Pure joy and laughter caught on video

Here in PR there is a very kind man that decorates his truck with Christmas lights and drives around town for as many people that can see him as possible. Because we live on a busy street we've never seen it drive by our townhouses but have heard its music playing nearby. We were at our friends house for a party on the 23rd and shortly before we left Jim said the magic words that had all of us scrambling to get our kids out the door "here comes the Christmas truck!" 

James was so excited and I love this video so much so had to share it on here for all to see.

And this hilarious video was taken at about 9:45pm on the way home from the party! This kid is a frigging riot and makes us laugh every single day!

Mom, just hit it!

Yup, this was James telling me to hit a deer on the road the other night so he could "have 30lbs of beef in the freezer to eat!"

I laughed so hard and told him that no we couldn't just hit the deer so we could eat it...and that deer is totally different than beef! I told him that the leftover spaghetti that Auntie Alysha brought over the other night had deer meat in it and he said "I know Mom, that's why I want you to hit it, so we can have meat for scabetti and hamburgers and stuff!" hahahahahaha...the look of pride on Jim's face when I told him this story after James went to bed was priceless and he told me I had to put that memory up on the blog for the future!

This kid just kills me...still! He's been killing me with shit he says since he started talking before he was 2. He makes me laugh every single day but sometimes he knocks it out of the park like he did on this day. And the funny thing is that I know if I did hit a deer he would be devastated and would probably cry, but the thought of having the meat to eat was definitely appealing to him. I worried that if I mentioned that it was deer that he had eaten that he would be upset and wouldn't want to eat it again, but nope, he is clearly a meat eater through and through because it does not bother him at all that animals are killed for him to eat them! He is definitely Jim's kid!

It only took him a week....

This is the conversation I heard the boys having while I was in the shower on Wednesday morning.

Jordan: "But why?"
James: "I'm 6 now, so because I said so"....a few minutes later "I'm a boss now you know"

I could have corrected him but decided not to....but I perhaps should have

Later in the day while talking with Jordie I said to him "Jordan Douglas, who is the boss here?"
He looked me right in the face and asked me ever so sweetly "me and you?" I tried to be stern and tell him that no it was just me, but I will admit I definitely cracked a smile.

These two make me laugh every single day and I am so happy and proud to have them!

One week before, on James's birthday, Jordan wanted to get in on the Harris photo action too!

"Don't ever forget how much I love you"

"I won't, because you tell me every day how much you love me"

This happened last night when I got home from watching The Bachelor at Ash's house. I crawled into his bed with him for a snuggle and as I do most nights I whispered those words to him. This time he whispered back to me and my heart just soared. I just love him so much. 

If I do nothing else right in my son's lives I am okay knowing that they will always know how much I love them. I tell them every.single.day how much I love them and I am proud to know that in instances like last night that he does truly know it to the core of his being that he is loved. I'm happy to know that I am at least doing some things right, even on the days that I think I'm failing horribly as a mom.

He wanted me to post this to the blog

I'm so proud of James and how much he loves drawing and writing these days. He drew this family picture and then told me to take pictures of it and put it on my blog so that everyone on Facebook could see it, especially his Daddy (even though he was upstairs and came down 5 minutes later!)

James must be going through a MAJOR growth spurt right now!

Last night James literally ate almost the same amount as Jim (and for anyone who knows Jim knows that that is quite a feat for anyone, let alone a five and a half year old little boy!)

We sat down to have cheeseburgers and a green salad for supper last night and Jim made each boy one cheeseburger and they each had a good sized bowl of salad too. I get through eating my one cheeseburger and bigger bowl of salad and Jim finishes his two burgers and salad when this conversation happened:

James is just finishing up his salad and says to Jim "Daddy, can you please make me another cheeseburger?"
Jim just looked at me like "is that a good idea?"
I said to James "are you sure you want another whole burger buddy, or just a half of one and you can take the rest to school tomorrow?"
He replied with "nope, I want a whole one".

So Jim made him the burger not really expecting him to finish it but he did...he hate the whole frigging thing! Except for the pickles and onions on Jim's burgers and his maybe 1.5 cups full more of salad, James ate almost the same amount as Jim! We are in big trouble when this kid hits his pre-teen years! He is regularly eating as much as, if not more than, me on any given night now!

My question is...where is he hiding it?! He is such a skinny little guy that clearly at this point has an awesome metabolism and works hard playing his sports and being active (which we love and encourage!)

This picture is from a few months ago and I know he's definitely grown at least an inch or two since it was taken! He's still sitting right around 45 lbs which he's been for at least a year, but he's grown a ton of inches so he's just super skinny!

Can something really be too handsome??

Last Friday, on James's first day headed off to school for a half day we were getting ready in his room discussing his clothes for the day.

Side note: James rarely cares what I lay out for him. He almost never refuses and has been know to say to me "Mom, just lay out whatever you want me to wear today." I can admit that for the control freak side of me that likes my kids to match I like it this way (and yes I know I'm lucky...and that these days are likely coming to an end soon!)

Back to the clothing discussion. I pulled a shirt out of the closet and instead of saying, "here put this on," I asked him what he thought of it.

Here's him in the shirt I suggested. He also happened to be wearing those shorts that day too so I figured it was a great outfit for a first day of school. 

The next thing I knew he flat out refused to wear the shirt and when I asked him why he literally said to me "because Mom, it's TOO handsome of a shirt for today"

I just started laughing and said "WHAT?" He insisted to me again that it was just TOO handsome for school that day and that he had to wear something else.

So, I let him pick a shirt instead.

This is which one he chose! Apparently Frankenstein isn't handsome at all so it's totally an appropriate shirt for school. The only bad thing was that by the end of the afternoon when I went to pick him up it was smoking hot outside and the poor guy was sweating up a storm running around on the playground with his friends. He ended up taking it off and walking home in an undershirt (YES, he also insisted on wearing an undershirt too!)

Apparently once he felt that the shirt I picked would be TOO handsome there was no way I was going to be allowed to do his hair because as soon as I tried to brush it I was told very sternly that "NO, Mom, you are making it too handsome! I do not want it spiky!" All I was trying to do was flatten it down because he desperately needed a hair cut!

Oh James, your personality is shining and showing even more now than it ever has (which is scary because you've had a wonderfully crazy personality for years now!). I love you big guy!

My funniest FB statuses in months!

On the morning after our busy first day of school/daycare Jordan woke up in a particularly terrible mood and was acting like a very typical 2 year old.

Here was my first FB status of the morning, at 6:47am
You know it could be a long morning when your 2 year old is awake before 6am and has his first timeout at 6:45! I wish you the best of luck today Theresa with this butthead! I hope he's in a better mood for you than he is for me!

He was awake at 5:55 and we had to get him up because he was yelling and I just knew he would wake up James if we didn't go in and get him and the last thing I wanted was a tired and cranky James! Jordan was whiny and cranky from the second his feet hit the floor and his mood didn't improve much over the span of the next 2 hours. I tried everything....snuggling with him, letting him watch his cartoons, feeding him a snack...but nothing worked. Before 7am he got his first timeout for hitting me for something because he was mad and I had told him no. 

Around 7:45 when I went to sit him in his high chair to eat breakfast he absolutely refused to eat anything that I had put in front of him. He started screaming at me so I took him down and walked him over to the timeout corner where he proceeded to scream his little head off some more (I'm sorry to our neighbours!). It was at this point that my always very observant and opinionated James came out with two of the funniest things he's ever said before.

Here is my FB status from just before 8am 
In the middle of Jordan's second screaming time out of the morning James says to me from the dining room while he's eating his breakfast "man, I would kick his butt if I was an adult!" Followed up by "I would drop kick him right out of the house!" Hahahahaha I'm glad I was in the kitchen and he couldn't see my face!

When I posted it my brother commented that he figured my mother had taught him that but I can easily admit that that was definitely Jim and I. We have used the phrase "drop kick you through the goal posts of life" maybe a time or two! :)

hahahahaha....kids really are ALWAYS listening! These kids definitely keep me on my toes!

Here is Jordie "talking" to someone on the iPod while laying on the cars table in the living room

And here he is after climbing up onto James's bike. he really just wanted to ring the stupid bell over and over...and over again!

A 5 year old conversation with James

Another September has come around so it's time for the yearly conversation with James. I was surprised that a few answers were the same as last year but most were different. The last question was the one that made me laugh and smile the most. I love this kid!

I love this picture of James from the ball park this summer (although it looks like winter with the long sleeves and hot chocolate!)

September 2015
What is your full name: "Barrows, James....James Barrows"
If you could change your name what would you change it to: "B"
How old are you right now: "5"
What did you do for your last birthday: "A ninja turtle party, a twoonie party"

Your favorite things -
Snack: "Peanut butter and apple"
Drink: "Papa's juice"
Vegetable: "Carrots"
Fruit: "Apple"
TV show: "Rescue Bots" "Paw Patrol"
Movie: "Air Bud"
Game: "Sorry"
Book: "Big Cars Book"
Toy: "My ball and my glove"
Animal: "a dog"
Holiday: "Vacation" Me: no buddy, like a day that we celebrate, so what's your favorite holiday. James:  "Boxing Day"
Restaurant: "Donkersley...I mean Eddie's" Me: do you mean Moose n Eddie's? James: Yup
Color: "Blue"

What do you love best about -
Your Mom: "She's so sweet"
Your Dad: "That he plays hockey with me"
Your Brother: "That he's so cute"
Your Nana: "That she's a great Nana"
Your Papa: "That, you know, he lets me watch golf in his den"
Diesel: "That he's my buddy"

The coolest person on earth is: "Dad"

When you're outside what is your favorite thing to do: "How about you say what's my favorite thing outside at Nana's?" Me: Okay (repeat question with adding at Nana's. James: "Play hockey"

What thing are you the very best at: "Baseball"

When you were little what was your favorite thing to do: "Play"

Where would you like to go on vacation this year: "Vancouver"

What do you want to be when you grow up to be an adult: "A co-worker"
Me: a co-worker. oh? of who? what kind of co-worker?
James: "A VIU co-worker"
Me; "ohhhh you want to work with Mommy at VIU, that's cool"
Me (and Nana in the background): aaaaawwwww
James: "Yeah, so I won't be able to miss you, so I won't miss you so much"
Reaches in for a big old smoochy kiss (*Mommy's heart melted in that moment)

All about Mom...as answered by James, aged 5

This was a super cute survey thing that I saw on FB last week and I really wanted to do it with James to see what his answers would be...and he definitely didn't disappoint! I love this kid so much!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
Me listening

3. What makes mom sad?
Me NOT listening

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
By tickling me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
A good boy, I mean a good girl

6. How old is your mom?
Uuuhh 34

7. How tall is your mom?
As tall as Daddy

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Play games

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Stay home

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Game

11. What is your mom really good at?
Tag

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Baseball

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Work. What kind of work? VIU

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Uuuhhh grilled cheese...grilled cheese sandwiches

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
Her loving me? - not sure why he was unsure of that one!

16. If your mom were a character, who would she be?
An adult

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Play together

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Cause we live in the same family

19. How are you and your mom different?
Cause I have glasses and you don't and I'm a boy and you're a girl

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Cause she gives me lots of hugs and kisses

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
That he loves you

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
The park

23. How old was your Mom when you were born?
Uummm 30

James and me at Willingdon a few weeks ago! I love this picture so much it's my new lock screen photo on my phone!

 

Preschool Show & Tell – Year 2 – Week 25

When I left for work this was not what he had chosen to take for Show & Tell but I came home and found out that he had dug these groovy looking googly glasses out of the toy box and decided to take them instead.

These photos were actually taken today as I worked 11-7 all week so by the time I got home each night they were already in PJ's and ready for bed. Still cute pictures though!

You're right Mommy....

Those are some of my favorite words to hear, ever....but in the context that he said them I'm not so sure I should be so happy or proud of myself. This is how it all played out.

We were in the van on the way to the airport and I was behind this guy in a red corvette (I think) and the light turned green and he didn't move. I waited about 15-20 seconds then I honked my horn and he laid on his engine and took off FAST, and just about hit a lady in a black car turning into a parking lot. Having been in an accident last week I was cringing watching it happen.

So I said: "Oh you're a jackass"

James pipes up from the back and says: "He's just an idiot"

I said: "Oh no honey, that's not a good word to use at all"

To which James then replied: "Oh you're right Mommy, he is a jackass!"

I tried (and succeeded I think) to suppress my laughter and just said "uuuuhhh no honey, you shouldn't use that word either"

* Side note: IMMEDIATELY following this short exchange he told me that the guy was a "shooty head". I'm guessing he's heard me use the term shit head and he knows he isn't allowed to say that word so this is his alternative to that. He breaks this one out as often as he can if he thinks I'll let him get away with it!

Oh dear, I really need to be careful what I say around this kid! He just kills me sometimes.

A 4 year old conversation with James

I've always wanted to do a yearly interview with my kids and have decided to start it with James this year on or around his first day of school. I'm going to pick the questions and use them year after year and chronicle them here on this blog. This should be interesting with our chatty little man :)

September 2014
What is your full name: "James Barrows"
If you could change your name what would you change it to: "Tap Barrows Jr."
How old are you right now: "4"
What did you do for your last birthday: "Played and ate, bouncy castle with a slide"

Your favorite things -
Snack: "Strawberries and grapes and cheese and crackers"
Drink: "Apple juice"
Vegetable: "Carrots"
Fruit: "Strawberries"
TV show: "Space Racers and Paw Patrol"
Movie: "Rookie of the Year"
Game: "Frustration and Sorry"
Book: "The Berenstain Bears Go to the Moon, because I love space"
Toy: "My Innotab"
Animal: "Sharks"
Holiday: "I like going on the ferry boat and going to see Uncle Tom"
Restaurant: "Magpie's"
Color: "Green"

What do you love best about -
Your Mom: "She plays with me, we play the silliest games"
Your Dad: "He likes to play baseball and hockey with me and I like those two sports"
Your Brother: "Cause I love him"

The coolest person on earth is: "Know who's the funniest on earth? Daddy is!"
Me again: Okay, who is the coolest person on earth: "DADDY"

When you're outside what is your favorite thing to do: "Play baseball AND play hockey"

What thing are you the very best at: "I hit best in baseball, I do the greatest hits in baseball"

When you were little what was your favorite thing to do: "When I was 3, I know, I had fun having my Angry Birds Birthday"

Where would you like to go on vacation this year: "Uuummm, on the ferry boat"

What do you want to be when you grow up to be an adult: "I know....a back catcher in baseball"

"Mom, you're a great poop scooper..."

....gee thanks James! 

We went outside to play this morning and I had to of course scoop up the poop in the yard before we could freely play. We were just chatting away while I was scooping and he was pointing out the landmines to me as we went. 

I headed back for the bucket saying something and all of a sudden I hear him say to me "there is no time for chit-chat Mom, there is some poop over here!" 

Once again I just laughed as I said "okay James, I'm on my way!"

This kid just kills me sometimes!

And here's two cute pictures of the poop culprit

Another funny quote

Last night when I went to put James to bed I asked him "who is your favorite girl in the whole world?" fully hoping and expecting him to say "you, Mommy". But if you all know James, you know that is not what he said. Instead his reply was

"I love all everybody in the whole world....well except for the mom's of my school friends"

hahahahahaha....another good one by James Barrows! I love this kid. Such love and honesty from him!

First he breaks my heart, then he fills it up with even more love!

James has this ability to be super insulting/funny without intending to be and then on the flip side to be so sweet and loving that it just warms my heart.

One of our conversations from yesterday went something like this:
(Me singing along to the radio)
"MOM, can you please stop singing"
"But why James?"
"Because I don't like people singing in minivans"

hahahahaha...okay kid! He said it again an hour later when we were back in the van and I started to sing again, but this time when I asked him why he didn't like people singing in minivans he told me "I can't tell you mom, that's really a secret!"

This kid cracks me up!

Now on the flip side he also is a very sweet and kind little boy. Two of the nicest comments I he said to me yesterday were:

"Mom, your hair is the prettiest today"
"You are a very good mommy"

I couldn't ask for any more than that! When I look at him I figure I must be doing something right in this world to have created and to be raising such a happy, funny and loving little guy.

I love you so much Mr. James Barrows!

Quotes from James

The past month or so James has said some odd, funny and downright adorable things and I've been recording them in hopes of creating this blog post. Here they are:

The first one is my favorite and was literally said in all seriousness to Jim and I at the dinner table:
"Maybe one day you guys will die..."
We paused just long enough to look at each other like "what the hell do we say to that?" and he follows it up with
"...and then I'm gonna go and play some hockey!"
We laughed that perhaps is hockey obsession had gone just a bit too far :)

The next two things were said to Jordan while my sister was watching them for me.

Andra closed the door to their room (here at my parents they are sharing the spare room) and Jordan fussed a little and he said to him
"It's okay Jordie, I'm still here for you"

When I FaceTimed with them from Vancouver and Jordan saw my face he screeched (as he often does when he recognizes people on there) and James said to him
"It's okay Jordie, your mom will come back one day"

We were talking to James about teaching Jordan how to talk because up to this point he doesn't really say too much, he just really screeches and points and screams and babbles Mamamamama, and we said that one of his first real words will be some form of James because this kid is obsessed with his big brother.
So the next day I hear James saying to Jordan
"Just say James, just try it, just say James....or you can call me Averman"

Again at the dinner table we were talking to James about a very hypothetical 3rd child down the road and what should we name this baby if we had another boy (our girl name is still waiting to be used!) and he so seriously said
"uummmm, you could just name him Averman"
Jim and I laughed out loud and said that no that most definitely would not be a baby's first name :)

Yesterday I went to pick up James from school and his awesome preschool teacher Janet came up to me and said she had to tell me the funniest thing ever.
So he was sitting playing with a car, and was for once playing quietly alone, but apparently the other kids were being very noisy and he looked at Janet and said "It's so loud in here that I can't hear myself think"
I reminded him last night that perhaps the next time he is talking really loud and being the noisy kid that he should think about that moment. She mentioned that it was just so funny because he is usually always one of the kids making the most noise :)

Today he told me while he was unloading the dishwasher (chores start early in our family!) that he was just "too busy working right now to talk to me".

This kid cracks me up on a daily basis with the stuff that he says. We've finally appeared to get the swearing under control and he definitely knows he isn't allowed to say adult words, but once in awhile one slips out and we have a little giggle about it. What can I say? He is definitely Jim and I's kid! :)

 

Two cute boys attempting to do Grumpy Faces