It's All In The Timing

It happens every time. And every time I loose my patience. I don't know why, because if it happens every time shouldn't I be use to it by now, or be more proactive so it doesn't happen ... every time?

Tonight, everyone was settled down to dinner, the kids and My Man were in front of the TV watching the race (hey, it is Sunday.) I was enjoying a peaceful meal at the table, planning September's menus and enjoying the peace. ED comes in asking for lemonade. I'm not sure which annoyed me more, the fact that he waited until after we all sat down or that he was asking for something he knew he probably would not receive. Most of the time we drink water in our house (OK, I drink coffee most of the time, but that is another posting) but our children, being kids, will first ask for the most sugary drink in the house.

Now our kids are reaching the age where they can complete certain tasks themselves, like getting themselves water (as long as they already have a cup or water bottle.) However, this little bit of independence has yet to sink into their brain, "hey, I can get myself some water." Probably because the independence is more on my end then theirs, they now have to do something for themselves.

Naturally, he would ask for a drink AFTER everyone has settled down to drink. The same happened yesterday when we visited the New Market Battlefield. We entered the Visitor's Center, where the restrooms are clearly marked, paid for our admission, left the building and walked across the field to the farm house, stood in line for cake and ice cream (they were celebrating something), and settled ourselves under a tree when ED said "I have to go to the bathroom." Ugh!

Maybe it is poor planning on our end? When we hand out the food we need to remember the drink. Then again, by dinner time the kids already have an assortment of cups and water bottles around the house. And this time was no different. ED returns to the living room with his water. Then EM walks in, asking for something to drink. And, sure enough there is a water bottle with her name sitting on the table.

Then JT walks in, this time asking for lemonade because he thinks everyone else received some.

Guess what kid, you have a cup already out and you know how to push the water dispenser, so if you want fed in September leave me alone because I'm about to give up on menu planning and take our food budget to the nearest spa.

The Week's Recap

A new week has arrived and as I look back on the past week I wonder why the last posting was Tuesday. It is not that nothing has happened in our house, it's just that I can't sit down long enough to gather my thoughts (and to my son's teachers ... yes his inability to focus is genetic.) Throughout the days I would think "yes, write about that", but then by the time I sat down in the evening I would be too tired to write. There is the other issue of finding relevance in my writing. Not to just write for the sake of hearing me "talk", but finding some enlightenment in our daily lives that you can take with you when you leave this site.

So, now I will mention a few events (at least what I can remember) that happened this week (and mostly hold no relevance to life.) First, everyone should head over to ELF Cosmetics (yes, go now) and shop for some great deals. All their makeup is $1, and going fast. WAIT, first you must visit Deal Taker for the 50% off coupon code. Who spent their week impatiently waiting for the season finale of Grey's Anatomy? Yes, I was one of you! And all the funny comments made by my children this week, ...umm...forgotten.

Now for the relevance and enlightened part of my week. Thursday evening I was reminded of the huge heart possessed by my oldest and my lack of patience as a parent. It was just after 8pm and all the kiddies were in bed, the kitchen was clean, there was no laundry to fold, and I was in the basement killing some time before the aforementioned Grey's Anatomy. I hear my oldest calling for me, saying he needed help with a 3-ring binder. I told him to bring it downstairs and then proceeded to wait for him. He called out again, this time I impatiently told him to move it if he wanted me to help him. Downstairs he came, offering me chocolate from a prize he earned the previous day. Ugh, here I am griping at him for not moving fast enough, and the reason he was not moving fast enough was so he could get down his chocolate and share it with me. So, let us remember to take our time with our children, co-workers, family, or the stranger in front of us in the cashier line. You never know, they may be moving slow so they can share some of their chocolate.