Monthly Archives: August 2012

It Must Be 5pm Somewhere – Finally Friday

Posted in Finally Friday, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

Today I sit at my desk a bit frazzled, stressed and for lack of a better word – bitchy.  Battling a brutal head cold for the past few days and returning to “real-life”, this week did not turn out quite as I expected.  Wasn’t I just sitting beach side this time last week?

I admit – the office assignment list I intended to tackle was a bit advantageous. While I completed anything who’s deadline was due, I left plenty more on the To-Do list for next week.  So much for getting a head start on September.

I had grand ideas of going through the children’s closets organizing potential school outfits, but I never moved beyond having them meet me at their closet doors.

I thought I would pull together grocery shopping list for some online food shopping in hopes to alleviate some tasks in the coming weeks.  However, I got only as far as typing in the web address for Peapod.

So on this Finally Friday, despite feeling like I did not accomplish everything I intended to accomplish, I breathe a deep sigh of relief that my family and I made it through another summer – a summer of patched schedules, camp, play dates and everything in between.  And you know what, I kinda feel better now that I wrote this!

Now to enjoy the unofficial end to summer…….it must be 5 o’ Clock somewhere :-)

 

 

 

Finally Friday is all about breathing a sigh of relief that the week is over with a photo and its “short” quote.  Yes – similar to Wordless Wednesday, but created for those who have no capacity to be wordless such as myself.   I’m Italian and I am just getting over trying to say things in 140 characters or less on Twitter.

Saying Goodbye to Summer

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The last of the vacation laundry is folded and the beach chairs and toys are all rinsed and stowed away.  I have more shells than Pinterest has crafts for and the children are fighting the new bedtime routine.  Phone calls have been exchanged about “who did you get?” (which was also supplemented by their parents on facebook) and the bus schedules have been finalized and sent.

I gladly say goodbye to Fall and Winter and Spring, but it’s hardest to say goodbye to Summer.  Sure this season is not quite as relaxing as it was back when I was a student and childless and still very carefree, but the extended daylight and lack of after school activities makes up for scheduling overdrive.

As my children get a little older and a little more mature, vacations and trips we can take broaden and offers a nice change of pace.  Milestone are achieved by the children as their excitement grows and flourishes.  Picnics with nourishing food and drink open and close most weekends and even our office work loads don’t seem as pressing.

But like all good things, Summer must come to an end.  There is just one week left to our Summer vacation and we plan to make the most of it.  Together with family and friends we will squeeze the last days and nights to barbeque and swim and just sit on the porch with fresh drinks as we say goodbye to Summer.

Finally Friday

Posted in Finally Friday, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

Finally Friday is all about breathing a sigh of relief that the week is over with a photo and its “short” quote.  Yes – similar to Wordless Wednesday, but created for those who have no capacity to be wordless such as myself.   I’m Italian and I am just getting over trying to say things in 140 characters or less on Twitter.

This Friday, another season of summer camp comes to a close.  It’s hard to believe that nine weeks flew by…..

…9 weeks of rosy red cheeks

…9 weeks of sweaty heads, hair askew

…9 weeks of very tired children fighting to stay away at nightfall

And then there are those milestones….

…passing the deep water swim test

….spending the ENTIRE day outside

…mommy NOT following the buses on Field Trip Days – even the one to Peddlers Village!

There are just two weeks left until the school bell rings and the children return to their classroom.

Wait, two weeks?  WHAT?

The Little White Lie

Posted in Life Lessons, Parent Dilemma, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

So, what is heaven’s acceptance rate for those with Little White Lies on their lists of sins?  I find that I am teetering on telling them when the children are concerned. If the lie is told for the betterment of the child, is it still a lie?  Case in point:

“Mommy, I had a nightmare.  How do I stop them?”

In all fairness, I was forewarned by my husband that this question was being asked.  My husband’s response: a vague blanket statement -”Bad foods can make you have bad dreams.”

I have no idea if this statement is true, but according to my wise 93-year-old Italian grandmother, this is a law.  So when approached by my little one about the cause of his bad dream, my first thought was…oh this is the moment that can change everything…...

My eternal battle with sugar and its role in my children’s diets.  Cereals. Gatorade. Juice Boxes. Soda.  BAD

Why stop with food?  Cartoon Network. Play Guns. Swords.  BAD

However, the look in my son’s eye was sincere and concerned.  He was looking at me falsely under the assumption that I know the answer to every question and the solution to every problem.  This was my moment to be rid of everything BAD,  but I just couldn’t abuse his faith in my answer.

In the end, I reiterated what Hubby had said and explained combined with lack of sleep and lack of schedules and sometimes violent cartoons mixed with overall excitement  can sometimes lead to bad dreams.  Of course, he wanted a detailed list of what fell on the BAD list, but I delicately moved the conversation along to which he responded…..

“How close do we live to a cemetery and are zombies real?”

At that moment, I gave in!  I couldn’t help but just give him a big bear hug and tell him……………It was the Gatorade!!!!!

……Father Forgive Me for I have sinned.  It’s been – well let’s just a LONG time -  since my last confession………………….

This Never Gets Old

Posted in Fun times, Parent Dilemma, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

It is quite possible that I have shared this with you before.

It is quite possible that you are well aware of how much this video makes me smile.

I love my children.  I love our summers.

But let me be VERY honest in sharing with you – I LOVE SEPTEMBER!

Back-to-School supplies are purchased.

Back packs, New outfits, Lunch boxes, Thermos and Ice packs are all ready too!

T – 2.5 weeks.

THIS. NEVER. GETS. OLD

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Staples Commercial 1996