Tampons Aren't Toys Boys

I never imagined I'd utter those words.  But that's one of the joys oddities of motherhood, I suppose.  And being a mom of boys?  I'm not one to put too much stock in gender roles, but I admit I wonder if I'd say the same things if I had girls.  Well, obviously they wouldn't have the same genitalia!  So, that'd be different.  Beyond that though, who knows?

The things that I've said recently:

- Only our pets lick our faces

- Your penis is not a hanger - get the ________ (fill in the blank here, usually a toy, sometimes a piece of food - Curly is a total nudist and likes to see if things will stay on it!) off it
- Don't take off your diaper just to pee/poop on the floor!

- Yogurt is not finger paint
- The water in the bath is not for drinking
- Don't lick it either!

And my two favorite recent stories:

- At bedtime last night, we got to discussing farts.  Don't ask me how it happened because I don't know.  What I do know is that I have an inner twelve year old boy and the day that farts and burps stop being funny is the day I will officially feel old.  So we're talking farts, when suddenly Curly farted intentionally and said, "Fart on Mama.  Ha ha."  Literally, the kid says, "Ha ha" when he's being funny or teasing.  I wasn't aware that two year olds could fart on purpose.  Or find it amusing to fart on someone.  Nothing better than ending your day laughing at bedtime!

- Thanks to coupons and sales, I had the chance to stock up on pads and tampons.  I got lots of the new U by Kotex.  I'm kinda meh on them, but that's not relevant to the story.  What is relevant is that they've attempted to make feminine products "discreet" (seriously, picture me heavily exaggerating the air quotes rather sarcastically) by making them bright and colorful.  They're really meant for first time and young period havers, hence the "fun" packaging.  Whatever.  Well, turns out the bright and colorful packaging is fun.  For little boys.  Who, because you no longer have a bathroom cabinet thanks to flooding, are able to easily access your toiletries that are temporarily stored in little buckets on the floor.  And apparently hot pink, neon green, mustard yellow, and electric blue tampons are supremely eye catching.  And once they are removed from the packaging?  Watch out!  A young kid will figure out how to depress the plunger and shoot their brother in the eye.  At which point I walk in (at what age can I leave them alone for five minutes without having to deal with things like this!?) and immediately yell, "tampons are not toys boys!"

Wordless Wednesday

I Run So I Don't Run Away

I wish I could take credit for the title, but it's a paraphrase of one of the shirts in the Run Like a Mother - the book store.  By the way, if you're ever inclined to get me a present, I'd happily accept any of the shirts from that store.  Or a running skirt.  Or the Bondi Band that sums up my relationship with running that reads, "I love running. I hate running.  I love running.  I hate running."

Running gives me a little bit of alone time, so I can better appreciate the time I do spend with my kids.  The endorphins from the runner's high help me coast through the day as a happier, more patient mom.  It's my sanity saver!

The next race I want to do is the Monadnock 5k while I'm in NH this summer.  I'm also considering having Slim participate in the fun run.  Both boys love to run and I want to do everything to encourage them along that path.

Here's the email response from one of the race directors.  I think it's pretty kickass!  A thoughtful and great race director makes for a fun race in my experience!

Awesome!  I am not sure if you have ever been here before, but it is a beautiful area to run a race.
At this point we plan on starting the 5K at the same time as the Half (9am).  This way we are done
before the hotter part of the day....although I know that is a relative term coming from Florida!
(It's 47 as I type this) 

We have people coming from 3 different time zones so it will be a good
sized, but fun race.  We really try to make it an overall great experience starting from the health
expo the night before, cheer stations during the race and a great finish line "party".  The medals and
t-shirts will be something you'll be proud to wear.

We haven't solidified the Fun Run time yet, but it wont be during the 5K.  We are thinking 8:30.  The
distance is still yet undetermined as well....but let me put it to you this way.  My co-director and I
are also parents (6  kids between the 2 families), ages 3-11.  They have all (except my youngest) have
participated in 5K's and fun runs of all types. SO, with that we will make sure that it is the proper
distance....and includes the proper Fun Factor.  (our wives wont let us make anything too long or
something that isn't fun)

I hope this helps and we look forward to seeing everyone here in Aug.  If you "friend" our race page
on Facebook, you can get some updates and inside info that we will not be releasing anywhere else.
Sincerely,
Chris Bernier

Already liked!  Now my friend, her sister-in-law and I just need to sign up. 

I'm also planning my next half marathon.  Any suggestions for ones I should check out?

And, in case you weren't aware, today is National Running Day, so get out there.  I'll be on the treadmill since I'm a temporary single mom the next several weeks, but I'll be running!