Giving myself a time out

I've been a great mom today.

Started off the morning at swimming. Hung out a bit at home. Had a yummy lunch.

All the monkeys got changed to go to the sprinklers at the park. It started off well. My patience was much greater than it usually is. But I get really grumpy when I'm tired. The sun makes me tired.

I brought drinks. We drank them. I probably should have had more.

So, tired and slightly dehydrated, I lost all the patience that I had in abundance this morning.

My kids are now well watered. Fully snacked. Sitting in front of the boob-tube while I try and get some work done - hidden in my office-cave. I think the work is just an excuse. I need some time to myself. Being good all morning really did me in!

See pictures of the afternoon after the jump - 

A beautiful way to start summer vacation

Took the big monkeys to the pool to start their swimming lessons this
morning. The littlest monkey hung out with me at the pool and we had a
friendly game of chess while we waited around. He was pretty good. I
still won. Yes, I know he's five. I never said that I was looking for
a challenge. Most importantly, he's learning to be a good loser. I'm
so proud (and a bit competitive).

Summer Days

The 2 big kids are home from camp. The weather has been beautiful these last 2 days. There is nothing better than some sunshine and playing.

Playing in the Park

I took little z to the park this morning. He had a great time going up and down the ladders and slides. Across the bridges and looking through the periscope. I felt amazing because: a) it was not pouring rain and he was able to be outside this morning for a bit and b) I had the patience to let him play without feeling like I had to rush home to work.

Then I looked around.

The park is filled with lululemon-wearing moms who ran to the park for their morning jog with their kids in the stroller, giving their kids healthy snacks (that they had the fore-sight to pack) while their seemingly perfect children obeyed everything their moms told them to do. And I just kept reminding myself that a snapshot like this of other peoples' days does not reflect reality (right?). And that I would not give in to the fight that will inevitably ensue later when little z tries to convince me that 5 honey cookies (5 is his favourite quantity when it comes to anything edible) are just the right morning snack for him.

I guess if he drinks a cup of milk with them...

Summer Camp Hell

I was never a lover of the summer camp thing.

I tried day camp. I tried sleep-away camp. I was a home-body.

So why have I become the parent that insists that my kids go to camp?

My eldest needs the social interaction. She doesn't want it, but she needs it. Mr. Middle LOVES everything about it (he gets that from his dad). Little Z is still in day care so we don't need to deal with this for him for a couple of years yet.

N. (eldest) feels that she is done with camp for the summer. 2 weeks was enough for her and she's ready to spend the rest of her 8 year old summer relaxing. I think she should get a job. Child labour never hurt anyone, right?

A big part of me just wants to keep them home with me, only to avoid the rush of the morning. It's the summer. The livin' should be easy and the schedule should be non-existant.

I also know that if they were home with me, I would not be writing this. I would be questioning my sanity at ever having considered keeping them home. They would spend too much time in front of electronic devices and not enough enjoying outside/swimming/friends.

I think I need a double. One to get work done and one to play with the kids.

I guess I better start planning activities...