Wordless Wednesday

Cinnamon Gum

I love cinnamon gum. 

From the spicy smell, to the bold red color, and the burst of flavor that explodes in your mouth upon the initial chew, yum…love that cinnamon goodness!

But it doesn’t love me back.

Years and years ago I bought my first pack of that delightfully delicious flavor filled gum and ever since we’ve been at war.

I was an avid gum chewer back then and would chew on a piece of gum for an entire day. So the cinnamon gum I bought was no exception.  I chewed a piece everyday all day for a few days.  It only took two days, but by the end of the second day the inside of my mouth was full of pain.

I self diagnosed that I had burned the inside of my mouth.  It was SO sore that it was hard to eat or drink.  I was in pain for several days following.

Upon this tragic event I did not blame the gum, I shouldered all the blame.  The gum was innocent, it was me.  I should not be chewing gum that long.

So after I healed, and months later after the mental anguish wore off, I tried again but this time I was going to limit myself to half a day because that seemed a much more reasonable time limit.

I had the same results – a burned, sore, inflamed inner mouth.

You know what they say:  Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me…wait is that how the saying goes?  Well, whatever, shame on me because it happened again.

Since my second attempt at being friends with cinnamon gum, I gave it up.  Had not, would not, touch the stuff for years.

Then this month I started getting the craving for that spicy, delicious gum. I resisted.  Every time I waited in line at the grocery store that little red package taunted me.  It seemed to call out to me that this time it would be my friend.  It seemed to say just chew me for a short short time and you’ll be fine.

So I caved.  I bought a package this week, but with a self proclaimed time limit of only minutes.

The first day 5 minutes…in my mouth and out.  It was only long enough to get that first initial burst of flavor.  Things were good, my mouth felt fine.

I am not that strong.

The second day it was 30 minutes…

and that’s why it’s 2:06 AM and I’m up writing a blog post about cinnamon gum. 

My mouth is on fire.  It hurts to talk, it hurts to eat (however, it hasn’t stopped me from eating!?!?) and it’s painful enough to keep me from sleep.

I’m shaking my fists at you cinnamon gum.

I feel betrayed.

It’s time to part ways forever.

I now declare cinnamon gum my enemy.

It’s a sad day, but it must be done.

Does anyone else share my enemy?

A Beary Sad Story

Beary travels in the car with us to almost every destination.  Beary does not usually get to leave the car, but he’s always waiting when we get back in.

At our library story time the other day the theme was dinosaurs.  After reading stories and singing songs we got to create our own dinosaur.  Corbin was excited to get back to the car and show Beary his newly created dino.

Well, who knew, but apparently bears and dinosaurs just don’t get along.

As we were driving home this was the backseat conversation between Beary, the dino, and Corbin:

Dino:  ROOAAARRRR!

Beary:  crying noises

Corbin:  Beary, what’s wrong?

Beary:  Dinosaur roared at me and I don’t feel so well now.

Corbin:  Dino, you need to stop roaring at Beary.

Dino: ROOOAAAAR

Corbin:  Mom….Mom…you need to take dino.  It’s not working back here with these two.  Dino needs to go up there away from Beary.  He’s scaring him.

So that’s what we did.  Dino was relegated to the front seat with me (yippee, I got to hang out with the bully dino…how is that fair;) while Corbin comforted Beary with some soothing words and hugs.

Just another exciting day in the car with Beary and Corbin.  Don’t worry; the dino is gone.  There shouldn’t be any more issues between those two…you can all rest easy now ;)

Wordless Wednesday

*Zoo was designed and is managed by Corbin Inc.

Beary Did It…

Beary, formerly known as Sleepy Bear (Corbin declared a few weeks ago that Sleepy Bear was now just to be called Beary:) has been causing some mischief around the house. 

For example, Corbin’s easel mysteriously fell down one day.  When I asked what happened Corbin replied with “Beary did it.” 

Another day a piercing scream rang out from Corbin’s room and as my panic stricken self rushed into the room Corbin was sitting on his bed and said “Beary was screaming…why?”

Good question…why indeed did Beary scream.  Let’s just say Beary hasn’t had any screaming problems since.

And the most common “Beary did it” are the piles of toys that come out during playtime.

Call me crazy, but somehow I don’t think Beary is the one to blame;)

An Article of Interest

I stumbled upon an article that was written awhile ago, but I thought it was good to read.  As a new parent (Having a 2 year old still makes me new, right? Because I think I’m going to be a “new” parent for the rest of my life;) I have so many moments of insecurity, questions, and moments where I’m just unsure. 

This article is a great read about the question “Am I Mom Enough”.  It outlines many hopes that this author has about her child as he grows up and I agree with them.  There is just one that I would have to add…I hope I raise my child up knowing the Lord.  That’s my biggest desire, to have Corbin know the Lord, love Him fully, and follow Him whole heartedly!

Here’s the article link:

http://www.boston.com/community/moms/blogs/24_hour_workday/2012/05/motherhood-mom-enough-advice.html

Enjoy!

A Girl Thing

Corbin has a new fascination: my makeup.  He races into the bathroom every morning and asks “Have you done the girl thing yet?”  I usually haven’t even taken a shower and so I promise him I’ll let him know when I get to that point.

But calling him back to the bathroom is usually unnecessary.  When he hears the hair dryer turn off he knows I’m close and he comes running in.  I tell him I still have a few minutes before I put on my make up but he is insistent that he will wait because he doesn’t want to miss “the girl thing”.

Once I start my makeup routine he happily chatters on to something of this effect:

“I love makeup!  But I’m a boy and I don’t wear it, but I looooove it.  Mommy, I like this girl thing.”

It’s very important to note that he is aware that he is a boy and boys don’t wear makeup.  When his fascination first began this was a fuzzy concept.  He thought he would wear makeup as well.  Umm, pretty sure your Daddy would not be so happy about that one;0  So it was a great learning opportunity to learn SOME differences about girls and boys.  (The other differences I’ll leave for Dad to explain…I don’t want to take away all the fun jobs;)

Oh Corbin what am I going to do with you:)

2013 Phrase

I know we are 12 days into the new year and technically resolutions should be already set and in progress.  But, I’m a teacher at heart and really the “new year” will never start in January it will always be August for me.

I have a hard time feeling like January is a new year because I'm so trained in seeing my calendar year from August to May.  It doesn’t matter that I’ve not been teaching for 3 years, every August I go out and buy my new planner/calendar, start thinking about my goals for the year, and stock up on new office supplies because I just love to feel like I’m starting a new school year whether I’m in the classroom or not.

So for me, January will never be the month I set resolutions.  However, last year one of my bible study leaders presented our group with a different idea.  Rather than resolutions pick a word or phrase that you want your new year to reflect.

Last year I chose “dependent on God”.  I really wanted to be mindful to not rely on myself and my own strength, but God.  Last year I felt like I really did keep this in mind and grew a lot in this area.

It took me awhile this year to decide on my new phrase….apparently it has taken me 11 days past my January 1st deadline, but I have finally decided on my 2013 phrase:  thanksgiving and praise.

I want to focus on giving thanks and praise in all situations and at all times.  I truly believe what your mind focuses on your attitude will reflect.  Therefore, I’m going to focus on being thankful and giving praise!

What would be your word/phrase of focus for 2013?

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Extra! Extra!

Yesterday Corbin and I  made a day trip to eat lunch with a dear friend and visit the grandparents.  After our lunch date and before the grandparents got off work we had some time.  So we hopped over to a local museum to play.

Corbin went to school!  I love seeing him sit behind a desk.  I am a teacher mom, what can I say? I love school:)

Apparently, at school Corbin learned how to drive because he became the captain of a boat.

But I’m sure due to his lack of knowledge on driving and water safety he made some major infractions and ended up in jail!  (He didn’t understand that jail was a bad place and continued to smile and say cheese for the jail pictures.  I final gave up trying to convince him of the evils that lurk inside a jail cell.  We are all praying he never sees the inside of one of these for real….no really, we are praying for him;)

After I bailed him out of jail (I know, what a nice mom) he went to an Indian reservation to take some time to reflect and get back to the basics, like playing the drum.

Finally, he found his way home and decided to stock up on groceries.  Whew, what an adventure.

But it didn’t stop there!  A photographer from the newspaper came by to take some pictures of kids playing at the museum.  And guess what? 

Corbin made the newspaper this morning.  It was only a picture with a small caption, but whatever….he made the local news…for something good.  Here’s the picture:

This is one for the baby books! (Which means I need to get that caught up to his 2nd year of life.  And why is it that the “baby book” I have goes up until kindergarten!?!  Had I looked more closely I would have found a baby book with lower expectations…ones I could live up to;)

What a day!

Corbin’s Words

So my two year old continues to dole out words of “wisdom”, advice, and opinions on a daily bases.  Here are a few we’ve heard around here in the last month or so:

Me:  “You’re my baby!”

Corbin: “I'm not a baby.  I’m a big boy”.

Strange you would say that Corbin because at nap time you adamantly refuse to acknowledge you are a big boy and cry tears of sadness for your beloved paci.  So I guess being a big boy is an optional title for when it fits your needs.  Sadly I can relate;)

 

Me:  “Hey, Corbie!”

Corbin:  “My name is Corbin. C-O-R-B-I-N…Corbin.”

Okay than. Should I add a Mr. with that name?

 

Me: “I’m going to get some more (name a food).”

Corbin:  “Mom, I don’t think you should have more.”

What?!?!  What does that mean?  Do you think I should start questioning the motives of my two year old?  Is he trying to tell me something about my weight, my eating habits…or should I just let that comment go;)

 

Corbin: “We need a plan for today.  Where are we going?”

Apparently, I need to buy him a day planner because this child loves to know every move of our day.  But really who doesn’t love a plan!  So, each morning at breakfast we map out the day and most of the time he approves the plan;)

That’s what we’ve been hearing around our house minus the talk about his dislike of how poop smells, his need for privacy when he poops so he now shuts the door, and how he toots.  But I figured those detailed conversations were best left undocumented.  Oh my….boys! 

Under Construction

Ever feel like you're under construction?

Corbin’s construction site was located on and around me late this afternoon.  Apparently I needed some work done which involved heavy lifting from the cranes…not sure what to think about that;)

The site foreman was a little disappointed in the foundation.  Well excuse me, mister foreman; this is all I’ve got to work with.  Trust me, I myself have found some flaws with this foundation;)

It felt appropriate that I was under construction on the first day of the new year.  Maybe by the end of 2013 I’ll have passed inspection:)