That Tough Choice

I think I had the greatest compliment I have ever had recently. As parents we all have to think about what would happen if we were gone and no longer able to care for our children. We all have to think who would we trust with our most precious gifts. I had to make that choice a long time ago with my wacky family to be sure if any thing happened to Mohawk daddy and I that Monkey would be raised like we would like and be able to see BOTH sides of the family without an issue. His daddy and I think we made the best choice. But for the first time ever someone thought that i was a good enough parent that they asked that of me. I can't even tell you how amazing it is. Someone thinks I am a good enough mom that they would trust me with their most precious gifts. Now here is hoping that nothing never happens because of course it is one of my dearest friends I couldn't bare to loose but I was feeling very touched and thought I would share.

A Month

I know it has been a month since I have posted. I am sorry life just ran away with me. It is the end of my semester for school so I am gearing up for final exams. But I had to share this little story with all of you. Mohawk Baby and I were riding in the car a few days ago. When I looked in the back seat he was just sitting there. I asked if he was going to start on his breakfast he said

"In a minute mom I am searching for my inner peace."

Fairly sure I hadn't heard what I thought I did I said excuse me? He said

" I am looking for my inner peace it is somewhere here (gesturing to his heart)
around my heart."

Trying not to laugh I told him when he found his inner peace he needed to eat to nourish his inner body. I just love that boy he says the funniest stuff.

Winter Vacations in Florida!

So monkey's god mother Na-Na came down to see us for a whole 10 days. It is never long enough for me I am so very selfish with my time with her. We didn't lack for activities though we went to the usual Florida tourist traps: Disney, Sea World, and Busch Gardens. We also spent some time doing the usual soccer practice and games and Tae Kwon Do. The last two days were the best though we spent our free time at the beach building sand castles. I though I would share a picture of one with you all!

Monkey loves any chance he has to spend with his Na-Na and we can't wait until she is back for his birthday in February.

4 year old voters

So I voted today, and I thought it would be good for Monkey to witness the civic responsibility. When I got to the voting place they had a children's voting ballot too. I was so excited. So after I voted and he stood not so patiently to watch me fill in the bubbles it was now his turn. Little children were only asked to vote for the president. Monkey took his little pencil and bubbled in on the sheet, next to his chosen candidates picture, behind the cardboard privacy barrier. Then he placed his little ballot in the slot with the other children's ballots.

His father asked him who he voted for and he said John McCain.

Daddy asked him why.

Monkey said "Because he kinda looks like a Grandpa." - And there is the logic of the four year old voter.

Car Ride Conversations

Don't let that innocent face fool you!

So I think talking with monkey is one of the most amazing experiences. My friend Mags is right kids don't know how to lie until someone teaches them and their honesty is refreshing.

So with all the eventfulness in our lives in the past few days, I seem to have lost a grip on my scheduling mastery. Usually on Monday evenings my gracious friend picks Monkey up and takes him with Popeye to soccer practice, because I inconveniently have class. Well I didn't even remember soccer so I didn't pack anything Monkey would need. I even went so far as to ask Grandma to pick him up from school. I felt like such a schmuck when another mom called me and told me her wee guy was missing soccer because he wasn't feeling up to it and I had to urgently hang up to call my dear friend and apologize for being a flake.

So I pick up monkey from grandma's and I tell him I am so so sorry for forgetting soccer.

This is what I was getting to...

This morning in the car Monkey says "So Mom, we missed soccer yesterday?"

I told him we did and I was sorry. Then he says "DAMMIT" I didn't even know what to do he has never cussed on purpose before. I just said excuse me and he apologized. Then I asked him why he said that (the honesty part) - "I just wanted to see what you would do." Kids I tell you!

Sadness

(This picture was pirated from my sister's camera - thanks Sis!)
I have not posted recently because I have been out of town. This picture of my niece and her scrampa was not taken long before he passed away last Monday. I know that my family will be popping on to check out my blog and I would love for you to leave Mohawk Baby your favorite memories of my dad, as this blog is really for him. When I feel a bit more strong and I can type about him and still see thru the tears I will post a few of my own as well. For those of you that made it, Sister and I would like to thank you so much for supporting us and being there for us. For those that couldn't make it we understand - and we missed each of you. Really thank you all for your condolences and all of the thoughts and prayers.

Wordless Wednesday

Out of the mouth of babes

Mohawk Daddy, monkey and I were in the living room the other day. As innocent as ever monkey looks at his dad and says "daddy are you an momma married?" Daddy tells him no we are not and that is why my last name is not the same as theirs. Monkey looks his dad right in the face and says "so when are you guys going to get around to that?" - Some reaction from a four year old.

Ninja Monkey

For Halloween Monkey wanted to be bat man for that we had a costume consisting of PJ's and a mask he got at a friends birthday, totally affordable - as it cost us nothing.

Then today we are milling around TJ Max and we find this gem. Monkey of course fell in love with is, so daddy says we should just try it on him to see if it fits, and as you can see it fit quite well. I think the best part is the fluffy muscles on the little noodle arms of my monkey!

Happy Halloween!

I had a dream

So daddy came home today after being out of town for a week. We are riding in the car to pick up monkey from his grandmothers. He turns to me and says "I had a strange dream the other day. I dreamt that I was reincarnated as a pencil eraser." (first I hope he knows he can not be reincarnated as anything that doesn't have life) Then he says "It was terrible people would put me down and pick me up and it was gross getting all dirty erasing stuff." - You have to give him credit for his creativity!

Fire!!

Mohawk Monkey is much like any child he wants to grow up to be all kinds of public servants. This is a wonderful pic of him at a safety fair near our home. Chief Monkey on the fire truck. I think it is very becoming for him, even though he is actually afraid of the fire truck.. too loud!

Then he decided he wanted to be a police man and now he has decided he would like to be an army space man, and be the first space man to walk on mars.

He will have an opportunity to see a shuttle launch soon hopefully this will keep his space man dreams alive.

Mothers Night Out

Hold onto your socks boys we had a night out with a crew of moms - out for the first time with out their children, most in five years!! And then there were the poor two husbands other wise known as DD.. yes it is true two sad guys that listened to this group of woman talk about labor for an hour!! And we wondered why we never go out with kids. We followed this uncomfortable situation with a more fun conversation of what is wrong with my man... yep it was more uncomfortable for the ones that had to hear the critique.. if your reading this honey don't worry I was very nice.

Now don't get me wrong this group of woman has become fast friends seeing each other at drop off and pick up every day, but there are only some things you can learn over a few car bombs.... And we sat there with this crazy conversation and generational gap for the whole four hours while our children were playing. Then like a flash we jet out to be the best mother we can be picking the children up on time, only after we went the wrong way and counted down the time.. it was close we even had to run a little. It is always a competition to see who is the the best mom.. what have we come to?

Introduction

Let me introduce the family, the cute one in the apron is my only son Mohawk Monkey. But don't let the hat fool you daddy has a Mohawk too.

I am hoping to use this blog to document moments in my monkeys life so I can reflect on them as he grows. I want him to know where he comes from and what he has come thru.

This picture is an example of my desire for Mohawk monkey to have everything in life. Especially special moments with is dad doing "guy stuff." This is a picture of monkey and dad building a bird house.

In these tough economic times it is amazing to see there still some companies with big hearts. The Home Depot allows children to come in and build a project for free the first Saturday of the month. Lowes lets children do similar projects but they say they are for children in 2nd grade or older.