Thursday, June 3, 2010

Random Musings from a Long Day!

Tomorrow is Friday! I love Fridays!

If you have been following my dad's journey through cancer and amyloidosis, please stop by his blog. He updates his site with new information every Friday morning. Just click on the words below and it will take you to his blog. He lists several specific prayer requests this week.

A Cheerful Heart- My Dad's Blog

As dad had his doctor's appt. at Moffit Cancer Institute, Austin had his first appt. with a new pediatrician in our new town. You know that you are living in a small town (or at least a hometown) when you take your son to the same pediatrician your husband saw when he was growing up! Is anyone else reminded of the Friends episode where Ross still goes to visit his pediatrician?? Yes? Well, welcome to my reality!

Austin had to get two shots this morning (for his four-year-old wellness visit), and he made me laugh out loud when he tried to negotiate with the nurse.

"How about just one shot today?" Austin asked as she came in the room with the needles.

The nurse avoided his question. "This will be very quick."

"Okay, how about this... I will lay back and do one shot, and then I will come in another day to do the other shot? Does that sound good?"

His negotiation failed and he received two shots. We did, however, visit Toys R' Us this afternoon and bought a "special treat" for his bravery at the doctor's office.

James often teases me about my use of the term "special treat" when dealing with our son. I have learned however, that an a skittle, a juice box, or even popcorn can all become desperately wanted when I simply use the term "special treat!"

I do not feel good about my mothering strategies however, when I ask Austin to take his dirty clothes to the laundry room and he asks, "And then what do I get as a special treat, mom?" My reply... Clean Clothes!

Last week we had a play date with some of our friends in University Town. The H family has a garter snake in their yard that they see regularly, and they have named him "Nofeet." Mom H asked Austin if he wanted to help find Nofeet while we were playing in the backyard. For the first time in my entire life, I went searching for a snake rather than running in another direction. I must admit that I was DELIGHTED that nofeet was nowhere to be found on playdate day.

Austin, however, has decided that he too wants a garter snake in his yard. Today, our new pediatrician asked Austin if he had any pets.

"No." He said. "Not yet, but we are getting a garter snake soon."

The doctor looked at me.

"No." I said. "Austin just wants a garter snake."

So, as one of our projects, we put together a model snake for Austin. I let him paint the snake, but I somehow could "only find" the pink and orange paints that day. Listen, if I have to have a snake in my house (even a replica), I want it to be as non-realistic as possible.

DSCN4039

Here is our new pink pet. I hope you enjoy your Friday as much as I plan to enjoy mine. I am sure that there will be stories to tell!

*** Updated: I just realized that I never took a picture of the finished product (a pink pet), here is the snake in the beginning orange stages - I will take another pic tomorrow!

DSCN4041

2 comments:

Karen said...

hmmmmm .... orange and pink helps, but did it have to have big fangs???? YIKES!!! Just so you know, I cannot visit people with pet snakes. Let's negotiate. How bout this. You stick with the model and forget the real thing! Ok?? Love ya!

Anonymous said...

Hey! I miss you. Sounds like things are going well. I'm so happy to hear. I love seeing all the cute pics. Love you- Jennifer N. Xo