houpley

While we are not crazy-granola-hippy parents, we don’t allow Jackson to watch TV. It isn't like a giant soap box that we stand on, it just isn't really an issue. It’s just not on the schedule. If one of us stayed home with Jackson during the day, I'm sure things would be different. TV would be most helpful when a parent has got to finally get to that shower, fix a meal, etc. But since Jackson is in school, the minute we all come home we spend our time visiting, playing, etc. All that being said, we do however let Jackson watch youtube.com. That's right. No T.V. We just let him troll the underbelly of the internet. Every now and then we will play a youtube video of a family member, a great song or of a Sesame Street character. Currently Eric has been trying to educate him on Michael Jackson's music. Youtube has a plethora of MJ as you can imagine. But his favorites are of course Fiest's 1234 Sesame Street song as I have mentioned here before, and anything Elmo re...

While getting Jackson ready for his bath, I noticed a pretty good size scratch on his right shoulder. I wrinkled my brow and asked him what happened. "Who scratched you?" I ask. He looks up at me and wrinkles his brow. "You did," he responds. I quickly review the day wondering if one of my nails had grazed him and couldn't recall a thing. "Me?," I reply. "No, not me!" Turning toward me again, he repeats a bit louder, "You." "No, I did not scratch you," I protest. "YOU!" he raises his voice getting a bit irritated with the line of questioning. I recount the days' events again, thinking there just can't be any way I did this. I am not taking the fall. "No way." I declare. "Wasn't me." "No! Yooooooouuuu!" he shouts, thrusting his chin so far forward I think his neck will pop out of place. "Youuuuuuuuu! Youuuuuuu!" he chants like a tiny ghost. Finally, he puts his t...

You know how crazy I am about Where the Wild Things Are? Right? Check it out: http://www.booooooom.com/sorted/projects/

During dinner everyone discusses their day. Highlights, recaps, funny moments etc. Jackson asks each of us how our days were. "How was your day, mama?" and after my short response he will turn to his left and ask, "How was your day, daddy?" and Eric will also partake in this bit of dinner-time small talk. But the best part is when we turn the question to him. Typically he mentions playing in the kitchen and how he cooked something like sour cream soup. Sometimes he acts as though he has been working at a construction site all day by having to "hammamer" at school. He sometimes makes up stories about jupiter jumps and maybe even adds a few tall tales about falling down or getting a boo-boo that doesn't even exist. Yesterday, they must have played in the gym because while devouring a pile of spaghetti he mentioned a new activity. Amanda: What did you do today, Jackson? Jackson: I played with balls. Eric doesn't miss a beat. Eric: Who's balls did ...

From Jupiter jumps to fire trucks, this weekend was packed with flashing lights, cookies, music and so much candy collecting that in the quiet darkness of his room as Jackson drifted off to sleep last night he said: "Let's go to another festival, mama." And so the festivus season has begun.

You might be a bad driver if on the way to school this morning your two-year-old says: "Slow down, mama! Not like a race car!"

We are currently in the throes of potty training. We seem to be nearing the other side as Jackson has total understanding of the process and every now and then the only issue is remembering to get to a potty in time - not just 5 seconds before, making mama and daddy nearly break their necks as everyone flings themselves down the hallway and into the potty. As I do for most parental undertakings, I read a lot of different resources about it and asked for advice from anyone who would give it. So I thought I would put together a timeline of tips and advice that worked for us in case any of my four readers were interested. (I see you taking notes, Cookie!) Timeline/tips: 18 months: Jackson displayed an interest and so we got him a potty chair of his own (from Target) and put it in the bathroom. Just so he would get used to seeing it. He loved it. Found it hilarious. Would sit on it. Giggled and pointed at it. BUT- he never "used" it if you get my drift. Not once. So that was a wa...

Movie: Miss Potter Review: Such a delightful, utterly charming, jewel of a film that after viewing you must tilt your head just so and speak only with a soft English accent while conversing with colourful caricatures of tiny, yet smartly dressed woodland creatures. Based on the current potty training holiday-reward system, we give this movie: 3 out of 5 candycorns.

Me: Ok, Jack here is your m&m for using the potty! Jackson: No, mama. This is my medicine. He clutches the purple candy, and wanders down the hall, head down, wearing a very serious face. I follow. Me: Oh, you need some medicine? Jackson: Yeah. I'm sick. Me: Oh. What's the medicine for? He turns back, looks up, thrusts the tiny and now melting candy in my face. Jackson: It's for ME!

Me: I had this dream last night that I kept trying to talk to you but you kept watching t.v. Except it felt like a nightmare. Eric: Oh, really? Man. Well... But what was on t.v.? I mean ... was it like X-Files? Because then ... well. Come on!

Review: We texted during the first half. Bailed before the second half. We love both of these actors, but could not get through this. Based on the current potty training reward system, we give this movie: 1 out of 5 M&Ms.

It was a good summer. There was lots of sliding, plenty of tomato picking, endless reading, visiting family, tons of growing, some travelling and it was all topped off with potty training What did you do this summer?

So after bath last night, Jackson was giggling so hard while hanging upside down that he gave himself the hiccups and then urped through his nose. Sometimes parenthood is gross.

Oh? Have I mentioned ... ... my courtesy copy arrived last night! Courtesy! From London! Cheers! So, I highly recommend adding it to your reading list. Oh, and also page 176. Just sayin.'

Was a very big success. I recommend it. http://www.pumpkintownok.com/ ...for the rest of the adventure visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73102019@N00/

Since we've just discovered NetFlix about a year ago, we thought we'd include a new feature here at houpley inc. Welcome to: Three-Sentence Movie Reviews! How does this relate to parenthood, you may ask? NetFlix is the easiest way we are able to actually watch a movie! We've been playing catch up for quite some time. Not only have we been trying to watch some classics we never got around to but we've also been working on The Wire. Also we're fans of the Watch It Instantly feature. Plus with NetFlix, it doesn't sting so badly when you've ordered a dud. Like this one: Movie: I love you, man Review: We laughed out loud four times. For sure a renter. Gag reel was funniest part. Based on our current potty training reward system, we give this movie: 2 out of 5 M&Ms.

Excited to start a few new books. Over the weekend, mom loaded me up with some literary recs. First up: People of the Book Next on the list: The Known World. Except I took a peak at this one and may have to move it to the top of the list. Have you read either of these? If so, let's make plans to discuss. I'll bring the wine, you bring the cheese. If not, I'll still bring the wine. I love having new and delicious books waiting for me on the bedside table. You know, for those 30 seconds before I fall asleep.

Nearly every night, just before bed time we all head out to the bench on the front porch and take a few minutes to hear the crickets, smell a storm coming in, or feel a cool breeze on our cheeks before reading a story and tucking Jack in for the night. Last night, while swinging his legs from the bench and enjoying a final graham cracker or two, Jack spotted three tiny slugs coming up through a crack on the porch. We all became very interested in their unhurried travels and Jack must have asked a million questions about them. His last question, "I touch 'em?" was met with a “no” and followed up with a few slug stories. Everyone has a slug story. Once, I accidentally stepped on one barefoot and it was one of the grossest things I've ever done. Paw-Paw regaled us with a classic slug-torture tale involving salt. He said he had seen someone do it and it was horrible. This led to the discussion of why children, particularly boys torture animals and why some parents don...