Not THEM Monday: Oh No They Didn't!!!

This week, it's all about the kids:

• I took the kids into Brooklyn this past week to get Austin a much needed haircut. While there, I did not look up to see Audrey performing a stage dance for all of the old ladies getting their hair done. This dance did not include lots of hip shaking and butt slapping, and I most certainly did not take credit for teaching her all of her savvy dance moves.
• Speaking of my middle child, her teacher did not gently suggest that we start working on "listening and focusing on the teacher during class time". Apparently my social butterfly is more concerned about scheduling multiple playdates with all of her new friends than she is about circle time. I was not absolutely impressed that it actually took 3 full weeks of school before we had an "incident".
• After repeated efforts to get the girls settled down and asleep one nite last week, I did not walk past their room yet again to see Lexi sitting up in bed playing. She did not see me look in but she must have realized that she was about to get busted. Because on my return pass, I did not glance in to see her laying flat out in bed, eyes scrunched tightly shut "sleeping" with a half smile on her face.
• Audrey's first official homework assignment last week was to bring in 3 small objects that started with the letter "B". We buh~buh~buh~rainstormed several ideas including buh~buh~buh~ubbles, buh~buh~buh~ook, and buh~buh~buh~ear. Buh~buh~buh~ut it wasn't till big buh~buh~buh~rother got involved that she gathered up a buh~buh~buh~racelet, buh~buh~buh~utton, and a buh~buh~buh~one. As in a gnawed on chicken bone from dinner. I did not actually put it in a ziplock bag and let her take it in and I certainly did not consider writing Mrs. W a note explaining that big brother had helped with the project.
• The kids were outside Thursday nite playing while I got dinner around. I had both the garage and front doors open so that I could keep an eye on them. At some point, I did not hear Lexi whine, "I'm telling on you!" to which I did NOT hear Austin reply, "let's pretend that just didn't happen." Apparently she "pretended" because I never got report of that particular offense. Although several minutes later I did glance out to see Austin playing dodge ball with his BASEBALL. Perhaps he beaned her and she didn't take too kindly to that?
• Audrey did not walk into the bathroom where I was getting ready one morning with her shirt hiked up and her little bear firmly pressed into her chest. She did not inform me that her bear was "sucking on her booby to drink milk" and then proceed to breastfeed it for several minutes until she pronounced it "not thirsty anymore". I am still wondering where this all came from, as it's been over 2 years since I have raised my shirt to offer liquid refreshment to a baby. One thing I do know is that she is going to be a stellar mother someday!=)

Happy Monday, all!!!

Just For Fun

Forget expensive rides and attractions, give my kids a hotel with bouncy beds and a pool and their vacation is MADE! These pics were from our recent vacation to Silver Lake. We were stuck inside waiting out the rainy weather but do you think the kids minded?

Monday's To Do's

I usually look forward to Mondays because they're my days off, but today I'm struggling to get into my Monday Mode and get a lot accomplished. If I ever find my groove today, here's what I'd like to do:

1. make beds
2. laundry (3 loads that just need to be folded and put away, another 1 to wash)
3. unpack the kids and Tom from their mini vacation this past weekend
4. clean out the van from said vacation
5. plan this weekend's tailgating menu (so excited for Saturday!!!)
6. drop off recycling
7. drop off/pick up prescriptions
8. pay bills
9. pick up Austin from school
10. play outside with the kids
11. make dinner
12. clean up kitchen
13. baths for the kids

Well, looking at my list, I have to at least get it together enough to accomplish number 9, but it'd be nice if I could check off a couple more items, too. Time to get things done!

I Think We Need A Bigger Bed

Tom came to bed late one nite last week only to find this:

He took the picture and then headed off to the couch for a good nite's sleep.

I Tweeked It...

... and today, I did NOT lose it!!! Last week I gave the kids 15 minutes as they we waking up to watch some tv. That way they weren't having to just jump into their day. Then the tv went off and we went on to have breakfast and get dressed. Well, this morning I figured "Arthur" could help me out a little and provide some distraction as I slipped Audrey into her clothes. It worked! She was so glued to the tv she never realized that her panties just might be riding up her biscuits or her collar was possibly rubbing her neck the wrong way. Austin dressed along side her so my major concern was getting through breakfast without someone spilling sticky syrup all over his/her clothes and having to start all over again.

Of course, I couldn't breathe easy just yet as we still had to do shoes AND socks before getting out the door on time. The socks I picked out didn't meet approval from the diva so we went back to her room together to get socks that would. Of course, she would pick out red Hello Kitty Christmas socks with snowflakes on them. Of course, her outfit was brown, pink, and yellow. I took 2 seconds to mentally debate if it was worth it to tell her no on the socks because it would probably result in the meltdown we had so far successfully avoided. Hmm, no long pants to cover up the offending article of clothing, they definitely did NOT match in any possible way,,, yup, it was worth it. Meltdown or not. But my Christmas came early and no meltdown ensued. Shoes on and out the door on time! And, most importantly, we were all HAPPY!!!

I think Arthur just may be my new best friend.

I Need A (Summer) Vacation

The honeymoon is over. Two days into the new school year and I'm ready for summer vacation to be here. I knew going into this year that mornings would be an issue. They were last year and I only had to get one child up and ready for school. Now I'm responsible for 2, one of which is a diva, being in school by 8:10am.

I've been thinking thru our morning routine for weeks now. Anticipating where the problem spots would be and how to avoid them before they even became an issue.

• Problem spot #1: getting Audrey dressed in dress code appropriate clothing... without a battle.
• Solution: reserve the bottom bar in the girls' closet for school clothes ONLY.
• Problem spot #2: wearing socks/tights as opposed to going barefoot.
• Solution: buy brand new "school" socks and explain that this is a non~negotiable school rule.
• Problem spot #3: slow moving kids in the morning.
• Solution: Allow for 15 minutes of cartoons to "wake up".

The list could go on and on. Yesterday was a good day. I chalked this up to everything being exciting and new. The anticipation of a new school year hung in the air and everything went smoothly. I ran, showered, dressed, and had my hair done before going out the door. (Quite the accomplishment in itself as that doesn't usually happen till late afternoon.) I even had time for a quick photo session with the kids before having them in their respective classrooms before the bell rang. Woo Hoo!!!

Today was a different story. I skip the morning run and shower and stay in bed till 7. I worked 3rds last nite and my body just won't run on 3 hours sleep. No biggy, I pull on a hat, apply more deodorant and call it good. Wake the kids up. Wednesday mornings are waffle mornings. Austin freaks because he wants mini pancakes. I tell myself "I am not going to lose it." Calmly explain Wednesdays = waffles. Eat them or go hungry. He eats them.

Next up, Audrey is a limp noodle who can't possibly get dressed by herself although she managed just fine yesterday. Decide it's not worth the battle and proceed to attempt to put her tights on. She freaks because they feel funny. Hmm, wonder why when she's sprawled horizontal across the chair and I'm trying to stuff her legs in? Tell myself "I Am Not Going To Lose It". Offer to try her school socks instead. Of course, the seam across the toe "bodders" her. She rips them off. Tell myself "I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE IT". I walk away. She goes for round 2 with the tights.

Austin gets his sweatshirt on over his polo. His shirt bunches up underneath. He freaks... again. Tell myself "I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE IT". I dress Lexi, Austin comes to terms with his sweatshirt and we all watch Audrey do the diva dance as she tries to get her fleece on over her dress, refusing all help, of course. I can't help but think as I stand there and watch her that someday she will be me and her daughter will be her. Smile to myself as I remember that paybacks are hell.

We all get into the van, Audrey still screaming loud enough to give the neighborhood a wake up call. Tell myself "I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE IT!!!"

I lose it.

By the time we reach school, the kids have learned that it costs a lot of money to go to their school! It is a privilege! It is a sacrifice for mommy and daddy to send them there! Daddy could be driving a new car if they didn't go to their school! We could go to Disney for a really long time and do alot of really fun things, and eat alot of really yummy food for the amount of money it costs to send them to school! Etc., etc., etc.!!! And most importantly, they have learned that mommy has really, truly lost it. But what more could they expect, really, since I'm functioning on 3 hours of sleep and haven't had my coffee yet?

Tomorrow is a new day. I will not lose it.