Full Moon

It has been a long time since I posted...oops.

I just had to document the "connor funny" that just happened.

He is about to go to bed (up way too late...even for summer) and he looked outside and saw the moon.

Connor: Wow Mom! Look at the moon!
Me: yes, wow...it is so big and bright. And it is a full moon.
Connor: it must have eaten a lot.

Such a sweetheart. :)

Additionally, today was the first day of the Providence Lake garage sale. After making quite a deal on an electronic Battleship game yesterday, he was up at 6:45 ready to hit the sales (that didn't open until 9:00). He kept asking me for money. Finally it occurred to me that on a brisk morning, he should earn his money...selling muffins and donuts. This neighborhood sale is a madhouse. He would learn all sorts of lessons in the process.

Too bad this brilliant idea came to me at 8:45 am. I didn't let it stop me and by 9:30-9:45 he and his friend Cam were set up in the driveway with chocolate and blueberry muffins, Connor-made sales signs, a full pot of coffee, little plates, coffee cups with lids, a communal stir stick, and 3 different kinds of coffee creamer. I did have to borrow 6 eggs and ground coffee, but we made it and each kid made over $9!

We will be out again tomorrow.

The whole process was MUCH easier with Declan asleep. The little man is EVERYWHERE. His new game is picking up pieces of mulch and running to the edge of the driveway and throws them into the road. Sweet. He does the same thing with rocks into the lake. Fun game.

He and Connor were both running around the house after dinner (homemade Mac & Cheese while Brian filled in for Mr. Tim on his golf league.) We took a selfie after both boys wanted to me ON my lap after dinner...I need to post it.

Anyway, I was talking to a friend and Connor was in his room building with newly purchased garage sale Brio blocks (that are too advanced for him at this point) and then we hear blood curdling screaming. I went running in there and Connor was crying. I asked what happened and he was pointing to Declan (who was backing away slowly) and Connor said, "he threw it at me". He was pointing at the floor and I saw an empty hanger. I said, "oh buddy, I'm sure it just scared you. It will be okay." (insert hug) Then I look at the floor again, there is also a very heavy metal stapler on the ground (Declan got it off the desk). Yes, he definitely threw the stapler at his head, NOT the hanger....

I feel Connor's head and there is a giant knot forming. I help him walk into the kitchen as I look for frozen veggies to act as an ice pack. Frozen chopped onions would work better than broccoli... Then I had to send Declan straight to the time out chair in the laundry room. He has only had to sit in it once or twice before. He was there a good 20 seconds before he got up. Then 10 seconds when I put him back.

Oh, and Connor said next time he would take broccoli...the onions stunk. hahaha!

I have so much work I need to be doing, but I lack motivation in a very big way. Today was sooo busy and a lot of fun and tomorrow will be the same. Perhaps I could watch one episode of season 2 Orange is the New Black before falling asleep and then I'll get up early tomorrow and work...

One of life's necessities.

Yesterday, I learned the importance of the sucker/lollipop.

All the boys in my Nealon family have hair that grows OUT. It doesn't just get longer and lay down, it poofs. I know many that would take this "problem" of vast amounts of thick, coarsely textured hair any day of the week. :) This hair also grows like it is on some sort of sterroid. I know for a FACT that we spend more (annually) on each male in our house getting their hair cut than I do in a year....and mine is typically cut and colored!

I digress.

Yesterday, Declan was looking shaggy. In addition to the previously mentioned challenges with his hair, he also has some sweet cowlicks that I think make his need for a haircut become more prevalent faster.

I took him at 2:45 following a remarkable 3 hour nap. He was happy and I thought this was our ideal shot. We had to wait 10 minutes at Great Clips. (Who knew 3:00 was a busy time?!) And then shortly after putting him on the booster seat and getting his smock on him, I quickly discovered they were OUT OF SUCKERS. Oh boy.

It went downhill from there. I had no idea that this sugary sweetness was such an integral part of his haircutting experience. He flipped out. He was trying to dive out of the chair. He would NOT sit still. I have never dealt with this. I have never experienced a crying child in the haircutting chair. Until yesterday. About 5 minutes in, I offered to hold him in my lap and let him watch videos of himself on my phone while the lady attempted to finish the cut. This lasted 5 minutes, but was still not without a challenge. Through additional tears (his, not mine) I finally just said maybe we would come back later to finish the cut.

So we left (I paid first) with his 3/4 haircut.

Several hours later, we tried again. This time, I found 2 suckers in our [seriously old] candy stash in the pantry and came prepared.

Wow.

The difference was remarkable. All of the same staff was there and one lady even said they thought I had twins...and he was the twin. Nope. That damn sucker makes all the difference in the world. He never cried, never attempted to dive out of the chair. He even let her use the trimmers on his neck.

Note to self, ALWAYS carry have a sucker in my purse in case Great Clips is out.