Whose Boy Is This Anyway?

Our VCR died. It was quite sudden, and very tragic. To grasp the full extent of this news you've gotta understand that we've allowed Micah's life to revolve around his movies.

Before you jump all over me for being that kind of mom, let me tell you that I have no excuse. I could tell you that he's the baby and we're too tired to fight the kids over such issues any longer. I could tell you that he's watching educational videos (hello, Blue! Thanks to you we now have a clue) and learning his alphabet and numbers, as well as how to take control of your own dreams. I could tell you that it's yet another form of speech therapy and that he's building his vocabulary and working on speech one yell and grunt at a time.

And while all the above are true, the sad fact is that we've learned to choose our battles. This was one that fell down so far in the ranks that we soon didn't care.

And if you give a mouse a cookie, he'll want some milk.

Our boy soon couldn't eat unless he was sitting on the floor in front of the television. He wouldn't join us at the dinner table, wouldn't sit with the kids at the counter for lunch, wouldn't even eat with us on the patio on warm evenings. And yet we allowed it. It was so worth it to not have yet another meltdown in the course of our day. He was happy, he was eating, he was memorizing entire movie scripts and increasing his gray matter by leaps and bounds.

And then the VCR broke. This was after the DVD player decided to go on the fritz a few weeks back. So you can only imagine the paramount tantrum we're now set up for.

It was a rough few days for all of us. I declared that I'd be buying another form of entertainment but in reality I forgot. And then something miraculous happened.

The boy played. All day. And never once begged for the television to be touched by an angel.

We're seriously loving the new kid that we found just under the surface of the TV. He now eats at the table with us. He plays with all of his toys. (And I do mean all. This makes for 20 minutes of extra cleaning at the end of the day, but it's worth it.) We're even expecting him to talk soon because you never can tell where miracles will stop.

He's been such a big helper for me with his newfound spare time. While we were gardening together he cut off the tops of my onions and dug up a tomato plant. He dug a hole and buried a green pepper with the dirt. He ran his truck right over my basil.

He loves housework just as much as gardening. He sprayed down the laundry room with the sink hose, unloaded a rack of the dirty dishwasher and (un)folded two loads of laundry.

He tried his hand at sewing as well. He carefully chose fabrics from the stash (tossing a whole shelf of inferior ones aside) and broke a needle while putting a hole in the dead center of a large piece of choice goods. He also decided to liven up my day by playing hide and seek with my mini scissors. I found them resting on the window ledge. I'm only glad he chose not to cut a hole in the screen.

Some days I'm not sure if I can handle all this domestic help. I hate to complain about it because we all know the day will be coming when he'll figure out that housework is to be regarded as a form of cruel and unusual punishment meant for only the worst offenders.

But I do wish that the other kids would have the desire to help out the way he does.

******************


The spaniels love them some puppies.

28 comments:

Leanne said...

I'm chanting.

All pupies are cute. All puppies are cute.

But your are so extra cute.

Chanting continues.

We don't need a dog. We don't need a dog.

But I really really want one.

Sigh.

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I love puppies. But Mr. H would divorce me if I added anymore wieners to our house!

Hallie

Burgh Baby said...

I swear those pups doubled in size overnight.

Funny thing about the TV in our house, too. If it's not on, the Toddler has the total and complete ability to keep herself busy playing. The second you turn it on, though, she turns all sorts of needy and clingy. I've banned the TV, but Mr. Husband is still trying to figure out why she behaves better for me than for his babysitter. Crazy.

I would like to enter the first word contest (you know, the one that doesn't exist) and say that Micah's first phrase will be, LELLO CAR! It's destined to happen.

Karen said...

Leanne - everyone needs a dog! We have, um, too many. And yet we just put a deposit on another one.

Anonymous said...

echoing Burgh's comments. TV is on and Gavin is stuck, TV is off and he is playing with his toys and tackling Cooper.

KG said...

I want WANT want one of those puppies. *snort* Single mom? JUST what I need - a dog! But that doesn't stop me from wanting one. Specifically, I want the one on the bottom of the pile.

Also, I love that Micah keeps surprising you guys. But then again, don't they always keep surprising you? I know Sumo surprises ME every day.

Bluepaintred said...

OMG the box with the puppies says FRAGILE!


So cute

Laski said...

Holy cow . . . or, shall I say, holy pups?!? All sorts of cuteness going on.

Such a great post. I had no idea where it was going to end up. So, he doesn't NEED the TV! Wow. This is a perfect case study. And, just shows that it pays to maybe "break" a VCR/DVD or other electronic gadget once in awhile.

Suburban Correspondent said...

I guess quitting something cold turkey is the way to go sometimes...my oldest was like that with weaning. He wouldn't stand for any of that gradual cutting back, so finally we just told him it was over. And, voila! A changed child who found ways to amuse himself all day...

CanadianMama said...

With all that help I bet you have time to just lounge about the house. Like rich people with house keepers do!

Anonymous said...

Have you had enough time yet? Do you have a fund going for the new VCR/DVD player?

ALF said...

PUPPIES!!! Send me one!

Cecily R said...

I so feel you on the "help" issue. Evie's two favorite places lately? In a basket of folded clothes OR the dishwasher.

And I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I think I want a dog.

Pam said...

well, I would like to say that Micah has inspired me to 'break' the DVD/VCR/TV in this house. But, sadly, I'm too worn out from fiting a million other battles. The tv will remain in working order ;)

Ashlyn wants to help with housework all the time. I am so torn because she wants to help, but I end up with twice as much work then....I'm such a bad mom on the days I tell her to go play.

The puppies- how can you stand such cuteness in your home! They are adorable!!

Irene said...

Isn't that funny, but oh so true! Just when you think you are going to create a huge problem by limiting a toy, or enforcing a new rule, you find your child will adapt just fine.

That is SO great!!!! Go Micah!

Madame Queen said...

I'm always surprised when my kids do better without the tv, too. Oh, and your helper? I'm not sure how much of that kind of help I could take! :)

Madame Queen said...

I'm always surprised when my kids do better without the tv, too. Oh, and your helper? I'm not sure how much of that kind of help I could take! :)

Fannie said...

I'm with Suburban: Cold Turkey all the way. Once the initial shock wore off mine were always OK.

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

You could always buy the combo DVD/VCR for when you don't need any additional help. We watch tv around here, but I do turn it off. I won't let it consume all our time - unless, like now, we're sick.

Did you ever name the Boston?

Unknown said...

It is amazing what happens when we turn the TV off! Yea for him to find something else to do. Even if it is being so "helpful" around the house.

Cute puppies!!!

imbeingheldhostage said...

That's so cool that it worked out that way for Micah. I was geared up to defend you and say nobody can judge someone's parenting choices-- no one but you has all the facts-- and then you go and turn on me and say that the VCR breaking worked out for the best. Never mind, I'm just really happy for you. Miss Ky broke our Blues videos (Hubby was secretly glad-- I say secretly, he did the happy dance around the trash can).
Adorable puppies!

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I LOVE your new header. LOVE IT!!!

Hallie

Andrea said...

Love love love puppies!! I may be in Ohio in the up coming months, how far away are you from Toledo?

Wineplz said...

Mischievous Micah :)

hopefully the weather will warm up and he can play in the pool more and terrorize your fabrics less (I know how you are about your fabrics! hee hee)

and the pups are CUTE!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I know just how you feel! Noggin is our best friend. I find my self sitting her in front of the t.v. a lot. But, her sister is even worse. At the meerest whimper she runs to turn the t.v. on for her. Peanut enjoys helping out also. Like you, I wish she could teach her sister a thing or two on that one.

Kari said...

Tristan watches way too much TV and I plan to put a stop to it (Right after Elmo teaches him to use the potty) Hee Hee a girl can dream. Tristan is way too busy swimming these days to do housework but let me tell you when he sets his mind to it he is a really huge help with getting the house clean and organized (Not HA) I loved this had me laughin the entire post :)

caramama said...

What a, um, great helper. hehe.

Those puppies are really too cute. It should be illegal for you to post pics of them so that those of us who simply cannot take on another animal start longing for one. Just. Not. Fair.

Michelle said...

I admit that Kayla watches a bit more TV then I used to say I would ever allow my child to watch LOL Glad to hear he got over the fact he couldn't watch his movies so quickly though!

love the last pic of the puppies!

We got the shirts today -love them! Thanks so much! also thanks for the hair ties :)