Musings on the three most important things in my life; my husband, my kids and my Little Yellow Notepad
I’m at a red light, looking for my lipstick. I know this light will last for over a minute, and that’s more than enough time to feel for my lipstick and quickly put it on, a time-saving mommy trick when free minutes are few and far apart.
I start digging through my handbag and feel a round small container…what is that!? It’s definitely not my lipstick and not my wallet either…I pull it out and give it a quick glance.
Nutmeg.
McCormick nutmeg, to be exact.
Um, yeah, nutmeg.
Probation.
My two year old is on probation.
Well, she didn’t actually use those words. But I’m pretty good at reading between the lines.
The preschool director is really a good friend of mine. I know she would do anything to help me and make my life easier. But she was stuck.
My adorable and mischievous two year old was making life in the toddler class very difficult for his teachers. And no form of discipline was working.
With a newborn in one hand and most of my kids home, I’m keeping my summer bucket list pretty simple.
Organize the kids’ closets.
Organize my cabinet.
By “my cabinet” I mean my personal arsenal where I keep all the most valuable items in the house and all my weapons, including those that can easily turn into weapons of mass destruction.
I just need to peel 10 potatoes. Throw the chicken in the oven. Quickly cut up some cucumbers. I should have it all done in time for it to be ready when the kids finish their computer time. Mommy Camp is running nice and smooth at this very moment and I’m feeling pretty pleased about it.
And then my baby wakes up. My very tiny little baby. I have to remind myself that he’s really still a newborn, since running full blown Mommy Camp can make me forget that. And he wants to eat. Like now. Well, Mommy Camp is about to lose its efficiency.
The house is spotless and I try to hold on to this weekly moment in time – the minute after my house cleaner leaves and the seconds before the kids sail through the door; the moment when every toy is away, the counters are bare and sparkling and the floors are swept and mopped – and the smell of shabbos is in the air.
Cooking is done. Challahs are ready. And there’s actually some time to just enjoy the Friday afternoon.
I happily realize that I will be getting more than just a mere 20 seconds of quiet and a clean house; since the sun is shining and the rain has finally stopped, the kids decide it’s a perfect day to play outside.
I couldn’t agree more!
Little Yellow Notepad 