I am the parent that...
Leaves for work as soon as the kids are on the bus.
Sometimes misses the bus because I have to be at work early.
Can't get the kids off the bus, because I am at work.
I am the parent that...
Realizes that she is not perfect.
Has their kids do chores.
No longer strives for perfection.
I am the parent that...
Gets frustrated with the kids for not listening.
Thinks of new ways for the kids to experience consequences.
Knows when to walk away.
I am all of these things and more. I freely admit it. I leave a lot to be desired by some people's standards, but you know what?
My kids are learning right from wrong, without me smacking them around.
My kids have a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, and love in their hearts.
My kids don't really want for anything outside of reason.
My kids are unique and think for themselves.
My kids are smart without trying, and trying to learn out to apply themselves so they learn more.
In the beginning it's hard to understand that one day they will have to function without you, and every fiber of your being is screaming to help them. The reality is that we can't be there all the time, and one day they will be on their own. I have made the choice to work, the choice for them to pitch in at home. Is it wrong? I don't know. Is it right? I don't know. What I do know is, this works for my family. It might not work for your family, but I do know one huge thing about the future...
My boys will know how to do laundry...and that will make whomever they choose to spend the rest of their lives with...love me just a little bit more.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Accomplishments and Reactions ( A.K.A. Cause and Effect)
Accomplishment :
The TV has yet to be turned on today...there were no video games, no DVD's, no Blu-Rays...not even the blue screen. And before it's asked we don't have cable, satellite or antennae. So this is a real, honest to goodness, accomplishment.
The Reaction :
2 Trips to 7-11, once for the kids to get loaded up on junk food ( =*( ) and drinks, the second for Mommy's sanity. Total of the trips $17.84 (even bigger sad face).
The Secondary Reaction :
Look what I can do, and I can do it better...Mommy's favorite games where someone always gets hurt. 911, do you have stand by?
Accomplishment :
They all sat at the dinner table and ate all their food together. Why? Because we were showing off our manners (or lack there of for some) for our Gammy.Normally there is at least 8 trips to and from the dinner table, no one ever finishes at the same time because I'm not interesting.
The Reaction :
3 Bathrooms and 4 kids that all need to go at the same time. Hope all the feral cats in the neighborhood got out of the sewers on time.
The Secondary Reaction :
Because Gunnar got to the bathrooms last (shocking, I know) he got innovative and peed in the tub while Bean was using the toilet.
The Third Reaction :
Brenna squealed, so Gunnar rubbed the tub, then rubbed Brenna with said hand.
{SIGH}
So the lesson here? I'm not really sure, but I do know that I will take the same, old mundane things over the epic accomplishments that always lead to trouble. The Yin Yang effect, Karma, the saving up all the bad for one big blow. I'd rather there be 8 trips to the table instead of 3 simultaneously clogged toilets and substances being rubbed on siblings. I'd rather them watch a bit of TV then risk a trip to the ER from the I can jump closer to the tv stand with out it falling over on me.
The TV has yet to be turned on today...there were no video games, no DVD's, no Blu-Rays...not even the blue screen. And before it's asked we don't have cable, satellite or antennae. So this is a real, honest to goodness, accomplishment.
The Reaction :
2 Trips to 7-11, once for the kids to get loaded up on junk food ( =*( ) and drinks, the second for Mommy's sanity. Total of the trips $17.84 (even bigger sad face).
The Secondary Reaction :
Look what I can do, and I can do it better...Mommy's favorite games where someone always gets hurt. 911, do you have stand by?
Accomplishment :
They all sat at the dinner table and ate all their food together. Why? Because we were showing off our manners (or lack there of for some) for our Gammy.Normally there is at least 8 trips to and from the dinner table, no one ever finishes at the same time because I'm not interesting.
The Reaction :
3 Bathrooms and 4 kids that all need to go at the same time. Hope all the feral cats in the neighborhood got out of the sewers on time.
The Secondary Reaction :
Because Gunnar got to the bathrooms last (shocking, I know) he got innovative and peed in the tub while Bean was using the toilet.
The Third Reaction :
Brenna squealed, so Gunnar rubbed the tub, then rubbed Brenna with said hand.
{SIGH}
So the lesson here? I'm not really sure, but I do know that I will take the same, old mundane things over the epic accomplishments that always lead to trouble. The Yin Yang effect, Karma, the saving up all the bad for one big blow. I'd rather there be 8 trips to the table instead of 3 simultaneously clogged toilets and substances being rubbed on siblings. I'd rather them watch a bit of TV then risk a trip to the ER from the I can jump closer to the tv stand with out it falling over on me.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday Night Crash
Soooo...where to start? The good news? The bad news? The horrible news?
Let's change things up and start with the good...you are reading a sponsored blog? Whah??? That's right. I am being sponsored to write on a probationary status, I get paid for my hits...so pass it along. If I can continue to achieve to receive 500+ hits weekly, then I will begin to earn a paycheck for venting about my (lack of) parenting skills...and the wonderful life living with 4 very interesting kids is.
We also still have leftovers from what was supposed to be our second family Thanksgiving, that the other side of the family failed to show up to...along with some other stuff. But this is supposed to be the good stuff. We made a famously delicious Stuffing Casserole tonight...Super Easy and the kids went back for seconds on the vegetables, so win!
The bad news...
The Sunday Night Meltdown has begun. Jaxom is officially restricted from doing anything fun. He trashed his sister's room...I have heard about being starved for attention, but this is ridiculous. His punishment tonight is that he is doing everyone's chores. Everyone elses chores includes putting away clothes, mopping the floor, doing the dishes, and cleaning the downstairs bathroom (that's the worst because everyone uses that one). Brenna is icing her arm because Gunnar closed her arm in the bedroom door, because I said no gum...and Odin, well he learned the catch phrases of "Get it?" and "Oh. My. God." tonight. Yay me. The brighter side, it will get old and there are no younger ones to follow so it will be over soon.
The awful...
Tomorrow is Monday, and I have to go back to work. I think that is part of the reason that Gunnar is stomping around, he hares it when I leave in the morning...the leaving routine is pretty rough...I always try to sneak out before he wakes up, he seems to notice less then, but it doesn't always quite work out so we get stuck with the sobbing good byes, the one more hugs, I want a kiss...ok now Mommy is running late routine. But he loves me...Upside. =)
I am super excited to be getting paid to rant, the money that we could earn will go towards buying a place where we don't live on top of each other...preferably far far away in a land of magic, where children do their chores, they never argue, Mom's can go to work on time and guilt free...but until then...keep your eyes posted and your lips buzzing. I really hope that this works out.
Let's change things up and start with the good...you are reading a sponsored blog? Whah??? That's right. I am being sponsored to write on a probationary status, I get paid for my hits...so pass it along. If I can continue to achieve to receive 500+ hits weekly, then I will begin to earn a paycheck for venting about my (lack of) parenting skills...and the wonderful life living with 4 very interesting kids is.
We also still have leftovers from what was supposed to be our second family Thanksgiving, that the other side of the family failed to show up to...along with some other stuff. But this is supposed to be the good stuff. We made a famously delicious Stuffing Casserole tonight...Super Easy and the kids went back for seconds on the vegetables, so win!
The bad news...
The Sunday Night Meltdown has begun. Jaxom is officially restricted from doing anything fun. He trashed his sister's room...I have heard about being starved for attention, but this is ridiculous. His punishment tonight is that he is doing everyone's chores. Everyone elses chores includes putting away clothes, mopping the floor, doing the dishes, and cleaning the downstairs bathroom (that's the worst because everyone uses that one). Brenna is icing her arm because Gunnar closed her arm in the bedroom door, because I said no gum...and Odin, well he learned the catch phrases of "Get it?" and "Oh. My. God." tonight. Yay me. The brighter side, it will get old and there are no younger ones to follow so it will be over soon.
The awful...
Tomorrow is Monday, and I have to go back to work. I think that is part of the reason that Gunnar is stomping around, he hares it when I leave in the morning...the leaving routine is pretty rough...I always try to sneak out before he wakes up, he seems to notice less then, but it doesn't always quite work out so we get stuck with the sobbing good byes, the one more hugs, I want a kiss...ok now Mommy is running late routine. But he loves me...Upside. =)
I am super excited to be getting paid to rant, the money that we could earn will go towards buying a place where we don't live on top of each other...preferably far far away in a land of magic, where children do their chores, they never argue, Mom's can go to work on time and guilt free...but until then...keep your eyes posted and your lips buzzing. I really hope that this works out.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The Many Things We are Thankful For
We are thankful for:
3 mg Melatonin Tablets - They have been giving Gunnar, and in turn Mommy and Daddy, blissful sleep since we found out about his sleeping disorder.
Auto-Play on Hulu+ - Don't get me wrong, DVD's and Blu-Rays are great, however, you do have to push a button for them to play. Auto Play + Blue's Clues = Pure Awesome, there are no ackward whines about how the movie stopped, just continuous silence
Mommy's ability to Couponize - without this talent, Thanksgiving for the 6 of us would have cost approximately $345 instead of the $78 Mommy paid. Here's to avoiding bankruptcy 1 rectangular piece of paper at a time!
Noise Canceling Headphones - Now Mommy can watch her stories without having to listen to the bickering...without them...I would have never known that Natalie's paternity test was switched and Nattie and John would have never been able to love each other proper.
Plastic Shrink Wrap - Our windows leak like a sinking ship...there is nothing more entertaining than watching the kids flip out when a gust of wind inflates the plastic and makes the mini blinds down stairs flap forward. We call this act Santa's Breath...it's what happens when Santa thinks about not delivering presents because someone is misbehaving...works...well most of the time.
Nana and Poppa Weekends! - Thanks for the break Mom and Dad, my house and sanity really thank you.
But, most of all, I am thankful for my 4 mostly behaved and awesomely unique kids. I have come to accept that it's better that they behave in public rather than at home, they are more like me than I'd like to admit, and nothing works the same on all of them. They are a constant adventure that keeps me active, though not always cheerfully happy (especially at 4 am), on my toes, and on top of my game. They somehow manage to make me learn something new everyday like the lost art of Knock Knock Jokes, just how sticky Duct Tape is, how to get peas out of ones nose without going to the ER, my max patience level, how boogers taste, and what a Chicken Butt is. Without my kids I would have a dull ordinary life...and what fun that would be...I mean what fun would that be?
3 mg Melatonin Tablets - They have been giving Gunnar, and in turn Mommy and Daddy, blissful sleep since we found out about his sleeping disorder.
Auto-Play on Hulu+ - Don't get me wrong, DVD's and Blu-Rays are great, however, you do have to push a button for them to play. Auto Play + Blue's Clues = Pure Awesome, there are no ackward whines about how the movie stopped, just continuous silence
Mommy's ability to Couponize - without this talent, Thanksgiving for the 6 of us would have cost approximately $345 instead of the $78 Mommy paid. Here's to avoiding bankruptcy 1 rectangular piece of paper at a time!
Noise Canceling Headphones - Now Mommy can watch her stories without having to listen to the bickering...without them...I would have never known that Natalie's paternity test was switched and Nattie and John would have never been able to love each other proper.
Plastic Shrink Wrap - Our windows leak like a sinking ship...there is nothing more entertaining than watching the kids flip out when a gust of wind inflates the plastic and makes the mini blinds down stairs flap forward. We call this act Santa's Breath...it's what happens when Santa thinks about not delivering presents because someone is misbehaving...works...well most of the time.
Nana and Poppa Weekends! - Thanks for the break Mom and Dad, my house and sanity really thank you.
But, most of all, I am thankful for my 4 mostly behaved and awesomely unique kids. I have come to accept that it's better that they behave in public rather than at home, they are more like me than I'd like to admit, and nothing works the same on all of them. They are a constant adventure that keeps me active, though not always cheerfully happy (especially at 4 am), on my toes, and on top of my game. They somehow manage to make me learn something new everyday like the lost art of Knock Knock Jokes, just how sticky Duct Tape is, how to get peas out of ones nose without going to the ER, my max patience level, how boogers taste, and what a Chicken Butt is. Without my kids I would have a dull ordinary life...and what fun that would be...I mean what fun would that be?
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I want to go outside
I have 4 children, 4 very different children, all complete with very distinct personalities. As I sit here listening to Gunnar's ear piercing "I want to go outside!" scream, I realize that while I am not that thankful for how different they all are...but one day I might be.
Gunnar is going to be taking a time out from the outside for a while, because, well...he keeps hitting the neighbors 6 year old (who is dwarfed by Gunnar) with a stick.
Why does he do it? Because this 6 year old boy wants to be Brenna's boyfriend. And this kid is stalker-ish about it. He follows her around, has taken to singing Bieber to her, forces kids out of the seat on the bus to sit with her. Apparently, Gunnar doesn't like it when Brenna receives the lovey dovey attention from any boy, unfortunately...he does not discriminate against who he hits with a stick.
And while I am quite upset with the fact that he can't keep himself from being violent with the other boys in the neighborhood...secretly, deep down...I know that I have the best honor defending brother around for when Brenna starts to reciprocate some of these feelings towards boys.
Gunnar is going to be taking a time out from the outside for a while, because, well...he keeps hitting the neighbors 6 year old (who is dwarfed by Gunnar) with a stick.
Why does he do it? Because this 6 year old boy wants to be Brenna's boyfriend. And this kid is stalker-ish about it. He follows her around, has taken to singing Bieber to her, forces kids out of the seat on the bus to sit with her. Apparently, Gunnar doesn't like it when Brenna receives the lovey dovey attention from any boy, unfortunately...he does not discriminate against who he hits with a stick.
And while I am quite upset with the fact that he can't keep himself from being violent with the other boys in the neighborhood...secretly, deep down...I know that I have the best honor defending brother around for when Brenna starts to reciprocate some of these feelings towards boys.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Evil Mom Genius =)
I gave up on loosing my schmidt approximately 4 days ago...yep one day after I resolved not to loose it...can't teach this mom new tricks. The kids were thrown for a loop on Sunday with the schmidt-less routine so they started figuring out more clever ways to get me to loose it...and they won.
I have spent the past 3 days on a relative strike, trying to find a way to regain my schmidt and, sadly, outwit the little stinkers. This means :
I have not washed a single thing in the washing machine that has not physically touched an part of me (other than my hands)
I have not swept the floor under the kitchen table
I have not loaded the dishwasher
nor have I emptied the dishwasher
I have not nagged about chores
Instead I cultivated all the time I saved not cleaning up after anyone but myself and put it towards the perfect non violent punishment that I could come up with that would literally make them think twice about making me loose my schmidt on a daily basis...and it worked teehee.
Directly after Justin left for work this evening, Brenna and Gunnar got into a knock down drag out fight/spit war over computer time. I had had it with the bickering so I decided to take a test run on the 2 hard headed children that reside in my home (that currently has a dust cloud not unlike the one that kid in Charlie Brown had because of all the non cleaning).
Step 1 :
Hands on hips
Step 2 :
Right foot slightly askew.
Step 3 :
Stretch out neck
Step 4 :
Limber up the head wobble
Step 5 :
Clear throat (in an attention grabbing way)
Step 6 :
Call their respective names using my father's patented tried and true I mean business tone.
Step 7 :
Wait for their head to snap around as they freeze because they have inexplicably been caught.
Step 8 :
Point upstairs
Step 9 :
Demand they go upstairs and sit on 1 person's bed (this is key to several steps to follow)
Step 10 :
Reiterate that they may not go to separate beds but the one that I told them to go to
Step 11 :
Wait 2 minutes
Step 12 :
Head upstairs (this fills their minds with thoughts of being able to come downstairs because time out is over)
Step 13 :
Open the door that has been slammed shut so that they can have time to jump on the bed unseen as you come up the creaky stairs
Step 14 :
Look them in the eye and tell them that they need to face each other
Step 15 :
Smile as they lean in to hug each other thinking that this is a tactic that mom has used before, and if we are complacent she will let us come downstairs because we took the initiative to show her that we "love" each other.
Step 16 :
Explain matter of factly that they don't get off that easy
Step 17 :
Watch the pouty face spread across their dumbstruck faces as they realize that you can't be easily manipulated tonight (you will hear a silent sigh)
Step 18 :
Narrow your eyes
Step 19 :
Explain the rules of the punishment
1 You will face each other
2 You will not close the door
3 You will smile at each other
4 You will silently think of 3 things you like about each other
5 You will not come downstairs until you are done...and I don't care if it takes all night
Step 20 :
Wait
Now as you go downstairs to engulf the silence you need to prepare yourself that one will think of 3 things before the other does and in order to make this fair...they will have to stay together until they both think of something they like about each other.
Step 21 :
Send the person that finished back upstairs until the other person thinks of 3 things as well.
Now you will hear teamwork...and for this particular experiment it was priceless. Brenna went back upstairs and listed off the things that she liked about herself and instructed her brother to pick 3 from her list of I am beautiful, I smell nice, I like pink, I am a girl, and I go to school. Gunnar promptly crushed her ego by telling her that those were stupid.
It took 90 minutes for them to settle their differences.
Brenna likes that her brother protects her, plays Mommy Daddy with her, and keeps her from being bored when she gets in trouble.
Gunnar settled on liking that his sister is pretty, doesn't have stinky feet, and that she sings like a girl.
I allowed them to sit down to eat dinner, when Jaxom and Brenna got into it...to which all I had to do was warn them that for every time they fight from now on...I am making them not only think of NEW things they like about each other but I am tacking on 2 more things so instead of 3 it will be 5, then 7, then 9, and so on.
Dinner was quiet. It was awesome.
As we cleared the table, Gunnar came over and he hugged me. I asked him what it was for, he said it was because he liked 3 things about me. And I dared to ask. He said that he like that I am Evil, his Mom, and a Genius.
That made me proud.
I have spent the past 3 days on a relative strike, trying to find a way to regain my schmidt and, sadly, outwit the little stinkers. This means :
I have not washed a single thing in the washing machine that has not physically touched an part of me (other than my hands)
I have not swept the floor under the kitchen table
I have not loaded the dishwasher
nor have I emptied the dishwasher
I have not nagged about chores
Instead I cultivated all the time I saved not cleaning up after anyone but myself and put it towards the perfect non violent punishment that I could come up with that would literally make them think twice about making me loose my schmidt on a daily basis...and it worked teehee.
Directly after Justin left for work this evening, Brenna and Gunnar got into a knock down drag out fight/spit war over computer time. I had had it with the bickering so I decided to take a test run on the 2 hard headed children that reside in my home (that currently has a dust cloud not unlike the one that kid in Charlie Brown had because of all the non cleaning).
Step 1 :
Hands on hips
Step 2 :
Right foot slightly askew.
Step 3 :
Stretch out neck
Step 4 :
Limber up the head wobble
Step 5 :
Clear throat (in an attention grabbing way)
Step 6 :
Call their respective names using my father's patented tried and true I mean business tone.
Step 7 :
Wait for their head to snap around as they freeze because they have inexplicably been caught.
Step 8 :
Point upstairs
Step 9 :
Demand they go upstairs and sit on 1 person's bed (this is key to several steps to follow)
Step 10 :
Reiterate that they may not go to separate beds but the one that I told them to go to
Step 11 :
Wait 2 minutes
Step 12 :
Head upstairs (this fills their minds with thoughts of being able to come downstairs because time out is over)
Step 13 :
Open the door that has been slammed shut so that they can have time to jump on the bed unseen as you come up the creaky stairs
Step 14 :
Look them in the eye and tell them that they need to face each other
Step 15 :
Smile as they lean in to hug each other thinking that this is a tactic that mom has used before, and if we are complacent she will let us come downstairs because we took the initiative to show her that we "love" each other.
Step 16 :
Explain matter of factly that they don't get off that easy
Step 17 :
Watch the pouty face spread across their dumbstruck faces as they realize that you can't be easily manipulated tonight (you will hear a silent sigh)
Step 18 :
Narrow your eyes
Step 19 :
Explain the rules of the punishment
1 You will face each other
2 You will not close the door
3 You will smile at each other
4 You will silently think of 3 things you like about each other
5 You will not come downstairs until you are done...and I don't care if it takes all night
Step 20 :
Wait
Now as you go downstairs to engulf the silence you need to prepare yourself that one will think of 3 things before the other does and in order to make this fair...they will have to stay together until they both think of something they like about each other.
Step 21 :
Send the person that finished back upstairs until the other person thinks of 3 things as well.
Now you will hear teamwork...and for this particular experiment it was priceless. Brenna went back upstairs and listed off the things that she liked about herself and instructed her brother to pick 3 from her list of I am beautiful, I smell nice, I like pink, I am a girl, and I go to school. Gunnar promptly crushed her ego by telling her that those were stupid.
It took 90 minutes for them to settle their differences.
Brenna likes that her brother protects her, plays Mommy Daddy with her, and keeps her from being bored when she gets in trouble.
Gunnar settled on liking that his sister is pretty, doesn't have stinky feet, and that she sings like a girl.
I allowed them to sit down to eat dinner, when Jaxom and Brenna got into it...to which all I had to do was warn them that for every time they fight from now on...I am making them not only think of NEW things they like about each other but I am tacking on 2 more things so instead of 3 it will be 5, then 7, then 9, and so on.
Dinner was quiet. It was awesome.
As we cleared the table, Gunnar came over and he hugged me. I asked him what it was for, he said it was because he liked 3 things about me. And I dared to ask. He said that he like that I am Evil, his Mom, and a Genius.
That made me proud.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Every Sunday, I loose my Schmidt
Every Sunday, without fail, I loose my schmidt. I attribute it to the clean up crunch. All the laundry needs to be done so I don't have to listen to or play the "Where's my favorite (fill in the blank)" game. All the dishes have to be cleaned, I have learned that the males in the house have a severe aversion to the manual labor of loading and emptying the dishwasher, and Brenna quite often picks up the slack, but she fails to turn it on. Homework has to be signed off on, Friday folders unpacked. The list goes on.
This Sunday, however, was a little different. Gunnar and Mommy took an alone time $10 walk to 7-11 to talk and bond. He got to choose which way we went and came back, and he was happy, which in turn made me happy. We got to 7-11 had a minor disagreement over a Slurpee, mostly how I wasn't buying him one, he chose juices for himself and he siblings, and we got 2 packs of Gummy Bears. We came back through the patch in the overgrowth instead of Manassas Dr, and he was amazed how different it looked with out all the leaves on the trees.
And then we got home, it was not in the state that we had left it in...the 3 hours of coaxing Gunnar and Odin to pick up their toys earlier had been obliterated in the 20 mins that we were gone. Somehow, 32 dishes appeared in the sink. Seriously?! And they were fighting.
I took a new approach, I doled out the sugar and the juice, took a laundry basket upstairs, and left them to their father, who was playing his Beta game online. The 4 overtook him and they were sent outside to run off some energy. I came back downstairs and instead of yelling, I made my silence known. The kids came in after a public scolding, Justin went to work, and I started dinner.
I turned around and someone had introduced everyone to the finger paints on the dinner table....Yay (cowering in a corner, try not to twitch) that's so beautiful. Now I have no where to put your plates, and my arms hurt, so I am going to put them down anyway...don't touch anything. I didn't loose my schmidt. Instead I sent them upstairs to do their baths, and that gave the food just enough time to cool down to a temperature they could all agree to complain about. <Face Palm>
I am still resolved not loose my schmidt. Even as I sit hear listening to the yell and scream at each other "you can't tell me what to do," and "Seriously," and "I'm telling," and good lorad they are trying to agree on a Blu-ray to watch before dinner. I am screaming in my head for them to knock it off, and sending them to virtual corners, hoping that the stare will work, but they would have to look at me to see it and in order for them to look at me I'd have to say something, and if I say something the schmidt with overflow...so sullen silence is probably for the best right now.
And while I typed this out they settled on a movie to watch together. It's not too girly, boy-ie, stupid, long, short, or gross. There was only 1 punch thrown, and no blood shed. All in all I think I am liking this schmidt-less Sunday.
This Sunday, however, was a little different. Gunnar and Mommy took an alone time $10 walk to 7-11 to talk and bond. He got to choose which way we went and came back, and he was happy, which in turn made me happy. We got to 7-11 had a minor disagreement over a Slurpee, mostly how I wasn't buying him one, he chose juices for himself and he siblings, and we got 2 packs of Gummy Bears. We came back through the patch in the overgrowth instead of Manassas Dr, and he was amazed how different it looked with out all the leaves on the trees.
And then we got home, it was not in the state that we had left it in...the 3 hours of coaxing Gunnar and Odin to pick up their toys earlier had been obliterated in the 20 mins that we were gone. Somehow, 32 dishes appeared in the sink. Seriously?! And they were fighting.
I took a new approach, I doled out the sugar and the juice, took a laundry basket upstairs, and left them to their father, who was playing his Beta game online. The 4 overtook him and they were sent outside to run off some energy. I came back downstairs and instead of yelling, I made my silence known. The kids came in after a public scolding, Justin went to work, and I started dinner.
I turned around and someone had introduced everyone to the finger paints on the dinner table....Yay (cowering in a corner, try not to twitch) that's so beautiful. Now I have no where to put your plates, and my arms hurt, so I am going to put them down anyway...don't touch anything. I didn't loose my schmidt. Instead I sent them upstairs to do their baths, and that gave the food just enough time to cool down to a temperature they could all agree to complain about. <Face Palm>
I am still resolved not loose my schmidt. Even as I sit hear listening to the yell and scream at each other "you can't tell me what to do," and "Seriously," and "I'm telling," and good lorad they are trying to agree on a Blu-ray to watch before dinner. I am screaming in my head for them to knock it off, and sending them to virtual corners, hoping that the stare will work, but they would have to look at me to see it and in order for them to look at me I'd have to say something, and if I say something the schmidt with overflow...so sullen silence is probably for the best right now.
And while I typed this out they settled on a movie to watch together. It's not too girly, boy-ie, stupid, long, short, or gross. There was only 1 punch thrown, and no blood shed. All in all I think I am liking this schmidt-less Sunday.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
PT Conferences and an Incontinent Dog...Oh Life What did I Do?
Ever "wake up" and realize it's not the coffee that roused you, but the strong, oh so strong scent of urine that woke you.
I can change a diaper like a champ, I can wipe a potty training arse with the best of them, but I dry heave when I clean in off of the floor. I don't know why, but something about it being spread out on my floor makes my stomach turn, my eyes water, and sends my gag reflex into overdrive.
I am fairly certain that Doom has left the land of lovely, I can hold my own bodily fluids and moved to Depends for Dogs land. Now I suppose that I should be thankful that it seems to only happen on the stone floors for the time being and not the couch or carpet, because then Doom would be doomed. And honestly it's only fitting that someone need diapers in this house because Odin is becoming less dependent on them...so I guess this expense won't ever really be gone from my budget.
Brenna pleasantly surprised me with outstanding Parent Teacher Conferences. I am already familiar with a few of her teachers because she stayed with some of the same specialists that she had last year, so there wasn't any of that ackward 'I don't know how you are going to take what I am about to say' guess work. 2 of her same teachers from last year both said that she has really come out of her shell this year. (I know that it is hard to imagine Brenna shy, but well genetic mutations do sometimes occur) She is making friends this year, raising her hand, and she has become really artistic in the face of her other challenges. These are all really great things for her. She is almost grade level with her reading which is a struggle as we wait for her to pass a milestone to test her for Dyslexia. Some things that she needs to work on though is sharing secrets with Mom...I have learned, and become frightened with, the fact that if someone tells her it is a secret, she tells no one. Also, correct letter formation, she reverses all her letters and numbers that loop in any way.And she needs to let other people answer questions.
Jaxom, well, he did not pleasantly surprise me with PT Conferences. He is grounded in fact. We had a sit down conversation with him, I think we laid down the law, we took quite a few things away until Interim's come out in 4-5 weeks. I guess it's going to be a wait and see thing with him. He did get all A's and 1 B on his report card, so I know that the work isn't difficult for him, but maybe it is too easy?
And finally, in conclusion, I want to close by saying that I just got a text message that my kids are not incapable of only misbehaving at my house. Welcome to the club Nanna...see you in a few hours Gunnar!
I can change a diaper like a champ, I can wipe a potty training arse with the best of them, but I dry heave when I clean in off of the floor. I don't know why, but something about it being spread out on my floor makes my stomach turn, my eyes water, and sends my gag reflex into overdrive.
I am fairly certain that Doom has left the land of lovely, I can hold my own bodily fluids and moved to Depends for Dogs land. Now I suppose that I should be thankful that it seems to only happen on the stone floors for the time being and not the couch or carpet, because then Doom would be doomed. And honestly it's only fitting that someone need diapers in this house because Odin is becoming less dependent on them...so I guess this expense won't ever really be gone from my budget.
Brenna pleasantly surprised me with outstanding Parent Teacher Conferences. I am already familiar with a few of her teachers because she stayed with some of the same specialists that she had last year, so there wasn't any of that ackward 'I don't know how you are going to take what I am about to say' guess work. 2 of her same teachers from last year both said that she has really come out of her shell this year. (I know that it is hard to imagine Brenna shy, but well genetic mutations do sometimes occur) She is making friends this year, raising her hand, and she has become really artistic in the face of her other challenges. These are all really great things for her. She is almost grade level with her reading which is a struggle as we wait for her to pass a milestone to test her for Dyslexia. Some things that she needs to work on though is sharing secrets with Mom...I have learned, and become frightened with, the fact that if someone tells her it is a secret, she tells no one. Also, correct letter formation, she reverses all her letters and numbers that loop in any way.And she needs to let other people answer questions.
Jaxom, well, he did not pleasantly surprise me with PT Conferences. He is grounded in fact. We had a sit down conversation with him, I think we laid down the law, we took quite a few things away until Interim's come out in 4-5 weeks. I guess it's going to be a wait and see thing with him. He did get all A's and 1 B on his report card, so I know that the work isn't difficult for him, but maybe it is too easy?
And finally, in conclusion, I want to close by saying that I just got a text message that my kids are not incapable of only misbehaving at my house. Welcome to the club Nanna...see you in a few hours Gunnar!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Hey, Mom, Why Don't we get into Trouble at Nana Poppa's House?
You know, son, that's an awesome question! Why don't you get in trouble at Nanna and Poppa's house? Let's see...
Do you run around like maniacs at Nanna and Poppa's house?
No.
Why not?
Because a dog will chase you and knock you down.
Hmmmm...should Mommy get a bigger dog to chase you and knock you down?
No.
Do you scream at the top of your lungs when you are told no at Nanna and Poppa's house?
No.
Why not?
Because Poppa gives the look. And his finger shoots sparks.
Did you know that Mommy has metal in her as well?
No.
You know when you don't listen in the cart at the store and I poke you...?
Yes.
What happens when I poke you?
You spark me.
Hmmmm....looks like mommy has the same super power.
OOOOOOOoooooh.
Do you punch Nanna and Poppa at Nanna and Poppa's house?
No.
Why not?
Because they don't noy me.
What?
Because they don't noy me. You do stink butt.
Do you call Nanna and Poppa names like that?
No.
Why not?
Because they taught me chicken butt. Nehmehehehehehehe
Hmmmmm.
silence
Do you listen at Nanna and Poppa's house?
Yes.
Why?
Because they'll send me home.
So what I am hearing is...you don't break the rules at Nanna and Poppa's house because you don't like what could happen to you. Right?
No.
So what is it?
I just like to be good there.
Do you get all the good out of your system there?
Mostly some.
What's left for Mommy and Daddy then?
Me.
Well, son, that's why you don't get into trouble at Nanna and Poppa's house, there just isn't any bad left in you by the time you get there.
Do you run around like maniacs at Nanna and Poppa's house?
No.
Why not?
Because a dog will chase you and knock you down.
Hmmmm...should Mommy get a bigger dog to chase you and knock you down?
No.
Do you scream at the top of your lungs when you are told no at Nanna and Poppa's house?
No.
Why not?
Because Poppa gives the look. And his finger shoots sparks.
Did you know that Mommy has metal in her as well?
No.
You know when you don't listen in the cart at the store and I poke you...?
Yes.
What happens when I poke you?
You spark me.
Hmmmm....looks like mommy has the same super power.
OOOOOOOoooooh.
Do you punch Nanna and Poppa at Nanna and Poppa's house?
No.
Why not?
Because they don't noy me.
What?
Because they don't noy me. You do stink butt.
Do you call Nanna and Poppa names like that?
No.
Why not?
Because they taught me chicken butt. Nehmehehehehehehe
Hmmmmm.
silence
Do you listen at Nanna and Poppa's house?
Yes.
Why?
Because they'll send me home.
So what I am hearing is...you don't break the rules at Nanna and Poppa's house because you don't like what could happen to you. Right?
No.
So what is it?
I just like to be good there.
Do you get all the good out of your system there?
Mostly some.
What's left for Mommy and Daddy then?
Me.
Well, son, that's why you don't get into trouble at Nanna and Poppa's house, there just isn't any bad left in you by the time you get there.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Living with my newly acquired Tween
I don't when or why it happened, but my sweet, sweet, did I mention sweet, Jaxom has turned the corner to walk down a street that I am horrified to call Tweendom.
It has...
Become embarrassing to be hugged in public
Become embarrassing to be hugged in front of an open window
Become a problem to be called in for dinner
Made lying an everyday event
Made talking to him impossible
Made me cry at night
Made me question every decision that I have ever made in his up bringing to this point.
Become a struggle to keep him within sight of the front door as he joins his hooligans...er friends...yea friends
Become impossible to explain why he can't tackle his brothers...or his friends brothers
Made me feel out of touch with the youth of America...I don't know the cool, hip new lingo
I have known since he was a toddler that one day this day would arrive, but to be quite honest...I thought that Brenna would hit this stage before he would. He has always been a Momma's boy, always been sensitive, always been caring, always the first to speak up, always the first to tell the truth. Now he is the first to shout, first to break down into tears over spilled milk, first to blame a younger, less able to defend thyself sibling, willing to steal, willing to cheat. This is new territory to me so I am finding myself lost, lacking direction, and did I say lost? I don't know what to ignore, what to take seriously. I don't know what to let go, what to hold dear in our family values. Where do I draw the line in the sand, what do I do when he decides to leap beyond? How do I keep my temper in check?
I know that I was GOD AWFUL as a pre-teen (that's what we were called back in the 1990's). I would ignore my parents, I am pretty sure I coined the phrase in a minute, and my parents could actually perfectly time my catch phrase to mouth along with me. I know that I broke the rules, I know that I lied, I know that I wasn't always kind to my younger sisters. But I also grew up in quite a different world, and although we are still on Earth, though I am sure that sometimes my voice can be heard to infinity and beyond, and there is just so much to worry about now.
And since there were no boys in my family, my husband was a compulsive hermit that avoided all human contact, and all my friends have kids younger than mine, I really have no one to turn to for advice. I do have good old trial and error, but that doesn't seem to be getting us any farther than the "you live in my house, you follow my rules, or I swear to bajesus I don't know what I am going to do with you," and "I swear I will find the receipt you came with" statements. My sarcasm is not helping this particular situation.
So World Wide Web...I need your advice. P. D. Q.
It has...
Become embarrassing to be hugged in public
Become embarrassing to be hugged in front of an open window
Become a problem to be called in for dinner
Made lying an everyday event
Made talking to him impossible
Made me cry at night
Made me question every decision that I have ever made in his up bringing to this point.
Become a struggle to keep him within sight of the front door as he joins his hooligans...er friends...yea friends
Become impossible to explain why he can't tackle his brothers...or his friends brothers
Made me feel out of touch with the youth of America...I don't know the cool, hip new lingo
I have known since he was a toddler that one day this day would arrive, but to be quite honest...I thought that Brenna would hit this stage before he would. He has always been a Momma's boy, always been sensitive, always been caring, always the first to speak up, always the first to tell the truth. Now he is the first to shout, first to break down into tears over spilled milk, first to blame a younger, less able to defend thyself sibling, willing to steal, willing to cheat. This is new territory to me so I am finding myself lost, lacking direction, and did I say lost? I don't know what to ignore, what to take seriously. I don't know what to let go, what to hold dear in our family values. Where do I draw the line in the sand, what do I do when he decides to leap beyond? How do I keep my temper in check?
I know that I was GOD AWFUL as a pre-teen (that's what we were called back in the 1990's). I would ignore my parents, I am pretty sure I coined the phrase in a minute, and my parents could actually perfectly time my catch phrase to mouth along with me. I know that I broke the rules, I know that I lied, I know that I wasn't always kind to my younger sisters. But I also grew up in quite a different world, and although we are still on Earth, though I am sure that sometimes my voice can be heard to infinity and beyond, and there is just so much to worry about now.
And since there were no boys in my family, my husband was a compulsive hermit that avoided all human contact, and all my friends have kids younger than mine, I really have no one to turn to for advice. I do have good old trial and error, but that doesn't seem to be getting us any farther than the "you live in my house, you follow my rules, or I swear to bajesus I don't know what I am going to do with you," and "I swear I will find the receipt you came with" statements. My sarcasm is not helping this particular situation.
So World Wide Web...I need your advice. P. D. Q.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)