Vacation day for some, but it was a long day for me. Started off well enough, we'd gotten a lot done yesterday and the hope was to get more done today, Layne and I even had a numbered list. Part of my going in to work yesterday was I knew I'd have to watch Layne and Joshua today (Jacob was still at Connor's) this let me stay ahead of the curve on our jobs, that part was successful (at least that I know of), the rest of the day didn't quite pan out as I'd hoped. Got up decently, had breakfast, hung out a little then showered, wanted to work on the kitchen, but Layne's Girl Scout cookies are due so we went to Gramma's to get the sheet and go door to door. She actually sold some cookies so that worked out pretty well.
The next part of our plan was to get some lunch, the problem with the plan was that I tried to let the kids have a say in where we ate. It became a let's go here for me then, here for your food, and this place for his food. That put me over the edge, I was tired of chauffeuring the kids around. We were gonna eat at one place and that was it, no one liked my suggestions, "If you go there I am not going to eat, I'll just stay in the car." I gave in and we picked up two tacos for Layne, went home and Josh and I had leftovers. By now it was pushing 2:30 and we still had to get Jacob, and Layne and I had basketball practice at 5:00.
Pick Jacob up at 3:30 and go to Jacks' and Judy's. I am getting major attitude from Jacob because I am making him leave Connor's house. Did I say major, I meant MAJOR. Drop off Jacob and Joshua at Gramma's house where Jacob pretty much just crashes and goes to sleep. I am actually excited about basketball so Layne and I head over to the church early to shoot around before practice starts.
We get there too early, no lights are in the gym, luckily one goal is up but it's ten feet (the girls play on nine). We make the best of it and use the little bit of light coming in through the doorway and practice shooting for ten minutes or so. The guy comes in turns the lights on, but his buddy that helps him setup isn't there, so I help him move all the basketball goals into position. Boy howdy, if you want a thigh workout, try pushing these goals around the gym, holy cow. We finished setting up and Layne says "Dad you're sweating." "Yeah I'm sweating, we just pushed these monster goals all over the gym.". Honestly I enjoyed the workout, but hadn't anticipated being that tired before practice even started. The practice went really well, some of the girls are really getting how to shoot, still a ways to go, but it's nice to see improvement.
Pick up Jacob and Josh, still attitude from Jacob, and not having learned my lesson, was going to try and take all three out to dinner, and still getting the I want this, and I want that. So we head home and have mac'n cheese (they have no idea the treat they are missing eating out). But before I can even make the dinner, and this is in the era of the microwave, I send Jacob to his room with no food. I stayed calm, no yelling, no lost temper, but I'd had enough of the attitude and not listening, and Joshua wasn't too far behind. Oddly (or not), when one kid is really acting up, one (or both) of the others seems to really be good and helpful, and Layne was working the good kid right now. Kind of a blessing, helps keep and even keel and not get too upset.
Luckily Jennifer comes home at this point and helps keep Layne and Joshua settled and on task. Jacob eventually comes down and we talk, then Jacob, Jennifer and I talk, and before long we are the happiest family in the world. Everyone is doing wonderfully, getting clean, not complaining, hugs, kisses, helping the poor, curing cancer....it was awesome. But it was a long day to get here.
No comments:
Post a Comment