A mother's alarm clock: a baby crying in his crib.
A mother's breakfast: whatever the kids didn't eat, right off their plates. Oh, and lots of coffee.
A mother's morning workout: mopping the kitchen floor after milk breaks free from bowls of cereal and runs rampant across the floor. For an extra boost: she chases her toddler around the house trying to retrieve her cell phone.
A mother's shower time: running one brush through her hair, and another one over her teeth.
A mother's morning psychology practice: hostile negotiations between her 3 year old and the dog. (Most psychologists don't have to cuddle with their patients afterwards though.)
A mother's lunch: one slice of pizza that her youngest already ate the toppings from. Also, possibly more coffee.
A mother's downtime: sleeping face first in a pile of clean laundry while the children nap.
A mother's daily intelligent conversation: "Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. MOM. MOM. MOM. MOM! MOM! MOM!" "What?!?!?" "I love you."
A mother's paycheck: any loose change she finds floating around in the washer.
A mother's cleaning routine: she doesn't want to talk about that right now. But if you are lending an ear... She JUST picked up the living room! She swears! It just doesn't look like it because she lives with savages.
A mother's bills: she doesn't want to talk about that, either.
A mother's dinner: finally, a real meal. It might be slightly cold because she is the last one to eat, but that's okay.
A mother's rescheduled shower time: getting thoroughly soaked by the baby splashing in the tub.
A mother's nightly novel: Whales' Tails and Turtle Trails by Tammy Lee.
A mother's bed time: blankets that actually cover her whole body and one half page of a novel from the adult section at the library. She would love... to read... more... but...
Friday, July 12, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
My Little Lawyer
Okay, not sure when our three year old daughter Hailley started studying law. Who is explaining the ins and outs of the American justice system to this kid? My husband and I briefly mentioned the importance of wearing seat belts in the car; I told Hailley it was the law that she had to be in her seat, buckled in, when she was complaining about her belt straps. Other than that though... no idea. Maybe she's catching 24 reruns on the sly? I hope not!
Hailley has taken it upon herself to inform me about "the law". Let me tell you, if her law was the REAL law, move over Hitler! I'd hate to be under her regime.
We put little dress panties over her underwear, underneath her dress. Here's Hailley's thoughts on the matter: "We put these over my underwear because its the law, Mom."
We are in a bathroom, again. "We wipe our butts and flush the toilet because its the LAW, Mom." I wouldn't really argue against that one.
We are wrestling Hailley into her pajamas at bedtime: "We go to bed because its the law, Mom."
She does it the same every time! The same matter-of-fact tone, the same serious little face, the same sentence structure. She is SO right, too. You try arguing with that sometime. In Hailley's world, everything has a law attached to it.
I tried to explain the difference between household rules and laws, morals and laws, and the difference between just acting like a lady and the law. I literally watched her little mind shut down before I could finish. Hailley was NOT having that conversation with me. She already knows the law! Why would silly old Mom possess any new, useful information for her?
Hopefully this obsession will lead her in a good direction. Hailley, you will have my back when I forget to pay a parking ticket, right?
Hailley has taken it upon herself to inform me about "the law". Let me tell you, if her law was the REAL law, move over Hitler! I'd hate to be under her regime.
We put little dress panties over her underwear, underneath her dress. Here's Hailley's thoughts on the matter: "We put these over my underwear because its the law, Mom."
We are in a bathroom, again. "We wipe our butts and flush the toilet because its the LAW, Mom." I wouldn't really argue against that one.
We are wrestling Hailley into her pajamas at bedtime: "We go to bed because its the law, Mom."
She does it the same every time! The same matter-of-fact tone, the same serious little face, the same sentence structure. She is SO right, too. You try arguing with that sometime. In Hailley's world, everything has a law attached to it.
I tried to explain the difference between household rules and laws, morals and laws, and the difference between just acting like a lady and the law. I literally watched her little mind shut down before I could finish. Hailley was NOT having that conversation with me. She already knows the law! Why would silly old Mom possess any new, useful information for her?
Hopefully this obsession will lead her in a good direction. Hailley, you will have my back when I forget to pay a parking ticket, right?
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
We Went to the Beach
Oh yeah. I finally made it to the beach this summer! What a wonderful day. Of course, in order for me and my family to function at any event, we have to bring in the playpens, corrals, diaper bags, proper clothing, food, sippy cups, etc. Add beach toys, towels, lawn chairs and a wagon to beach day.
My mom and our family friend beat me there (that's no surprise, they have a lot less gear!) and had a beautiful spot picked out. I arrived by the picnic table with our wagon loaded up like we were pioneer settlers truckin' out west. Behind me toddled Maximus, our little ray of sunshine, and Hailley, who whimpered and whined all the way from the parking lot down the long hill to our spot. Leave it to a 3 year old to be upset about being out by a lake in the sunshine. Swaylynn, our 9 year old, had already beat us to the water.
After a few threats: "I can find a corner anywhere for you to stand in, Hailley," we made ourselves at home and enjoyed our day. The kids were all great. They didn't fight once! We spent hours there playing in the water (Swaylynn put seaweed on Hailley's head), exploring nature (Sway found a baby dragonfly- it was so cool!) and building towers in the sand. Maximus was furious because I put his corral, with him in it, right down on the sand by the water. I may have gotten a few looks from the other parents there, but hey, that boy thinks he can swim (he can't!) and I needed my heart to stop pounding after 20 minutes of chasing him around in the shallow water.
We ended our day with a long walk by the lake. I can't begin to express how fantastic the scenery was! God is good. :)
On the way home I put on Neil Diamond's best hits, my secret weapon. The kids barely made it out of the state park before they were passed out- their sandy faces slouched against their car seats. Oh yeah.
My mom and our family friend beat me there (that's no surprise, they have a lot less gear!) and had a beautiful spot picked out. I arrived by the picnic table with our wagon loaded up like we were pioneer settlers truckin' out west. Behind me toddled Maximus, our little ray of sunshine, and Hailley, who whimpered and whined all the way from the parking lot down the long hill to our spot. Leave it to a 3 year old to be upset about being out by a lake in the sunshine. Swaylynn, our 9 year old, had already beat us to the water.
After a few threats: "I can find a corner anywhere for you to stand in, Hailley," we made ourselves at home and enjoyed our day. The kids were all great. They didn't fight once! We spent hours there playing in the water (Swaylynn put seaweed on Hailley's head), exploring nature (Sway found a baby dragonfly- it was so cool!) and building towers in the sand. Maximus was furious because I put his corral, with him in it, right down on the sand by the water. I may have gotten a few looks from the other parents there, but hey, that boy thinks he can swim (he can't!) and I needed my heart to stop pounding after 20 minutes of chasing him around in the shallow water.
We ended our day with a long walk by the lake. I can't begin to express how fantastic the scenery was! God is good. :)
On the way home I put on Neil Diamond's best hits, my secret weapon. The kids barely made it out of the state park before they were passed out- their sandy faces slouched against their car seats. Oh yeah.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)