Last Week in Review

It was one of *those* weeks. Not a bad week, just a seriously busy week. I'm a sweater when I'm rushed (a perspirer? - not a knitted, long-sleeved shirt), and I sure did change my shirt a lot.

It all started with Adeline's "Child of the Week" status. Awwww, tender, cute idea - but it should really be called "Week of extra chores for mommy." I was given a very specific list outlining each day's special activity. Monday wasn't too bad - it was "toy day." Adeline was instructed to bring all of her favorite toys to share with her class during play time. Of course, this is Adeline who has no favorites because EVERYTHING is spectacular to her. Our morning was slightly delayed as we struggled to fit all toys possible into her quite large, and thankfully ROLLING, backpack. In the end, she had to carry her lunch and her puzzle tin outside of the backpack. They just couldn't squeeze in.

Tuesday I was COMMANDED (okay seriously, it was just on the list, but it seemed like a biggie to spring on me like that) to provide lunch for Adeline's entire class. It was supposed to be her favorite food, but (this time thankfully) Adeline loves every food, so I just picked a food that was portable and shareable. Pizza. The funny thing about doing "lunch" for her class in Mexico is that their "lunch" break is at 10:00. Have you ever tried to order pizza at 9:00 a.m.?? in Mexico? Where they don't eat lunch foods until 2:00 p.m.?? The Costco restaurant doesn't even open until 10:00. I had to improvise and I went to Costco the day before and bought the take-n-bake pizza from the deli inside. I grabbed some Sprite, paper goods, and some Rice Krispy treats and figured I was as prepared as I could get. Tuesday morning went a little like this:

6:30 wake kids, dress, hair, shoes, teeth, etc.
7:15 in car
7:45 school drop off
8:15 home again, shower, dress, teeth, hair for me.
9:00 first pizza in oven, makeup for me
9:20 second pizza in oven, shoes for me, clothes and hair for Sully
9:40 Back to the car with pizza, sprite, treats, paper goods, sully and stroller.
10:00 on the dot - walk into the school to find Adeline's class.

I found her class alright - they were seated in the lunch area with every child, except for Adeline, eating their lunch. WHHHAAAAAT? You told me to bring lunch. I told you I was bringing lunch. Why are they all eating lunch without me?? This was a lot of work. Do you see these sweat marks on my shirt?? So now I have two pizzas all cut into 4 and 5-year-old-sized slices, and only about 10 kids even wanted any. I went home with an ENTIRE pizza. I couldn't even pawn it off on the parking guy. He looked at me like, "Why would I want pizza at 10:30 in the morning?" Yeah, I don't know either.

Wednesday Adeline was supposed to bring her favorite movie and book. So, we had to go through the process of picking only ONE movie and only ONE book (everything is fab, remember?) Turns out, they didn't watch the movie and didn't read the book. Why are they doing this to me???

Thursday was simply the worst - but not the "child of the week"'s fault on this one. Addie took her favorite music. Luckily, Grandma Hunter gave her a "Girlz Rock" CD for Christmas and this was easily and unceremoniously deemed the favorite. I dropped the kids at school and then swung wide on my return trip and went grocery shopping. After gathering all of the supplies for Valentine's Day cookies (okay and a few donuts for me and Sully), we returned home. I was already sweaty by now - so I took a break for a shower, clothes, hair, makeup, etc. I then went to pull out all of the Bunco supplies to make sure I had everything for our group that night. I couldn't find the d#$% score cards. I started sweating profusely. Finally, I made up my mind to make new ones by hand. How hard could that be?? Pen, paper, scissors, GO. Sweating, writing, sweating, *jingle tune from MSN messenger*. I checked my email and found that there was some work for the taking if I wanted it. I thought, "Definitely no - too busy." But then this part of me somewhere in the STUPID part of my brain was like, "You need the money, so just take it. You can always stay up late/get up early to do it." Done. Sweat. sweat. sweat. I looked at the clock and realized that if I didn't make cookie dough NOW, it wouldn't be chilled in time to cook it this evening. I went down the stairs, sweating of course, to make cookie dough. I debated one batch or two and after seeing the first batch chilling, decided that I definitely needed two. So, I made another. Sweat sweat. Now I was late to pick up kids. Traffic was a bear - I got there late. Kids in car, I ran to a friend's house because the store didn't have any heart-shaped cookie cutters and you can't make Valentine's cookies in any other shape, ya know. Quick stop and heading back home. The rest of the afternoon was spent alternating between kitchen, computer for work, and cleaning the house for Bunco. Sweat sweat sweat. Finally, around 6:00, the cookies were done, the kitchen was clean, the kids were fed, I was mostly cleaned up, and things calmed down a bit. I sent kids upstairs to hopefully entertain themselves away from the clean part of the house. I finished setting up tables, prizes and food, and then found some time to work a little more before friends started showing up. We had a REALLY fun time at Bunco, but I won't lie - I kind of rushed things because I knew I had to work when it was all done. Immediately after the last round, I divided up prizes and wrapped up the food. I worked for about an hour to finish it all after everyone left and then FELL into bed.

Friday was better. We all slept in a little. I was COMMANDED via the "Child of the Week" information sheet to be present at Adeline's class for a "parent activity" from 9:00 to 9:30. There was no way on EARTH I was going to drive the kids to school and then drive BACK at 9:00, so I just took them with me at 9:00. I remembered to wrap up cookies for each of their classes, but somehow forgot the presents for their teachers. I had no CLUE what the "parent activity" was supposed to entail - so I just printed a coloring picture off the Internet and called it good. Maybe boring, but I was feeling a little picked on after the crazy week we just had, so I called it good 'nuff. I did give them each a GIANT sugar cookie at 9:00 in the morning and who can complain about that? ;)

Once the kids were home from school, it all felt a little more calm. Our amazing babysitter/housekeeper/wife showed up at 3:00. She picked up the house while we took the boys to get their hair cut. It could have waited, but they were looking scraggly and Kyle was willing to go with me, so I jumped on it. We left the kids with Joanna (babysitter/housekeeper/wife) and Kyle and I went to meet with Joni to talk about our birth wishes and other baby related things. It was relaxed and quiet and definitely felt good. Plus, I always have fun talking about birthing and babies, and even Kyle had a good time. He pretty much rocks to not rolling his eyes at me every time I want to discuss my ideal birth or the way I want things to go or not go, etc. love him.

We had heart pancakes on Saturday and I gave the kids their little treat/present from mommy and daddy. They got a kick out of it and somewhere in there, I got a nap out of it. ;) yummm.

Joanna came BACK over that night around 6:00 so Kyle and I could go to dinner for Valentine's Day. We ate at Cocina 88, which we've been wanting to try for a long time. We had an amazing dinner that included a few bites of things that are on the general pregnancy no-no list (sword fish and bleu cheese - mmmmmmmm). I was reminded about how pregnant I really am because I wanted to eat everything and ALL of it. But, I was full after having salsa with a bread stick. *sigh* We'll have to go back when my stomach has room to expand.

I have already vowed to make this week more mellow than last. This morning I took a LOOOONG nap and I am not scheduling anything crazy or demanding or unrelaxing if I can help it. I keep meaning to schedule a massage, but I can't decide if I should wait until I get more uncomfortable and desperate for labor - or if I'll end up waiting too long that way and not even get to enjoy it??