motherhood – Page 56 – Writes for all Mommies

Mom’s Day Off

15/04/2012 WFAM

930973727606 — Mad Dog thinks this note is highly entertaining. I plan to make several copies and use it indefinitely on an as needed basis.

See? I even had medical documentation to take a day off.

It all started off innocently enough. We were headed to a car show with the boys. It was at a car dealership nearby and had reached full capacity for parking. We were redirected to a field where we could hop on a van to return us safely to the show across the highway teeming with cars. As we got on the van and I held T.Puzzle on my lap, a fire ant got hold of my left foot and went to town. By the time his attack was over I had been bitten at least five times. I have been allergic to these bites in the past but I have never had five bites at once. My body decided it was having none of it.

The reaction was almost instant. I will spare you some of the humbling details. Let’s just say there were hives EVERYWHERE. My body felt like it was a mass of fiery itching.

Instead of a car show, we dropped the boys at Grandma’s and spent a lovely afternoon at Express Care.

There absolutely were some positives. The nurse and doctor I had were exceptional. They made sure I had a blanket when I got chilled so I could nap (yes, that’s right, you read correctly, a MOM got a nap during the day!), they put cool compresses on my swollen foot and generally fussed over me the way a Mom fusses over her own sick kids. And, the steroid and Benadryl shots the nurse administered were miraculous in how quickly they improved my symptoms. My body has actually returned to human form overnight.

Wow, what a Mom won’t do to get a little attention and a day off!

children, family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Parenting is a Kick

10/04/2012 WFAM

No matter how long I raise boys, there are aspects of them that I will never understand. The physicality in which they move through life is fascinating to me.

Why is it necessary to karate chop each other while brushing teeth? Why is tackling a part of getting into the car? Why is furniture considered a jungle gym?

All I can do is make some rules about safety, hope they follow at least enough to prevent harm and accept that my house resembles a three-ring circus more often than not.

This morning, as I have been working hard with T.Puzzle to control himself while brushing teeth, I saw a rogue high kick escape from his leg.

“Hands and feet to yourself!” I implored. “No kicking!”

“I didn’t kick him, Mom. I missed,” he replied. His tone indicated that by missing his brother’s face with his foot, that he was the epitome of decorum.

So, the morning was saved. I’d like to say I owe it all to my incredible parenting skills. Mostly, I owe it all to T.Puzzle’s terrible aim.

children, kids, motherhood, parenting

A Twister of Emotion

04/04/2012 WFAM

This afternoon I read the headlines about the tornadoes and severe weather in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This also happens to be exactly where Mad Dog is for work this week. I tried to be rational about the whole thing and that lasted exactly five seconds (give or take). When my fourth text message and second phone attempt to Mad Dog went unanswered, my internal emotional center began to unravel. Of course, I pretended externally that everything was fine. The boys were fairly oblivious until I snapped at them for wrestling. Then again, they must have figured I’d snap at them for something at some point because after all, it was a Tuesday. Turns out, Mad Dog was in a meeting that was being held in the basement section of his building. Ironically, the room that was keeping him the safest, was keeping him from receiving any of my frantic messages. He was aware there was severe weather. He didn’t realize the extent of this weather or that his wife was in desperate need to hear from him. When I finally received a text from him I was so relieved, I had to hold back the rush of tears that promised to completely unhinge me. All I could think about was how grateful I was that he was safe. This experience makes me want to do better. No one can predict the future. We only can contribute to the moments that unfold right in front of us. I hope in these moments to make the most of them and let the people I care about know exactly how much they mean to me.

DALLAS TORNADO: Watch Massive Storms Toss Tractor Trailers (VIDEO) (blippitt.com)

children, family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Don’t Cry for Me Argentina

30/03/2012 WFAM

I haven’t necessarily wanted to share with you about the boys’ current soccer season. The first two games of the season were so pitiful, I actually took to trying to disguise myself at subsequent games. Thankfully, Mad Dog’s mad skills have turned both boys’ teams around. I can now freely leave my wigs and sunglasses at home. Look for Mad Dog’s blog in the future called, “Winning is Everything. One Man’s Journey to Ultimate Soccer Coaching Success, All Thanks to My Beautiful Wife” (or something like that).

Of course before last Saturday’s game for T.Puzzle, I had an in-depth discussion with him that his focus should be on kicking the ball, NOT playing tag with a rascally teammate. Whatever it was, both squads have improved dramatically from that first week. While I enjoy when they win, I can walk away happy if they gave it their all.

This recent soccer success has convinced Full Speed that he is going to be a professional soccer player. His dream is to play for Argentina so he can be on the same team as Lionel Messi. I told him I would miss him and that I would do my best to travel to as many games as I could.

I saw the lightbulb go off in his head. “Mom, you could just move with me to Argentina! Then you wouldn’t miss me at all.”

With Mad Dog’s soccer genes and a heart of gold, I predict he is going to give Lionel Messi a run for his money.

Go Team!

family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Imagination Run Amok

27/03/2012 WFAM

When I picked up T.Puzzle after his first day back from spring break, his teacher immediately approached me as I entered the classroom. I had to resist my fight or flight response. Oh, how I wanted to run away.

She said, “We asked T.Puzzle what he did over break. He told us he went to Africa. Of course we didn’t think that was true. We thought you would have certainly mentioned if you were traveling to Africa. Then, he kept going with it. When we asked him how he got there he said by plane. What did you see there? Giraffes and zebras. Where did you stay? He said he stayed at a hotel.”

Seems little mister had a whole array of imaginary African details. He had his teachers and even the director of his school convinced for most of the day that we had gone to Africa.

For the record, we did not.

I am amused and frightened by this all at once. Part of me is impressed a five year old could come up with such a believable, detailed story. Part of me is very, very concerned. Mostly I’m curious as to where we will ‘travel’ next.

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