The Quicker Picker Upper

I am doing another bathroom post. I actually don't spend that much time in there. With three kids, you'd think I'd have no problem getting "help" if I need it - in the bathroom, since one or three or what seem like twenty kids follow me to the bathroom whenever I go.

This time, however, I actually did need some help. I called out for my older daughter to bring me some toilet paper. She happily brought in a package of paper towels. "No" I told her, "those won't work". So, I sent her off again with more specific directions and then ask the three-year old to grab me some toilet paper from the kids' bathroom.

The youngest then shows up with a second package of paper towels.

Seriously?

The paper towels are kept out in the garage. Toilet paper is stored in the bathroom cupboard, like twelve steps away.

Next, my math-minded son shows up (see - they just keep showing up), and instead of just grabbing me some toilet paper in the other room, he needs to know why paper towels won't work. "Short Answer" isn't his style.

Needless to say, I got what I needed, and can rest well with the sure knowledge that we have enough paper towels too.

Separates the men from the boys

Boy, have I done it again. Remember a few hundred blog posts back when I talked about a Shepherd's Pie memory? I added a bit too much salt that time.

Well, tonight I signed up to feed the church missionaries serving in my area. I planned to take dinner over to their apartment at 5:00.

This past week, I have walked around my house with "Jessie Eyes" because I just visited her and she is very organized. I've been tossing stuff and categorizing stuff, including small parts of my pantry. I found two cans of diced green chiles way back behind some bowls. I didn't even look at them, but happily "Jessie-ized" them by putting them with the other cans of diced green chiles.

Can you guess why they would be hidden behind bowls and in the back of the shelves?

Fast forward to me making dinner. I made a Sour Cream Enchiladas recipe that is to die for, in fact I'll paste it right here (it is the best I've ever had, comes from an NFL players favorite recipes compilation):

So, the key of this recipe for my family is NOT to use Fire roasted diced green chiles. And, you guessed it - that is what I did tonight. I dumped in the can that I was so proud of myself for "Jessie-izing" in my pantry. I thought the chiles looked a bit dark, then I looked at the can.

DANG

They were hidden for a reason and I should have never, ever kept those around (I told my husband later that I planned to donate those cans to a food bank).

Anyway, I did try to pull out some of the dark chiles, as many as I could easily get. But lots stayed in and the missionaries were waiting . .

So, I dumped in a regular can and plopped it all in the oven. I delivered it to the missionaries then prepared my own family members plates. After we all sat down, my youngest took the first bite. If only I had my camera. Picture a three year old with eyes popping, and a mouth completely full of food and wide, gaping open. She was crying out as though she had been poisoned.

I am so sorry!

Really. OK, I told the kids, "If you can muscle this down, there will be a BIG reward. This is the kind of food that separates the men from the boys."

And wouldn't you believe it, all three children ate their food. I am not kidding.

Some of their comments:

"Mom, if you eat the peaches right after the spicy stuff, it really takes the burn away."

"Ah, oh, ah, ah, better take a drink"

So, now you are wondering about the reward? Well, I just happend to have oreos and just happend to have ice cream. So, I made them oreo shakes and we finished the Monopoly game I talked about yesterday (I lost worse than I think I have ever lost a game, 8 yr old conquered). He said, "Tonight has been such a fun night." I just wonder if the missionaries are thinking the same thing.



Persnickety

One of our favorite books around this "ranch" is, "Seven Silly Eaters" by Mary Ann Hoberman.

Today was one of those days when I feel like my children are rather persnickety (one of the words Ms. Hoberman uses in the book). My older daughter asked me what the word means, so I looked it up and now saying it even makes me feel better. Per-snick-i-ty. Fun.

It means:  fussy about small details
One antonym of the word is un-demanding

Doesn't that describe parenting all the way? This was just one of those days where we were coming and going (right when my youngest had an accident on the kitchen floor) and then at mealtime, the table was covered with a Monopoly game (of which I am definitely going to be the third winner, out of three players) so I fed the children dinner outside on the deck. On my way outside, with a drink in my hand, I bumped the chair and spilled water all over the floor.

Persnickety

I lost my patience a few times today which makes me feel bad, especially since I just went to church meetings and learned about being a better person.

The kids were pretty restless and teasing/tormenting most of the day, so by the time bedtime came around, only one of three children 'got' to have stories. That was my favorite part of the day, a little one-on-one time with my child and reading a fun story.

I'll share a picture showing my persnickety children and then end with a real story of my friend's that I genuinely laughed about just today - and laughing feels good, even better than saying "per-snick-ety".

This was taken in 2009 and captures the last 3 years of my life

My friend casually told us all (four friends in her car, driving to visit another person) about how she once gently 'bumped' a child in a parking lot (icy roads). The child wasn't hurt (I wouldn't be sharing this on my "smiling blog" if that were the case), but the way she told the story was so funny. She told it as if we were all watching it in slow motion (including herself) and kind of referred to the child as though he were a garbage can that simply slid across the road. She was driving a van. This all created a very funny picture in my head. I am glad said child was not harmed. I am thankful for good friends who tell good stories.

Finish Your Happiness

I happened across a "funny" from last year that I'll officially record here. I'm just taking out my daughter's name.

Practicing the violin is more of a ‘me’ thing than it is for her at this age (meaning the teacher teaches me and then I have to somehow be patient enough to work with my daughter). Anyway, one day she was doing really well with her practicing both in techniques and attitude, so I started complimenting her saying her name in a sweet, happy tone (of my own). Then, my girl dropped the violin on the floor (she must have thought I was holding it) to which I said, “Oh no, not OK.” (our floors are mostly hardwood, the one in the picture is carpet but she dropped it on the hardwood -- of course). I'm sure I must have had a very non-sweet look to accompany the words.

After picking it up she said, “Finish your happiness Mom”.  It took me awhile to figure out that I needed to finish complimenting her. I guess this can be my lesson for this year which is to finish my happiness. It is pretty easy to get upset over things, but how much better would everything turn out if I would just finish my happiness.

Labor Day -- do I get a break?

OK, real quick:

Today I was having a discussion with my kids about Labor Day (5 yr old started it - she just asked in a roundabout way, what we are supposed to be celebrating). I actually still don't know.

We were running around in the van and I answered her by saying, "Oh, let's have your brother look it up on my phone while we are in the next place (a farmer's produce stand) and he can tell us. All I know is that no one works that day. Dad stays home, the kids would stay home from school if it had started. It is a day off."

My 3 yo then chimes in, "Mom, do I get a break from being at home?" I asked her what she would do for her break and she told me she would go to a store.