Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Another Snow Day. Yay?

Yeah, the kids are thrilled. I have to be honest here and tell you they are cramping my style. I need the time when the baby naps to sew Christmas bags, pack up Christmas boxes, and go over the list of what is still yet to be done.

I realized yesterday that on a typical day I am never alone. Those moms who have kids in school all day are in a club I won't be eligible for at least three more years. Four if Jack's kindergarten is half-day like Jacob's.

I have started sprinkling Ortho-Novum on my breakfast cereal. If I don't stop breeding I will die with someone velcro-ed to my leg.

I am in a whiny place this morning, so keep moving if you're not wanting some self-pity along with your morning coffee and blog reading.

The problem with having all the kids home all day is that they just don't do anything according to plan. I had the baked gingerbread men all cooled and on the counter yesterday ready for them to decorate and they decided they wanted to bicker and argue over who got the first dog-ride in the toboggan. Or over who breathed louder. Or which kid was my favorite. I am very big on having a favorite kid of the day. It keeps the others in line. You never know when lady luck will shine on you at my house.

So. Today? I am contemplating just leaving them to their own devices while I sled into town and mail packages to relatives on my husband's side of the family. Which reminds me, I need to let him know what he got everyone.

It also reminds me of my Christmas list. I never make one, only because hello, I'm the Mom. Moms are supposed to be Christmas. Anyway, this year I got selfish. I handed the list to Bob and he visibly blanched.

"I, I don't think I can pull this off, Jen," he stammered. "Don't you want a shiny new car, or a little somethin' somethin' from Tiffanys?"

I stood firm. "No. It is this list, in its entirety or nothing at all."

Here is my list:

Replace the toilet seat on Chloe's toilet. It has needed it for the past 18 months.
Caulk and paint over any holes or divots in the kids' walls.
Ditto for exterior issues.
Fix the hinge on the front coat closet door.
Install lights under the kitchen cabinets.
Finish installing the remainder of the handles/knobs in kitchen
Repair picture frame in stairwell that babysitter broke
Take the garbage out

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG I am giving a list like that to my dh.

I will finally get the lights replaced in our entryway fixture.

Mary Alice said...

Yeah, I hear ya. My list for MM is similar. Please either fix the clutch in the extra car or trade it in for something else, so the Rescue Ranger can drive the other kids and unburden me. Fix the dining room chair so the rung stops pulling out of the leg. And bathe the dog…because the kids ruin the bathroom when they do it in the winter. They allow him to shake water and hair onto the ceiling and every square inch of the bathroom walls….and frankly with everything else I am doing…I just don’t want to spend an afternoon wrestling a Golden Retriever in the bath tub.

kristen spina said...

I am loving!!! that list. Good for you...

And Happy Snow!!!

amanda said...

you are AWESOME.... If only the cat could complete a list like that (sigh)......

Suburban Correspondent said...

I am so glad to hear that I am not the only woman who has to trade away her birthday, Christmas, and Mother's Day presents in order to get little handyman jobs done around the house. I do feel a little bitter about it, I must admit. I mean, aren't I important enough to have the linen closet door fixed and get a nice box of chocolates? Why must it be either/or?

Magpie said...

Last year I told my husband that what I wanted was two full days of him at my beck and call, no questions asked. Did I get it? Um, no.

Good luck getting your list done!

painted maypole said...

oh, that is SO the kind of list I want to make!!! :)

good luck on snow day #2!

Life As I Know It said...

"I have started sprinkling Ortho-Novum on my breakfast cereal."

That made me laugh!

Anonymous said...

i love the list and i feel your pain with the kids. i have 3 under 2.5 years old and we have all been sick in some fashion for like 6 weeks. so we have all been locked in a very small house together. it took me 6 hours to make chocolate chip cookies yesterday! i am also never alone. my poor husband gets home after a hard day at work and tries to hug me and i yell at him. don't touch me. ahh winter time.

MommyMommy said...

Love your list!!!

Mrs. G. said...

Just throw a shot of brandy in that coffee and surrender until the snow melts.

Anonymous said...

I hope that Santa/Bob brings everything on your list.

Having been home with sick kids for the past several days, I'm reminded of how much more productive I am when they are in school. It takes me at least four times as long to do anything, ANYTHING, at all.

Rima said...

I'm looking forward to school days, too, but I have a good four or so years to go before that happens, myself.

And I hope you don't die with a kid velcroed to your leg ;)

Anonymous said...

I would have thrown in a little "scratch my back and maybe I'll scratch yours later. Like after a vasectomy." Lol!

Family Adventure said...

Brilliant list. And hubby's response too, too funny.

Hope you survive yet another snow day...

Heidi :)

Emily said...

"I am very big on having a favorite kid of the day. It keeps the others in line."

Can you hear me snorting from all the way across the ocean?

dawn224 said...

Amen sister. Your list is fantastic.

Nancy said...

Funny ! But, take the car *wink*

Lori said...

The only time I'm alone is when I pee. Nope, not alone then either. I feel your pain!

Orangeblossoms said...

"I have started sprinkling Ortho-Novum on my breakfast cereal."

I really, really couldn't love a line more than I love that one. You rant with eloquence. Rant on, sista.

Anonymous said...

Ortho Novum on your breakfast cereal, huh? Ha!

I think you have a great list list, although you may be aiming a bit high :)!

Jennifer, Le Binky Bitch

Fairly Odd Mother said...

I wanted to just say, "oh wah, wah, wah. . ." but worried that you wouldn't be able to see my smile and wink when I said it. Believe me, I understand---you know, neutering your husband is a lot easier on you---my husband had the 'big snip' three months after #3 was born.

And, your list is the BEST! I'm sure your husband really would rather buy you a car.

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

Hey, can you write one of those for me?!

Different details, of course, but I like ... tone ...

Am still laughing at the Ortho sprinkling image.

Sarcasta-Mom said...

LOL. My husband has had an ongoing list for a while now. y family is spending Christmas at my house for the first time this year, and I'm freaking out trying to get the house tip top. My list has included such items as: Put up lights on porch, replace the shower curtain, hunt down cobwebs, etc. Here's to hoping everything gets done on your list :)

Mommi Tutu said...

Dang girl I'll take care of that list for you if you wrangle my twins for a couple hours . . .oh wait .. .that kinda defeats the purpose, huh?

suchsimplepleasures said...

oh that so sounds like my life. i still have a couple of more years and then, my son will be in 1/2 day kindergarten! meanwhile, my other 4 kids have been in school, full time, for years. and, the work...it's never done! oh, no it isn't. the longer they are home...the more work. the more snow days...the more work. calgon...it can't even take me away!
i feel for ya!
just a few more years...and then, they'll be in college...hang in there...

the dragonfly said...

That has got to be the best Christmas list ever.

Daisy said...

Love the list -- and love the idea of Orth-Novum in your cereal! Snicker. Snort coffee out nose.

Unknown said...

I am thinking that I like your list. A Lot!

crazylady said...

so you want shellfish for Christmas you say....

ring ring.. ring ring...what's that you say? It's rent a husband calling.
There is no way 'our true love' man is going to finish anything, least of all a list which involves MORE than replacing the roll of toilet paper.

Ah but Christmas is all about hope and dreams.

BipolarLawyerCook said...

I would love it if birth control tasted like cereal marshmallows. I'd never forget to take my meds!

Kristi B said...

I thought it was just my kids who had the audacity to bicker over who breathes louder! it's nice to know I'm in good company!
By the by, you deserve the something something from Tiffany's AND the honey-do list!

Mary Beth said...

I love your list - why do I think the last is the hardest?

Jen said...

Yo - Mary Beth - are you psychic or something?

Tootsie Farklepants said...

OMG! This fantastic list idea had never occurred to me! I'm so making one!