Separation Anxiety

I got kicked out of the gym yesterday morning.  And no, it was not because of the "spirited discussion" the woman had with me because she was slightly angry I was saving the last spin bike for a friend.  Did you know that is poor "spinning" etiquette?  Well, I do now.  Thank you, angry gym lady.  Anyhoo, back to this week.

Beginning mile 2 of my run jog trot when I notice the girl in the red child care shirt heading towards me with a frown.  Why is she frowning?  A poopy diaper is nothing to be upset about.  I needed a break in my workout anyways.  

Gym Girl:  "Anderson is screaming.  Crying so loudly that the people outside the gym can hear him.  My supervisor wanted me to come get you."

Me:  "Oh my gosh, he NEVER cries!"

Gym Girl:  "I know, but he won't stop."

Me:  "Oh, he must be getting sick.  My husband is home sick today.  I thought he had an ear infection a few days ago.  Or maybe it's teething.  He might be tired, too."  Oh no.  I'm one of "those moms".  Making excuses for why my child is misbehaving.  But seriously.  He's only 10 months old. 


I head in to the daycare to pick up my little monster and he starts laughing, giggling, and smiling when he sees me.  Great.  I guess the whole "sick and tired" excuses are out the window.  What else can I come up with?


Me:  "It must be separation anxiety.  I haven't been to the gym in awhile."


Gym Girl (and the other gym girls):  Nodding, heads down, not making eye contact.

Seriously, though.  I just know it's separation anxiety.   My boys are nothing short of angels.  All the time.  Even when they're sick and tired and hungry.  Aren't yours, too?

St. Patty's Day Frame & Shamrock Pencil Covers

The Chicago River is actually died green every year for St. Patty's Day.  How cool is that?

Here are some ideas for St. Patrick's Day that I'll leave you...better late than never! 


I apologize for my absence lately.  My brain doesn't work correctly during pregnancy and about 4 months postpartum.  Therefore, I will see you consistently in about a year.  

Shamrock Pencil Covers

What you'll need:

• shamrock template (I just googled "shamrock template" and printed one off)
• green felt
• scissors
• glue
• gold coins (I used gold ribbon and hole-punched circles because I didn't have gold sequins or anything else that resembled a coin)

Just cut out two shamrock shapes, glue them together, leaving the end open to slide the pencil in.  Then glue your coins on and you're done!

St. Patty's Day Frames

Yes, another frame.  I just like to have a picture of the boys during each of the holidays, and what better way to keep it than having them decorate a frame!  I did one, too...cause it's fun and I still think I'm 4.  Just grab whatever items you have at home or find at your craft store and design how you want.  Here's how ours turned out...

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
6 to 8 drops green food color
1 egg
1 cup creme de menthe baking chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg until soft dough forms. Stir in creme de menthe baking chips and chocolate chunks.
2. Using small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Serve warm or cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!

Ms. Post Office Lady



Dear Ms. Post Office Lady,

I would like to thank you for making me look like a fraudulent idiot.  Don't get me wrong, feeling like an idiot is something I do well and often.  But a fraud?  Well, that is new one and I am happy to say I can now add to my list.

If you don't remember, let me help you out.  Tuesday afternoon.  I came in schlepping 3 young boys with my hair in what was supposed to look like a pony tail but unfortunately resembled a lion's mane.  All I wanted to do was mail a hat and magazine to a girlfriend.  You told me I owed you $2.78. 

I grab my credit card. 

"Here you go!"  I say with a chipper smile.  Maybe you don't appreciate chipper.  Maybe misery loves company and you would've preferred that I call you something obscene.  Well, note to self for next time.

"Ma'am, I cannot accept this, it's not signed." 

No problem.  I hand her another card.  She swipes.

"Ma'am, this card is declined."  What?  It can't be!  I have at least $20 in there!  Whatever.  I hand her the original card.

"Ma'am, you will need to sign the card."  Okay, okay.  I'll sign it.  Lay off, lady.

"Ma'am, I will need to see your ID."  I hand her my driver's license with a picture of my head slightly turned to the right to make my face appear thinner.  I wish she would stop calling me ma'am.  It makes me feel old.

"Ma'am, the names don't match up."  This is exactly where my face turns bright red and I want to crawl into my diaper bag and cry myself to sleep.  I scurry out, bumping into the long line of people taking note of my face because they're confident they will see me on America's Most Wanted.  MOTHER, LIVING DOUBLE LIFE AND DOUBLE IDENTITIES. 

Disclaimer:  I did have money in my bank account.  I was using a temporary debit card that expires in 30 days and it happened to be day 31.  And the reason for my dual identities?  My credit card has my married name and my driver's license still has my maiden name.  You don't believe me, do you?