I am Michelle D. Carter

It has been a crazy week. I think May in general is crazy. With school about to end for summer break, there are lots of activities going on. This added to your already to busy calendar. I begin to wonder why I’m so crabby – NOT!!

It is Staff Appreciation Week at Longview Farm Elementary. Each day the kids are encouraged to dress a certain way and/or bring items in for the staff. Monday was flower day. The kids were to take flowers to their favorite LFE staff. We purchased LFE school colors purple and gold perennials. The teacher could then plant them in their yard and each year when the flowers come back, they would remember us and just how important they are to us. I decided to drive the kids to school so hopefully nothing would happen to the flowers. Thankfully, all went well.

Tim left town early Tuesday morning. I spent all afternoon cleaning house. I just couldn’t take the two inches of dust accumulating. Not to mention that Andy thought it would be fun to draw in the dust only making it more obvious how dirty everything was. Tuesday night Alyssa had her first softball game of the season. It was a little chilly and started to rain. Not a hard rain but more of just an annoyance. It was also bath night. It was going to be a late night so I had originally decided to put off baths until Wednesday morning. That was until the boys found the pile of dirt to play in. One of the other Moms’ said, “It’s just like Pig Pen [from Charlie Brown]. One of them hit the other one on the shoulder and the dust just flew.” OH GREAT! Since I said the kids could take turns sleeping with me while Tim’s gone and it was Andy’s turn, I wasn’t going to let him in my bed full of dirt and grime. Upon arriving at home, I tell the boys to hop in the tub quick. They did a great job considering it was an hour past their bedtime. 

We get up Wednesday morning. The kids are getting ready. Alyssa’s taking her bath. It’s also Derby Day. It is a day dedicated to fitness. They are supposed to wear school apparel, tennis shoes, take a healthy snack for after their run (I haven’t been to the grocery store yet) and a water bottle. While juggling to make sure they have all of that and breakfast, I notice that it is also sunglasses day. I tell them if they want to participate, they need to get their sunglasses. Alyssa can’t find her black ones. I know they are in the van and I tell her to go look. She comes back and says they aren’t in there and runs off to her room to look in there. I crawl into the back seat and search the pockets. I found them in the second pocket I checked. I also find her DS pen. I pick it up to bring inside only to drop it under the seat. I finally get it and back in the house to Alex’s sad little eyes looking at me.

Alex: “The only glasses I have are in Dad’s van.”

Me: “Do you want to go to Target and get some or do you just want to forget it?”

Alex: “I want to go to Target.”

Me: “Alright everyone. Let’s go. Get your backpacks and get in the van.”

I knew it was coming so before he could say anything. I told Andy if he was good, I’d buy him some too. He was excited. A successful trip with two new pairs of sunglasses purchased. We arrive at school with six minutes to spare. Yeah, I should add here that now Andy can’t find his sunglasses and Alex doesn’t like his because they hurt his ears.

Wednesday afternoon, the boys and I spent running lots of errands. Our last stop: the grocery store. Oh how I hate the grocery store!

Alyssa has karate on Wednesday nights. It is also testing night. We get there a little early. I take the boys to run a quick errand. When we get back, the boys want to play outside. I decided it was OK as it would be easier than trying to contain them inside. Right about at the end of class, we went to get Alyssa. We were going to go in the doors right beside the gym. However, the doors were locked. Lots of parents were standing there but not a single one came to open the door. Awe, come on. I’m standing here with two six-year-olds; I’m far from a threat. Still, no one! I give up and start to walk to the other side of the building where I know the doors are unlocked. Here comes one of the assistants to let us in. Finally!

We get home and try to get ready for bed. Pretty soon everyone starts needing this and that. I’m stressed, not happy and start yelling. The next thing I know is it’s half an hour past bedtime. Bedtime is my sanctuary. I can’t wait until 9:00, so I can unwind and relax. They have infringed upon my time. It was not a pretty site. I try to apologize but I still felt bad. The damage is done.

Thursday I wake up and tell myself it is going to be a better day. I will not allow myself to get so frustrated. I am not setting a very good example. This worked until I got frustrated. I was trying to make no bake cookies again. I had made them last weekend and put too much peanut butter in them and they wouldn’t hold together. First, I was beside the hot stove getting hotter and hotter. Then, my utensils were stuck in the drawer. The boys were playing and getting louder and louder. Yep, here I go again.

And if that wasn’t enough, I remember that on Friday, it’s Hang 10 Day. They are supposed to take in notes to LFE staff with ten reasons why they are special to them. Instead of keeping my mouth shut, I give them the option of doing it. They chose to do it, of course. Adding more stress on me to help. What was I thinking?!!

Yep, no Mother of the Year awards for me. Hey, maybe I’ll get a movie/TV/book deal: Mommy Dearest Part 2. Scratch that! That’s not how I want to be remembered. I will work on being a better Mother! I will not do so much and I will lower my expectations. I have to! For my kids sake!!