Mom to the Screaming Masses

Things I've learned this week

Things I've learned this week

In no particular order:

- Goof proof paint has never met me.
- When bleaching the sink, never wear a brand new black shirt.
- Pink "Strawberry Shortcake" toothpaste does NOT come out of beige carpet.
- When a 2 year old is too quiet, the first place I should check is the top bunks.
- I should have told my son not to put foil in the microwave before this week.
- The Secret of Roan Inish is the best family movie that we have ever watched.
- I did 23 loads of wash this week. Three loads of diapers. Did dishes 21 times, with 22 loads in the dishwasher. I still have dirty laundry in the baskets, and stray cups around the house. I went grocery shopping twice, and yet we are still out of certain things, and low on others. And the diaper pail is full again.
- I stink at reading my book club books.
- The Redskins are looking better, now that Joe Gibbs is back. But will it be enough?
- I have to show my kids exactly what I mean each and every time, and never ever assume that they know what I want them to do.
- The reason that the baby was such a poor sleeper over the summer was noise. now that it's quiet in the daytime, she sleeps much better. (major sacrifices being made!)
- I'm not getting enough time to myself, but I can see a way to improve that.
- I look better to other people than I do to myself.
- Paper should be a food group for 8 month old children.

Well......... What do you

Well.........

What do you think? Do I look anything like you thought I would? Nope, no red hair. THAT was a genetic mutation - we both have it in our families. My hair is pretty dark, unless you count all the wiry grays that poke out. The picture posted below is one of my favorites. I absolutely love it. Sorry that it's a bit crooked, but I had no copy of it on this computer, so I had to take a pic of it with my digital and then repost it. I was holding the baby who loves to fuss, and she was trying to grab the camera, so it was crooked.

I laughed long and hard at the "still wearing same clothes as pre pregnancy" comment. I wore a ten when I had my first, and I am comfortably in a 14/16 now.

Thin I am not, happy I am.

A picture of The Hubster

A picture of The Hubster and me, on our 14th anniversary. 

In which I don't get

In which I don't get it

This morning, I went to Wal-Mart to get the extra supplies for N and A, the ones that the teacher didn't put on the list. (A blue folder, a folder with brads and pockets, a box of tissues, and 2 mouth guards, for Lacrosse in PE, in case you were wondering.) While I was there, I decided to go over to the lawn and garden dept, as I was interested in some new flowers, seeing how we were awarded "Yard of the Month" yesterday.

Lady at the door, president of the garden club: "We'd like to award your family with YOTM, if you will accept it."
Me: "Are you sure you have the right house??"
Lady: "Your flowers are so colorful! I've never let my mums weather over like that - you've given me much to think about."
Me: "Are you not supposed to do that??"

What I know about gardening can fit on my pinky, with enough room left over for my knowledge of physics. But, I do know to dig a hole and plant the flower, and to water it, and my neighbor said that color is what the judges look for. And, color they get here.

But, one of my flowers is dying, so I went to buy a replacement. I walked into the garden center, to come face to face with..........................

hold on to your skivvies..................................

A six foot tall Santa Claus!

That's right, ladies and gentleman, there are only 113 days until the big day!

Ugh. I mean, wow. I love Christmas and am really looking forward to it, but for pete's sake, I *just* got the kids back to school. (In case you forgot.) My favorite season is coming up. FALL!! Football, chili, long pants and sweaters, lack of mosquitos, my birthday, Thanksgiving. Let's not rush through these things!

Next to the flower food was a Christmas tree. And wrapping paper. It's going to be a quick fall season in Wal-Mart, methinks.

I am soooo busted Yesterday

I am soooo busted

Yesterday was a great day. My kids were in school - I know, you are sick of hearing me say that, but it's true! - and my sister in law offered to make dinner for us. It was a great dinner too - meatloaf, gravy, potatoes, bread, the works. Yum yum. The laundry was done and the house was clean.I didn't have to plan dinner. So, I put the baby for a nap, the 2 year old for a nap, and let the 4 year old watch tv. I kicked back in the recliner with my laptop and enjoyed some peace and quiet. The baby ended up sleeping for 3 1/2 hours, and the two year old for 2.

After quite a while, I told Gabe, "You need to turn off the tv. You've watched so much, you are going to turn into a television." Without missing a beat, or even looking at me, he retorted, "And you are going to turn into a laptop."

Bada-BING!

Schedules, routines and how to

Schedules, routines and how to

Back to school always brings out the need, and desire, for a schedule. After last night, and the first two mornings for school, I'm am able to see that what I thought would work clearly will NOT. I've got to make up a master plan, and implement it. There is just no way around it. Things are too crazy, and too chaotic, to continue. I have been up on time both mornings, and I can clearly see that I am going to need to be the driver for school in the mornings. It's not going to work any other way. the other things, though, I need to figure out how to get them done, so I don't make myself nuts, I have enough computer time, and still give ample attention to my kids.

I'm interested in these things:
What are your 'routines' for:
- laundry (getting it all done, keeping it from overwhelming your house)
- dinner - do you mostly do crockpot dinners, which I think can be a
lifesaver. Do you designate one night to be a takeout night? Does ALL
the family eat together? How many nights do you plan, and how many do you eat sandwiches last minute?
- getting the kids baths - how many do you need to plan for, and how many times a week each kid bathes. Oh, and fingernails! And haircuts!
- bedtime routines, what are the kids bedtimes, who tucks in who, does
everybody get a bedtime story, etc. What time do you aim for bed, for the kids and yourself, and when do you start?
- how do you keep things organized - where are the important papers, the things you need to keep track of, the bills, etc?

I'll put my info in another entry.

Can you tell I'm a wee bit overwhelmed???