After 2 weeks of pre-school hell, we finally had a breakthrough today; after reading Rakes the riot act last night, then telling him he couldn't play Star Wars on the PlayStation until after school, and THEN only if he got a sticker, I got the call at 12:23 today.Rakes was... Perfect. Sticker, compliments from the teacher, and enough bragging by his Mom to cause his head to swell. And it lasted most of the day.
Until Ang had to leave to go to the hospital with her Dad; he's fine, just a mix up with his medication. However, with her gone and me at work, my saint of a Mom came over. Bless her heart, if they'd burned the house down and I called to ask "How were they?", she'd swear they were angels and we needed the fresh air.
When I hit the door around 6, he was sitting on the floor, controller in hand, and wiping out Storm Troopers as fast as they showed up. Between getting them dinner, trying to figure out what was wrong with my computer, and Ciera telling me all about the drama of 4th grade in room 404, I felt like that guy who yelled out "I'm mad as hell. And I'm not gonna take it anymore!"
Did I mention he'd changed his clothes 14 times since Mom arrived, and by the time I got home he had no underwear on and was checking himself more than Michael Jackson in the "Thriller" video? Sometime around 8 p.m., Ang arrived like some vision from above to help me get all of them ready for bed; if she hadn't shown up, I'm pretty sure our house would have looked like the one in "16 Candles" at the end of the party.
By bedtime, he was back hollering at his sister and raging against the machine; I calmly turned the PS2 off, he only melted down for about 10 seconds, and went to bed promising to be good at school again tomorrow. It ain't much, but I'll take it.
I've discovered raising kids is like being a recovering addict; the only way you can make it is to take it one day at a time.
Quick - Someone give Ted a gold star.
ReplyDeleteone day at a time....and weakwaters :)
ReplyDeletejust kidding. Glad to hear Rakes is trying
For what? Not running out of the house screaming? Or the breakthrough with Rakes? Or because I'm an idiot?
ReplyDeleteTex, you are hitting the nail on the head more than you'll know.
ReplyDeleteBut I really think he's starting to GET it.
Hopefully. We'll see for sure tomorrow.
I am devastated that I have not seen beckett and he lives alittle over an hour from me. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked you haven't been arrested yet for stalking him, so we're even. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis good behavior on Rakes part better be short-lived or you guys will never get on Supernanny :D Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeletestalking? me? why I have no clue where or what he's been doing. ;)
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteToday was such a good day, I hope we never get on Super Nanny. Though my wish to meet Jo Frost is causing me to have second thoughts.
I'm sure Rakes could arrange the meeting, but let's hope not!
ReplyDeleteTex, if you don't know what he ate for breakfast this morning I'll fall out in shock. ;)
ReplyDeleteI bet it was Wheaties ;)
ReplyDeleteCarol, funny thing is I could see us on that show. It may be the first time she'd have no idea what to do, look at me and say "good luck."
ReplyDeleteToday was better, thankfully. Now we've just got to keep it rolling.
uhmm Wheaties of courses with a side helping of venison sausage. its what every Texas baseball star has. not that I would know where he is or anything.
ReplyDeleteI just polished off a Beckett box of Wheaties this week and didn't have the heart to toss it - It's tucked away in the back of the cabinet. On another note, there was a big pack of deer around the corner from me the other night lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting on my box of wheaties from SotB ted. I guess I need to go look again at the store.
ReplyDeleteTed...ive sorta been doing this pictorial off season of where's josh?
Carol, whatever you do, don't throw that box away. It could pay for D's college one day.
ReplyDeleteTex, are you going to share these pictures with us, or are they like your San Diego pictures? A myth? ;)
Tex - You've got to bump into him before ST
ReplyDeletewhy dont you go look for yourself smartaleck
ReplyDeleteI could pay thousands of dollars to get on his ranch or find out where he hangs out in S.A....if I woulda known and had a couple of thousands...i woulda went to his foundation dinner in houston last weekend.
ReplyDeleteI already did, Tex.
ReplyDelete::sticks tongue out toward Austin::
Have TMZ track him down for ya.
ReplyDelete::rolls eyes towards North Carolina::
ReplyDeleteGoodnight, and sweet dreams of you know who!
ReplyDeletethanks Carol. But ill be dreaming of Bobby. Josh is my drinking buddy...well Id like him to be.
ReplyDeleteted..how'd ya like my san diego pics?
Carol, one of the most morbid things I think I've seen lately is the web cam TMZ placed outside the funeral home where Heath Ledgers body was taken. Sad.
ReplyDeleteTex...
hehe.
ted did i tell you i met a guy from Oklahoma? I think he thought i was laughing at him when he told me where he was from...I tried to explain to him why I was laughing...he still didnt think it was funny. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou didn't tell me, but ask Scott; them Okies are a sensitive bunch.
ReplyDeletea bunch of sooners ;)
ReplyDeleteok i got to get to bed. driving to Orange early in the morning. talk to you later
Night, Tex.
ReplyDeleteSee you tomorrow sometime.
Heading that way myself.
Ted...Your blogs are great for a chuckle man. Great stuff. And oh yeah...15 Feb man. It isn't too far off...
ReplyDeleteHey Wayne. Thanks, man. And 2-15 is right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait.
//but you are one weird dude, man//
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for the compliment. You sure know how to treat a guy.
And no worries about me walking the tightrope, my old lady has a sense of humor. She even reads my blog once in awhile. If I really wanted to escape the birdcage, I'd do worse than make wisecracks.
Stephen, hope you realize that was meant as nothing more than busting your marbles a little. I would have put the wink thing at the end, but I feel sort of weird doing that to a dude.
ReplyDeleteAnd you sound a lot like me when it comes to the old ball and chain; kill 'em with jokes, right?
GO RAKES! Maybe the not playing with the PS2 might just work after all.
ReplyDeleteEVeryone needs a good marble bustin' every once in awhile. I take joy and pride in the fact that I'm weird.
ReplyDeleteKrystle, at least it worked once. I dropped him off at school a little while ago and he said "Me donna det a ticker Dad, so we tan play Star Wars been you det home".
ReplyDelete::crosses fingers::
Good to hear, Stephen. I never know how my weak attempts at humor are gonna go over.
And, what is this 'weakwater' you speak of? Is this Southern for something?
ReplyDeleteStephen, no it's Tex-speak for any adult beverage with the words Light or Lite at the end of it.
ReplyDeleteHey, did you say you were close to Chicopee, MA? My flight times changed and I'm actually flying in a day earlier.
I won't be near Chicopee until Saturday 5/17. But we'll be there all week after that.
ReplyDeleteGrade 4? Drama? Surely you gest!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou haven't been to the musical theatre class dd is attending. We have drama stories to share!!!! Hilarious!
As for Rakes, I believe he IS getting it! Loud and clears! Let Ang know I'm coming after her. She has some 'splainin' to do!!!! Thanks!
Stephen, I'll be back there Sunday night and my flight doesn't leave until Monday around 4. Maybe we can grab some lunch or something.
ReplyDeleteEdge, yeah the drama never ends, I guess. As for Rakes, we'll see how he did today, and I'll pass the word on to Angie that she's on your hit list.
That's in addition to me coming to Boston on that Saturday I think. That would be great and you can meet the wife and child if that's cool with you.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to use the PS2 to let the little fella know there are consequences to his school behavior. You've found the thing he loves enough to be behave for. You're a regular Dr. Phil. :)
ReplyDeletePS - I won't tell everyone he's better than you.
FYI TD - Jo is on 20/20 tonight, in a John Stossel special.
ReplyDeleteStephen, I'd like to meet Mrs Redbeard and Sierra; we'll figure it out.
ReplyDeleteStacy, of course he's better than me. And he's not shy about telling me. ;)
Carol, I saw that in the paper today. May have to check it out.