The Good Enough Witch

Thomas the Train Fetishist

(originally posted - March 25, 2008)

Holiday Q & A with My Adorable Son (12/07)

So Cute Boy, you’re three and a half now. How does it feel?
It’s the best. I’m even taller now (about 3’ 5”) and I’ve got my parents just where I want them. It’s my time now. If they ask me to do something and it appeals to me I give them a great big grin, flash my baby blues, and respond, “Yeah. Sure. Can.” (My mom practically does back-flips when I help her carry the groceries into the house.) But if they request something highly offensive to me (like changing my shirt) I like to let them know it’s not my thing. So I cross my arms, stamp my foot, and say, “No! Can’t! Wanna!” It seems to get the point across.

I understand you’re in the Yellow Duck classroom at preschool. What’s that like?
I love school. I’ve got a million friends there including G (she’s really cute and my best buddy), K, W, C, M, D, A, T, B, N and S to name a few. My teachers Miss K, Miss B, and Miss C are really neat too. We play games, read stories, do art, dance, sing, cook, learn about the “letter of the week” and all kinds of stuff. My favorite toy at school is the Mr. Potato Head…G and I play with that a lot.

When you’ve got some down time, what do you like to do?
I have three words for you: Thomas the Train. (laughs) But seriously I like cars, planes, rocket ships, computers, cell phones, Curious George, books, TV remotes, fish, movies….ummm, trains…and trains.

I also find running, jumping, and climbing really relaxing. It helps me stay centered.

Tell me something few people know about you.
Oh man! That’s tough…OK, I’ve got one for you: I like to wear my red Thomas the Train pj’s as often as I can. They’re so comfortable (and stylish) I even have two pairs of them. I can’t wear them enough. Sadly, my parents and I don’t see eye-to-eye on this one…but I’m working on them.

Did you do anything fun this summer?
Yeah, my folks and I went on an awesome vacation to Vermont. We went to a family camp called the Tyler Place that’s right on Lake Champlain and practically in Canada. I got to do so many cool things with my kid’s camp group (we were called the Junior Midgets…slightly demeaning if you ask me, but it made our folks happy), we went fishing, rode ponies, swam, painted…I can’t even remember all the stuff I did. While I was busy doing that, my parents took a lot of naps, drank wine, and ate great food.

You talk about your parents a lot. How are they doing?
They’re pretty cool. Dad goes to work everyday. When he comes home at night I like to scream, “Daddy!” and run into the garage to greet him. (The other night I even ran in front of the car while he was still pulling in…I like to make certain he’s feeling alert.) After I help him carry in his backpack I give him a push and yell, “Run Daddy!” and have him chase me all over the house. At bedtime, we turn off the overhead light and read books in bed with a red flashlight…it’s really cool.

Mom’s great too. She makes my lunch, picks up my toys, rides bikes with me, picks up my toys, plays trains with me, picks up my toys, reads me books, picks up my toys, takes me to school, picks up my toys, takes me to the park/museum/library, picks up my toys…stuff like that. I think sometimes she even goes into her office to write.

What do you hope Santa brings you for Christmas?
I would like a Christmas tree…or a pumpkin.

Love Affair with "The Wizard of Oz"

Yes, I'm a diehard Wizard of Oz fan.

Remember how it used to only be shown on TV once a year? I was in front of the TV... Every.Single.Time.

That's dedication people.

Several years ago, I was checking out my favorite comic strip Rhymes With Orange by Hilary Price. I love virtually every strip she's ever done. But one in particular caught my eye:

It showed Gilda, the Good Witch of the North lying on her therapist's couch. She lamented, "First you give someone heart, then someone asks for a brain. The next thing you know people are calling at all hours. Why can't I just be good enough?!"

My laughter filled the room...I laughed until I cried.

And so, I named my blog The Good Enough Witch.

Tip of the hat to Ms. Price. Thanks for the inspiration Hilary.

Check out Rhymes With Orange at www.rhymeswithorange.com.

 

Kitten Names Through the Ages...

My son Alex is a stuffed animal nut. He's got a bunk bed and the entire top bunk is overrun with a massive collection of squeezable, cuddly plush toys. He's got dogs, a huge penguin, sea creatures of every sort, teddy bears, and a wide array of cats - both wild and domestic.

Check out this adorable white, fluffy, little beanie baby kitten. Alex got him around the time he was five. He named him "White Kitty." Now, how stinking cute is that?

As you can imagine, White Kitty got buried in the mountain of animals. Yes, he made an appearance from time to time. But the last sighting had been quite a while ago.

Suddenly last month, Alex found White Kitty. Clearly, his deep affection for this wee stuffed kitten had never waned. He cooed and snuggled with his little friend. It was adorable. However, Alex is eight and a half now and his tastes have changed. He decided to rename his kitten.

Kitty's new name? Titanium Claw.

Geez louise...that's my boy!