I came to the conclusion today that we’ve turned into a bunch of slackers with daddy out of town.
What? You don’t believe me? Well then, let me give you some examples.
No one folds the laundry. We just dig through baskets of clean clothes to find what we need. It’s a challenge and so much fun.
Anything possible gets loaded in the dishwasher so we cut down on washing by hand. After all, who wants to do that?
To make things even simpler, we use paper plates when we can.
Do you believe me yet? No?
Wait, there’s more.
At least twice a week, we eat dinner in our jammies. I’ve even had mine on as early as 5pm. Shh….
Our background music during dinner is often The Wonder Pets. Yup. Alex just loves those nights.
Dinners tend to be quick, easy, and kid-friendly. Who has time for all the whining about the food?
Toys are scattered about the kitchen and living room. The playroom is a disaster.
Got the picture?
Now, just so you know I’m not a total slacker, I do need to point out that we are wearing clean clothes (although they might be wrinkled), everyone has showered, floors are swept, and no one has been late for school.
Every so often, the urge hits me to clean something up.
I know, I know.
(Can’t you just see my eyes rolling??)
Everyone knows stepping over toys is so invigorating. If you make a poor step, you never know what may happen. Keeps your adrenaline going, doesn’t it?
But alas, tonight was one of those nights. I’d had enough.
Put the girls into action cleaning up their mess.
Or so I thought.
Who brought this book in here?
Not me!
Who got out this game?
Not me!
Who drew on this paper?
Not me!
Do you get the picture? Do you see why slacking can be a good thing? I can avoid all this drama in my life.
If I ever get my hands on this “Not Me” character, we’re going to have some words. And it won’t be pretty.
After all, “Not Me” has lived in this house now for over 18 years. He/She should know better by now.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Life as we know it.....
Forgive me readers for I have sinned. It’s been three weeks since my last update.
What can I say? Life is leaving me in the dust.
Well, that and I’m old. Time seems to fly.
Especially when your clock decides to change the time every thirty seconds.
That one really blew me away. I couldn’t figure out why it was so dark outside when the clock read 9:15am.
But I digress…..
Daddy left us two weeks ago for a six week business trip to Asia. Yep, you read that right. Six weeks. But it’s nothing like our military who are deployed for months….
Speaking of which, my brother just returned two days ago from a six month deployment as the commander of the USS Arleigh Burke. We’re hoping my brother in law will return from Iraq in the next two months, so all will be right with our world.
Oh, oh, oh, and my sister took her boys to Europe for a month to tour and meet up with their dad (who is stationed in Iraq) and just returned home as well.
For those of us stuck stateside, life continued along its usual enthralling path. With a few diversions, of course.
Diversion 1: Abby
Abby had the great experience of Turning Five. Oh my. She talked about it for days, weeks, even months. The magic day finally arrived. The smile on her face said it all…
We celebrated at home with all six of us……although two of the six were via Skype. But we did our best! Our sweet baby had a wonderful day.
Diversion 2: Anna Grace
Anna Grace always leads us to questions…..Where did you get that? Why didn’t you eat lunch? Did you pull any sticks today? Did you lose any points? What do you mean you are making money? Who did you call? What did you do to your sister? You said what??
Yep, every day is always interesting.
But the look on her face is always so angelic.
Don’t let it fool you.
Diversion 3: Alex
Alex is our “be all you can be for the minimum amount of work” kind of kid. Don’t get me wrong. He has good grades but….he’s the kind of kid who will calculate the lowest grade he needs to get on something and still get an A in the class. He’s going to push me over the edge one day.
But he is giving his all to soccer….even if some of the other kids are not. He had a game the other day in 49 degree weather with a strong, steady wind. The girls and I were in attendance.
To answer your question, no it was not fun. Although the pictures may say otherwise.
When I downloaded the pictures and compared them to last season, it hit me that he has really grown up. Such changes….
Diversion 4: Katie
Katie has been struggling to find her place in this world. The best laid plans tend to go awry at times. We’ve hit that point. She is pursuing a change in schools for the spring semester. Living in the Big City isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. So, a change is in store. We are hoping for spring semester but are realistic that it may not happen due to housing shortages.
We’ve seen both she and Catlan several times since August. But when they arrive in the driveway, who do the girls go running to see? Katie? Nope. Catlan.
Toss in the flu, two broken cell phones, Celsius to Farehheit conversion (ugh…math), a huge texting bill (if we didn’t have unlimited texting…whew!), Nick Jr. and all that it entails, no sleep, lunch twice with friends and no kids (!!!), issues at school, Smurfs, college tours, first grade boyfriends, and so much more.
And life continues……
Let’s just hope I survive.
What can I say? Life is leaving me in the dust.
Well, that and I’m old. Time seems to fly.
Especially when your clock decides to change the time every thirty seconds.
That one really blew me away. I couldn’t figure out why it was so dark outside when the clock read 9:15am.
But I digress…..
Daddy left us two weeks ago for a six week business trip to Asia. Yep, you read that right. Six weeks. But it’s nothing like our military who are deployed for months….
Speaking of which, my brother just returned two days ago from a six month deployment as the commander of the USS Arleigh Burke. We’re hoping my brother in law will return from Iraq in the next two months, so all will be right with our world.
Oh, oh, oh, and my sister took her boys to Europe for a month to tour and meet up with their dad (who is stationed in Iraq) and just returned home as well.
For those of us stuck stateside, life continued along its usual enthralling path. With a few diversions, of course.
Diversion 1: Abby
Abby had the great experience of Turning Five. Oh my. She talked about it for days, weeks, even months. The magic day finally arrived. The smile on her face said it all…
We celebrated at home with all six of us……although two of the six were via Skype. But we did our best! Our sweet baby had a wonderful day.
Diversion 2: Anna Grace
Anna Grace always leads us to questions…..Where did you get that? Why didn’t you eat lunch? Did you pull any sticks today? Did you lose any points? What do you mean you are making money? Who did you call? What did you do to your sister? You said what??
Yep, every day is always interesting.
But the look on her face is always so angelic.
Don’t let it fool you.
Diversion 3: Alex
Alex is our “be all you can be for the minimum amount of work” kind of kid. Don’t get me wrong. He has good grades but….he’s the kind of kid who will calculate the lowest grade he needs to get on something and still get an A in the class. He’s going to push me over the edge one day.
But he is giving his all to soccer….even if some of the other kids are not. He had a game the other day in 49 degree weather with a strong, steady wind. The girls and I were in attendance.
To answer your question, no it was not fun. Although the pictures may say otherwise.
When I downloaded the pictures and compared them to last season, it hit me that he has really grown up. Such changes….
Diversion 4: Katie
Katie has been struggling to find her place in this world. The best laid plans tend to go awry at times. We’ve hit that point. She is pursuing a change in schools for the spring semester. Living in the Big City isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. So, a change is in store. We are hoping for spring semester but are realistic that it may not happen due to housing shortages.
We’ve seen both she and Catlan several times since August. But when they arrive in the driveway, who do the girls go running to see? Katie? Nope. Catlan.
Toss in the flu, two broken cell phones, Celsius to Farehheit conversion (ugh…math), a huge texting bill (if we didn’t have unlimited texting…whew!), Nick Jr. and all that it entails, no sleep, lunch twice with friends and no kids (!!!), issues at school, Smurfs, college tours, first grade boyfriends, and so much more.
And life continues……
Let’s just hope I survive.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Outtakes from the Week.....
Which girl said….
I’m going to look at my Facebook…I mean, my yearbook.
(Anna Grace. Gee, do you think she’s heard the word Facebook too many times?)
My initials are A.G. M. J. R.
(Anna Grace. Her name is Anna Grace Meizhen. The “z” sounds like a “j” so she has started doing her initials to match!)
Did you already take out your eyetacts?
(Abby. Eyetacts! Cracked me up. The child has language issues…I just can’t seem to get it diagnosed.)
In a written note: I like you because you make my heart super happy. Because I just like you.
(Anna Grace even after I fussed at her the night before.)
My toenails are so long they can climb trees.
(Abby again. Thanks to daddy’s training.)
Lumbo, lumbo, lumbo…
(Abby…..see above. Language issues. )
Toss in mom thinking one of the Blue’s Clue’s book characters was smoking (Katie insists he had a thermometer in his mouth), ironing jammies for Pajama Day tomorrow, and reliving Shaun Cassidy days thanks to XM, it’s been a week.
Include the College Kid home with the flu, the High Schooler doing the minimum he has to do for the grade, soccer two nights, church one night, and last minute dinners, it’s been a week.
Add in complaining soccer moms, tons of special ed paperwork, and a burned finger.
It’s been a week.
But life is always so interesting, isn’t it?
I’m going to look at my Facebook…I mean, my yearbook.
(Anna Grace. Gee, do you think she’s heard the word Facebook too many times?)
My initials are A.G. M. J. R.
(Anna Grace. Her name is Anna Grace Meizhen. The “z” sounds like a “j” so she has started doing her initials to match!)
Did you already take out your eyetacts?
(Abby. Eyetacts! Cracked me up. The child has language issues…I just can’t seem to get it diagnosed.)
In a written note: I like you because you make my heart super happy. Because I just like you.
(Anna Grace even after I fussed at her the night before.)
My toenails are so long they can climb trees.
(Abby again. Thanks to daddy’s training.)
Lumbo, lumbo, lumbo…
(Abby…..see above. Language issues. )
Toss in mom thinking one of the Blue’s Clue’s book characters was smoking (Katie insists he had a thermometer in his mouth), ironing jammies for Pajama Day tomorrow, and reliving Shaun Cassidy days thanks to XM, it’s been a week.
Include the College Kid home with the flu, the High Schooler doing the minimum he has to do for the grade, soccer two nights, church one night, and last minute dinners, it’s been a week.
Add in complaining soccer moms, tons of special ed paperwork, and a burned finger.
It’s been a week.
But life is always so interesting, isn’t it?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sticks, Acorns, and Church....Oh My!
Sticks? Acorns? Church?
Say what?
What do sticks and acorns have to do with church?
Well, today was our annual church picnic. We had an outdoor Mass followed by lots of food, fellowship, and games.
Key word: outdoor.
You already know how hard it is to control my double trouble duo within the confines of the church building. Now give them the freedom of the outdoors, access to nature, and people galore…..
Oh my.
Chairs set up, rules discussed, Mass begun.
And guess who was in time out within five minutes?
Yep. Anna Grace.
In time out, in the parking lot, on the curb. Lovely.
Ran into my friend Tara who was also headed toward the parking lot. However, her daughter is one. Mine is six. Do you see a problem here?
After fifteen minutes, Anna Grace decided she was ready to return and try again.
Of course she wanted to go back. Just think of all the sticks, twigs, acorns, and dirt she could access.
The remainder of Mass was spent trying to keep the girls in their chairs, stopping acorn throwing at unsuspecting parishioners, ensuring no one got stabbed by a stick, and generally trying to maintain control.
Outdoor church is great in theory.
As long as you don’t have high maintenance kids like we do.
Say what?
What do sticks and acorns have to do with church?
Well, today was our annual church picnic. We had an outdoor Mass followed by lots of food, fellowship, and games.
Key word: outdoor.
You already know how hard it is to control my double trouble duo within the confines of the church building. Now give them the freedom of the outdoors, access to nature, and people galore…..
Oh my.
Chairs set up, rules discussed, Mass begun.
And guess who was in time out within five minutes?
Yep. Anna Grace.
In time out, in the parking lot, on the curb. Lovely.
Ran into my friend Tara who was also headed toward the parking lot. However, her daughter is one. Mine is six. Do you see a problem here?
After fifteen minutes, Anna Grace decided she was ready to return and try again.
Of course she wanted to go back. Just think of all the sticks, twigs, acorns, and dirt she could access.
The remainder of Mass was spent trying to keep the girls in their chairs, stopping acorn throwing at unsuspecting parishioners, ensuring no one got stabbed by a stick, and generally trying to maintain control.
Outdoor church is great in theory.
As long as you don’t have high maintenance kids like we do.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Visit to Church
I admit it. I am chicken. I dislike taking my little girls anywhere that might be challenging. The store, the mall, the library, church….well, you get the picture. Life can be very difficult at times.
Hmm. Let’s rephrase that. Life can be challenging most of the time.
Typically when we attend Mass, I have to leave during the service with a short person due to behavior. Usually that short person in question is Anna Grace.
Now, others around us will say the girls are just fine. But to me…..we have lots of work to do. Quiet whispers vs. loud ones; not needing a diversion such as pencils or crayons, no pouting, etc.
Today, we actually all attended Mass together. I was feeling brave.
We went armed with snacks already in our tummies and a notebook to write anything to our hearts desire.
But in that short hour, we had lots of funnies happen. I know you are just so shocked. My kids? Do something funny? Nah.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Abby noticed a statue of Jesus at one point and said, “Daddy, who is that?”
“Abs, who is on the cross up front?
“Jesus”
“That’s who is on the statue is too.”
Abby in complete amazement…..”You mean Jesus got big? He was a little boy too? Not just a baby?”
Hmmm. Guess we’ve missed some major teaching points, huh?
----------------------------------------------------------
Anna Grace spent the entire time making a list of her family and friends. I noted that Katie was way down the list. She had Mommy, Daddy, Anna Grace, Abby, and Alex at the top. Then lots of friends before remembering Katie. Made me sad.
But then after dinner she asked to Skype with Katie. Whew.
--------------------------------------------------------
Abby spent all of Mass tugging at her underwear. Why? What is the issue? Turns out she was wearing them backwards. That would make me tug at mine too.
--------------------------------------------------------
Dave was a Lector today which meant he did one of the Bible readings. Guess who made faces at daddy while he was reading? I will give you one clue. She is six.
--------------------------------------------------------
Abby loves her big brudder. At one point during church, she wanted to sit on his lap. He refused to pick her up. Poor baby started to cry…...quietly. I smacked him (yep, I did), so he picked her up. She grudgingly agreed and somewhat smiled. Later during the Sign of Peace (hugs to family time), both little girls grabbed him to be picked up and kissed-----before mom and dad got kisses. Awww.
-------------------------------------------------------
Anna Grace begged to sit down front today. “Daddy told me that Katie and Alex got to sit in the front when they were sweet.” Ah. That is the key point. They were sweet. You prove it to me a few times and we’ll consider it!
-----------------------------------------------------
All this in just one short hour. Whew. Next week is a picnic and outdoor Mass. I think we’ll be okay then…..except for the leaves, twigs, acorns, and everything else that is a diversion.
Sigh.
But we’ll survive, right??
Hmm. Let’s rephrase that. Life can be challenging most of the time.
Typically when we attend Mass, I have to leave during the service with a short person due to behavior. Usually that short person in question is Anna Grace.
Now, others around us will say the girls are just fine. But to me…..we have lots of work to do. Quiet whispers vs. loud ones; not needing a diversion such as pencils or crayons, no pouting, etc.
Today, we actually all attended Mass together. I was feeling brave.
We went armed with snacks already in our tummies and a notebook to write anything to our hearts desire.
But in that short hour, we had lots of funnies happen. I know you are just so shocked. My kids? Do something funny? Nah.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Abby noticed a statue of Jesus at one point and said, “Daddy, who is that?”
“Abs, who is on the cross up front?
“Jesus”
“That’s who is on the statue is too.”
Abby in complete amazement…..”You mean Jesus got big? He was a little boy too? Not just a baby?”
Hmmm. Guess we’ve missed some major teaching points, huh?
----------------------------------------------------------
Anna Grace spent the entire time making a list of her family and friends. I noted that Katie was way down the list. She had Mommy, Daddy, Anna Grace, Abby, and Alex at the top. Then lots of friends before remembering Katie. Made me sad.
But then after dinner she asked to Skype with Katie. Whew.
--------------------------------------------------------
Abby spent all of Mass tugging at her underwear. Why? What is the issue? Turns out she was wearing them backwards. That would make me tug at mine too.
--------------------------------------------------------
Dave was a Lector today which meant he did one of the Bible readings. Guess who made faces at daddy while he was reading? I will give you one clue. She is six.
--------------------------------------------------------
Abby loves her big brudder. At one point during church, she wanted to sit on his lap. He refused to pick her up. Poor baby started to cry…...quietly. I smacked him (yep, I did), so he picked her up. She grudgingly agreed and somewhat smiled. Later during the Sign of Peace (hugs to family time), both little girls grabbed him to be picked up and kissed-----before mom and dad got kisses. Awww.
-------------------------------------------------------
Anna Grace begged to sit down front today. “Daddy told me that Katie and Alex got to sit in the front when they were sweet.” Ah. That is the key point. They were sweet. You prove it to me a few times and we’ll consider it!
-----------------------------------------------------
All this in just one short hour. Whew. Next week is a picnic and outdoor Mass. I think we’ll be okay then…..except for the leaves, twigs, acorns, and everything else that is a diversion.
Sigh.
But we’ll survive, right??
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