TGIF

Welll, I'm just sitting here fighting through my post-lunch coma and came across my favorite "Mommy blog" of all time: Because I Said So. This mom of six got famous from one E-bay posting about some Pokemon cards her kids picked up in the check out aisle of the grocery store. Now she has a book deal, and one of the funniest blogs I've read in a long time. Besides that, every time I read HER blog, it inspires me to do something more creative with mine.

I obviously don't have as many funny stories as she does since I only have two kids, but we had an episode while trying to get out the door last Friday that I had thought would make for a great blog entry, but then by the time I actually got to work, all inspiration had left my body (funny how that happens). So, I thought I'd try to resurrect it now...

So, our worst days are Mondays and Fridays, especially for Andrew. On Monday, we're coming off of a weekend of no schedules, no routines and lots of free play time. The last thing he wants to do is go back to the structure and routine of school (however much he really needs it). On Fridays, he's just plain had it with getting up and going to school and is ready for the weekend (who isn't!) and being 3 1/2, he can exhibit that frustration to his little hearts content. The scenario goes something like this,
Me: "Andrew, time to get your shoes on, buddy, we have to go..."
AJ: "Where are we going?" (as if he has no idea)
Me: "We're going to schoo-"
AJ: (cutting me off) "I don't want to go to school!!!!!"
This actually takes place pretty much every morning, but it's Mondays and Fridays that I have the biggest struggle actually getting him to come around and do what I've asked him to.

Me: (on Friday) "Andrew, just one more day of school, buddy, then tomorrow is stay home day." On this particular Friday, Thomas was also helping me encourage him, which he happens to be doing instead of getting his own shoes on.
Me: "Thank you, Thomas. Can you get your shoes on, please?"
Me: "Andrew, c'mon buddy, we need to get your shoes on now." More protesting. Finally I get him to come over to me and with one sniff realize why he was so resistant.
Me: "Andrew, do you have poopies?"
Andrew: "No."
Me: "Andrew, I can smell you. I have to go upstairs to get a new Pull-Up. Stay right here and do NOT move."
I lug my pregnant belly back upstairs and bring down a clean Pull-Up and wipes. Andrew is lying obediently on the floor waiting to be changed, while Thomas practices writing out the months of the year (and still does not have his shoes on).
Me: "Thomas, get your shoes on now."
Thomas: "Okayyyy..." (in his best snotty big-girl voice)
Andrew is now cleaned up, Thomas has one shoe on and I have to take the dirty diaper back upstairs to deposit in the Diaper Genie.
Me: "Andrew, please put your shoes on, Mommy will be right back." No response.
I come downstairs and Thomas is STILL putting his second shoe on, while Andrew is standing next to where I've left his shoes on the floor and staring up at the refrigerator.
Andrew: "Mommy, what's that?" he asks pointing to the top of the refrigerator. Boiling point reached.
Me: "Andrew - SHOES!!!!!!" Ah, now I finally have his attention. He puts on his best pouty face and grabs one of the shoes from my hands. He sits down and proceeds to start putting it on the wrong foot.
Thomas now has both of his shoes on, but is back at the table with his marker and piece of paper.
"Mommy, how do you spell Sunday?"
My head is now spinning and I feel pea soup creeping up my throat.
Me: (in my best controlled voice) "Thomas we're going to have to work on that later, we need to leave."
Finally, I have both boys ready to go and we're out the door. I get them buckled into their booster seats and climb into the driver's seat.
"Where are my sunglasses?" as I visualize them sitting up on my vanity. TGIF!!!