How do you spell relief?

We were at a community group cookout, and everyone was on the deck in the backyard. I was holding Cate and had my back to Wesley. I heard my friend David tell his little girl not to walk over by Wesley. Thinking he must by swinging something wildly or kicking a ball, I turned to find him instead with his pants at his ankles, peeing in the middle of the grass. I was mortified. Quickly, a lesson in where and when that behavior is appropriate ensued. Wow! I'm raising a boy!

Mercy me

I decided to crack down on Wesley about one particular behavior, and he had been corrected several times in one day. When he did it again, he asked, "Mommy, how come this time I don't get a spank?" The real answer is that I forgot, but I told him that I decided to show him mercy. Naturally, his question: "What's mercy." It was a great teaching opportunity, and I took it. Afterward, he said, "Mommy, I like mercy because I don't get a spanking." Amen to that!

Wesley is 4!!

I can barely remember life without him, yet it is hard to believe Wesley is four years old. What a kid. I'm so thankful God chose me to be his mother! :)

The Sound of Music

There are about a million stories I could tell about Wesley and music. The kids loves it! He has an uncanny knack for identifying instruments and remembering tunes, lyrics, and track numbers. Also, he has great taste (what more would you expect when he rides in the car with Marc or I and listens to our music!) Some of his favorites:
KT Tunstall: Black Horse and a Cherry Tree (the "woohoo song")
Madonna: American Life and Music
Jars of Clay: Nothing But the Blood (actually, he loves the entire Redemption Songs CD)
Brandi Carlile: My Song ("#4") and The Story
Peter Bjorn And John: Young Folks (from Grey's Anatomy soundtrack!)
Mark Smeby: Superfamous
Little Einstein's Theme Song (well, he is 3, after all)
All American Rejects: It Ends Tonight
Grace Community Church's catechism songs
...the list goes on and on!
I think the best story, though, involves David Gray. We had just listened to his New Day at Midnight album, and Wesley seemed to enjoy it. The disc ran through maybe twice, then we moved on to his next request (I like to call him DJ Jazzy Wes). About a week later, we were walking through Macy's on our way to the car, and he said, "Mommy, I hear David Gray." Wow! I was impressed. Sure enough, Caroline was playing on the in-store music. We walked out the door, and Wesley said with disappointment, "I wanted to hear that part where he goes 'whooo!'" I laughed as I realized he was right, and that was part of that song. I told him we would put the CD in when we got to the car. Just for fun, I asked if he knew what track number that song was. Without hesitation, he said, "#2!" My mouth dropped open when I put the CD in, scanned to #2, and Caroline started playing! Amazing!

Social butterfly

This kid is friendly. He always has been, even as a baby. Consequently, almost everyone at Publix knows his name. ("Hi, my name is Wesley. What's your name?") One day at the park, we drove up and Wesley could see kids playing. "Look, Mommy," he said, "there are friends here for me." In almost four years, he has yet to meet a stranger!

Fashion statement

This picture is from a friend's birthday party this summer (Wesley is on the left). I know: tennis shoes with no socks plus goofy suit. Someday he will want to kill me. Oh well, at least his feet were clean, his socks stayed dry, and he had a great time. Plus, I can really keep an eye on him in that green suit.

Gotta be....Veggie Tales

Wesley told me that if a cucumber was not cut,

it was a Larry. But if it were cut, it was not a Larry

Arh, matey!

One day, Wesley was taking a nap with me. With his head on the pillow, he winked one eye open. He was supposed to be sleeping! "Mommy," he whispered, "this is how a pirate sleeps...with one eye open." I laughed out loud!

From the mouths of babes

One Sunday, Wesley told me he was "super-duper" good at church. I said that I was really glad to hear that. "Are you happier than God, Mommy?" he asked. Tough one! Hesitant to say that I am anything more than God, I told him probably not. He responded, "Yeah, we should praise God for that--that I was good." AMEN!

Learning early

One more for today...I have a lot of catching up to do. :)

Marc is a huge soccer fanatic. It is a well-known fact, and Wesley seems to have caught on as well. On our way home from church one Sunday, we passed a park with a soccer field where a game was in progress. Pointing out the window, Wesley said, "Daddy, I think we should stop at this park. The soccer is calling your name." Hey, the kid knows how to get what he wants! (pictured: Marc and I at our first MLS game in Columbus, OH, circa 2001. Man, we look young!)

Pretending

Early in my pregnancy with Catelynn (before we knew her gender), Wesley liked to pretend that his baby sister or brother was riding in the backseat of the car with him. He didn't seem to prefer one over the other, but rather rotated them fairly. One day, he told me that his baby brother AND his baby sister were both back there. Fearing unrealistic expectations, I said, "Wesley, Mommy is only having one baby; is one of those pretend?" Without missing a beat, Wesley replied matter-of-factly, "Mommy, they are both pretend!" Hello!

Wesley words: age 3

I love when parents relate stories about how their children used to mispronounce words or entirely make up their own word for something. It is a wonderfully creative part of childhood that I think we should hold on to into our adult years. Here's an ongoing list of Wesley's highlights....
pamcakes=pancakes
quge=huge
penticles=chemicals
pop=blister
binocolators=binoculars
Old McDonalds=McDonalds (naturally!)
grirl (almost growling)=girl
leg sleeve=pant leg
tapoles=drumsticks
driver=steering wheel
wishing wipers=windshield wipers
Old Maybe=Old Navy
pee bottom=well, you could probably figure that one out!
badonna=Madonna (hey, he has well-rounded musical tastes)
shreadmail=treadmill
bubbly drink=soda
bemenmber=remember
papeat=repeat
movile=mobile
treasure chest=toy box
Gull of Mextico=Gulf of Mexico
atemail=oatmeal
dib=bib
Allgreens=Walgreens
head sweater=hood on his sweat shirt
(oh man, spell check is going to go crazy on this one!)

My notebook

I have a terrible memory. I hate it, but it's true. I also have a truly humorous child. Everyday, there is some story I am trying to remember to tell Marc when he gets home from work or to tell one of his grandparents the next time I talk to them. I can't tell you how many times people have said to me, "You should be writing this stuff down." A few months ago, I started keeping a notebook...let's call it "the Wesley files." Recently I began to think how fun it would be to turn that notebook into a blog. I can add pictures and share easily with interested parties. I hope you will all enjoy and "treasure in your hearts" with me.