The day AFTER Valentine's Day

I've always loved Valentines Day...I think because it's never just been Valentine's Day, but also my little brother's Birthday...and so, on the years and years and years and years (you get the point) that I didn't have a special "Valentine" persay, the focus was always switched to celebrating Don's life instead of me  not getting sweet chocolates or a romantic card. 

Having the girlies has made Valentine's Day even that much more fun!  Our weekend was kicked off by the Classroom Parties...and here are some awesome pictures that will be cherished for years to come by my angels...so that they can remember these wonderful times with their teacher and school friends...

*cricket chirp*

What?  no pictures? 

NOPE...my girlies' ridiculous mother FORGOT her camera on the way to the school...only to remember it upon arriving and then remembering that the school had just sent out an email begging asking the parents to carpool, walk, skydive to the school, because parking is going to be extrememly limited due to the pile up of all the snow from this week...anyone remember that we had 3 snowdays this week???

And so, I just parked my car IN A PARKING SPACE mind you, and got into the school, because I HAD gotten there early PTL...I'm positive that just my presence in the classroom was enough for my dear, sweet girls...

*chirp, chirp*

Yeah, okay...anyway...I did manage to snap a picture of the cute Valentine mice that I made for Peanut's classroom before I left the house...I got brownie points from her for sure!!

I thought they were cute:)

Anyhoo...so the weekend started out great!  I was able to get lots done while Sweetpea was at a party on Saturday afternoon...got the earplugs, the pjs, some shorts, a couple tee shirts, a winter coat...

a winter coat?  for your vacation?  NOOOO, they were on sale and I just can't pass up a 60% off clearance at Lands End...good grief...you do that and you must have sipped some crazy juice!

Hope you enjoyed the LOVE yesterday...more V-day pics to come...
Enjoy President's Day now!

Praise God for Antiobiotics!

I would have updated yesterday, but to be perfectly honest, I was just beat!

It has been a whirlwind of events for the past 48 hours...

The night before last was filled with vomit, diahrea, and "wittle sips" of wa-wa (water) after hacking up parts of her lungs.  Little Munchkin slept much better than she had the night before, seeing as we finally had that silly fever under control...but, it was still filled with that congested cough from the pneumonia and the upset stomach due to all the fever reducing medicine we were pumping her with per the doctor's orders...

We awoke to a few phone calls from the school district who couldn't seem to decide whether to delay school, cancel school, send all the kids to Florida for the rest of the year...whatever...school was closed and that was nice in the fact that we could relax in the morning and not have to rush the girls out the door...however it put a little glinch in the plan of  getting Little Munch to the doctor...because, really, do you WANT to bring a healthy kid into a doctor's office in the middle of flu season and winter viruses??  I think not...

So, Nana and Popi agreed to pick the girls up if we could get ourselves to daddy's office by 11am...this proved trickier than I thought, due to road conditions and the packing skills of my older girls who view an afternoon with Nana like a vacation and must pack EVERYTHING in their backpacks before leaving...

A toothbrush, American girl doll, every Littlest Petshop pet known to man and probably a stray sock later, we were in the mommy-van ready to roll.  Fortunately we did not ROLL on the roads, though we did skid a few times and I had to ignore the cell phone calls from hubby wondering where I was so as not to run myself into the side of Costco's gas station...but we made it.

Once at the doctor's office, Little Munchkin was terrified, which is to be expected seeing that she got...ohhhh, about 8 sticks with needles and was prodded and poked enough times to send anyone to a crazy farm...(and I'm totally exaggerating...I know this...because my little sister had it 100 times worse than my sweet baby...but in the mental state that I am in, I'm trying to make it a bit lighter...so I hope you'll excuse my over zealous behavior with regards to my "silly" words)

When all was said and done, she was prescribed a VERY strong dose of antiobiotics for the next 13 days.  They believe that the strep and scarlet fever rash are definitely bacterial and because pneumonia is a secondary infection AND because it hit her so hard and fast (typical of bacterial infections) they believe that this medication will knock it out of her system.  Although, the pneumonia will take longer to recover from because of the fact that it's in the lungs and some other stuff I didn't understand...but after, "here's a prescription which should help her" I zoned out...dreaming of my daughter reaching age 3 and then going onto graduate and get married and give me grandbabies...YIKES...

So, she's getting better...we're getting a bit more sleep...except that I keep sneaking out of bed just to check on her...and my other two as well...We're staying home this week just to get her strength back...She was asking for spaghettios by the time we got back from the doctors...I would have hoped for a healthier choice, but it's food nonetheless and she hadn't eaten for 2 days, so Spaghetios Italiano it is my love!!

Thank you all for praying my girl...I don't understand how prayer works sometimes and I don't understand God's plan all the time either, but I'm so thankful that it was in his plan to get her healed this time around!  We're not completely out of the woods, but we can see the clearing!!

Snow

I'm not a big "Oh I love the cold" person.  I laugh at the weather men who predict the "snow emergencies" only to have a light dusting...I'm not one who enjoys being cold...seeing that my extremities are always near the point of frostbite, I'm the one trying to slide the thermostat UP, the one you may find  wearing gloves inside her own home, the one that will come out of a shower a bright red because the "hot water" was sooo nice, the one that will put the stove top on to warm her fingers after pouring a glass of milk...

yes, so all that said, it amazes me that when snow actually DOES arrive, I'm one of the first in this household to get outside...isn't it ironic?  don't ya think?? (whoa could totally go into a song here...)

Anyway, we were warned...it had been foretold...we WERE going to get a snow storm...and I must admit...they were actually correct this time...The first time I went out on Friday to shovel, the snow was about 3-5 inches thick...I shoveled the driveway...most all of the men in our neighborhood have snowblowers...some have mercy on me, watching this poor, pathetic mother of 3 trying to shovel her driveway that is about 6 minivan lengths long...but, after awhile, I think they've resigned themselves to the thought, that "she really is nuts"...

And so I shoveled and hauled that snow into a huge pile...my ultimate goal being an igloo for the girls...outside of making snowmen, it's my highlight of the winter season!

When Italian Stallion came home he shoveled again (about another 2 inches had fallen) and by the next morning, when he shoveled again, he had another 5 inches to haul again...

Needless to say, our pile was rather large...it had settled some overnight, which is good for packing sake and for the sake of the one who'd be hollowing out the igloo...you know, in case of cave-ins and such...

I finished the dwelling around 11am on Saturday...I think the girls played in it all of 20 minutes...but, that's okay...cuz I did it...check it off my list...and head back inside to warm my hands on the stove!!!

Into the WILD

My girls can have quite the imagination at times...most of the time they make believe the Boxcar children or anything Narnia..

Recently, they've wanted to watch Magic School Bus a quick 20 minutes before they get on the bus in the morning.  I will say that I get a bit squeamish when Ms. Frizzle takes her children into the decomposing realm of the forest floor..or into the ovaries of a hen...but, we'll just leave that out for this story. 

The girls decided to transform their bedroom into a forest...and I must say, I was a tad impressed.  Thought I'd just share the photos...

And one of Peanut...Literally GOING WILD!

An Event

We decided that this past weekend was the weekend that we were all going to figure out what we're goint to pack for our upcoming vacation...Yes, we're about 3 weeks early...but as you will see, much knowledge is needed with adequate time in order to rectify clothing mishaps...and sooo...3 weeks early, we begin the PACKING...

It was met with mixed emotions:

"awwwwwwww do we HAVE to try stuff on?"

"can I wear my green shorts with my hot pink top?"

"I don't WANT to wear any clothes!"

"Yippee...I'm bringing bathing suits and all my webkins!"

Okay...so we gathered into the guest room where I had assembled all the summer clothing that I could find ranging is ages from 2-4 years 5-6x and 7/8-10/12...It was a regular consignment store.  I want to bless my darling husband who thought we could get much more accomplished if we had everyone do everything all at once. 

For the record, my idea was to take each daughter separately and work one on one with her to figure out the minimum amount that we get by with for our trip...I understood that it would take much longer, but I could concentrate on each child individually...

However, in order to support my husband and his enthusiasm for this trip...we all crammed into the bedroom and went at it...

I should have taken a picture...after Little Munchkin tried on ONE article of clothing, a swimsuit, she refused to try anything else on and just kept pretending to swim around and around the room....simultaneously, Sweetpea was in tears as we told her that NO she couldn't pull her pants up that high, they aren't meant to be up to your armpits and about half your clothes are too small now, so we'll have to figure out something else...AND, at the exact same time as all this and with ME running from the other bedrooms trying to scrounge around for a missing matching top or swimsuit bottoms, Peanut was busy just cruising through all her "tryons" and I have NO idea what fits her or not...

I do know that she chose her neon green skirt with her yellow top as her outfit for Magic Kingdom!  FUN...

I have learned a couple of things though:
1) my girls have my same fashion sense...which is:  NONE
2) we won't loose Peanut at the Magic Kingdom...we'll be able to see her for miles!
3) Kohls runs BIGGGG...Children's Place runs small
4) what fit 6 months ago, will probably NOT fit now...and that includes ME too
5) when it comes to clothing situations and the girls...if Italian Stallion has an idea that veers off from my planned course...smile, thank him profusely for offering to help, and then continue with the original plan!

Pondering

I know that I don't have all the answers...I know that I mess it up more times than I do it right...I know that they will probably have to deal with baggage that I've brought upon them in later years...I know that I will do everything in my power so that they will never doubt my love for them...I know that I am fiercely protective...I know that they will probably think I'm not all that cool in just a few years...I know that they get a lot of their little quirks from me and a lot of their really neat qualities from their daddy...I know that their hugs melt me...that their sweet voices will be missed when they grow up and have families of their own...I know that I love them more than I ever thought possible...

My girls:

Dog Poop

It's amazing what dog poop can do.

I don't actually mean what the "poo" itself can do...but, what the mentioning of dog poop has the ability to do...

It can take a beautiful picture like this:

And make it even better:

Did you notice that smile just getting "that" much bigger? Yep...dog poop...that's what did it...

Honey, lean up against the garage...don't step in any "DOG POOP"...Tada...happy smile...

Peanut, whatcha doin' over there? Are your toes in "DOG POOP"...hee hee, there's that expression that I love...

Dog Poop can also get you pretty "riled" up and goofy too...but that's okay...cuz, I don't have a clue what inspired that outfit, but it fits your personality just fine!

My days are lookin' a little different here lately...with the older 2 gone on most days...just me and Little Munchkin watchin' the endless marathon of Miss Pattycake videos and drinking "afoo ju" But, on those days that Peanut IS with us, I use nap time as a good excuse to spend some quality time with her...we started up piano lessons again today, went to the zoo in the morning and then I thought I'd get around to taking her 5 year pictures...we're only 3 months late, but that tends to be the trend around our house...

I always let them pick their own outfits...so, today I got a couple shades of purple and some pretty big smiles!

All You Really Need

during a thunderstorm, when the lights go out...

Is a good friend...

Miss Pattycake on the laptop...

and, your blankie.

Yep, that's about it...

Thunder, you can go thump on someone else's house, cuz, I'm a little too into my "show" to worry about you none!

I'm so glad Jesus made cars and bikes...

Peanut has a unique way of looking at things...she completely humbles me at times, even inspires me by her childlike purity in thinking.

She has a relationship with her Heavenly Father that even I am a little envious of at times...her prayers are heartfelt and real. No pretense or trying to "find the right words" for her...nope, she just tells it like it is...

And, she blurts out statements that just sometimes stop me in my tracks...

We went on a little "adventure" today...that's what she likes to call them...those special times where it's just me and her or her and daddy. Today, we found a spot to ride our bikes over a really big bridge. She says things like, "It's so pretty Mommy, just wait a minute, I'm almost starting to cry and I can't or I won't be able to see." She just takes things in...

"Mommy, I like when we go on adventures and we see new scenic things" She sounds like she's 5 going on 30, but I love it!!!

So, while on our little excursion, she blurts out, "I'm so glad Jesus made cars and bikes"...yep, she likes her bike. She likes riding with her Mommy. She is learning to be comfortable in who she was made to be!

I'm having a hard time watching her grow though, to be honest. I want to empower her, to have her know that she CAN do it, but sometimes I long for her to just stay that dependent little child.

Last week was her first day at school. In the act of empowerment, we let her get on that bus, and didn't go with her to class, didn't see her at lunch, nor pick her up after school. She rode the bus all the way home.

No, she didn't eat her lunch due to a little nervous stomach...
Yes, her teacher panicked...
No, Peanut had no qualms about using her little charge card at lunch to at least get come chocolate milk, although her older sister wouldn't have TOUCHED the thing without prior permission...
Yes, she left her folder at school...
Yes, a little boy punched her in her arm the first day...
No, it didn't hurt all that much...

and YES, she survived...she made it through...she was proud of herself, she knew Jesus was with her all day too...and YES, she's ready to go back again this week...and I have been informed that she will be ordering pizza on Friday!!!


Another first this week:

She scored 2 goals in her very first soccer game of her entire short life...
She wasn't excited or anything...

An Uneventful day???

I'd like to report that yesterday was thrilling, fun-filled, smiles all around, glorious, uneventful...

But, I'd only be telling a THIRD truth...

You see, only 1/3 of my brood was elated to get on the school bus! Only 1/3 of them was all smiles and giggles and energy-bottled-up-ready-to-explode-if-I-don't-get-to-school-in-the-next-5-minutes!!! AND, she even matched her best friend...they did the whole "coordinate the outfit" the night before...I can NOT believe we are at that stage already!!!

My other 2/3 were a mess...there's just no other way to explain it...I can't even liken it to anything because I could chuckle if it weren't so stinkin' SAD!

The other girlies just cried and cried..."my best friend is GONE...FOREVER..." (we do NOT encourage "drama" in our household, oh no, can't you tell?) I think Little Munchkin just balled because Peanut did and then Peanut kept crying because Little Munchkin was crying...it was the endless circle of tears...

Not to mention that I'm standing on quite the fragile emotional ledge here of late having to watch not one but TWO of my girlies head to school this year and I couldn't even let my guard down because I had to be "strong"...(this isn't necessarily one of "strong suits" either, considering I cry at EVERY viewing of the Notebook, Pride & Prejudice and countless other sappy movies that I"ve seen a HUNDRED TIMES)

But (Oh, thank the Lord for buts...not THOSE BUTTS, but the other buts...are you totally smiling because I keep saying the word but? I think I've been spending a lot of quality time with my 5 year old of late yes?) Anyhoo...the day progressed, we got the happys back...

How can they NOT come back after a trip to Barnes and Noble, getting a free book (SCORE), sucking down a free milkshake (DOUBLE SCORE) and getting to go swimming in the neighbor's pool for the afternoon (SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE...WOOHOO)

With those happys back, my girlies eagerly awaited big sis by picking flowers...I thought these pics were too cute not to share...

Oh, and one more thing...completely unrelated to anything from above...we got a hummingbird stuck in our garge ALL AFTERNOON...so, I just took pictures of the little guy...he kept flying in figure 8s around the ceiling of my garage...we left the doors open, but he just wasn't getting out...Italian Stallion got him out when he got home from work...I'm not going to tell you how he did it, but I will tell you that the little bird DID fly away all by him or herself...he/she may have been a little dazed, but flew nevertheless!!!

A Poem by Italian Stallion

This was my husband's "status" last night...a poem...this was written after we put the girls to bed, I had already let the tears fall once that evening:

Twas the night before summer ends, when all through the house, our girls are the opposite of a quiet church mouse.

As they go to sleep with their eyes shut tight, poor ol' mom is giving her tears quite a fight.

Tomorrow begins a new chapter in our life, as everything changes for my wonderful wife.

At the end of the day when the kids exit the bus, I am sure we will wonder what ever was the fuss

I certainly hope that is the case...although, I'm not quite sure I like the reference to "Ol mom"...honey, what's up with that? He gets back on my good side with his "wonderful wife" plug though...

Yesterday was an adventure, last night we had a great family night...today, "normal" starts to look a little different. I have so many things running through my mind, so many things I'm praying for each of my girls...down to minute details...

We'll see how today goes...I'll post more later...

A Story about a Rock

Actually, it's a whole lot more than just a story about a rock... you see, my husband, that Italian Stallion, still amazes me, inspires me, and reminds me again and again why I fell in love with him in the first place.

Today was open house at our little school. It was Peanut's FIRST times doing the whole "school" thing outside of the security of our home. Now, if you know her well, she tends to be more adventurous (if you want to do a comparison) than her older sister and by and large can "hold her own" with the big kids. But, there is a side to her that surprisingly comes out, that sometimes just throws me for a loop...

But, it doesn't for my husband...nope, he reads his girls like no other person ever could.

She broke down in the classroom today while getting ready to go on a scavenger hunt around the school with her teacher. By broke down, I mean, sobbing. I honestly stood there quite dumbfounded b/c I didn't really know what to do...

in steps: DADDY

Unbeknownst to me, My dear, dear husband traveled back to his old stomping grounds (elementary school) to get something from his old playground earlier today on his lunch break. Something he used to do a lot of times when he was Peanut's age I guess. He stuck that "thing" in his pocket and kept it there all day until this evening when we went to the school. You see, HE had a hard time ad justing to school too...he missed his parents, his older brother & sister, he liked being home and new things scared him at times...so, he would get a little rock from his playground each morning to hold in his pocket...and everytime he felt sad or needed to be reminded of home, he would take out his little rock and give it a little rub. He could pray in his heart and remember that Jesus was already with him.

I don't know how he knew that Peanut would need JUST that sort of encouragement today, but he did...He saved that rock for such a time as this and she put that thing in a secret pocket in her bookbag for safe keeping. She was galloping the hallways after that...

See what I mean? He is just incredible...just another reminder of what an incredible man God gave to me and what an awesome Daddy he is to these girls!

Mmmmmmmmm

Now, THIS is what I'm talkin' about!!!

All that oooey goodness...warm and soft...

Just what I needed after these past few days...These past few days of "oh-my-goodness-school-is-starting-next-week-and-we-gotta-get-all-the-fun-in-before-it's-too-late" I don't mind really...those are just some of the perks of bein' a SAHM..I "GET" to get up and go on spontaneous adventures...

So, don't get me wrong when you hear me "complain" about how tired I am after a week of swimming, museum hopping, ride riding, sleepovers-where-we-stay-up-way-to-late-and-then-get-crabby-in-the-morning, fort making, bounce house bouncing, soccer practice, more soccer practice, birthday celebrations, and basically fill every last moment down to the milli-second with F.U.N.!!! I know this is a privilege...I totally get it..I'm just not sure my BODY gets it...and therefore, I need this: (NEED being the operative word here)


Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh just soothes the soul I think...

And heck, it keeps them occupied too...friends and all...


And who needs plates, when you've got the.......table...sure why not...just remember to lick up every last crum there kiddo!


Of course, what they don't know...is that Momma is attacking this once they finally go to sleep!!!


Cuz, that's what I'm talkin' about!!!

Remember my Strong Willed Child?

Yes, she has a "quality" about her...it's an "aura" of: I'm in charge, I want it my way, and If I can't have it my way...you'll get this POUT and a very edgy, "NO" from me! She can be cute...don't get me wrong...how does that face not melt you?


But, when it comes down to trying to get her to take that stinkin' picture that I so desperately want...it's just not happenin' people...I can not win... Just call her little Miss Uncooperative.

Does she honestly think I don't "notice" that she's not there to just pick the beautiful grass? Does she think that I don't know that she's totally stalling because she doesn't want to take pictures Mommy!!! Yes well...here she is, being uncooperative again...

on second though, that's okay...I think I might just settle for this...cuz, who knows...maybe this is just what I was lookin' for all along...

Seriously Now...

Couldn't you just eat her up???

Did Someone Throw up?

Every other week during the summer, we have Lifegroup. Lifegroup is basically a group of people that get together to EAT, chat, pray, get into some deep Biblical discussions and just get into each others' lives.

We happen to host our lifegroup...it's much easier for us, with little ones to "contain" them at our house...there are lots of positives for having our group meetings here...

One "negative" is the MASSIVE cleaning that must take place before hand...the bribing of young children to clean anything on this day would put criminals to shame...We start out fine, but around 5pm, after cleaning up the family room for the FIFTH time, I'm out of steam...

But that's okay...because DADDY IS COMING HOME!!! He usually walks in the door about the time I'm ready to pull ALL my hair out (and carefully sweep it away into the trash so as to NOT make yet another mess)...

Today however, he called FROM THE OFFICE at 5:30pm. I know this because I scan the caller ID religiously...and it was the office number...

"Hello Sweetheart, why are you calling from the office at 5:30?" I say in my most cheerful voice (if you are not reading sarcasm here, you must not know me well)

He went on to explain that a huge mess had come up at work and he wouldn't be home until just before everyone arrived...I felt sorry for him...I changed my tone and told him not to worry, that the girls and I would manage just fine.

When I got off the phone, Sweetpea (who can read facial expressions and body language better than anyone I know) asked me what was the matter.

I told her that Daddy had a huge mess to clean up at work and he was going to be late...

Her reply, "Did someone throw up?"

Hmmmm...I think Daddy would like to answer that question...we'll save that for him!

We Went to the Zoo Today

Yes… I took my darling children to the zoo.

Was is a mental lapse in judgment?
Too much chocolate & pop over the past few days?
Perhaps it was the frantic late nights searches for my STILL LOST external flash for my camera (that is a whole ‘nother post and I am just not able to bring myself to talk about it yet)?

What was it that purposed in my head that it was perfectly fine to drag 3 young children out in 145 degree weather to walk around in the blistering sun in order to…
See animals? Nope, not much out
Listen to a show? Nope, not open yet

How about EAT? Yeah, that sounds reasonable…let’s drive 30 mintues, unload the entire car, all 3 ride in the stroller for mom to push and then once we get there, let’s just sit and eat every snack known to man…

We ate…we went to the zoo…and ATE! It was as if I had starved them for days and it wasn’t until we reached the zoo that they realized that they had to get nourishment…they needed to eat everything in sight.

We did make ONE stop to see animals…we saw fish…and boy oh boy…

It was a sight to see…all those hot sticky bodies cramming into the aquarium because the HEAT was too much for them outside…mmmmmmm, the aroma of that place was just “something”, let me tell you!

Me craning my neck to keep my eyes on my lovies as they slid their sweaty bodies along the thick glass…

Munchkin screaming at everything that went by and then going into a terrific fit due to the fact that she was 2 hours past her naptime…

Peanut distressed over the crowd of people and the fact that “someone just knocked into my knee Momma…” Let me tell you…the world was about to come to crashing end by the tone of her voice..

And my Sweetpea found a luscious word to verbalize during the entire trip… “Mom, we are sweltering out here…absolutely sweltering!!!”

Yeah, I know…it was your ridiculous mother who came up with the bright idea dear!
We’re done with the zoo for a bit…and I need a frappuccino!

my daily morning routine

It’s 6:30am…I can’t seem to peel my eyes open in order to enter the land of the living…I hear the “MOMMMMMMYYYYYY……ah done nigh nigh…Mommmmmmyyyyy”. But, I just can’t seem to make my body yank itself out of bed. Fortunately for me, I have a darling husband who happens to be a morning person…he just skips out of bed in the morning, greeting it with a smile (Gag me!!) Anyway, he lovingly cuddles little Munchkin and sets her in bed with me. As she pokes her fingers into my closed eyelids and incessantly yells into my face, “Mommy…Mommy…Mommy” I am thinking, “Oh, the morning has just come too quickly.”

I manage to roll out of bed eventually and stumble my way downstairs…being sure to not carry Munchkin down the stairs myself because I can barely balance my own body (WHY do I stay up so late???UGH) I get her set up with round ONE of Blue’s Clues (all the while listening to her banter on about the doggie and outside and eating and when are sissies waking up) and by round two, Honey Bunch (switching from Nipper…trying to find blog names that fit my 3 girlie girls…more on that later) and Peanut have awoken and I begin the “breakfast routine”…

Cereal for Honey Bunch, French toast for Peanut and cheesy eggs for Munchkin…along with apple juice for HB, orange juice for P and milk for M….I get them completely set up…I’ve dragged my feet throughout the entire process, willing my body to please wake up and smell the coffee!!! It takes a good amount of time for us NIGHT people to function in the morning and I am not exempt…

I ask them all…”are you all set? Do you have everything you need?” I can tell by the blank stares that they agree…they all have their food, their drink, and their TV (yes, I do allow my children to watch a full hour of TV in the morning these days…some parents are just better than others…oh well)

Not once during this entire hour process have I heard a peep…they obviously do not need a thing…they are content…quietly welcoming the morning…giddy with their breakfast, ecstatic that mom has finally relaxed on the whole TV watching thing…nope, not a word…I ask again, “sweeties, do you need anything else? Mommy REALLY has to use the potty (and I think I’m about stable enough to do it now!)”
SILENCE…okay…good…it’s the green light…I can now have 5 minutes to myself to really “awaken”

I climb the stairs to our bedroom and enter the master bathroom…check my eyes in the mirror, think about possibly weighing myself…change my mind…see the throne and shuffle toward it…just a few precious moments to myself…it’s not until I sit down that the yelling begins …”Mommy….I need your help!!! Moooommmmyyyyy!” It’s the tone of voice that scares every mother…has someone gotten hurt? Is there blood? Someone is breaking into the house? A fire has started somewhere?

I quickly get off and am yanking up my sleep pants as I franticly run down the stairs to see what has caused such havoc in the mere 2 minutes that I’ve been away… “Darlings, whatever is the matter…what do you need??”

“Mom, could you get me another spoon?”

Seriously? Come on now…seriously?

And the day has only just begun….