The noise of boys

Somebody is crying and it could be mom- Toddler Tantrums #toddlerangermanagement

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

It’s Thursday, time for the latest edition of The True Tales from the Pink & Blue Trenches hosted by Home on Deranged and The noise of boys discussing the good, bad and comical parts of toddler-hood- girl vs boy fashion. This week, it’s the “blue side” featuring the stories inspired by my toddler boys! Next week, we discuss the same topic but from the “pink side” via gorgeous gals from Home on Deranged!

Without Further Ado- Let’s talk toddler tantrums.

tan·trum [tan-truhm] noun. violent demonstration of rage or frustration; a sudden burst of ill temper.

As defined by dictionary.com

Hayden is nearing the end of tantrums, somewhat. It isn’t that he doesn’t have them, but because of his expanded vocabulary we often have emotional discussions. Sometimes they make no sense, but whatever. He might get very frustrated that I put ketchup in the spot where ranch should have gone or that his pillow is facing the wrong direction. Okay, I can handle most of these situations. Time alone to calm himself, followed up by a discussion, usually is the best method for us. He is a very emotional kid. I am a very emotional person. We are working through this and I definitely see progress….AHHHH….The year of troublesome three’s were manageable compared to the terrible two’s! Henry, Oh Henry…. Where to begin??? Deep breath. Okay the positive. He is shy and rarely acts out in public. Anyone who meets him simply cannot believe he is any trouble. Yeah….let me tell you IT IS ALWAYS THE QUIET ONES. He is three months shy of his second birthday . His speech is a bit delayed (I plan to discuss with his physician at his doctor appointment). We are actively working on his language skills daily and use basic sign language in a few situations. I am around him enough, that we can successfully communicate in some instances. He is very, very intelligent, he just won’t talk. I have heard him use a few words and several sounds, so I know he can. I sometimes think he is choosing NOT to speak. He is a 2^nd child and has learned a lot from watching big brother. Too much in the tantrum arena. I should have known from pregnancy. He seemed like an angry fetus on the inside, lol. I was always hurting in multiple areas. He was just all around rough boy beginning in utero. In infancy, he refused to sleep through the night until 9 months! He has always taken shorter naps and never ever wakes up happy, cooing or playing in his crib. It is sleeping…. then BAM screaming. Get me out, give me milk and hold me. Do not deviate, woman.

Now that we are nearing the terrible two’s, I am really at a loss with his tantrums. I understand it stems from frustration of not being able to talk, but he is downright violent (mostly to himself). Head butting walls, throwing things, hitting objects, rolling on floor while head butting…etc. If there was an Olympic sport of tantrum fits, he is going for the GOLD.

Lord help us all, if Henry is upset with big brother. Then it is angry, violent toddler wailing on a crying preschooler. I have tried all of the following. Sometimes in combination.

Ignoring it….
I tried removing items (when he did get the toy back, he threw it away)
Applying gentle pressure to hands and eye contact. He will roll his eyes or try to stare at the ceiling. It is the craziest thing. I absolutely blame big brother on this one.
Time-outs? Does not even phase him.
Quiet time….yeah…. I am not leaving him alone in a room, even in a crib, when he is angry (he is a super climber)

Mostly I just stare baffled. Have you seen the YouTube video of the toddler that is crazy, inconsolable every time his mom is in view? Yeah it’s like that, only physical. I am actually glad he isn’t in daycare, because I can’t imagine the incident reports. Actually, I envision it would go like this….

♦ Dear Ms. X,

Today we had an incident with Henry after he grew frustrated with a stuffed animal. The bruise on his head is from head banging a nearby puzzle. The stuffed animal was then ripped apart and thrown away by your son. Unfortunately he then bit a nearby teacher who attempted to comfort him. He then screamed wildly for about 45 minutes. Though, no other children were harmed, we will be charging your account for the toy and wish you luck. ♦

I just pray this toddler phase will pass quickly and improves with his eventual speech development.

I really thought dealing with a dramatic, sensitive toddler was difficult at times! However, this little man’s sporadic anger spells, often leaves me perplexed. Especially combined with Henry’s unbelievable strength and agility. I admit (and this wasn’t due to a tantrum) that once his father had to pry him from my hair- because I was truly overpowered. Is there an anger management program for toddlers? Maybe there should be.♥

**Have you witnessed your share of toddler tantrums? Any tips to pass along? Please? Maybe a funny story to share? I definitely could use a laugh on this subject!**

Join us next week for Melissa’s take on toddler tantrums with the gals! Wait… just visit her today! She brings the funny every day to the world of blogging!

Find her here→ Home on Deranged, Facebook & Twitter

Exciting product updates from Joovy! #Joovy #Strollers #GlassBabyBottles #MustSee

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

We are HUGE Joovy fans in this house and are proud owners of several products. I can honestly say that Joovy have made my life much more manageable on outings with my boys!

I am excited to announce a new baby boy will be joining us, starting next month! No, I am not having a baby, but I will be a nanny over the summer! Of course, it would be another boy! Actually I am kinda relieved, not sure I would know what to do with a girl! This is a great opportunity to get a preview of what life with three little ones is like and could be the answer to “will I have another baby?”

As a mom, it is important to me to highlight companies and products I feel can make parenting easier on you!

Joovy Groove Ultralight Stroller- style without bulk!

Joovy has just featured the Groove Ultralight in a press release and I am impressed. Weighing only 13 lbs, it features a signature over-sized canopy and must have parent organizer!

I know from my existing strollers, the fabulous colors the Joovy line offers are eye catching and get noticed! The Groove Utlralight is available in blueberry, purpleness, black and charcoal! Two interior toy pockets AND a carrying strap make it a top-notch selection in a the single stroller market!

The Joovy Boob now improved!

Joovy keeps the classic design but NOW features The Boob in a innovative glass bottle!

5 flow rates from Slow Flow to Extra Fast Flow. making an easy transition from bottle-to-breast and breast-to-bottle.
Shaped like mom to promote easy and natural “latching.”
Available with 4 colorful silicone sleeves! reducing potential slips and providing protection from drops.
Glass does not absorb odor, color or taste.
Patented CleanFlow Vent! Top technology provides proper venting.
PLUS! Super easy to clean.

Read the reviews and check out Joovy for yourself on Facebook & Twitter!

NOW! Find the Joovy retailer closest to you!

Glen Eden Resort offers a Spring Break Deal! Check this out!

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

Spring Break vacationers who want to be off the beaten path but still close to a major ski resort look no further than Glen Eden Resort!

Glen Eden Resort is a small resort just north of Steamboat Springs on the Elk River, in a ranching community where the cows outnumber the people. The resort has two and three bedroom accommodations, with fully equipped kitchens, living and dining areas. The main lodge hosts a restaurant and tavern, two hot tubs, and wifi. Once you walk out the door there is a wide variety of winter recreational opportunities such as snowmobiling, horseback riding, ice fishing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Last minute Spring Break Deals! Good until April 30th! Save 15% on two or three nights and 25% on four plus nights at Glen Eden Resort call 800-882-0854 for personalized service.

Special Edition Purple Trenches! Toddler Talk- Yep.. Cheesus, Farts & Dingleberries

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

Welcome to a special guest edition of The True Tales from the Pink & Blue Trenches!

The weekly series in which Home on Deranged and The noise of boys post on the various aspects pertaining to the comical lifestyle of raising toddlers-girls (hers) vs. boys (mine).

This week, we are so happy to offer the (Pink + Blue = Purple) version with Tamara from Tamara (Like) Camera and hear what toddler talk is like with a girl and a boy under one roof! WARNING! I almost peed my pants reading her post this week! I hope you enjoy and chime in with your comments!

Featuring Toddler Talk with Tamara (Like) Camera

Written by Tamara from Tamara (Like) Camera

A long time last year, I was waiting for a call from the preschool. I was waiting for them to tell me that Scarlet said something hideously vulgar at school. I waited one month, then two. After three months, I lost count and tentatively hoped for the best. And the call never came. Apparently when Scarlet speaks at school, only sunshine rainbows and unicorns come out!

Yet, I can’t help wondering, and even hoping, that her teachers might hear some of the gems that fly out of her pretty mouth.

Her mouth may be pretty, but some of the things that fly out of it might offend. Consider this your warning.

Just the other day, Scarlet said the word “stupid” in front of her grandmother. As we tell her often, her grandmother told her that “stupid” is a bad, bad word. And Scarlet said, “Oh yeah? Well once we were driving and Mama whispered, ‘You stupid ***’ at another car!”

Oops. I guess that was my bad.

Then there was the time she suggested a fun fall activity for the family! “Can we go apple picking? Can we go tiara picking? Can we go dingleberry picking?” I FULLY blame my sister for the introduction of that word.

Sometimes the influence comes from older kids – cousins, friends and neighbors. One day, when she was about two-years-old, I was reading her from Dr. Seuss: “Big A, little a, what beings with A?” Scarlet was very quiet for a second and then said, “ANUS!!” Cue stifled hysterical laughter and stunned disbelief. I mean..she was…correct, wasn’t she?

Now time for the clean(er) funny stuff that Scarlet and Des have in common.

Both Scarlet and Des called their deepest objects of affection by the name of “Baba.” Quite randomly. That’s what Scarlet called her rubber ducky collection. That’s what Des now calls his prized Lambie.

Both kids were trained with the very mature reply to the question of, “Who farted?” Both instantly said/say, “Me!” It’s been a good way to find them if they’re ever in another room, like a game of Marco Polo. “Who farted??” I call out. “Me!” They can’t resist replying.

Des is 20-months-old and very well spoken, but is still so young that his language is just emerging.

- I love that he calls himself “Deezy Doh!” Which is a play on many nicknames we call him, but it has his own twist.

- We call him Captain EO because instead of “Here you go,” he says, “Eo!”

- Macaroni and cheese is “Macmee!”

- Pirate’s Booty cheese puffs are “Boota!”

And my very favorite is that sometimes he’ll cry and say “I want Mama!”

Scarlet had many gems when she was around his age and a bit older.

- She called cheese “cheesus.”

- Cookie was ALWAYS “gaku.” I miss those Gaku Days!

- She used to fixate on happiness. She’d ask me, everyone else, and even baseball players on TV – “Are you happy?”

- If you asked her about her dreams, she had a fixed answer: “I dream of dinosaurs, monkeys and Pete Townshend.”

- Once I went to change her diaper and she said, “Oh God! WOW.” I guess I must have said that once or twice during a terrible diaper explosion!

As she got older, some of her best words and phrases started to come out. A lot of it developed around her toilet training.

- She started to describe certain cheeses as “a nice cheddar” or “a beautiful cheddar.” And would you know that there were differences between the two? I think a nice cheddar meant it was grated into a bowl. A beautiful cheddar may have been cut into pieces.

- One of her most long-lasted and popular phrases to date is “more much fun.” She even made up a song that goes, “Now I’m here..having the more much fun.” And Des can (sort of) sing it too!

- One night we were driving home pretty late and we thought she’d be asleep, but she piped up with, “Can you change this song? I want something more..trippy!” So, Pink Floyd it was.

- Cassidy once asked Scarlet if she had to go to the bathroom, and she shouted out, “No! I have to fart!” In a quiet art gallery.

- A tall handsome man walked by us at Starbucks. Scarlet turned on the charm and gave him a killer smile and wave. He went into the bathroom. She yelled loudly to all of the store, “That man is pooping in the potty!”

- One day her friend came over and asked her why she was only wearing a towel in the living room. She smiled sadly and said, “I just peed myself, Rhys.”

However, a lot of her gems were from Demond’s first few months with our family.

- During his first week, she did a weird dance in front of his carseat and then said, “I’m Scarlet Bella Bowman. I’m your weird sister!”

- “Des is trying to nurse on me and my nipples don’t work for him.”

- “Mama, remember when Desmond’s umbilical cord fell off and you were so happy? I think his penis fell off too.”

- “Did his “pagina” fall off? He has squishy balls!”

- “Mama, you have a beautiful smile. Dada, can you buy milk to put into your nipples to feed Baby Desmond?”

These days, the hilarity and sweet wisdom grows stronger.

- Ankles are called “foot wrists.” I don’t have the heart to tell her.

- One day she started talking about “booty dots.” We asked her what that meant and she looked at us like we were slow and said, “Booty dot! It’s the hole in your butt!”
(makes perfect sense to me)

- She calls rice krispies “chickpeas.” I haven’t had the heart to correct her there either.

- She calls the crusts of a sandwich “crotch.” I thought it was so funny not to tell her the truth, until she was at a friend’s house getting a sandwich and she said to her friend’s mom, “Can you cut my crotch off?” (still haven’t lived that one down)

- One day her teacher told us that Scarlet hadn’t peed in school all day. She kept saying, “There’s no pee in my butt today!”

- The woods behind our house? They’re called the “trappy woods.”

- Going to Starbucks is called “Starbucking” and it involves me getting a “decaf crackaccino.”

- She sings Adele’s “Rumor Has It” but she sings it with, “Boober Has It!”

And lately, it’s just really, really sweet.

- Des can say “I love you.”

- Scarlet can look into my eyes and without me saying a word, she’ll say, “I love you too.”

I could go on forever, but I think I’ve given you many of the best.

What are some funny words and phrases that your kids have said?

Tales from the Trenches

The author of the above post, Tamara, is an amazing, multi-talented photographer and contributing author of The Mother of All Meltdowns. (Note: Melissa from Home on Deranged is also a contributing author in this brilliant collection of very relatable reading).

In a strange chance of fate- Tamara now actually lives near, where I grew up! WOW! The beautiful photography featured in this post is her own and if you live in Western MA make sure to check out her photography business!

♥ I am so blessed to know them both via blogging ♥

BUY their book and/ or follow their blogs here Tamara (Like) Camera and Home on Deranged.

We look forward to seeing you again next Thursday for another Trues Tales from the Pink & Blue Trenches!

NOW hear this! They DO LISTEN…Sometimes. #ToddlerSpeech

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

Toddler Speech- Monkey See, Monkey Do!

YEAH IT’S THURSDAY! Time for some True Tales from the Pink &Blue Trenches- Our weekly series on toddlers, boy vs. girl style! This week we host our friends, Melissa and her gals from Home On Deranged!

Enjoy learning about Melissa’s “Mini-Me’s” and how she has recognized herself, in their speech development!

♦♦♦

This week, it’s my turn here at Home on Deranged to pause for a moment and think about toddler speech. If our kids really do learn everything they know by watching us, then what the heck have I been teaching my kids??

At some point, you start to recognize that toddlers are little people, all their own. They have certain things they like and don’t like, places they like to go and places they can’t wait to leave, people they like and people that could disappear and they wouldn’t worry about it for one single second.

The truth is, though, that from the minute they arrive on the planet, our kids are watching us. Every. Single. Second. of the day. They watch how we dress, how we fight, how we eat, what we eat, things that make us laugh, gestures we make when we’re mad/happy/sad and more.

So it really shouldn’t have come as such a shock to me when I started seeing my behaviors being reflected back to me by my kids. They fold and refold their tiny baby blankets every day. Because I fold and refold the big blankets in our living room the same way. They pick up books and “read” to themselves (or their baby dolls) because that’s what they’ve seen me do.

But the words….you spend so much energy trying to get them to talk, sing and eventually read, it can be a bit of a jolt when you realize they are doing it. Just like you.

The “okay” epiphany

The day it finally dawned on me that my children really were listening to me? The “You okay, Mommy?” moment. Leelou has picked up speech at a faster pace than Annie, which makes sense. One day, she walks up to me, pats me on the shoulder and says, “You okay, Mommy?” After I said yes, she walked to Thomas and asked if he was okay. Finally, she asked her sister the same thing.

At first, I laughed. It was cute and sweet. And I wondered where she learned it. And then, of course, I realized, it was me. I have a chronic condition. I am a human barometer. I have an incessant, constant need to make sure everyone in the room is comfortable. If someone seems sad or upset, I say, “Are you okay?” If one of the girls takes a spill and I’m certain that there is no blood involved, I’ll say, “Are you okay?” If my husband comes in from completing a chore, I’ll ask, “Everything go okay?”

Holy crap.

“Come on!”

Leelou and Annie both love to drag you into whatever adventure they are having. They’ll come grab your hand and say, “Come on!” Over and over until you get up and follow. Guess what? My husband frequently says, “Come on, guys!” Sometimes it’s a jovial, follow me! kind of phrase, and sometimes it’s an exasperated seriously? kind of phrase.

“Awww, man!”

Since the first of the year, Annie has taken to saying “Awww, man!” when she finds herself mildly disappointed. If I tell her we’re out of a certain snack she wants, “aww, man!” is her response. It took me a while, but then one day I heard Thomas say, “awww, man!” as an alternative to cursing. Awww, frick!

“Two more?”

Leelou loves sweets. Like, a lot. About as much as she loves books, baby dolls and baby wipes. She has a real weakness for Tic-Tacs. I noticed she kept saying, “Two more?” every time I gave her some. Then I noticed that when we read books, she says, “Two more?” And when she asks for a baby wipe, she’ll throw in, “Two more?”

This code was the hardest to crack, because I never noticed Thomas saying anything remotely like that, and I never overheard myself saying it. I even eavesdropped on my dad and my sister to see if they did it. Then one night it happened. It was bedtime, and we had made Enjoy our way through the normal books. Leelou moves away from me, says, “More books?” and I say, “Two more.” She holds up two little fingers and says, “Two more?”

Ohemgee.

Turns out, Thomas was right. I really need to improve my vocabulary.

Every had an epiphany moment with your kids? Where you realize what they say or what they do is simply because you did it? Heady stuff, my friends. Share some of your moments with me in comments!

Enjoy this tale? Make sure to visit Melissa at Home on Deranged, she is actually this funny & clever- ALL THE TIME!♥

The four-letter words in our toddlers’ vocabulary #toddlerhumor #TrueTales

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

Welcome back to Thursday’s True Tales from the Pink & Blue Trenches! A weekly series co-hosted by the lovely Melissa from Home on Deranged. Each week, we swap our toddler/preschool stories, successes & laughs involving life with (boys, mine) and (girls, hers).

This week I chose the topic of toddler speech, focusing on four-letter words, I hear a lot! No worries, they aren’t using those words. These are the “special” words that may sound completely normal… but can evoke love, stress and/or fear in a mom & dad.

Please allow me to interpret some of our favorites.

Enjoy… and please join us next week when Melissa shares her side of The Tale from the Pink & Blue Trenches!

Mama

Around this house, I am simply “Mom.” That is totally fine with me, but I know if I hear Mama or Mommy- it typically means something has broken, someone was hit or worse they are going to ask for something- they know they shouldn’t have. The word “Mama” is generally coated in a sugary sweet tone.

Mine

This is the start of a fight, just like it may be in your home. It is my “bat-mom” signal to be ready to referee and fast.

Whee

I am cringing. This is only said by my 20 month old. And he is probably poised to jump off the furniture or hanging from something. I must move fast.
My preschooler has a natural caution about him and we need to coax him to try anything involving heights or speed.
So if I hear “Whee”( or possibly LOOK) it is almost certainly the younger, daredevil toddler about to dive off something. And I should be running to catch him.

LEGO

Said by Hayden and is a current obsession. Maybe this should actually be 5 letters for LEGOS…. but hmmm…NOPE, it’s the WHOLE brand- The movie, a figures (Ninjago or CHIMA), kits (StarWars). Usually said after “I want” and sometimes followed by tantrum. This word is a source of battles with younger brother who is on a mission to destroy all created.
Also source of daddy/mommy frustration when it does involve a kit, instructions and potential lost pieces. Could lead to me to these four letter words LOST MIND or LOSE YOUR SHIT 

Everything is Awesome…..

NOTE: UNSOLICITATED PRODUCT ENDORSEMENT FROM THE NOISE OF BOYS
For the BEST EVER LEGO story…read The Mother of All Meltdowns. Hilarious. Brilliant Authors.

Okay

Most often heard when;

• I cannot see what they may be into
• following a crash or bang
• in a quiet manner
• and usually it is not “okay”

Done

Henry has flushed something or threw something into the ductwork. Hence the toy or item “is done” He may even use sign language to emphasize. Interchangeable with the following four letter words “uh-oh” or “gone.”

Henry is clearing food from his tray via hands or fork. He now is looking for more to project or propel. Tonight it was his applesauce. I was the fortunate recipient and I wore it well. Of course, he needed more.”

Henry having his cake and eating it too

Baby

Yes, they have asked. And this actually means baby, or maybe on occasion a puppy.

Mom and dad have considered it… a little. Still, this 4 letter word causes me to pause and reminds me how I am already outnumbered and SO tired. Friends of ours had decided to have a third baby… and they just brought home triplets. Yep….pausing now.

Does your child have any words or phrases that YOU know to be wary of? Don’t worry, they can be more than four letters.  Please share! We would love to laugh with you!

Celebrating Little Athletes with Pampers- Game Face Sweepstakes PLUS #GIVEAWAY (ad)

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

Join Pampers in Celebrating- Our Little Athletes & Show your baby’s GAME FACE!

This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

As I mom, I want to expose my children to activities and find sports they enjoy! I am so excited for them to see this years’ Winter Olympics in Sochi so they can discover and dream of new possibilities!

Hayden I think is showing interest in things like karate, basketball and wrestling, but has a natural talent when it comes to anything involving a target or aim!

Henry is still so young, but no doubt will be my daredevil! He really enjoys the snow- so this may be the child that wants to ski or snowboard!

Whatever they choose to pursue, I want to be there to support them 100%!

And it starts now, at home, by providing them good nutrition and a good night’s sleep! Now both of these are a work in progress here, lol! However, I am never fearful it will be due to a leaky diaper! Pampers offers Henry and other diapered little ones, 12 hours of overnight leak protection!

Enter the Pampers Game Face Sweepstakes!

Pampers have partnered with Team USA members Noelle Pikus Pace (skeleton) and David Wise (feestyle skiing). Both Noelle and David are medal-contenders at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, parents, and proven performers!

Beginning February 5th, parents can visit the Pampers Facebook page to participate in our celebration of the littlest of athletes.

Visit the Pampers Facebook page, then upload images of your baby’s best “Game Face” and have their photo turned into a customizable meme that can be shared with family and friends!

WOW! A grand-prize winner and their family will have the opportunity to participate in a photo shoot with Team USA athlete, freestyle skier, David Wise! ENTER NOW!

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Pampers Prize Pack is $100 value! US Only. Ends Feb 21st. and includes:

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine

Toddler Superpowers VS Super Villain Megatron Mommy!

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

Welcome back to Thursday! This weeks topic…Toddler Superpowers!

True Tales from the Pink & Blue Trenches series is hosted by The noise of boys and the fabulous Home on Deranged!

We’ll pick a topic each week about trying to figure out just what is the difference in raising boys (mine) and raising girls (hers) and share our thoughts with you.

This week, it’s Home on Deranged time to reflect on the amazing superpowers that toddlers seem to have. Only, you probably know most of them. But did you also know that toddlers have the ability to turn you into a Super Villain? Check out what Melissa has to say! Sit back, relax and have a laugh!

Once upon a time, in a bright, shiny happy world – much like the one the My Little Pony folks inhabit – there were beautiful, happy children. They played together nicely, they never back talked their parents, they didn’t throw food on the floor for the hell of it. They were, in a word, dreamy.

But then one day, a dark cloud began to appear. It seemed the children weren’t always the bringers of light and joy they once were. No, they brought something more like fear, frustration, trepidation, aggravation and some other “-ation” words. It was soon discovered what had happened: Super Toddlers had turned adults into Super Villains!

1) Nighttime Nightmare – the evil force that makes children go to bed. Also known as “I’m No Fun!” and “Yes, You Must!” During the daylight hours goes by “You Do Need a Nap!” No matter how much fun children are having, the Nighttime Nightmare sneaks into the room, never foreseen or remembered, and sucks out all the joy by making children stop playing with every. single. toy. in the room, and telling them to get into their pj’s for night-night time. Children never fail to be amazed at the appearance of this Super Villain, which makes her doubly dangerous.

2) Candy Killer – this venomous wretch only allows children to eat 2 pieces of candy each day, and only one of them can be chocolate. Her powers are made doubly evil by the fact that she can force a child to eat vegetables at dinner and threaten to withhold candy for the rest of the week! Candy Killer‘s one weakness is that she, too, loves candy, and she has been caught eating mini Hershey’s bars on more than one occasion by the children she monitors. Luckily, her powers include the ability of plausible deniability, allowing her to worm her way out of jail every time.

3) Cleanup Killjoy – Perhaps one of the most reviled Super Villains known to children, this walking anecdote to good times can bring even the rockingest party to a screeching halt with just three words: “Clean this up!” Upon hearing these words, children’s limbs suddenly weigh twice their body weight, as their feet become like concrete blocks, unable to move across the room or even pick up the tiniest LEGO piece and put it back in the box. Cleanup Killjoy is at her most evil when someone has marked on the tile floor with crayons. Her rage can blow children right out of the room!

4) Bathtime Beast – One of the most elusive of the Super Villains, because he can make bath time fantastic for several minutes, then suddenly turn it into a horror freak show when forcing children to wash their hair! Though no one has recorded it on video, Bathtime Beast has been blamed for using too much shampoo, using too little soap, making the water too hot, making the water too cold, taking away bath toys that doubled as weapons, and forgetting the favorite Winnie-the-Pooh hooded towel. Bathtime Beast disappears quickly once children are out of the tub, making him so very hard to catch.

5) Dinnertime Dr. of Doom – Perhaps the best known of the Super Villain clan, as he can appear in public or in the privacy of your home. He does not tolerate cries of, “But I don’t like iiiiitttt!” and is quick to swoop in with fork and spoon of his own. Although Dinnertime Dr. of Doom isn’t above singing silly songs during dinner to keep kids eating, he won’t tolerate musical chairs when eating at a restaurant and will make sure the booster seat’s safety belt is well-secured. The Dr.‘s one weakness is alfredo sauce, and he can be easily distracted by it.

What about you? Ever feel like you’re the Super Villain in the graphic novel that is your life? From Megatron Mommy to Dark Angel Daddy, we wield our powers for ~~good~~ ~~bad~~ hopefulness. Leave your thoughts for us in the comments, because learning is fun!

Be sure to to catch up on all the articles from the True Tales from the Pink and Blue series!

super villain photo credit: Compulsive Collector via photopin cc

Home on Deranged True Tales from the Pink and Blue Trenches

#AskAwayFriday Week 26- It’s GAME ON! BloggyWed with Home on Deranged

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

Welcome to the 26th Week of #AskAwayFriday!

Hosted by The Real Housewife of Caroline County & The Bold Fab Mom

Make sure to visit the #AskAwayFriday fabulous February co-hosts!

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Saving Everyday with Sonya K and The Redemption Diary!

Melissa from Home on Deranged, my co-host for The True Tales from the Pink & Blue Trenches series has become a wonderful friend! Although, we’ve never met in person, we have found an unbelievable amount of things we have in common!

We still wanted to swap for #AskAwayFriday and felt like we knew each other SO well that we decided to make a virtual game night out of it! And wal-lah…. we have the “bloggywed” version of #AskAwayFriday. Here were our rules!

Each question is worth 100 Points
Both posts goes live at 8 AM
We each will choose our answer to the same 10 questions but first, we will try to guess the others answer (hers in Pink) (mine in Blue)
We will calculate our scores and leave in comment at the others blog! WHO WILL WIN???

BTW are you following Melissa on her adventures with girls at Home on Deranged?

You should do that. She is a dynamite writer, mother, wife… and did you know she was a contributor to The Mother of All Meltdowns?

Follow her here: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, GOOGLE +, PINTEREST

1. It’s game night with friends and you are playing Trivial Pursuit, you are:

A. a fierce competitor.
B. Talking ”trash” to your opponents as a diversion for your lack of answers.
C. Enjoying your adult beverage more than actually participating.
D. holding your own, well depending on the edition being played.

(I think) Melissa will choose A.

(Jodi’s Answer) is B. My hubby and I almost broke up over this game. I am okay, but have more fun “talking” a big game.

2. Most wanted “quiet time” for mom is:

A. Bubble bath and book
B. Beer and TV
C. What’s quiet time?
D. 15 minutes of uninterrupted blogging

(I think) Melissa will choose D.

(Jodi’s Answer) is A. Yes, I love blogging- but to have 45 minutes in a HOT bath and time to read Gone Girl is something I look forward to!

3. Toddler Tantrum in the Grocery Store! Do you?

A. Find something to distract the tantrum, continue shopping- it’ll pass.
B. Ignore the behavior, continue shopping
C. Finish shopping and not go back to the store for a while
D. Leave the cart, depart the store
E. I’ve tried all of the above

(I think) Melissa will choose E.

(Jodi’s Answer) is E. Isn’t this EVERY Mom’s answer.

4. Best Breakfast!

A. Hot, greasy and fast
B. Juice and toast
C. Sweet and sticky
D. As long it’s edible and “in-date” it’s fair game.

(I think) Melissa will choose A.

(Jodi’s Answer) is A. I was raised by a southerner. I LOVE any griddled breakfast food.

5. Speaking of games…It’s Sports time! Do you:

A. Run and hide from TV
B. Keep score and cheer like a madwoman
C. EHHH I’ll just get updates through Facebook and Twitter
D. Don your Jersey and show your team love through fashion

(I think) Melissa will choose C.

(Jodi’s Answer) is D. Well because of C, I can usually go grocery shopping during this time- however I still rock a jersey.

6. Dinner at your house:

A. Fast and furious
B. Planned with Pinterest
C. Best when frozen or delivered
D. Dinner? Hmm did I feed the kids?

(I think) Melissa will choose D. (Because she is funny)

(Jodi’s Answer) is A. I am NOT a cook! Although I have been trying a lot of new recipes for Henry- I steer clear of Pinterest.

7. Your favorite restaurant is:

A. Expensive.
B. Anywhere the kids will sit for 5 minutes
C. Buffet
D. If the food is cooked FOR ME, I am willing to eat.

(I think) Melissa will choose B.

(Jodi’s Answer) is B. Being at home with toddlers, I will go out ANYTIME. I LOVE to EAT. I just pray I actually get to eat.

8. Shopping for clothes:

A. Online! Thank you, Internet!
B. Quick and easy
C. Done when needed
D. My favorite past-time- I shop til I drop!

(I think) Melissa will choose C.

(Jodi’s Answer) is C. I haven’t had much luck shopping for my self online and IT USED to be my favorite past-time. Now I just buy what I need, as it is needed.

9. Favorite “hair metal band” from the 80s?

A. Bon Jovi
B. Motley Crue
C. Whitesnake
D. Poison
E. Def Leppard
F. I would be breaking groupie rules to pick just one.

(I think) Melissa will choose F.

(Jodi’s Answer) is D. I was not a fan of Whitesnake, Bon Jovi was ok. Def Leppard I listened to. That left the Crue and Poison, BOTH OF WHOM I ADORED. Poison wins it by a hair (lol) for Every Rose has its Thorn…. a break-up ballad for everyone.

10. Favorite season?

A. Spring and Fall- anytime, we can play outdoors
B. Winter, because or the holidays
C. Summer- I like it HOT, HOT, HOT!
D. Anytime its not humid, raining, snowing….is good with me.

(I think) Melissa will choose A.

(Jodi’s Answer) is C. I should live in Florida, on the beach. Maybe, I am just grumpy being in this deep freeze.

NOW….See Melissa’s ACTUAL answers and WHAT SHE thinks I will choose…HERE!

Melissa and I, hope you enjoyed this special edition of #AskAwayFriday! Share some of your answers with us!

Want to join in the fun & swap questions with me?  Let me know, I would loveit!

Outwit, Outplay & Outlast! My Toddlers’ Superpowers- Villains, Masterminds & Heroes.

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Jodi Flaherty

It’s Thursday! Welcome to True Tales from the Pink & Blue Trenches…

The Toddler Superpower Edition!

Winter has proven to be to be difficult. Due to the extreme weather, we have found ourselves trapped indoors for several days in a row. I have begun to realize, my toddlers (due to their superpowers) might fare well, in any setting.

Hayden who is nearly 4, has several abilities that would bode him well in a survivor setting

A high pitch screech, not female sounding; more like of a whale or underwater creature nature. It is time stopping.
Mind control, or perhaps, art of persuasion. I don’t know how to exactly say this, but the kid makes you want to do things for him. In any store for a matter of minutes he has made friends. Older ladies, in particular dote on him. I am not sure if this power in his eyes, smile or mind; but people are spellbound. He gets “kid-coffee” at Starbucks, cheese at the deli, stickers at the door. Even his brother silently watches his cues for instructions.
A visual kid, he has little problems building Lego castles and completing puzzles…all handy, future mastermind skills. He has notable memories from back around the age of 18 months. YIKES.
Heat. This kid is a natural furnace. As an infant, when I would hold him in church, I would soon start to sweat.
Part Mockingjay? Beware of “ear worms”, this kid remembers obscure tunes and lines from movies and will use them.

He enjoys the villains in the cartoons. Darth Vadar, Ninjas, Captain Hook. They are all far more enjoyable than the hero. Eeek.
True Story: For 4 hours, he asked me to search for his beloved “lost” lego Lightsabre. Upon his dad’s arrival home for lunch, he immediately revealed it was under a couch cushion. Shocked, he had me on this lengthy scavenger hunt, as I stared blankly at this stupid token. He then quoted a line from the StarWars Lego Movie…”I told you Yo-Yo.” WHAT??? Game over.

Henry has even more powers and he is still growing. Fast.

When I was pregnant with him, I was in so much agony. He seemed to stretch across my whole body and would punch. Or play with my ribs. Or both. He is a tough little man. Very serious and observant.

He has the speed of the Juggernaut
the flexibility of Elastigirl from the Incredibles
the strength (and sometimes) attitude of Hulk
ability to climb and swing like Spiderman
X-ray vision allows him to see through doors and cabinets for available trouble.
And he is quiet…. Oh so very quiet…

He is more than willing to be his brother’s minion, only Henry is more like 10 minions at once.

Anyway, I look at it, I need to keep sharp on developing my Mommy Superpowers.

Did your toddler have Superpowers? Can you give me advice?

Make sure to join us next week for the girl side of things with the lovely ladies from Home on Deranged!

I can’t wait, can you?
Well, don’t. Read past True Tales from the Trenches while you wait for next Thursday, or just leave a comment and I’ll visit you !