Let me out of here

Today was the first full day of school for my little guy. I have been dreaming of this day for almost a year. To have a house that can stay clean for more than an hour, down time, projects I can finally get too. A stay at home mom's version of success. I was a little sad at first, now I am a lot sad. I have spent 5 years with this guy, just about every day, teaching him, talking to him, interacting with him and some days the conversations I have with him is the only other "grown up" talk I get until my husband gets home. Today, it is very quiet. I miss him. He was ready to go, he has always been a people person. He wants to be around other kids 24/7. My son thrives when he is around other kids and gets really down when he is at home too much. Of course, like many other first time parents, I think of the nest analogy. Us pushing him to the edge of the nest, giving him a nudge, the little bird would hang on for dear life, only to drop and see he didn't die. That is not us. Instead, my little bird has pushed us out of the way and jumped all by himself. Don't get me wrong, I am happy he gets to start his life. He will be happy, we will be happy. Right now, I want him back in my nest, bugging me to play. This is good for me because I have at times taken my time with my kids for granted, so I think I have been pushed out of the nest a little bit too. The message for me today is BE PRESENT, everyday because one day my second little guy will want to jump too. I need a tissue.

Did you ever.....

did you ever wonder what happens if you drop anything through the crack in the elevator floors? You know the ones right below the threshold. Neither had I until today. My son had my keys and as the door to the elevator opened he dropped them right in that 3 inch crack in the doorway. This is what happens if you drop anything through the crack in the elevator floor. They have to find some guy in the building maintenance department who is in the middle of something way more important than you, to come and lock the upper floor elevators, walk down 5 flights of stairs and open the hatch to the floor and jump down and fish them out. This happened at lunch time with cranky, hungry children. awesome.

Voted off the Island

This morning my son got really mad at me "You are never going to be a part of this family again" and then took me by the hand and told me I had to stay in the basement from now on. I was shocked, hurt and amused all at the same time. Where does he learn this? I told him that he looked really upset and maybe going to have some private time might help him to feel better so that he doesn't use hurtful words. To which my sweet, kind boy said "I will after you tell me where your going to live now" I am the weakest link. Goodbye

When I go

Today I'm thinking about my legacy. This is how I want my children to describe me.

loving, honest, strong, resilient, kind, faithful, present, funny, happy, patient, smart,

The question I needed to answer was this: Is the way I live, reflecting the legacy I want? For the most part yes, until I get to the present and patient parts. I have to work, sometimes very hard to be present- I'm a stay at home mom and being excited about kids 24/7 is impossible. Often I wonder if my children need so much because I'm not present enough. Physically, I most always around but to be connected to the moment-I'm not so sure. The question of my life? How can I be present for them, when at times I don't even feel present for myself? Help! someone throw me a cheerio, I'm drowning in a sea of reflection. If you can't find one, just look on my family room floor.

P

Gross Mom Stuff

If you have kids, you have weird, gross things that happen all the time. Three days ago, my 12mo old had a little ring like thing on his lower back, two days later it is all over his behind. I did some reading and thought it might be ring worm. I was a little miffed because I am neurotic about changing diapers but I took him to the doctor today and it appears I was right. The prescription was $7, not too bad. What I was amazed to find is that iyou can see a picture of just about any rash, illness or horrible thing that could happen to a person. Today I found the Mercedes of sites that actually made a slide show of ringworm pictures. Now, I ask you. Do you need moving pictures of a skin fungus? I do not, still i thought you might be short on entertainment and want to share in the wealth. Know of any other "interesting" sites? Let me know.

Right On, P

http://www.medicinenet.com/ringworm-pictures-slideshow/article.htm

Why?

I've been on this planet for a while and have seen, done and thought about doing a lot of things but I have never thought of this. Playing hi-ya with the dog with a steak knife (my five year old, three days ago). Booby trapping the family room with the garbage from the trash (again, my five year old) for the dog, while chasing him with the vacuum attachment. Finally, pouring his juice box all over his baby brother, just "because he was thirsty" So in case you are wondering what the outcome or consequences of these ideas were. I'll fill you in. The hi-ya game resulted in a Huge gash in my boy's thumb, which meant he missed Tucker (the 70 lb yellow lab, that owns us)
and Tucker was unscathed. We debated on stitches, my loving spouse said just patch him up but looking back, stitches might have been in order, because the next day during his soccer practice, he pulled the bandages off and bled all over the place, which he thought was pretty cool. He told everyone a bear got him, He probably should have booby trapped the playing field. About the mine/booby trap field (family room) My son had to clean up his mess with a stern warning that the trash stays in the trash can. Finally, I gave the baby a bath and again a conversation with my son about not pouring ANYTHING on his brother. Now that your a year older,
How do you spend your day?

The hardest job

I have concluded the hardest job I will or have ever had is being a parent. I know that is not news to so many people but I'm semi-new at it. My kids are only 5 and 1 and they are both boys to boot. I didn't grow up with brothers so....the things they can do are at times flat out weird and foreign to me. For me, the hardest part of my job is not knowing what to do. Most everything else in life comes with instructions but not this. You never know if you're doing the right thing or not and you won't know for many years to come. Today, my five year old has spent countless minutes in the naughty seat. Forget all of this, just now my little guy came in and said. "I just came in to see if you want to share my cheetos Gotta go.

P