Viva Las Vegas

This last week, Gage & I enjoyed some R&R time in Las Vegas.  We enjoyed a show (Mistere'... a Cirque du Soleil show), Gage won just enough money to counter my losses (he had lady luck on his side this trip), walked until we practically couldn't possibly walk anymore, and all got healthy doses of Vitamin D while relaxing poolside.  We went along with some other friends of ours...other couples also in need of some childless R&R time.  

We had a GREAT view from our room at the Mandalay Bay of Air Force One landing and President Obama's motorcade as it sped from McCarran Airport to the freeway, and on to Ceasar's Palace.  The motorcade consisted of at least 15 indistinct black SUVs, about 8 police cars, and a dozen police motorcycles.  As it passed by, we all waved to Obama, Michelle, and the girls...even though none of us was sure if the family was with him or not.  The roads and freeways along their route were all closed down for about 5-10 minutes before the motorcade passed by.  This was a once-in-a-lifetime sighting.  Very exciting and spontaneous since we didn't know it was happening until about an hour before.

While we were there, the kiddos stayed with Gage's mom & dad and had a GREAT time.  I actually think Ryan would have stayed an additional week or so.  As we pulled up the drive to their house, Mom was in the doorway with Evan.  When we left, she made the comment that when we come back, the boys (especially Evan) will look so much bigger.  She couldn't have been more RIGHT!  Evan looked so much taller and bigger than when we left, yet I knew we were only gone for 5 days, so that surely couldn't be the case.  Even Ryan looked older and more mature.

Part of our being able to relax so well was due to the fact that we knew the kids were in such great hands.... THANKS MOM & DAD!!!!! :)

Even though we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, we were both ready to get back to the boys whom we missed dearly, and to our normal routine and "life as usual".  Viva Hymas life!

Is It So Bad???

About a year ago, we were driving past a Wendy's.  Ryan asked who the girl was on the side of the building (the big sketch of Wendy that is part of their logo).  I told him that was Wendy, and she wasn't very nice.  He asked "why?" and I told him "because she feeds us food that makes our bodies sick."  He remembers that conversation to this day, and will at times even make comments such as "Wendy is mean.... her food makes my body feel sick".

Today we were heading to a store that had a McDonald's integrated into it.  Yes, integrated into the GROCERY STORE!  As if that were necessary!  Isn't that why your there?  To get food to take home to cook?  This place should be out of business, but instead the line is often out the door into the store area.  

BUT... I digress...(sorry)...  As we were walking towards the store from the parking lot, Ryan asked "What is that big yellow thing?"  On the outside of the store was that big, yellow, iconic "M".  The gears in my head started reeling, trying to decide exactly what to say, when Ryan said "OH.... I KNOW!!!  It's "M" for Mommy!!  It's like in your name!!"  I quickly agreed with this, as it is in fact an "M" and mommy starts with the letter "M".

A small piece of me wonders if this is unpatriotic... after all... what's more American than McDonald's????  But, I have to admit, I was actually filled with a sense of pride and satisfaction.  Pride that my almost 4-year-old son has NO IDEA what those golden arches stand for, that he doesn't recognize them at all!!  Pride that the only "fast food" he really knows and will ask for by name is Subway ($5 Footlong!!).  How many kids these days, since before they can even read, recognize that big "M" as meaning McDonald's and Crappy (happy) meals??  I am SO happy to say that Ryan is not one of those kids.  That he thought of it as meaning Mommy... I'm actually very touched!  Now, I'm not saying Ryan has never had a cheeseburger or food from a fast-food restaurant... but those incidents are very few and far between.  I don't make a big deal out of it when we go, ensuring as best I can that there is no real emotional or psychological attachment to that restaurant.  He doesn't get many choices, and if there are healthier sides (which many are now offering) that is what he will get.

I know I'm being a little deceitful by not disclosing the whole truth....(especially with the Wendy's thing since it was really her dad who opened it up.... sorry Wendy), but is it really so bad??  To discourage fast food joints whose main goal is to get you addicted to their fat and sugar laden foods?  Looking around at most Americans, I don't think it is bad or wrong of me, and I solidly stand by my decision.

Name Correction

It was Tuesday morning.... I was getting the boys up and ready to head over to Grammie's house as it was a work day for me.  I gave Ryan a good morning head nuzzle and picked up Evan to do the same.  As I was laying Evan down on the changing table, I made a comment "Awwww.... how's it going big man?"  Very quickly Ryan replied..."Mom!  That is NOT right!"  For a second I was a bit confused, and my brain was scrambling to remember what I said or done that was incorrect.  Ryan again piped up and said "I'M big man.... he's little man!!"  Evidently, without really realizing it, I had been calling Ryan "big man" and Evan "little man" with some consistency.  I apologized to Ryan and started using the "correct" terminology.

This whole episode reminded me of a favorite Bill Cosby stand-up routine about him and his brother Russell.  Ahhhh..... childhood memories!!

Mother's Day Tea

Ryan's preschool had a Mother's Day Tea on Tuesday.  Moms & Grandmas were all invited to share in the festivities.  As I walked in the room... tables were set with small clear glass plates and tea cups.  Looking through them one could see the butterfly place mats each kid made.  Place cards made in part by the kids were holding a special seat for the matrons.  Painted paper butterflies hung from the ceiling, and carefully made tissue-paper flowers in planter boxes adorned the walls.  At the front of the room was a table holding the tea party treats.  Surrounding a centerpiece of flowers were small brownies, pieces of cake, fresh strawberries, mini quiches, and a few other items.  The preschoolers were responsible for making the decorations and several of the treats.

The class filed into the room, all aglow with excitement.  Ryan ran over and gave me a hug before returning to the line with his classmates.  They sang songs to familiar tunes, with words reflective of the occasion.  Ryan was at least one step in front of the line of children, jumping up and down, dancing and  being quite animated while loudly singing the songs.  Warmed my heart... he was pure, happy, and genuine.  I couldn't help but compare this performance to his first with his class shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday.  At that event, he didn't sing.  He reluctantly sat on his teacher's lap and cried... not wanting to participate at all (shortly before this performance was the incident with the pipe organ, so he was not so sure about school OR church at that point).  Seeing him now, so carefree, so happy... the way kids his age should be... was BETTER than any mother's day gift I could imagine!! (my only regret was that I did not have the foresight to bring the video recorder!)

After the performance, the kids presented gifts they had made to their moms.  One was a counting book they had worked on since the first week of school.  The last page in the book was the first page they had actually made... and was a handprint.  I placed Ryan's hand over the print of his 8-months-younger self and marveled at how he has grown.  The kids then served their loved ones the previously made treats on glass trays, and afterwards sat to enjoy the food and conversation.  

I had to go back to work after this, but what a break to my day!!  My heart was bursting with love and happiness.  I feel so lucky, so grateful, that I have the privilege of being mother to two wonderful boys!