sometimes I need to remind myself

I believe my children have been conducting secret meetings in the middle of the night, perhaps whispering under the safe cover of blankets, illuminated by the soft light from the bathroom nightlight, apparently creating elaborate plans to break my mental fortitude and render me incapable of maintaining even the appearance of control in our home. Okay, elaborate may be too strong of a word. I think their plan must have only one section, headed with one word, and a simple five word action plan.

CRY

Do it all day long.

Yes, that is how our days can be summed up lately. Literally, there is at least one child crying/whining/yelling/screaming/generally kvetching for the vast majority of the waking hours of the day. Sometimes Red and Pudge decide to either compete in their efforts or combine them for the most unpleasant duet since the rash of bad duets in the 80's. I have found myself screaming my head off calmly saying, "You need to stop crying and TALK" over and over and over and over. Really. I'm tired of hearing my own voice saying it. While the words come out of my mouth, there's a voice in my head simultaneously mocking me with its own, "Yeah, that's proving reeeeaaaal effective, lady!"

So, I need some reminders. Reminders that my children are the heart of my life. Reminders that they are actually pretty cute sometimes. Reminders that when they open their mouths, not all the time is it to scream at me while ginormous tears burst forth from their eyes. We could do that in picture form, but quite honestly, I only have a few minutes here before I need to tackle a ridiculously long to do list, so let's go for some simple text. Here is a quick sampling of the alternative things that have come out of the kids' mouths lately...

"My gurgle was humongous at the end of breakfast!" Red, as she walked into the living room after clearing her spot at the table this morning. Yes, she was rubbing her belly with a very self-satisfied expression on her face.

"Excuse me, peoples." Pudge, when he wanted to get to the corner of the couch to lay down today, said with the tone of assumed authority that seems so natural to almost-2 year olds.

"I can't be expected to watch the clock when I'm actively building Legos!" JAM's response to our never ending battle of evening playtime going too long before dinner. This one, while frustrating in the situation, actually did make me crack a smile.

"I love you, Mommy. I just want to look at you and your face." Red, as I lay down next to her for a quick snuggle before yesterday's nap time. She did, in fact, proceed to stare at my face from about 2 inches away on the pillow. Cute, endearing... and a little bit creepy, I have to admit.

"She did it!" Pudge, when I walked in on him the other day stirring a bottle of lotion from my bedside table with a nail file also from the table drawer. Yup, he actually pointed a finger at her, and just kept on stirring. (Complete truth be told, he used Red's real name, which he pronounces a bit off and always makes me laugh!) My bedroom door now sports one of those knob covers that will keep them out for at least a few months until they figure out how to use it.

"This is my favorite one that you have never, never heard." Red, as the song Drawing (from BNL's Snacktime CD) came on today. I'm not sure about never, never hearing it before, since we listen to it pretty regularly (and I sing along loudly, enthusiastically and way off-key), but apparently, it's her fave.

"Come HERE, Mommy!" Pudge, about a gazillion times a day. It's sometimes combined with, "Show me," which means "I will show you," since we say to him, "Show me." (Man, I can see how ESL learners get all screwed up with the pronouns!)

Okay, I consider myself sufficiently reminded of these three wackadoo's good qualities. I predict I'll be rereading this very post in approximately 1 hour.


Preparing for a new round of the 1-point action plan as soon as nap time comes to an end,