Dear Sleep,
I know we haven't been the best of friends over the years. Especially lately there has been some tension. I don't want to place blame here, but truthfully, I feel like you are never around when I need you.
I realize that there are many times during the day when you try to spend quality time with me and I cut it short, or rebuff you altogether, but it is always with the invitation to come back later. I nearly always reserve a solid eight hours every night just to hang out with you.
I guess turn-about is fair play, huh? I don't let you visit in the day, so you refuse to visit in the night.
Let's work something out, amicably. I really don't want to have to call in the mediator. Her name is Unisom and I hear she usually favors people like me over you. If things get really serious I can call a guy I know who has a friend named Ambien. This is not a threat. I'm just saying...I'd really like to spend more time with you. During the night. Tonight would be good for me. See you then?
Sincerely,
Me
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Mall
I was watching a bit of the news this morning and on comes a commercial for Macy's Labor Day Sale. Suddenly I am seized by a longing to shop at a mall. I have not shopped at a mall for...years. Seriously. And this is quite something, because it is not an exaggeration to say that when I was a singleton I went to the mall at least once a week for some serious shopping. I mean, I bought things and everything.
I know people will tell you avoiding malls is not unusual. It's just a Kohl's, TJMaxx, Target kind of world now. I don't avoid malls because I don't like them. I avoid them because things cost more there. And I have children. Malls are a terrible place for children. On the one hand, they are very non-child focused. All of those racks of clothes at the perfect height to crawl under and through make it extremely difficult to find children who have discovered them. The whole fine china department right in the middle of everything always tempts them to touch things. So many clothes for moms to look at and try on with nothing but the occasional full length mirror to distract a child. And then, in other ways, they are TOO child friendly. All of those sculpted foam play areas where kids can climb on germ-infested giant-sized snack foods. All of those random islands of candy machines in the middle of walkways. (Which I unashamedly told my children were not really for sale, but merely a creative display to look at.) And worst of all, those areas of coin-operated "rides" where you can pay seventy-five cents to spend one minute being jerkily rocked in a plastic bulldozer.
Yes, I have very good reasons for no longer shopping at malls - but today I wanted to. If you go to the mall today, look for me in Macy's. Maybe I'll leave the littles at home with Tyler (on his birthday! What a treat for him!) and head to the mall. You know, just for old time's sake. I wouldn't have to actually buy anything, right?...
I know people will tell you avoiding malls is not unusual. It's just a Kohl's, TJMaxx, Target kind of world now. I don't avoid malls because I don't like them. I avoid them because things cost more there. And I have children. Malls are a terrible place for children. On the one hand, they are very non-child focused. All of those racks of clothes at the perfect height to crawl under and through make it extremely difficult to find children who have discovered them. The whole fine china department right in the middle of everything always tempts them to touch things. So many clothes for moms to look at and try on with nothing but the occasional full length mirror to distract a child. And then, in other ways, they are TOO child friendly. All of those sculpted foam play areas where kids can climb on germ-infested giant-sized snack foods. All of those random islands of candy machines in the middle of walkways. (Which I unashamedly told my children were not really for sale, but merely a creative display to look at.) And worst of all, those areas of coin-operated "rides" where you can pay seventy-five cents to spend one minute being jerkily rocked in a plastic bulldozer.
Yes, I have very good reasons for no longer shopping at malls - but today I wanted to. If you go to the mall today, look for me in Macy's. Maybe I'll leave the littles at home with Tyler (on his birthday! What a treat for him!) and head to the mall. You know, just for old time's sake. I wouldn't have to actually buy anything, right?...
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Paving The Way
Watching C.T. grow up, I have to tell you that I admire you firsties more and more. I've never really thought much about what it is like to be the oldest child in a family. I've never considered how it would be to always have to do things that you have never seen any other sibling in your family do.
C.T. started kindergarten last week. He absolutely loves it. Still, there was some trepidation leading up to it and riding the bus for the first time was not all smooth sailing (He cried for about 30 seconds, until the doors closed, and then the driver said he was perfectly fine). He has adjusted beautifully and is like a fish in water. Lily cannot wait to join him next year. And I think how lucky she is to be able to start her school years with her brother by her side. She will always have that, and C.T. never will. He will always have to do things first, and alone. I have gained a new appreciation for that role in a family. I have a new respect for all first-borns.
So thanks to my brother for forging the way in our family and taking on so many new experiences. Your example made me think I could do absolutely anything I wanted to - take on any adventure, because you did. And thanks to my sweet C.T. Pumpkin, who is doing the same for his sisters.
C.T. started kindergarten last week. He absolutely loves it. Still, there was some trepidation leading up to it and riding the bus for the first time was not all smooth sailing (He cried for about 30 seconds, until the doors closed, and then the driver said he was perfectly fine). He has adjusted beautifully and is like a fish in water. Lily cannot wait to join him next year. And I think how lucky she is to be able to start her school years with her brother by her side. She will always have that, and C.T. never will. He will always have to do things first, and alone. I have gained a new appreciation for that role in a family. I have a new respect for all first-borns.
So thanks to my brother for forging the way in our family and taking on so many new experiences. Your example made me think I could do absolutely anything I wanted to - take on any adventure, because you did. And thanks to my sweet C.T. Pumpkin, who is doing the same for his sisters.
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