just today.

It's 9:30 pm and my boys just asked me to read them ONE PAGE in a favorite science book. I feel guilty for saying no, but I haven't blogged all weekend... and I have spent hours of quality time with them. Just say NO. Leave me alone, kids!

I could spend all night getting caught up on things that haven't been documented yet. Luke's birthday party, my sister's visit, trips to museums, the new co-op school we go to, crafts, Simon's tantrums, etc. But I am just going to stick to what happened TODAY and call it good.

Today I cleaned up more crap than any mother ever should. Simon pooped 8 times. His poor butt is bright red. An average day is 5-6 poopy diapers and today he worked overtime. And so did I. Before church I was happily making green smoothies for my kids when I smelled something terrible. I had just finished changing Simon's first diaper and couldn't believe he went again before breakfast. I was sadly disappointed when I found a huge mound of diarrhea on our shaggy rug and it wasn't the baby's. Sunny has only pooped once in our house and that was when she was just a few weeks old. Today it was rainy and so I didn't walk her. Then I felt bad for leaving her in the backyard while we ate breakfast. So I let her in and paid for it big time. It took me a full hour to clean up the mess. And I was still on time to church. I know, I win the poopy Mother of the Year award.

Simon was a total pill in Sacrament meeting. He is such a Daddy's boy and wants Aaron all the time... When he sees him and knows he can't have him, he goes berzerk. It's always worse when Aaron is conducting. Each time he gets up to the pulpit, Simon points and screams, "DADDY!" I have to work on distracting him (usually with food) but he gobbled down 4 package of fruit snacks before the meeting was over. And the sugar intake didn't help the meltdowns. One of these days I am going to enjoy Sundays again, but these are not those days.

I've been fortunate enough to attract an older woman in the ward who knows I need help. For the last couple of weeks, she has been entertaining my older boys while I try to keep Simon quiet. She is heaven-sent. Today she brought an awesome marker board (erasable & collapsible) that Zack was LOVING. He spent most of the hour coloring all sorts of pictures with her special markers. After the meeting was over, I overheard this sweet lady ask Zack what he drew. He happily pointed to the board and said, "These are two DEAD guys! The ninja tried to kill the samurai, but the samurai stabbed him first. And when the ninja was almost dead, he threw a bomb and blew up the samurai's face." I was so embarrassed, but was pleasantly surprised when she laughed and said, "I love it." Heaven-sent, I tell you. I quickly snapped a picture with my phone because it was such a classic Zack-moment. I present exhibit A:


The rest of the day was excellent. Long nap, pancakes in the afternoon, The Sound of Music, popcorn, playing Clue with the family. And the cherry on top is the knowledge that Aaron doesn't have to work tomorrow. Yes, my life is full of crap- but I own a lifetime supply wipes and a trusty carpet cleaner. And no one can beat me in Clue-- not even my husband who cheats. I've got lots to be happy about.