Bad Mommy Confession of the Week

Bad Mommies listen to these guys in the mini-van

Good Mommies listen to these guys:

It's been a tough week at Casa Panini. Grandma has been sick. Grandma is cranky bordering on abusive when she is sick. Couple that with the added laundry and chores and I am fried- extra crispy.

So ....when the Bloodhouse Gang Fire Water Burn came on the mini-van radio it was audio manna from heaven to feed my weary spirit.

I know- even the donkey version is inappropriate for children. But, as Anna would say "I very needed that song." I figured I was safe because, in deference to my children and their hearing ability, I keep the radio low and the speakers set to the front of the mini-van.

Yeah, right. As I unstrapped my golden curled, doe eyed two year old from her car seat, she started to sing:

"Da woof, da woof, da woof is on Fy-ya

Da woof, da woof, da woof is on Fy-ya.."

My horror increased exponentially when her four year old brother joined in.

How many times will I have to subject myself to the Wiggles to atone for my sins? Perhaps a hair shirt be less painful.

Mystery of the Day

What both clogs a toilet and makes the water fizzy?

Anybody?

Days and days

School, preschool, physical therapy, scouts and a garage sale have kept me whirling.

This is JJ catching fish at Camp Oakarro with his scout pack.

Grandma working with Cindy, her physical therapist.

Anna rewards Grandma at the bottom of her stair workout with a snuggle.

Ben with his first fish. The Cubmaster told the boys that they should kiss their first fish for luck. Ben puckered up and planted a big one on the side of this fish before I could get the photo. Note JJ's hand pointing to the spot where Ben should kiss it. For extra luck he kissed every fish he caught that day. For some reason that skeeves me out and makes me proud all at once.

I am in the midst of transitioning out of my role as Treasurer for the preschool and into the role of Co-president, which is actually less work and responsibility. I am learning the whole Cub Scout routine and feel fairly clueless. I have a day of training coming up in November, which I hope will help.

Someone stop me before I volunteer again.

Grandma is under the weather today. She seems to be suffering from the same virus that made John ill over the weekend. Tomorrow is a Mass and celebration for 'Grandpersons' at Jay's school and I know he will be disappointed if he doesn't have a special person visit school. If it weren't so early in the day I would recruit Uncle Jay, but I know he doesn't go anywhere early in the day.

Essence of Boy

A quick peek from yesterday's Cub Scout outing at Camp Oakarro.

A peeper caught by Alec

La Vida Loca

School is in full swing. Grandma is working hard in physical therapy. Mornings are insane.

I try to be on-time. Each night I prepare: Clothes are laid out for kids and Mom, lunch is packed. Belts, socks and shoes wait on the bench. All everyone needs to do is eat breakfast and get dressed. It should be simple- but it never is that easy. Jay is motivated to get to school and play with his buddies, so he is more cooperative. Ben, Anna and Grandma are less cooperative. They could care less if we are late. I hate being late. I get cranky when I am late.

I admit that I have always seen being late as a function of poor planning, an expression of a lack of concern or consideration.

Now it seems like being on time would require bending the laws of space and time.

I just can't plan my Mom into being on-time. She knows the schedule, but could really give a rats ass if we are late. Perhaps her attitude reflects some hard learned wisdom, or perhaps she feels entitled to a grace period at age 82. Sometimes I think she just doesn't want to be bossed around.

So I must adapt. I have to control my reactions. I have considered lying about appointment times. Unfortunately, Mom always knows when I am less than truthful so we will likely be late anyway.

If only everyone could just sleep in their clothes for the next day....