Even Superman Gets Tired
Date: Tuesday May 27, 2008Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Honey, Nathan, Workin' It
Before I left for my work weekend, I assured the boys that I loved them and that I would miss them very much. I would have assured Emily the same, but she is at that nice oblivious stage.
I also told them that I would bring them a new toy as a treat upon my return. We do not buy the kids many toys outside of their birthdays and Christmas (THEY HAVE ENOUGH CRAP ALREADY), but I like to treat them every once in awhile. And bribe them. With words along the lines of, “Yes, I will bring you a treat if you are good for Daddy while I am gone.”
I talked to them on the phone throughout the weekend. The conversation at lunch on Saturday was classic.
Nathan: “Hi Mommy! Are you having fun at work?”
Me: “Hi sweetie! Yes, I am having fun. Are you having fun with Daddy?”
Nathan: “Yep! So…are you getting us a present?”
Me: “Have you been good for Daddy?”
Nathan: “…” (Silence.)
Graham (In the background): “SAY YES!”
Hee!
Yes, they were good. My kids generally are. Good, that is. The have thrown the occasional attitude (Which is NORMAL), but we are all over them like a dirty shirt. Bad attitudes are not allowed at our house.
Friends and strangers all tell us that they are pretty fantastic kids. I tend to agree.
I wandered the aisles at StupidStore to find the perfect gift. I rounded a corner and found them. Battery-powered bubble guns. Not bubble GUM (not sure how that would work), bubble guns. Perfect.
I pulled into the driveway on Sunday and three little people came running to greet me. “Mommy! You’re back!” and “We were SO GOOD” was what I was greeted with. I cracked out the presents.
I think they were a hit.
They shoot bubbles SUPER FAST.
If I tried to blow bubbles that fast, I would pass out.
Emily. Looking down the barrel like the good shooter she is.
When I took this I was all, “Sweet shot!”
And then I was all, “DON’T LET THE BUBBLES HIT THE LENS!”
I kind of like this one. A lot.
Bubbles are FUN!
And a little saucy.
The kids liked to shoot the bubble guns…and to be shot at. Up close.
And from a distance.
Whee!
Bubbles!
There she goes laughing again…Little Miss Giggles.
Before we knew it the bubbles ran out.
Being the uber-intelligent woman I am (Ha!) I had not thought to buy more bubbles. I used it as a lesson to teach my kids about dealing with disappointment. Then I bribed them with took them out for ice cream.
I was away for almost 72 hours this weekend, leaving Honey as a single parent to three kids under the age of six. I go away a few times a year for work, and will go away for BlogHer in July. Woo!
He has left me alone with the kids ONCE. For one night. He is by far the better parent. Hands down.
After all of the busy-ness of the weekend, Honey was tired. He started dinner while I played with/shot photos of the kids. Then he laid down on the bench seat for a little siesta.
He deserved it.
30 Comments
They look awesome! I would be good if I knew someone was going to bring me one. Oh my god you have to bring them to BlogHer!
Missy’s last blog post..Possessed and Possessioned
Comment by Missy on May 27th, 2008 @ 1:57 amYay for bubble guns! Great shots of the kids playing, too.
I definitely think Matthew deserved his nap!!
Hannah’s last blog post..Little Guy
Comment by Hannah on May 27th, 2008 @ 2:49 amThe pictures are adorable!! Bubbles are the greatest toy.
Poor Superman 
rachel’s last blog post..From Petrifiying to Pretty. A Pantry Tale
I laughed at the distinction you made between siesta and nap!
witchypoo’s last blog post..Unsettled
Comment by witchypoo on May 27th, 2008 @ 7:19 amAwww!
Bad attitudes aren’t allowed in our house either. A time out or a lost privilege usually follows a bad attitude. We also get compliments on our “well behaved” kids. I credit my lack of patience.
Noah hasn’t left us once. We’ve left him a couple times to go see my brother, but apparently he doesn’t like to leave. I don’t mind that.
And? Bribery is the best form of parenting EVER.
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Wedding Schmedding
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on May 27th, 2008 @ 7:21 amI love bubbles!
I was at a graduation party on Sunday and my stepmom’s sister was like “I buy a lot of bubbles. And they aren’t really all for my son.”
Kristabella’s last blog post..All Weekends Should Be 3-Day Weekends
Comment by Kristabella on May 27th, 2008 @ 7:38 amI got the same reaction every day this weekend when I came home and I didn’t even bring presents - shhhh don’t tell them! It’s rare for me not to be here when they wake up.
Jay is the same, I have not been alone with the kids for more than a night…here and there. These husbands of ours?
KEEPERS!
Kami’s last blog post..Whew and Yay
So cute!
It must be so wonderful to have your kids so excited to see you after you’ve been away for a bit.
Sharon’s last blog post..Children Underground
Comment by Sharon on May 27th, 2008 @ 8:29 amI need some of those bubble guns! My children inevitably spill bubble liquid all over themselves and the garden- so I hardly ever break them out.
180/360’s last blog post..Weekend Update: Will the Real 180 Please Stand Up?
Comment by 180/360 on May 27th, 2008 @ 8:36 amHeh, I remember when Graham found out I was scared of bubbles. He thought it was pretty funny to chase his terrified Aunt around the yard with his bubble wand.
Silly Kid.
songsinblue’s last blog post..Oh, I have a blog? Really?
Yay bubbles. And Also?
Yay for naps 
Elizabeth’s last blog post..I feel pretty
I totally want one of those bubble guns now!
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Comment by She Likes Purple on May 27th, 2008 @ 9:07 amEven at 35, bubbles are so much fun to me.
sizzle’s last blog post..I’ll Pass
Comment by sizzle on May 27th, 2008 @ 9:13 ami wish i had a bubble gun….
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Comment by Chelsey on May 27th, 2008 @ 9:36 amThose bubble guns are pretty cool. You’ve only been alone with your kids for one night? Wow. I am glad you and Matthew complement one another so well.
bethany actually’s last blog post..Dotty circles are still fun to paint
My kids are a big fan of bubbles.
And? I’m pretty much the same as you. Unless I am traveling somewhere, I really don’t buy them much outside of Christmas and Birthday’s either.
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog: If you are going include edits in your posts, you should strive to make them THIS funny.
Comment by Loralee on May 27th, 2008 @ 1:12 pmThat picture of Matt just says it all. hahaha! I’m contemplating leaving Jordan with the girls for a few nights and I’m scared!
Comment by Jen on May 27th, 2008 @ 1:28 pmEmily looks like a real grown-up girl, and not a baby, in that last picture of her! Wow!!!
Meg’s last blog post..You say tomato, I say give me my sandwich!
Comment by Meg on May 27th, 2008 @ 2:15 pmsweet shot = money shot! awesome…
cute one of honey taking a snooze. good daddy/hubby!
I work with preschool kids, and they would do just about anything for bubbles…just regular bubbles. I bet I could get a few back flips out of them if I upgraded to the bubble guns!
Julie G’s last blog post..Three is a Magic Number!
Comment by Julie G on May 27th, 2008 @ 6:27 pmI need one of these bubble contraptions for myself…I mean, to share with my 3 year old.
Shamelessly Sassy’s last blog post..It’s Never ‘As Seen On TV’
Comment by Shamelessly Sassy on May 27th, 2008 @ 9:45 pmYou can’t go wrong with bubbles, they are so fun!
And they made for some great pics too!
Kristin’s last blog post..Our Handsome Little Man.
Comment by Kristin on May 27th, 2008 @ 9:48 pmWow, those photos are amazing!
brittany’s last blog post..A spoonfull of…sugar.
Comment by brittany on May 28th, 2008 @ 8:29 amHi Angella, great pics as usual. Totally unrelated but I am considering upgrading my camera. Do you mind me asking what you sold your rebel for? I haven’t got a clue what to ask. Thanks.
Comment by Heidi on May 28th, 2008 @ 9:26 amThose bubble guns are totally sweet. Curious how you guys kill the bad attitudes on the rare occasions they show up? We’re getting some attitude over here and I always fill like I respond to it with bad attitude instead of the way I should, just curious.
Comment by Amanda Franks on May 28th, 2008 @ 12:26 pmOhhhh….I miss those little people! Great shots Ange. Holy Cow.
christy’s last blog post..Whoa!
Comment by christy on May 28th, 2008 @ 4:02 pmI would like one as well please!
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Comment by slynnro on May 28th, 2008 @ 4:53 pmWhat a guy
Those bubble photos are fantastic. And holy crap! When did Emily get TALL?!?
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..There are Winners, there are Losers and there are people who enter contests for Chocolate Tea, Cupcakes and Books about Ugly Food
Comment by The Over-Thinker on May 28th, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
Awww! Sounds like he did! I love the conversation you and Nathan had…Nothing like the “partner in crime” coaching him in the background! Love the bubble pictures!
Comment by Michele on May 27th, 2008 @ 12:28 am