Part Kid / Part Fish

Iron Man Doesn't Need a Pacifier

Well, the day finally came a couple of months ago when Jeff decided that there would be no more pacifier. I was perfectly happy to let Maddox keep his pacifier until high school graduation, but I think that's called bad parenting.

There was a certain Iron Man helmet that Maddox had his eye on for quite some time. In actuality, he begged for it every time we went to Target, but once I saw the $39.99 price tag, I stated unequivocally that he would not be getting that helmet, and that we would make him an Iron Man helmet from a cardboard box and some red and gold paint. I went on to remind him that his life would be so much different if he had been born to rich parents, but he was born to poor parents so he would suffer along with the rest of the world. I may have thrown in something about poor kids in Uganda not getting Iron Man helmets.

Anyway, seeing a prime opportunity, Jeff told Maddox that the coveted Iron Man helmet cost money and pacifiers, and Maddox was willing to pony up the "sa-sa".

Off they went to Target, where Jeff paid the cashier money and Maddox paid the cashier a Ziploc baggie containing his last 4 pacifiers, which equated his entire life savings. And he happily strode out of Target with a giant talking helmet on his head.

It wasn't until bedtime that night that Maddox experienced a major case of buyer's remorse. I'm sure you've heard parents tell you that they had more anxiety about giving up the pacifier than their kids did, and that the kid asked for it once or twice, and then moved on with their life.

That did not happen here.

But, it's been a couple of months and the emotional damage has healed enough for us to have survived. And we're still pacifier free.

A Visit With The Fam

It's always very difficult to find a day and time that works for the Kreil family to get together. Between the 5 adults on this side of the family, there are 2 that work nights, 2 that work days, and 1 that sits around and files her nails all day.

But the stars aligned one day back in May, and we were able to get together with Uncle Andre, Aunt Tanu and Grandma Tina. We enjoyed dinner at King Harbor and played at the boardwalk arcade.

Playing Catch Up

We've been a tad busy over at the Kreil house, so I'm just now getting around to posting this photo from Mother's Day. Little Man and Daddy made me a beautiful birdhouse!
Nothing in the entire world makes me happier than being this kid's mommy!

A Little Discussion

Today during lunch, after noticing a little too much chatter at the table, I asked Maddox if he and Jaxon were eating their fish. He replied, "Well, we're having a little discussion about the robots. The robots are very important. We can eat when we finish our discussion."

Kid needs to work on his vocabulary.

Hogwart's Graduation

This was the first year that Professor Kreil attended the Moorpark College graduation ceremonies, looking very official is all his regalia. His hood is gold and red, the colors of the school from which he got his Masters Degree, but he maintains that it's because he's in the House of Gryffindor.

Not You, Jenny. Another Jenny.

Maddox has a couple imaginary friends. We don't see him playing with them, but he is constantly telling stories about hunting tigers and other adventures he has with these friends. Whenever he tells these stories and I ask with whom he went tiger hunting or robot shooting or superhero flying, the answer is always the same...

"My friends Michael and Jenny. Not you, Jenny. Another Jenny."