A New Month, New Beginnings

Whenever the first of any month rolls around, I think of it as a fresh start.  New possibilities, better attitudes, a chance for better time management, and I am always hopeful those last fifteen pounds will melt away by the end of the month.  Historically, October is always a rough month.  Kevin travels a lot, I am usually sick, the kids are usually sick, and we are all pretty worn out.  October is also a pretty good month, too!  Lots and lots of birthday parties, apple picking, pretty leaves, cider mill trips, the Michigan/Michigan State football game, and let's not forget Halloween.

My girls have been looking forward to trick or treating for months now.  Every single night after we would tuck them in, Violet would run out saying, "I have sompin to tell you.  I want to be Bob Builder for Halloween."  The next night she would want to be a kitty cat, then a bunny, then a bee, then Bob and a kitty cat.  A neighbor gave us a chicken costume.  Whoa - that was definitely NOT what Violet wanted to be for Halloween.  Major meltdown.  Then, another friend offered a bunny costume.  Wow!  Talk about a Motor City Meltdown!  Then the Friday before Halloween rolls around and Violet does not even want to go trick or treating.  However, by the big event, we convinced her to wear a chefs hat and apron.  I think she consented because she wanted more Milky Way bars.  

Mimi on the other hand was easy.  Her butterfly costume from last year still fit.  So, whenever anyone asked her what she was going to be, she would reply, "I am going to be a butterfly...AGAIN" (big sigh.)  Yes, I am a frugal mom.  Hey, I was laid off this year.  Plus, the costume is adorable.  Plus, I grew up a little on the poor side.  I was a clown for about five years.  You think I am kidding?  I am not.  My mom sewed the costume extra large and it was really cute.  But after awhile, I got kind of sick of it.  So, what kind of childhood would I be giving my daughters if they got what they wanted all the time?  They certainly would not have anything to blog about in thirty years.  

One chef!  One mom!  One butterfly, again!

Trick or treating was of course a huge hit and the girls came home with a ton of candy.  I had made a resolution NOT to eat their candy eat much of their candy this year.  But, that was last night when I resolved to eat minimal amounts of candy, attempt to run again, sew tons of pillows every night, use my time wisely, and not to get annoyed when my children act like children.  Well, that was yesterday.  

November 1st started with a super cranky two year old at about 5:45am.  She is really good at being wonderful and sweet.  Early in the morning, she is really good at being unreasonable.  I will give you an abbreviated version of our morning:

(Violet comes up for her morning cuddle.  We are in my bed.)

Violet:  Mommy, where is Daddy?

Me:  He is at the gym.

Violet:  I need my toys.

Me:  Which ones do you want?  I will sneak into your room and get them.  I don't want you to wake up Mimi.

Violet:  I AM NOT TELLING YOU WHAT I WANT.  I WANT MY TOYS.

Me:  Just tell me which two to get and I will get them.

Violet:  NO!  I AM NOT TELLING.  I WANT MY TOYS

Me:  You are being unreasonable.  I am not talking about this anymore.

(Front door opens, Kevin walks in)

Violet:  I WANT TO GO DOWNSTAIRS.  I WANT MY DADDY!

Me:  Please go!

(she leaves)

Violet:  I want some cereal, Daddy!

Kevin:  Here are some Kix.

Violet:  I DON'T WANT THAT BOWL!

Kevin:  Tell me which bowl you want and say please.

Violet:  I WILL NOT SAY PLEASE!

(meanwhile, I am sitting on the couch watching the news)

Violet:  MOMMY!  DADDY WILL NOT GIVE ME CEREAL!  

Me:  Did you say please?

Violet:  I WILL NOT SAY PLEASE!

Me:  Then you will not get cereal.  

Violet continues to scream and cry and then falls asleep on my lap until about 8:15 am.  I wish I could say things got better but the improvements were marginal.  Therefore, I ate a TON of Halloween candy.  Yep, I am not losing those pounds today!  I also taught Mimi to say the word crap today.  I dropped my brand new tub of body butter on the hard bathroom floor and cracked the container and I yelled, "Crap."  What is great is that she is learning how to really sound out words at school in preparation for learning how to read.  This is how Mimi was saying her new favorite word, "Crrrraaaaap.  C-C-C-RAP.  What am I going to do with all this CRAP!"  Okay, now I have something else to add to my first of the month list:  Watch my mouth!

In all seriousness, I do have much to look forward to this month.  My niece will be baptized and I am the godmother, Mimi will turn five, the holiday season will be starting in a couple weeks, and I have an upcoming craft show and Etsy store to stock.  Lots of really good stuff.  So, as Scarlet O'Hara would say, "Tomorrow is another day!"