Busy, Busy, Busy

That has become the story of my life. How can one 'non-working' person be so freaking busy. Right now, all of my children are avoiding me. That is very good for them. The youngest has just pissed me off completely and I truly don't think I have been this mad at any of them, much less just one.

What happened? you ask.

Well, the elementary school had and Art night, followed by a brief PTA meeting, followed by a performance from the Chorus. All of that went great.

Then, I got up to go speak to the Principal. Rachel proceeded to pull napkins out of the dispenser and throw them at her sister. Then she mounted the stage and refused to leave. I managed to get her out of the building - literally kicking and screaming - only to have her dart back into the building, disappearing into the CROWD. Rena and Riley found her on the stage, yet again, where she was given a good old fashioned swat on the ass for her behavior. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I gave my 4 year old a good ass-popping on the stage of the elementary school in front of, God only knows who was watching. By this point I had tunnel vision. I also had Rachel's attention for a brief moment. THEN she and her 2 sisters ran back out into the parking lot, across the street and to the car. I was still in the lunchroom. By this point, my embarrassment had turned to pure anger...an emotion I rarely feel. As I walked out of the building, into the crowd of people leaving the school, they crossed BACK across the street and headed toward me.

There was no talking on the 5 minute drive home. Once here, Rachel got a true ass-whooping. And was sent to bed. I'm still mad.

All of this madness while I am trying to speak to the Principal of the school and the PTA president, and the few parents that I know. I am mortified. Also an emotion I rarely feel.

I feel slightly better just getting this off my chest. What I'd really like, is the ability to carry on an adult conversation without constantly being on guard for a misbehaving child. Oh to be able to complete a sentence (I said put that back and get up off the floor) without having to insert an instructional sentence in the middle. People probably think I'm crazy.

naptime

What could be more inviting than a love seat on a shady porch on a warm spring day. Doesn't she look so sweet? She wanted to go to Grandmom's room and take a nap (yes, she puts herself down for a nap in the afternoon) but I was outside and I wanted her to stay outside with me. I wish there had been room there for me!

Big Mommy

The girls have started talking about themselves being big. "I not little Rachel, I BIG Rachel" You get the point. Rachel in particular is obsessed with this. So she puts BIG in front of everyone's name. I'm BIG Mommy.....in more ways than one.

Jack Hanna, she's not

Jack Hanna was on Larry King live last night. I LOVE Jack Hanna. I say it, just like that, everytime I see him or hear his name. It's like some Pavlovian response. I just can't help it. Even my husband knows I LOVE Jack Hanna. I find it endearing that he seems to be a little scared of animals (Jack, not my husband). How funny is that? He obviously loves and respects the animals and has a need to share this love with others.

I too, love animals, but limit my experience to the domestic kind. I don't feel the need to socialize with animals that can and will eat me. I'm teaching my children to love and respect animals too. All three of them have a great command of dogs and even led my in-laws dog/pony around at will over Christmas. Come! Sit! Stay! They have those down pat.

Now, if you know anything about animals, you know that you can't treat a cat the way you treat a dog. They will not stand for it. They would eat you if they could. And even the fiesty little ones give it a try sometimes. Rachel is learning this the hard way. I would like to say she learns from her mistakes with our cat, but that would not be true. She has pulled his tail and bent his head back in a exorcist pose. Even though he defended himself, he didn't go all psyco on her...until tonight. I don't know what her offense was, but she came in with a big cat scratch across her forehead. Her feelings are always as hurt by these event as her skin. She just doesn't get it yet. Poor thing.

Unfortunately, I don't think Boomer will be in a forgiving spirit anytime soon. He is on guard around her and with good reason. Maybe one day, she'll grow up to be the next Jack Hanna, but for now, she's not.

FUN!

The other day, after a nap, Rachel came to join me outside. She had a big case of bedhead. She had on no pants. She hung out with me for about 2 seconds when she heard noise coming from across the street. A bunch of the neighborhood kids were across the street playing together. Rachel took one look at them turned to me and pointed across the street, excitedly exclaimed "FUN" and headed for the party!