I feel like I am always racing the clock. Go here. Go there. Do this. Do that. And it just seems to get worse as the days pass. I am holding on to hope that one day I will just slow down.
I envy my older neighbors with grown children - many of their children my age or not far behind me. They just seem to enjoy life, their surroundings, their food, the air. They move slower, look more relaxed, seem so content. For just one weekend I want to be like them. I want to spend all weekend just leisurely painting a bedroom listening to the music I want to listen too. I want to cook a full meal with my husband and eat it slowly in silence while I drink glass of wine. I want to work in my yard all day and just enjoy the plants, get dirt all over me and then kick back with a beer afterwards.
In retrospect, I used to do all those things before I had kids. But now, I am running full speed all the time. And it is tiring. We are told as parents to slow down and enjoy all the moments with our kids but I feel sometimes those moments are measured and limited by the clock.
Sure one day I will be like my empty nest neighbors. And I will want to go back to when my kids were little. I know that. But, I need to figure out how to slow down the clock so I can at least catch my breath.
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Life
Got my hair chopped - $14.50 at Cuts Plus (what a bargain for how cute and sassy it is. Hubby loves seeing my neck! I went very short!)
Had a job interview - still thinking about the offer and what my counter will be.
Still working - freelance work has been lucrative and is still coming in . . . will be working all weekend.
Almost out of diapers - My Boy has been doing great with the potty training. Can't believe he has gone so many days without an accident. He took so much longer than my daughter. Now to work on getting that thumb out of his mouth. Goal is by his 3rd b-day in July.
Got a free microwave - our 26 year old microwave died. I posted on the northshore freecycle yahoo group that I was looking for a working over the range 30". Sure enough someone had one laying around they weren't using. It is 10 years newer than our old one, same exact brand and style (just newer) and fits and works perfectly! Nothing like getting something for free!
I know someone with Swine Flu - My friend B is from Mexico city. She just posted on Facebook that her dad who still lives in Mexico City has Swine Flu. Not good.
Last week of school - My girl will be finishing Kindergarten this week. It is bittersweet. She told me yesterday that in 4 more day she gets to hang out with me all summer. How sweet. I bet she changes her tune after week 1.
Had a job interview - still thinking about the offer and what my counter will be.
Still working - freelance work has been lucrative and is still coming in . . . will be working all weekend.
Almost out of diapers - My Boy has been doing great with the potty training. Can't believe he has gone so many days without an accident. He took so much longer than my daughter. Now to work on getting that thumb out of his mouth. Goal is by his 3rd b-day in July.
Got a free microwave - our 26 year old microwave died. I posted on the northshore freecycle yahoo group that I was looking for a working over the range 30". Sure enough someone had one laying around they weren't using. It is 10 years newer than our old one, same exact brand and style (just newer) and fits and works perfectly! Nothing like getting something for free!
I know someone with Swine Flu - My friend B is from Mexico city. She just posted on Facebook that her dad who still lives in Mexico City has Swine Flu. Not good.
Last week of school - My girl will be finishing Kindergarten this week. It is bittersweet. She told me yesterday that in 4 more day she gets to hang out with me all summer. How sweet. I bet she changes her tune after week 1.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Off to school she goes!
Well, today was the official first day of Kindergarten for my oldest.
She was a little nervous and a little excited at the same time. She said she loved her teacher after spending time with her at the prescreening. So that was cool.
She got up very excited and said, "This is going to be so fun!". She got herself dressed (she normally doesn't!) and listened the first time when asked to brush her teeth and hair. She was very particular about how she wanted her hair. Kinda funny! She also didn't want anything messy in her lunch as it might get on her uniform. Chuckle!
At breakfast she told me she was going to be just like her big cousin Mia. Then, when I said, "time to go" she got scared and tried to procrastinate. Bathroom run, etc. I finally got her in the car after a brief photo opt and off we went. She wanted me to take her and walk her in the first day and she would ride the bus home and from the next day on. So I did.
When we got to her teacher she saw a few friends and a couple of new classmates. It was when I went to leave that she got weepy and clung to me. This has been a theme all summer when I take her anywhere and have to leave. But I always find out that she was fine about 2 minutes after I left. So I gave the teacher a heads up about this beforehand and she told My Girl she would hug her so mommy could go. So My Girl clung to her leg and I turned and left. It may sound harsh and sad, but really it wasn't. I know My Girl well. After going through the door I peeked back through and watched and it was less than a minute and she was fine!
So little bro and I headed back out to the car and suddenly he started crying and saying, "No car mommy!" I couldn't figure out why? He finally pointed at the buses and cried, "Go on bus!" He wanted to go on the bus! Too funny. He cried all the way home about that!
Little bro misses his sissy. He has been asking about her all day. We went to the store and when we got back in the car he said, "No home mommy. Get sissy." I told him that Sissy was at school. He kept repeating. "Sissy school. Get sissy." Then at lunch he asked, "Sissy home?" No, I told him. It was going to be awhile. He is napping now and I guarantee he asks for her when he gets up! Poor little guy is missing his friend!
I am sure Sissy is having a blast. I know her. She adjusts quickly! I am anxious to hear about her day!
She was a little nervous and a little excited at the same time. She said she loved her teacher after spending time with her at the prescreening. So that was cool.
She got up very excited and said, "This is going to be so fun!". She got herself dressed (she normally doesn't!) and listened the first time when asked to brush her teeth and hair. She was very particular about how she wanted her hair. Kinda funny! She also didn't want anything messy in her lunch as it might get on her uniform. Chuckle!
At breakfast she told me she was going to be just like her big cousin Mia. Then, when I said, "time to go" she got scared and tried to procrastinate. Bathroom run, etc. I finally got her in the car after a brief photo opt and off we went. She wanted me to take her and walk her in the first day and she would ride the bus home and from the next day on. So I did.
When we got to her teacher she saw a few friends and a couple of new classmates. It was when I went to leave that she got weepy and clung to me. This has been a theme all summer when I take her anywhere and have to leave. But I always find out that she was fine about 2 minutes after I left. So I gave the teacher a heads up about this beforehand and she told My Girl she would hug her so mommy could go. So My Girl clung to her leg and I turned and left. It may sound harsh and sad, but really it wasn't. I know My Girl well. After going through the door I peeked back through and watched and it was less than a minute and she was fine!
So little bro and I headed back out to the car and suddenly he started crying and saying, "No car mommy!" I couldn't figure out why? He finally pointed at the buses and cried, "Go on bus!" He wanted to go on the bus! Too funny. He cried all the way home about that!
Little bro misses his sissy. He has been asking about her all day. We went to the store and when we got back in the car he said, "No home mommy. Get sissy." I told him that Sissy was at school. He kept repeating. "Sissy school. Get sissy." Then at lunch he asked, "Sissy home?" No, I told him. It was going to be awhile. He is napping now and I guarantee he asks for her when he gets up! Poor little guy is missing his friend!
I am sure Sissy is having a blast. I know her. She adjusts quickly! I am anxious to hear about her day!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
One child in this world listens
If you are a parent you will be so amazed by the story I am about to tell you. It blew my mind and I am serious when I say I missed the opportunity for an autograph.
I was in Chick-Fil-A with the kids enjoying their indoor play structure and killing time during the witching hours. A young boy came in to play and had on a t-shirt with his schools name on it. It happens to be the school where my girl will start Kindergarten next year. So I ask his name and what grade he is is (First Grade) and introduce him to my daughter. I tell her he will be in her school next year but a different grade yada yada yada.
A little while later a striking man pops his head in and calmly says, "Jay, time to go." And then turns and goes back to his seat and lets the door slowly shut behind him. The boy I was talking to was "Jay" and he sits down, puts his shoes on and walks out politely saying goodbye on his way. I catch the eye of the mom sitting across from me and say, "Unbelieveable." She laughs.
NEVER in my parenting life have I actually seen such obedience. The child actually did exactly what his father told him too do. And I mean immediately! No hesitation. No whining. The father did not have to return to the area and REPEAT HIMSELF!
I literally wanted to run out the door and ask that man for his autograph. He wins the parenting award of the year. I want to know how in the hell he managed that!
Hmph! My girl would whine:
"JUST ONE MOOOOORRRRE MINUTE!"
"Okay, but just let me go down the slide one more time."
"I can't get my socks on myself so you have to help me"
"Let me say goodbye to that girl"
"I am not ready to go yet."
or the best is what she actually said to me that night when I told her it was time to leave - ready for this one? - "I'll tell YOU when it is time to go."
Needless to say that one landed her a quicker exodus!
I was in Chick-Fil-A with the kids enjoying their indoor play structure and killing time during the witching hours. A young boy came in to play and had on a t-shirt with his schools name on it. It happens to be the school where my girl will start Kindergarten next year. So I ask his name and what grade he is is (First Grade) and introduce him to my daughter. I tell her he will be in her school next year but a different grade yada yada yada.
A little while later a striking man pops his head in and calmly says, "Jay, time to go." And then turns and goes back to his seat and lets the door slowly shut behind him. The boy I was talking to was "Jay" and he sits down, puts his shoes on and walks out politely saying goodbye on his way. I catch the eye of the mom sitting across from me and say, "Unbelieveable." She laughs.
NEVER in my parenting life have I actually seen such obedience. The child actually did exactly what his father told him too do. And I mean immediately! No hesitation. No whining. The father did not have to return to the area and REPEAT HIMSELF!
I literally wanted to run out the door and ask that man for his autograph. He wins the parenting award of the year. I want to know how in the hell he managed that!
Hmph! My girl would whine:
"JUST ONE MOOOOORRRRE MINUTE!"
"Okay, but just let me go down the slide one more time."
"I can't get my socks on myself so you have to help me"
"Let me say goodbye to that girl"
"I am not ready to go yet."
or the best is what she actually said to me that night when I told her it was time to leave - ready for this one? - "I'll tell YOU when it is time to go."
Needless to say that one landed her a quicker exodus!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monday Mission-Impossible
Today's Mission was to accomplish a short list of things. And I will gladly accept the award for Mission-Impossible.
List was as follows:
1. Pack up christmas decorations (that have been sitting in guest bedroom for weeks!)
2. Vacuum house with new vacuum cleaner purchased over weekend
3. Clean up mess in daughter's room
4. Mop kitchen floor
5. Pay bills
Seems easy enough. Except when it is MLK day and both kids are at home with you and they haven't been outside all weekend due to unusually cold weather for Louisiana.
The girl woke up cranky and remained that way all day. She lost TV viewing rights immediately. Which of course made my day miserable. The boy was just being his new 18month old self. Climbing on everything in site. Getting into anything he could find and screaming at his sister every time she ripped a toy out of his hand. The battles were dragging on. It was time to take a get well card to the neighbor and the girl lost her mind over what to wear! Happens daily. Did I mention she will be 5 next month?
The get well card suddenly was lost after the clothing battle. After 20 minutes of looking (I knew the damn thing was in the house!) we finally found it wedged between the girls bed and the wall.
After that errand we returned home to more screaming, whining, fighting, etc. Mom couldn't take anymore. I had only one solution to save my sanity. Starbucks! Packed up the kids and even the damn dog (per the request of the boy in his toddler language) and off we went. The girl complained the whole way and the boy fell asleep. I think her complaining bores him. I know it does me! Anyway, I got my skinny mocha (don't try it, not good. Stick to the other sugar free flavors!) and drove around for awhile until we all cooled our jets!
Back home I put the boy to bed and set the girl up to paint. I started dinner, loaded the dishwasher. I checked my to do list. Not a one thing done.
It was a Monday Mission-Impossible!
List was as follows:
1. Pack up christmas decorations (that have been sitting in guest bedroom for weeks!)
2. Vacuum house with new vacuum cleaner purchased over weekend
3. Clean up mess in daughter's room
4. Mop kitchen floor
5. Pay bills
Seems easy enough. Except when it is MLK day and both kids are at home with you and they haven't been outside all weekend due to unusually cold weather for Louisiana.
The girl woke up cranky and remained that way all day. She lost TV viewing rights immediately. Which of course made my day miserable. The boy was just being his new 18month old self. Climbing on everything in site. Getting into anything he could find and screaming at his sister every time she ripped a toy out of his hand. The battles were dragging on. It was time to take a get well card to the neighbor and the girl lost her mind over what to wear! Happens daily. Did I mention she will be 5 next month?
The get well card suddenly was lost after the clothing battle. After 20 minutes of looking (I knew the damn thing was in the house!) we finally found it wedged between the girls bed and the wall.
After that errand we returned home to more screaming, whining, fighting, etc. Mom couldn't take anymore. I had only one solution to save my sanity. Starbucks! Packed up the kids and even the damn dog (per the request of the boy in his toddler language) and off we went. The girl complained the whole way and the boy fell asleep. I think her complaining bores him. I know it does me! Anyway, I got my skinny mocha (don't try it, not good. Stick to the other sugar free flavors!) and drove around for awhile until we all cooled our jets!
Back home I put the boy to bed and set the girl up to paint. I started dinner, loaded the dishwasher. I checked my to do list. Not a one thing done.
It was a Monday Mission-Impossible!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
More on Working Mom Flexibility
If you missed my post "My Thoughts On W-O-R-K" read it now. The following is more related articles.
ABC is running a bunch of specials entitled Take Control of Your Life. See the articles and videos here:
Take Control of Your Life
ABC is running a bunch of specials entitled Take Control of Your Life. See the articles and videos here:
Take Control of Your Life
Saturday, October 6, 2007
How did you meet daddy?
Yup! My girl popped that question tonight at dinner. A mere 4 years old and already I have to answer such questions. After I explained how I met him she followed my reply with this:
"So then you played with him, sang songs, went to the park, danced around, played games, and then told each other your names? Oh no, you are suppose to tell each other your names first!"
Ugh. Well, it sorta went like that . . .
For more laughs you have to read this article that arrived in my inbox recently! It will crack you up!
How to decide who to marry- by kids
"So then you played with him, sang songs, went to the park, danced around, played games, and then told each other your names? Oh no, you are suppose to tell each other your names first!"
Ugh. Well, it sorta went like that . . .
For more laughs you have to read this article that arrived in my inbox recently! It will crack you up!
How to decide who to marry- by kids
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Experienced parents need reply
Ok. So my husband ran into a dilemma today that I didn't have a good answer for him when he asked how to handle it. He was at Wal-Mart with both kids. 4 year old daughter needed to go potty. They do not have a family restroom. He said the men's was incredibly disgusting and there was no way he was taking her in there especially since she had to sit. And he couldn't go in the ladies room with her. So he left the store and brought her home to go potty. What should he have done? He considered asking another mom to take her in for him, but he is very protective and said he didn't see someone he thought he could trust around to help him. So, I ask you experienced parents, what do you suggest?
Also, my son is cutting lots of teeth as I write this. Is it possible i could be feeling his pain? My teeth (especially in the back) have been hurting the last few days. Kinda like men who experience morning sickness when their wives are pregnant? Possible you think?
Be heard!
Also, my son is cutting lots of teeth as I write this. Is it possible i could be feeling his pain? My teeth (especially in the back) have been hurting the last few days. Kinda like men who experience morning sickness when their wives are pregnant? Possible you think?
Be heard!
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