Snow Day

Since we woke up to this (at 5:45 a.m., of course - I really wish my kids liked to sleep in!)...

...we haven't gone out yet. It's one of those days when I really don't have a lot to do. I've done most of the housework, and I don't have anywhere to go, so I decided I better indulge Jordan and play some games with him. Candyland was pretty fun, although it only reconfirmed my suspicions that he is colorblind. He cannot tell the difference between red and green. Next came a rousing game of Hi-ho Cherry-o, which is my favorite because it goes quickly and Jordan knows all the rules. He does like to try cheating at this game. I don't know where he got that idea from, but he is very competitive and loves to win. I have to lay down the law sometimes when he doesn't want to spill his basket. Finally came the dreaded Chutes & Ladders. Whenever Jordan says he wants to play this game, I cringe. He knows how to count, but he just cannot seem to get the rules on this one. There are so many squares and pictures to get a kid like him very easily distracted. (Notice the picture - does he really look like he's concentrating on this game?) And it takes FOREVER when you keep landing on the chutes. I even have to admit that mommy had a little meltdown during the game, during which I fervently stated (whined), "I'm done. I've had it." But Jordan wanted to keep playing so I took a little break instead to take a couple of pictures. While I was taking the pictures, Jordan took his turn and magically ended up very close to the "Winner" square. I turned a blind eye. I just wanted this to end. And it did soon after. And the boys were happy. It takes so little to make them happy.

I think in a little while, we'll head over to the Rec Center. Jordan loves the Rec Center. He likes to run on the track, climb the climbing wall, and play soccer/basketball in the gym. We also play tag and he will keep chasing me for a very long time until he can catch me. He does not get worn out easily. I wonder what kind of an athlete he is going to be, because to me he seems very athletic, but of course I'm his mother and I have high hopes. He LOVES to run. He's always telling everyone how fast he is. He wants to wear his "running" shorts every day. The other day when we were telling him to clean up his toys, Josey told him that he needed to do some work around here. Jordan replied, "My work is running!" That made me smile. I'm glad he's got something that he loves so much, and in that he's not too different from me. In the past couple of years, I've found a great love for running too. It's the perfect time for me to unwind and have some time to myself. I'm running a half-marathon in a couple of weeks, and after that I just look forward to running outside again and running for the joy of it (not training) during the summer. I think I've worn myself out a little training for this race, and I'll be surprised if I meet the goal I initially set for myself (1:40) - we'll see how it goes.

All this talk about my Jordan runner boy makes me reflect on Jarrett. He's not quite the athlete, nor nearly as active as Jordan has always been. He's a clown. He loves to make people laugh. Josey gets mad at me sometimes because Jarrett will say some potty words, and even though I try my hardest not to laugh and encourage him, I can't help it!! I try to hold it in at the dinner table when he's being naughty, thinking he's funny, but again, I can't help it. He's hilarious, and he knows he can always at least make mommy laugh, so he keeps trying. He's a sweetheart most of the time, but has started to learn some stinky boy tendencies (probably from his older brother.) Despite the occasional fits and tantrums, I can't help but look at him and have my heart melt with love (and smother him in kisses). Sounds corny, I know, but it's so true!