Time off

This is my 'time off''. I am blogging and watching Grey's at the same time. I am writing now because I am afraid I will fall asleep if I actually take this time to relax. We have had a very busy week. Not that I am complaining, I will take this over mundane any day, but it sure is taxing physically and emotionally. The next three weeks will be nuts as we wrap up school, but our luxurious summer will be well worth it. Who am I kidding, we are going to be no less busy, but there is a certain amount of freedom in knowing that no one is expecting us at the pool at any given time. My crazy days make me really appreciate my parents and grandparents. I am one of five, my mom is one of 11 and my dad is one of 7. How did these women do that???? I have no idea how mom got us all to soccer, dance, t-ball, play dates, dances, school, etc. No wonder she doesn't like to drive any more. I currently love to drive, typically it clears my head. Admittedly, it is getting harder and harder when I am picking up seashells, crayons, stuffed animals and snacks off the floor while driving. Not to mention playing referee while they pinch, hit and throw things at one another. Still, as I look in on them sleeping every night and every morning I know that I am the luckiest mommy in the world to have such loving children who give me insight into what this world is all about each and every day.

Diet WAR!!!

Okay, so I have gained a few pounds. Alright, alright 30 but who is counting??? Apparently my daughter is. This afternoon we took a shower together and she says, "Mom, I didn't know you were pregnant." Shock must have registered all over my face because she quickly followed it up with, "Well, just a little pregnant." I won't bore you with the details of the ensuing conversation, but needless to say, I have joined weight watchers. Yipppeeee. Let the diet war begin.....

You are my..,,

Mason and I had such a great morning today. He was just so sweet. Yesterday he hurt his head and his elbow falling off his scooter while I was at work. At the breakfast table he wouldn't move his arm because he said it was straining him. He also informed me that he couldn't get his hair cut on Saturday because Mandy might bump his bump. I just thought it was cute. I gave him some Motrin and told him it would feel better. He kept saying that it was taking a long time to get to his elbow. On the way to school we sang YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE!!! Me, "You are my...." Him, "Sunshine" Me, "My only....." Him, "Sunshine" Me, "You make me...." Him, "Haaaapppppyy" Etc, etc, etc.... Moments like these make me light-hearted and ready to start my day. I remember why I work so hard to make their lives easier. Rewards are so sweet.......

Not Again

Alright, any of you who know me know that we have had great difficulties with Mason getting along with his teacher this year. Let's just say she likes things her way and so does my son. She likes to have the last word, so does he. Major power struggle. Madigan is like sunshine at school. Follows directions, plays well with others, excels academically, etc. Until today. I got pulled aside by the teacher and informed that she is now clenching her jaw, rolling her eyes and defying authority. Typical 'girl behavior' the teacher called it. NOT AGAIN! Seriously, I can't do this. I thought she was just being a B to me. You know the mother daughter thing. Not the case. Super, my four year old is going through adolescence already. We are going to have a long 14 years.........

Who's Job Is It Anyway????

Reading over my last post, I have to ask the question--at what point do the kids take responsibility for there own things??? At school, they ask us not to bring forgotten lunches, homework, sweaters, etc. because children are supposed to remember these things and take responsibility for their possessions. I get this, but come on, these kids are 6 and 4. As a person this makes perfect sense--you want it, you bring it. I don't make sure someone else grabs my purse or cell phone when I leave the house--do you???? Then the mother in me kicks in, "They are babies. They need me to take care of them. They want me to carry them around and powder their tushies." Tough question, I don't want them to feel entitled, but I certainly don't want them to grow up before they have to. Anyway, I am going to run to the grocery before I pick Maggs up--do me a favor and call me tomorrow to remind me that I need to bring my apron to work. Thanks!!!!

Drama Queen

Thursday is gymnastics day. I made a horrible mistake as a mother. I forgot the NINTENDO DS. Mason has class at 4:15 and Madigan has class at 5:00. They ob need to be entertained during the down time and Nintendo DS fits that bill. Well, we were in the car next to Wal-Mart when Mason noticed that I didn't have them with us. Heaven Forbid! Tragedy! Life is Ending! My Head is Exploding! Snap! Smack! Uh-uh No Way Forget It! Super! Thanks A Lot! Nice Going! This is what I heard at top volume from the back seat in one long continual outburst. Okay, okay I get it, I suck as a mother. Am I this dramatic???? I didn't think so, but he has obviously learned his Drama Queen behavior somewhere. So being 'super mom' I offer to turn around, but I warn him that he may be late for class. By this time there is only incomprehensible screaming, so I assume he wants the game badly enough to throw this big of a fit. I turn around--(I know... all you mothers out there are shaking your heads and muttering under your breath that I am a fool. That the 6 year old in the car is not the boss. I, as the parent, should have put my foot down and told him to stuff it. Life is hard, learn to deal with disappointment. Trust me, all of these things crossed my mind, but I was weak. And lazy. It took a lot less effort to turn around than it did to listen to a screaming kid all the way to 108th and Fort from 180th and Maple.) Needless to say, the screaming continued. I made the mistake of turning around. Now he was pissed that he was going to be late. He told me I had to pay him for making him late. "Go ahead---pay me!!!! Give me that money right there--it is your fault I am going to be late!!!!! Blah blah blah blah!!!!! Waaaah screech!!!!!" It was at this point that I put my foot down (way to go mom--nice job taking control of the situation) and told him that he wanted me to turn around, I did, and now he was going to have to live with the consequences of that decision. If he was late, that was just too darn bad. And for good measure, I let him know that if the screaming didn't stop immediately, we weren't going at all. Suddenly there was silence. AHHHHHHH!!! He was late, he didn't freak and he spent the rest of the evening apologizing for his fit. So, did I win the battle??? the war??? or did I just lose all the way around??????

Naked Play Date

Time 2 pm Place: Play date pick up What: Michelle (Play date mom), "OOOOOkay----I am totally embarassed to tell you this. I just called my husband to get his take, and he wanted to know if you were cool, I told him I thought you were cool, but this was weird, and what should I say, what would he say if he was me, I told the girls that I would have to tell you, they didn't want me to, but I told them they couldn't do this, when we go swimming, we have a pool, we just bring the kids in and stick them in the shower, they have this really fun foamy soap, then we just bring them upstairs and get them dressed, well I didn't hear the girls and I was answering e-mails, Lauren(Madigan's friend) thinks I hover so I try to give them their space, finally I thought I would check and well, I saw your daughter naked." Me(laughing so hard I had tears), "Well, she has a cute little tush doesn't she???" Michelle, "Oh, yeah she is adorable. (Looking at me like I clearly don't understand the gravity of the situation.) They didn't turn the water on, but they did take off their clothes, get in the shower and try to wash their hair." I think she wanted to explain more, but I couldn't stop laughing. At that point she relaxed. I get worked up about many silly things, but this isn't one of them. I did much worse as a child, and who doesn't love foamy strawberry soap. Lauren is coming over on Monday. I think I will hover a little---just to be safe. P.S. If you read this, you know nothing. I have been told by my little angel that this is a secret and I can't tell any boys or girls--not even Daddy and Masie.........

Freedom!!!

Spring Break is over!!!!! This morning dawned new and full of promise with clean uniforms and full lunch boxes. My house is actually quiet right now. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY!! I am still in my sweats and sweatshirt and loving life right now. Granted, not all school days are this good, but Madigan has a play date. So for exactly 59 more minutes I don't have to play mommy. I think that one of the hard thing about school vacations is that moms forget who they are. They go from independent, productive members of society to Cinderella, the dragon, the pillow, the tissue, the buddy, the friend and the enemy in a very short time frame. I love doing all of those things; they keep me young. The problem lies in that I forget I am also an adult with adult responsibilities and feelings. I get wrapped up in movie days and Burger King wrappers. Everything in my house falls apart. I conveniently forget to cook or do laundry because we are on "vacation". Who worries about clean socks on vacation??? Clearly not me. I feel guilty not indulging every whim and 'leaving' my kids alone to do things like talk to my sister or mom on the phone, clean the bathroom or even make beds. I don't feel like that during a normal week. We have structure, a plan that must be followed, certain steps that must be taken to make our lives run smoothly. I have to make beds, do laundry, cook supper and give baths within a certain window of opportunity or the world may stop spinning on its axis. (I wonder why Mason is so inflexible--hmmmm) These things must be done for me to survive. School breaks are a different story. I feel it is my God given duty to pamper my children and spend every second glued to them or they won't remember it as a "fun" vacation. They will be hating me in 20 years for being the boring mom. Heaven Forbid. So here I sit and know that the last week basically didn't exist because I did NOTHING, but I am having a harder time getting back into school mode than the kids did this morning. Surely there are dishes to put away, dust that is invading every crack and crevice of my home and beds that have crusty sheets because they haven't been changed yet this week. What in the world will this house look like after 3.5 months of summer break??? OUCH!! Well, as much as needs to be done still I sit here doing what I want to be doing. I am relaxing. I know that in 46 minutes I have to turn my button on to be "Super Mom" again. We have to get gas, go to the grocery, pick up Mason, go to the optician to get Mason's glasses fixed, get home, eat supper, take baths, read at least 3 chapters in our Magic Tree House chapter book, say our prayers and go to bed. Not bad for 4-5 hours. If you need me in the next 40 minutes I will be sitting here continuing my nothing streak, but after that I will try to squeeze you in while driving somewhere because that is the only "free" time I have......

Attitudinal

Ever have a four year old that pushes every button you have??? I do. Apparently I hate her. I don't think she is funny. I don't like her jokes. I only yell at her. I am mean. I am unfair. I pretty much suck in other words. She feels the same way about her dad so I can't feel that bad. She is like verbal diarrhea with her assault. I have put her in her room to pout, and I have sneaked into the basement to hide from her. Through the floor I can hear 'I want candy' and 'Tomorrow' playing over and over as loud as a Strawberry Shortcake boom box will go. Is this day over yet??? No, only 2:30. Gotta say that just makes me want to crawl under this desk and hide. It is freezing here in the middle of April so I have no place to go and no place to send them. Hmmmmmmm....I do have rope in the garage.......probably duct tape too if I look hard enough.....can I go to jail for this??????? Please hold, she wants to talk to me.......Okay, looks like she will narrowly escape the rope--for today anyway--she apologized. She even said she was sorry for hurting my feelings. It is probably BS, but I will take what I can get. Mason just came down to tell me that if I am down here and he is up there, he will come get me if Madigan starts getting nasty. I may turn in my time card, my name tag and pass the torch to him--he seems to like being a mom a whole lot more that I do some days. Well, it is nice to know that I always have an understudy waiting in the wings just in case I can't fulfill my duties as Mother of the Year.