A boy was mean to Shane

And I was extremely angry. We're talking jump-into-the-bounce-house-and-snatch-my-boy-away-from-that-little-butthead angry.

We went to an open house at a local school on Saturday and they had one of those climb in and jump around bounce house things. Do you know what I'm talking about? They have netted sides and only a small opening for enter/exit. They had one teacher manning the enter/exit and the thing was packed with kids. I walked around to the side so I can watch Shane jump and he's having a blast. He was actually quite cute--engaging the other kids--jumping up and down--telling other kids they were good jumpers--I was quite proud.

Then he comes screaming/crying up to the side where I was and said some other kid was pushing him and was mean to him. Tears were streaming down both cheeks.

I pointed Shane to the exit and told him to come on out and we'd find something else to do. He made his way to the exit and I raced around to meet him there.

Only to see that little &@)(!$@&!@%$^($@#&#)$#%)(#$^^(#$^_*$*^) kid push Shane. Hard. We're talking the little such-and-such using two hands and fully pushing on each of Shane's shoulders, knocking him back into the net. And again. And again.

I'm WRECKED. I sharply say, "Ma'am!!!" and she stops to look at me. I mumble something about, "That boy is pushing my son and I want my son out NOW." She asked for a description of the other kid. I have no idea what I told her--I think I gave her the colors of his shirt and pointed in his direction but I just wanted Shane in my arms. That was it. I'm about to climb into the pit when Shane makes his escape and is sooooooooooo sad.

We cuddled and I rocked him (him favorite) and he was so confused as to why that boy was not nice. I told him some people just are not nice. That it wasn't okay--but there wasn't anything you could do about it except try to get away and if you can't get away then to get a grown up. I told him he was right and that boy was wrong.

While my heart broke and I comforted Shane, that little creep tried to get back into the bounce house. I watched as the attendant told him he was done and was not allowed in there again cuz he was pushing. He actually yelled at that woman!!! Red in the face yelling at her!

His mom sat at a nearby table, presumably watching all of it, and said/did NOTHING.

I told Shane that the other boy was in trouble and was not allowed in the bounce house anymore and that he was being punished for behaving badly. Admittedly, I was tempted to go have a mom-to-mom chat with that woman but I figured nothing good was going to come from that so I forced myself to let it go. Well, let it go enough to not go say something to her.

I was so happy to tell Shane that the bully was not allowed back into the bounce house because he was mean to Shane. That helped a LOT. It did help teach him there are consequences for action.

I guess I worry that I have a "soft" boy and that he's going to get his feelings hurt again and again because he's so sweet. But, that's how he is and I guess i need to help him find tools to deal with bullies himself. I think Shane's going to deal with this quite a few more times in life and *sniff* I won't always be there to help him. He's a big kid for his age I had a hard time refraining from telling him to hit the kid back. But...that's not how Shane is and it's not how I want him to be. Now, when he gets a little older, I'll prolly change my mind on that LOLOLOLOL This mommy thing is tough. It's SO emotional and primal at moments that it surprises me.

I have no idea why I'm posting this. I'm just obsessing about it.

Yup. I'm blessed.

My big kid turned four today. Nope, I can't believe it either. Especially given how youthful I appear. Ahem. Anyway, he really is just a good kid. Polite. Kind. Thankful. And I'm blessed beyond imagination. His little brother warms me with just a smile, too. They have me wrapped and I LOVE IT.

I was looking at the pictures from today and am astonished with how sweet they are. And yet, that thought was no where near my mind earlier today when big kid gave little kid a bloody nose and a split lip.

I think motherhood is kind and allows us to forget the trials and tribulations of pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing. Again, I am blessed.

Saint Joseph

Apparently, when you're trying to sell your home it's quite common to buy a statue of St. Joseph. Of course, some clever companies figured a dollar was to be made in this belief and you can buy the little guys for about $11 complete with instructions and the prayer. Who knew?

The trouble begins when the wives' tales unfold. According to the directions inside the package, St. Joseph just needs to be on the property you're trying to unload. He doesn't need to be anywhere in particular--just on the property. However, those that are in the know quickly put the kibosh on that notion. Good old St. Joseph is to be properly buried on said property. He MUST be upside down and you MUST say the prayer with heartfelt meaning. Those are the only two consistent rules I could find. Other guidelines include the statue face away from your home, be near the entrance, or he could be placed in the rear of your home. I figure if I'm going to participate in the superstition, I'm not taking any chances.

With my trusty shovel and my snow boots I dart out the front door and veer slightly to the right. I dig through the three feet of snow until I hit dirt--pay dirt, I hope. I dig a little deeper and plunge St. Joseph into the earth upside down facing away from our home then quickly bury him in the dark soil. I continue to pile the three feet of snow back on top and then take a deep breath. I whip out the prayer and with great hope and confidence read the enclosed prayer.

After standing in the frosty air watching my breath turn into little clouds I renter the house.

That was Saturday morning.

No offers yet, but there's always tomorrow!

where to start?

Some days are just simply nuts. Whacko. Insane. I hear words in a voice that sounds oddly like my own say things I thought I'd never say. Things like, "Kick your brother gently!" and "I'm sorry you don't love me anymore because I can't actually take you to the desert." Other days are more mundane. A walk down the street. Searching for bugs in the yard. Drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows after playing outside in the frigid northern Michigan winter. All of it is amazing. Most of it is rewarding. Some of it I can't wait to do again (and again).