Oh My GOOSE!!!!

My nineteen month old can single-handedly put the CRAZY in my days!!! We are running full steam ahead. I'm completely missing the lounge-in-my-pajamas days of summer. I didn't like the kids playing video games and watching TV all day, but there weren't a million little deadlines throughout the day.

Jayson CAN get into the fridge AND freezer. He will move the kitchen chairs constantly to gain access to any enticing area of the countertops. He recently framed his brother James. It was actually Jayson who dumped all the dirty clothes out of the laundry basket and left them strewn across the tile. I caught him squirting Shout this morning (thankfully not directly into his eyes) and wondered how he got it. Easy-peasy for this little guy. Dump laundry, flip basket, access top of washer, get stuff.

When he was loaded in the car to drive brothers to school, he kept yelling "dee dee" followed by a high pitch scream. Still haven't figured out what he is saying - unless he was asking for my keys before we drive away. He usually wants them when we get OUT of the car. He sticks them in the screws on the door handle. He likes to stick things into our A/C fan - pencils, forks, crayons. He has tried to stick scissors in outlets.

He did cry again today when I dropped him off at child care so I could exercise. But he was cranky for me all morning too, so hopefully not tomorrow.

He loves to eat blueberries and strawberries. They have been a huge treat at our house since they were both on sale. He refuses to sit while eating and prefers to leave his tracks on carpet or furniture that stains. He has climbed out of his high chair.

Even with all the cupboard locks in the kitchen, it still is a favorite place for Jayson. He figured out that we don't have a lock on the silverware drawer. He moves a chair over and then starts his own rock band with the utensils. I guess he moved over to the sink this morning to play with the cups, spatulas, and breakfast bowls. I heard shattering glass and realized that he bumped my ice water all over the floor. ARGh!!!! Don't step in it.

I was twisting Jessica's hair out of her eyes and caught a whiff of shaving gel. He had squirted lines that stretched a couple feet covering the cabinet, tile, and rug in a matter of seconds. It's so fun to watch it foam out and then when you squeeze it practically disappears - kind of like cotton candy only not edible. Again pressed for time (so missing summer today) I knew that if I cleaned him up Jessica would be late for the third day of school. So I stripped Jayson down and put him in his crib for a nap - no teeth brushing or rocking lullaby. I left the screaming baby (he's havin' a rough day) and working husband and shuttled my daughter to school.

The other frustration for me was that I still hadn't showered. I had a pony tail styled by dried sweat with my not-cute exercise clothes (I only have one cute-ish outfit for working out and it required laundering. I do laundry Mon & Thurs, so I'll be looking frumpy for one more day). I decided to put breakfast at the TOP of the priority list and shower didn't get checked off until

AFTER kindergarten drop off. My muscles are all so sore. I'm increasingly fatigued by my efforts, not eating is not part of the program. I'm considering trying out the showers in the locker room while the kids are in child care. Maybe.

Jayson was restless during naptime. I was cleaning out cupboards and making the family room a place where we weren't hanging out in the midst of clutter. It was a continuation of the clean-out-the kids craft drawer project from late last night. Nobody can explain how we get Gogurt tubes BEHIND our tv and sofa.

Post-nap Jayson was sad and cranky. Makes me sad and cranky. He would probably cheer up if I gave him free reign to a faucet and cups, but I didn't. I had dinner to make and kids to motivate to do their kitchen chores.

I did need a getaway, so Jon cleaned up dinner while I went to market to get produce and other pantry items. I was also getting canning lids for Jon's salsa project tonight. I decided to join the messy kitchen with a project of my own: Raspberry Freezer Jam. I made two different varieties because I had two different kinds of pectin. I did help Jon by getting the kids to bed on my own while he started dicing. I also got to skin the tomatoes.

I'm really tired. What a long full day! I don't see the crazy letting up tomorrow. I've just gotta love the crazy.