One of the many reasons why life is easier this time around is that my older three kids are much more self sufficient.
When we need to head out the door, I can instruct the kids to get their shoes on, go to the van and buckle up. A few minutes later the baby and I arrive at the van. I buckle him in, do a quick seatbelt check on the big kids and we hit the road.
This morning I was reminded what a great gift forgiveness is. It was a rough morning… the last day of a very busy week with not as much down time as we’re accustomed to. I felt the fatigue that morning with heavy eyes searching for the remote to buy me a few more moments of rest before I hit the to do list. I noticed the fatigue in children who quickly burst into tears or whiny screams over rather insignificant things.
In the interest of keeping it real, and hopefully finding out I am not alone… thought I’d share a few “Not Me Monday” moments on this Tuesday afternoon….
*It was not me that showed up with the girls at gymnastics last Wednesday with their feet and legs covered in mud from our morning play date at the park. And as I wiped their legs down with wet paper towels it wasn’t me who was saying out loud so the other moms could over hear how “I gave them baths that morning but then took them to the park to play” Silly me should have known they’d find a pond and sea weed and a muddy field….
When my son asked if he could bring his light sabers or guns to his sisters first soccer practice, I said no. Because sometimes it is awkward to deal with the whole gun issue out in public.
Obviously I forgot that little boys will turn absolutely anything into a gun.
So today I said what the heck, bring the gun. Which apparently translated to, go crazy, carry a gun in each hand and a concealed weapon… Heck, why not wear the entire uniform!
Exciting things are happening round the circus parts this week and it’s only Tuesday!!
Sunday, I ran a half marathon with my FIL. My friend, who had to run a half marathon in order to see me in real life, also ran but she was so stinking fast that I am glad I caught her in line for the potty before the race, b/c there was no seeing her after that.
Container of dish soap: $2.00
Chip in my favorite coffee mug: $10.00
Keeping 2 sisters happy and entertained for an hour: Priceless
Those of you that follow me on facebook or twitter, or have spent any time round these circus parts, know that I whine quite a bit about laundry. Recently, however, I made a startling discovery. Rather than being the bane of my existence as I once thought, it is in fact, the key to my happiness?
Say wha??
Last May, I set out with a quest to get entirely caught up on my laundry.
Today I had planned to write a sweet and nostalgic motherhood type post about my littlest cast member. But, when quiet time rolled around my head was aching, my mind racing, and the right words and sentiments weren’t coming to me. Because today…
*Today I tried to do 2 days worth of school in one morning since we’ll be out of town on Monday
*Today I made banana chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast
The outing started out so beautiful and picturesque. The drive there was lovely… leaves just starting to change, sipping my pumpkin spice latte, even the clouds looked “fall like” (amazing how everything looks lovely when the kids aren’t requiring you to referee from the drivers seat…thank you Psalty the Singing Songbook) We got to the farm and the kids happily ate their lunches while I nursed the baby. Then we were off to pick apples.
It’s time to stop pretending. The act is over. Who am I kidding?
I am not a gardener.
Each spring, I get bitten by a gardening bug and I think that I will turn over a new leaf and suddenly spawn a green thumb. So, I buy some plants and seeds and the kids and I set off to garden. Each spring Scott asks why am I doing this when I know what will happen.