Some things are not as exciting as they used to be once you become a mom — things like three day weekends, for example. Those used to be AWE-SOME. Now? Not so much. Having the kids home on a weekday once you’re accustomed to a school routine is kind of a bummer. On Monday, *I* still have errands to run and chores to do, even if they technically have a “vacation” day (I would love one of those, by the way…where do I sign up?), but it’s hard to get things done when no one wants to get out of bed and they only store they are interested in going to is “GameStop”. It’s also super annoying when you’re trying to tidy up and there are “exhausted” kids draped all over the furniture watching you work.
The worst part about a three day weekend that involves a Monday though, is the fact that Tuesday becomes a worse version of an actual Monday, and for the rest of the week you cannot remember for the life of you what day it is. Or does this only happen to me?
Anyway, it’s Tuesday night and I’m already panicking, like “ACK, the week is almost over and I have so much to do,” but technically I only lost one day so maybe I’m being a little dramatic…but I don’t think so.
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This morning Larissa had school (which I almost forgot about because– remember?? I keep thinking today is Monday?) After we dropped her off, Kellan and I went to our local fresh market to pick up a few things. We took a pass on getting one of these, however.
O-M-G. What do you even do with one of these? I don’t think I want to know.
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We were getting ready to get in line to pay when an elderly gentleman came up to me and started talking. He introduced himself as “Papa Doc” and told me that he makes wooden toys that he gives to kids for free, and he wondered if it would be okay to give Kellan a toy. My first instinct was to break eye contact and just walk away because I thought maybe this was some sort of scam, but before I knew it, out of nowhere he just pulled out this wooden helicopter and handed it to Kellan. (Can I tell you that right here I felt sort of embarrassed because Kellan was busy working on Level 4,000 of Angry Birds on the iPhone and I thought, “What kind of world do we live in where my kid will probably shun this nice man’s handmade, non-electronic toy!!” …but it all worked out because thankfully, Kellan was actually impressed. Phew!)
Um, how do you turn this thing “on”??
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he magically produced a wooden squirrel and handed it to me. I must have looked sort of confused about what it exactly it was he was giving me, because he explained it was a “push me/pull me”. At that point I really was confused, so he showed me that depending how you turn it, it helps you pull a hot dish out of the oven and then push it back in to cook some more if need be. I told him it was perfect because I was going to make a lasagna and a push/pull squirrel would really come in handy (it did!)
100% more useful and less annoying than a real squirrel.
Then, since I didn’t know what else to do, I gave him a hug and he seemed pretty happy about that. He got in line next to me, and as he was unloading his groceries, I handed the cashier a $20 and told her to let me pay for his things. It turned out he’d only bought $4.00 worth of stuff, but whatever - that was my “There IS good in the world,” moment for the day.
Then I came home, spent 90 minutes making lasagna, and a couple of hours later got to endure the typical constructive criticism that comes free with every meal. I swear it’s like being on freaking “Top Chef” around here. No one is ever totally happy and everyone has an opinion. If only I could truly “pack my knives and go!”
I will be eating this for the rest of my life…..
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For the first time in EVER, Weston has had two soccer games scheduled for 7:30 on a weeknight. Games have always been on Saturdays. This new development was okay a couple of weeks ago when it was just merely brisk out, but tonight it was 49 degrees and it was pouring rain, but sideways because the wind was whipping like crazy.
Kids: Remember this picture EVERY time you tell me I never do anything for you…
and before you dis my home-made dinners!!
I gave it the old college try for about 35 minutes. That’s when the rain that was running down the back of my chair started to accumulate in the seat of my pants. I drew the line there. I’m willing to endure a lot for the sake of my kids and their activities, but I think that after five births I am allowed to place a cease and desist order on having to suffer any more lower body discomfort in this lifetime. Plus, my car has heated seats, duh.
No drama. It was legitimately down-pouring!
There was a teeny tiny pang of guilt on my part as I watched my drenched child flailing around in the wet cold from the toasty refuge of the car, but after the game was over, he squished his soggy self into the front seat, declared the game “fun”, then asked if I would make him a frozen smoothie when we got home. Oooohhhhkay.
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One more random thing…
This actually happened on Sunday (I think. I’m still very confused about my days).
Weston and I were running errands when this little slip of paper blew across the parking lot of the strip mall. For some strange reason I felt compelled to chase after it and pick it up.
Unfortunately NOT a winning Lotto ticket or Key to the Universe.
I saw the word “Crossfit”, and even though there are a few CF locations in the surrounding ‘burbs, and even though there are at least 100 members at our location, I knew immediately who it belonged to. I texted her a picture of the Post-it and she freaked out, because indeed it was hers. I should totally be a detective…even if I have no clue what day it is.
