers ed test. The following are actual practice exam questions. Yes. These are questions we are asking people who are learning to get their drivers license. Just remember this the next time you think "Hell, where did you learn to drive?"

1. The best way to fight fatigue is to
a. use a stimulant
b. rest
c. look at the scenery
d. drink coffee

2. Traffic laws are enforced by
a. the CIA
b. state and local police
c. the department of motor vehicles
d. United States marshals

3. One way to reduce driving risk is to
a. anticipate the actions of others
b. always use high-beam headlights
c. join a support group
d. close the windows

4. Through driver education, students learn
a. how to maneuver and control a vehicle
b. the traffic laws of all 50 states
c. how to drive without paying attention
d. how to join a support group

(is drivers ed endorsed by some sort of support group?)

5. If you are temporarily blinded by headlight glare, you should
a. look down
b. see a doctor
c. reduce your speed
d. close your eyes

6. Some people with physical disabilities are able to drive by using
a. prosthetic devices
b. a breathalyzer
c. peripheral vision
d. narcotics