One for the books

Today has been one of those days.  You know, one of those days where a Love it size from Coldstone doesn't even hold a candle? Yeah,  I need about a gallon.

My friend and I went for a run this morning.   We are both running in a race this coming weekend called the Santa Hustle.  Therefore, a group of us girls going decided to dress up so we bought red tutus.  If you are a runner you know that doing anything out of the ordinary during a run could change everything. So, to prepare I decided to run in my tutu this morning. At 6:15 A.M., down a country road, with it lit up (Did I  mention it is a lighted red tutu?), we took our morning run in the dark with our red tutus on.  I'm sure the kids on the school bus that passed us at 6:40 got a real kick out of it.   

Kind of stressful morning and I didn't get started off with my quiet time...I had to stop mid-morning if we were going to survive the day.  I had to shower, with all three kids awake.  During that time, I had a basketball goal knocked over, one boy who had to poop (in the same bathroom as me), a baby girl crying and finding her way in between the shower curtain and plastic covering that she had a wet head once it was all said and done.  I actually found myself saying,  "Hurry!! Shut the toilet lid!!!! Linley, NO!! Do not put your hand in the toilet!" If you know Linley you know that she has stubborn streak about her.  She doesn't really like the word No. Meltdown by the baby because I told her no.  I made a new rule today, I will NOT hold anyone in the shower. No, I will not do it. 

After a couple of arguments my referee hat is on. Not literally, but that is something to think about.  Anyway, a compromise is made and one cave- that was built in the boys room using the knocked over basketball goal- is now moved to the living room.  Pretty cool idea right? I thought so. Until, Caleb, we shall call him the Starving Artist, decides he wants to color in his new cave. No problem, "Caleb, color only on your paper. DO NOT color on any of the furniture. Do you understand me?"  Of course, Mom, who would think of doing that?  May, I say that 30 seconds, literally, after those words came out of my mouth what do I find?  Caleb,  making a very colorful picture on the ottoman...with markers.  The kid can color. What can I say?  I mean,  really, he's a starving artist.  Next move, my head did not fly off. Yes,I'm surprised as well. So, in order to appease the starving artist I take away the markers and tape two sheets of paper to the side of the ottoman (which is covered in blankets for the cave effect) and let the boy finish his drawing.  John gets to see the drawing when he gets home and if he wants to get it off, go for it.

We did school today.  I have to say, of the most memorable things I taught my children today, school will not be it. Why?  Argument number gagillion, both boys sent to timeout in same room, til they can get along or I come get them,  Linley follows.  Then, I hear laughter and crying.  I walk in to find something that still amazes me.  Linley, sitting in the floor, surrounded by clothes, and Ethan and Caleb pulling ALL of the clothes out of their dresser and throwing them on LC.  Are you kidding me?  ( I say that alot) At this point I'm pretty sure steam was coming out of my ears. Line em up, spank em out. No one really cried after that. I'm pretty sure it was their guilty consciences.   Then, I told them that I was going to walk out to the mail and when I got back every piece of their clothes would be back in their dresser.  It sounded good at the time but that doesn't fly, I mean, they couldn't even shut the dresser drawers when I got back. So, the lesson learned today was folding clothes.  We layed out several shirts and I taught each of them how to fold shirts.  So they were able to practice. A lot, and a lot more. At one point Ethan asked me if he was going to fold forever.  No, just today. Now, since they know how to fold shirts, among other things, they will be helping me with the laundry, in just a few minutes.  

It's just now 3 in the afternoon, our day isn't over.  I love these boys. Yes, I did laugh after all of this.