IDIOTS

Walmart is the world's 18th largest public corporation.  They have more than $315 billion in sales annually.

And they just keep on GROWNING!

How many people's desks/computers/hands do you think this sign crossed before being printed, received, reviewed AND hung out for the town to see?  I'm going to guess a minimum of 6 people.  How does this happen?  If it's your personal garage sale sign, then fine.  But when it's a big ginormous company who is trying to take over the retail world, it's inexcusable.  Completely inexcusable.  I mean, I've got a 5 and a 7 year old in my car who recognized the error.  Seriously.

It's here. * Notice the . instead of the ! *

Today is the first official day of summer.  William ended school last week but Drew ended yesterday so now it's official official - they are home.  For 10 weeks. 

Most of my friends' facebook statuses are about how it's summer! and it's fabulous! and thank God it's finally here!  My enthusiasm is a little less.  I think, as my friend Jenne suggested, it's because my kids are on such a schedule and I kinda like to keep it that way.  The rushing around in the morning for both school drop-offs and then me hustling to where I need to be is kind of over and that is 25% nice, and 75% unsettling.  I like the routine, the predictability, the missing the kids while they are gone so I love them even more when we are together thing we have going during the school year.

We have lots planned this summer.  No big trips - we've taken those already this spring - but lots planned.  Swimming, gymnastics, math tutoring for Drew, soccer, a few weeks of day camps, etc.  I'm not worried about not being busy.  It's just that my kids are still in the fight-over-every-God-damned-thing stage that I'd like to have more of a consistent routine to keep them focused and... out of each other's business.

After bath tonight Drew put a sticker in Lauren's hair.  It hurt when Lauren pulled it out, naturally.  Then Drew did it again.  After the whole, "You're seven, that's mean, why are you doing that" bullshit talk, I took the book away from which she was getting the stickers.  Within 5 minutes Lauren came to me crying with another sticker in her hair.  Really?  Really? 

Welcome, summer.  So glad you are here and have brought so much togetherness to our family. 

I wanted to have her write, "I won't make such stupid choices and I will stop putting stickers in my sister's hair" but I didn't.  Next time.  And trust me.  There will likely be a next time. 

Every summer has a story

This summer my story is going to be entitled:  Sleeveless Shirt.  Why?  Because I'm gonna work my ass off until I can wear one and not think twice about how I have old lady swinging arms.  You know what I'm talking about. 

I completed 3 weeks of my bootcamp and missed the 4th due to our Boston trip (which I'll blog about next!).  For 3 weeks I was hardcore consistent with the nutrition of clean eating and water drinking.  I worked out 3 days a week at boot camp and 2 days a week of 45 min. cardio at my gym.  I lost 6.5 inches and 10.4 pounds.  It's not noticeable because I have so much further to go but it's a damn good start and therefore I'm sold and I'm continuing. 

Boot camp #2 starts tomorrow.  I'm starting another 14 day detox tomorrow which I found to be pretty easy with boot camp #1 four weeks ago.  It SUCKS BIG TIME but it's not hard.  It's just clean eating.  It's not complicated, there are very few rules, it's just clean eating.  Rid the toxins then don't introduce them back in in any great quantity.  And yes, that includes caffeine.  I know.  That bites the big one.  

Clean eating and regular exercise.  I'm not gonna lie to say I'm kinda bummed it works but I'm pretty sure that's the magic secret everyone searches for in a pill.  Swallowing a pill would just be so much easier.  This, however, is the real deal and so for now it's a new way of life.  I have so much further to go and I'm committed.  

Operation Sleeveless Summer may become Operation Sleeveless Fall but that's ok.  I'll be with it as long as it takes.  And if you see me in November in a tank top, please don't ask me if I'm cold.  Just notice the old lady swinging arms aren't following me around anymore.  I may even order one of those shirts.  You know the ones I'm talking about.

Oh, yeah.

    

I'm gonna pahk my cah in Hahvahd Yahd. For realz.

Today Drew and I leave for our 2nd annual DrewMommy trip to Boston.  We are going earlier in the summer than usual because my cousin is graduating and we're going to see her ceremony.  Did I mention she's graduating from Harvard?  She is.  This is actually her third degree and our third trip back east to see her receive her degree.  I consider myself as smart as the average bear but for my self esteem I'm calling it quits on going to East coast smart schools to see my family members continue to get smarter.  Anyway, I'm glad Drew will get to experience this and see the life that Jennie has been leading.

Chris is going to hold down the fort here at home with the other two while Drew and I are gone.  I have this fantasy that Lauren will wet the bed at 3am and he won't be able to find the sheets.  I dream that William will get grass stains on his pants at school and Chris will fumble in the laundry room trying to figure out what to do with that.  I notsosecretly hope that the fridge will become bare and he'll have to take the two grocery shopping and it'll be a melt down disaster day for both kids.  But, the truth is, none of that will happen.  The reason?  Chris is awesome.  He's capable.  He's confident.  He's 100% daddy and he's got this.  It upsets me a little.  I want him to NOT got this so that he'll marvel over the job I do everyday.  Oh, well. I'll just appreciate the fact that he is here pouring juice and giving baths and doing laundry while I'm... not.

If you are at all interested, I will likely update a bit on Peters Party of 5 facebook while we're on our trip.  Cape Cod, Harvard, Fenway Park, oh, my!

It's what we do, afterall

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you get a chance to do what you'd like today, whatever that may be.  And if it means leaving your kids with your husband or someone else to have some alone time, so be it.  No guilt.  It's your day. 

Detox = CPS

Not gonna lie.  I'm a little scared.  On Monday I'm starting a 4-week boot camp slash fitness program slash nutritional program.  I'm worried about the sugar detox and the caffeine detox part.  Honestly, that has kept me from even thinking about the fitness part.  I'm pretty sure I'm 90% toxic, 10% caffeine.  It's gonna be Withdrawl City this week I'm afraid.  I've never detoxed from anything before and I'm worried for the safety of my children.

I may keep you posted on how this goes.  With 100% commitment to the fitness and the nutrition, it's inevitable that results will follow.  Obviously I need to do about 12 boot camps to be where I want to be but you have to start somewhere, right?  Results means progress.  I'm confident I'll see them.  I'm not confident, however, that my children will survive the next 28 days unscathed.  Pray for them. 

Click here for the bootcamp information.

Mommy is good at...uh...um...

While sitting at the dinner table tonight I mentioned to Drew that we were going to review a math paper she brought home today where she'd missed far too many.  William said, "I saw that.  I can do those in my head so fast."  I said, "Stop that, we all have certain things we're really good at.  Drew is an amazing reader and you are amazing at mental math.  We don't put others down for the things they don't do as well as we may do them.  We are all good at our own special things."  William said, "Like Lauren is really good at talking.  And daddy is really good at fixing things.  And you're good at... well... you're good at..." then Drew said, "Well, mommy is good at taking us places."  William concurred.  He chimed in and added, "And she's probably the best at cleaning the kitchen!"

Chris thought it was HIL-ARIOUS.  Me, notsomuch.  I don't wanna be known for those things.  Chris added that I am really good at writing but I'm pretty sure it was just to save his own ass because I'm sure my expression was one of not being all that happy with the way the conversation was going.

Now my biggest fear is that something tragic happens to me and my kids most prominent and lasting memory of their mom is that I was really good at dishes and taking them places.  Good Lord.  Just don't let that be put on my tombstone.  PLEASE.