Not useful anymore

My son is obsessed with Thomas the train. All day we hear stories about Thomas, and Percy, and Troublesome trucks, and pulling freight cars, etc. Any of you with toddler boys may know what I am talking about. On the Thomas movies, they always talk about being a "useful engine." So today, when I was getting ready for work and Ben was eating his oatmeal, he came into the bathroom looking sad with oatmeal all over his pants. He also had his Thomas wooden train whose face was covered in oatmeal. I asked what was wrong, and in all seriousness Ben looks and me an says "Thomas isn't a useful engine ANYMORE!" Apparently Thomas tried to eat Ben's breakfast and made a mess in the process. Naughty Thomas.

I should have known better

Ok, I probably shouldn't have let Ben into the kitchen while I was making dinner. Actually I should have just been watching him better. But, I work all day now and when I come home to make dinner and see the computer sitting on the kitchen counter, I just want to take some time to check emails and blogs and whatnot, which I used to be able to do during the day. I just get distracted sometimes. So, when I heard Ben behind me saying "it's soft, it's so soft," I should have known it would be some kind of mischief. My darling son had found a half stick of butter in the fridge, unwrapped it (he did throw the wrapper in the garbage can), and was rubbing it all over his hands. Apparently butter feels soft when rubbed on skin. The things you learn from a two year old... especially when mom isn't watching him properly.

Do you want to be a priest?

Today in the car we were listening to our favorite Catholic radio station. They had a little commercial about how the Church needs more young men to answer God's call to become priests. We asked Ben if he wanted to be a priest and his response was an excited "yeah!" Not being sure he knew what a priest does I asked him. His response was "TOOT, TOOT!" A little confused I asked him again "what does a priest do?" Again his response was "TOOT, TOOT!" By now my husband and I are both cracking up and to clarify I ask Ben "What does Fr. Barr do?" His response? "Says God Bless." That's more like it.

I love you...

Here is a conversation that my husband and son had this morning as my husband was getting ready for work.

Ben: Build tracks too, Dad?
Jacob: No, I have to go get ready for work.
Ben: I'll follow you.
Jacob: No, you stay here.
Ben: But, I love you. (imagine this being said with a pouty face)

Can we say guilt trip?

Happy New Year!

I was thinking back about my new year's resolution for 2008. I had said I wanted to cook better and more "creative" meals for my family. I think I achieved that. Tonight we are having Chili, which isn't too exciting, but it sure beats a frozen pizza. Now on to 2009. I was going to write some profound resolution like "I will be a happier, better mom." Or, "I will embrace all the changes that are coming with Jacob going back to school." But, this morning I came to a realization that will now be my 2009 resolution. I need to cook better pancakes. I am absolutely terrible at making pancakes. It's not an issue with the batter, it's more of a technical issue. I flip them either too early or too late, and when I do flip them they end up on top of each other. The funny thing about this is that Jacob says I taught him to make pancakes and his always turn out perfect. Half of this morning's batch ended up in the garbage because they were black, and I am pretty sure I had a couple that were doughy in the middle. So, I will keep practicing, and maybe in a year you can come over for pancakes... at your own risk.

Nice job, Mom!

If I ever feel like the cleaning I do isn't appreciated, I just need to have Ben around while I clean. Here is what happened today as I was cleaning the bathroom.
Ben: "What doin' Mom?"
Me: "I'm cleaning the bathroom, would you like to watch?"
Ben: "Yeah!"
Me: (cleaning the toilet)
Ben: "Nice job, Mom!"
Me: (cleaning the mirrors)
Ben: "Great job, Mom!"

This continued with every little task I completed, and eventually it included clapping too. I think everyone should have a two year old around when they clean.

Only a two year old boy

Only a two year old boy would take a snack of animal crackers and applesauce and make it gross. How you might ask? By covering the animal crackers in applesauce and saying "animals pooping." That kid has quite the imagination.