This to shall pass...

I am sitting at the kitchen table, trying to muster up enough willpower to not crawl into bed and cry. It's been one of those days.

I got up extra early this morning, and took Ely to the airport at 4:30 AM. He'll be gone for a week....a meditation retreat in Florida. This change in events have really thrown off the usually scheduled day.

When I got home, I had an hour to myself, then it was time to wake the kids and get Zander ready for school.

From school we met up with some friends for a playdate. Had a great time. Afterwords went to lunch with friends...from there things started to go south...

When we got home I decided I needed to take a nap with the kids. I was starting to get delirious from lack of sleep!

When the kids nap, I usually get caught up with housework...but not today....the house is still a wreck. A clean house is a sign of an unlived life, right? sigh.

After naps, loaded my crew up n the minivan, and picked Zander up from school. From there we went to Target. Mistake. My theory was, the house is a mess, Ely's not there to pick up the slack, so I'm just going to take the kids shoe shopping and do a drive through on the way home. Good idea, but Gavin (the leader of the Irish Mafia) did not agree to this plan. As soon as we entered Target my dear son threw a tantrum, yelling and crying that he wanted chocolate milk from Starbucks. I just bribed him in the van on the way there ...."If you are good boys, you get a happy meal!" I thought I had my bases covered. Hey, no judging, I'm not above bribing my kids. You try shopping with 4 little ones!

Let me get back to this tantrum. I can not express to you the lengths he went. From jumping, to stomping, to yelling and screaming. Nothing was working so he tried to make himself sick! He actually said, "Mom, if you don't stop I'm going to throw up!"

I was mortified. I pulled him to the bathroom....let me add that I'm pushing a double stroller AND physically dragging a 3 year old behind me. The whole time he is yelling, "No Mom! You're hurting me! I don't want a spankin!"

We get into the bathroom, he gets a spanking, and I sit him in the corner where he then proceeds to try to make himself sick.

I am ready to crumble and break down. Why is he acting this way?! I was on the verge of tears when a woman came out of the stall. She said, "It's nice to see a mother disciplining her child in public. So many just threaten. You're doing a good job dear." And she left.

I NEEDED that little pick me up. Thank you mystery lady! It's so hard not to let your emotions control you...especially when your children are acting up. Things didn't get better after that little incident, but oh-well. This to shall pass.

This seems to be the boy's favorite spot.

Well it's nearly 9:oo at night and breakfast dishes are still in the sink. Off to take care of laundry and chores that didn't get done today. How do single parents do it?

"Take me to the toilet!"

Gavin has been cracking me up today. There is nothing cuter than the words that come out of a three year old's mouth.

Over breakfast this morning I said, "Man, I've got a crick in my neck."

"What?! You have a cricket in your neck?!" he exclaimed.

"No. I have a crick in my neck." I corrected him.

"Oh. My. Goodness. Get it off Momma!"

We were at Babies R Us today, I looked over at Gavin, with his hands down the back of his pants. "Gavin! Get your hands out of your pants!"

"Take me to the toilet...RIGHT NOW!" With panic written on his face he adds, "Poo poo is coming out!"

I screamed...yes, I have a flair for the dramatics...and made a mad dash for the bathroom. Gavin followed behind, butt cheeks clenched together, shouting "Take me to the toilet! The toilet! The TOILET!"

Since when does he say "toilet" instead of bathroom? Ahhh...never a dull moment. I love it.

oh Zander...I mean, Jack...

Zander came home from school yesterday and informed me that he was going to change his name when he gets older.

"Why?" I asked. "I love your name."

He said, "Zander is fine for a kid name but not a grown up. When I get bigger I'm changing it to Jack. Don't you know that you can change your name when you get older? It's true, you can Mom."

Later that night we were outside on the driveway playing with sidewalk paint. I was showing off to all the neighborhood kids, and painted a portrait of Zander as a police officer, with a mohawk of course. Underneath the painting I printed out his name.

"Umm, Mom. Cops are grownups, write Jack not Zander."

Oh, how I love my first born.

Everyday I could write about the funny or insightful things he says.

Bedtime Battles

Dear Gavin,

Every night we have the same routine. At 7:30 we put on our PJ's, brush our teeth, get a drink, use the bathroom, then pick out books to read. After that books are read, kisses and hugs, and lights out at 8. Every night, same thing.

So why, WHY must you fight me every single stinkin' night?!

• No, you can not have another drink.


• No, you can not watch a movie.


• No, you can not have any yogurt.


• No, you do not need a tissue.


• No, you do not need a band-aid for your mosquito bite.


• No, you do not need another bath today.


• No, we can not read one more book.


• No, we don't need to clean your room right now, I know it's a mess.

I love you, dear boy, but you are very challenging. Must we go through this EVERY night? Sigh. I hate that you end everyday in tears.

I love you,

Momma

Obama's Speech to Kids

There as been a lot of buzz on facebook and other blogs I read about Obama's dicision to address our children in school. Zander's in kindergarten this year. Do I think he should listen to our President? Absolutely.

I am looking forward to the day when Zander comes home from school excited, telling me that the President of the United States of America talked to HIS CLASS! How special and memorable. From what I understand, he is going to encourage and challenge our youth to do well in school....not talk about health care reform.

Another mother so kindly pointed out that I "would have a tantrum" if George W. Bush was going to speak to his class. This is so far from the truth. I am trying to raise open minded individuals and would NEVER forbid my child from listening to the leader of the free world. If anything it would open up the lines of communication.

Politics aside, he's our President. I love this country and want my children to love it too. We are writing history, and our kids are apart of it. I really don't understand the big deal. It's not like he is going to hypnotize or brainwash our children.

If you disagree, please let me know WHY...and make your argument better than ridiculous Hitler comparisons or socialist comments. Also, would we be so angry if the Mayor of Tulsa came to speak to our children's school? or the Governor of Oklahoma?