Thanksgiving (and my week as a work widow)

My husband works in the food/catering department of a large grocery store. Thanksgiving is his busy time. The entire week (and the few days after) are filled long hours and little sleep for him. He's worked in the same area for our entire relationship, so I am use to it.

I, on the other hand, am blessed with holiday time off. My Thanksgiving week consisted of a glorious five day weekend. My girls and I packed the week with play dates, holiday decorating, town events, and fun!

I can't believe what a better mother, wife, and person I am when I'm not working outside the home. It was amazing. The house was clean, I spent tons of time with the girls, and we were just all generally happier. My theory is that I can be an great mom and I can be a great employee...but rarely both on the same day.

We traveled (just the three of us) to see the grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins. It was a little over a two hour drive, and we did just fine. The only "glitch" in our trip was the annoyance my grandmother felt toward the high pitcted "shrieks of joy" from my daughters and two year old niece (it bothered her hearing aids). If I had hearing aids I would turn them off whenever it was annoying loud...ahhh, my own special oasis of silence by the switch of a button...

Sunday night, I felt the week was drawing to a close. I decided to go get my hair cut, and grab a latte/tea with my close girlfriend. Husband has been gone all week, more or less, I was sure he'd love some quality time with his daughters. I was gone for less then three hours, and returned to a distater zone. Toys were everywhere, dinner was still on the table (frozen waffles..gotta get those Egos while you can I guess...). The little one was crying for her "blankey", and husband looked defeated. I guess I underestimated how tired he would still be.

Still buzzing from my caffeinated "Sugar and Spice Latte", I busted out the "clean up song", and all was well again. I was in such a good mood, I didn't even care that all my housework had been undone. So, girls and husband went to bed, and I stayed up to watch TV, check email, and reflect on a wonderful time at home. How long until Christmas break...

A Week In The Life...

I have a friend who is very creative. We are part of a scrap booking group, and she is the mommy with the gorgeous layouts and talent. She did a project where she documented the life of her children, using photos and journaling. What a great idea I thought! I am all about writing down memories to share with my girls when they are older (some call this blackmail...)

So, I set out to document the life of my three year old first. It's an exciting little book. I think what this book is teaching me, is that I am ashamed of the meals that I serve!

Saturday...Hardees

Sunday...Panera Bread

Monday...Little Ceasars Pizza

I seem to be tired at night, and quick to order out. I'm sure this is costing us our savings and waitslines. Ugh. Tonight I am motivated to cook something healthy (or at least lie about it in the book!) ; )

There was a time (early in our marriage), when I loved to cook. My mom did most of the cooking when I was growing up, and I never really had the chance to learn how to make anything. It was exciting for me to break open the new cookbooks I received as wedding gifts. It was fun to try out my "mad cooking skills". I will admit that I wasn't the greatest with new recipes, but I wasn't horrible either. My husband was (mostly) kind, and would try my kitchen creations.

Fast forward to present day. My audience is no longer kind, and actually pretty picky/ demanding about their culinary tastes. If it doesn't contain obscene amounts of peanut butter, grape jelly, cheese, ketchup, or mandrin oranges it is deemed unacceptable for my tots. It is exhausting to make a meal, only to have my "mini top chefs" laugh in my face.

"HAHAHAHA, crazy lady you dare to serve me unbreaded chicken in non-nugget form!" "Think again".

"What is this vegetable you attempt to slip on my plate...bring me a Dora Yogurt...walk away slowly and nobody gets hurt".

Baking is another story. I enjoy baking because I know my effort will be well received. Cooking...not so much. Maybe all this stems from psyhological issues I have with people pleasing. Maybe not. I need to just stop giving choices. "Eat this or starve kids". Yep, that's exactly what I will do...tomorrow...Chinese Take Out sounds great for tonight! ; )

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!

No, say it isn't so! My sweet "baby" is 21 months old tomorrow. We are officially in the "tantrum" stage. Ugh. 3 year old was only 17 months old when she became a "big sister". I remember thinking that she "wasn't dealing well". Ha, I was a newbie to motherhood....I now believe that she was "dealing" just fine, she was just at the Tantrum Stage. (AKA Parent Hell).

21 month old has of late started demanding a lot of independence. For example, wanting to walk instead of ride in a cart/stroller...put her own shoes on (backwards)...brush her own teeth and hair...the list goes on and on. This is very hard for me, as I tend to be a bit of a control freak.

Communication is the key to all relationships...and the parent/child relationship is no different. Most of the trouble we are having right now is because we can not understand/communicate with eachother in an effective way. It will improve as her language grows. But it's going to be a bumpy ride!

A few days ago, 3 year old was playing with her Barbie Dolls. 21 month old decided that was not acceptable. She wanted them, and she didn't want to share. So, she went over, pushed her big sister and took all the dolls. This landed her on the dreaded "Time Out" rug. She cried a bit, then hugged me and said "sorry" to her big sis. Whew, lesson learned (NOT!).

Now, she likes to play the "Time Out" game. She puts her Elmo in Time Out, and chews him out for whatever he has done. Mocking me? Perhaps, and I must say I look very bossy through her eyes! At daycare, she puts herself in timeout. Smiles, and wants the "make up" hug.

Oh, sweet little girl. We sure do love you...and that is a good thing because this tantrum stuff is not for the weak.