Cole says...

Last Sunday, I curled my hair instead of blow-drying it straight. I walked into the livingroom, and Cole said, "Momma, you are looking unusual today."

And more evidence that he's growing up....I suggested that he wear one of Michael's old clip-on ties to church. He has worn those every now and then since he was very little. They are slightly too big for him, but that's what makes it look so cute. But this time, he replied, "I can't wear one of those. The other kids will laugh at me!"

Cole the kindergartener

Yesterday, I registered Cole for kindergarten. Holy freakin' crap, my baby is going to kindergarten in only six months!!!

I spent the whole day feeling pretty down. How could he be so big? How will Eli and I survive without Cole to boss us around all day?

Plus, I read this book called Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picault last weekend about a (fictional) school shooting, only it was partially from the perspective of the parents, starting when the kid is a baby, and progressing to the shooting in his junior year. The poor kid never fit in and was made fun of constantly, so you sort of empathize with him, even though you don't feel his actions were right.

Well, I was a dorky kid who never fit in, and Michael was a dorky kid who probably fit in better than me but was also teased more. So I spent the whole weekend worried about how Cole isn't going to fit in at school because he reads like a fifth grader and talks like a tenth grader, loves art and music (not sports), and has trouble not attacking people when he's angry...

Cole, on the other hand, is psyched about starting school. All day yesterday:

"Momma, I think we need to buy me a new lunchbox. One of those kinds with a handle like kids always carry to school. Can we go get it today?"

"Momma, when do I get to start kindergarten? But that's so far away!

And today, while lecturing him:

Me: Cole, why do I punish you?

Cole: So I can learn. But punishments don't teach me!

Me: Well, if punishments don't work, how are you going to learn to follow the rules?

Cole: By going to school.

A Lesson on Fighting Colds

On Saturday, Michael started complaining of a tickle in his throat. On Sunday, he said his throat still hurt, so he spent the whole day on the couch, skipping church. On Monday, he said he still didn't feel great, so he wanted to drive to work instead of walk and pick up some orange juice.

At this point, he still had no visible signs of being sick, and I was getting pretty annoyed. My reaction to being sick and Michael's are complete opposites, and this difference has annoyed me for the past seven years of our marriage.

Our reactions to being sick are partially caused by the differences in our jobs. Michael can call in sick to work if he wants. He also has a non-Sunday church calling, so he can stay home from church if he wants. I do not have the option of calling in sick. If I don't take care of my kids, there's no one else to do it. If I don't make dinner, how will we eat? If I don't keep the house clean, I'll just have to make it up later, and that means more work for me.

But the main difference is between our personalities. I'm a naturally busy person. I have trouble relaxing. I like to keep my hands busy. I frequently read and watch TV at the same time, because I never feel like there's enough time in the day. Michael is very laid back. One might even say lazy. His favorite thing to do is lay on the couch and watch TV. He also loves to sleep. I hate sleep. It's a waste of time.

So it has always annoyed me that Michael acts like he's dying if he gets the tiniest sniffle. I always think, "Suck it up and deal with it."

But today I started considering this...By Tuesday morning, Michael was fine, and the tickle in his throat had never developed into a full blown cold.

On Tuesday, I felt a tickle in my throat. On Wednesday, I had a sniffle. Yesterday I was miserable. Today I'm slightly better, but my nose is red and I'm exhausted.

So who has the better method for dealing with being sick?

Fun in the Snow

So as a follow up to the last post, I just wanted to show that it really did snow in North Carolina. We got somewhere between four and six inches, and the schools were cancelled the night before there was even a snowflake in sight.

Cole and Eli were excited to break out the snowpants, but Rylan (like his momma) is not a fan of snow. He lasted about five minutes, and then he face planted in the snow. After that, I had to put him in the backpack, and the two of us watched from the sidewalk while Cole and Eli played in the snow.

Cole says...

We walked outside a couple weeks ago and the maintenance people had salted the sidewalk due to a threat of snow, but at first glance, I thought it was hail.

Cole: What's all over the sidewalk?
Me: Looks like hail.

a few seconds pass while I'm fumbling for my keys

Cole: Then why is it burning my lips???