Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Well, I'll Be!

This week has been more than crazy, as I am sure most everyone's has.

Add to that that Brett has been home for approximately 22 hours since last Thursday, and you can imagine how frayed my nerves are.

There has been the usual "Keep your hands to yourself!" lectures. And I even threatened to ground both of the boys until 2008 if they didn't get their acts together. Too harsh?

I have counted the minutes until bedtime each night with the anticipation of making myself a meal that is both warm and satisfying because eating with the kids (more specifically eating what they're eating) just isn't what I need right now. So I just sit with them at the table and referee.

I've also been enlightened that Wyatt is speaking a new and unknown language. Apparently in this language, "Go upstairs and brush your teeth" translates to "I want you to play the electric guitar." Who knew?

But, I am happy to report, there has been somewhat of a breakthrough.

Mere moments ago, as my blood pressure was rising and my temper running dangerously thin, I heard the three most endearing words from the mouths of my children.

"I'm sorry Mom."

I had just finished a little lecture on how Daddy has been gone a lot this week, and all I ask of them is that they eat their dinner with manners and without farting references. I didn't think that was too much to expect!

I explained that they need to do their parts and help out.

Of course I threw in the proverbial, "Santa is watching, you know!"

And they turned, and they looked at me, and they apologized.

*sigh*

16 comments:

painted maypole said...

i'm glad (??) to know that my child is not the only one who has her own "mommy translator" only here "get your pajamas on" means "play with your dollhouse, spin around on the computer chair, pull every book off the shelf, and whatever else you feel like doing because bedtime? who needs bedtime?"

flutter said...

it's a Christmas miracle!!!

Family Adventure said...

Oh Carrie, I can relate to everything you're saying here. My hubster is away, too, and it's tough at times.

I referee at the dinner table, and yes, there are the occasional farting references here too. Yikes.

Maybe I'll try the Santa line if it's tough going tonight. I'll let you know :)

Hang in there!

Heidi

Christina_the_wench said...

Hang in there girlie. Those "I'm sorry, Mom's" make all the diference in the world. Cherish them.

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Haha! Yeah, nothing can spark an "I'm sorry, Mom" like the threat of making the Naughty List! Good work! :)

Jane, Pinks & Blues

Becky at lifeoutoffocus said...

man i use santa alot in briberys. what will we do when christmas is over!?

OhTheJoys said...

Urg. K leaves town tonight for three days.

OHmommy said...

Oh, I can't wait until my kids are older and can understand how much an "I'm sorry" means to a mommy.

Hang in there.

Aleka's World said...

Awww! Santa is always a good threat! ;)

Anonymous said...

After today's picture fiasco {which as of this point, is still a mission incomplete}, I'm ready to ground Caesar too. I think he'd enjoy it though. :/

Kellan said...

I'm with flutter - it's like a miracle - you never know when they will surprise you. I'm glad they did. Take care. Kellan

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Santa works miracles.

I flip out when I am talking to them and have to shout to be acknowledged, only to have their attention get distracted again...

An Ordinary Mom said...

Hang in there ... there are days (most days sometimes) where I just need a good timeout :) !!

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who sometimes waits 'til after bedtime to eat my dinner when the spouse is gone!

Seattle Mamacita said...

farting references oh what i look forward too...

Kristin said...

My boys go at it too... to the point where I thought stabbing myself in the eye with a chopstick was the only option to make. the. bickering. stop!