Calgon take me away!!

I promised to get real on this blog and today I am going to let you in on a little secret. I firmly believe ALL moms share in this secret but only a few will admit to it. Are you ready??!! School vacations are NOT enjoyable! Now all of you know I love my kids and try really hard to be a good parent but honestly something happens during school vacations which makes getting along with my children almost unbearable!!
Let's start with my angelic son, any change in his usual schedule seems to alter his inner core. The once friendly, loving child turns into "black spiderman". We call it that for a reason, honestly It is like his mouth opens and out of nowhere fangs and an evil roar come out of him. In day 1 and 2 of vacation he actually hit me! Now on to Lena, there is a genetic aspect to my dear daughter's behaviors. My mom did it to her mother, I did it to my mom (I'm SO SORRY Mom) and now Lena does it to me. It's like it is the role of the daughter to point out all of her mother's weaknesses and failures and in just one sentence, a daughter can bring a mother to tears! So on Day #1, Lena crushed me by pointing out the fact that I had done No holiday baking, No christmas decorating, and yes, the Ultimate No No...No gift for her teacher!!! She summed it all up in one brief sentence," I guess THIS year we are getting rid of ALL our traditions huh??!!

Every vacation is the same, it's like we have to get reaquainted. It's like I am saying, "Hello kids, I am your mother and this is the way we do things at home." It's exhausting! Through this process I have to remind myself, I love my kids, I love my kids! Because if I don't, I think I would run away and join the circus!

But the good news is,  it's now Day #4 and we seem to be working it out and making a new routine. This morning, I woke up to a quiet house, and as I tiptoed to get in my 1st cup of coffee before the kids woke up, I noticed empty beds! They were both quiety watching tv! I think we are all going to make it after all!(:

Hugs and Raspberries!

L

Quality Time

As I scramble to find the "perfect" gift for my loved ones, bake, decorate, renovate and calculate (yes, A little hommage to INXS), David was responsible for reminding me what Family truly means.  This Wednesday afternoon, David spoke the words I dream to hear everyday! After picking him up from school, we came home to a lawn full of leaves. Those leaves have been a thorn in my side for about a week now, and I knew today needed to be the day I cleaned them up. So, with David looking on, I began to rake them all in a nice neat pile. I then turned to him and said, "Mijo, this pile is for you." With a huge smile, he jumped in and started making leaf angels, we played in those leaves until the sun went down. Then it happened..he turned to me and said, "Mom you are the best mommy ever!!" We finished our day eating mac and cheese and watching cartoons. Today was a good day.

Man Up!

So, today Lena came home from school with some very good news. She took her Reading Placement test and as a sixth grader she scored a perfect score on the test.  This means, she is reading at a college level. I gave her a hug and told her how proud I was of her. She continued to repeat this info over and over again and each time I told her how proud I was of her. We called her dad, we called grandma and even told her Tio. Then she turned to me and asked, "So, do I get a Party?" I replied by explaining to her that when you grow up there is not always going to be someone there to throw her a party when she does good. I told her this is why it's important for her to learn how to be proud of herself and do things not for recognition but because it is important to her. Shortly after, I had to return back to work to give a presentation and as I was walking to the classroom I couldn't help but revisit my response to her. Was I being too rough on her?? I will admit I am rougher on my daughter than my son. Why? Because I know how hard it is for a woman to suceed in this world. I am not going to get all feminist on you..honestly I just see myself in my daughter and I worry that this strongwilled, intelligent, imaginative little girl will lose herself in this cruel world. So, was I too rough? Do I need to celebrate more her accomplishments??? So I went back to the basics..In my parenting classes, I always tell the parents, when in doubt ask yourself, what are you trying to teach your child with your actions?? Then I realized, I already taught her something, I taught her to strive to be the best and today she accomplished that, She was the BEST in her Reading. And you know what? That deserves a party!!! After work I stopped by the store and got her a snowman cupcake. After dinner the family shouted hip hip hooray and gave her a round of applause. So, does my little girl need to learn to be tougher and Man Up and not show her emotions? Maybe, but not when she's around me!! Now everybody go get yourself a snowman cupcake!

Hugs and Raspberries,

L