Bring Me Back Something Good

Back when I used to work in the student life department, I would go to conferences all over the southwest region at various colleges and universities. Before we had kids I would always bring the Hubs back a shirt from that institution, then I had the boys and I'd usually bring them back a mascot fluffy.

When Kohai was little, before I would leave on one of those trips, he would use the line from one of his favorite movies, Dennis the Menace, "bring me back something good." The Hubs was out in California last weekend for an Aikido seminar, and in between sessions he'd text me. I thought I'd be funny and asked him to "bring us back something good."

Well, he didn't disappoint. Before he left the golden state he visited Japan town and brought us back some pretty nifty things. I got a bar of bamboo charcoal soap with cedar wood essential oils. It smells so good and leaves the skin feeling super soft.

He also brought us each back a bronze fuchin. What ever is a bronze fuchin, you ask? Well, essentially it is a scroll weight. These weights would keep the scroll from rolling onto itself while painting or drawing calligraphy.

We got our gifts Tuesday morning before the boys and I left for school and work. Kohai got his gift first, the otter. Ever since Kohai had seen the otters at Moody Gardens when he was little, he's been fascinated by them. He had picked out a stuffed otter that day and it was his go to fluffy until years later when our home was broken into, just two weeks before Christmas, and it was stolen. We think it might have been taken by mistake, you see Ottie, that was his name, was on top of the comforter and the thieves used it to haul away most of our electronics.

That was a very sad day when Kohai lost his Ottie, but when he opened that box and saw the otter his whole face light up with the biggest smile. The Hubs told him that as soon as he saw that otter he knew it was meant for Kohai. Senpai was presented with the owl which he found very cool and I received the crane of peace, which is not only a scroll weight but can also be used as an incense-holder.

The Hubs did a fine job of bringing us back something good.

Ottie gone but not forgotten.

Mischief Managed

Look at that face. He is cute as the dickens, isn't he? He's a little rascal too. The other day I came out of the bedroom and noticed one of my black flats on the pug's bed. Shorty is a notorious shoe chewer, believe me, he has destroyed many. I didn't readily see Shorty but I knew he was close by and had just recently been gnawing on my shoe, the tell-tell dog slobber was a dead give away. As I do for my sometimes wayward sons, I said his full name in my best reproachful-mother-voice, to what I thought was an empty living room.

Short Round.

I noticed a slight movement by the coffee table, it was Shorty. Crouched down with his tail tucked between his legs, he was painstakingly trying to make his way from the scene of the crime unnoticed. It didn't work. Lifting one paw at a time as if he were walking through molasses, he slowly made his way to the kitchen, the whole time thinking "If I just stay low enough and not bring too much attention to myself, I could make a clean getaway."

Short Round, you know you're not supposed to chew on shoes.

Still totally unaware that I could see him, Shorty stops in mid-stride. Frozen in time with one paw still in the air as if in tableaux, he crouches even lower and starts slinking his way to the kitchen. He's pretty short as pugs go so he's already close to the floor, but at this point his poor belly was dragging. It's funny how dogs are so much like toddlers, you know like when they haven't quite figured out that sound carries from one room to the other.

Shorty.

At this point he stops, fully aware that the jig is up and just lays there on the floor staring at me with those big brown sorrowful eyes. As a parent I know the difficulty in trying to be stern with a child that is in trouble, but is just so stinking cute and the situation terribly funny. I didn't have the heart to be too tough on Shorty, but I didn't want to spare the rod and spoil the dog so to speak. So with my shoe still in hand, I gave his rump a light little tap and picked him up to look into his face.

Oh Round, don't be chewing on shoes.

I got the same remorseful look that I would get from my boys, and I'm sure if he could speak he'd have said, "Yes, Ma'am."

First Day of School

I vividly remember Senpai's first day of kindergarten and how very nervous I was about it. The feeling came back when it was Kohai's first day. I had all the mom fears about my little ones going off into the big wide world of elementary school, but I got through it like every mom does. After that, it was kinda routine the first day of school.

Then it was time for Senpai to start middle school and again that nervousness was back. Middle school was awful for me and I was expecting it would be the same for Senpai. My fears were unfounded. He made it through 6th grade with flying colors, however I was a total WRECK when Kohai started middle school.

As I've mentioned before, Kohai has Asperger Syndrome. At the age of eight he was diagnosed and falls under the high-functioning scale of the autism spectrum. Because of the autism he didn't quite fit in with his peers in elementary school. He had an easier time relating to his teachers and counselors than with his classmates.

He was a bit of an outcast in elementary, and fortunately at the time he was unaware of this fact. Kohai was very affable and thought that everyone was his friend. Now that he's older and has learned to pick up on more social cues, he understands that those kids weren't his friends. I was so afraid that he would end up being an outcast again when he moved on to middle school.

Luckily the Hubs came up with a strategy. Have Kohai be up front about his autism, make his peers aware that this is the reason his behavior might seem different, why the tics and stemming may appear weird to them. Oh, and that autism was not contagious.

So we sent him off to 6th grade armed with his little speech and hoped for the best. It worked like a charm. The teachers were so impressed with him and he made a few friends that day. Now that he's entering the 8th grade his circle of friends has expanded and he even has a girl that he likes that shares his interest in all things Dr. Who.

Senpai starting second grade and Kohai kindergarten.

I knew there was a reason why I married such a wise man. It is too bad that he's out of town and missing out on the first day of school, but he's here in spirit. He texted first thing this morning.

Hubs: Good morning.

Me: Hey Sweetie. We're getting ready for school.

Hubs: How are the boys?

Me: It took me three tries to get Senpai up. He's washed and dressed. Kohai is in the shower now.

Hubs: Give them both an embarrassingly long hug and kiss from me. I miss them both and am sorry not to be there today.

Me: I will. I'll be taking my usual first day of school pic and send it to you.

Senpai: Good morning, dad.

Kohai: Morning.

Hubs: Good morning, boys. Have a great first day of school!

Kohai: Okay.

Hubs: Kohai, don't forget to introduce yourself and let people know about your Aspergers. It's important and it helps people understand what a great guy you are.

Kohai: Okay.

Hubs: Senpai, establish good habits starting TODAY to carry you throughout the year.

Senpai: Yes, sir.

Senpai starting his Sophomore year and Kohai going into 8th grade.

This morning I wasn't nervous at all as I took Kohai to school. We're old pros at the first day of school, I just don't think I have the patience to wait to hear all about it.

My Moment of Zen

This makes my day. I know, I'm simple.

My Moment of Zen

Could have sworn that I saw Sasquatch emerging from the boys' room as I was leaving for work this morning. Upon closer examination of the photo I took I realized that I was mistaken. It was only Senpai with a serious case of bedhead.