Take a Break...You Deserve It.

You guys have all been working so hard. Between Academy Awards, book reports, challenge packets and keeping up with your regular homework we haven't been within a mile of your scheduled bedtime. I am proud of all you have accomplished and the fact that you have done such a great job...without too much hassle from the old farts in the family. Spring break is only 3 weeks away...I can't wait to dig in the sand and splash in the water with you. We all deserve a break and what better place than Florida?!

A Good Life without You?

What can I say..."I love when you make messes that I trip on in the dark"..."Please say really mean things to your brother...and keep saying them over and over until he cries or turns into the tiny Incredible Hulk"..."Do you think you could pee all over the toilet, floor and wall so that I have something to clean while you are at school today?"..."Would you mind hitting your sister so that I could get a little entertainment out of you trying to kill each other?"  Hmmm...I will think about it. Thought about it...nope, doesn't work. But here is the funny thing...even when I ask you NOT to do these things or God forbid ask you to fix the problem when you do one of these things...hold on this is good...wait...I STILL LOVE YOU, I STILL LIKE YOU, I STILL WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU, SNUGGLE WITH YOU AND WILL ALWAYS BEG FOR HUGS! OK, just had to get that off my chest. I will always feel this way...and when you grow up and have babies I will sit back and try not to smirk when you try to get this same point across to them.

Memories.

Why are your memories so subjective? They don't see to work at certain times of the day, but are stellar at other times during the day. You don't remember to finish (or start) your homework, flush the toilet, turn off the lights, put your dishes in the dishwasher or throw your clothes down. But what amazes me is how sharp your memory is 3 minutes before we have to walk out the door. In a burst of clarity you remember that you need lunch money, it's library day, you need a swim suit for gym, a poster board for a project, a treat for your class. Funny how that works. You remember all the details of the adult story I told my friend...while you were supposed to be playing in the basement and you seem to retain all the information from family vacations that I don't even remember taking, but you don't remember that I asked you to have your room clean by the end of the weekend or that you were grounded from electronics for two days. I guess I should count my blessings that you never, ever forget to give me hugs and tell me that you love me.

Yippee

It is Tuesday morning and everyone is back in school...Daddo has left for work and even the kitties are at the vet having a little snip, snip sur..ger..eeee. The house is quiet, the sun is shining and Mombo has a smile on her face. Four hours to get my stuff done with no little hands leaving finger prints all over everything...just in time for you to all coming running in from the bus, leaving a trail of clothing, crumbs and papers. "They" tell me that someday I will miss all the chaos, clutter and noise...and as much as I hate to admit it, I know they are right.

Wild Week.

I'm not even sure where to begin...piles and piles of Valentines (and a bunch of bribes to get you to sign them all); decorations, games, snacks, and crafts for school parties; the boo's birthday complete with gifts, movies, dinner and homemade ice cream cake; 4th grade field trip to the Art Institute; 6th grade science field trip to the MOA theme park; a night at home while Daddo and Mombo tried to have dinner and see a show; Thursday night sleepovers for all with bowling, hockey and dinner out; Paulina's Valentine Party (with boys!); dinner with the Honey's; more sleepovers here and then all day playdates today...and hopefully a little homework. Back to school tomorrow for another 4 day week. I think you may actually have a full week after that, but watch out Spring Break is almost here! I am almost looking forward to getting up at 6 tomorrow just to see the tail lights on the big yellow school bus.

It's My Turn.

I'd like to thank the academy...I mean the Wild Ones. Actually I take full credit myself. I have been inundated with vomit, sneezes, coughing, sore throats and germ filled kisses and it never once crossed my mind to pop a million Immuniboost pills. I talk about them, I warn others and I swear by them, but this time I just plain forgot. My consequences...sore neck, droopy eyes, aching head and sneezes that threaten the stability of the old oak in the back yard. What I need is a few days of rest...what I get are two days on big orange school buses surrounded by screaming 4th and 6th graders and the responsibility of guiding the 4th graders through the Minneapolis Art Institute and herding 11 hormone filled 6th graders at the Mall of America theme park...in the ruse of a science field trip. Maybe the horror filled roller coaster will clear some of the phlegm from my lungs. As they say...we reap what we sow.  OH GOODY...another one just threw up.

My Head is Spinning.

It was just 4 o'clock on Friday. The house was clean and quiet...Boo Boo and Jooge were with friends. Then there were classes, the Fun Fest, yummy dinners, Valentine making, Valentine party prepping and baths for school on Monday. Now the house is unrecognizable...and no one is here to help! Dishes, clothes, toys...oh my. I hope you don't have a lot of homework tonight...or big plans to play your electronics cuz my list is long, long, long. I am always excited to see you when you get off the bus...but today will be especially nice...6 more hands to help rescue this house from the natural disaster we call "The Weekend."

When Will I Learn?

I should have known to keep my mouth shut. Not that I'm superstitious or anything...but just when I thought it was safe to make plans to meet a friend for lunch...another sick Wild One. I'll change my plans, put on some sweats and prepare for a day filled with lego's, cartoons and snuggles on the couch...I guess that's not so bad afterall.

I probably shouldn't speak too soon as there is one day left in the week, but so far 4 for 4 days with all of you back at school (of course I have been up there three times already dropping off forgotten items). And two awards this week to boot! JuJu was recognized (even tho' he denies it...whatever) for showing the pillar of "Citizenship"...cooperating with others, obeying rules, making the school better, and believing everyone at school is part of the same school family. Way to go little dude...maybe it's good that you didn't even know you were doing anything special...what a great way to live your life! The award for "Pursuing Excellence" was bestowed upon Migli (and she had no problem accepting that one) by all of her 6th grade teachers. It is nice (for her and for us) to see that her teachers notice her hard work and dedication...as if two quarters in a row on the "A" honor roll weren't evidence enough. I have always had faith in you sweetie...you are one smart, motivated girlie. Boodle, where is your paper proclaiming your greatness? If we could just get Mr. A to wipe off his glasses or stop snoozing in class long enough to write you up I could rearrange all the stuff on the fridge and make a little room for you too! As I recall you were the first one...in the first week of school...to be be called to the principal's office for showing outstanding character...you even got a free lunch. Boy your mom must be so proud...oh wait, that's me...and the pride is sweating from my pores!!!

Snowmobiling.

You guys are a riot...and no, when it is 15 below windchill I will NOT pick you up at the bus stop on the snowmobile! I prefer the toasty buns I get in my dirty little Nissan. However, it is fun to sit in the kitchen with my hands wrapped around a mug of hot tea and watch you fling each other around on the sled that is tied to the back of the "sled". I can almost hear your laughter as one of you goes flipping backwards, another one tries to catch that one and you both go over...all while the driver is still going full boar ahead not even realizing that she has lost both passengers. The best is when you come in, cheeks all rosy and laughing and talking so fast that you can barely breath. You are all so excited to tell me what happened and how fun it was. I just sit back (with my warm hands) and let you warm my heart with all of your jumbled words and eyes that are lit up and shining like the northern lights.