A bit of this, a bit of that

Just a bunch of stuff going through my mind right now:

It's storming like crazy here. Like, power's out at work type of crazy! We're on generators right now.

Carissa is in deep doo doo. We still haven't figured out her punishment, but she broke a bunch of house rules yesterday. She's been doing so well, but my FIL was babysitting yesterday and she took full advantage. And I caught her using her last name and location on the computer. I FLIPPED out. She is grounded from the computer for 2 months. I need her to understand that it's SUPER dangerous to do that.

Tomorrow is Mom's Night Out at The Melting Pot. And it's 1/2 price night, can't beat that. Too bad I can't car pool because I'm leaving from work. I'd like to have a few or ten appletinis.

I don't know what to do about Jocelyn's birthday party. Our pool is likely going to take another 4-5 weeks. Do I put it off for that long? Do I suck it up and do it now with a big hole in my yard? Do I have it someplace like Chuck E Cheese (please no one suggest that)!

Carissa is starting competitive soccer. It's going to be intense. They practice 3 hours per week and have games EVERY SINGLE SATURDAY starting on September 8 and going through February! And then they have four tournaments that are Saturday and Sunday! And I'm not a very good sideline mom. I tend to scream and yell and get all agitated. Not bad stuff, but encourage the kids. I need to learn to keep my big mouth shut. I'll probably go hoarse if I don't!

I just joined BlogHer. It sounds really cool. I would've loved to have gone to the conference. For no other reason that I would have LOVED to have had the chance to hang out with all of those cool gals, and be child free for a weekend. Plus, my friend Nichole lives in Chicago so I could've visited her! We'll see where it goes. I'm no blog genius, but I really enjoy it.

I spent WAY too much money this weekend. I was having a pity party for myself because my husband made me mad. And shopping always makes me feel better. I bought a bunch of stuff at Victoria's Secret, NY and Company and Mervyns. Oh well.

I am doing really well on Body for Life. I'm down to 141. This is the lowest I've been since before Xander was born. And I'm only 5 1/2 weeks into the program. I am hoping to get down to 135. I have actually started to enjoy working out. Might it be that I can lock myself in my room for an hour to lift weights (sans children)? Maybe.

I don't feel like making dinner tonight. I hate making dinner on days that I work. I have no motivation. I love to cook, but not after working all day. And Carissa broke my crock pot on Monday, grrrrr.

I guess this turned into more of a bitchfest. Oh, well.

Our NEW family bed

We have a NEW family bed. And let me tell you, I'm super excited. It means that mommy can finally get some sleep and daddy can finally get some alone time with mommy (wink, wink).

As most of you know, Xander has NEVER slept in his crib. Ever. He hated it. He coslept with us until his baby sister came along. It was just easier. We tried everything, but he just wanted us. That's ok, except mommy doesn't sleep very well when she's crowded. And Xander thinks that you sleep on a bed in the horizontal position. But, we dealt with it for 1 1/2 years.

When it was time for Jocelyn to come we convinced him that the bottom bunk in Robert's room would be a GREAT place to sleep. It took a lot of cajoling, but he finally tried it. It's gone ok. Some nights are better than others. Sometimes he comes in our room, sometimes it takes an hour to get him to stay in his room, other nights he goes right in and stays all night.

Jocelyn on the other hand HATED cosleeping as a baby. Even when she was breastfed. She did not want to be touched or held (must have gotten that from me) when she was sleeping. She was a WONDERFUL sleeper. We'd put her in the crib wide awake and she'd go right to sleep.

Then seperation anxiety hit. And she did a complete 180. Night and day difference. Unfortunately, mommy and daddy have gotten used to having their bed back. But, of course, we let her in. But, she's a squirmy little bug. And she likes to throw her butt around. Literally! She gets up on her knees (in her sleep) and throws her butt to the side. Over and over and over. All night long. It drives me crazy!

It was ok when daddy worked midnights. There was enough room in the bed that she could do her "butt flops" all night long. Now, daddy is on day shift and someone is always getting hit by that little butt. We've been taking turns sleeping with her in the queen size bed in her room. But, mommy and daddy miss each other.

So, we decided to put the two little stinkers together. By themselves! And let me tell you, they love it, we love it and four people are sleeping well! I want to take a picture of them all cuddled up together, but I'm afraid, very afraid, that I'll wake them. But, it's the cutest thing to see them all snuggled up together. And it works!

I know we'll have to break the habit someday (or else people will think we're REALLY strange for letting a sister and brother sleep together), but it works for now. When you have six people in the house you'll do anything to ensure a good nights sleep!

Dear Children

Dear Children,

As you get older and wiser you will begin to think that I have gotten older and dumber. This is not the case. Please understand this now. It will save us both a lot of time and anguish.

I was once your age. (Yes it was in the "olden days".) I thought MY parents didn't know anything. I thought I was smarter than them. I thought I knew all the tricks. My friends even shared some things that worked with their parents. I've tried them ALL. And the ones that I didn't try, your father did. Sure we got away with some things, but believe me, my parents knew I was up to something.

So, here is a list of excuses that don't work:
General excuses
1. All my friends are doing it. (We've already had the bridge talk, you know the one.)
2. I need ______ to be cool. (Already done this too. You're cool in my book and that's all that matters. Someday you'll understand.)
3. It's not fair. (Life isn't fair. I'm teaching you this lesson early so you're not disappointed as an adult.)
Curfew related excuses
4. The payphone ate my quarter. (I've used every variation of this excuse. And, yes, we had pay phones in the olden days. This excuse works even less these days when everyone- except you, I know- has a cell phone.)
5. I fell asleep watching the movie. (Been there done that. No teenager falls asleep, much less watches a movie. Most of the time laughing and gossipping are going on during the movie.)
6. The car broke down/had a flat tire/ran out of gas. (Nope, not believing it.)
7. My watch died. (Definitely not. There are clocks everywhere, not only on your wrist.)
8. I forgot about daylight savings time. (No such thing here in AZ! Ha at least I got to try it when I lived in NY.)
9. I got sick. (Then you should have been home even earlier!)
10. I got lost. (Too bad we now live in the information age and directions are a phone call, button click or computer screen away.)

I'm sure you'll think of new ones. And I'm sure I'll blow all your devious plans to hell when I figure them out.
Just know that I love you and that's why I'm the mean mom. One day you will understand. I promise. Until then, take my word for it. It's NOT worth it.

Love, Mom

This was part of a group writing project called "Dear Children" hosted by Jordan at http://www.mamablogga.com/