Only one week and six days of summer left.� My heart is no longer broken.� In fact, after yesterday, my heart is rejoicing, exulting, jumping like a one-legged frog on hot pavement at the prospect of time apart from my endearingly aggravating sons.
Yesterday?� They sucked.
To be fair, we’ve been out late almost every night since Friday.� We went to IKEA three days in a row thanks to a comedy of errors not funny enough to recount.� Then The Mister’s cousin from Colorado decided to drop in on Monday and we stayed up late at my in-laws to visit.� Tuesday I made dinner for friends recovering from surgery, so we had dinner at their house.� All in all, we haven’t been home before 9:00pm-10:00pm for four nights in a row.� So, yes, to be fair, they are over-tired and could use at least a couple of days without errands or obligations.
Guess what?� Not in the mood to be fair!
So, I still say they sucked.
Yesterday Nicholas cried.� He cried because he had to go to the bathroom but didn’t want to stop playing dinosaurs to go to the bathroom.� He cried because he was hungry.� He cried because he was thirsty.� He cried when he fell off the stool he climbed while trying to grab the flashlight I told him was off limits.� He cried when he had to brush his teeth.� He cried because he couldn’t find his tan shoes.� Or his blue ones.� Then his blue shoes hurt, but really it’s because he hurt his ankle when he fell off the stool.� He even cried as we drove away from the book drop at the library, his face red and wet as he cried out, “I’ll miss you, dinosaur books!”
You know who didn’t cry?� Me.� I stared straight ahead at the windshield.� Okay, maybe one time I turned around in my seat and said, “Seriously?� Are you kidding me with the crying?”� But other than that, I stewed and wished my eyelashes weren’t one of my best features.� Otherwise, I would have plucked them out one by one just for the distraction.
Mikey?� Not an angel.� He wasn’t a Nicholas Sparks wet handkerchief like his brother, but who has the time?� He was too busy spilling cereal on the floor or “forgetting” to put on his shoes (three times).� Actually, he was very well behaved and helpful the last couple of weeks, especially at the dentist on Tuesday.� That’s why I caved and let him have one of those little megaphone things they sell at Borders.� They’re the kind that garble your voice and make it sound electronic, but at high decibels.� I told him I would buy it for him on the condition he didn’t talk through it nonstop.� Sure, he talked through it nonstop.
It was a compulsion for him.� Not a thought went through his head that he didn’t share via the megaphone.� The sound of his voice fascinated him.� Stares, warnings, threats–nothing worked to convey my theory of moderation.� Finally I had enough and said (loudly), “Mikey, I’m not kidding.� You talk through that megaphone thing one more time and I’m tossing it into the fountain.”
(We were standing next to a fountain.)
And that’s when he put his lips to the megaphone and said, “Copy that, Mom.”
I didn’t toss it into the fountain.� Instead, I took a deep breath, opened up my copy of Artful Blogging, and sat on a bench while they tossed pennies into the water.� I was only interrupted by pleas for more money 32 times.� It was very restful.
Hah!� Hah hah!
Hah.
The rest of the day went like this:
- I made cookies.
- Something happened, and they sucked.
- We went thrifting.
- I burned dinner.
- We ate at El Torito.
- I don’t really like El Torito.
- Nico cried.
They’re lucky they’re cute.
I don’t write any of this for sympathy.� My story is the same story as every other mom with young children.� On the contrary, days like these, where I am angry, spent, frazzled, tired, overwhelmed, frustrated, and completely convinced of my ineptitude as a mother, are some of my favorite days to relive in words because they are so full of life and emotion.� These are the days that will shape-shift in my mind (like a triceratops!) until they become the memories I cherish most.� These are the days I will look back on and laugh.� These are the days I will one day realize were awesome.
But it doesn’t hurt that they’re cute.
ani says
Thank you for bringing back my own cherished memories of those days.
Angenette says
I love this! I totally remind myself of this when I get too wrapped up in my negative emotions when dealing with two, cute-as-a-button, little girls in this house.
*hug*
Jacqueline says
I lol when I read
�Seriously? Are you kidding me with the crying?�
Those exact words have left my mouth on a few occasions when dealing with my 5 year olds tantrums. I felt like a total meanie when I said it but I definitely feel better to know that there are other moms who deal with them in the same way
megan says
you are a riot! “Nicholas Sparks wet handkerchief” . your way with words brightens my day and makes me smile ((and laugh uproariously)) i hope you are having a fantastic day today. *hugs*
Kristen says
Thanks for making me laugh :) I totally know those days, the more pregnant I get the more days like that we have around here. Its like he senses it or something but you are right I am going to miss these days. I try to tell myself that all the time when I am threatening to run away for good!
Kelly says
oh my, I know you know we’ve all btdt but this one was funny and rang so true to my life these days. I’m so (SO) ready for school to start and I only have one in preschool.
bethany actually says
I had a day like this last week and it sucked. But life got better the next day. :-) I like writing about days like this, too. It helps me work through any negative feelings and see the humor in it all!
Erin @ Fierce Beagle says
I needed to read something like this. I’m sorry you had to go through it, of course, but my two-year-old has made life difficult x3 this week. He’s contrary about everything, he’s whiny, he’s not taking a nap, he wants to watch a movie no play outside no watch a movie no play outside no watch a movie but not that movie or that one or that one no let’s play outside OH MY LORD. The low point was when he threw his juice cup at my forehead yesterday, which was his way of asking for more.
krystal says
Your amazing!!!! nuff said
Sixty fifth avenue says
Love it, I love it because its so true and we have all been there. I have been there for a week I think. Then you throw in some PMS and a traveling husband and you have one crazy lady! Speaking of crazy lady, that makes me want to get in my car alone and play The Marshall Tucker Band and sing LOUD. They have a song about a crazy lady…I am her.
Let me know if you want to play it for yourself and I will look up the name for you.
I’m here to look at your board and batten again…I’m doing a post about being inspired in blogland to try it. Would you mind if I use a pic?
Londen
Jules says
Londen–go ahead! I’m writing a post for you on board and batten. I know you wanted a tutorial.
Kendra says
I would have totally tossed the megaphone in the fountain. I’m mean like that though LOL.
After spending day after day being tested by my summer program kids I’m big on follow-through. They know not to test me anymore. Muahahaha!
Jules says
Kendra–I hear you! The thing is, I’m more cheap than I am mean. I just bought that thing, and by God we are going to get more than an hour’s use out of it.
Becky O. says
There is totaly something in the air. That was my exact day as well, substituting mouthy 13 yo for young boys.
Yes, good thing they are cute. I remember MY mother saying that line…..
CoffeeJitters (Judy Haley) says
now I need a nap. I know these days are ahead of me.
Keri says
I was nodding through the entire post because just about every day lately has been just like yours– crying, crying, more crying, and burned dinner. And, I’m never the one that gets to cry:-). Loved your recounting of your day and I hope things look up! By the way, I linked to you in my last post. I loved your “An Unstyled Life” post and did a similar one.
Jules says
I just read it, Keri. I loved it! Great pictures! :)
Amy says
Cuteness has got to help … pretty sure. Have you ever seen kids who just LOOK ornery. We’re talking, there’s not a cute bone in their bodies. I always wonder how their mothers cope when they’re out of control. Isn’t that horrible. But there it is … out there …
melanie says
I’m not enjoying this in a schadenfraude sort of way, but as a sister in arms. Have mercy.
If it’s any consolation..I’ve begun saying “if you aren’t bleeding, there is no crying.” It’s a jungle in here.