Tough Day

I was very happy to read all of the wonderful things that happened in B's day. :o) I only wish that I could write positive things here.

Tough day at school. Too many kids with too many needs. There doesn't seem to be enough of me to go around. I need to do more than put out fires all day, usually that's possible. But lately... Tomorrow will be better.

Tough night at home. Bedtime sucked. Took paci away from Haley (you'd think that would be the problem, but no...) We put them in at 7:45. The girls kept talking, and talking and talking. Then they call to us - "I need to go potty!" Then, "I need Cinderella!" (or little people, Ariel, or whatever other toy might cross their brain.) Fast forward it's 9:00 - still going. Another potty break. Then Becca starts crying for apparently no reason. (I think she was overtired.) We ignore, and ignore. We don't want to reinforce this behavior at bedtime. Finally we go get her. She says it's another potty break. But now she's crying, she doesn't even know why. She certainly doesn't want to go back to bed. (Although I did put her there.) Haley comes too, earns herself an M&M (for potty use) and we all go back to bed. More screaming. Fast forward - 9:40. Ronnie just left to go for a ride - he can't take the crying anymore. Becca falls asleep. Haley still going. Fast forward - 10:00 - give Haley paci back. Cuddle with her for 10 minutes. (Oops, almost forgot the trip to the potty again...) Rub her back ("one more time") until finally she is silent. Sigh.

I'm not into letting my kids scream for hours on end, but bedtime has become ridiculous. Definitely need to come up with a plan. Why aren't they falling asleep until 9:00? They are tired. Becca didn't even have a nap today. Too many toys in crib? Limit to 1 with books? That won't go over well, but maybe something to try for tomorrow night. Maybe we need a list of what they can have before bed (and we're not entering the room after that...)? Tomorrow will be better.

Who knows? Too tired, maybe decide tomorrow.

Sorry to be so negative. Had to get it off my chest.

The Pleasure of Not Being Perfect

This was the title of an essay I just read from Oprah's December issue. (Yes, I am just reading Decembers, I just can't seem to keep up. October is probably buried in the basket somewhere...

Anyway, the title totally caught my eye. I certainly struggle to find pleasure in not being perfect. As a matter of fact, I can't imagine anyone finding pleasure in it. To me, it's torture. I have fought the battle being a perfectionist my entire life. (I'm pretty sure since birth.) I can't live up to my own standards (and when I think about it intellectually, I don't think anyone can).

Truthfully, I've come a long way. I used to be a perfectionist about everything - the way I looked, the apartment looked, my work looked - it was all consuming. I've calmed down (some) since then. I've given up on the apartment. I just can't keep up with it. I'd rather be doing other things. And everything I do doesn't need to look perfect either. I'm getting better at "letting it go".

I still struggle with people however. That sounds odd even as I write it, because I'm such a people person. I know that's a strength of mine, but I expect myself to be perfect in each interaction I have. I say "sorry" for practically everything I say or do, even when I didn't do anything wrong. Even when what happened is completely out of my control. I will leave a situation and completely nit pick practically every thing I said - every response I gave, every question I asked, every everything...

Well, I guess knowing is half the battle. Maybe I'll carry this article around with me in my quest to find "The Pleasure of Not Being Perfect".

Ice Skating is Tricky

Been out all day. Left the house at 8:30am and just returning. Not sure why I do this to myself... Had fun though.

Took the girls ice skating this afternoon. They got skates for Christmas. Took them once two weeks ago - I was sore for two days. Glutton for punishment? Probably. We were amazed at how much they've improved. Last time they couldn't keep their feet beneath them. They relied entirely on us for support. Today, Becca skated all by herself!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (She did fall on her face and split her lip, but she was doing great before then...) I was incredibly impressed by their new found development.

As always, I'm left wondering. How are they growing up so fast?

Sidebar - We took them skating after my brother-in-law's alumni game for Suffolk's Hockey Team. There were college kids everywhere and I couldn't help but wonder when college students became so young. Probably a better question would be - When did I become a grown up?

New post, a few drinks later. Played Taboo with J, B and C. Laughed a ton! If you haven't played it you should. You have to speak really WELL to play. (Don't ask. :o) If you haven't played before you have to get your partner to guess the word your talking about. The trick is, you can't use the 5 key words that are also on the card. J and B also practiced their high fives (they really struggled with it...).

Anyway, it was a fun night. We should really have more nights with so much laughter (and alcohol :o).

My very first post...It may be my only...

This is it. My very first post. Betsy made me do it. I was just trying to get my name to be highlighted when I comment on her blog, and here I am with my own. Who knew?

Betsy is also responsible for the title. She thought I should title it "A Life Less Ordinary", when in fact, my life is very ordinary. (Which may leave you wondering why you would want to read this blog.)

That's it. I have nothing more to say. What do you have to say?