Keeping it Real

In the interest of keeping it real, and hopefully finding out I am not alone… thought I’d share a few “Not Me Monday” moments on this Tuesday afternoon….

*It was not me that showed up with the girls at gymnastics last Wednesday with their feet and legs covered in mud from our morning play date at the park.  And as I wiped their legs down with wet paper towels it wasn’t me who was saying out loud so the other moms could over hear how “I gave them baths that morning but then took them to the park to play”  Silly me should have known they’d find a pond and sea weed and a muddy field….

*It also wasn’t me that let my girls pick out their outfits for the week.  I wasn’t so relieved that for once they chose matching outfits that I didn’t care that their choices weren’t necessary appropriate for the days activities… hence showing up for church in jeans and a tinker bell shirt on Sunday and then showing up for her brothers baseball game on Tuesday dressed in her Sunday best…. it also wasn’t my girls doing bridge kick overs on the sidelines in their dresses flashing the parents in the bleachers.

* I also didn’t drop my youngest child off at the church nursery with his pacifier, baby and 2 diapers but yet once again without a diaper bag… and instead of being embarrassed about not having a diaper bag it wasn’t me who was proud that I actually had a diaper to leave for him.

*  And on Sunday after church it wasn’t me who welcomed her in laws and parents for Easter dinner to a house that literally looked like a tornado hit after Saturdays birthday party.  Wasn’t my mother in law that had to clear the raisin bran from breakfast off of the table before setting the table in our hodge podge of place settings…. not exactly a formal Easter dinner, but we did pull off a yummy feast of ham, baked macaroni and cheese, baked pineapple and mixed fruit and veggies left over from Saturdays party.  And I didn’t just throw that last sentence in to try and make myself look a little better after confessing our breakfast wasn’t cleared before racing out the door for church Sunday morning.  Nope not me… 

* I also didn’t overbook our day on Wednesday with a play date, gymnastics, make up art class, soccer practice, and baseball practice…my introverted self didn’t feel so overwhelmed by all of the get together over that day and the day before that I literally blew up at my kids and husband by the evening… no, I know my limits… I don’t try to cram too much into one day and I never, never snap at my innocent husband or take out my stress on my children….

*And my son didn’t show up for baseball practice wearing a dirty uniform b/c I didn’t have time to wash it after the game the night before. 

*Nor was it me that on Friday had my parents running errands for me to get party food while I also ran errands to get ready for the party… No, I would have planned ahead and bought everything I needed ahead of time… no last minute panic over food and shopping for supplies the day before the event.

*Lastly, it wasn’t me that boiled Easter eggs on Sunday afternoon… then had my husband hide them (still hot) in the back yard for the kids to find …my kids weren’t grabbing their eggs like hot potatoes to take into the house and then dye….

How about you?  Have any “not me” moments from last week that you care to share and make this circus mom feel a little better about herself?

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When my son asked if he could bring his light sabers or guns to his sisters first soccer practice, I said no.   Because sometimes it is awkward to deal with the whole gun issue out in public.

Obviously I forgot that little boys will turn absolutely anything into a gun.IMG_0635

So today I said what the heck, bring the gun.  

Which apparently translated to, go crazy, carry a gun in each hand and a concealed weapon… Heck, why not wear the entire uniform!

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So much for flying under the radar… that is something the circus fam just doesn’t know how to do.

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Exciting things are happening round the circus parts this week and it’s only Tuesday!!

Sunday, I ran a half marathon with my FIL.  My friend, who had to run a h2011-03-06 BandA 1-2 Marathon 1alf marathon in order to see me in real life, also ran but she was so stinking fast that I am glad I caught her in line for the potty before the race, b/c there was no seeing her after that.   Dad and I ran at our own pace and I felt much, much better about this race than my last race.  This time, I felt prepared and when I finished I didn’t feel like I was going to die.  Last time I knew I wasn’t prepared and it felt AWFUL!   As an added treat a friend of mine surprised me and ran the last 3 miles of the race with me.  She was a true cheerleader and burst of enthusiasm and I was touched that she went to so much effort to surprise and encourage me.   Joc, you rock!

Monday, I could barely walk…see above…but I did get a night out with my friend Megh.  We grabbed dinner and went shopping for jeans…in a size I haven’t worn in YEARS!!  That’s right folks, I am happy to share I am now at the size I was before I got pregnant with my son, over 7 years ago!!  Wahoo… I am super psyched about that!  And I truly appreciate the time to catch up with Megh as well as her help in answering such baffling questions as “What is boot cut?”  and “Do I want dark jeans or light?”  These are the things I am clueless about and I always appreciate her insight.  She willingly comes along with me when I need a night out of shopping sans kiddos and I love that we can just pick up where we left off, filling each other in on our lives and chatting about movies and TV shows.  We’ve never really been in the same stage of life ever in our friendship, but I truly appreciate how she just sorta rolls with my crazy chaotic life and accepts me for what I am. 

While out with Megh, I got a text from Scott which read “Looks like someone has his first loose toothSmile  I was so happy for him b/c he’s been waiting for a loose tooth since early Kindergarten.  When I got home a few hours later and went in to peek on all the kids, he was still up and was super excited to show me how it wiggles!  Here’s a picture of his smile before it changes.  IMG_9448

Races, New Jeans, Great Friends and Loose Teeth… Oh My… the excitement here at the circus is mounting and we haven’t even reached Hump Day yet! 

How’s your week been?

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Container of dish soap:  $2.00

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Chip in my favorite coffee mug: $10.00

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Keeping 2 sisters happy and entertained for an hour:  Priceless

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Those of you that follow me on facebook or twitter, or have spent any time round these circus parts, know that I whine quite a bit about laundry.  Recently, however, I made a startling discovery.  Rather than being the bane of my existence as I once thought, it is in fact, the key to my happiness?

Say wha??

Last May, I set out with a quest to get entirely caught up on my laundry.  Do you recall that flock of pigs, flying over the state of Maryland last spring?  Yup… I did it.  And then, shock of all shocks, I was able to keep up with it, doing a load a day, for a good solid month, before lil man made his appearance into the world and our family.

And even though he is the most easy going, laid back, and sweetest of babes one could ask for, well, it has taken me 7 months to get back to the point where I am totally caught up on laundry AND MAINTAINING my quota of one, sometimes two,  (depending on how many outfits lil miss decides to wear in one day). 

And the thing that shocked me is when I am keeping up with my laundry, I feel on top of the world.  I feel like I am in control of my house instead of the other way around.  I feel accomplished rather than struggling to survive.

Melodramatic?  Maybe, but let me tell you, I am loving life this week.

Amazing how if your clothes are all washed and put away, your house is instantly cleaner b/c you don’t have piles of laundry lurking in your closet, and hall way, behind your bed, and in your laundry room. 

Amazing how it instantly removes a huge amount of clutter and a HUGE mountain of stress.

This week has been fabulous.  I am staying on top of laundry and dishes and I feel like my house is some what in order.  I am literally a new woman!  And lovin life! 

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Today

October 21, 2010

in Keeping it Real,Motherhood

Today I had planned to write a sweet and nostalgic motherhood type post about my littlest cast member.  But, when quiet time rolled around my head was aching, my mind racing, and the right words and sentiments weren’t coming to me.  

Because today…

*Today I tried to do 2 days worth of school in one morning since we’ll be out of town on Monday

*Today I made banana chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast

*Today I skipped my morning cup of coffee b/c I thought I’d enjoy it more in the afternoon on my way to gymnastics and didn’t want to have too much caffeine

*Today I learned that perhaps I like coffee for more than just it’s savory sweet taste and warmth… judging by the groggy haze and head ache I’ve experienced today, I am wondering if I also like it’s caffeine…

*Today, my husband will return from his business trip!!! 

*Today I sent the kids out for recess.  Later my 4 year old came into the house with dog poop on her shoes only I didn’t notice until after she did an entire gymnastics floor routine on our living room carpet…

*Today I cleaned dog poop off of my dining room and living room and just as I threw the last paper towel into the trash my 3 year old came down the hall crying with a bloody lip

*Today I snacked on too many mini Reese’s PB cups

* Today I managed to make 2 phone calls for our vacation and respond to 7 e-mails during quiet time

*Today, however, I did not manage to sort the massive pile of trash bags filled with clothes that Scott brought down from the attic LAST FRIDAY…. I need to sort out the clothes that are too small for the kids and those they can still wear this winter.  Today, I yet again simply dived in looking for something warm and in the right size for them to wear…

*Today, I also didn’t get the laundry folded and put away… and I don’t think I will b/c  still to do today we have to drive to gymnastics practice, come home, nurse the baby, then go to Tiger Cub meeting, then come home, make dinner, welcome Daddy home from his business trip, and put the kids to bed.

I then plan to sit on the couch with my hubby and watch tv b/c tomorrow’s list is just about as long as today’s.

What did your day look like today?

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