Last Weekend

 We braved the great outdoors.

 As K. whooped it up at a Steelers game.



 

 





We snacked on granola bars, chocolate with caramel and got our feet wet.
Here we go!

Strive for....Average?

My next goal...aim for mediocrity.  I believe today I have achieved it or maybe I came up short. 

The Christmas Cookies I decided to try melted and slopped all over the place.  Whatever.  Good ingredients.  Perhaps not the best appearance, but some people would be thrilled to receive them.  Right?  Thought I'd just heap up the pile of bits and put them in a holiday tin.  God Bless Us All....Everyone.

Called friend T to get her foolproof recipe for one bowl (or one small brain) Ginger Snaps.  Not sure if they snapped, crackled or popped.  Yet again.  Mediocre at best.

It's all about the expectations.  I have a problem with that.  I expect that things will work the first time and when they don't, I get frustrated.

Eat your heart out Martha S.  You got nothin' on me.   

Urine here Urine there

Seems like urine is everywhere.

Such a lovely title.  Such a lovely sentiment.  Not so lovely in the daily dealings of three boys under the age of 9.  Apparently my sons don't have very good aim.

It all started when I went upstairs to take a shower.  What's that on the trash can liner?  Someone spill something?  OHHHH it's urine. 

What in the name of Pete do they think about while peeing?  Apparently NOT getting it all in the toilet.

I flashed back to my Thanksgiving meltdown within earshot of my lovely in-laws.  Ethan and Will both peeing at the same time on opposite sides of the toilet bowl. 

At first glimpse, seemed efficient.  "Why not?", a tired Mom mumbled.   Then, streams collide.  Trajectory swerved.  Bathroom floored suffered.

"Seriously?" a suddenly alert and irritated Mom states.....possibly louder than everyday "inside" voice.

Christmas wish this year....either an unlimited supply of disinfecting wipes or a Pope toilet.  Yes, it's my own invention.  Much like the Pope mobile.  Surrounded on all sides with bullet proof plastic so that no one gets hurt....or peed on.

Embrace the Chaos

As I hide away downstairs on the computer I hear the boys wrestling upstairs.  Or jumping off furniture.  Or doing who knows whatever three boys do to entertain themselves. 

Thud thump giggle giggle.

I had no idea that there would be so much contact with three boys.  They LOVE to roll around, squeeze each other's head, ears, faces, etc.

                Surprise surprise I hear sobs.

I guess I just need to accept it.  Roll with it baby.  Go with the flow.  It is what it is.

Me thinks it would be helpful to review my Lamaze breathing to get through the peaks and valleys of physical play amongst brothers.  You keep reprimanding and reprimanding and yet they keep coming back for more.

hee hee hee haw haw haw

                 Thud.  Laugh. Another cry. 

Older brother made younger laugh through the pain.  Wrestling continues.  Whack.

Maybe this is how they tell each other they love one another.

haw haw haw

We will workshop verbal expression another day.

hee hee hee

Job Satisfaction

High

I very much enjoy hanging out with the preschoolers on Wednesdays. 

I love those little buggers and their kooky ways.

Here's a poem to celebrate.

Preschool Haiku

3 and 4year olds
sweet and opinionated
3 and 4 year olds


Guess I need to tweek that a little.  :)

This That and the Other

For starters, there he still is.  Ben.  Big Ben.  Why can't I find time to sit down and minimize him?  Sheer laziness.  AND a lack of free time for sure.

Busy weekend.  Attended the Holiday Open House uptown which was PACKED.  I had a hard time relaxing because the boys were wrestling one another and jumping up and down on 100 year old building windows.  One the way home I muttered, "Next year let's get a babysitter."  This year it was pretty warm so the burning barrels weren't crowded and peopled lingered on the streets.  A lovely celebration.  I am remembering the year when we froze our arses off and ran from store to store so we wouldn't freeze to death?  Remember that West coast friends?

Spent Saturday morning at Legofest in Pittsburgh which totally rocked.  Huge piles of legos of all shapes and sizes for the kids to climb in.  Also life sized creations of Batman, Superman, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Lightning McQueen.  Look at my awesome pictures below.

Oh that's right.  I forgot my cell phone in the car.  Moron.  Then took the camera out of the bag and with one push of the button it stated, "YOUR BATTERY IS DEAD DUFUS." If any of K's pictures turn out I will post.

Returned to the 'burg to see the Christmas parade which is always pretty fun.  This year Ben walked with Scouts as friend Noah pulled Will and buddy, Ethan in wagon.  Not sure if it was Legofest or the sight of numerous faces along the street, but Will decided to nap the whole parade.  I stood on the side as an enthusiastic mother shouted "hello.  Over here." to my young until I was so riddled with guilt for abandoning them with Scouts I jumped into the parade.  I am the world's most timid den leader.  By timid, I mean, I'm not real excited to sport the colors in any scenario. 

Ethan had a soccer game.  We went to a local college b-ball game to support our coach friend.  Home and then to bed.

Christmas tree is up, but bare because haven't had time to decorate.

That's the weekend in a nutshell.