Tuesday, February 9, 2010

When is the last time you were this excited about underpants?

When MiniMac approached the transition from wearing pull ups to little boy underwear, we were told to employ severe ardency about this transition. I promise you, on the verge of parenthood, no one told you that someday you would expound enthusiastically about tiny children's underwear emblazoned with Mickey Mouse or Thomas the Train. Ever. And I also promise you, when you were making the child, you aren't gleefully dreaming of this type of family activity. 

But when this landmark moment is about to occur in your home, you take the advice of wiser, veteran parents and you roll out the pomp, circumstance, and almost schedule a parade for "Big Boy Underpants Day."

The night before the big day, we let MiniMac select the inaugural pair. Lightening McQueen it is. And after our good-night routine, off to bed he goes. 

The next morning, we are sound asleep when a tiny voice approximately four inches from JohnnyMac's face says, "Daddy, it is morning time. You need to wake up." Note, it is about before 6 am. It is not time to rise evidenced by the fact that even the sun was still asleep. So we tuck him into bed with us and hope for a miracle 20 minute delay in starting the day. 

When we got up soon after, I took him downstairs. In the sunlit filled kitchen I break into a giant smile. My son, in the middle of the night, got out of bed and pulled his new Lightening McQueen underpants on. OVER his pajamas. And went back to bed. 

Unbridled earnestness and enthusiasm are so common in children. Sometimes it is nice to recall what that is like. On occasion, adults forget how this feels or we are too busy to make room for it.  Who would have known that a tiny pair of Lightening McQueen underpants would serve as such a great reminder. 
__________


And speaking of enthusiasm over underpinnings, the Let's Get into our Fancy Pants Giveaway had such a great response, I reached out to Ms. J at Cosabella and inquired if we could give away not one but two sets. She, being as fabulous as she is, agreed.  Congratulations to Susan Erickson and ChristieJolu. You are both getting into your own set of Fancy Pants. Please email me and I will put you in touch with Ms. J at Cosabella. Cheers and have a gorgeous Tuesday.

92 comments:

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

How cute! Did you snap a photo? These are the moments we as parents can use to our benefit when kids get to the age where they are easily mortified in front of their peers.... not that I ever did anything like that to my kids when they were teenagers....or now..... ;)

Buckeroomama said...

My girl would grab at any excuse to change underpants. Not because she got wet or anything. She goes through as many as 5 underpants a day --just because. :)

Laura Trevey said...

You had me at the title!!!

xoxo

leigh hewett said...

So sweet. My son a HUGE fan of Star Wars underwear. It makes me miss my Wonder Woman Underoos.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to the winners!! Lightning McQueen is a great choice, minimac!

the walking man said...

Seeing as how it took me from age 18 to age 52 to even own a pair of "underpants" I can now appreciate them and I feel your joy.

Anonymous said...

When I finally got caught up on the laundry on Sunday, I was excited about all the clean underwear we both had. Now I can let it go two more weeks!

Secretia

Slamdunk said...

Congrats to your son on the big achievement.

With the twins, our little girl transitioned into "Princess Underwear" and her little brother who has shown no interest in adult-like bathroom habits.

Anonymous said...

Very cute tale. Reminds me of my nephew who, at six, still changes his teeshirts more than Kylie changes her concert outfits.

Lorie said...

So true! And it really does feel good to be enthusiastic!!

MommaKiss said...

Pretty sure this trumps my kid - who puts his underoos on his head.

Kat said...

What a cute post! Thanks for brightening my day. We do forget how the "little things" can bring such joy. Lightening McQueen - MiniMac has good taste, but of course he comes by it naturally. Kathy

Melissa B. said...

I can tell right now...the boy is a fashionista, just like his Mommy!

jessalyn said...

that is seriously the cutest thing ever. its these cute kiddo stories that make that biological clock tick louder than my thoughts!
congrats to the winners!

No Longer 25 said...

Aww that is so cute! We should get excited about fancy pants once in a while shouldn't we.

mo.stoneskin said...

I was expecting to read that he wet your bed.

*phew*

confused homemaker said...

It's so awesome when you see them get so excited about these things. It really does remind you that the simplest things can make you feel like you are on top of the world.

The Four Week Vegan said...

That is just adorable! We all should get so excited about things. If I win the fancy pants contest, I'll wear them over my clothes too ;)

Brian Miller said...

that is awesome! those moments are so precious.

dang i was so looking forward to fancy pants...

Tami G said...

That is just the cutest little story EVER!!!!!!
(even though I didn't win no hotpants! LOL kidding!)

Congrats to you girls who did - hope you put them to good use on V-day!! :)

Yankee Girl said...

Kids are so sweet!

mermaid gallery said...

You got me Jenny,...I don't think I have ever been this excited about underpants! I will be doing a Minimac imitation as soon as I receive them. (except I don't wear p.j.'s hmmmmmm)These are definately grown up panties and I promise to wear them in a grown up fashion.( no wearing as a hat etc.) Going to be a good dayyyyyyyy!

Unknown said...

Cute. I hope you took a picture. That could come in handy for the teen years...

I didn't win the fancy pants but I was so excited - Finally a store that has bras with no underwire! Yea! (It's harder to find good looking ones than you might think.)

Rita Templeton said...

Adorable! I wish my kids were like that with underwear, but unfortunately, the oldest two seem to have an aversion to it. Seriously - my four-year-old won't even wear underwear under his jeans!

Unknown said...

We have just started the potty training at my house, and I'm so looking forward to the big boy pants day!

Little Ms J said...

How cool. How I wish I could remember Fancy Underpants Day at my house. I just have a picture of me screaming on a toilet on Learn To Use The Potty Day. It was apparently traumatic.

Emily said...

I remember my son wanting to wear his under-roos on the outside of his clothes to show off to the world what a big boy he was! I love that excited children radiate.

Liza said...

You wrote this perfectly.

Mama-Face said...

so cute. :)

Ms. Salti said...

That is just too freaking cute! Kids are so funny... it's nice to be reminded to enjoy the small things in life. And congrats to the winners of the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Is it wrong to admit that I still get excited when I purchase a new pair of Superman boxers!

Herding Cats said...

Kids are so cool that way. They remain unjaded and those little things (like new undies) fascinate them! I think we could all learn a lesson from kids on how to live life to the fullest!

Jules AF said...

I'm always that excited about underwear!

La La La Leah said...

We are almost at that stage in life.... I bet if I bought son some big boy pants with something cool on it HE would get more on boy. But I don't think he is just there yet! Congrats to the winners of the unders!

I got a email from a rep of Cosabella after i left my comment she was very nice!! Good job picking an awesome company.

The Undomestic Mom said...

Haha I love this---congrats to the girls!

Bossy Betty said...

Funny, when I pull my underwear over my clothes and wear them out, no one reacts with joy.

Taylor-Made Wife said...

What a cutie :)

Intense Guy said...

I still get that excited... closing in on 50 years now... when I get a nice fresh new (to me) pair of SpongeBob SquarePants unnies...

Hey, when you only have one pair - and have to wait in front of the washer/dryer once every couple weeks waiting for them - you know just how precious (and exciting) this moment truly is...

Leah Rubin said...

Oh for the love and joy and enthusiasm of the unspoiled 3-year old! Props to Mini-Mac for such a pure response to the new undies!

Give him a hug from Auntie Leah!

The Peach Tart said...

A true rite of passage for Mini Mac.

Mom in High Heels said...

Oh boy, Lightening McQueen underwear. Terribly exciting. You must be so proud. And how cute that he put them on over his jammies. Indy's first big boy underwear were Thomas the Tank Engine. Unfortunately he kept dropping trou to show everyone. :)

obladi oblada said...

That is really cute! I love the underwear OVER the Pajamas...precious.

Unknown said...

Lovely post JennyMac....and well done MiniMac! Lightning McQueen pants are currently the favourites in our house too :)

Well done to the FancyPants winners....I shall be praying for a Jimmy Choo miracle tonight ;)

Unknown said...

How cute. My kids were never that excited about the underpants. They were both "yeah whatever".

Unknown said...

That is so cute...over his jammies! lol

Ed said...

We just had to switch the baby to pull-ups. She wouldn't stop taking the diapers off. Which was usually only discovered after she had shit all over her crib.

We never used pull-ups with the boys. They went right from diapers to underwear. Of course, they were like 3 or 3 1/2.

The baby is 18 months. Now, she has figured out how to take off the pull-ups. Which she does. Constantly. Everytime you turn your back, she's naked now.

I see a career as a stripper in her future.

Jenn@ You know... that blog? said...

How great are you to get 2 sets? Congrats to the winning ladies!

Wooot for MiniMac!!! Such a big boy!! Are you doing the "Cheerios" thing?

mCat said...

Trying so hard to get Sissy into her Princess Panties. I have to remind myself that it's not my job to potty train her.

With my boys, it was easy. They ran naked for the first couple of days, (they were so AWARE) of themselves, and then gradually onto the big boy pants.

Girls, I have decided, are much harder.

Congrats and good luck to MiniMac!

Myya said...

Congrats to the winners!!!
How cute is that about the underwear on the outside of the jammies! Panty day was a big hit in our house when #1 learned... I sure wish #2 wanted to take in the festivites...unfortunatly she has no desire to so far.

Unknown said...

Oh. My. Gawd. That is absolutely hilarious.

Little Ms Blogger said...

Congrats to the winners and I have to tell you I can't remember the last time I was so excited about something so small that made a great impact in my life.

Thanks for sharing the story and reminding me to look for them.

Heather@WHMB said...

OMG I love kid and their enthusiasm! So cute, so random, awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Wanderlust said...

Underwear are indeed a big deal. They still are in our house (at ages 5 and 7). They just trade up in designs. Word of caution: beware day-of-the-week undies. Have become a slave to my daughter's, digging through her drawer each morning in search of Tuesday, Friday, etc. Sigh.

Uptown Girl said...

Underwear outside pajamas? Story of my life.

jk- but that is a seriously cute story.

Right up to the part where I didn't win the big girl undies. I didn't like that part.

Anonymous said...

AW! You birthed a Superhero!

My underpants story (because I know you care) involves one hangover Sunday morning going to buy ice cream from one of those mobile vans stopped outside my house. I had just gotten up and pulled on my jeans from the night before and ran out. While I'm standing in line waiting my turn, I feel something on my ankle. I look down and there's last night's panties on the ground in full view of the world. They'd been balled up inside my jeans and had fallen out the leghole. Happy Sunday!

At least they were clean...

shortmama said...

The heavens parted and the angels sung!!

Unknown said...

What a little sweetheart! Hope you took pics.

Congrats to the hotpants winners!

MommyLisa said...

I concur with Uptown Girl...loved the story right up to the part where I didn't win the big girl panties too!

Boo Boo La La had Lightening McQueen underpants - they were boy underpants, but that was the character she wanted. Now she asks me why she has boy underwear. ;)

Salt said...

Congrats to the underpants winners. :)

That is such a cute story. So what you are telling me is that when I get really excited over underwear, my child will be also? I'm a good actress...I've definitely got this.

rachaelgking said...

Oh, the heartwarm. Thanks for that. ;-)

Ashley Stone said...

kids are so cute! Every time my 3 year old niece is over, she applauds when I come out of the bathroom and tells me how proud she is of me. It's nice to be appreciated for little things. haha!

Tgoette said...

Wow, great post! That brings back so many memories. Nowadays I just wear the Spiderman undies on my head. It helps to keep the boogeyman away.

Existential Waitress said...

My son was a big fan of the Lightening McQueen underpants too. Now it's Star Wars. Maybe if I get some underoos again, I might get that excited too!

Mrs Montoya said...

Those moments are so fleeting. I love how you capture the cute with the witty. Perfect. Again

JenJen said...

Oh heavens
what a good boy!
My son? singing Pants on the Ground. While acting it out. Charming.

Mrs. M said...

I can picture your child now, so proud in his big boy undies!

I am only SLIGHTLY bummed I didn't win the contest. :( Congrats to those who did though!!

Lopez said...

Congrats on the big boy underpants!

Lightening McQueen is always a fantastic choice!

Hyla said...

Awesome!!!!

Kate said...

Thats so cute I love the wearing them over the PJ's - hope you got a picture!

Kate xx

Anonymous said...

Wow! I am speachless!

secret agent woman said...

With my older son, we had a no-pants day. One day of running around in the house bare-bottomed with a strategically placed potty chair in the den and he was potty trained. Then he potty trained our younger son, who would stand next to him on tip toes so he could pee like his big brother. For the first one it was at 2 1/2, the second right just a few months after he turned 2.

Jen said...

Aw, great story! I don't remember my first pair of big-girl underpants. Sad.

Congrats to the winners! Enjoy your first "new underwear" day!

HalfAsstic.com said...

Oh, how wonderful! A HUGE milestone! Red letter day on the calendar! Dance with that boy in your arms and DON'T FORGET: he may wet the bed again in the immediate future so don't do away with the mattress protector just yet. ;-)

KristinFilut said...

Awww, big kid undies rock! Remember Underoos? I was so stoked to be Wonder Woman one day and Barbie the next... Creative geniuses, those underwear people.

jules said...

Aww. How sweet! good luck to you and Mini Mac.

Jerry said...

And think -- when were we last so enthusiastic about something...and then followed through with it? We sometimes bury our enthusiasm somewhere, and then we gripe about our boring life.

Enjoyed this.

Jerry

AnnQ said...

Adorable!!! :-)

Anonymous said...

I kinda miss that stuff. Although I can't claim to have potty trained my child at all. I worked full time and one day daycare told me "You don't need to put pullups on her anymore" and that was that.

Good Job Minimac.

Anonymous said...

My kids love their Dora the Explorer and Strawberry Shortcake underpants. Me, as long as they're clean I'll wear 'em. Oh, and they have to be boxers.

Stephen Tremp

Libby said...

My sister's 18 and she still gets excited about lightning mcqueen underpants.

Aunt Becky said...

I may actually weep when Alex puts on his undies. He's the most STUBBORN potty-trainer ever. He knows HOW, he's just stubbornly refusing to do it. "Alex, want to go poop in the potty?" "Nope." "Okay then."

Desiree Lynn said...

Such a fantastic moment that will be told years later to a future girlfriend!

Pandorah's Box said...

What a little cutie!! He wanted to impress his mommy and daddy!

Seriously though, that is a really cute story :)

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Awesome. Maybe I should get me some Lightening McQueen underpants. My attitude's been terrible lately and I'm willing to give it a try if it can even bring one iota of the happiness they've brought to your home life. ;-)

Ela said...

All by himself too! I love it. That must've been quite the sight.

I do hope he outgrows that though...pretty cute now but not so much as a grown adult. Unless of course he's a super hero then that's required.

Working Mommy said...

YAY MiniMac!!! Congrats for wearing your big boy pants!!!

~WM

Corrie Howe said...

Your story reminds me of one in our family. I don't remember if it's on my side or my husband's side. One little boy couldn't zip up his pants one morning. Upon investigation, he had on seven pairs of underwear. He dutifully put on a new pair of underwear each day as instructed.

Unknown said...

Lightening McQueen underpants... that does sound exciting : ).

Karen & Gerard Zemek said...

That's funny the kid is so excited about his new big boy pants! Congratulations on the milestone!

Congrats on your SITS day!

Penny (CJsMonnie) said...

LOL! I was so excited that I took a picture of my son holding his new tighty whiteys. Something he was happy to do at the time.

Now, he says .. aaww Mom. I know you are proud of me but do you HAVE to take a picture of everything?

Why, yes. I do!

(I've even got pics of his first bath, first tooth, first lost tooth, second lost tooth ... lol)

Laura said...

cute! My son also loves his lightening mcqueen underwear (from H&M)/ Laura in Ludwigsburg, Germany

Joann Mannix said...

That is the sweetest story. And it is true, all the little things. I'll never forget my youngest coming up to me when she was but a wee one with a recently found Sand Dollar in her hand. She said, "Mommy, can we go to the dollar store? I want to buy something with my shell."

Tender moments that I will always treasure. You captured your moment so poignantly.