Lenny took the kids out for donuts, so I’m sitting on mine (see Lesson #10) and avoiding the stack of dishes in the sink and laundry on the floor. I know, I spoil myself.
Lesson #1: The gingerbread house continues to be my nemesis. Yes, Aimee, I did get that lovely “easy” pre-made house at Costco you recommended. And I thank you very much for that tip given my past failures. But that didn’t stop Little’s frosting package from exploding all over my hands. At which point, I just rubbed the icing on, made it a snowy roof and called it a day. (Our house still smells like an airport Cinnabon stand.) Next year I’m going to have Lenny do them. (Yeah, I know, I’ve said that before.)
Lesson #2: California living has spoiled many of us. The other morning at the bus stop it was in the 30s and everyone was in shock that it could be so cold. In December. Without heavy jackets. Or scarves. Or gloves. (Myself included, of course.) But don’t feel too bad for us, by afternoon bus pick up, everyone was pushing up their light-weight sweater sleeves surprised by how warm it was.
Lesson #3: When you have your kids 2-1/2 years apart, you can pretty much guarantee that, just when you think you’re done with a stage, the younger one starts it. This week it was allergies and naps. Little finally had a successful peanut butter trial (“Peanut Butter is the best thing ever!”) and Pink’s ended up with a rash on her face at the introduction of each new food. Also, Little seems to be outgrowing naps and Pink is growing into napping. Guess I’ll just have to hand Little a spoonful of peanut butter when she goes down to keep him quiet so it lasts!
Lesson #4: Getting out the door when you have a baby who actually needs to be fed more than a bottle is virtually impossible. Especially when that baby is allergic to everything. Somebody needs to make rice cereal breakfast bars (Leslie, I’m talking to you).
Lesson #5: Sometimes your kids know just what you need. The other morning Pink started her napping streak (and slept for like 2 whole hours!) so I could do a number on cleaning out the playroom (aka garage), and Big held my hand the entire walk home from the bus telling me all about his day. Both totally out of character, both totally made my day.
Lesson #6: After filling four garbage bags to donate to our local shelter, I realized it’s not the toys that make my house a mess, it’s the kids. And nobody will take them for a tax write off.
Lesson #7: When the kids say, “There are 18 days left before Christmas?!” it has an entirely different sense of panic than when I say it.
Lesson #8: A cartoon cart at the grocery store trumps a real-life fireman at the grocery store. My apologies to the kind man who was trying to make Little’s day by chatting with him in the aisle. I’m afraid Jake and the Neverland Pirates can fly, so until you can do that, you won’t see much more than the top of his head from that cozy blue cave.
Lesson #9: Kids will constantly find new ways to issue the Miranda rights of parenting. For instance, Little used this one against me the other day: “I want gum or candy.” No, I’m afraid we’re not having gum or candy this morning. “Those are your two options. Gum. Or Candy. Which one will it be?” I didn’t give him either, but I did give myself a pat on the back because it proved he must be listening, and I must be fairly consistent in my approach.
Lesson #10: You know you have good neighbors when you make a joke about your ridiculous tailbone injury (which is back with a vengeance) on Facebook and someone shows up with an inflatable donut cushion. (Thank you, Linda!) Which, by the way, also doubles as a hat for a 3-year-old boy.
May your week be merry and bright!
I was wondering what happened to your g-bread house! Exploding icing? You can’t help that – it wasn’t YOUR fault 🙂 Love #8… you’re a better mom than I am because I always make an excuse about why we can’t use them.
Better mom for using a cartoon cart? Not so sure about that. 🙂 Hope your gingerbread house was more successful!
Been there…#1, Lovin’ #5, Crackin’ up at #10! Hope your tailbone and your cold are on the mend soon!
Thanks again, Linda. Afraid I need that donut now more than ever after our glider decided to take me out in the middle of the night last night. Talk about bad luck.