I'm not sure if this falls under the "You know you're a mom when...." or just my selfish need for a little quiet time - however and whenever I can get it!  I have been under the weather lately, and the heat just makes me cranky!  So, I have stayed at home, in the cool and dark house with the a/c on 80, ceiling fans cranked, and doing only the absolute necessities in house work!  So, when I realized the other night that we only had ONE nighttime diaper for the TWO boys (and they each needed one...) I took the opportunity to leave the boys playing at home with dad, who had been at work all day - but didn't seem to mind me splitting alone....ALONE!  Whoa....you'd think I was on my way to the spa or some hot date with a friend in a far off place!  I was gone for a short time, probably only about 45 minutes total.  BUT, it was 45 minutes of TOTAL PEACE and QUIET! 

I didn't have to worry about: the boys running around the store, stepping on my toes or hiding behind the tall bin of outside balls that seem to find their way into the cart and in our yard, running the cart into my heals - or those of others who are not as understanding, kids wanting sugary treats that I have to pry from their hands....or worse, having to threaten them with a time out, losing a treat or a spanking for not listening.  Yes, I suppose I lead a pretty boring life.....I have realized that if my highlight is actually being able to shop for nighttime diapers and milk by myself (with an extra trip to a discount store to buy recycling bins for the garage) as an added bonus!  I need to get out more often! 

Although, we did take a trip out this morning, and it reminded me of why I REALLY treasure those times by myself!  We made three stops....1. to a friends house to drop off a donation to their MOPS event next weekend 2. We had to stop two separate places to find the right size and color hat for Dad to wear at work and 3. The grocery store to get a few things for dinner the next few nights.  In less than 2 hours, I had said, "Don't touch!"  "Please listen to me and come here!" or something along those lines at least 40 million times!!!  The guys in the stores we were in were pretty good natured - the first store, the owner tried to make me feel better by saying, "Well, they are boys!"  REALLY?  I guess he was trying to be funny.....I was ready to scream at the top of my lungs (which would have made me cough like a barking seal....pretty funny, I suppose!) "Why won't you boys just listen for goodness sake?!?"  Oh yes, because you are boys and I need a vacation.....ALONE!  :P  

Well, this was NOT a shock for me....since I was just exactly the same when I was Colby's age!  I had a major fear of needles...any time I had to have a shot or labwork as a child I would scream, cry, wiggle, flail about....get the idea??  Well, I guess that I have now met my match, in a 6 year old son who is quite strong willed and very strong in his resistence!  So, we went to the doctor for the annual well-child visit this week.  He kept asking the nurse, doctor and me, "No shots right?"  Right, no shots!  So, little brother gets two shots and a finger stick for his lead level test.  He cried for a second and then said, "That didn't hurt that bad!"  He was happy to go home and swim with Dad.  Big Brother did have to go to the lab to have some blood work....for the standard 6 year old test, CBC, Cholesterol tests....Here's where it gets interesting....I knew from the Kindergarten visit to the doctor, that we'd be in for a battle....Me (holding him like an octopus), the nurse sitting on his legs and the doctor all together to get his finger stick and two immunizations!!  I NEVER wanted to do that again... 

So, we talked about it and I basically bribed him into going.  We took his favorite stuffed dog and went to Target to choose something he REALLY wanted (Legos $10).  I then drove to the lab.  He was fine until we got into the lab, then the talking (begging) and tears began.  We talked about why we needed to do this, how fast we could be done and home, playing with the new legos and swimming with dad....THEN, they called us back.  Down we sat, in THE CHAIR.  Once I sat down first, he sat in my lap (reluctantly).  Then the writing was on the wall....The arm rest went SLAM (like a jail door I guess, to Colby) and he starts to Scream, "NO!  NOT THAT!  NEVER!"  Okay, I reason with him, Just relax, close your eyes and breathe in a deep breath.    He suddenly has both hands in a DEATH GRIP around the chair and won't let go!  

20 (yes, 20 minutes later....) we are still trying to get him to trust this lab technician to JUST LOOK at his arm.  She finally got that far, and he started telling her that she could only touch, not use that rubber band thing.  AND, she could not take his blood from his arm, only his wrist!  UMM, that's not the way it works....We finally got the arm out and rubberband on his arm....NO WAY!!  He yanks his arm back and we're done!  So, I am beyond frustrated with my son, tired and hungry at this point (It's after 5 p.m. now and we've been the spectacle long enough at the lab)....We walk outside, still debating about why he needs to do this and why we should go back inside and "try it again" according to my negotiator son now.  He wants to have an iron clad guarantee that I won't take his Legos back....until he gets his blood taken.  Well, since he has been a negotiator all of his life (I jokingly call him my Lawyer in training...No offense meant!)   I agree that I will keep them until Tuesday afternoon.  Then they go back!  Dad was supposed to take him yesterday morning, while I was at my last morning of bible study....and they conveniently "got too busy and FORGOT".  So, we talked about it last night - again....and I have talked about my own fear of needles - which used to be just as bad, I would just avoid them like the plague!  I did overcome the fear, after a trusted counselor suggested I may need some help with my phobia.  I am trying the same techiniques with Colby right now, just talking about it and trying to answer his questions with honesty and gentle reassurance.  He agreed to think about it last night, after we talked while he was laying in bed ready to doze off.  Today, I have not spoken about "THE LAB" and going...only about relaxing, running one errand to  get a few things from the store, and cleaning the house up...  

Has anyone else dealt with this and their kids?  What works for you all?  I am not willing to just take a drive to the lab (he is well aware of the way we need to go and gets suspicious if we even head that direction) and he is to the age, where he needs to be a willing participant (or at least willing to sit still)  in order to get the tube and needle in position and not do damage to him (or anyone in the vacinity!)  I still have the Legos hidden....but am not sure that's all it's going to take.  My mom has added the incentive of her taking him to get ice cream after all is said and done....we'll see if that's enough....If that doesn't work, what will we do??

Okay, since I have been homebound for WAY too long....I am finally feeling better and have begun cleaning again and looking for simple things to do....I have found a picture display board that I had hanging in our nursery...it's baby blue and white checked, with blue ribbon criss-crossed to hold down pictures and cards.  However, it no longer fits the color scheme in either room we have for the boys.  I am all about trying to re-use and re-cycle things (especially since I still want to use it in some part of the house - even if it's in the office to post reminders).  The idea I had was to recover it with a different color of material, and use new ribbon and buttons or something appropriate to hold the ribbon tight...  

So, I searched for an eternity online last night, and had no luck in finding any "how-to's" on HGTV or even through a google search.  Has anyone got any suggestions for me?  The back is sealed in a light covering, but comes loose pretty easily.  I don't necessarily have to re-use the backing.  The buttons are attached through the board, as well.  I have to completely disassemble it before recovering it with different material - but, am up for the project if I know what I'm doing....sort of, at least....  Thanks for the help!!  ;) 

Okay, I'm looking for some help from anyone who has suggestions for fun things to do inside with my 4 year old son (who has been told "no going outside until the air is better for you to breathe" by his pediatrician) and us.  Unfortunately, we are both sick with a nasty upper respiratory infection, cough, and just overall yuckyness....and he has asthma that is making it worse!  So, unfortunately, our family is housebound unless we see the air quality in the moderate range - or his asthma is kept under control.  I have my 6 year old, who loves to swim, play and be outside.  He is  the only healthy one (other than Dad) who works 12 hour days....SO - what can we do?  I'm so tired of the computer games, DVD's, tv being on non-stop.  We have built a camp, played hide and seek (our coughs make it a quick game) paint, build with Legos, draw....I'm out of ideas! 

Any suggestions?  Both boys play well together, and love trains, cars, legos, and to read.  My voice is trashed, so, reading is out of the question....until I feel better.  Thanks for your suggestions and for listening to me complain!