Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Moments to Treasure


Reflection is always better... don't you think? You always hear people say "Someday, we're going to look back on this moment and laugh." And at the time, you think inside your head "Yeah, right. I cannot imagine ever laughing about this moment." Of course, it always seems so much worse when you're actually going through the event. But it works in reverse as well.

When you are experiencing pure joy and excitement, those memories are just as wonderful to reflect on. It's all about memories....memories that keep us going. The past helps us live for the future. Bad things happen to make us stronger. If we did not know hurt, we wouldn't know pleasure. All of these stinkin' cliches are really so true.

The funny looking-back memories.
The pharmacy. Needed to make a "quick stop" for a couple of essential purchases on the way home from picking up my boys from school. I should have said that sentence a few more times in my head before I went into the store. I would have laughed BEFORE the event even happened and I would have made my way home skipping the store all together at that moment. Two boys lacking naps, tired out from playing hard all morning practically literally pulled me in the store. As each boy tried to grab something off of the shelves, I knew my time was limited. I quickly picked out my items and made my way to the register to check out. Suddenly, for no apparent reason whatsoever, Charlie fell to the ground refusing to get up. Kyle wanted every piece of candy that was displayed in front of us. For some reason at that moment, it was like they heard the chime of a boxing bell. Kyle jumped on Charlie and they began to wrestle. It took everything I had to get them up off of the floor and to check myself out. Finally, with the clerk feeling bad for me, I was out pretty quick. But by this time, I was sweating and it seemed as if an HOUR had gone by! I practically dragged Kyle out with his sneakers skipping the floor while I carried a rapidly growing Charlie in my arms. I was mortified and swore I would never go back. Funny, right? ha.

The Drive to School. I was excited to drive the boys to school in the morning. I do not normally get to drive them. And of course, I was running late and it was tough getting them out the door. They wanted particular things with them that morning. I did not let them bring what seemed like every toy we had in the toy closet and stayed firm. So of course, they started off a little cranky. Not to mention, they love that their Daddy drives them to school regularly. So there we are driving happily...(finally)...down the highway and they realize that they have french toast in their bags for breakfast. (I have to admit, I snuck it in and knew I was taking a risk.) They do not normally have french toast for breakfast. And they sure let me know it on that drive. I drove to school that morning with both kids crying like I gave them a raccoon's tail for breakfast. Hysterical. A mess. It was a wild ride to school through rush hour traffic and attempts at calming them down without being able to reach back and snatch those breakfasts right out of their hands. It finally took a song about school pets saving a baby penguin to calm them down and put them in a better mood.

The Baked Potato Line. Everything was going well at the Big E with just me and my two boys. They went on rides, had lunch, saw some farm animals...and then I was ready for the State Buildings. I was starving for the Maine baked potato. The line was shorter than it has been in the past. But I knew it was still long for the boys to tolerate for too long. Kyle even commented on how long the line looked. Well, from there it not only went down hill, but we were flying down a black diamond at mock speed. Charlie was getting to his over tired breaking point and could not keep his hands off of Kyle. Fingers in his eye, grabbing his hat off his head and putting him in some sort of choke hold. Kyle quickly reciprocated that love and gave it right back to him. I tried to discipline. I tried to ignore it all together. I tried to just let them "play" it out. And I even physically took things away from them and stopped them from hitting each other. As you can imagine, nothing quite worked. And it seemed as though every person in that line was looking and getting annoyed. I really just wanted to crawl under a potato instead of eat one.

The actual funny, awesome moments.
The sky was pink and Kyle pointed out to me that the sunset was so pretty! And saw the moon and got so excited and wanted to show me.

Charlie shouted out "Are you kidding?" when Kyle got out of his bed and came into Charlie's room. (I had done that just the night before when Kyle did this)

In the potato line, I told Charlie to stop poking Kyle in the eye. Kyle was being very silly and shouted out sooooooooooo loud: "EYE? EYESSSS.... Charlie has beautiful eyes!"

Listening to them talk on a play phone: "Hi Madison. Can you come over and watch Madagascar with me and Charlie? I have to pick up a few things at the store. I have to go to Target."

Kyle is not happy that Charlie has one of his toys. He tells him "That's mine, Charlie." Charlie responds with "How do YOU know it is?" Kyle comes right back with "Because it is!" And Charlie says again "But HOW do you know?" Kyle says "Because you, Mommy and Daddy gave it to me for my birthday." Charlie simply comes back with "Oh. I know that."

I was telling Kyle not to play with a huge piece of paper as binoculars. I told him it might give him a nice big paper cut and it would really hurt. He said "Nice? It will be nice? Well, that doesn't sound bad. So I can still play with it?"

Moments in the early morning hours when Charlie or Kyle come in our room and tell either me or B that they love us. Or when they come in and just give us a hug and then run off to play. It's just a wonderful way to start the day!

Charlie leaned over to Kyle and gave him a kiss on his cheek. He put his arm around him and looked straight into his eyes and said "You are my brother, Kyle. You are my big brother."

It seemed as if every person walked by me and my boys at the Big E made a comment about how cute they were. They either said it directly to me or said it to each other as they walked by. Many people asked if they were twins and some even stopped to talk to them.





Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Words They Say Mean So Much


Today is such a beautiful day. A beautiful weather day and even though I am so tired, a beautiful LIFE day. Today is one of those days that I feel gitty inside just thinking about my children. Don't get me wrong. It's not like I don't normally feel good just thinking about them. But there are just those moments that give you that little butterfly feeling, goosebumps and a smile that just will not go away!

Charlie started my day at about 12:30am telling me he was a little afraid. He put his arms around me and his head down on my chest. I took him back to his room and snuggled him back up in his blankets. He quickly went right off to sleep with a little smile on his face and his hands together under his cheek. He could do commercials or movies if he wasn't so disagreeable and defiant at times. But this was a special moment for me even in the wee hours. He looked like a little cherub asleep in his bed.

A few hours later, I heard “Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy….” on the monitor. It was Kyle. He did not sound freaked or upset, but it was just a constant chant. In I went to his room and he told me he was scared of his closet. “It’s dark in there. I like it dark in my room, but it’s darker in the closet than it is in here and that scares me.” I told him it was just his clothes and toys in his closet and asked him if he wanted me to close it. He said “It doesn’t close easily. It will just open again." I closed it for him and he drifted back off to sleep.

About a half hour later, he was back in our room. I heard his footsteps as soon as he made it into our room and then it was quiet. I opened my eyes and saw him standing there just looking at me; like he was watching me sleep. I asked him what was wrong and he said “I just wanted to be with you. I love you, Mommy.” I had him hop into bed next to me and he snuggled close. He must know I am such a sucker for that sweet talk. A few minutes later, it still sounded like he was wrestless and could not fall back to sleep. I said “Kyle, please close your eyes.” While snuggled in his new Buzz Light Year pajamas, he said to me “Mom, I’m not Kyle. I’m Buzz Light Year. Can you please call me Buzz?” I said “Sure. Buzz, please close your eyes.” He said "Ok, Mommy." He certainly did because I could not wake him up easily only an hour and a half later.

So yah, I had a couple of little side thoughts at work. (though really, it was a very productive work day for me) But the best part of my day is when I get to leave work and go pick up my boys and I get to see them by 12:45pm every day. They both took naps and when they woke up, we watched a quick episode of Curious George. Charlie sat on the ottoman backwards with his Woody Doll and Kyle sat slightly hanging off of the couch. We had a fruit snack and a splash of milk and we were good to go.

I noticed words today.

Nevermind. Kyle says this a lot. How do they learn words like this. He uses it in the right context and with so much enthusiasm. "Hey Mommy!!" "Yes, Kyle?" "Oh! Nevermind! I was going to ask you for my breakfast. I didn't know it was already at the table! hahahaha." He gets a kick out of himself too and I love that. Charlie just started using "nevermind" today now too. I'm not sure he really used it the right way. But it was adorable when I heard it come out of his mouth.

Actually. This word has been used for a long time now. Kyle uses it in the right context every time and many times during the day. "Actually, I think we better go out the back door so we can play on the swings first. Is that a good idea?" And Charlie will respond "Yes, that is a good idea, Kyle. Isn't that a good idea, Mommy?" And again, Charlie is trying to find ways to use this cool word now too.

Sorry. This word I really love; as any good mother would. I love that my boys use this word. I love that they use it in the right context. I love it when it just rolls off their tongue. As Charlie quickly swung open the refrigerator door, he accidently hit me with it. He whipped out a quick "Ooops. Sorry Mommy. I didn't mean to open the door so fast."

And tonight, as I am doing so well so far in keeping a strict routine, I believe it might actually be getting easier to put Charlie to bed. More cuddle time, more time in the dark than light, more consequences for not listening, staying firm and a quiet, non entertainment bedroom. Charlie whispered to me "Mommy, stay with me for a little bit and then I'll go to sleep." I smiled and gave him a hug. Of course, I was waiting for him to say "Actually, nevermind" :)



Monday, September 28, 2009

A Little Common Sense Sets In...


So as you might have read at the end of my last entry, the bedtime routine was still not going smoothly with Charlie last night. He was still playing his Mom for a fool and giving me a good work out! Hey, that's a great new idea for a work-out video or a new class at the Y. Put a tired toddler/preschooler in the front of the room and the object is to get him into a bed. I think I really have something here. We could call it 'Get Him to Bed' - and you not only get an amazing work out, but you practice techniques on how to get that child in his bed and STAY THERE.

I just do not understand, nor agree with the concept Jo Frost enforces in her book. How can one person possibly keep putting a child into their bed over and over and over again and not completely fall over from exhaustion or frustration. One of her episodes Jo talked into a mic in the mother's ear, feeding her words of encouragement. It was a two hour process until her boys were completely exhausted and fell asleep.

Tonight, my husband was sick with the flu. It was a beautiful fall day and I was outside with the boys all afternoon. Kyle and I did puzzles and colored together until Charlie woke up from nap. As soon as Charlie woke up, we played in the sandbox, we did our daily laps around the outside of the house and we spent a lot of time raking leaves and jumping in them. It was such a great afternoon and we had so much fun. I love this weather and I love my boys so much!

I fed the boys by 5:00pm, we played a little more and we were upstairs in the bath by 6:30pm. We were reading a book by 7:00pm and it was bedtime at 7:30pm. I was so proud of myself. I thought this would be a good test to see if it goes better earlier. But even with the earlier time, Charlie started flashing those crazy eyes at me and letting out that infectious giggle and down the hall he went.... back and forth.... running, laughing and playing. "To infinity and beyond!!!" He shouted down the hall in his Buzz Light Year Pajamas. The melt down was predicted and quick when I told him to come sit down and read the book with us. There were some consequences and a few discussions and he ended up sitting with Kyle and I to read a book....finally.

My patience was wearing thin when he had specific characters to sleep with. I stayed firm on only a couple of characters in his bed. I tried not to reason with him. I even cuddled with them for a while before actually putting them to bed. But he was not ready to settle down. I finally figured I would give up and let him fall asleep in the hallway if he wanted to. But again, I saw the look on the Supernanny's face....like I was a crazy person. So up I went and brought him back to bed. I said good night and left the room. Out he came right behind me, crying and running after me. This routine just kept going on for a while. Until, the last time I brought him in.

He seemed genuinely upset about something. I tried to talk to him so he would stop crying and I could understand what he was saying. We talked about our favorite parts of the day. We talked about playing in the leaves. He named all the colors we saw in the leaves. He just lit up and was so quiet and cute. It was during this conversation that he pulled the blanket up over himself, snuggled up with his Ariel doll and closed his eyes. He was still awake when I left. This conversation took about 2 or 3 minutes and he calmed right down. I loved talking with him about the day and having that one on one time with him.

So I just need to TALK TO HIM???? Maybe he feels like he does not get enough attention from me. Maybe the whole point of all this is just to get to ME. Am I being too full of myself here or could it really be the case? Could it just be me being totally oblivious???? I loved those quiet moments of time with him. If I had done that an hour earlier, would it have still worked the same??? Tomorrow night is a whole different story. Wish me luck.....

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Night #2 - My Own 'Staying in Bed Technique'


And so, we had our second night of working from the Supernanny handbook on getting our little bear to sleep. To sum it all up in the first line; it did not go very well.

Do you remember Gumby? That little piece of green clay and his horse. They could bend and curl up into little objects and twist and turn like ... well, like pieces of clay. Just picture that with a little boy. This child seems to think he's Gumby sometimes. But instead of clay, he is solid and strong; stronger than me sometimes.

Actually, I just remembered what someone told me once about when little kids are tired, they tend to go upside down. They will stand on their head or hang from the couch. I wonder what happens in their brain. Why does it feel so good to go upside down when you are tired? I guess I should try it sometime. Is it comforting? Does it make them feel less cranky? Or does all the blood rushing to their head make them extend their time awake. Does it give them that extra boost like a cup of coffee? I don't know, but whatever it is, my child certainly enjoys it. I can't decide what I think he enjoys more though; going upside down when I am trying to put him to bed or making me CRAZY when I am trying to put him to bed.

So with the CD player now back in his room, I refused to acknowledge it. I refused to give in to his entertainment craving of listening to a bedtime story on CD. Both children decided not to read a book and said they were too tired. But to be honest, I think Charlie actually only said that because Kyle said it. Kyle really did follow through with his plan. Being the big brother and almost five, he knows best. (or so he thinks) He brushed his teeth, went potty, washed his hands, went into his room, turned on his CD player and hopped right into bed. He was gitty and giggly and very well behaved.

Charlie, on the other hand, proceeded to lay on the floor, whining with that low hum that he usually does. There were tears and running nose stuff (i call stuffies) all over the place. He was a mess. Refusing to get into his bed, wanting a book, not wanting a book, wanting a stuffed animal, not wanting a stuffed animal and it goes on. "...A lot of things he'll say he wants will be contradictory. He'll want his shoes on and he'll want his shoes off - at the same time." (pg. 31, Supernanny, How to Get the Best from Your Children)

I have to say, I really gave it the ol' college try. With all my might, I tried not to give in to the CD story. It's Toy Story. It's the current favorite movie, characters and CD story. But it's major entertainment, none the less for this hour of the night. And I'm still dealing with his crying for a Woody Doll, Ham the Pig, Jessie and his cowboy hat....can't forget the cowboy hat!!! A haunting voice makes it's way into my thoughts; "A few comforters or soft toys can all help ease the separation of bedtime, but don't turn the bed into a playpen." (pg. 186, Supernanny, How to Get the Best from Your Children, How to Put Your Child to Bed). I obey the thought and stay firm.

"Don't get in the habit of waiting with your child until he falls asleep. If he's tired and you've been through the routine step by step, he should be fairly drowsy by now and will drift off easily." (pg. 186, Supernanny, How to Get the Best from Your Children, How to Put Your Child to Bed)

This mantra was going through my head like a record with a big scratch on it. As well as thinking "Well, obviously I didn't go through the "routine" step by step the right way....because this child does not show any indications of possibly drifting off easily in the near future." And then... it happened. I gave in. I put the CD story on! Yes, I know. I'm terrible. I saw Jo Frost in my mind glaring at me too with her nose down and disappointed eyes peering over her glasses. I visualized her watching the playback of this horrible scene of me reneging on her laptop the next day and saying to me "What were you thinking?" But exhaustion was setting in for me and I knew how much he needs sleep.

"Remember: you're not being mean. You are simply teaching your child how to get what all kids need, which is a good night's sleep. He doesn't know he needs to sleep, but you do. And you know best." (pg. 180, Supernanny, How to Get the Best from Your Children, Bedtime). And this is how I justified it.

An hour later, Charlie was still awake. The CD was on repeat and even if it wasn't, Charlie knows how to play the CD again. And again. And again. Not wanting to make a big deal out of it all and keep the drowsy theme going (yah, right), I did not take the CD player, but simply turned it off.

And then... I made another grave mistake against the Supernanny hand book. I stayed with him until he fell asleep. I sang him to sleep and sat by his bed. So to quote a bad cliche and make a pun, I made my bed, now I have to lay in it. Which brings us to night #3, which is taking place right now as I write this entry. Trying ever so hard to stick to a better routine, but still pissing off the spirit of the Supernanny, I am sure. I listen to little Charlite-Feet pitter pat over my head upstairs....Dammit!

To be continued...

Friday, September 25, 2009

Signs Come in Many Shapes and Sizes

Tonight, my best friend and I went to see the movie Julie & Julia. Very funny movie; so cute. My Mother used to watch Julia Child when I was little. She made so many of those recipes. Meryl Streep played her so well! So it was really fun to see this movie and how Julia started and how one strong woman can do just about anything.

As many of you may know, Julie is blogging her experiences in cooking each recipe from one of Julia Child's cook books. She goes through many ups and downs and blogs her way through it all. They also show Julia Child's story and how the two lives parallel. Julie was a writer and really wished she could make a living doing something she loved to do. In the end, she was published and as we all know, so was Julia Child. Someday, I hope to have the same dream come true.

It was pretty exciting for me (the now blogger) to see how this simple love of writing and food became an outlet for this character to express herself. Her heart and her passion really motivated her to document her experiences and she was excited to share it all. Maybe some sort of a sign for me? Probably not, since I went to the movie on my own accord. It's not like I was walking down the street and someone fell right in front of me and held up a monitor with the movie playing on it.

I was extremely moved during one portion of the movie. A song started to play and I immediately knew the song. Right then, I was five years old again. Except this time, I had a huge lump in my throat and tears flowing down my cheeks. The song...was A Bushel and a Peck. My Grandmother used to sing me this song when I was little. As we got older, it was reduced to just "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." I didn't even remember there was a song. In fact, I still say it to my kids all the time. "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." When I heard the song, I instantly remembered the words to a song that were lost in my sub conscience somewhere. Right down to the doodle-doo-doo-doo-dooo-doo..... I had such a warm and loving wooosh of warm air come over me like she was hugging me from heaven. I cannot believe I had forgotten that song from so long ago. I came home and downloaded the song by Doris Day from iTunes. My Grandmother listened to Doris Day? Anyway, so very special. Such a powerful moment for me during a powerful movie for me.

By the way, since I had a girls night tonight and went to the movies, I did not get to take part in the night time routine. My husband; who was not feeling well, had to give in and put Charlie's CD player back in his room with Toy Story playing. He said Charlie gave him some trouble and he just could not go on like the previous nights. In the end, they were both so tired, they barely wanted to read a book and Kyle even said "I just would like to go to bed now." And he got into bed all by himself. Charlie just wanted and needed the CD player. My husband (I'll call him B) turned it on and he's been in bed ever since. Maybe tomorrow night, I will sing Charlie to sleep with Bushel and a Peck. Just might work with an angel on his shoulder. Maybe this is the missing link to getting him to sleep easier.

Thank you all for your love and support as I go through each process of learning and understanding life. Thank you all for reading.




Thursday, September 24, 2009

Bed Time Ritual...

Sitting on the floor putting a puzzle together with my two boys. Charlie; who will be three years old in November looks up at me and asks "Is it night time, Mommy?" I quickly answer "Yes, it is night time and bed time is coming soon." He goes back to finding the right puzzle pieces and seems satisfied with the answer I gave him. Me, on the other hand is frozen in my mind...."Night time?!?" I start to feel pressure in my chest, lump in my throat and I take a deep breath. I know what is to come. I dread what is to come.

Have you ever had that dream where you are running and running and then realize you are not going anywhere? Your surroundings look like the same spot at which you started, you are tired; without any more energy to keep going.

The night time routine usually starts off ok. The boys rush up the stairs like it's a race, even though each of them usually shout out "It's not a race!!!" And whether or not they scream that, they jump up and down yelling "I won! I won!" It's off to brush teeth, go potty, change a diaper, jammies on and then read a book. Throughout the routine, these boys sure make us laugh. With wet face clothes on their heads, they may sing a silly little tune about frogs or wear a diaper as a hat and skip around the 2nd floor from one end to the other. As we do find these antics funny, we realize it is not too calming or relaxing and probably does not prepare them for a restful and non eventful bedtime.

After a book, the dreaded time has come. Kyle usually gets into bed without a fight. He is content with an audio story on his CD player, no lights, not even a night light. Charlie, on the other hand has just announced that the circus is coming to town and he means it.

I hug him and go in for a kiss. He bounces up with a quick jolt and butts me in the lip with his head. He quickly whips out "I'm sorry Mommy!" and rolls into the wall. I tell him I love him and leave the room. He is out of his bed before I leave the room and as I turn to see what he is doing, he bangs right into me. I bend over to pick him up (without saying a word) and his flailing hands poke me right in the eye. I put him into bed and as his feet are kicking in the air like he is Lance Armstrong in the final stretch and I get once last jab in the gutt. I'm done.

Now, I don't know about you. But by 8:00pm each night, as a busy working Mom of two, I am exhausted. I just don't have it in me to keep it up at this pace. Now, the Super Nanny has helped me in many situations to keep my cool and help me to realize it's not just me. That I CAN do this. I love her show. Even when it's not an identical situation to ours, her techniques have helped me. So I bought her book; 'Supernanny; How to get the best from your Children.'

She talks about consistency. Structure. Routine. Giving notice before each stage of the night time routine. Tonight, I was on a mission. But as my husband was putting him into his bed, I knew it wasn't going well when I saw Charlie zoom passed me, giggling.

It's called "The Staying in Bed Technique" from the Supernanny. The trick is to keep up the persistent battle of getting them back into bed each time they get up. I have to say, I have counted some nights and it went up to around 92 or so before I really just had to give up. He showed no signs of giving in. He thought it was a game. Again, I have no energy for this type of lesson at this hour of the night. Tonight, I tried and tried again. And once again, it was a game to him. He doesn't get out of bed for a reason. He does not cry. He just think it's hysterical that he can run down the hall when he's supposed to be in bed. The sound of those pitter patter feet are not uncommon around here. So, Jo Frost talks about consistency and routine and to keep it up and eventually, they will get it. So part of me says "Sure, keep it up. They'll get it eventually. Will they? Or will they just be 15 years old and just finally say "Ya know, I'm really tired. I think I'll stay in bed tonight." Even now, I think I hear the pitter patter of Charlie-feet after he has been up there for about a 45 minutes already. I really thought he had finally fallen asleep.

So "The Staying in Bed Technique" continues. Out of bed, brought back to bed. Fast feet, arms flailing and down the hall and back to bed he goes. Upside down, right side up, light on, light off, reading a book, back to bed, rolling, thrashing into the wall and onto the floor - pick him up and back in bed he goes. Off the bed, pick him up, back bend, upside down.... and then Supernanny's suggestion of a soft, comforting doll; just one. He decides on Woody instead of Ariel. He snuggles into position, I put on his covers and his eyes close. Moments later, he is asleep. Wish me luck for this continued process of bedtime. I will keep trying!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Figuring it all out...


Have you ever put your groceries in the back of your car, got home, took them out and emptied all the bags only to realize a week later that there was celery that had fallen out underneath the stroller in the trunk? You knew this because it stunk up the car so badly you thought one of the kids threw up without you realizing it.

I think we all at one time in our lives put something on top of our cars, forgot about it and then drove away. A cup, a bag, your child's breakfast..... sigh....

Have you ever been sitting at your desk, minding your own business, working your little tail off when a co-worker comes into your office and says "I thought you were supposed to be at our other office this morning?" That panic-stricken feeling is unmistakable. YIKES!!!

Have you ever been eating meatball pizza for breakfast in the car on the way to work and watched a meatball roll right off onto the floor and then you cannot find it anywhere!?

We've all had funny things happen to us as human beings or as parents; sometimes, I believe the two are very distinctly different. Anyway, as a Mom, I feel so absent-minded sometimes.

All of the items above have actually happened to me. Now, my preschoolers on the other hand are usually on top of their game. Why I even bother arguing a point with them sometimes is beyond me. They remember details of events and movies like nobody's business. Their sense of smell is even keener than mine. When I was painting one day and I kept thinking to myself how bad the paint smelled, my son walked in and simply asked "Why does it smell like Champlins in here?" (a seafood restaurant we frequent in Rhode Island) His observation was perfect and extremely accurate. Or when he walked into the kitchen and stated as he breezed through; "It smells like pisquetti in here." He was exactly right, I was boiling spaghetti on the stove.

I often wonder what goes through those little tiny minds to make them so precise. (in many cases, not all) It begs the question, why am I constantly on the look out for toys or other objects that they have lost along their journeys in our house. They simply cannot recall where they put that one toy that means the world to them, but somehow lost it in a simple instant.

In any case, I believe their little brains are bigger than mine sometimes. They keep ME in line with getting me dressed in the morning; "Mommy, you forgot your coat....silly Mommy." Getting dinner ready; "Mommy, you forgot to give me a fork....silly Mommy."
Good parenting skills; "Mommy, you told me to be a good boy, so I did."
Or common courtesy; when a story is being told to me and I look away for a second and there is suddenly a pause in the story and I hear "Mommy...why are you not listening to my story?"

The funniest of their wisdom is when they quote movies to other people and relate them to real life situations. There was a day when one of my boys screamed out some crazy gobbly gook word and his big brother looked at him and simply said very calmly; "You are a sad, strange little man, you have my pity. Farewell." (Toy Story)

I guess we could all learn from that lesson and quote movies to other people in our lives. It would take the guess work out of what to say and it sounds smart and well thought out. Maybe I wouldn't feel so absent-minded all the time. Of course, I do not know how well it would have gone over for me in my work situation above to tell my co-worker "Oh, you're right, I WAS supposed to be somewhere else this morning, but... Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Oh well, it was just a thought.