It's an uphill climb

Anyone who thought that being Primary President would be a nice break (that was me, I guess) was seriously mistaken. Five times that amount of work, worry, and stress. With RS, its all about trying to motivate sisters to be more, do more-blah blah blah, enough already. With Primary--so much responsibility-its children, with no filters, no tolerance, and the wiggles to boot. They watch your every move, back talk every thing you say, are already bored, and take those pauses where you are trying to collect your thoughts as license to leave their seats for greener pastures. Not that its all bad, not at all. Just much more legwork. And before, I had Jason's help (he is now the Branch President, and his time is far spent-what little remains goes to the children). Now, I spend every evening cutting, laminating, thinking, planning, learning, etc. This is just new; I promise I'm not complaining. Every phase of life is like this though-right? Aren't you all out there just as busy and burdened? Let us remember Steve when he said, "We'll get up her." I think I can do that.

Cleanliness is overrated

I put Reno in bath on Saturday. After I turned off the water he looked up at me and asked,
"Mama, do I have hip-hop today?"
"No."
"Well, do I have gymnastics?"
"Not today."
"Then what could be the reason that I have to take a bath?"
"Well, you have church tomorrow."
"Oh, yes. We have to bathe for church."

*His calculations are accurate; he really only bathes when he has to go somewhere. He used to be cleaner, but he has an aversion to bathing now. Two baths a week. Another unexpected consequence of homeschooling. Who'd have thought?

HELP WANTED

We had a hamster named Dixie. She came home from Ryann's this summer after Ryann had been hamster-sitting, and she just wasn't the same animal. She had been tossed up so high by one strong, "yittle" boy that she hit the ceiling , but no-that wasn't it. After about a week I cleaned her cage (you're supposed to clean it twice a week, but I was neglectful, busy, uncaring, and unfeeling to name a few) and what a different rodent. She played! She exercised! She had a renewed interest in life. It was amazing. So why am I blogging about a depressed hamster in a dirty cage? I was just wondering if someone out there would come and clean my cage? Please.


*I feel that it is important to note that Dixie escaped from her cage and was never heard from again. She didn't want to live in the messy cage, or the messy house. I don't blame her...perhaps a bit of envy every now and then. I try not to dwell though--I mean, she is a hamster.

All I need to know I learned in Primary

Just thought I would share an epiphany, that actually could be a Primary song hiding somewhere in the recesses of my mind: Kindness begins with me.
If I am kind to my children, they will be kind to each other and more importantly to me :).
Yes, I get that you already knew this, but I saw it in action today and I am hooked. Its gonna be different around here, I can promise you that.

Let us dispense with this useless endeavor

I hear Effie's cries from her bedroom. I do not check. Its quiet time. She wasn't obeying...I don't care why she is hurt. Okay. Perhaps this is a bit too natural woman of me, but am I the only one who has no tolerance for shenanigans gone wrong during periods of disobedience? Her cries are now intermittent, still a plea for me to check on her so that she can gain sympathy where none exists. Feeling a bit softer, I will go.

I enter. She sees me, begins to sob, "I hurt myself." "I can see that you did" and I help her climb up into bed; I assume she slipped since I did not ask. She shows me her leg, which I kiss, though see no evidence of injury. I ask her to rest until its time to take Ava to ballet. All is well. All is quiet. For now.

I hear her wind chimes. She bought them at the Maritime Museum in San Diego this summer as a Father's Day present for Jason. Then insisted they hang in her room, next to her top-bunk bed. Perhaps we will have no quiet time after all. Again.

I insist upon this ritual- one hour of quiet time every day. My anger grows as I seek to enforce my will upon them. It would be easier to let them watch a movie every afternoon; more would actually fall asleep, more would be quiet. Why do I bother? Upon examination I am not sure. Will reevaluate and determine why I feel I need this time away from them, besides the fact that I feel I need some time away from them.

The quiet time cd just ended. It is actually quiet; two out of four asleep. Unfortunately, quiet time is over and I need to get everyone ready for a trip to town and for Ava to go to ballet. Like I said, perhaps time to reevaluate and redirect my efforts.

I can't help thinkin this is how it ought to be

Effie informed me a few days ago that she is still Taylor Swift. I asked her why she told she wasn't and in a round about way she told me that she needed exactly two days of not being TaylorSwift so that she could continue being TaylorSwift. This is the same logic she was using when a minute ago I told her that she is cute and she told me no she isn't, she is a human. She then recognized that one could be both, however she is not. That's a four year old for you. Sorry for the false alarm.

The reason for the teardrops on my guitar

Effie announced yesterday that she is "not Taylor Swift anymore." Without rhyme or reason. I am quite at a loss as to where this will take us. Some background for those who aren't in the know, she loves TaylorSwift, wears her hair like TaylorSwift, dresses like TaylorSwift (the repetitive nature of the name is taken from real life), sings all of TaylorSwift's song, preforms concerts as TaylorSwift, has been to a TaylorSwift concert with her daddy (hurray for scalpers), and actually looks like TaylorSwift. And note the one word-TaylorSwift- this is how Effie says it every time, usually accompanied with a twang, a shake of the hair (learned at the concert, where Effie discovered that "TaylorSwift is in this world!!!" ), and a twist of the bottom. Very sassy indeed.

She has been a little tired lately, which might explain this sudden disinterest. However, if this is a real break-up, I am a bit staggered by the blow. I wait to see where we will be lead by this little girl in search of something new. Jason and I will miss our TaylorSwift, and he will miss Taylor Swift I am sure, as his devotion was comparable to Effie's. It started with "Our Song" has ended with "You Belong With Me" and has encompassed every song in between-thanks Miss Swift, for a few great years and wonderful memories. I really thought it would last.

And when you find everything you looked for

I hope your life leads you back to my door

Oh, but if it don't, stay beautiful

T.S.