… The kids did not pull any ornaments off the tree and use them as props in an elaborate play involving pirates and superheroes who use kitty-cat ornaments as light sabers (read: a play where ornaments are accidentally pulverized to smithereens.) So, the score now is… Ornaments broken with Mom in charge: 4 and Ornaments broken with Dad in charge: 0.
…the kids feasted on generic frozen waffles and Reddi-Whip every morning for breakfast. They, of course, loved this. The frozen waffle box (proudly) reads, “Artificially colored and flavored,” and then the list of ingredients fills up any remaining room on the box. Usually I make organic, buckwheat waffles. The verdict is in: kids don’t care what monosodium glutamate really is, they love its taste way more than organic buckwheat. (Which, to be completely, honest, I’m not really sure what buckwheat is or why I should care it’s organic.)
…no one fed the dog. By this I mean, no one fed the dog her food. According to M, the kids opened a bag of treats and entertained themselves by randomly throwing them at her. This new feeding strategy was obvious by the the way Maddie no longer sleeps 23 hours a day, but follows the kids into the bathroom and pants while watching them expectantly.
…M kept the kids out past eleven. I have major sleep issues–by that I mean I need at least eight hours a night. I project my sleep issues on my kids. Everything from stomachaches to bee stings I attribute to, “You’re really tired.” Because of this, they’re in bed by eight every night. It’s probably good I wasn’t here to witness their fatigue because I surely would have blamed everything from their unruly cowlicks to their excessive thirst to “you’re so tired!”
…Catie learned how to talk on the phone. M was having a moment of, “Wow. All four of you are talking to me nonstop,” and he suggested Catie call her best friend in Nebraska and chat. IT WORKED! Catie talked to another (talkative) third grader for forty-two minutes. While I’m sure the day is coming when we’ll be begging her to get off the phone, this new talking-to-someone-else is a blessing. In fact, we’re ready for all the kids to make phone buddies for their knock-knock jokes and elaborate retellings of non-sensical dreams. Just leave your phone number in the comments and that could be you!
…I missed M and the kids like crazy. CRAZY, I TELL YOU. But, wow, it was such a blessing and comfort to know I could be there for my parents and they could handle it all without me here.
This morning Elisabeth even asked me when I was leaving again. By the way the dog was watching her and squealing, I’m guessing she’s wondering the same thing.
Their phone conversation was priceless. Too fun!