When I was younger, I used to love the rain...the sound when it hit the roof was so calming to me. I'd lay in bed and just listen to it. When it was chilly out and there was a storm, I'd snuggle up on the couch with a cup of tea and a blanket and read a book or watch a movie. I loved those quiet rainy days...they were relaxing, couch potato days.
Now, I loathe the rain. This morning, for instance, the skies were gray, but I had already told my kids the night before that we were meeting their friends at the park for a playdate in the morning..."so brush your teeth and go to bed"! They brushed and went to sleep, so when they woke up and it was thundering, they did not like that plans were cancelled...not in the least. Tantrum time...begin.
In between a short stopping of the rain, I decide, this is going to be a ridiculously ugly day for me, so let's to run out to Blockbuster and get some never-before-seen (by my kids) movies. I had 4 free movie passes, so hop onboard kids...this is going to be a family fun rain day! Excitedly, they hopped into the car and we rushed down to get the movies. Since they each got to pick a movie, there was no fighting or crying...just a little whining when we had to get to the cash register and they had 8 million different fun looking popcorn baskets and candy up the wazoo. Oh, not to mention the Pokemon backpacks that the kids just needed to have. Of course, I went from hero to zero when I said no.
So in order to keep this family fun rain day from going totally south, I said, "Rainy day lunch boxes coming up". They looked at each other in wonder and got in their seats, seat belts clicking away as they waited to get their surprise lunch box. We drove into McDonalds (yes, I know, I know...just told the doctor yesterday that we hardly go there) and got 4 Happy Meals to go. We get home and set up the first movie. They all set up their lap trays and waited patiently as I doled out the chicken nuggets and apple dippers...(cause the Caramel dip that the apples go into are sooo much healthier than french fries, right?) They get their milk and their napkins and we're all set.
1 movie down and they are done with lunch and want a snack. So I whip up some chocolate chip cookies. We put on movie number 2 and within 20 minutes or so, they are snacking away.
Half way through the movie, the wrestling moves slowly start to happen. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Will roll off the couch...kind of slow...like a tiger hunting his prey. Then he pounces...right on Alex. Forget about the plate that was holding all of the chocolate chip cookie crumbs...knocked right over. They continue wrestling and the girls get up and start getting their coloring books and crayons out, but not in the normal way...they dump the LARGE crayon box because they "*need* to see all the colors, mom".
Wait, Wait, Wait. What about the movie? So I pause the movie. We clean up the mess and I tell them to line up. Time to do some exercise. We do jumping jacks and stretches. I'm a bit sad that I can no longer touch my toes without bending my knees. One summer without yoga and I'm totally back to square one. Meanwhile, Lainey has contorted herself into a pretzel. Show-off.
So they calm down and we're back to the movie. It ends and now I'm ready for a break from Pokemon and Strawberry Shortcake, but the other 2 kids start crying that it's their turn. That's when Alex and Alaina start to wrestle because they want to watch their movie next. "How about we go downstairs and play some games and take a break", I say. "NO!". Finally, something they both agree on.
So, ladies first and Lainey goes. We're watching Candyland, but Alex wants nothing to do with it. The kids start running around the house chasing each other, laughing and screaming. Well, they are laughing...I am screaming.
So, they sit down and watch the movie (kind of) and Alex sits next to me and says, I want to have a party. Hmmm....I'm intrigued. What kind, I ask? He said a school party. PERFECT. We google away. We spent the next 20 minutes looking for invitations for a couple of our neighbors. I told him we could do a small pizza party...they could each invite someone.
We found the cutest little free printables for all you Back To School party people!
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkimskandykreations.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fback-to-school-party-invite-printable.html&h=rAQA_TGCaAQCF9q65Xczh0npe72EAeAl5d-OZHAlvRiTCcw
So now, next Tuesday, we're having a little Back To School Party. I will post pictures...it will be a small, intimate little gathering, but I can't believe I didn't start planning it sooner. I mean, Alex will only go to 1st grade once, God willing. ;-)
Now I'm in full planning mood and only Alex is watching his movie. The phone rings...my brothers on the end. For those of you with babies, or no kids at all, the phone ringing must be some type of alarm for kids...they start whining, fighting, climbing...on my leg, up my body....driving me nuts.
Finally the girls run upstairs after I threaten to cancel the Disney trip this year. I finish up my conversation and go to find the girls. Dress up time. In their closet. Everything on the floor, but their dress up clothes, which are still in tact, on their hangers. Grrrreat.
My husband is in Philly until 10pm tonight. This means dinner alone with the kids. But now the sun is peaking out and I get to deal with the whining and crying because "it's starting to be sunny, mom". When do they realize that 5 hours of rain makes lots of mud? Or maybe they do realize it because Will is talking about rolling around in a mudbath. Either way, my hot cup of tea from this morning is still on the end table...very cold, and I need something to soothe my aching throat from all of my screams. Plus, I've got one more show of Wizards of Waverly place until movie #4 is over. And of course I'm the only one really trying to watch it...and I want to see how it ends, dammit. But, Lainey is crying because Will is stealing her Silly Band Hair bows, and Alex is whining because he's "growning, mommy and I need chocolate chip muffins", and Samantha is crying because nobody is playing with her....
While one says you need to save money for a rainy day (partially true with the party planning going on throughout our day), what a mother really needs to save for a rainy day is...Patience.
No comments:
Post a Comment