Happy Birthday...

...to the most FABULOUS son a mommy could ever have. I can't believe you are 10 years-old!! Where have all the years gone? It seems like it was just yesterday when I held you in my arms for the very first time and I promised to love and take care of you always.

You have changed my life for the better and you make me sooooo VERY PROUD everyday. Watching you grow into the wonderful young man you are becoming has been such a joy.
I'm so VERY HAPPY to be your mother.

You are my world!!

Love always and forever,
Mommy

Bye, Bye Max

Last weekend there was a tragedy in the life of young E. He lost his best buddy, Max the fish, apparently he died of natural causes. (note: we do not suspect foul play as Tali 2 was no where in the vicinty...lol)

When we discovered Max lying lifeless at the bottom of his bowl E in disbelief ran up to it and tapped lightly on the glass. Once it was established that Max was indeed dead E burst into tears and my heart immediately sank. I know how much Max meant to E and I also know that my son is of the extra sensitive variety. When he loves something or someone he loves them hard and deep.

I let him cry for a few minutes and I held him in my arms and comforted him letting my shoulder soak up his tears. Then all of a sudden it hit me like a ton of bricks. This boy is almost 10 years old. Should I allow him to go on like this over a fish? He is not a little baby anymore. Would his father allow him to carry on like this if he lived with us? Or would he tell him to stop all of the nonsense?

The mom in me wanted to hold him and allow him to grieve over his lost friend, but I don't want my son to grow up to be "soft". I want him to be a man. Whatever that means. I just didn't know what to do and I was so confused.

It is times like these I wish I had a husband or his father close by so that I could turn to him for help when stuff like this come up. I know it seems silly to think some thing as small as a fish dying could bring up so much anxiety for me, but heck. I wasn't raised with a father in the home so I have no idea what a father would do in this situation...Sigh!!

I eventually told E to stop crying and that we needed to do something with Max's remains. We decided to give him a proper burial at sea (flush him down the toilet). However, that took some convincing. The conversation went a little like this:

Me: We need to give Max a proper burial.
E: How?
Me: All good fish get sent back to the ocean.
E: Do you mean flushing him?
Me: Yes.
E: Noooooo!!! He is too good for that!!! We should just drive to the ocean.
Me: Sigh...

Well, it has been a little over a week and I am glad to say although E misses his pet fish. This experience has not scarred him for life and I guess I handled it pretty well.

Bye Max. E will miss you.

Don't Be a Victim, But Be a Victor !

Every Sunday morning I am awakened by a little body crawling into my bed. I usually just pretend like I am still sleeping, but this morning when I rolled back over I looked at the clock and realized that Joel Osteen was on. I like to watch his show every Sunday morning his message is just so positive and I like to meditate about what he says throughout the week. Since I have incorporated this in my life my glass always seems half full rather than empty. Joel's message this morning was about not letting your past define you and how instead of being a victim you should be a victor. Anyway, after the program this morning the following conversation ensued:

Me: I received it. He was talking right to me this morning.

E: No Mom, he was talking to me.

Me: Really? What did he say to you?

E: Don't be defeated when bad people come your way. It is not happening to me, but for me.

Me: So, that when things don't go your way you shouldn't feel sad and defeated, but take power over the negative feelings and stay positive.

E: Yes.

Me: Well, I am glad you were paying attention.

E: I always do. He was talkig to both of us. I am going to go watch cartoons now!!

E's Theory on Bar.ack Ob.ama

I jumped the aisle last year just so I could vote in the Democratic primary election today. McCain is my pick as a Republican, but how could I not be a part of history. I mean a woman and a Black man both vying for the Presidential nomination...WOW just WOW.

E and I woke up bright and early, so that we could get to the polls before the crowd. We were one of the first 10 people in line and once the polls opened at 7am we were in and out by 7:15am. I even took the time to fill out a couple of surveys.

E and I have talked a lot about the election and how history is being made with both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as Democratic canidates. To my surprise his enthusiam as to the prospect of having a President that looks like him running the country was dim to say the least. Here are a couple of snippets of our conversations:


Me: E, Barack Obama is very close to making history. This is so exciting!!
E: Are you gonna vote for him?
Me: Yes
E: OH No!!!
Me: (looking puzzled) E, don't you think it would be great to have Black President.
E: No (faced all frowned up)
Me: Why not?
E: If Obama wins the election then he will crush my dream of being the first Black President!!
Me: *blank stare* hmmmmm..... Sweetie as much as I would love for you to make history this country just can't wait another 30 years for you to run. We need help now!!
E: (pouting)
Me: ROFL!!!

*************

E: Awww Mom!! I can not believe you voted for Obama.
Me: Well I told you I felt he was the best canidate and I have to vote my conscious.
E: He is too perfect. He has gotta be some sort of spy...
Me: Huh??
E: ...and only a little kid would be able to figure it out and they knew no one would believe a little kid.
Me: O.K. Mr. smarty pants who sent the spy?
E: Aliens
Me: If he is an alien spy then what is he going to do once he becomes President?
E: Who knows what he's gonna do? Probably rob all the banks...
Me: Sigh!!!! Good night!!
E: But Mom, it's still morning...
Me: I don't care. Good Night!!

Well folks, if Obama turns out to be some kind of bank robbing Manchurain Canidate sent by aliens you heard it here first.

9 years ago today...

I learned what it meant to love someone. I mean really love somebody with my whole heart and soul and only wanting good things for them in life. I learned what it means to want to protect someone from harm and to put someone else's well-being before my own.

9 years ago today I was able to start a journey that forever changed the person I was. At that point forward I started the hardest job anyone can ever embark on. My greatest accomplishment and most important job that I will ever have.

9 years ago today I became a mother.



E you are more precious to me then any diamond. You are worth twice your weight in gold. You are the best son a mother can ever have and you make me proud everyday to be your mom. I love you with all of my heart and I always will.

Happy Thanksgiving

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I had E write down 10 things he is thankful for this year, so here it goes:


10. Turkey
9. T.V.
8. Mac n' cheese
7. Toys
6. His bike
5. His scooter
4. His trumpet
3. Music
2. Friends
1. Family

Well I hope you take time out today to really think about all of the things you are thankful for this year. I was watching T.V. this morning and I heard a Rabbi say something to the effect of that you can be disappointed with how your life is going, but you can still find something to be thankful for. That is definitely food for thought...

BE SAFE and HAVE FUN!!!

E the Greek Philosopher!!

On the way home E informed me that he could not finish his homework at his after school care because he was being distracted by one of the other kids. I have been working with him on trying his best to ignore the other kids, but it's proving to be a losing battle...sigh. Anyway this is how the conversation played out.


Me: E, haven’t I told you that you should not let other people distract you? You just have to try your best to ignore them.

E: (Looks up from his book) Mom, do you know the Greek expression “give me a long lever and I can move the earth"

Me: No, what is that suppose to mean?

E: It means if people annoy me enough times I am bound to be distracted no matter how hard I try not to be.

Me: **Crickets**

E: (Going back to reading his book)

Me: BWWHAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!


Man, I am going to have to look this up to see if it is an actual Greek expression.

***UPDATE***
My curiosity got the best of me and I googled the expression and hot damn did the boy come close to what the actual quote is. Greek mathematician Archimedes said it and it goes "Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand and I will move the earth."

Not bad for an 8 year-old...That's MY boy!!!

Conversation with E

Friday night sitting at home and this is the exchange:

Me: You want to watch a movie?

E: With you?

Me: Yes

E: Hmmmm.... maybe tomorrow

Me: Well... (acting all offended)

E: Mom, its not like I don't love you, but this really good show is on.

Me: (turning around leaving the room feeling rejected)


Not even an 8 year-old wants to hang out with me...LOL!!!

I Admit It...I Miss my Boy!!!

As you may or may not remember me telling you all that my son E was spending this summer in New England with his father. This would be his second summer trip away from me and believe me when I say that I really needed the break this year. At first I was feeling like a woman who had a 60lb weight lifted from her and I made all kinds of plans(in my head) of the things I wanted to do. Mostly consisting of organizing my apartment and catching a few movies. I know boring huh...but hell I am a single mother who works full-time and I'm a part time student that is about as exciting as I get nowadays...LOL!!

The fact that I am...shall I say...ummm...boring never really bothers me because I am always so busy running E around in between studying, planning and cooking meals, cleaning, blogging etc. etc. Doing all of that makes time just go at warp speed and before I know it months have passed no harm no foul.

However, this summer I realized that it was the first time I have ever been completely on my own. I mean yes...I have been alone before but it was always in very short spurts a weekend here or there. This was the first time that I was alone completely with no one responsible for me or no responsibilty for anyone other than myself. I had no real outside distractions in the form of a boyfriend, family, exploring a new environment or excessive partying. Nothing. All I had was me and work and of course a couple of college classes. There was only me, myself and I to worry about and you know what? I hated it.

Don't get me wrong at first it was great!! I mean I could come straight home from work and not have to worry about picking up anyone. I could eat what I wanted and when I wanted and not have to worry about being on a hungry kid's schedule. Laundry was a definite breeze with only my clothes to do. I could go for a nice long run whenever I felt the need and not have to worry about scheduling it in. If I wanted quiet I got quiet and if I wanted noise I could just flip on the radio or the T.V. I could come and go as I pleased and not have to wait for a little person to get ready or make sure he was ready to go. I didn't have to go behind anyone to make sure all of the lights were turned out and the best thing of all. When I straightend up my living room it stayed neat for longer than 5 minutes....YAY!!!

Now that I said all of that I am trying to figure out why I hated living alone...LOL.

Anyway the biggest reason why I hated being alone was that I missed my baby boy. Although according to him he is no longer a baby and I hate to admit that he isn't. This year he will be starting the 4th grade and I just can't believe how time has passed. Gee...I still remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. He is so much more than my little boy though...he is also my road dawg to the 10th power!!! We have the best conversations and play games and do all sorts of fun things together even though he be trying to cheat...Humph!!!

I miss him even more now that he is not back home this week like I had originally planned. You see last Tuesday evening my little boy broke his arm and I was simply beside myself worrying all that night until I knew for sure he was OK. I mean I know kids get broken bones all the time and it's really no big deal. But dammit!! it was a big deal to me...hell. My baby was hurting and I was not there to comfort him!! I know he will be fine and his dad was there to take care of everything. Unfortunately, he had to stay another week because the doctor wanted to see him again before he left...sigh. There was a bit of a complication and some talk of the possibility of surgery but hopefully he wont need it.

I can't wait to see him this weekend and give him the biggest hug in the world. I miss my boy sooooo very much and since the time that he is young is so short I don't want to miss anymore of it then I have to.

I can't wait to hear about how his day at school went, or help him with his homework and read to him again.

I never thought I could ever love someone so much...

Heelys

E wants these shoes sooooooo bad!! I keep telling him no, because personally I think they are dangerous and very annoying. Of course, he thinks that I am being mean and unfair and he is trying to wear me down by asking me for them pretty much weekly.

Well today I came across this article and now I can't wait for him to come home, so he can read it. I knew these shoes were nothing, but trouble...LOL!!

Have any of you have allowed your children to have Heelys? If so how is it working for them? Are they really as dangerous as this article makes them out to be?

Question from E

I want to apologize for my lack of blogging these last few days. I try to write something every night even if it is just my boring azz food journal, but I have not been able to manage that. Reason being my classes have been getting pretty intense and I have had no extra time to write about anything. I have ideas floating around in my brain and I have some stories to tell, but no time to sit down and really write them down.

Tonight I am going to leave you with a question E has asked me, and I am not really sure how to answer it. I know the answer that I want to give him, but when I sit down and really think about it there is not way to really prove it. He is from the "show me" state just like his mom and can't really believe ish unless he can see it or you can show him some kind of proof.

The question he asked me was "What came first the dinosaurs or God?"

Can you help me answer this question for him?

Edited to add:
My first instinct was to say God came first because that is what I believe, but as E pointed out there is no mention of dinosaurs in his Bible or the Torah, so he was very confused. I am a spiritual person, but I am in no shape, way or form a Bible scholar. I have however read the entire Bible and the Torah from cover to cover and I don't remember any mention of dinosaurs. I guess they must have been included in with the "beasts".

I love how inquisitive he is, but dang!!!

ALL About E

Well, I didn't mean to leave you hanging on such a serious note last night, but I was just too tired to write about the next topic I planned on and that is fun facts about my son E. Since writing about my life will include him on more than a few occasions I figured I better let you all get to know him a bit better.

Born: December 17
Sign: Sagittarius
(just missed being a Capricorn like me by a few days)

Personality: (not in any order)
Silly, Playful, Funny as hell, Loving
Caring, Giving, Very Intelligent
Serious, Sensitive, Charming
Manipulative, Active, Honest
Quick Tempered

Favorite Food:
Pepperoni Pizza

Favorite Drink:
Chocolate Milk

Favorite School Subject:
Reading and Math

Least Favorite School Subject:
Writing

Favorite Phrase:
Ooops! My Bad.

Favorite Things To Do:
Play Video Games, Watch Cartoons
Reading about Video Games and Animals
Sodoku, Puzzles, Riding His Bike
Cub Scouts, Shoveling Snow

His Chores: (we will be adding more this year)
Cleaning his room, Taking out all of the trash
Sorting out his laundry, Generally picking up after himself.

Things He Likes For Me To Do For Him:
Read him bed time stories
Listen to his side the story before I make punishment decisions...lol!!
Watch movies with him

Things He Does For Me:
Opens doors for me
Dances in the middle of the living room with me
Sings very badly with me
Listens to my constant speeches about the benefits of education

Places We Go:
Smithsonian
Zoo
Aquarium
Monster Truck Shows
Cub Scouting Events
Parks

Miscellaneous Facts:
He is afraid of the dark
Likes to sleep with a stuffed animal
Hates all types of bugs and lizards
Loves all other animals even snakes
We have the BEST conversations
Loves money (currently saving to a few things he wants for himself)

Well he is my baby and one of the best things to ever happen for me. I couldn't have asked for a more AWESOME kid!! I can't wait to get my camera, so I can show you all the cool things we do.

Conversation I had with E This Morning

E: Mommy, I love Tom and Jerry

Me: Well, they were one of my favorites growing up. I am glad you enjoy them too.

E: Yeah, you know what I love about old cartoons?

Me: What?

E: Most seemed to be filled with unreasonable violence...

Me: *shaking my* Unreasonable violence huh??? What am I gonna do with you??

E: *very nonchalantly says* Love me.

Ummmmm...OK