I’d like to re-introduce the monster who lives in my house:
See that innocent face, those big smiling eyes? Don’t be fooled by him, he’s a monster all right. Oh sure, others tell me he’s just a normal 4.5 year old boy. I don’t believe them. But then again I don’t have much in the way of experience with monkeys of the male variety. You see, I’m the oldest of three girls. No brothers.
I haven’t a clue as to what makes him tick. He reminds me alot of this nice little boy. I have told him to wish something into the cornfield too.
He’s part comedian, doing goofy things to cheer people, especially his sister up. She’s his best audience too. He’s part artist, recall the mural on his bedroom wall and the not illustrated destruction in my bathroom on two separate occasions involving makeup and nail polish. There’s also a nail polish stain on his bedroom carpet from when he polished his finger and toenails with a lovely shade of mauve. He also uses himself as a canvas and regularly markers up his arms and legs. I make sure to hide the sharpies, but that hasn’t quite stopped him. He’s curious and independent and seriously bright, dad now questions what Alex is up to if he isn’t in sight for more than a minute. Oh and he’s pretty dense at times too.
Me: “Alex, please pick up that shirt from the floor.”
Alex: (looking up at ceiling) “What shirt mom?”, “We have shirts?”
Makes me insanely nuts. Add in that he’s a proto-typical indecisive Libra paired with my decisive Leo and I get really nuts. UGH!! **
The next couple of months should be interesting as boating season has started, giving me additional time alone with my offspring. :) Shall we say I’m out of practice in this single parenthood business?
Thank goodness for knitting and spinning! To that end, I’ve odered both fiber to ply Alex’s blue-green merino with. I opted for what I hope is a compatible blue from Coppermoose. It’s hard to tell colors on monitors, but sticking a picture of the bobbin of singles next to pictures of the merino there, I picked on that is close. Fingers crossed. I also ordered “just one more yarn” to try out for WRS. I know I decided to do Unst, but WRS is still whispering to me and I’m losing my ability to ignore her.
**Please don’t get me wrong, I really do love my little boy, I just don’t know what to do with him.
Craft on!
19 responses so far ↓
1 Nancy // Jun 3, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Aah the joy of boys. He is completely normal which means he will drive you completely batty;)
Feel for me I live in a household full of them!
2 Chris // Jun 3, 2008 at 4:23 pm
He’s kind of like a puppy. Lots and lots of exercise might help. But like puppies, little boys need a lot more exercise than most of us mommies can give. Just keep in mind he’ll probably be much easier at puberty than Kat will.
3 taelixev // Jun 3, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Little boys are fascinating. Things occur to them that I would never have thought reasonable.
I can relate, single mom, 4 year old boy, older sister sibling…and I’m an only child. The whole sibling thing is a mystery to me too.
4 Rachel H // Jun 3, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Just wait till he hits grade one. Whole new ballgame there. Fun, but they keep you on your toes At All Times. Ask me how I know.
5 --Deb // Jun 3, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Luckily for me, my little boy is a dog–somehow, being a completely different species makes the gender thing easier to handle. But, yes, our side of the family pretty much felt the same way when my nephew was born–the only little boy in our family since my Dad was born! I love him to bits but still never quite know what to talk about (grin).
6 Ina // Jun 3, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Sarcasm from offspring at this tender age? Heaven help you in a few years.
7 Kris // Jun 3, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Boys are wonderful creatures. It’s all about the physical for them. My plan of attack is so much activity that they fall into bed exhausted at night. To that end, I have been known to kick them all outside until they get “it” out of their systems, and I try to console myself that “it” is not emotional roller coaster hormones, at least not yet…
8 Pam // Jun 3, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Wow, I’m also the oldest of 3 girls and am often perplexed by my little boy.. I’m chuckling at some of your other comments because my nickname for him is “puppy.” He definitely benefits from going out to burn off energy. Your little monster is pretty darling though!
9 Deborah // Jun 4, 2008 at 7:00 am
He is going to be an artist I think. I’m a Leo and have family/friends who are Libra’s. I can tell you that Libra boys grow up to be wonderful men that Leo’s get along with very well. Alex is just being a typical 4.5 year old. Full of energy. LOL
10 Janette // Jun 4, 2008 at 9:03 am
Don’t feel bad, Peanut is of the girl variety and I haven’t a clue what to do with her some days. I’ve been reading about the 1/2 year curse and I think I’m a full believer. She’s charming and wonderful one minute and then she makes me want to one screaming from the house the next minute.
11 Manise // Jun 4, 2008 at 10:00 am
Sounds a bit like my daughter! I also have 2 sons. It can be maddening, but life would be downright boring without them. Hang in there!
12 Kim // Jun 4, 2008 at 11:52 am
I’m the oldest of 3 girls too. The toilet seat was always down when I was growing up. Not so now. I try and go with the flow, but it’s frustrating at times. It’s a good thing I find farts and 8 yr old boy humor funny or I’d be a goner. The qualities that drive us crazy now will serve our boys well when they are grown-ups.
13 Lola LB // Jun 4, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Yes, he’s a boy alright.
Let him be a boy - that’s the best gift you can give him.
I would like to suggest that you check out the “The Dangerous Book for Boys” (I should also note that his sister might like “The Dangerous Book for Girls”). In a couple years they’ll be old enough to appreciate these books.
14 Nancy // Jun 4, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Alex sounds very normal, which means you’ll be pulling your hair for a couple of years! As previous posters have commented, they’re just pure physical machines. Have fun!
Love the new sweater for Kat! Looks so cozy.
15 JessaLu // Jun 4, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I’m so glad I had a girl. ;op
16 lynne s of oz // Jun 7, 2008 at 1:50 am
heh. At least you are raising your kids in a place with a yard (you do have a yard being in the burbs and all, yes?). Our upstairs neighbours seem to encourage their boys to run run run run jump jump jump BANG THUD half the night in their 2 bedroom apartment. Drives us CRAZY! Find ways for Alex to get rid of the energy - outside?
17 Jessica // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:38 am
You are definitely on your own with that one. I have a hard enough time dealing with the full grown boy I live with! If you ever figure them out, do share the secret.
And I’m enjoying seeing your beading. Been doing a bit of playing with that myself lately.
18 Kathleen // Jun 11, 2008 at 8:44 am
my mom says raising boys is like raising foreigners. they are very different from “us”.
19 molly // Jun 11, 2008 at 11:21 am
When my son was 4, we caught him with a wrench and his dad’s 10 speed. We got him his own wrench and a bicycle we pulled out of someones trash. When he was 8, we caught him under the hood of my car. He declared that he fixed it. I was terrified to drive the car but he did fix it. When my son was 10, he wired the barn for sound. He took his sister’s cassette player to do it. Did I mention that he was hyperactive (adhd) and was constantly in motion? He’s now 23 and owns his own repair business. Hang in there, life is exciting with boys