Reluctant Nomad

Monday, October 27, 2008

So I organized a craft for the kids the other day (read: gave in to their endless requests to let them paint, yelled at them from the computer room to be careful not to spill the paint, and then proceeded to break my face away from the computer for a few seconds to respond to their requests of 'Look mama!'). Sometimes I get all mommy and buy canvas for them to paint on so I can then hang it on the walls of their room.

I'm gagging as I type that.

And I'm sure you're thinking, am I reading the right blog? Let me check the address again, yes this is the one. Ok, moving on, so as I'm watching over their precious little shoulders commenting on their work (read: yelling from the other room, 'Good Job honey!' 'Looks beautiful!') when I hear the first grumblings of complaint from my oldest. 'Mom! BAM BAM IS MIXING THE PAINT.' Horror. So what would a good parent do? Yes, get off her sorry behind and get a new paint plate for Mr. Furious. And that's what I did (mommy points for that one). As I was bringing him the new plate, I suddenly decided to ask what they're painting (more mommy points).

I ask Bam Bam first, he responds, "I'm painting poop.' And I swear I'm going to have to call Mensa STAT because it looks JUST LIKE POOP. This one's got some skills. And then I turn to Mr. Furious' canvas. He is describing in great detail how there is scaffolding (that's the blue stuff) and then there are guys on the scaffolding. And. wait. for. it. Yep, they're all dead. 'OH, I respond with a suppressed laugh, then that explains the red paint everywhere.' 'Yes,' he says, 'That's blood.'

FANTATIC! I'll see your perfectly behaved child and raise you a future gastroenterologist and a future felon.

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 10:01 PM - 9 comments

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Gretchen wears

grey glasses. At the park. On the Merry-Go-Round. While it's spinning. I need some kind of parenting award for this supreme act of creativity. And guess what. It worked.

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 9:26 PM - 0 comments

And this is after

the haircut. And the 'watch me.' And the 'Don't take the picture yet.' And the 'Take the picture when I get to three. I didn't get to three!" "MOMMMMMM!!!'

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 8:56 PM - 2 comments

Monday, March 31, 2008

Just a normal day at the park

with ski goggles, floods, and shoes that he commented about this morning, "Will you buy me new shoes? Because I don't care what they look like, I just want them to be comfortable." I replied with a sigh, "Yes, I will buy you new shoes." Because what is a girl with an uncomfortable shoe-fetish supposed to do with a child like this? Blame him on his father. Of course.

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 5:11 PM - 5 comments

Thursday, March 06, 2008

This child

will most likely put me in an early grave, but, my goodness gracious he's beautiful.

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 8:48 PM - 6 comments

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

a less than furious moment

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 10:57 AM - 3 comments

Friday, December 14, 2007

Danke-n

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 9:38 AM - 1 comments

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Mormonad

Mr. Furious (5 yo) walks in the front door from Judo class with a brand-spanking-new Gee. His first.

"Is that your new Gee? Wonderful! Are you the Judo Master now?" Big smiles. Bam Bam (3 yo) is echoing my sentiments (literally) and giving big brother a hug that almost knocks him over.

"How was Judo? Was it so fun?" Cheerfulness is seeping out of my pores. Everyone is looking at the white-for-one-day gee like it was the second coming.

A few seconds of rejoicing by all.

"DID YOU JUST PULL CHEWED GUM OUT OF YOUR GEE AND RE-EAT IT?"

Moral: Before pretending young-Mormon-mom-like peppiness, do a body check. Saves time.

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 11:49 AM - 4 comments

Saturday, July 14, 2007

A+

Definitely one of the worst parenting days on record. Lots of frustrations, lots of yelling, even more temper tantrums, very few happy campers. However, I was able to get SO MANY of the things done that are plaguing me as we approach our move. I even Gordo'd my way into getting Costco to let me purchase something (in fact all of the luggage we need to move) without a membership card.

This is THE story of my parenting life. It always feels like to assuage one looming to-do list, I have to sacrifice another. I'm never sure whose "needs" I'm supposed to be fulfilling because inevitably, whatever I choose will be leave something else undone, someone else unfulfilled.

Reading Justine's beautiful essay makes me want to hope that I can do this. I can be this person. This conflicted, imperfect, but somehow okay mother of two boys, wife of one, individual above all.

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 2:07 AM - 1 comments

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Sanity

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 6:49 PM - 3 comments

Friday, January 12, 2007

Photo Friday: Invasion

Robo Raptor and RC T-Rex were taking naps today. I was shushed as I passed through their habitat. Who knew the boys had a feminine side?

Labels: The Boy Factory

posted by Reluctant Nomad at 2:44 AM - 0 comments

About Me

Name: Reluctant Nomad
Home: Austria
About Me: I photograph banal subjects to remind myself of the beauty in everyday life. I have two little boys who love me even when I'm crazy and a hubby who loves me in spite of it.
See my profile...