Momwork

I guess I didn't know that Moms got homework. This is in addition to regular mom work. I understand the schools have a limited budget. And I appreciate all the effort teachers put into projects for my kids. But it drives me nuts when a note comes home Tuesday that dear son needs to bring a package of dried apples (always handy) in on Thursday morning. Which means I HAVE to go to the store on Wednesday. This screws up my "I only got to the grocery store once a week" creed. Hmmm.... I am beginning to see where my eldest's inflexibility may have come from.........


And if I don't hand everything as per requested- I will get a bad mommy grade.







I wish I just got a list at the beginning of the year with all of my momwork so I can get extra credit for getting it done early. It probably, with three kids combined, would look like this:

Marge's Momwork

* 10-12 snapshots of each child and family, pets, etc. (which may or may not be mangled, cut up and/or returned )
* 2 liter soda bottles- empty (chug-a-lug)
* birthday snacks for a class of 30 (nutritious, no nuts and something they won't think is gross and throw around the room) x3
* party napkins for 30
* juice boxes for 30
* 3 boxes Kleenex
* 2 inch binder
* ruler
* ice cream toppings
* sign a million papers
* collection of 100 something (buttons, cheerios, etc.)
* dried apples
* makings for a giant panda diorama
* 5-6 shoe boxes, some decorated
* 2 dozen hard-boiled eggs
* cake mix for the cake decorating contest
* hard candy for the carnival
* old holiday cards
* poster boards, markers
* report covers
* pine cones
* red glitter
* trombone (got a call from dear son at recess, he needed a trombone by 2:00 that day)
* music for trombone
* about 50 miscellaneous items- TBA (of course)

I am thinking my mom only got stuff for my science projects. She didn't know how easy she had it. So if you see me hightailing it to Von's with teacher's note in my hand, wave hi and make me smile. I maybe will smile back :)

A Morning in the Life

6:20 am
Dear 9 year old son at my bedside "Mom, where are some boxes? I am putting all my favorite movies together and I need a box this big." Stretches his hands out.

Me (half asleep): "Huh?"

6:40 am
Click! Dear 9 year old son is back. "Mom, don't move. I am trying to take a picture of the cat."

Me (in denial): "Why don't you get ready for school?"

Dear Son: "WHAT??!!! I thought it was Saturday. This is the worst day of my life!"

7:30 am

In kitchen. 9 year old dear son seems to have recovered from the worst day in his life:

"Mom, you know why I like you? You are smart and you have lots of great ideas."

Husband: "What about me son? I am pretty smart too."

Dear Son: "Well, you are kinda smart Dad. You just don't like to show it."

7:45 am

Dear 4 year old daughter shows up for breakfast. She had been a little nervous about having a new babysitter the previous night.

Me: "So, how did it go with the new sitter last night?"

Dear Daughter:"Oh, it was great mom. She was no trouble at all."

7:50 am

Dear 6 yo son sits up to eat breakfast: "What? I have to eat pancakes? This is the worst day of my life!" A few seconds later... "Mom, I need a strip of carpet."

Me: "Huh?"

Dear Son shows me his science book he checked out at the library and it indeed says "strip of carpet" for an experiment in friction and velocity.

Mutter to myself : "I guess I need to put crawl around in attic and find the extra pieces of carpet on my list."

8:00 am

Dear Daughter comes down dressed for school: red and black plaid dress, purple cheetah coat with belt, brown and white tights, pink glitter ballet flats and hot pink suede pageboy hat.

8:10 am

Husband: "Well, we're off. Have a great day honey."

Me: "Huh?"