Motherhood is Not for Wimps

It's Monday morning. I have the kids off to school. I'm doing laundry. In my laundry room is a sign that Tammy made me long ago, 'Motherhood is Not for Wimps.' It hangs in a room filled with backpacks, school books, laundry, coats, cleaning supplies, lightbulbs, shoes, and shoes, and shoes. It is never clean. It is a true showcase of the mothering that goes on in this house, a little messy.

This morning I sent Max to school without brushing his teeth or combing his hair. He was so furious because he couldn't find a shirt he wanted to wear that he refused to continue getting ready for school. He refused to wear a jacket, though the forecast calls for rain. He did take his lunch, though. I guess he knows what is most important.

Cara did not wake up on her own like usual today. So I went up in her room and told her to hurry, she only had a few minutes. She was sick yesterday, but I told her she was fine today and needed to go.

Maddie came down and asked what else she could have in her lunch besides the sandwich I had made. I told her she was big enough to figure that out. I also told her she was big enough to pack all of her lunch. She seemed a little shocked. Why am I a sucker and continue to pack lunches for children who are plenty big enough to do the job themselves?

My garden is not the shining glory of the neighborhood. But bad produce does have its benefits. To celebrate Jane's (cousin) birthday, we threw tasteless watermelons off the deck. It was very fun to watch them explode. Sam and Maddie enjoyed it so much that they cleaned up all the explosions without a second reminder, and that is mothering at it's best!

Here we are enjoying a package from Tammy. This is me late at night, pajama bottoms with a regular top. And this is Max when he has something to wear, happy. And Cara when she wakes up on her own and has time to get ready for the day.

Leah is going to be 'Tangled' (Rapunzel) for Halloween. But I also think that George could rock the look if he wanted to. But he is determined to be a hobo this year. I guess every boy goes through that stage.

And this is the inside of George. He swallowed a European coin. And this is a testament to me. There is only a photo taken at the hospital because I wasn't at home. Steve, in his more sympathetic style, brought George to the ER. They waited for hours to be told that he would pass it. If I had been in town, I would have told George to drink water and go to bed. But in all reality, this is a cool, albeit expensive, picture.

So we aren't perfect. Not even close. But we are getting the job done. End of term was Friday. The kids did remarkably well. Cara even pulled off a B in math. As long as I can get them all out the door in the morning, we can maintain our family life!