Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Pet Peeve

As a stay-at-home mom of young kids I acknowledge that I'm stuck, smack dab, in the middle of a demographic. I also acknowledge that others may not want (or care) to cater to my particular demographic. BUT...I thought I was in a State which, as a whole, recognizes the consequences of "multiplying and replenishing the earth"! So WHY, in the name of all that's holy, would you NOT have a restroom available for a three-year old dancing the dance?

I always have my kids use the bathroom before we leave the house. A three-year old bladder, however, can be a fickle foe. It doesn't do any good to remind it that it just went five minutes ago, or to tell it that it will just have to wait. No...that bladder will do what it needs to do when it needs to do it.

Solution: Roll my eyes in disbelief at the woman, drop my armful of un-purchased goods on the counter in front of her, and race like a mad-woman to the van and to the nearest public restroom. We made it. Barely.

(Is it horrible that a little part of me just wanted her to let loose right there in the middle of the store? Yes, it is. But that little devil on my shoulder sometimes plants some very compelling ideas in my head that are difficult to ignore.)

Monday, February 23, 2009

I Think I Can, I Think I Can

Curtis loves bath time. As soon as he hears the water running he's yelling at us to put him in. Tonight he spent about five minutes trying his very hardest to get his leg up and over the edge of the tub:



Hilarious.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

"Attention Associates..."

For the second time this year (yes, 2009) I have played the role of "negligent mother". I'm not necessarily guilty of negligent behavior, mind you, but I am the woman who earns the title due to the actions of a particular middle child.


Ellie is somewhat of an independent child. Pair this up with a tendency towards absent-mindedness and voila!...you have a child who is incapable of understanding her mothers' request to remain within eyeshot. While shopping today I turned around and suddenly found myself one child short. I didn't panic...at first.

The initial several minutes were host to under-the-breath muttered threats.

The next several minutes were filled with expressions of disbelief.

After that: Silence.

Then: FAR too many minutes of earnest beseeching prayer.

Throughout this process I recruited the efforts of the entire store (employees, management, and customers). We looked everywhere. Under things. In things. On top of things. An announcement was made over the P.A. system. Then...I panicked. I thought, Abduction? Really? I left everyone to comb through the store (again) and searched the parking lot and stores next door. No luck. Just as we began to contemplate the necessity of calling in the authorities...she materializes. Nonchalant. Calm. Apparently unaware of all the excitement she has caused.

I rushed to hug her and demanded, "Where have you been?" She answers, "I was going poop and pee in the bathroom." (And yes, the bathroom had been checked...twice.)

I've said it before and I'll say it again...potty-training is going to be the DEATH of me!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy V Day!

This morning the girls and I (and a baby boy who doesn't care) decided to celebrate Valentine's day morning with a little flair. We made pink heart-shaped pancakes. The girls were impressed with my culinary skills and were practically shaking with excitement. It was nice to have them actually want to eat something I'd made. Happy heart day to me.

Look at those cute little angel faces.

We miss you, daddy. Come home soon!

Friday, February 13, 2009

You Just Can't Have It All

Yesterday I woke up and decided to use my OCD to my advantage. (I'm going to start referring to it as CDO--the letters in alphabetical order...the way they are supposed to be).

Apart from doing the normal day-to-day routine of feeding, clothing, carpool, and changing diapers I was able to:


Vacuum
Dust
Clean the blinds and windows
Clean behind/under fridge & stove
Mop kitchen/bathrooms/entryway
Rid showers of soap scum
Clean toilets
Water plants
Remove science projects from refrigerator
Organize pantry
Finish laundry for the week
Wash walls and baseboards
Put final touches on paint in bathroom
AND...
Completely neglect any form of personal hygiene.

On the flip side...today I woke up and showered. I then went on to accomplish nothing.

Awesome.