houpley

Jackson, you know how Christmas is over? Yes. You know how all the decorations are put away? Yes. And there aren't anymore Christmas things around anymore? Yes. So.... Yes? Can we finally go ahead and take down your gingerbread house? No. Well, how long do we have to keep it? Forever. How long do we have to keep it out? For all days.

Mama can I please have that sucker? No, Jack. Not right now. Please? No. But I am so hungry. You can have it after supper. But Mama! I am sucker hungry !

During his visit with my parents, my mom started peeling a zucchini. Jackson wanted to particpate but she warned it was kind of dangerous. He disappeared only to return wearing his bicycle helmet. Ready for kitchen duty:

Hey Mam, did you know that the milk that falls out of a cow's lady parts is good to eat?

Mama, I cannot even embarrass how good this cookie is!

Hey mama, did you know that they don't let monsters into the restaurant?

Mama? Can I have some of my Skittles? Yes, you can have a few. (quietly munching) Mama? How can I get these Skittles out of my belly? Out? Yes, how will they get out of my belly? Well, I guess ... when ... you ... go to the bathroom? (I immediately regretted my answer as I instantly foresaw unsanitary fact-finding missions in the bathroom. But it was too late. The damage was done.) There are Skittles in my poop! No! I mean ... no. Not really. They are kind of ... well ... Oh mama! I know! They're melted in my poop? Right. Melted. - If I can't even handle a poop talk, how will I handle the birds and bees?

Over the holiday, Jackson was introduced to barbecued ribs. Normal toddler milestone? In this family, yes. My mother and my husband truly enjoy nothing more than attacking a plate of barbecued ribs. They are a rare treat at the dinner table. I'm not a huge fan of the meal, so Eric took it as his great responsibility to ensure Jackson got a proper rib-eating education. Eric began the lesson with this introduction: "Jackson, here is your own rack of ribs. Enjoy it, son. I t's like a rainbow of meat."

After setting a bowl of soup in front of Jack and myself, he asked: Mama? What's that I smell? Uh...maybe the soup? Oh.... Could you eat it all up so that I don't smell it anymore? Well, I'm working on it but you're going to have to eat up yours, too. No, I just smell your soup. Not mine.

While cruising through the produce section at the grocery store, I handed Jackson a clump of broccoli to place in the cart. "Do you think we should add broccoli to the meal?" "No. I'm not a fan."

Summer is officially here in our part of the world. With temperatures rising, we've enjoyed running through the sprinklers, heading to the pool and generally enjoying the outdoors. With the season, comes some classic kid moments like enjoying a popsicle on the deck after supper. This works out well because who cares if there's any spillage on the deck? I also ask Jackson to take off his shirt before handling his orange popsicle. A typical parent-precaution that allows you to just hose off the kid after the popsicle has been devoured. He had no problem with this and was sitting at the patio table enjoying his icy snack when he turned to me and offered me a taste. "Mama, would you like a bite?" "Sure," I said leaning over for a taste when he stopped me and snatched back the popsicle. "Wait! Take off your shirt, first."

I'm always researching magazines, web sites and other mothers to find out fun, easy, helpful parenting tips. I thought I might share one tiny tip that we do to ensure Jackson continues to eat healthy meals. Maybe everybody already does this? But I thought I was so clever when I stumbled upon the idea. My tip: Baby Food Carrot Soup, Pearsauce , or Mango Surprise? When Jackson moved from baby food to solid foods, it got a bit harder to make sure everything he was eating was healthy. So every now and then I still purchase DHA , vitamin packed, organic baby food and dress it up as an addition to a meal. I'll heat up the carrots, pour into a bowl and sprinkle some cinnamon on top, and he devours it.* Sometimes, in the fall, I dress the soups up with a bit of milk and some small pieces of ham. Baby food pears? A tasty breakfast. And Mango Surprise? Add a few strawberries and voila: Dessert! Of course, he gets real fruit and veggies, too. But I like to think of it as a way to fortify ...