Monday, March 28, 2011

spring break quizzie time

1) For spring break my husband was
a) out of the country
b) out of control
c) out of his mind

The correct answer is a. Though by the looks of the following picture, it looks like b and c would also be acceptable answers...
2) On my first night alone with the kids, I
a) called a friend and talked until the wee hours of the morning
b) called my dog a "poop eating poopy face"
c) called the police

Both b and c are correct. Every once in awhile he eats poop, what else am I supposed to call him?!
About the police. I was scared, thanks to the dogs getting spooked over what was most likely something bumping around in the dryer. So I called the non-emergency number and two nice officers showed up at midnight to "case out the joint". It made me feel better, but I still couldn't fall asleep until 3am. It was a good thing I had Josh Duhamel and Kristin Heigl to keep me company (thanks to "Life as We Know it" starring Frankie Baby).

3) I decided the kids and I should clean and organize the whole house while Bill was gone. I thought
a) this was a great idea
b) it would be fun
c) it would be easy

The correct answer is, of course, all of the above because unrealistic expectations are my specialty!

4) I decided to refresh my memory on
a) the multiplication tables
b) Parenting with Love and Logic
c) curling up in the fetal position and sucking my thumb

The answer is b. Once upon a time, we practiced some of the principles of that philosophy. I have been feeling frustrated with some of my kids behavior, but mostly with my own parenting so it has been really helpful to read. Well, really depressing as I feel like I've done SO MUCH wrong (so maybe answer c isn't too far off base). But I realized as I was reading today that it's not my kids that wear me out, it's my own parenting style. Let me tell you people, lecturing can be exhausting! I am ready for a change.

5) For fun we went to
a) the Children's Museum
b) the Metropolitan Museum of Art
c) the bathroom alone (with the door locked. And a glass of wine.)

The correct answer is a...
6) We ate
a) only organic foods
b) mini corn dogs, taquitos, pizza rolls, pop tarts and donuts
c) on styrofoam plates

Both b and c are correct...
We were neither trying to be health conscious nor earth conscious. We were in survival mode. Survival mode=Butterfinger donuts from LaMar's. No diet. No care.

7) Not to brag, but I
a) actually did the dishes
b) had the house in spit spot condition (finished the exact minute we left for the airport)
c) had meltdowns both on Wednesday and Sunday

All are correct answers.

8) We wanted to go on a fun weekend trip during break, so naturally we went to
a) Cancun
b) Belize
c) Hutchinson, Kansas

The correct answer is c. We met two of my three sisters and the kids got some cousin time in the most over-chlorinated indoor pool ever...
We also got to see my Aunt Maxine who is 93. She wouldn't let me take a picture of her, though. She knows what she wants. And at 93, I'm pretty sure she should be able to get whatever she wants.

9) My third sister was not with us because she was in
a) sane
b) denial
c) Zambia

Definitely c. Can't wait to hear her stories!

10) The last question is fill in the blank:
During our break, one thing we learned was ____________________________.

The correct answer is we learned that though hotels, gas, donuts, and Red Mango all cost money; sunshine is a gift, the park is free and together is the happiest place to be...
And now the sunshine is gone only to be replaced by snow flurries. But my Billy is home. My kids are all in bed fast asleep. And together is still the happiest place to be.






Friday, March 25, 2011

brothers and sisters

I don't believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.
~Maya Angelou

yet another kind of work we have going on around here...
.please note: if you think that we are free from strife in our home since i only posted pictures of children doing the work of brotherhood and sisterhood happily, you are laboring under a misapprehension. i just don't find it the most opportune time to say "smile for the camera!" when they near fisticuffs.

also note: if you think i am a oh-so-smart because i used the phrase "laboring under a
misapprehension"; you are indeed, laboring under a misapprehension.
i learned it from Bridget Jones Diary.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

put 'em to work

one area we are giving more attention lately in our parenting is having, and sticking with, a plan to help our kids understand more about the value of work and the value of money. Though we talk about the importance of giving, saving and then spending with them, we haven't consistently followed through on opportunities for them to live that out.

so, we have just started a somewhat new system. they have the opportunity to earn money each week if they follow through on their daily responsibilities as well as their weekend chores. all must be done well and with a good attitude. we want them to not only have the opportunity to learn now about managing their money, but also to develop a strong work ethic. both are qualities their daddy has in spades. their mommy? a work in progress.

so bill is the one who reviews their weekly responsibilities and gives them their earnings. for example, here he is talking with them after jack and emma spent hours picking up all the winter poop...
emma is smiling because she's got some green coming her way. that's what you get for filling nine plastic bags full o'poop. remember we have two dogs and it was a long winter...
my favorite part was when Jack yelled across the yard, "mom, emma is throwing my poop!" our poor neighbors must think we are so weird. oh yeah, i just remembered, we are.

even though it is best for them to learn the value of work, it's also nice for me to have help around the house...
though, sometimes the help is more work than the work itself...
the very best kind of work.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

poor st.paddy

i've done a little reading about the real st. patrick and he seemed like a pretty legit dude. i think he might be rolling over in his grave if he knew what the holiday in his honor has turned into. though not a drunken fest, what it turned into in our home was not much of a celebration for most of the day.

but lulu was looking festive...
jack had no need of a green shirt, nor any shirt at all of course, because he sported his green on his feet...
tate changed after school into the oh-so-irish color of red. in this picture he is saying, "you better not be taking my picture"...
and em, who was still recovering, was obviously not up for any pictures either...
but this guy was happy to oblige me...
of course our dinner was the traditional irish meal of taco salads. it wasn't a banner st. paddy's day, but the night ended with a special treat. A quick visit from my sister and her family...
too-ra-loo-ra!!

i don't know what that means, but it sounds irish-y and celebratory, at least in the song "come on eileen" it does. and there is no better way to celebrate than with family.



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

one fine day

just 'cuz the middles are sick doesn't mean that lulu and i couldn't enjoy a beautiful spring day...
it was definitely one fine day. well, maybe not for everyone...