We’ve all been there.? Lack of sleep, too many things on our mind, and constant chaos cause parents to do (or forget to do) things.
This time I was grilling dinner on the back porch amid the usual chaos.? I made hamburgers and hotdogs, and also some extra chicken so Suburban Mommy could take to work for lunches.? Continue reading The Things Parents Do
There are some parenting situations you just can’t win.? Case in point: Thing 1 and Thing 2 were at it again, in the throws of a heated sibling rivalry.? For a change.
I managed to get control of the situation and both agreed to sit down and quietly watch a TV show together.? They actually agreed on which show to watch, which is quite a win by itself.? Usually, there is an epic battle between The Backyardigans and Diego.? It really doesn’t matter who wants to watch what. Just that one doesn’t want whatever the other wants.
But this time, they agreed.? This time, SuburbanDaddy wins.? Well, not so fast.
Two minutes into it, Thing 1 says he can’t hear, so I make it louder.? Then, Thing 2 says it’s too loud and it’s hurting his ears.? Another heated sibling rivalry ensues.? Lots of screaming, crying, whining.? Some if it mine.? There is no winning.
By the end of the work week, I’m glad that it’s the weekend.? Well, for the most part.? I don’t exactly get to relax on weekends, but at least I don’t have to think about work for two days.
By the end of the weekend, after two days of “relaxing”, I’m ready for it to end.? There is no sadness Sunday night about having to get up early and go to work on Monday.? Maybe 5 years ago, but not any more.? No, now I look forward to Mondays.
We have these Glad containers all over the fricken house.? I am constantly stepping on them, seeing them on the deck, in the basement, bedrooms, and in drawers all over the house.? That’s because getting into, playing with, and moving containers are one of Thing 3’s favorite activities.? Which is all fine and good until you actually need to find a matching pair.
I just don’t get it.? These things don’t come in that many sizes.? How can I have all these tops and bottoms, with NOT A SINGLE MATCH?!? It is soooo frustrating.
The terrible three’s are upon us.? I don’t care what they say, the supposed terrible 2’s are nothing compared to the strengthening will and independence of a three year old.
I don’t know if it will quite reach the level we went through with Thing 1, but it is starting to look very familiar.
Thing 2, who used to love taking a bath and getting wet, now refuses to step foot in the bath tub.? We’ve reached the point where he will at least stand in the tub, but it takes a lot of coaxing.
I took him to get a haircut yesterday and it may as well have been the first time. Continue reading Terrible Three’s Takes Over
Like most kids their age, The Things love to make art projects.? Coloring, painting, collages, and many other works of junk art they produce in preschool.? Tape a piece of yarn to a popsicle stick and, presto, it’s a fishing rod.
Last weekend we went to Home Depot’s Kids Workshop.? Once a month they have ready to assemble wood projects where the kids hammer, sand, glue, hammer, and hammer.? Did I mention there is a lot hammering?? It gets quite loud, but it’s a fun outing and it’s free.
This week we made flag holders.? I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do with them.? I guess we can paint them this weekend.? But then can I throw them away?
What about the dozens of projects they bring home from preschool each week?? Sure, there are the one or two which are worth hanging on the refrigerator or in my office.? But then there are also many works entitled “Three Scribbles on a Piece of Paper”.? Often, the preschool gives them recycled office printouts to write on, so it isn’t even a clean piece of paper.
How long before it’s ok to throw this stuff away?? What will my kids think when they find one in the garbage?