Thanks, Mike Rowe

The boys love the show Dirty Jobs. Its host, Mike Rowe, travels around the country doing real jobs that have some dirty, dangerous, or revolting element to them. It's a hilarious show that features jobs I am glad not to have.

One afternoon, while I was upstairs putting away laundry, I heard the boys giggling and saying, "This sure is a dirty, dirty job." Relieved that they weren't fighting, I continued to fold clothes. I should have known better.

When I returned downstairs, I discovered the dirty job that kept them so occupied:They were extremely disappointed that their version of the show ended before they had all their games and toys thrown around the kitchen. I was disappointed that unlike the professionals on the show, they did not clean up after a hard day's work.

I sent a message to Mike on his blog blaming him for the mess. I'm still waiting for him to arrive to help with my Dirty Job!

Gravity's a Bummer!

Me: Cole, get out from under the table! That is not restaurant behavior.

Cole: But Mom, I can't help it! A giant piece of gravity's holding me down.

My Sweet Southern Boy

Cole is definitely becoming a southern boy.

Today after school, he took something from another boy and made him cry. On the car ride home, he ignored my scolding, so I stopped the car, made him look at me, and told him how his behavior was wrong. When I finished, I asked if he understood and knew how he should act instead.

He hung his head and quietly replied, "Yes, ma'am."

What?! I almost laughed. I have never heard him say that before.

It makes me wonder...What did he do at school to be taught to respond that way since he has only said it when being disciplined? Hmmmm.....

I probably should teach the boys to respond to adults that way, because many southerners think it is rude for children not to say ma'am or sir. But all I can think about is the boy who moved to my elementary school from Georgia. When he called a teacher "Ma'am," she thought he was being fresh and punished him. Poor kid was so confused.

After five years here, I'm still startled by being called "Ma'am," so I doubt I'm up for teaching southern etiquette. Perhaps there are enough northern transplants in the area that the teachers are used to Yankee rudeness.

I think I'll be okay if he starts saying "Ma'am" to me since it's meant respectfully. Now I need to adjust to his southern drawl.