Anyone who knows me well understands that I’m not um, a natural at the whole mom thing. I’ve got the food/shelter/clothing/snuggle/kiss-the-boo-boo thing down, yes, but beyond that, I’m at a loss. My mother blames it on my father’s side of the family.
Anyway.
Kirsten, my four-year-old, is staying home with me this short week. She just returned from Grandma Lyons House of Fabulous Toys, Non-Stop Attention and Cheetoes for eight days. I asked my husband – who has this whole mom thing down like you wouldn’t believe – to please make us a list of things to do. He even used holiday colors. See? I wouldn’t have thought of that.
(Just so you don’t think my hubs is a sissy boy, you should know he worked as a bouncer in college and can bench press like 800 pounds or something.)
Generalissimo Kirsten’s first act today was to impose a Forced Dance (see #1 on the list). Laurie Berkner rocks, by the way. This was quickly followed by the construction of a mermaid garden, performance of an ad hoc play (“Mommmm, just make it up as you go!”), and about two hours of cookie baking. Then it was lunch time. The rest of the day was a blur.
I’m exhausted.
I totally copped out for tomorrow. Hubs will work from home, and then we’re going to the Mall of America (#6 on the list).
UPDATE: Chris pulled a fast one on us. He dropped us off at the Mall, then “went shopping” – at another mall – for like two hours. I was pwned. Nice move, Lyons, nice move.
Based on my experience, #11 is too late in the agenda and should be repeated…uh…repeatedly. Add in lots of South Park on the tube and you should be good to go. (Mommy: Why does he keep saying “giggedy?”)
Any time you want parenting advice, you know where I am…usually trying to keep my kid eating baby lotion and standing on top of the neighbour’s kids.
Addendum and Note to Children’s Services…I’m trying to keep my kid FROM eating baby lotion. *groan*
ROFL. Dave, I love it.
I have discovered that clubpenguin.com is a life-saver (if you’re not already there). Sounds like a busy week! Call if you need a shoulder
Thanks, Amy! I convinced Chris to stay home with us today and tomorrow. We’re about to go to MoA, because we are nuts and enjoy chaos. Hope you and all your boys have a great Christmas!
Three words……airport moving sidewalk.
My son thinks its the best invention of all time. I have trouble getting him on the plane he is having so much fun. And the added benefit…..he’s run so ragged that he falls asleep in about two seconds.
In my brown boots, in my brown boots, I jump around in my brown boots.
Ah, what were we talking about. Hope you have the same Laurie Berkner CDs I do. Dan Zanes is great also.
When you’re working on baking the cookies, do you ever have the urge to do more of it yourself, so it will come out right (straight, organized, not a jackson pollock cookie…), fighting with the real purpose of doing it with your daughter? I think I’m developing a bad habit of making the dough and letting my wife and 4 year old daughter battle with entropy of the cutting and decorating.
David, yes. I let her decorate, and then I’d scrape off the mountain of pink sprinkles after she was done. Also, I used frozen dough and just cut it into circles. Because I couldn’t find the cookie cutters. Lame, much?
Hi Gia…noticed in Clearstep that you had a blog, so here I am. We are implementing Clearspace at Cisco. I’ve got to figure out some measure/metrics…any ideas for me? Anyway, love your blog. My wife and I love MOA…make the 6 hour trip by car from Lake Geneva, WI every October around Halloween. One more random comment…are you left-handed? I am. So is Barack. Celebrate your sinister side (sinistra is left in Italian). Oh, and if you have any ideas on metrics…I’d love to hear from you. rberndt@cisco.com
ciao.
Hi Ron! I’ll email you a list of metrics to consider. Yes, I’m left-handed, ridiculously so. I think my right hand is just there for looks, in fact.
I used to live in Milwaukee, and have been to Lake Geneva a time or two! Beautiful area.
Thanks for reaching out!
Hi Gia…thanks for the response…I’ll anxiously await your email. The very best to you! Ron – “Collaboration Guy” Cisco – Emerging Markets Theater.