Look At The Wall!

I went away this past weekend for a girl's weekend.  

I came home to my kids liking each other and a clean house. 
 The Mister even said Clara slept like a champ.

Apparently I need to go away more often.

Also, I am a really really mean mother, see below:

jjj

Give a Little Love

Everyone is working on their own journey in this life.
Right now I am trying to work on my lack of patience. 

To be perfectly honest, most days my kids drive me crazy.

Like yesterday.

So I kicked them out.

It seemed to do us all a bit of good!

give a little love by f1394943020

Happy Humpday!

Story Time Win!

Clara and I had a huge breakthrough today which I will get to in a minute.  I first have to say something about a pretty disgusting and disheartening post that popped into my facebook news feed a few times today.

I notice that lots of people have been brought over here by a "Chicago Now" blogger's post about "Mommy Wars".  

Let me assure you that this blog post is not written to start a mommy war.  

Only to throw out a few suggestions on how people can still celebrate the "silly" hallmark holidays with their children without breaking the bank or making crazy crafts that would take days to conduct.  

Like paper-mache earths.

Carry on.

It has to do with this article here.

(Before I say my piece, we all know what opinions are like and that we all have one.  This is just my opinion on this subject.)

If you don't want to read the article I will summarize it for you.

This mommy blogger is pissed off because her oldest child wants to help her and her husband make St. Patrick's day fun for his younger siblings by asking her this.

"Can I help you guys hide the gold coins?" he asked. The WHAT?  "The gold coins. I know the leprechauns aren't real. I know it's you, like Santa. So I want to help you. I can make the leprechaun trap, too."

Then she tells you how when her kids woke up disappointed, they threw fits and she didn't care because every holiday under the sun has been over-commercialized.  She also tells you she is a real life mom who doesn't "pinterest" all holidays for her kids and is happy that she can just get everything she needs to done in a day including spending bathing her kids, helping them with homework and having normal quality time at the dinner table with a homemade meal every night.

After reading the article I immediately didn't like the woman.  

The tone she set in this article wasn't funny. 

It was mean.  

And directed at her children.  

For all the world to see.

This person's comment towards the article is exactly how I feel as well.

Yeah, it's weird how like when kids are born they like have these needs and we're like supposed to take care of them and feed them and then they like grow bigger and we have to like read to them and help them with their math homework and play outside with them and even give them baths...and like sometimes we even have to do silly things for them because they are children and they like to be silly and enjoy their childhood before the actual stress of life kicks in and they are forced to deal with situations and events that are not silly or fun. Seriously, all we need is one more HuffPost blogger complaining about the horrors of being a parent!

Amen.

Suck it up, Kristen Howerton.  Go give your kids a childhood.  

I am a single mother turned into a stay at home mother.  I understand that sometimes you feel worked to the bone.  I understand that this role as a mother may feel like a chore.  However if you live in America, like me, then you have the the choice to have, and/or, keep your children.  

It's not like you are the first person in the face of the planet to have children.  You knew what you were getting yourself into.

I'm sure you knew before going into this lifelong, exhausting wonderful job, that it is in fact a life long, exhausting and wonderful job.

So suck it up.

 Pretty soon your children will be as old, cynical and bitter as you, Ms. Howerton, and you will miss their wide eyed wonder.  Instead of seeing - and turning -  these little moments as negative, why not give them a few positive experiences and help them grow WITH their imaginations? 

It does not have to be pinterest board worthy.  Really!  I promise your kids are not looking for a grown up expectation of any holiday!  This problem she has is not hard to fix.  It can be incredibly cheap and painless to give kids an imaginative filled childhood.

• Do your kids want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?  Spray paint a few quarters or pennies gold and have a freaking gold hunt with them when they wake up in the morning.
  
  
  If they want candy, let them use their gold coins to get some bubble gum at the super market. 
  
  
  
  Or go outside for a freaking leprechaun hunt.  

Cheap.  Easy.  Painless.

• Oh, your kids want to celebrate Pi day and you make a homemade dinner every night anyway?  Chicken pot pie for dinner it is!  What's that?
  
  
  You don't cook?  I'm pretty sure your grocery's freezer section sells really cheap pot pies.  Don't like pot pies?  Real pies work too.  
  
  
  Even semi-burnt ones.  (Take that pinterest!) 

Cheap.  Easy.  Painless.

• So your kid wants to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday?  That's easy.  Read them a book.  Make up a new book by rhyming silly phrases and words.  Or take some tape/staples and make a hat.  Hell, they can even do these (make hats/book) while you make their homemade dinner.

Cheap!  Easy!  Painless!

I understand that in the age of Pinterest we all sometimes feel like we are not doing "enough" because someone is always one-upping you but let me let you in on a little secret.....

Your kids don't give a shit if you spend your money on these holidays.  They only want your time.  Make sure you are spending it with them - while they still want to. 

P.S.

Clara voluntarly interacted with other children today.  She willingly walked away from me and sat in the front row during story time.  And she had a fantastic time while doing it.

Thank all the gods!  There is hope for preschooling yet!

Happy Humpday!

Spin Cycle

Did you know that THIS weekend is St. Patrick's day?  We are so excited to go downtown to see the river dyeing in the morning!  

Also, after experiencing last year's living in Lincoln Park on St. Patrick's day fiasco of people puking/fighting/throwing up/throwing their booze bottles/all of the above in our yard (We had a freaking gate!  This didn't stop them!)...... 

I am excited to spend Saturday OUT of the city! 

(After we see the infamous green river, of course.)

Rhiannon seeing the green river for the first time in 2010

Today I was introduced to what you "normal gym people" probably call "spin class"

I like to call it "hell".

Seriously, I thought I was going to die and/or puke the entire time.  

BUT I DID spin 17.5 miles in 45 minutes which is pretty awesome, since that is exactly how many miles I am going to be riding in the upcoming triathlon   

I am excited for warmer weather so I can just ride my real bike on the  lakefront instead of in a stinky room with a bunch of older people (who are so much better at spin class then me!)

After the class I went to the kids room to pick up Clara.  

I asked them if she was good and if she cried.  

(We had a deal  no tears = a piece of gum for her.)

She didn't cry, but apparently she said this to the woman in charge... 

"You don't touch me!  I don't like you!"

I'm sure I turned beet red while I started to stammer out an apology but the lady stopped me saying it was okay.  

Two minutes later Clara had come back up to her and apologized.  

Now I'm not sure if I should tell her to be nicer to people or congratulate her on not letting a stranger touch her...........

Regardless, a deal's a deal and as soon as we left she looked up and said, "Where's my green gum, Mama?"

Between the green eyes and green nails, nobody better pinch me!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's day weekend!!!!

Preschool!!!/Wednesday Music Break - 39

Today was Clara's first day of preschool.  

She woke up at 6:30 excited as a three year old could be. 

 "I get to go to school today!"  She exclaimed to any and every one that would listen "I get to go to school today!" she said to her big sister.  "Hi dragons!  I'm going to school today!"  "Aww, Buehrle dog!  I'm going to school today!  But you can't come!"  

This is what was coming out of her mouth all morning long.

Well.....I could use four letters to sum up her first school experience.  I'll use four words instead.

BIG.  FAT.  FUCKING.  FAIL.

She cried the ENTIRE TIME.

For three whole hours she stood in the corner and cried.

I understand that the kids have to figure out the separation from mom and dad.......But I'm not sure why the teachers didn't call me.....oh I don't know, after the first hour and a half.

Seriously people!  

I don't want my baby sobbing in the corner for three freaking hours!

(sigh)

I guess we will try again next week.  If it is a repeat performance, school will have to wait a few more months.  

Okay Freddie Mercury. 

I'm ready for my midweek break now..

Happy Hump Day!

(Is that not the most fabulous outfit you have ever seen?)

Stagnant

Yesterday was insanely busy.  

Clara and I had a huge Valentines date in the morning followed by 5000 errands to run in the afternoon.  

Today the poor kid has to have dental surgery.  

(Nothing major, but this is 3 surgeries in 3 years!) 

I've been feeling very stagnant lately.  Have you ever felt that way?  

I'm sick of feeling this way.  I'm ready for spring.

Some wonderful reminders of how extraordinary you are

(and how not to be stagnant) .......

1. A soldier of sorts is diligently fighting the fight so you don’t have to.
2. Someone who suffered from a severe injury last year is back on their feet.
3. A small group of people are building something that will soon make the impossible possible.
4. Somewhere on Earth a double rainbow is stretched from one end of the horizon to the other.
5. One of the next Billboard-chart-topping musical artists is patiently rehearsing in her garage.
6. A piece of literature is being written that will eventually change your perspective on life.
7. Young children all over the world are singing and dancing before they even realize there is anything that isn’t music.
8. A friend is helping a friend rise above thoughts of suicide.
9. Someone is thinking what you’re thinking, but hasn’t said anything yet either.
10. Two people in your hometown are falling in love.
11. Somewhere someone is admiring a breathtaking sunrise, and somewhere else a surreal sunset.
12. People of various religious backgrounds are in temples, churches, mosques and other places of worship praying, wholeheartedly, for world peace.
13. Someone who has struggled with their weight for the last several years is standing on a scale and smiling.
14. Hundreds of cute elderly couples are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
15. A baby girl just took her first few steps without falling.
16. Two best friends are laughing so hard they aren’t even making any noise.
17. A future world leader is in grade school at recess.
18. Someone is in the process of sincerely forgiving a seemingly unforgivable act.
19. There’s a kid studying hard somewhere who aspires to get to where you are in life.
20. A firefighter is running into a burning building to rescue a perfect stranger.
21. Someone in your vicinity genuinely wants to be your friend.
22. A young mom is lying in a hospital bed and holding her newborn baby twins for the very first time.
23. Someone is taking a shower and singing happily at the top of their lungs.
24. There is someone out there who smiles when they think of a specific moment they once shared with you.
25. An alcoholic just celebrated one full year of sobriety.
26. Volunteers in major cities all over the world are working at homeless shelters caring for those who are less fortunate than themselves.
27. A young man is pulled over on the side of the road helping a young woman change a flat tire.
28. A high school athlete just broke her own personal record.
29. Two teenagers just received their very first kiss ever from each other.
30. A husband and wife who were drowning in debt five years ago proudly hold a balance of zero on their credit cards.
31. Someone is hugging a friend who desperately needs it.
32. A new small business owner just wrapped up his first profitable year working for himself.
33. A grandfather is holding his granddaughter’s hand and they’re both smiling from ear to ear.
34. Someone just placed their spare change in the charity collection cup at the grocery store.
35. A small group of friends are sitting around a table sharing funny stories and cheerfully reminiscing about the good old days.
36. A breast cancer patient just found out her cancer is in complete remission.
37. Someone out there is missing you and looking forward to your next visit.
38. Honest people are working for various government entities to help protect your basic human rights and civil liberties.
39. An emergency room surgeon is in the middle of saving his patient’s life.
40. Someone is holding the door open for the person behind them.

(originally from here)

Have An Extraordinary Day!