Is there a masculine form of the word fashionista?

I just spent way too long finding acceptable clothing for my children to wear. Not because there was anything wrong with their clothes, or that it didn't fit right, but because they were being picky. I suppose I had it coming since often I remark to my friends how lucky I am that the boys just pretty much wear whatever I throw at them. Sigh. One day I will learn to keep my mouth shut. Ok, I probably won't - let's just be honest.

In short, Mark wanted shorts that went to the knees. That's fine, but they couldn't hit the top of his knee, it had to go all the way to the bottom of them. And, even when I found a pair meeting his requirements he tried to tell me they weren't quite right. So, when questioned why he had to have them to that exact part of of his knee he said "because I just like how it looks." Ok.

Zack, wanted anything that wasn't a size 4. The problem with that being that most things size five and up are simply too big for him. Once I finally found a good pair, and attempted to find a matching shirt he spotted THE shirt he wanted to wear. Does it match? No. Is he wearing it? Yes. Do I care? Not so much.

Eric & Ben were fairly simple, but the other two, man oh man that took forever!

Yesterday

Yesterday I made a confession at Deep South Moms regarding my fear that my boys will never learn to tie their shoes. Thanks to some comments, I have a little more hope that it will be okay.

Also yesterday, Ben embarrassed me by running down the road totally naked. Let me explain. I was getting the kids ready to play outside and he took that time to strip down and run out the door. He didn't come back when I called so I chased him.

I admit, even in the moment I was laughing hysterically because it was too ridiculous. Me, chasing him, pushing his dump truck totally naked. We were quite the sight. By the way, he is fast!

My friend arrived home as I was walking him home, trying to hurry so as not to see anyone we knew. Ben gave her (and her kids) a good laugh. We aim to please.

So, that was yesterday, who knows what today will bring.

Lists

I would hardly be able to survive in life if it weren't for to do lists. Even if it's impossibly long and no way to get it done in a day, it's a place to start. I even sometimes have the same list in multiple locations so that I can't avoid it. For example, on the computer, and then abbreviated on the dry erase board to help me stay focussed.

Ben just erased my dry erase board. Does that mean I get the day off?

List of Random

In no particular order

1. I am so tired I can hardly hold my eyes open despite getting 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. I blame the time change.

2. My kids behavior has been only describable as awful, ridiculous, and generally unacceptable. They are tired. I blame the time change.

3. I am taking a cake decorating class. I actually have the cake made and frosted and it doesn't look awful. So far so good. However, I am procrastinating (thus the blog post) making the decorator icing for class tonight. Because I'm tired. And a little nervous. I can't really think of a way to blame that on the time change, but if I really thought about I could probably figure out a way.

4. Do you think if we started a petition and had like EVERY mother whose life is turned upside down twice a year we could put an end to this madness we call daylight savings time? Who is with me?

5. But then what would I have to blame things on?

Floor Progress

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Almost halfway done with room 1. I like how my kids strategically place themselves in the pictures.

Florecita - The True Story

Zack brought Florecita home from school on Friday with instructions to bring her along on activities and write a story about everything we did with her. We've done stuff this weekend, sure. But poor Florecita's version of events might be a touch different than the one we'll turn in.

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Zachary was so excited to bring me home from school for a weekend sleepover, that I was sure it was going to be so much fun. The first thing we did was sit in the car for half an hour to pick up Zack's brothers. Kind of boring, but I understood. Then we went back to the house, where the daddy in the family was trying to start working on a floor project. They did order pizza, but somehow during dinner I was cast aside onto the couch. Also, even though Zack had promised to cuddle up with me at bedtime and keep me safe, somehow he forgot and I was left in the floor. Huh. Well, at least tomorrow should be better.

On Saturday, one of Zack's brother's suggested a picnic at the park. Finally some fun! Zack pushed me on the swing for a minute and then ran off to eat his sandwich, chips, and banana... AND... he left me on the swing. As if I wouldn't like a banana! Hmph!! Zack's mommy got me off the swing finally, and took me back to the picnic table where I was ignored for the rest of the play time.

For the rest of the day, the family went on with their business, without paying much attention to little ole me. At bathtime, where I was assured to NOT get wet,I was somehow soaked. The mommy threw me in the dryer (the HORROR!!) so I could still sleep with Zack, but somehow that last part got forgotten and I spent the night in the dryer. At least there were some soft clothes in there, so it wasn't too bad.

Sunday Zachary was sad that he had not yet gotten to really have a sleep over with me yet,but his mommy promised they would remember tonight. I was hopeful. Zack also decided I needed to be wearing pants, so his mom made me some. Which was nice and all, but these pants! They are 4 sizes too big so she safety pinned them to my shirt. Not the height of fashion. Then as if they weren't already bad enough Zack, stuck a bunch of foam stickers to them so they had zoo animals all over. Great.

I was so happy to go back to school on Monday, after being fought over to where thought my head was going to snap off, and forgotten a third time at bedtime, I was just done! Please let the next house be more calm and organized!

Leprechauns

Eric has an optional assignment at school this year to make a Leprechaun Trap. Last year we had the same assignment for both boys, and it was fun. The leprechauns created some mischief in the classrooms, and showed signs of stealing various baits (gold! food! other things little minds thought of) but alas, no leprechauns were captured.

This year, my analytical Mark has his doubts.

Twice today he asked me "Mom, are leprechauns real or just a story." Twice I tried to cover without exactly lying to him. We participate in all of the mythical fun creatures of childhood. The tooth fairy leaves money for teeth lost when she doesn't forget (and she always comes the next night. Except when the teeth get misplaced and the kids completely forget. Not that that's happened.) The Easter Bunny brings baskets full of fun goodies, and we can't forget Santa - my personal favorite.

Yet, I'd never actually considered leprechauns until the school sent home that project. The first time Mark asked me I fumbled and bumbled and told him the legend and they hunt for gold, and Ireland, etc. The second time I asked him what he thought. He said "I think it's a story the teachers tell and they aren't real, but the teachers tell us that so we can have fun." Such a wise young boy. I didn't really answer that time because he dismissed me with a "I'll look it up on the computer later." Because that's what we do with questions when Mommy doesn't know the answer.

So, actually I misspoke, because he actually asked me a third time, and this time asked me to ask the computer because "the computer knows everything." So I looked it up and read to him the legend, making sure to say this was the story about leprechauns, careful not to outright lie to him. "Mom, that doesn't tell me if it's REAL." So I looked my 6 year old in the eye,and told him "Remember what you said about the teachers telling it to you so you can have fun?" "Yes," he answered flatly. "Well, you were right." I went on to explain that we should keep this our little secret so the others can still have fun and his answer was a very blunt "Well it's not fun anymore."

So, I still don't know if I should have lied to him or do what I did. I suppose I really never will. I dread the day he realizes Santa doesn't quite add up. It's bound to be soon. He asked an awful lot of questions last year.

While I'm sad that his belief in fairy tales is short lived, I'm pretty proud at his sense of logic, and reasoning, and ability to fit the pieces together. He's totally going to tell all his classmates too. I'm doomed!

Progress

We are making progress on our flooring project. We tore out one room of carpet and are getting the concrete ready.

The darker grey area is where we filled in a very low spot.

We are going to have to figure out how to dispose of the carpet & padding. There's the love seat from the living room and all the boxes of wood in here too. Also, I need to go make sure that room doesn't REALLY slope downhill. Probably just poor photography. :)

Lots of glue. And some kind of vapor barrier stuff.


It doesn't look like much progress but considering I had to spend hours agonizing over which wood to choose, and the fact that Kevin has to work all day before coming home to work on this, we've gotten quite a bit done.

*One funny story about this. I rented a trailer to get the wood so I wouldn't have to make two trips and take the seats out of the van. I had a bit of trouble backing the thing up to the point that I could turn around and get out of the parking lot. Mark, always helpful, said, "It's ok mom, I can just get out and guide you." I declined the help, and we still managed to make it home.

Pottty Training

It's that time. I should have done it a year ago, because I'm certain Ben would have handled it just fine, but I have these issues with past traumatic potty training experiences. But, the boy is now three and the other day at the store, he said "Mommy, I about to pee." Quickly followed by "I peeeeed" and a giggle. So, clearly he's ready.

But it's okay, because today as I was talking to Mark about potty training Ben he said "Oh! Mom I can help! I'll make sure he goes to the potty!" Awesome!