Wednesday, June 30, 2010

6 Words

"I need to speak with you." Is a statement that when uttered by your child's care provider upon you're arrival in the evening makes even the most seasoned parent shudder. No matter your mood prior to that statement- you exhale loudly, shoulders slump and ask, 'What did he do know?'
The subject of that statement in this instance was WC. Now, he's a pretty good kid and rarely ever gets into trouble. But when the boy does something, he doesn't half-ass it. He goes after being in trouble with the same intensity as being well behaved. It's all or nothing...no middle ground. And his trouble is never fighting or anything malicious. It stems more from the fact he's a free-spirit...I guess that's the way to describe it. CJ's troubles always stem from him believing the world should revolve around him and to hell with anyone who doesn't agree- but then he is three & we're working on it.
So, on this day I arrive to the 6 words spoken by the head camp counsellor and she pulls me off to the side.
My son and some other boys- all 6 yrs old went to the bathroom connected to the gymnasium and as with any gym bathroom there's a shower room. They decided it would be fun to take a shower. So they all strip naked and are running around in the open shower room. I'm unsuccessfully trying not to laugh as she describes discovering a shower room full of wet naked little boys. So they all had to have a talk about private parts and not romping around with the parts God gave you flapping in the breeze. 
Both of the boys run around naked all the time at home- after a bath & before pj's they run streaking through the house, squealing with laughter. Nudity isn't anything that I've raised them to be ashamed of. But it never occurred to me that he would do this with total strangers. It was all innocent. I've had multiple discussions with him about his private parts and not allowing anyone to touch them. And he's not to touch anyone else and if someone asks him to then he needs to say no and go tell an adult. I keep that a running discussion that I bring up periodically- usually during the bath time.  But now I've also had to tell him that he can't get naked at day camp.
My Dad laughed hysterically when I told my parents what their grandson had done. And his comment was about how smart the boy is. Smart? Smart?
I don't get how organizing the first grade nudist colony can be considered smart?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

A Little Crazy

WC climbed in the car the other evening when I picked him from day camp and half way down the road, out of the blue, he announced:
"I got a bead stuck up my nose today."
Me: "What?!?"
"Oh, don't worry, they got it out."
Me still really confused why a six year old is sticking stuff in his nostrils: "Why?!"
"I got a little crazy today."
 
I drop the conversation, because, what can I really say to that?
 
Yesterday he brought it up again.
 
"You remember when I got a bead stuck up my nose at camp?"
Me: "I recall the story...You know you aren't supposed to stick things in there, right?"
"I was putting this yellow bead in my nose and blowing it out seeing how far I could make it fly across the table. And when I inhaled I sucked it up and the teacher had to use a pen cap and gloves to get it."
Me: "Please tell me this wasn't during lunch."
"Nope...snack."
 
Sometimes it really is best not to ask for details.
 
Incidentally the bead that was being used as a nasal projectile was awarded for good behavior. I'm guessing they didn't revoke it because they really didn't want the bead back...I wouldn't.
 
 
 
 

Monday, June 7, 2010

Sticker Shock

Taking my kids into Toys R Us is like putting an epileptic chihuahua in front of a strobe light. We generally avoid this at all costs.

Their old metal swing set had become unsafe, so Jay dismantled it Saturday. We decided a while back that we wanted to replace it with one of those nice wooden sets. The kind that neither of us had as a child- I don't recall if those existed back then for home use but if they did, we couldn't afford it anyway. It isn't something that is necessary, obviously, but something we would like to do. We decided to ride out to Toys R Us, Sunday after lunch and see what they had & how much.
The sliding door at the Toys R Us must seem like the gates of heaven when you"re 6 & 3. Immediately they spotted the display of Toy Story themed toys and off they went. After we did our research in the play set department I took the kids over to the book aisle...this would be safe. WC quickly located a Bakugan book he just had to have & CJ a Thomas the Train sticker book. They held their treasures until they located a bin of medium sized rubber balls in tie die colors. Okay, fine $.1.99 each. Then the personalized water bottles. WC really wanted one to take to his summer day camp. Sure, that seemed a reasonable request. Nothing else, we are looking at spending money on a play set. No more. That was fine until they reached the guitars. WC wanted one but understood he would have to wait...CJ had to be threatened with taking him back to the car with nothing.
We check out & the girl tell me the total is $42. I swipe the card & complete the transaction before it hits me. What the hell did we spend $42 on? I scan the receipt still standing at the end of the check out. Thomas the Train the sticker book...$12.99...For a sticker book?! Jay rummages into the bag and says, "Honey, you just bought him 800 stickers!"
O...M...G...