The joys of kids just never stop

Highs, lows, joys, frustrations that is about the story of parenting. Patting myself on the back I once again report that I did not loose my temper even once today. Raise my voice, yes but completely appropriate manner making sure to sandwich the critical with the complimentary still holding "people" accountable. Sigh, yep this is how it should go since it is inevitable they will make mistakes.
Highs:
(One I forgot to share last week) Unbeknownst to me G-ma and littlest had a moment snuggling in her bed. They prayed together and G-ma introduced speaking in tongues with her. Nothing major came about it until the next day. While playing in the living room she stood on the couch showing off her best challenging grin (since I scowled and the marching on furniture routine). Then she began spouting off random sounds and words like well praying in tongues. I know some of you dear readers just left me here but well it is in fact in the Bible and what I believe. Feel free to ask me questions about that later. a few verses for you. When I asked her what she was doing her reply, "I am talking to Jesus." That made my heart smile and I sure do know his too!

Reach.........

 High #2: decorating the house. It sure does make it feel happy and cozy when the decorations first come out. Per tradition daddy and the boys did outside stuff and I did the inside stuff EXCEPT the tree. It typically takes me longer to do my part than them to all that collectively. There just aren't too many things that I leave to Daddy but this is one. It was funny how sad they were when the ornaments ran out. That and #2 stealing most with her name on them for her pink tree that never gets put away in her room. #4 thinks she needs a pink tree for her room. She repeated over and over, "I don't have a pink tree." Yeah, we get the hint (not that I am doing anything about it but still). Another tradition is the precious placing of the star. I do not know who did it last year but I suspect #2. Daddy randomly picked a number and you see who won. Course he wasn't tall enough even on the corner of the couch so he had a shoulder up. Cute stuff!

Almost.... t..h..e..r..e..

The last high was my shopping trip. #1 does Tae Kwon Do and on a spur of the moment decision they emailed out a 3 hour training class that siblings were welcome to attend for FREE! That was a present for me for sure. Happily #2 and #3 agreed leaving #4 and I on a shopping date. We stopped at the Christian book store where I purchased this AMAZING devotional with real stories that relate to everyday life in kids not too young and spanning a bit to grow on from their ages. Then we headed to the mall. Now this is a place we make about 3 trips a year if I had to count. Besides eating in the food court (Panda express does have the BEST orange chicken) and burger/fries for little miss. That seemed to be all it had to offer. A bit defeated that I spent our precious time eating that food she begged to ride the escalator. With 30 minutes to spare I agreed figuring all the smiles, and hugs repeating, "Just you and me. No #1, No #2, No #3. Just you and me." was the present alone. Little did I know I was to stumble upon a store called Glitter. This store has bows, flowers, fashion rings for kids and adults, scarves and gloves and on ALL FOR 1.00 to 2.00! Yep you read that right. It was like a girls dream, especially the financially savvy momma! I picked up several things that we did not have anything in that color plus littlest chose a headband that matched her outfit. THIS was worth my trip and will be yet another time with my other daughter in tow. Heck I will give her 5.00 and she can run wild!

Total cost 9.27!

As for the Lows:

Well besides #1 getting grounded since his non stop addiction to electronics interferes with his ability to transition back to the everyday world and be aware of surroundings it would be the daily presents my kids give me. IE the messes and teaching of cleaning/picking up after themselves. It seems as though I say the same things and they repeat the same things day after day. Seriously how hard it is to take a plate from the table to the dishwasher, or how about throwing a wrapper in the trash can when you take it off, or tossing gum away instead of laying on the table already chewed, replacing the toilet paper roll!! Tonight after a crazy all over the board evening I finally get them off to bed. My oldest son conveniently forgetting he didn't do his wash the three times I reminded him this weekend and needs his choir shirt tomorrow has a load going. Mondays are clean room and shower nights around here which is all in my bathroom because frankly until they can scrub a tub/shower I don't want to do so in three bathrooms weekly. This is what I found after tucking them all to bed:



The clothes strewn across my room from dryer
that I had just done tonight and planned on folding
tomorrow. The bed unmade too.



Ladder open and not put away,
hamper beginning to collapse.
His hamper in the way of door
for Daddy and my "rider" girl to bump into.

My basket torn apart that they shouldn't
have even been in. Towels on floor, toothbrushes
out and toothpaste on counter. Toilet paper
on the floor.

Yes friends I had to shake my head and truck on through because the am before school is NO time to get them to do any work without world war something. Sigh, here is my broken record. There will come a day when this will be no more and I will be in this quiet house, alone hubby at the fire station and kinda sad it has passed. Too bad today is not that day :)