Mom Remembers

We actually didn't celebrate Carl's birthday on August 20th, seeing as how he had already had 2 parties, one with each set of grandparents.  We did normal things like unpacked from our trip and played outside with friends.  I gave Carl a few presents: a costume hat with tiger ears on it as well as a set of lacing cards for him to use in church meetings.  But we did plenty of celebrating before  his birthday: 1. My parents had a party on August 12th in West Virginia.  My dad blew up balloons with his nose, just like in the good old days and the kids had a great time chasing them around. 2. My mom made three cakes, one for Carl, one for me, and one for Pat.  We all have summer birthdays and birthdays are a big deal to the Bergs.  Carl's cake was funfetti with green frosting, fruit snacks for decoration, and three tall candles.   Sniff, sniff, because he is three years old! 3. There were lots of presents, mostly clothes all around.  Of n...

CARL:  Knock, knock. ME:  Who's there? CARL:  Donut. ME:  Donut who? CARL:  Donut worry, it's just a joke! ME:  Wow, Carl!  That was  a joke!  That was funny! SCOTT:  Yeah, that actually made sense. CARL:  I am going to tell you a lot of jokes! ME:  Ok. CARL:  Knock, knock. ME:  Who's there? CARL:  Cheerio. ME:  Cheerio who? CARL:  Cheerio worry, it's just a joke!

CARL:  I'm going to sing you a song. ME: Ok. CARL:  It's a secret song. ME:  Ok. CARL:  It's called ABCs. ME:  I like that song. CARL:  ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY and ... poop!  Now I know my AB poop!  Next time won't you poop with me?   (hilarious laughter)

When I listen to, read about, or even watch what other moms are doing for their kids, I start to panic.  I begin to wonder, am I doing enough? Because I'm not doing science experiments with my kids.  I haven't taught them Quenya (or even Spanish!).     I'm not teaching them about money.  I don't cook with them, even when they ask to help me.   Although I would love to, I rarely take them to play outside our own yard.  They aren't taking music lessons or participating in team sports.  Soren isn't even attending preschool, so he doesn't play with kids his own age.   I miss tons of "teaching opportunities" because I am too busy doing my own stuff.  And I don't really make up for all that busy by scheduling time to play with them.   Sometimes, when I go back and read the things that I  wrote on this blog, I panic.  I worry that I have fallen too far, even from the little I used to do. Because I haven't taught Carl his al...

SOREN:  Excuse me, Mom. ME:  Yes, Soren? SOREN:  Someone is tooting on our car. ME:  Who? SOREN:  The sun.  The sun is tooting on our car.

1.  He loves to sing and knows a prodigious number of songs. 2.  He can set the table. 3.  He usually invites friends over for lunch.  When there is no one to play with, he tells me "I want to visit someone!"  Since I also crave company, we make a pretty good team. 4.  He is a cheerful guy.  He smiles easily and often. 5.  When he gets upset, he bounces back quick. 6.  He plays imaginative games with Soren frequently.  They are pretty happy to cooperate in a flight of fancy. 7.  He likes hugs and kisses.  I love it when he rushes up and hugs my knees. 8.  He can be quiet during family scripture study.  And afterwards, he always asks for a synopsis in terms he can understand. 9.  He is brave.  Yesterday, he climbed up a great big curved ladder at the playground, all by himself.   10.  He speaks clearly and politely. 11.  He can pull me  in a wagon!  That takes ...

SOREN:  Mom, only you can prevent werewolves. ME:  Oh, okay.  Wait, did you say werewolves? SOREN:  Yeah.  You can put them in a ziploc bag or slash them with your sword.  That's how you prevent them.