multi-tasking

In my college days my research advisor would always harp on me to be a better multi-tasker. I would just stare at him blankly and go about my merry business, doing one thing at a time. My brain felt at peace. No mind clutter that comes from juggling too many responsibilities.

Of course all that changed when I had kids. As a mom, multi-tasking is pretty much your job description. You're cooking an egg and get goop on the counter...you reach for a paper towel, which has run out...you go to the utility room to fetch more towels and you remember the laundry from the day before...and on and on it goes, till your egg is completely over-cooked.

Have you ever read the children's book series "If you give a mouse a cookie"? For the mouse, one thing leads to another. My SIL Kristen read me a funny spin-off called "if you give a mom a cup of coffee", which pretty much reads like my list above. I laughed as she read it, because it was so true. So me. I once read that you need to stop the madness of multi-tasking for at least a portion of the day, so your brain can rest. I totally agree, but find it easier said than done. And when I woke up this morning and read Yahoo news, it headlined a story on how Americans cram 31 hours of activity into a 24 hour day. Why do we do this?

Because there is always something to be done. I feel like I'm piddling my time doing chores all day when I could be giving my boys more of a meaningful life. I realize there is a balance though. I find it very difficult to find a happy medium for some reason. My house can spiral downwards FAST and so I try to keep on top of the mess.

Lately I'm trying to take the boys out and do more interesting things with them while they are awake--If we stay at home with nothing to do, I'm tempted to sneak in as many chores as possible while they are playing. While I'm distracted, someone always ends up crying or fighting. I need to be on top of their attitudes.

So when Barbie organized an outing to the animal museum(like a zoo), we went. Being fun and taking kids out is hard work though!! When we got to the back end of the park, Finn had to go potty and there is only one restroom at the entrance. Taking kids potty is the bain of my existence right now. And my boys were like vultures, starving for snacks the whole time. So I fed them a great majority of the time. And Calvin fell off the lunch bench and hit his head. But all the trouble is worth it. The boys had a blast, beating their sticks on the ground and in the water.

my little Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer dolls.

I know this isn't the greatest picture of Ollie, but it made me laugh--the sign says no howling at the coyotes, so I had to give Ollie a stern lecture not to howl--he is still on a howling kick these days:)

A bunch of us girls, like bumps on a log. This area reminded me of Wagon Train at Hume. It was so fun hanging out and chatting with these wonderful moms. So not only did the boys have a blast, I had a great time too.

And look how happy we all look in this picture. I imagine that as the days pass, I'll forget about all the potty trips and just remember the good times. And the boys have been so appreciative of my efforts to have more fun. Finn walks around saying things like "you're being so nice to us mommy". And just the other day, Calvin said "your hair looks so cute mommy". A compliment on my hair??? That is a rarity in a house full of boys. I think they are just full of goodwill towards me right now.

So let's see how well I can keep this up. When my boys are awake, I am going to try to focus on them as much as possible rather than multi-tasking my days away. This does not mean I'm going out to do something fun every day--No sir. I love our potty here at home. But I will try to keep my mind focused on what's really important.