It's Friday, It's Friday!

FRIDAY!! I love Fridays because it means my husband will be home for two days helping me around the house. I can disappear for a while and do something for me.

Today, the middle child is fully recovered. He was pretty much fully recovered after a nice long nap yesterday. So, today I need to do a lot of laundry. There is a lot of prevention laundry to be done. All animals that go in the bed are being washed, along with the sheets and the towels and sheets that covered everything yesterday to prevent "The Sickness" from staining couches or carpets. So here we are at 11:00 and I am on load number three.

I also need to quickly inventory the kids clothes and make a list of what they need. Tomorrow I am disappearing all day with my neighbor and her mother-in-law to go shopping. Twice a year we hit the outlets in Reading, PA to buy the next seasons clothes for our oldest, and fill in what is needed for the others. Then we take an hour or two to shop for ourselves. I will be buying clothes with Jamaica in mind.

I love this shopping trip. We always go in April and again in September. We get great deals at Healthtex and Osh Kosh. My neighbors mother-in-law is so wonderful. She is such a genuine, loving, generous, sweet lady. She always insists on driving the hour and a half to get there. We always buy her lunch. With the price of gas, that isn't exactly a fair trade. But she won't accept gas money from us. The only downside to the trip is that sometimes my neighbor's son and mine are dressed in the same clothes on the same day. And they are the same age and in the same grade. They think that it is funny when they are wearing the same outfit. So I guess it is okay. They won't think it is funny anymore when they get older.

One of my best girlfriends is moving into her new house today. I went to see the house Wednesday night. It is gorgeous. Two years old and in move-in condition. I am so happy for them and I can't wait to see the house once their furniture is in it. I told her that I wish that I could have such a wonderful house, but that I don't think that my husband and I will ever get there. She replied that it comes at the price of leaving her children every day. She and her husband both work. She is right. My personal choice to stay home with my kids means we can't afford such luxuries. But if anyone deserves to attain what she and her family have, it is them, because she is one of the hardest working people I know. So, way to go girlfriend! I am so happy for you!

Off to take care of my laundry and make some lunch for the monkeys!

"The Sickness" Returns!

So I am the helping parent to day in the middle child's preschool class. His belly hurt. We tried to go to the bathroom. He threw up. Poor guy! He was in the bathroom, thank God. I cleaned everything up, I called to get a replacement for my helping parent duty and we were out of there. The teacher and the other helping mom were so nice. My poor monkey's belly hurts really bad. Guess he was infected with "The Sickness" from the oldest. I hope no one else in the class gets it.

So today I juggle the normal and throw in taking care of a sick little boy. This is the first time he has ever had a stomach virus, so it will be interesting to see if he can read his body and make it to the bucket. He hasn't gotten sick since he was in school, so I hope that was it and he can just rest for the remainder of the day.

Off I go to see if he needs anything. Let's hope the baby doesn't get this!

Brrr!

It is cold out there this morning! We came back from the bus stop with our noses running! I was used to the warmer weather and I want it back!

Lots to do today. We have a playdate set up for Friday morning. I am the helping parent tomorrow for my middle son's preschool class, so tomorrow is a bust as far as getting chores done. I need to get as much done today as I can. I want to go see my dear friend's new house this evening so I need to bust butt today. I have loads of laundry to fold, and I need to dust, sweep the stairs and vacuum. Lots of toys to be put away as well. The kids really made a mess yesterday and I didn't stay on top of them about putting it all away. One day I will learn that if I just keep reminding them to put things away, there will be less work for me later.

I have to get my act together for my trip to Jamaica, too. I had a dream the other night that I missed my flight because I wasn't packed yet. It has been haunting me for two days. It won't happen, because our flight is very early so my girlfriends and I are spending the night at a hotel at the airport the night before. But it was sort of a wake-up call about getting organized for my trip. I don't do laundry all that often for my husband and myself. I might wear a pair of pants and then not see them clean again for a month because I am always washing the kids' stuff. I need to figure out what I am taking with me on my trip so that I don't wear it. I have less then a month to go!

I also want to do some research on a few crafting stores that I have heard about. I have been looking for a way to make money from home. I love making greeting cards and, not to sound too egomaniacal, I am pretty good at it. I saw some cards for sale in the scrapbooking store I was in over the weekend and asked about them. The owner of the store had created them and was selling them for $3.00 each. The cashier gave me the name of two places that sell crafts on consignment. I want to look into it and see if it would be worth it.

My dad sent me the funniest link today. If your wallet is hurting because of the price of gas watch this. Make sure you sound is on. Too funny!

Well, it is snack time so off I go to tend to my kid's needs. Then it is on with load of laundry #2 for the day.

"The Sickness" Is Back

So last night, we were struggling with the oldest and his writing journal. He had taken over an hour to write four sentences and I had had enough. He was complaining of a stomach ache. Super Hubby and I assumed he just didn't want to do the work. I wrote a note to his teacher on the bottom of the page where he had written his four sentences that maybe he should write more for her during recess the next day. (I am so mean, aren't I?)

Then he goes into the bathroom and proceeds to get violently ill. My husband and I felt terrible for giving him such a hard time about his writing. So anyway, he got sick a couple more times up until around 11:30 last night. Then we didn't hear from him again until this morning. I kept him home from school, obviously, and so far today he seems to be okay.

So today I must juggle: taking care of sick child, washing a ton of laundry because of "The Sickness" (towels and sheets used to protect surfaces from yucky stuff), changing the sheets on both boys beds (one because of "The Sickness", the other because of a pull up leak), cleaning the bathroom, calling the doctor to schedule some check up appointments, dealing with some pre-school issues from a recent book fair fundraiser, preparing for a pre-school committee meeting tonight. And other stuff that I just can think of at the moment, I am sure.

In addition to all of that, my almost one year old daughter has found her fussy voice and won't stop using it! I used to call her "the best baby ever" because she never fussed. I mean NEVER. She could be hungry, wet, tired, and bored and she wouldn't make a peep. Not any longer! Now, she fusses most of the time she is awake, unless I am holding her. She is driving me a little crazy. It is probably her teeth; she has a bunch coming in. I wish I could just enjoy her clinginess and cuddle her all day. But I have two other children to care for, and a household to run.

Never a dull moment. Off I go to help the oldest set up Playstation and get some of that laundry in the wash.

Busy Monday!

What a day! I have been going non-stop today and don't feel as if I have accomplished much. I had to pay the bills. That took all morning because every time I would get rolling someone would need something. Between snacks and drinks and nap time and television requests, it took me two and a half hours to finish balancing the checking account and paying the bills! I had to make a few phone calls regarding some of the bills and insurance issues. Anyone with health insurance knows how long that can take!

So then it was lunch time, then nap time again. Then I got a chance to eat and I folded some laundry. I was going to post really quickly and then do a work out, but I ran into a problem and here it is 40 minutes later. The workout may need to wait until after dinner. I much prefer doing it during the day, but now I don't have enough time to get it in before my son gets off the bus. What is a busy mother of three to do?

I tried to use a gift certificate for a scrapbook store yesterday but was unable to because the store had been sold. The new owners wouldn't honor the gift certificate. I emailed the previous owner from the website for the non-existant store, asking if there was anything I could do to redeem the certificate. She emailed me back and said that she will honor the gift certificate at her new store. Never mind that it is over an hour from my home and is a store that sells things I have no interest in. With the price of gas what it is, I don't see myself driving over an hour to a place that sells things I don't want. This sucks and I am mad that the money that went toward the gift certificate has been wasted. I think that when a business is sold turnkey, as I believe this business was, the new owners should honor gift certificates purchased before the sale. It should be considered a business debt and I think those are passed on to the new owner under this type of sale. The new owners of the scrapbook store could have had a loyal customer, but not now. Oh well, what are you going to do?

Guess I should get a little more work done before it is time to wake the babes and get my oldest off the bus. Until tomorrow...

The Weekend Is Almost Over!

I can't believe that this weekend is almost over already. I want weekends that are more than two days long. Think we will ever get there?

The bridal shower that I went to yesterday was fun. I didn't want to say what "the party" was before, in case my friend happened to read my blog. I was nervous about it because it was at her fiance's parent's house, and I have a strange relationship with them. I used to be like family, but am not anymore, so I am always nervous around them, especially his mother. But I was nervous for nothing. I did not feel unwelcome or strange at all. In fact, being there made me miss his mother's friendship. We used to be very close - we worked together, commuted together, went on trips together. Then things changed and we lost touch. Normally when I see her now, it is at her son's house so she is not in her own element and is not as comfortable. Seeing her in her own home where she was comfortable and surrounded by her friends and family, she was more like her old self. I heard her laugh and missed her terribly.

So the day turned out so much better than I anticipated. And my girlfriend and her fiance got lots of cool stuff. It was also a chance to meet some of the other people going to Jamaica with us for their wedding. I think we are all going to have such a good time!

My girlfriend loved the card I made and thought the new technique (yesterday's post) I used was really cool. I love making cards for people who appreciate the thought, work and love that goes into making them!

Today, I taught my son's Sunday school class. Teaching is a profession that is not meant for me. I don't like being the one in control. I don't like having to correct the kids and ask them to listen. But I got through it and kept the kids under control. I feel good for having served my church in this capacity.

I think this afternoon I am going to head to a scrapbook store to do some shopping. I have a gift certificate to use. I need to disappear for a while and do something for me. And I might as well treat myself to lunch while I am at it!

Bitten By the Crafting Bug

Today, while my husband is at a meeting all morning, I am in charge of tending to the children and all of their needs. After I got the baby down for a nap, the boys were happily playing downstairs, I decided to make the card for the party I am going to this afternoon.

I am so pleased with it. I love it so much, I almost don't want to give it away. It is for one of my very best friends though, so I am so pleased to have made such a beautiful card for her. After finishing the card, I am in crafting mode though, and would love to spend the rest of my day making cards and scrapbooking. That's how I get when I spend time creating something that I love. I then want to keep going and creating more.

I learned a new technique watching the DIY Network yesterday while I ate my lunch. It is called Serendipity Squares. It's such a cool way to use scraps, and I love the outcome on the card I created. It is so cool and easy, I want to use it on everything now.

Unfortunately, I can't spend anymore time on it today. I have come up with many more cards that I need to make for upcoming occasions though, and maybe tomorrow afternoon I will sit down and get creative again. Something to look forward to.

Happy Birthday Big Bro!

Oh shit, I forgot to say Happy Birthday to my big brother when I posted this morning. I just sat down for a quick minute to check my email and realized the date. So a big Happy Birthday to my Big Brother. Love ya!

TGIF

I am so glad that it is FRIDAY! I don't have too many chores to do today, other than the norm. I want to get a workout in this morning, take a shower and tackle some laundry that needs to be folded. At some point I need to get to Target for some gift shopping. I have to pick my oldest up from school today because the boys are getting their hair cut and if I let him ride the bus home, we won't make it in time for our appointment.

I really need a weekend where I can do nothing. No such luck this weekend. My hubby is working tomorrow morning. Not getting paid any extra mind you, because he is salaried. He just gets the joy of working an extra four hours on Saturday, for a total of almost 50 this week. And his kids get the let down of not having Daddy home to play on Saturday morning. Then I have a party to go to in the afternoon, that I am not prepared for (hence the trip to Target today). On Sunday, I am the substitute teacher for my oldest's Sunday school class. So at some point before then, I need to go over the lesson and figure out what I am supposed to do. Sunday afternoon, I think I will disappear for a while. Even if it is just to my bedroom to read.

So another busy weekend, but what is a mother of three to do...Oh yeah that's right...Take a trip to Jamaica! Only one month to go!!

Another Busy Day!

What a day so far! I put in a load of laundry for my husband and I, got the oldest off to school, ate my breakfast, got the middle child off to school, took the baby with me to the grocery, came home, fed her and put her down for her nap. Then I did a workout, took a shower, realized I never put the groceries away and had to wake up the baby to go get the middle child from school. We came home, did the lunch and nap thing again and I finally have a few minutes to sit down and write. I haven't even taken the wash out of the washing machine yet!

I wanted to get my workout in this morning because my parents are coming to dinner tonight so I knew I wouldn't get one in later. I am really trying to get my legs in shape for Jamaica so I am trying not to skip working out, but it is hard to find the time with so much going on. The program I am doing right now is 47 minutes long. Doesn't sound like a lot, but to find 47 minutes all in one chunk is difficult when you have three children! Don't know what I will do when I step up to the next level in the program and need over an hour!

I always feel really good about myself when I am finished the workout. Every time I can do more than I did the last time, so that helps boost my confidence. Also, I am proud of myself for finding the time and sticking to it. This morning I could have made all kinds of excuses not to work out. I need to pick up the house because we are having company for dinner. I still have the clothes that don't fit my son anymore to fold and box up,and a million other chores I could do. But I didn't make excuses, I made the time to get myself healthier and did the workout. So what if my kitchen floor has crumbs on it when my parents get here, because I didn't have time to vacuum it? I just have to let some of that stuff go. I am sure they won't care.

Well, my time is up. I must get back to the chores of the day. I need to straighten and try to get to that kitchen floor before it is time to get my oldest son off of the bus. Because once he gets home, there will be no time for cleaning before company comes.

Back to the Grind

Spring Break is over. Back to a normal schedule. We made it through Easter, now I have to make it to Jamaica!

Today, I got the oldest off to school, went to BJ's, fed the baby a snack and got her down for a nap, unloaded the groceries from the car, fed my middle boy snack and have a load of laundry in the washer. Whew! It has been a busy, non-stop day and it is only 10:30! And I have miles to go before I can sleep. Laundry to fold, a house to pick up and bathrooms to clean. Children to feed, play with and tend to. The list could go on and on.

Last night I went out for a well deserved ice cream treat with my neighbor (and friend). I observed a dynamic between women and their men that I wanted to rant about. I saw two very different couples do the exact same thing while my friend and I were enjoying our delicious treat. The first couple was young, maybe in their early twenties. The second was older, maybe in their early fifties, with two young adult children with them. The younger couple came in together and the male immediately took a seat at a table while his girlfriend/wife stood in the long line. The older couple entered with their children and the mother and two children stood in line while the father meandered around the store, then went outside to sit on a bench. In both cases, the women ordered their boyfriend/husband's ice cream, and paid for it. The younger male got up when he saw that his ice cream was ready, took it from the counter, and left the store to wait outside. I had thought he was saving the table, but he left the store as soon as his food was ready. After the girl had paid for it, she left the store to join him. He was standing right outside the door, but did not open it for her. The older woman was left alone in the store as well. While she waited to pay her children took their ice cream and their father's and went outside to sit down. They were more than halfway into their dessert by the time the mother was able to join them outside.

As I watched these women, I felt angry and sorry for them. Why didn't the boyfriend wait with his girl and open the door for her? Why didn't the husband or children wait with their wife/mother while she paid? These two, very different women, were treated like gophers. They probably think that this is their burden as women. But I wanted to scream at them, "It doesn't have to be that way!" I think they should expect more from their men. I think that the men should have stayed with their women and at least opened the door for them as they were leaving the store. I know that my husband would have. My husband probably would have told me to go have a seat and relax while he ordered my dessert! And then I would have held the door for him as we were leaving. I never would have married someone who treated me the way these two men treated their women. If I had ever been on a date with someone who acted like that younger man, it would have been our last date!

Come on, girls! We deserve better! As women, we manage most aspects of our men's lives. We tell them when it is time to take out the trash, cut the lawn, and buy new underwear because most of the time they can't remember to do these things themselves. The least they can do for us is treat us with respect and kindness. Take a stand women, and demand to be treated like a princess, not a servant!

Rant over, I feel better now. Off to fold laundry now.

I am having one of those weeks where I say "I am going to keep the house clean." When I start out with a clean slate, as I did on Sunday, I always say that. So far, so good, but it is only Tuesday morning. We shall see how the rest of the week goes.

It's back to doing laundry today. This will be a test of the "keep the house clean" mantra. Let's see if I can actually get the laundry washed, folded and put away all in the same day. Other than that, there isn't too much to juggle. I have to get to the grocery at some point today for a few odds and ends. And I have to remember to call my oldest's Sunday School teacher. She has asked me to substitute for her on Sunday. I don't really like subbing, I have done it twice for her, but I feel guilty saying "no". It feels like a sin against God not to help out the church when I am perfectly capable of doing so.

My middle child has school this morning but my oldest is still on spring break, so he wants all of my attention. He helped me get the laundry going and now wants me to play a miniature golf video game with him. So, off I go to spend quality time with my son. I enjoy these days when he is home without the middle child. We don't often get that quality time together.

Today, I don't have too much to juggle. The kids are off school so I am watching my neighbors boys for a while this morning so she can go to the gym. They are the same ages as my boys so they will just play together while they are here. The cleaning is all done, since we had company yesterday. There is just a little kitchen clean up still remaining from our dinner last night - a few special dishes and placemats that need to be put away.

Since there are not too many regular chores to be done, I am taking this opportunity to switch out my middle child's summer clothes. Need to box up the old that doesn't fit and get out the hand-me-downs from his older brother. That sounds easy enough, but is a little labor intensive. Taking it all out of the closet and drawers (I accomplished this step this morning), then sorting it by what is "unisex" and can be worn again by my daughter. The rest gets folded nicely and boxed up so that I can pass it on to my girlfriend for her son. Then the hand-me-downs need to be washed before they can be put away. It usually takes a few days before this task is accomplished in its entirety.

The rest of the day will be taken up by playing with the kids and the things that need to be done every day, like dishes and food preparation. Right now, my neighbors boys are here, so I am off to go play. That is one of the best things about staying home with your kids...you get to play a lot!

Hippity, Hoppity!

Happy Easter! I think the kids Easter baskets were a little lame this year. But when money is tight, what is the Easter Bunny to do? They did get Narnia and are pretty excited about that, and lots of Skittles, Smarties and Starburst. The middle child declared that he didn't like his Swiper backpack clip and wanted to know why he didn't get a clock like the oldest. Never mind that he is too young to tell time, or even understand it! The baby only got a book, an outfit and some bibs. Her basket was set up more for her older brothers than her; she doesn't know any better. They did really like the homemade cards that I created for them. That made me feel pretty good.

Anyway, lots to do to get ready for company. Laundry to put away (I got it all folded after the kids were in bed) and floors to vacuum. I need to get a workout in because I skipped yesterday. Plus we all have to shower and dress, and set up for an Easter Egg Hunt. The kids are quite excited about that!

I Feel Energized Today

My daughter drank from a cup for the first time today! She did such a good job, I am so proud of her. She threw it across the floor more than she drank from it, but she had fun and liked her first taste of juice, that is all that matters. It is so much fun watching children as they experience things for the first time. It gives me such joy to share those moments with them.

Well, I didn't get any cleaning or laundry done yesterday. I decided to play with my kids, do a workout and after dinner I went to one of my best friend's house to make cards. So today, I have the cleaning to do for Easter dinner. But Super Hubby did some of it last night, lightening my load for today. He is helping my brother move into his new house today, so I am on my own with the kids and cleaning to do.

Congrats to my brother on his move. He and his wife must be so excited. I wish I could go down and see the house. I hear it is incredible, optioned out with every luxury. And they got all new furniture, as well. I would love to see it today, but with all three kids and the cleaning to do, I just don't see it happening. I will have to get the details from my hubby. Sorry, bro.

Today I juggle cleaning the house, and doing some laundry for the kids. I have to wash the outfit my daughter will wear for her first Easter! It is such a beautiful day, I wish the kids could be outside playing. But I never let them play outside alone and I need to be working in the house. We will just have to see how the day shapes up.

I have to get my workout in, since I probably won't get to it tomorrow. I am seeing better results than I expected. I lost a bunch of weight when I was breastfeeding because my diet was so limited, and my body has to work so hard to produce milk. So I was pretty much right where I wanted to be on the scale. I just wanted to tone and be able to eat whatever I wanted without picking back up the weight. Well, I am eating what I want (including pizza and peanut butter eggs), have lost five or six pounds, and have already noticed a difference in the strength and toning in my legs and arms. Clothes that were too tight to wear last summer (before I got pregnant with my daughter) are now a little loose! Yeah for me! I will be quite ready for that trip to Jamaica next month for one of my best friends' wedding! I will just have to buy a bunch of new clothes that fit!

I have already started the laundry, and the kids are set with snacks and naps, so off I go to get my cleaning underway. I feel energized and ready for action today.

Rant on Smoking

I wasn't planning on posting twice today, but I have to rant on something I saw. I was on my way to Wal-Mart and driving behind me was a minivan with a female driver. I noticed that she was smoking. I immediately wondered whether she had children in the van with her. Sure enough, a girl who looked to be about 11 or 12 sat in the front passenger seat.

I think smoking is a disgusting habit. Before you write me off yet, I do believe that smokers have rights. No one should tell you that you can't smoke in your own car or home, or even outdoors. Members of my family and friends are smokers and I was even recreational smoker on occasion in my youth, when there was enough alcohol involved. However, I find it so disgusting that a mother would expose her child to second hand smoke.

Sure, my parents smoked in the house and even in the car with me. My mother smoked, and drank for that matter, when she was pregnant with all three of her children. But we know more about the negative effects of smoking now than we did then. It is one thing for an adult to decide to pollute their own lungs and cause themselves health issues. I can't understand someone who would impose such risk on their child.

You can't say that there aren't any side effects to second hand smoke. I have been in smoky bars. The next day, it feels like I have a hangover. My head hurts, my throat hurts, and usually a day or two later, I will feel like I have a cold with a stuffy or runny nose. Disgustingly, the stuff that comes out of my nose is gray or black. That's not normal!

Aren't we, as parents, supposed to do everything in our power to protect our children? How can you sleep at night, woman in a gray Chevy van with PA tags, knowing the health issues you are potentially inflicting on you child? I just don't get it, and it makes me so sad for that child. We make sacrifices every day for our children. Her mother wasn't willing to simply wait until they were out of the car to light up, or if she was jonesing so bad for a nicotine hit, she could have pulled over and gotten out of the car for the few minutes it takes to smoke a cigarette.

I just shake my head in wonder at the selfishness of it all.

Good Friday!

First of all let me say that we seem to have defeated "The Sickness". My oldest is feeling much better today, although we have him on a bland diet to ensure that his stomach doesn't revolt, and so far the other two babes have not shown any signs of getting sick. Could it be over that quickly? Only time will tell!

Oh, and when I wrote my post yesterday morning, I forgot to mention a Happy 2nd Birthday to my beautiful, wonderful, sweet, funny, adorable niece. She is such a joy and I love her so much! I called yesterday afternoon to wish her a Happy Birthday. I could just eat her up she is so cute! And smart! She really is amazing and such a special little girl.

Today my husband has the day off because it is Good Friday. Yeah! So my juggling gets split between the two of us. He will be doing all dishes and most diaper changes to save my dry, cracked and bleeding hands from all of the hand washing. He will also play with, and referee, the children while I get more chores done around the house.

Because yesterday was so trying with my oldest being sick, I am going to disappear today for a little while. And I actually get to take a shower and will have time to put on make-up before I go out. I have to go to the super Wal-Mart to get formula. Not my favorite place to shop, but one of the only places that sells the specialized formula we need for the allergy affected baby - and the cheapest place to get it. While I am there I can pick up other groceries that we need at a cheaper cost than my normal store. They sell chicken there much cheaper and I will stock up on soy milk because Wal-Mart is the cheapest place to buy that as well. Since I will be in the neighborhood, I may also drop off some boxes that I have for my wonderful friend who will be moving in a few weeks. I may even treat myself to lunch while I am out. I haven't eaten at a fast food joint in over ten months! (I breast fed the baby until about a month ago, and with her allergies I had a very restricted diet.)

When I get back from my "escape", I have to get the house ready for hosting Easter dinner. I have to give it a really good cleaning. But with my husband home, this task is accomplished much more easily than if he were working. And as always, there is laundry to be done.

The laundry is never complete in a household of five. Especially when the children's clothes get washed separately in special detergent because of their sensitive skin. Once the baby is a little older, I am going to try washing the kids clothes in a detergent we can all use and see if their skin can handle it. I am going to ask the allergist about what brand she recommends. We currently use Tide for our clothes. It is what my mother used and I like the scent, but from what I have heard it is the worst when it comes to added chemicals and such. My life will be much easier when I can wash their clothes with ours.

So off I go. Today will be a busy day but a good day...I say that every day and usually something happens that doesn't meet my expectation for the day. We shall see today...

"The Sickness" Has Invaded Our Home

Well, I woke up this morning with the best intentions. I was going to make my kids a good hot breakfast - pancakes and waffles. I was going to get a lot accomplished because my children are both off from school today so I won't have the running around related to school to do. I still have laundry to do, we have appointments to get hair cuts and I have to go to the grocery for some supplies. We were going to have a good day, full of stuff to do to keep the animals occupied and minimize fighting.

My oldest was complaining that his stomach hurt. I told him he was probably just hungry, gave him a banana and went about making the pancake batter. I gave him a waffle when it was ready and he was doubled over, moaning. I told him to eat up, thought he was being dramatic. Ten minutes later he was in the bathroom with "The Sickness" coming out of both ends.

I should consider myself lucky because my children don't get sick very often. They are really healthy and we have only had to deal with a stomach virus twice in my oldest's almost seven years. That being said, when it does happen, you might as well throw that day down the toilet with the sickness! Now my kitchen is a mess from the pancakes, and instead of getting it cleaned up, I had to do a hundred other jobs that go along with "The Sickness". Such as: cleaning the toilet and floor where "The Sickness" happened, creating a "safe zone" on the couch for the sickly one to lay, and general sympathy and consoling, which I gladly do but which takes up a generous amount of time. In addition, I had to strip the beds and wash all the stuffed animals that were in them. (We let the boys sleep together last night, so it is a guarantee that the middle child will get "The Sickness" as well, probably within the next 12 hours or so.) In between all of these things, I have had to tend to, feed, diaper and nap a baby, and take care of the almost four year old's needs with toys that won't work, movies he wants to watch, etc.

Because we don't get "The Sickness" very often, my house is not prepared for it. I have no ginger ale, Gatorade or Pedialyte. Bland foods are easy, especially when you have the variety of allergies in a household that we do. But the only juices I have are apple and white grape, neither of which will do anything to help "The Sickness" that is coming out of a certain end of my son! One of my best girlfriends goes through "The Sickness" often enough that she has become my expert on the subject. I know from her that water is no good to a sick belly. So what am I to give my son to drink?

I will figure it out, of course, and we will get through this day (and the next if the middle child gets it). But nothing will be accomplished, and I will start this long weekend in a deficit, yet again. I never have to wonder why I can never get ahead! When you have children you always have to be prepared for the day ahead to shift course. The best laid plans often never even start! So off I go, to just go with the flow. Tomorrow my husband is off and I think I might just disappear for the day!

Where Have Our Standards Gone?

So today isn't looking too bad. I have to be at my oldest son's school this afternoon for his Spring Party. But for once, I am totally prepared hours before I have to go. My husband and I stuffed the eggs for the egg hunt last night while watching TV and the cookies were done the night before. So before his party today, I have to straighten up the house again because the sitter is coming here with her son to watch my two little ones, and I have to finish folding the laundry that still isn't done. By the time I get the laundry folded we will be out of clothes again!

I still have to take a shower and get dressed, too. At the bus stop this morning the other moms and I were laughing about the way we used to care so much about what we wore and how we looked and just look at us now. Only two of the four of us had had showers yet! The other two (myself included) were wearing sweats and old t-shirts. When we were younger we were into the trendiest things. We had to have Tretorns in two different styles - the plaid and the solid. We all wore Jordache jeans, Benneton tops, and when they were in, Jams! Remember them?!? We used to shop at Deb, Hecht's and Macy's. Now we shop at Target! And before we had children, we never went anywhere without make-up on. Not even to the grocery or the local Wal-Mart. Now, we are just lucky to get out the door wearing something that isn't stained with baby food, children's medicine or paint! Make-up? Who's got time for that? When you have three children to get out the door with you, there is no time for such luxuries. I have lowered my standards so far that I don't even have to shower to go to the grocery or local Wal-Mart anymore! When the opportunity to go to the store comes up, you have to go no matter what you current cleanliness state is!

Must get back to the grind now - it is time for my baby's snack and nap. Then I am off to fold laundry. Joy of joys!

My Head Hurts!

Oh do I have a headache! This is the first time I have had a chance to sit down today. I was the "helping mom" at my middle son's preschool today for their Easter Party. I love being there and seeing him interact with the other kids. And I love getting to know the other little ones, too. But, oh my, am I tired when I am done!

So I haven't been home since 8:45 this morning and now I just got an email from my oldest's teacher and need to go to the school this afternoon to pick up some supplies for his Spring Party that's tomorrow. That means that I have to wake both sleeping beauties from their naps a mere one hour after getting them down. They aren't going to like that!

What else am I juggling today? Well, I did have to go to the store for formula for the baby, but my sitter was going anyway so I gave her cash and she is going to get my formula for me. Isn't it great to have such good neighbors and friends?! So now I just have the normal stuff of being Mommy of three (isn't that enough), I have to finish folding the laundry from yesterday, and I have to fill the eggs for my oldest's party tomorrow (that is what I am picking up at the school).

Yesterday, I delegated the grocery to my husband and then recruited him to help me make the cookies last night. We were up until midnight baking, but we had fun. It was so nice to have the company while accomplishing that chore. And the cookies turned out great. My middle son's class ate them today for snack and loved them.

So off I go to get something accomplished before I have to wake the kids up. Poor babies. I am lucky that my baby is so good. She just goes with the flow and almost never complains. What an angel! My middle one, well he is another story...waking him up will be a nightmare! Oh joy!

Eight Cup Pot of Coffee Day

First I have to say "Happy Birthday" to my little brother (see Saxman Satire link). Have a great day! I love you!

This is an eight cup pot of coffee day. It's only half caff mind you. Eight cups of caffeinated coffee would put me over the top! I judge my day on my indulgence in coffee. If the day ahead of me isn't too bad, I only make myself four cups. If the day is a stressful one before it starts, it's an eight cup day.

Too many things going on...let's see what I am juggling today: bills to pay, laundry piled up - no clean pants to wear for me, have to go to the grocery, have to clean the house because I have a sitter coming tomorrow to watch the baby - I am the helping parent at my middle child's preschool, have to make a double batch of sugar cookies for my two sons' school spring parties, and I can't forget to call my brother to wish him a happy birthday. Anything else? Oh and I have to do the normal: feed everyone meals, clean everyone's butts, do the dishes, play with the children. Are there enough hours in the day?

Maybe I should mention that all three of my children have differing food allergies - milk, soy, peanut, egg, and a few other more minor ones. This complicates every part of my day. The milk allergy is a life threatening one, the rest are serious but not as serious as the milk. A fast meal on the go for us does not exist in the same way that it does for others. A fast meal on the go still has to be prepared at home. There are no pizza nights because I was too busy to fix dinner, or quick stops at the drive thru because there is no time for lunch.

Every day I seem to be saying "I just need to get through (fill in the blank). Once that is over things will ease up." But the thing is, as soon as the (fill in the blank) is over, something else has crept up. My whole life is a series of "I just need to get through..." This week, it is I just need to get through Easter. I have two school parties for my boys, then I have to get prepared to host Easter dinner for my family (twelve of us). The parties for my boys require cleaning up the house for the sitter, making sugar cookies (I take control of the food for the parties because of their allergies), and being out of my house for a total of 6 1/2 hours in the next two days for the parties themselves.

Which ball will drop this week?

Must go back to the day ahead. My almost four year old is whining behind me....Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. Can I change my name? Just for the next few years? I shouldn't say that, my children are a gift to be cherished, and I love them dearly. They just drive me crazy sometimes. Okay, most of the time!

Too Many Balls in the Air, One Must Drop

When you juggle too many balls, one is going to fall. That is happening to me a lot lately. Recently I dropped my "volunteering at church during Sunday School" ball. I have too many things on the calendar and I wrote the wrong date down for my turn to work in the Cribbery. I didn't find out until two days later that I didn't show up when I was supposed to. I felt horrible. The person who filled in for me, a good friend, didn't mind and didn't make me feel bad. I am lucky to have such people in my life.

Speaking of juggling, my children are upstairs calling me and my husband is losing his mind. It is bath time and the animals are running around like nuts. Must go solve the household problems.