Friday, November 14, 2008

How the Weekends Have Changed.

Weekends used to be in existence for ~me~. Recharging my batteries. Snuggling with my hubby and warming my heart and nether regions. Maybe giving the house a deep cleaning so I felt better about laying around. Regardless of ~what~ I did, it usually boiled down to being for ME.

Ahhh. How selfish weekends used to be. Staying up late. Sleeping in. Being a sloth or going for a fabulous run. And now? Now. Birthday parties for 4 year olds. Taking the kids places to expand their minds, exercise their muscles, use up some energy.

Hey, don't get me wrong, I ~love~ my kids. I'll do absolutely ANYTHING for them. And I also know how lucky I am to even HAVE kids. Don't confuse my complaints with assuming I don't also know there are many people who would give anything to be in this position. Yet, no matter how lucky I feel. No matter how ninja-like I know I am for dodging the living without children bullet, the complaints will still exist.

Tomorrow will be a stop at a toy store to purchase birthday presents for the party we're invited to on Sunday. And then of course, Sunday will consist of the actual birthday party. And somewhere in there I will have to work in a trip to the movies to see Madagascar 2 like I promised. Doesn't seem like much, but don't forget there are 3 solid meals a day I must serve, countless drinks/snacks. Two sets of teeth to brush at least 2 times a day. Two nighttimes where two children will argue that they just shouldn't have to go to bed. Two naptimes which will be entail the same argument. Two "are you fucking kidding me?" morning times where my mind can't comprehend why the sun has to rise so early. Two sets of heads I must try to play beauty shop and get it to look nice more than 15 minutes at a time. Two butts to wipe (don't think you get out of this once they are out of diapers). Two bodies to bathe twice this weekend when usually it's just every other day, but due to outings and sunday night scheduled bathtime, it's going to be daily. Add in the laundry I have to get done, I'm pretty much not looking at anything else this weekend.

Before I had children, I used to envision weekends full of pancake breakfasts, cookie making and finger painting. Heh. But then I realized I ~don't~ live in the movies.

Damn.

10 comments:

The Jensens said...

In describing how your weekends used to be you are in essence describing my weekends! I figure I need to get all the sleep and slothfulness (is that even a word?!) in before I have kids (if/when I do) because I know after the fact I won't be able to get any of it back! I hope your weekend goes ok. Good luck with everything-I'm sure having Karl inside you isn't helping matters :0)

It is Karl right? Forgive me if it's not, I'm a bit brain dead.

And, just so you know, I know that I will never understand how hectic having kids is until I experience it myself. I know you are grateful for your kids, no worries!!

Jenera said...

That sounds like every day for me, lol. Except that I'm actively potty training a stubborn toddler who misses his daddy and seems to hate me right now. I'd kill to be able to take him to a movie where he'd sit still long enough to watch it. I'm seriously running out of things to do with him to wear him out enough so I can get some rest. Motherhood is tough.

Mermaid said...

Hmm, that's a lot of butt wiping. I hadn't planned for all that. I was thinking more along the lines of pancakes and naps.

You're amazing that you can do all that and not collapse, especially seeing as how big Karl is getting!

Charlotte said...

I so miss lazy, sleeping in, nothing to really do weekends. Maybe one day, right?!

MrsSpock said...

I've been having a lot of those 5 AM, are you f**ing kidding me moments since J was born.

Amanda said...

No pancake breakfasts? No cookie making and finger painting?? ;-)

Well at least I don't have to worry about hair too much. I've already told Mr. W that haircuts will be his "bonding" experience with the boys (aka take them on base and get them a buzz cut)!

Jennie said...

Typical mommy weekend, except you left out that in addition to wiping two other butts, you have to make time to wipe your own!

I have been battling with the thought of going out to celebrate new year's this year with all of my cousins as opposed to spending it with my three sons. Just having the thought gives me tremendous mommy guilt.

What do you think about it?

nancy said...

Jennie, Your oldest is 5, right? When we were little, we celebrated new years DAY. New Years Eve is and was always an "adult" celebration.

There'd be no guilt here!

Heather said...

We're in the same boat. Isn't it funny how things have changed. We wouldn't change it for the world, but it is nice when we get a weekend with our daughter at her grandparents and can relive what weekends used to be.

Kaci said...

There have been a few weekends recently where I've said to David "remember what our weekends used to be like?" - I love our kids but sometimes I miss the lazy days!