Hello blog family, allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Fire Hydrant.
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So remember yesterday when I was all rainbows and unicorns and loving life, blah..blah..blah.
Today, I take it all back.
Today felt like an 'epic parenting fail' kinda day.
Today I questioned my mom skills and second guessed every decision I made.
Today was one of THOSE days where it felt like I had three three year olds.
Today I felt guilty for literally wanting to drop my kids off somewhere and leave for a little while.
Truth is, I don't have those days very often. I really don't. {Thank God} So it really gets to me when I feel this way. I questioned whether my kids always behave this way and I usually have much more patience to deal with them or if they were especially unruly today. I called my sister to ask her opinion on the matter. She confirmed that they were particularly crazy today. (Truth be told, I'm pretty sure it was a little of both.)
Either way, there was a moment at my house, prior to meeting my dad, Uncle Mike, and my sister and Brinley for lunch, that I actually screamed at the top of my lungs for my children to just-be-quiet. They were underfoot, screaming, fighting, whining, pleading and generally being anything but helpful to my efforts to get out of the house on time. There were shoes being removed, underwear and clean shorts being peed in. There was a mini fashionista losing her mind because she wanted different shoes and ranting because her-freaking-bow-won't-stay-in-her-hair for the 12th time in 3 minutes. {Never mind trying to explain that if she would just keep her hands off it, it actually would stay.} There were children losing their minds because they wanted 5 ice cubes in their ice water and not just 3. {I wish I were making this up.}
Aaaannd...I lost it. I went all crazy mom on 'em. I was so flustered and my blood pressure was so flippin high that I don't even know what I screamed at them. It could've been "OH MY GOD BE QUIET!" It could've even been "WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP?" {which I do NOT normally say to them.} I might've even thrown in a "Damnit." or something. I honestly couldn't tell you. What I do know is that they stood completely still and quiet for a moment.
A moment.
They were actually pretty good at lunch, which was a pleasant change of pace and a much needed opportunity to regain my composure and remember why I love my little monkeys.
But then I played with fire and took them to Old Navy. I should've known better. I really, really should've.
I'll spare you all the details but just know that there's a big giant toy machine at the entrance that gives you a toy if you give it a quarter, and that machine is the devil.
We got three toys. Three different toys and all three kids wanted one. Of course they did. So the two who didn't get it could be seen face down legs kicking, arms flailing. To rectify that I pulled them up by the arm and firmly declared that they "stand up." Well they tried the ol' buckled knees thing, which doesn't fly with me. At all. So with a spank and a "feet down" I proceeded through the store with a crying kid or kids.
About this same time, I am cursing whoever left the **glittery** soccer balls within sight. Because then there were fights over that. Colton was throwing the word "NO!!" around every chance he could which also doesn't fly, Ethan was having meltdowns around every corner and all the while, when she wasn't have a freak out moment followed by deep breathing, she was on a plastic microphone shouting to her brothers to "QUIT JACKING AROUND" and "YOU GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW MISTER!" and "DON'T YOU BE NAUGHTY!"
Today was not my finest hour. I'll be the first to admit it.
Kind of embarrassed that my final blog for the month is such a downer, but this is my life, people. Yesterday-rainbows and unicorns, today-screaming and crying and fighting.
Thank God there is always tomorrow. Because I know it will be a better day.
Amidst all the chaos I DID take some photos and videos
Yes, it was in fact SO funny that Mary began recording parts of our tantrums.
(In the background, you'll eventually see Ethan who has the yo yo. The other two WANT that yo yo.
(In the background, you'll eventually see Ethan who has the yo yo. The other two WANT that yo yo.
This one is funny because it shows how well Hunter responds to deep breathing-in the nose, out the mouth. I mean she can be instantly transformed from an all out meltdown to totally calm in 3 deep breaths. {IF ONLY THAT WORKED FOR THE BOYS.}
This one was actually pretty cute. The boys were 'together' playing hide and seek in peace and harmony.
Well folks. I did it. A blog-a-day in crazy May.
With few lame posts here and there, I still did it. And now I promise to not let months pass us by without an entry. Happy last day of May and here's to a happy June!
