As for the kids, the hours before church were spent not listening, not packing their church bags, and not really doing their "Sunday responsibilities." Because as Grace said "I'm not doing that anymore." You know, because packing a snack for Jane to eat for her lunch in nursery is SOOOOO hard. Hahahaha. Ethan managed to pack her bottle (I think) and eventually I do believe Sophie stocked the diaper bag with diapers and wipes. Other than that, though, they spent the morning running rampant around the house, Jane kept taking her diaper off and wanting undies (even though she is NOT potty-training), and I did some last minute ironing which I obviously should have done the night before.
We ended up late to church with all the kids running off ahead of us through the parking lot and then through the halls inside and then my favorite thing of all happened once we sat down in the chapel and I made the discovery that NO ONE had brought their own church bags and they all wanted to color in the notebook I brought for Jane. At least Ethan and Grace remembered to bring snacks this time -- last week was a bit dicey for us ALL when they didn't -- but I don't think they got it when I tried to explain how ridiculous it looks for a 7 and almost 9 year old to walk into sacrament meeting each toting an entire SLEEVE of ritz crackers in their hands. In the end they behaved okay enough for the rest of church, but it was once we were home again that the day just about killed me.
I don't know what the deal is or what we can do differently, but every single weekend ends up the same way these days! Kids screaming at us, complete and total disobedience, endless fights and messes, and then at the end -- complete refusal to just GO TO BED and stay in bed. Oh well. At least they're all asleep now (at 10:30 at night).
Even though today was a bust, they DID give me some cute little mother's day gifts earlier this week thanks to the efforts of hard-working teachers! Look how proud they are of their accomplishments:
Sophie could hardly wait to get home from preschool before insisting that I rip that paper off and take a look at her hard work.
Sophie -- A self-portrait.
Ethan has been DYING to give me his present for a couple of weeks now. Apparently he gets his lack of self-control from me. Inside was a compilation of his writings in book form. Hmmmmmm. Ironic, don't you think?? Hahahaha. I had to laugh out loud when I saw he even made a poem about me. I guess Language Arts hasn't altered much in the last decade or so, right Freddie? Hahahaha. Not pictured is the interactive portion of the book where he created a word search for me to do and decoder section. It was pretty awesome.
Apparently it took him a long time to think of all these words to describe me. I don't know if my feelings should be hurt or my heart proud that he put so much thought and effort into his poetry.
Grace was probably the least amped about her mother's day gift for me. She posed for the obligatory shots and all, but I don't think it meant that much to her. YESTERDAY however, when I got back from running some errands, she had filled up about half her journal with something about me on each page. Saying things like "you are the bestest mom ever" and "i love you" and "you are a rainbow" {although that line was stolen from Ethan's book}. It was very cute and I really did love the effort.
If I can just convince them that actions speak louder than words, we'll all be happy campers. Then when next Sunday (and every Sunday) rolls around I'll really know they love me. Because I know they have it in them.
{A couple of weeks ago the bobbsey twins decided they really wanted to give me a foot and leg massage. How could I say no?}
Lover Boy is 9 months old today!
4 comments:
girl you have enough stories to fill a blog...oh wait...you have been lately!! first of all, that little alex IS SUCH a lover boy, this is my favorite age. what are his newest tricks?? is he standing (holding up to things) yet? he has beautiful eyes, they are always sparkling.
and i got a good chuckle out of the bobsie twins massaging your feet. they look truly happy to be doing that.
sorry the day was another typical crazy sunday!! ugh. how to break the cycle?? let me know if you find the magic solution!! Pearce was pretty much a nightmare the majority of the day due to NO NAP. but whatevs. i always love grace's artwork- she is so talented in that way. and ethan's gift is so ethan. i think it took him a long time to think of words because they were dictated by the letters of your name...that is always harder...but he came up with good words. :-)
love ya jecca-mama
Your a nice Momma! Only the two youngest get snack on Sunday in this household, and if they don't put their crayons or paper in the bag....they get to look at a Friend that is always in the diaper bag!
I only use the diaper bag on Sunday. It always has the same coloring books, crayons, Friends, cars, books in it. I don't know how you keep track of each of the individual bags AND most the time, it is left in the car until the next week! :) Yep, I'm that lazy...ahem, prepared!
I feel your pain on the disobedience, screaming, fights and messes....here are some ideas we instituted....maybe they might work. Some are our own original ideas, others my sister found on a blog!
Manners Matter--IF my kiddos are yelling at me, they lose the opportunity to speak, until spoken too, or they have to ask permission to talk to me (or anyone). If they break this rule, they get to run the stairs or lap our trees as many times as years old they are. They think it is fun at first BUT it gets REALLY old....if they complain, they get to start over!
Ransom bin---I give 1 warning, for them to pick up their stuff (my sister doesn't give warnings anymore). IF they don't pick up their mess, toys, they get put in a "ransom" bin. In order to get the toy or whatever out of the bin, they have to pick a chore from a tub of chores (already typed out). If the toy (or whatever) does not have its "ransom" paid within 24 hours....it goes to D.I.
As for chores, if they whine or complain when I ask them to do something, they get another chore added on top, if they whine about that, they get another added on top. All chores MUST be done before they get to play, watch tv, or whatever. Ask my boys how long they spent working on Saturday....we had a rough day! Most the time they learn quickly!
As for the bedtime routine, it seems to be the younger ones that have the hardest time staying in bed, but I am implementing a new rule tonight.....each time they get out of bed, the next night, they have to go to bed that many minutes earlier. Sooooo, say they get out of bed 5 times.....yep, 50 minutes early! That will be fun, right??? :)
As for the fighting, or if they continue to be rude, disobedient....they get time-outs. They have to stand on a stool, with their noses to the wall. I learned this one at This is the Place, it is how they used to discipline back in the pioneer days, except my kiddos get the minutes based on how old they are, back then, the children would get it for 1/2 hour.
Sooooo, now that you know my kiddos are perfect and NEVER do any wrong, you should try to make yours that way!!!! ;) Ha ha, I wish, but the above ideas have helped tremendously with ours....maybe they might help with yours!!! Good luck and at least you can feel better knowing, yours are NOT the only ones! Too bad we can't still walk together....we'd laugh over these things, right???
seriously. what is it about Sundays??? i feel your pain.
Can you make packing their Sunday bags and snacks etc. Part of their Saturday chores? Then they can play during the morning and you don't have to care as much? Sundays are hard. Good luck!
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