Go the f*ck to sleep - a memory inducing book

My good friend Lourdes sent me this very funny and all too real book Go the F*ck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach.   I think it is loosely based on us somehow.  As Chris read aloud, I was flooded with memories of sleepless nights and endless frustration.  It is funnier now looking back on it than when it was happening.  These two adorable and innocent boys could reduce us to cursing like sailors.

Parenthood Christmas play revisited || OM [one moment] meet up

If you are a parent and haven't seen the 1989 Ron Howard movie Parenthood, you probably should (also not a bad idea if you are planning to become a parent).  I cannot tell you how many times I've referenced that movie to my own parenting situations. One particular scene is the Christmas play below and the very feeling that I'm on a roller coaster in life speeding out of control.



E embarrasses easily and hates (H A T E S) to be in front of a crowd. Naturally, concerts are not his favorite thing. Even less palatable to him is photo/video taking by his parents. So his reaction to Chris taking a photo with his iPhone last night should not have surprised us.  However, it was. And not in a good way.

Between songs, and after the applause quieted, E shouted "Put down the iPhone" accompanied by a scowl. That was the point at which I was on top of my parenting roller coaster plummeting toward the earth.  Luckily, my ride came to an abrupt halt when another boy in the front row acted out, in full squat and red scrunched face, 6 geese a-laying [eggs].

NOTE: I really like the Parenthood TV show based on the movie.
NOTE 2: The diarrhea song scene is another scene we often relive.

Boys and bedding...what gives?!

274 - Big comfy bed!, originally uploaded by Single Malt.

Today, as I'm pulling sheets off of beds for laundry, I am reminded how my boys just don't seem to care much about bedding. They can sleep anywhere and in anything. In their minds, the easier the better. They'd sleep in sleeping bags on top of their beds if I let them (just like their dad did when he was small).

Years ago, I gave up on flat sheets. C is 6'3" and hates them. He doesn't like sheets or his feet tucked in. So, I opted for inexpensive duvets from Ikea. I bought several so that I could change and launder them as I would sheets. It doesn't make for luxurious looking beds, but it works.

M, my 13 yo, is currently using one of C's childhood comforters. It is so old and flat that it's basically just a sheet. This is not for lack of comforters in our house. I've purchased several along with matching duvets and pillows. He just can't be bothered. Since he doesn't seem to care, I've lost a bit of interest as well....except for days, like today, when I'm focusing on his bed.

E, my 8yo, is loving his bed right now. We bought him a pseudo bunk bed (one not quite as tall as normal bunk beds). On top, he has a tent like structure that encloses the bed. On the bottom, I added a wall of fabric and blue rope lighting to make it a cozy reading nook for him. He can tie the fabric up or leave it down. He's made it into his "fort."My biggest issue with him is getting him to wear pajamas. He'd prefer wearing his day clothes every night (and into the next day, if possible). I encourage him to wear big old t-shirts but even that is a struggle. I give up. There are bigger wars to be waged.

Even Sophie, our new 6 mos old Weimaraner, has thrown her paw into the bedding chaos. She insists on being with us at night and would prefer to be in our bed. Since she's a big dog, that is out of the question. So, she is sleeping in a large bed on the floor next to my side of the bed. She's not happy. As a matter of fact, the first night we insisted she sleep on the floor, she turned her back and refused to look at us. Her beds are big and require routine laundering as well.

Please tell me that I'm not alone. Do you have issues with your beds, linens, boys?!

Today I was a rock star! ZOO-WEE MAMA!

Today I was a rock star not in the sense that I had paparazzi surrounding me or fans clamoring for my autograph. Not like a Miley Cyrus (did I just put that name in my own blog) or a Gwen Stefani (did I also just type those two names in the same sentence?). No, today, I was a rock star in the eyes of two 8 year old boys.

Tickets to see the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney, were being given out on Saturday at our local Borders in Providence. I learned of this from my lovely friend, Katy, through Facebook. Before I could stop myself, I had asked E if he wanted to go to this event. In slow motion and as the words escaped my lips, I could hear my inner voice yell, "NOOOOOOO!"

Now it was out there.

I had to deliver.

The store opened at 10:00 AM. I was there at 9:00 AM certain that I'd be the only person there. Nah, I was already about 8th in a line that continued growing 'til the store opened. While I used to stand in line for punk rock concerts, I'm now standing in line with other crazy...I mean, dedicated parents for book signing tickets. And not by Nobel Laureate authors, no offense Jeff, but for an author who has coined the phrase "ZOO-WEE MAMA" or "the cheese touch. "

If you are not familiar with this series, here is the site with some details about the books. This series was the first that my, then, 7 year old son devoured. He woke up at 4 AM on a Saturday morning (the day after we bought the series) to finish these books. I'm sure there is a different award for an author who has the ability to make little boys excited about reading and it's as important to parents as the Nobel prize is to the world.

So, my being one of the first in line on Saturday morning paid off. We were in section 1, row 2 - the mosh pit, so to speak, of book signing. We had a great view of the presentation. We were the first group to have our books signed. We were also lucky enough to get an autograph by one of the actors in the upcoming movie. Yes, there is a movie coming out in 2010. Sorry, I'm afraid I can't say much about it for fear the movie studio will come after me.

The boys came home for a play date, sat on the couch and began quietly reading. You must understand that these are two boys with a lot of energy. E has only sat still for this long when reading these books. Jeff, no pressure, but please keep writing the books and keep them coming quickly.


So, I was a rock star today in the eyes of my 8 year old and his friend. That, for me, means I've made it...for the moment.

The simple pleasures in the little moments of parenthood

There are little moments in parenting that make me grin from ear to ear. They are sometimes few and far between but when they hit me, I get chills up my spine. I think these moments are enhanced to make us appreciate the mundane aspects of parenting.

Every morning, I drop my youngest off in front of his school. I pull my car in line with the rest of the parents, stealthily kiss him on the cheek, and watch him exit the car to meander his way to the front door of his school. Each morning, I sit there, eyes glued and watch him for that one moment that he may turn around to wave. It doesn't happen often, but I don't want him to miss me if he happens to look back.

This morning I laughed as I realized that this little moment in my morning makes me so happy. I watched the other parents in their own routines: some walk their children to the door, some just stand by their car, a few drop their kids and take off late for work. Most of us lingered...watching...waiting...

He didn't look back this morning, but I was glad I watched him until I couldn't see him anymore.

Diagram of E meandering from car to front door of school.