Kids

Chocolate Reconnaissance

March 1, 2012 By Virginia 14 Comments

Where DID Mom put that Hershey Chocolate Bar? I know it’s in here SOMEWHERE.

Chocolate Reconnaissance

Wait, is that it…

Chocolate Reconnaissance

Gold. Pure gold. Chocolate that is.

Chocolate Reconnaissance

Quick, Sissy, I need the step stool.

Chocolate Reconnaissance

Look, I’ll share with you, since you DID give me the step stool. But, I did all the climbing work, so I get a bigger piece.

Chocolate Reconnaissance

Of course, he got the stern talking to.

You know, the one that goes, “You can’t climb on the counters, because it’s not safe. You could fall and break your arm, or leg, or worse. If you want chocolate, you have to ask for it. We put some stuff up high because it has nuts in it, and you can’t have nuts because you’re allergic to them. No, no this chocolate bar does not have nuts in it. However, in the future if you want a piece of chocolate, you have to ask for it, because you can’t read the label, so you wouldn’t know if it had nuts. How do you spell nut? Well, it’s spelled n-u-t, but that is besides the point. If you want chocolate, you have to ask for it. Where would it be on the label? It’d be right here, in the ingredients. But it could say almond, or cashew, or peanut instead of just nut. No, you’re not allergic to almonds and cashews, just peanuts. No, you can’t have cashews and almonds, even though you’re not allergic to them. Why? Well, the doctor said to avoid all nuts because a lot of the time other nus are processed on the same equipment as peanuts. You’re missing the point, here, son. If you want chocolate, you have to ask for it. What? No, I can’t just call and ask if the other nuts have been on the same equipment as peanuts.”

Deep breath.

“Listen. To. Me. The. Point. Is. If. You. Want. Chocolate. You. Have. To. Ask. For. It.”

Mister: “Oh. Mom, can I have this chocolate?”

Argh.

Seriously, though, I was more impressed than I was upset. That little bit of chocolate reconnaissance took some serious problem solving skills. And he is, after all, his mother’s son… lover of all things chocolate.

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, 1.55-Ounce Bars (Pack of 36)

Price: $31.99

(12 customer reviews)

23 used & new available from $19.77

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: chocolate, Kids, thethingskidsdo

Power Capes Giveaway (3-16)

February 29, 2012 By Virginia 39 Comments

We’ve spent some time recently talking about heroes. Because I firmly believe we all have hero potential, I teach Mister and Sister that they, too, can be someone’s hero. I’ve explained that heroes help others, teach others, and sometimes even rescue others. I’ve taught them that being a hero means that you put someone else’s feelings, needs, or safety before your own. I’ve taught them that being a hero is fun, and superhero capes are optional.

Of course, Mister liked the option of a hero cape, so I accepted an opportunity to review a kids cape from Power Capes. Mister was very specific about the cape he wanted. He wanted a red cape with gold lightning. I knew that he would think his superhero ensemble was incomplete without the facemask, so I ordered one of those, too. All Power Capes superhero capes are made by hand in the USA of 100% satin.

Mister was pleased as punch when his hero cape came in.

He was not, however, pleased when Sister spilled Mommy’s coffee on his precious cape. You would have thought the end of the world was announced, and his ability to save it was washed away.

Of course, I grabbed the cape and threw it in the laundry. AFTER I read the washing instructions (gentle wash, line dry, iron on the inside). After I washed it, I hung it over the heater vent in the kitchen to dry. I was pleased that the coffee came out, and he was pleased that his ability to save the world was restored.

He also announced that I am a Super Mom.

All that, for a cape!

I am convinced that inside every person is a hero, and that it is up to each person to let his or her hero shine.

How about you?

Power Capes would like to give one lucky That Bald Chick reader a kids power cape, to help their little hero shine.

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Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews, Toys Tagged With: giveaway, Kids, powercapes, Review, Toys

The Adventures of Jimmy and Charlie (3/8)

February 23, 2012 By Virginia 15 Comments

My children suffer from an apparent hereditary malady… They are insatiable bibliophiles.

It’s a good thing the treatment for said malady is pretty simple… more books.

I recently received The Adventures of Jimmy and Charlie, by Rodney Mack, for review and added it to my arsenal against childhood boredom.

About The Adventures of Jimmy and Charlie… “Jimmy and Charlie used to be orphaned cats with no place to call home. Until one day when the brothers find a home on a farm! The Adventures of Jimmy and Charlie is a collection of three short stories of excitement and adventure following the two cats as they explore their new world and make lifelong friends. This is the perfect book for young readers to learn, along with Jimmy and Charlie, important lessons about God’s faithfulness, his good purpose, and the importance of obeying your parents.”

Mister and Sister both really enjoyed reading about Jimmy and Charlie, albeit Sister is more the animal lover and enjoyed the stories more. The stories are told from Jimmy’s point of view, and induced lots of questions. Like, “what’s an opossum?” and “why do dogs have to protect cows from coyotes?” and “why do cats chase frogs?” and “why can’t I hear cats talking?” and “what does adventure mean?”

I had to chuckle at the names of the neighbors cats, Smith and Wesson. I also appreciated that the book pointed out the importance of obedience, as well as reinforcing that God loves us.

The Adventures of Jimmy and Charlie is available in print and digital format from Amazon.

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Filed Under: Books, Reviews Tagged With: Book, giveaway, Kids, lovetoread, preschool, Review

No Walls Between Us

February 10, 2012 By Virginia 15 Comments

Mister: “Mom, we built a brick wall because we don’t want to see each other.”

Me: “How’s that working out for you?”
Mister: “Not very well, Sissy keeps peeking.”
Sister: “Do not.”
Mister: “Do too.”

A few minutes later…

Mister: “MOM! Sissy knocked down the wall!”
Sister: “That’s acouz I don’t like no walls atween us.”

That’s my quotable kid! Life lessons with cardboard blocks. LOVE. IT.

So, was she using wisdom, or just antagonizing her brother?

Either way, it was pretty smart.

Filed Under: Family, Humor Tagged With: Family, humor, Kids, quotablekid

Mommy, What Can I Eat

February 8, 2012 By Virginia 11 Comments

The most popular question in my house right now is, “Mommy, what can I eat?” Most often proffered by my son, who appears to have an endless gut. The kid is always hungry. ALWAYS. It doesn’t matter the time of day or night, or whether he ate five minutes ago or five hours ago. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he had a tape worm. If he were an animal, I’d invest in some tape worm tablets, just to be safe.

Arghhhh.

So, the other night, we have a conversation that goes something like this…

Mister: “Mommy, what can I eat.”
Me: “There are carrots and peas in the pantry with your name on them.”
Mister: “Nuh uh.”
Me: “Yes huh.”
Mister: “Show me!”

So, I did what any other Mom, trapped by her own words, would do…

I sneaked into the pantry with a black Sharpie, found a can of carrots and a can of peas, and wrote his name on them. Carrying them out of the pantry, with Sharpie neatly tucked into my pocket, I said, “See, they have your name on them.”

Mister: “That’s cool. Can I have some?” He ate nearly 2/3 of the carrots and a bowl full of peas!

Last night he asked for “more of those peas and carrots that have my name on it.”

No Sneaky Chef required!

My only regret?

That I didn’t think of writing his name on cans sooner!

Filed Under: Family, Humor Tagged With: Family, humor, Kids