He's gonna make some girl very happy in about 20 years

We have recently begun giving our boys an allowance. They have a few chores to do each day and that gives them the opportunity to earn and save money. I pull the money straight from my wallet, so they know that the money doesn't magically appear, much to my displeasure.

A few days ago, I purchased a birthday present for one of the boys' friends. Spiderman thought it was pretty cool and wanted one for himself. I told him that it cost $13 dollars and he could definitely save his money if he wanted one.

He did NOT like that idea. At all. He started crying, saying that he didn't want to save his money -- he wanted it RIGHT NOW.

I tried to turn the tantrum into a teaching moment. I told my son that *I* would like a new purse. I don't need a new purse, but I would like one, and so I'm saving my money. We related that to Spiderman not really needing a new toy, but having the option to save for one.

He calmed down and decided that he would continue to save his money till he had enough for the Bionicle.

A few hours later, the boys were going to bed and I was headed out to run some errands. Just as I was walking out the door, I heard Spiderman crying. I went to see what was wrong. Honestly, I was a little angry. He was supposed to be in bed and was obviously stalling by crying needlessly.

I very shortly asked him what was wrong.

"I (sniff, sniff) want you (sniff, sniff) to have my money (sniff, sniff) so you can buy (sniff, sniff) what you want."

My heart melted like an ice cream come in Phoenix.

I gave my boy the biggest hug ever and told him that while his offer was incredibly sweet, he didn't need to give me his money. The new purse wasn't that important to me, and I wanted him to save for the new toy.



A few days later, the birthday party where the aforementioned toy was to be gifted was held. The party was at our neighborhood park, and started just shortly after Spiderman would get home from school.

I ended up teaching a piano lesson when Spiderman was supposed to be getting off the bus. It had been about 15 minutes since the bus had passed and there was no sign of my boy. I had a feeling that he had gone straight to the park. I called my friend and mom of the birthdayboy, and she confirmed that Spiderman had indeed gone to the park with them. He had apparently told her that I knew, so she didn't bother calling me.

When Spiderman came home from the party, I gave him a sound scolding. I had been worried, and it wasn't safe for him to go places without first telling me.

A few hours later, again at bedtime, I walked into the hall to find Spiderman crying. Again. I asked him what was wrong, trying to keep more of an open mind because of our conversation a few days earlier.

"I (sniff, sniff) didn't want to bother you (sniff, sniff) for the birthday party. That's why I (sniff, sniff) went to the park after I got off the bus. Because I didn't want to bother you and make you have to stop doing your chores."


Again with the heart melting like a snowman in Mexico.

He knew that I had a piano lesson. I've told the kids that my lessons are kind of like chores, since I'm earning money, and that they should only bother me if it's something really important. Like blood or puke or dinner burning.

He was only trying to help me. (Well, I think there was a little anticipation of the party in there, too, but I believe he was also trying to help.) My sweet, sweet Spiderman.


So my boy was willing to give up his money for me to have a new purse, and tried to make my life easier by taking initiative.



He's going to make a great husband someday.

Random Randomness

Each morning as I put on makeup, do my hair and/or fold laundry, I catch up on my DVR. This morning I started to watch P.S. I Love You in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Also, we're getting rid of our Dish today and if I wanted to watch it again, it had to be today.

I started it just as I began to apply my make up. Bad idea. Do you know how hard it is to apply mascara while tears are streaming down your face? I don't recommend it. But I love that movie. The Irish countryside is breath-taking, and I love the idea of letters from a loved one after their death.

Plus, it has Gerard Butler and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Yes, please! I shed a few tears if it means I get to enjoy those men!

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Also today, I finished Confessions of a Shopaholic. That's a show I probably should have watched the day it came out. Credit cards are the devil. I didn't have tens of thousands of dollars in debt like Rebecca Bloomwood, luckily, but I had enough. We used part of our tax return to pay it off, and then I actually cut up the card. First time I've ever done that. I even took a picture to show you guys, but I can't find the cord to upload pictures.

But it feels GOOD to not have to worry about that anymore!

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I tried on 12 pairs of jeans yesterday. 5 different brands in 2 different stores. Do you think I found any? Nope. See, I have this thing where I only shop clearance racks. I don't pay full price for clothes. But the only jeans on clearance racks are jeggings. Or black skinny jeans with holes up the thigh and bedazzled pockets. Or disgusting mom-jeans. (Seriously. Who wears relaxed-fit anymore?! Seriously.)

So I ventured out of my comfort zone to regular-priced jeans. And I still didn't find any that I loved enough to pay full-price for! I ended up going to Walmart where I knew they'd at least be cheap. Yes, I am that desperate. I have TWO pairs of jeans. My other two pairs sprung holes this week and now I don't have enough pants. But even Walmart didn't have jeans that worked for me! I found some that fit at the waist but they were too long. Apparently people my size aren't short. (I refuse to let this affect my body-image. I fully blame the fashion industry for forgetting about short people. Apparently ANTM's "short" cycle didn't haven't a lasting effect.)

I would seriously consider buying the Pajama Jeans if they didn't cost $40!! I don't spend $40 on a pair of REAL jeans!! And these are just sweat pants! Who pays $40 for sweat pants?

Sigh.

I'm going to have to go looking again today. I need more than two pairs of pants.

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Within one week's time, I went from having 3 piano students to 9. It's awesome and kind of crazy. I'm still trying to figure out how they're all going to fit into my schedule. But I'm excited. It feels good to actually be contributing to our household income, instead of just spending it all. One of the students is actually swapping babysitting for lessons. So Superman and I will have a babysitter twice a month!

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Miss Marvel turned 1. I have pictures, but as I mentioned, the cord to connect the camera and the computer is gone. I tried just uploading straight from the memory card, but for some reason, my most recent pictures weren't popping up. I'm going to have to hunt down the cord because the girl is adorable. She plays peek-a-boo and hums and loves playing with her boys.

A few weeks ago, they all were running around, shooting finger guns. Miss Marvel actually started pointing fingers at the boys and making shooting sounds, mimicking them perfectly! It was hilarious! Then the other night, Superman was playing Star Wars with the boys. They would run up to him, only to be "forced" away and onto the ground. Miss Marvel ran up to Superman and he "forced" her for fun. But she actually started walking backwards, then plopped down to the floor. Superman and I cracked up!!! I guess that's what she gets for having two older brothers!!

I'm not a list maker. Maybe I'd get more done if I were.

I don't have a bucket list. There are a few things I've thought about doing before I die, but I've never made an official list. I have made

That's about to change.

My official bucket list, as it were:

1. Travel through Germany, France and Italy.
2. Go to Ireland, England and Scotland.
3. Go on a Caribbean cruise.
4. Serve a mission with Superman.
5. Complete my degree.
6. See a show on Broadway.
7. Go to Disneyland or Disneyworld.
8. Become a great (gospel) teacher.
9. Visit the Holy Land.
10. See a Hawaiian sunset.
11. Learn to ski.
And finally,
12. Own a minivan.

Do you have a bucket list? If you post yours and link back to Melanie J, you can win a copy of her book, "The List."

That of course is not at ALL why I posted/spontaneously created mine...........


p.s. This post is so bare-bones it pains me to publish it. But I don't have the time to make it funny or pretty, and I know if I don't do this now, it won't get done.

p.p.s. Apparently I've written other posts about bucket lists. They're pretty good, if I do say so myself. Proof that I can be poignant, when I have the time.

Calling all entertainment junkies!!!!!!

Did you watch The Bachelor last night? Want to know my thoughts? Head on over to Blog the Day Away, a site that I am now officially a contributor on. It's a TV, book and movie review blog. They were in need of a new contributor and since I watch like a million TV shows, they thought I might be able to do the job.

My review of last night's Bachelor finale is here.

I know it seems a little odd to be contributing to another blog when I hardly write on my own, but it is what it is. I just don't feel like I have much to blog about here. Kids are good. I'm good. Superman's good. I'm going to paint my fireplace this week. Miss Marvel's teething. I've been reading a lot lately (I'll probably review some of the books) and watching 'my shows'. Just not a lot of blog fodder.

So if you want a place to discuss The Bachelor, American Idol, Big Bang Theory, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Grey's Anatomy, Community, Modern Family, Vampire Diaries, Amazing Race, Survivor or any other show, hop on over! We also review movies and books. (I saw Tron last week. Look for my scathing review in the near future.) And as I mentioned, I'll post reviews of the books I've read lately. I bought a copy of Melanie J's The List and hope to read that within the next few days. Look for a scathing review of it as well.

Add Blog the Day Away to your reader! Do it! Do it now!