The Interpretation

We are at the stage in Bubba's life when he is communicating more and more and we actually understand him. However, just because we understand him, does not necessarily mean that others do. For those of you who interact with our Bubba, the following is a Bubba to English dictionary.

"Mommy. Juaoruwohruiahr. Cookie."

Mother, darling, could you be a dear an just grab that cookie for me?

"No! No! No like it! No soaierthohtiuhs! Sissy!!"

Sister of mine, woman filled with grace and beauty, I'm not sure if I particularly want that exact item. Perhaps I will partake of it later?

"Choc'lit. Yes. Peaze. Enthere. No chikn. No chikn!! Mommy."

Mother, I appreciate all you do, everyday, all day to meet my needs; however, I think I would really like to have that piece of chocolate instead of this lovely chicken meal you have graciously set before me. Would that be acceptable? If not, I completely understand.

"AHHH!!! Nooo!! Get Out!!! Dooooorr!! Daddy!!!"

Father, would it be possible for us to vacate the premises? I do think we've overstayed our welcome at this particular establishment, don't you?

Tune in next time when Bubba lands his new job as spokesperson for Microsoft.

One, Two, Three O'clock, Four O'clock Rock...

Friday night, whilst Bubba was rockin' and rollin' with the Original Classic Mama, my main squeeze and I made our way over to the church where it was volunteer appreciation night...fifties style.
Amidst the root beer floats, poodle dresses and leather jackets there was laughter, love and dancin'. Every other year, the staff at our church puts together a kind of variety show to thank the volunteers for all their hard work. I've been to a few, but this one was the best. To see our worship pastor in a white tee and jeans singing a Bill Hayley song and our Senior Pastor belting out the best Elvis impersonation that I've ever heard, this side of Vegas, was a blast.

Our pastor and his wife were the picture of joy here as they hug Scarlett who thinks they are just the nicest people who ever lived. The Literary Gourmet wins my vote for best costume. Her glasses, her scarf, her hair! She's lovely in any decade.
Scarlett was invited, not just because she's our Scarlett, but because she, too, volunteers. She works in the cafe and helps with children's ministry. My favorite part of the evening was watching how much Scarlett enjoyed herself. She adored everyone's costumes and she felt so loved and appreciated. Here she is with her daddy. Sigh. It was a good night. Wish you were there. I'll leave you with a picture of Not-So-Classic and I parking...

Requesting Advice

"Bubba?"

"Mommy?"

"Do you want to sit on the potty?"

"No potty, Mommy."

"Should Mommy go on the potty?"

"Uh, No."

"Should Daddy go n the potty?"

"Uh, No."

"Should Sissy go on the potty?"

"Uh, Okay."

He doesn't want to sit on, go near, look at or even discuss the potty. To him, it is a porthole of the unknown. He hates it. Upon reading the posts of my dear friend Promises Fulfilled, who I don't see nearly as much as I'd like to but that's what happens when you have toddlers, I was inspired. I think that my little prince may go on the potty if I got him one and put it in the spot that he now goes when he needs to do his business.

So, today, I'm asking for your input. How did you train your little boys? (The girl was much easier, especially since the Original Classic Mama did it for me.) What kind of potty did you purchase? Did purchase one? Where can a Mama tired of buying diapers find herself a good, cheap potty? I welcome any and all advice. Otherwise, Bubba will go to the Original Classic Mama this summer for "Potty Camp."

Superhero Thursday

I know it's been a long time since we last met and I revealed yet another superhero trait of ours, but today I'm back, to tell you just how super you are...

Energetic Elastic Exhortation: That's right. I said it: Triple E. If you have ever cheered your spouse or your children on to do amazingly mundane tasks, you possess this super-hero trait. "Me?" You may mistakenly ask. "Yes, you," I will retort.

If you have ever made up a song to get your toddler to use the potty, eat some more food, or simply be obedient, you have Triple E. If you have ever encouraged your spouse to move forward and do what they already know to do, Triple E is in the house. If you have ever cheered your tween on when they blazed a squinty-eyed stare your direction right before achieving greatness, sign yourself up to be a Triple E coach.

Triple E in motion: The other day, Bubba dumped his little bowl of Pepperidge Farm cheddar fishies all over the floor right after saying one of his new-fav sentences: "Dump it." As unhappy as I was to see the snack that smiles back looking up at me with their freakish grins from my newly vacuumed carpet, I decided that it was time fro Bubba to learn about being part of the solution, for a change. When he finally, after about twenty minutes of encouraging, picked up that first handful of baked, not fried, fishiness, I nearly did a cartwheel to congratulate him. We danced, we smiled, we kissed...he did it again. It was a glorious day. Triple E at it's best.

The caveat: We possessors of the Triple E often get a bit tried after encouraging everybody and everything. We tend to need a bit of Triple E ointment too. So, if you see a sister with a tired look on her face, oatmeal on her pants and droopy poms poms, march right over, give her a big ole hug and give her an "E"!

Tune in next week, same bat time, same bat channel...You get the idea... Feel free to comment or blog about your own superness.

Wordless Wednesday: Drive In

What We've Been Doing

The last couple of months have been swirling with all kinds of excitement here at the Classic Home. We've been visiting friends, going on awesome field trips and playing together. The following pictures may give you an idea of the fun we've been having...

On a cold day in February, Scarlett, Not So Classic, the Original Classic Papa and I ventured to the Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg. It was fun, and free. Scarlett got to "meet" one of her heroes: William Penn.

Not So Classic also met a hero...

At the beginning of March, Scarlett, Not So Classic and I went on another field trip to the Benjamin Franklin Institute in Philadelphia to see the Narnia exhibit.

I couldn't take any pictures during the exhibit, but I did take one of Scarlett and the huge human heart.

And one of her with this huge picture of Ben Franklin. Not So CLassic's #^th birthday was in March and we started it off with a trip to Lancaster County for his free breakfast.
Bubba was kept occupied for like twenty minutes with this oh-so-healthy sprinkled doughnut. He picked off each sprinkle and then started putting things in the hole. It's food and a toy. How grand!
That's his "I'm eating something that Mommy never gives me" face. Yep. Twenty minutes of peace.

I have to tell you that I'm having a blast with this whole Mom thing. I'm so thankful that, for this season, I get to be home with these marvelous kids and serve my amazing husband. It's cool, very very cool.