And the Roller Coaster Keeps On Going

I really do believe that life is like a roller coaster. Tuesday, we rode the “up” part.  Yesterday and so far today we are on the “down” part. Mama Kat from Mama’s Losin’ It had two writing prompts that were: write about a time when you were overwhelmed (just one?) and what is the last thing that irritated you. Since what irritates me is also causing me to be overwhelmed, I’m combining the two.

Somewhere, someone decided that half days of school are a pain in the @ss. I love that person because I hate half days. You had all the hustle and bustle of having to get the kids out the door only to not be able to do anything because they were coming right back and I don’t know about yours but mine came back with the annoying, “What are we doing? Can I hang out? Can I call so and so? Can I have some money?” So, I was thrilled when our district did away with them. However, someone thought late start days at the high school level was a great idea. I want that person to come to my house on those days. They suck. Nico loves them but I HATE them. This is the thing…when Nico normally leaves, he leaves at 6:50. The twins don’t have to get up until 7:30-7:45 so that is a whole lotta minutes to drink my tea, answer emails and blog if I want to. Really I take that time to gear up for the day. On late arrival days, I lose that time and then Nico is home with the others driving them crazy while I get everyone ready and out the door. You’d think I’d have more if I woke up at 6:00 when I usually do with Nico but let’s face it…I don’t have that kind of motivation. If I don’t have to be up, I’m going to catch up on sleep (getting to that in a sec). Anyway, yesterday was late arrival day and it was also picture day for the twins. That meant that Isabella and Nico needed to be in the shower at the same time. That meant Nico was still here to give Tommy a hard time about what he was wearing for picture day. Late arrival days = irritation and feeling overwhelmed.

Tommy did indeed come home yesterday after pictures but the irony is that the nurse said, “You might want to do retakes. He looks terrible.” He has a bad cold and I think was exhausted. He had no fever and slept for about 12 hours so he went back to school today.

I find homework annoying (which I am not quiet about) but what is ENDLESSLY irritating to me is this phrase, “I don’t get it.” I want to tear out my hair and scream when I hear those four little words. It irritated me as a teacher and still does. What? What don’t you get? The directions? The question? How to do the math problem? What??? When I tried to help, a full-blown melt down ensued with her ending up in her room until cheerleading.

Gia went to bed at 8:00 and we are working so hard on her going to bed without me laying with her because when that happens, I fall asleep and then the rest of the night is done. Plus…she’s still in a toddler bed which means that I am still sleeping in a toddler bed. Not fun. So I did what every desperate mom does in this situation. I told her that I had to get my phone and left. She called a few times and I yelled that I couldn’t find my phone and was looking for it and then by the time I went back upstairs, she was asleep. I am not proud of this tactic and it bit me right in the butt at about 3am. She woke up crying and did not go back to bed…AT ALL!

So I am overwhelmed by the enormous to do list (7 loads of laundry and still trying to put away clothes that don’t fit Gia) and irritated by the complete lack of sleep.

Wait…if I am  on the down part right now…that means…there is nowhere to go but the “up” part. Hold on…unless it is one of those neighborhood roller coasters…the ones with extra parts on the lawn next to it…those get stuck all the time. What if the one I’m on is one of those and…crap…Gia is screaming and I have to be out of the house all morning…yep…feels like it might be stuck.

Send wine…Moscato please.

Related Posts:

• Chaos: High School, Volleyball and Sick Kids
• Was I Wrong?
• Essence of Now