Oh, hello there! Have you missed me? I have missed you and have really really missed the mental (and physical, let's be honest; toddlers, am I right) space to make a blog post,.
Ben and Coop have been in San Diego for the USA Diving junior national championships, and Harry and Jack are at camp, and it has been a WHOLE LOT solo parenting Dorothy and Minnie. I never realized just how much all three boys help around the house until they were gone!
Dorothy had a friend come home from dance with her and go swimming and have dinner and it was such a relief for her to have someone else to talk to for a few hours. Kid math for the win.
OH MY GOSH. As soon as I wrote that about having space to write, Minnie said I NUGGLE WITH YOU WHILE YOU WORK and climbed up next to me on the couch and then said YOU PUTER IN MY WAY because she was watching Super Why, so I paused and got her comfortable. Just when I was reaching for my laptop again,. Dorothy woke up with a sore shoulder (maybe she slept wrong? maybe she has a minor dance injury?), and it took a hot second to settle her with a heating pad because Minnie as jealous and now also has A MUSCLE IN MY ARM I NEED TY-NOL. And it has been 30 minutes since I started, and this is what I have.
ANYWAY.
(Minnie is in her room fake crying because I told her I would sit at the table with her and type while she colored, but she wants me to color, too.)
(Also I said she couldn't have Tylenol--Dorothy interested in ibuprofen for the stuff muscle situation)
(Have I mentioned that I have been covering the table with white butcher paper and putting a giant serving tray of crayons in the middle? It's made meals so chill, and the kids all randomly write or draw throughout the day-- love it so much.)
UPDATES:
1. Went to the dentist-- more about this later-- and made cavity appts for later. Might cancel LOL.
2. Drove. By myself. Was fine. Was fun, actually. Will plan more fair weather day trips. More later.
3. Nationals are over-- will update-- nothing huge, but some good lessons, I think.
4. College stuff: GAH.-- a post coming
5. THE BIRD IS DEAD IN OUR VENT. ASK ME HOW I KNOW. **vomit face**
Ok-- Minnie is really mad about the tylenol thing-- gotta go.
Pictured: THE DREAM I AM LIVING
Ah, solo parenting is hard! You would think "just" having the two kids would be easier, but you don't have any help with them. i hope the boys are coming back soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to your college post. My son is about to start his junior year in college, and I think i still have PTSD from his senior year in high school (but we survived it, obviously!) i'll be interested to hear what schools Harry's considering and how you're dealing with the whole thing.
Gimme your best tips— I am already stressed, and he has barely begun.
DeleteKids are like kittens - they should always come in pairs. At least, this is my understanding as a person who has never had a single child or a pair of kittens.
ReplyDeleteI will be fascinated to hear about college searches. It's always interesting when someone who is in higher education is suddenly on the other side!
It is so weird to be on the other side
DeleteI love Engie's comment: kids should come in pairs. Hahaha. True...but also, then the pair can FIGHT. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'm down to one kiddo this weekend and it will be so quiet and calm around the house!
Living the dream indeed; poor Dorthy. Hope she's feeling better soon, and Minnie's words are just so adorable. That girl has some Things. To. Say!
Also - the bird situation sounds absolutely horrible. I hope Ben was home to help and that wasn't part of your solo parenting gig?
I think it has become sparrow jerky with this heat wave and is a memory?
DeleteSO MANY TEASERS!!! I can't wait for future posts.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, this summer I am finding "Just G" to be slightly more work than A+C+G. I cannot explain this other than I underestimated how much the big kids kept her busy!
ReplyDeleteYES — exactly what I found
DeleteHi! I've been MOVING so I haven't had any mental or actual space to write either, and I have missed it. Looking forward to catching up!
ReplyDeleteLove your IG pics and can’t wait to hear about it!
DeleteMinnie has such big feelings and ideas :)! And also, all-girl house!! When it was just my sis, mom, and me in the house, it felt like we were roomies or something, we do some special treats and pampering rituals and stuff. Kid math is so real. That last kid in the house after the rest have gone to college is a very special challenge.
ReplyDeleteThe girly part WAS fun— in the hotel and also Dorothy and I had a slumber party every night
DeleteSome kids are gone and it sounds like you should have a little breathing room, but alas.
ReplyDeleteThis is Lisa. Solo parenting is so tiring, especially with a clingy toddler. Will is totally my Velcro baby. He wants to come everywhere. ‘Mommy needs to shower’ - ‘I come wiff!’ And it goes on and on. I did get a bit of a reprieve at my parents this week, though. He also loves Tylenol. If he seems Tylenol or Motrin out he will beg for it (I obv don’t give in but wow it is a whole thing).
ReplyDeleteWho knew 2 kids would be more work than all 5?! Makes sense when the older kids can help entertain the younger ones, though! Whew.
ReplyDeleteMy only comment is that I have no idea how you and other parents do it. That's all. You're all rock stars.
ReplyDelete