Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Catch Up

Hey, guys, sorry I've been out... We've been hosting Anthony's mom and his Uncle Volker from Germany. Volker is one of my favorite people on this earth, and it just doesn't seem like when someone from that far away is visiting that you should spend your evenings blogging.

We've gone a little crazy in the Hybrid department, too. We got a Toyota Prius. We figured out that if Anthony turns his company car in and charges the company for miles, we actually make money on a hybrid. And we can feel better about our lack of pollutants. So, now we have 4 cars in the driveway - the Highlander, the Prius, the old van (clean and waiting to be sold), and the old company car (to be picked up next week, good riddance).

4 cars, 4 people - the American way, right? Actually, I can't believe we have 2 NEW cars! 2 Hybrids! A co-worker said to me, "The only way you could be more virtuous (cue angel music) is if you buy all your meat at Whole Foods, because they support humane slaughter."

Anthony and Volker have been working on a new compost system for our backyard. All day Sunday they worked on their project while I watched the kids. Normally, this would be something I would look forward to after a few working days except this day the kids were AWFUL! They were whining and crying, sometimes in unison all day. I had to go to the grocery store with them, a chore I usually avoid at all costs on Sundays, but I had no choice since it was our turn to buy Snack for the week for Anna's school. The store was of course crowded with grumpy people pushing hugely laden carts, while my kids whined for candy (which we never buy!) and argued about who go to hold the cracker box. There were 2 cracker boxes, and they both wanted to hold the one the other had. Finally, I put both boxes into the cart and pushed the wailing children through the aisles. Later at home, Anna and I did a neat cooking project that she'd seen on ZOOM - it was fruit smoothie popsicles. After we stacked them all in the freezer, she threw herself on the floor in full blown tantrum because she couldn't eat them NOW! Never mind my clever unbaked cake analogy - she wanted to eat her raw popsicles RIGHT AWAY! What a way to drain all the fun out of a Sunday afternoon project - just in time for all the clean up. Colin refused to nap. It was a day of nonending demands, all proceeded with, "Mommy,..."

Calgon, take me away!
At the end of the day, I asked Anthony if my ears were bleeding. Concerned, he checked my lobes, asking if Anna had pulled my earring. "No," I said, "My ears hurt from listening to them WHINE and CRY all day!" If you can get a sinus headache, I had a brat earache. Anth laughed, and Volker said maybe it was the full moon.

Actually, I think it was the lack of sleep from having fun visitors all weekend. Things are better since the routine (early to bed/early to rise) has been reestablished.

6 comments:

Jessica said...

Wow sounds like a crazy weekend! I cannot believe you have two new Hybrids now! That's awesome! Lucky you!!! I'm sorry Anna and Colin were so grumpy...that's never fun. Happy Valentines Day!!!

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what you mean by the whining and fighting. It is like being pecked to death by ducks, only you NEVER GET TO DIE!
Thank goodness every day isn't like your Sunday.Thank goodness that sometimes they are so full of grace and sweetness, and say bizarre and hilarious things that keep you laughing for weeks. Thank goodness for wine. Oh, and, you got to put your groceries in your NEW HIGHLANDER! Or was it the Prius?
xoxo

Emily said...

I completely understand what you went through...that's what my week with them last May was like! I felt like they were teaming up to try to push all my buttons. Let's see if we can drive Auntie Emily crazy! Lisa suggested wine to me that week, too. Glad to see she's consistent.

Unknown said...

ROTFLMAO at Lisa and the undead duck analogy.

May we pretty please have a picture of your new haircut in front of the Prius? (said in a non-whining way)

Anonymous said...

Ohh.Poor,poor you,Jenn...am trying to think what category 'whining kids' fit in...how about HELL!!! :o) don't let 'em get you down you wonderful Mummy,you!xx

Anonymous said...

I send you all my sympathy about the whining kids, and I love the duck analogy - bloody perfect!!!

Luke has taken to hurling himself onto the floor at very inconvenient moments i.e. supermarket aisles, in the middle of a busy road etc because he refuses to hold my hand and thinks it quite acceptable to run off .... aaargh!!!