The Ethics of Motherhood

Is it okay to completely tune your children out as they go on and on and on telling you lots of things about remote control toys or legos or inventions they are planning which you don't really pay attention to (all the while you continually nod your head and say "oh" and "I see").  When they slip a question in, unnoticed by you, you absentmindedly nod your head (anything to get them out of your hair) and they scuttle off.  A few minutes later, when when you stumble across your kids knee deep in the chocolate chips, a mere half hour before dinner time, you lash out in rage, only to find out that you gave them permission only a few minutes earlier? Is that okay?

Or is it okay to put your toddler to bed only a half hour after she gets up in the morning, because she is being so stinkin' naughty you can't stand it.  And then she plays happily in her crib, reading her books, playing with her babies, while you read blogs and write posts?  Is that okay?

Is it okay to tell your kindergartner that good heavens, for the millionth time, eight plus eight equals sixteen and for the love of Pete just give me the pencil and I will write the answer for you?  Is that okay?

Is it okay that half of my daughters math problems are over my head, and even when I read the textbook, I still can't help her?  Yes, that is bad.  

Is it okay to have neglected the laundry for so long that you actually find yourself digging through the laundry for a not so dirty pair of underwear for a child?  Surely that isn't okay, or is it?

Is it okay to give your daughter only fruit leather to eat all day, because everything else you give her ends up squished into her hair or thrown on the floor, disdainfully rejected?  

Is it wrong to laugh every time your baby shouts "go 'way" in  a nasty tone as any one of her siblings approaches her?  Where did she get that anyway?  Me?  That would not be okay, but is very likely.

Is it okay to have 5 activities scheduled in one day?  No.  But it happens all the time.

Is it okay to have your kindergartener say, "Mom if you made a list at the grocery store it would be easier."?

Oh dear.  Life isn't perfect, but it is exciting when you throw 4 kids in the mix.

Don't Worry, I Have Everything Under Control

I don't know what it is about life lately, but man, things are CRAZY around here.  Between carpooling, the gym, homework, and various school events yesterday I didn't get to shower until 4 (and then we raced, me with wet hair, to swim lessons where I had to fight the monster toddler who kept getting her head stuck between the bars, sitting in puddles, and falling down the bleachers.  Danger child)!  You know you have lost all pride when you go to the 3rd grade Rome play in your gym clothes, reeking of sweat, with your hair pulled back in a greasy and nasty pony tail.  And then there are the swim lessons, piano practicing/lessons, math homework, filthy school uniforms, rashes not being cured by the face cream the doctor prescribed, reading homework, science tests, after school theatre class, set up time for a primary dinner conflicting with the swim lessons, 1/2 cup of milk left in the fridge, sharing time prep, forgetting to call the pediatricians billing office again to clear up the insurance claim denial, YM activities, 2 tons of laundry, no idea what to make for dinner, an almost 2 year old quickly unloading the house one shelf at a time, upcoming birthday to shop for, and YOWZAH!!!  I know, I know, cry me a river, right?  Anyone with young kids is in the same boat, I know. But my great difficulty is being extremely lazy and basically wanting to sit down, ignore the chaos, and read a really great book.  Well, I better go wipe the crusty, dried, cold cereal off the counter, take out the poopy diaper smelling garbage, and take the mildewy towels out of the washing machine.  Or maybe, instead, I will see if I can't get in one more chapter of my book.

A Cold Winters Day

What should you do on a cold snowy day?  Well first eat a nice warm bowl of oatmeal:

Then go and play in the snow (yikes, I wasn't ready to wake up to this yesterday!):


Then right before you go to bed, try and get yourself ready to go out and play in the snow again (I think the bib will really help block the wind):

Proud

I haven't felt this proud of my country in ....well ever.  Last night Rob and I were joyful, ecstatic, and extrememly proud.  Our country rejected anti-intellectualism, we rejected the rule of corporate interests above citizen's interest, we embraced environmentalism, we embraced the idea that even blue states love their country, we rejected an immoral war, and most touchingly and profoundly we rejected racism.  It was a moment I hope I never forget.  Palpable joy was how my Dad described it.  I know it is going to be a long tough slog to change things, to repair the tremendous damage our country has incurred.  But for now, I will enjoy the feeling of patriotism that I feel today.  For me, this was a great moment.

Go Vote!!!

Hallelujah, this election is finally here.  Go vote (preferably for Obama).

(Is this sacrilegious?  Seriously, I feel jubilant that the election will be over and I can get my life back.)

The Year of the Halloween Miracle

I sort of struggle with Halloween.  I'm not a huge fan of the massive amounts of candy that come into my home (mostly because I have no self control and keep pilfering candy out of the plastic pumpkins).  Mostly though, it stresses me out.  I always want a cute house, but refuse to spend much money on decorations and don't come up with great decor, hence the frumpy Halloween decorations at our house. Also, growing up my Mom always made us darling costumes, and I have fabulous memories of costume parades and perfect Halloween satisfaction regarding costumes.  But, me, well, I am not creative, and I don't sew.  I also can't seem to justify spending money on costumes.  So every year I feel very stressed out trying to figure out costumes for the kids.  This year we were lucky.  Emily had a Harry Potter costume just the right size for Tucker.  Lucy wanted to be Hermione and I did not want to order the expensive robe. In desperation, I told the kids we would go to D.I. to see what we could find, and lo and behold we found the PERFECT accesories and exact costumes we needed for the price I was willing to pay.  Everyone was happy, especially me.  It was a Halloween miracle!

Dr. Explosion the Mad Scientist:

(Those 50 cent D.I. glasses are PERFECT, no?)

Harry Potter:

(the glasses another miraculous D.I. find)

Snow White with cousin Chicken:

(perfect fit from the hand-me down costume box)

Hermione Granger:

(Who would have thought we would find the PERFECT

Hogwarts robe at D.I. ? All it needed was a little tailoring

courtesy of Grammy)

Here is the whole gang ready to hit the streets. 

Alice in Wonderland, Indiana Jones, Harry, Hermione, 

Dr. Explosion, Snow White, and Chicken little:

Here is the spot in front of Jennette's old house where

we met up with the Taylor cousins, Peter and Lucy 

from Narnia (aka Ollie and Meg-a-Ra)

Clara really caught onto the idea of Trick-or-Treating.

She charged with the best of the kids and was so pleased

to be getting candy. 

Here she made it up the steps at the Ringer's

where Kelsey rewarded her with lots of chocolate:

Phew, one more Halloween down.  I will start mentally gearing up now for next years costume adventures.

Holy Cow

I grew a giant beet that would make Dwight Shrute proud:

(anyone watch the Office last week? This photo was

in honor of the last scene).