Life's a Beach

Yesterday was a hot one and like so many other mothers in the great state of Minnesota, I took my boys to the beach. (As a side note, taking your TWO children to the beach holds a very different purpose than taking your ONE child to the beach used to. In days past, taking your child to the beach meant valuable play time and wonderful memories...ahhh... Nowadays, I'm simply hoping to ware the little darlings out enough to ensure an 8:30 bedtime!)

So, I'm gently guiding Noah away from all the enticing toys and floating devices that DON'T belong to us when a young mother says "it's fine, he can use that!" (Whew!) "It seems a 2-year old is always more fascinated with other toys!" I exclaim. Okay, Noah's happy at the moment... Meanwhile I still hear the repetitive shouting in the background "MOM!" "MOM!" "MOM!" I whip my head around and see my little toothless Elliott trying his best to get my attention. Again. "WATCH ME!" I was calculating the best non-ego-smashing way of telling Elliott that I can't continuously deter my attention from Noah to watch him do yet another handstand when I realized that I'm standing next to the young mother again. I see that she's gazing at her little girl and very much enjoying the day. I smirk to myself and think 'just you wait, lady...' Out of nowhere, she chuckles at the comedy my children are providing and says "see, I took the easy route and had three!"

Back up the train...

Three? (But I - - - you aren't - - - what?) She must have noticed the perplexed look on my face because she went on to say "you see, the first two entertain each other and then you have the little one to dote on." She pointed to the sweet little girl floating on a purple tube near her ankles. She said that the oldest two (girls) have grown much closer with the addition of a little sister. I didn't want to sound contrite, but I had to ask "my boys are four and a half years apart; would that hinder my outcome?" Her smile grew as she pointed out her two older girls "Kayla is 10, Nicole is 6 ...and little Jessica is 3".

Darn her and that twinkle in her eye.

Great Expectations

I smiled with misty eyes as Elliott waved to me with his big toothless grin, boarding the school bus as a kindergartner for the last time. I can't believe it. We (well, "he" really) made it through his first year as a student. I can't believe how much progress has been made. He can read; he is a "pre" speller, he is becoming computer savvy, he knows more Spanish than a clumsy tourist and best of all... he has conquered the monkey bars! While he is excited at the prospect of being a First Grader, he is extremely happy to kick back, catch a tan and enjoy his summer.

They say time flies; kids grow fast and all that jazz. They were right. I found that same concept moving me to tears again last night as Elliott read Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to Noah before bed.

Speaking of Noah, he and I have been making great strides in our own relationship. The tantrums have not necessary ceased, but I can proudly say that I have been handling them as the adult now. I took the advice of my new boss (who among other parenting triumphs, had a part in raising a 3 year old, a 2 year old and a set of infant twins all at the same time...) His advice was to (a) Not take it personally (which I have a knack of doing); and (b) use the quiet and mellow times to relay your expectations; i.e., "Noah, it's okay to get upset, but when you do, you have to go to your room until you can calm down." Wow - a little common sense but you know what? IT WORKS. In the midst of his most recent tantrum (kicking, screaming...the whole bit) I said "You can come downstairs when you calm down" He paused and said "okay momma". Wow. (And I didn't even have to scream into a pillow this time!)

Motherhood; what a fun business indeed!

Noah v. Mom

Noah has been trying temper tantrums on for size these days. He seems to enjoy them and while I've tried my darndest to avoid and/or deal with them, I'm slowly going insane. I've tried to (a) ignore them; (b) be the patient mother who tries to nurture him out of one; (c) reason with him... the list goes on. I'm at the end of my rope. What's worse is that Andy leaves for a fishing trip this weekend and for a fire conference next. How do I combat these battles of will without his assistance and without self combusting? The only way they seem to stop is if I loose it - which frankly, I don't like doing! Sending him to his "be nice chair" or bed, screaming at him and scaring him into being calm is not exactly the high point of motherhood. I've tried praying on it, but I'm afraid to admit that it came out more like "I don't care about the stupid lesson you're trying to teach me in patience, just shut that kid up!" (Not exactly earning my christianity OR motherhood points here.)

So please, say a (real) prayer for me or send me some words of wisdome as to how I can best deal with these fits.