Sibling Discord

"Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it." Bart Simpson to his sisters poking his sore arm.  The Simpsons Episode 1: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

Seriously?  When my children are interacting like the Simpsons we have gone completely off the rails.  I am so used to my kids getting along most of the time.  Not a lot of screaming, playing nicely and quietly together.  They have been fighting for weeks and we are now only three weeks away from Summer break.   I'm scared.

problem #1
The girl and her girl shrieking (making my ears bleed).  I very well may go crazy if I hear my articulate 2.5 year old shriek at her brothers again.  USE YOUR WORDS!  BETTER YET, USE YOUR SENTENCES!  Also, try napping.  It works for every other toddler on the block.  The nap is your friend.

problem #2
control
Patrick needs to be the boss.  Keith needs to be the boss.  Lauren needs to be the boss.  Notice a theme here?


problem #3
I'll have what he/she's having.....  My children are capable of fighting over one dumb toy that they have successfully ignored for months.  Today its my old cell phone (like old old old older than they are old).  Keith wants to hoard it in his pile of things, Lauren wants to make phone calls.  There will be blood.

They get alone fine when they are glued to the TV.  So the TV is dark until they figure this out.

Now that's more like it!....  This lasted about 15 minutes before the fighting restarted and the little kids were sent to their rooms.  If we can break through this wall of bickering we can take on anything. 

On the shoulders of giants.

Source: Michael Noyes

And boy oh boy is it nice in the shade.  Over a decade ago when I started my career in education reform I had a dear friend who was old enough to be my mother.  We hung out all the time and when I would make presentations or give speeches she would distract me with her beaming smile.  She was super kooky but she taught me a really important lesson about life.  She smiled at me because I was living the dream, her dream and the dream of so many women.  I was enjoying her shade.

Junior League of Fresno Past Presidents

And here I am, once again basking in the shade.  In less than a month I will be the President-Elect of the Junior League of Fresno, following in the footsteps of some amazing women who helped make Fresno a better place to live.  From the Ronald McDonald House, to the Blood Mobile, to the Volunteer Bureau, to the Discovery Center.... the list goes on and on. 

Over the last two months, we lost three of our past presidents.  The way they lived their lives (in service of their community and having an absolute blast!) was such a pointed reminder for me.  Why I do this and why I want to do more.
Frances Mosgrove President 1961-62
Lyla MonPere President 1964-65
 Muriel Walton 1969-70

I am so lucky to come behind these women to continue their work in Fresno.  And I continue to be amazed at the caliber of women in League today.  Busy, smart, generous, and gracious women who make the time to make a difference.  What an honor to be part of this organization.  I am in the company of some great women. 

Source: Markologie

We are going to do great things.  Have you ever witnessed the power of a group of determined women?  That's what we are. Stand-by.  We aren't afraid to get our hands dirty.

So over the next year, I will watch, plan, listen, think, train (Wh-what?  I get training!?!  I've NEVER had a job that included training!), and stretch to prepare myself for 2014-15.  But more importantly, I'm going to be tapping a whole bunch of smart women on the shoulder and calling on them to be a part of history in the making.  This isn't about MY presidency, this is about the trees we will plant together.

My PEE (President-Elect-Elect) Orchid {flowers always sweeten the deal}

This is for the 2 year olds, This is for the hustlers

Or hustlas if you are Snoop.  Point being, there's not a lick of difference between a 2 year old and hustler.  They are cunning, smart, and scary.

That's pretty much the whole reason my 2 year still used a pacifier up until this week (true confessions).  I'm scared of her....  I need my nap break to work and breathe and not wipe tiny butts.  I need her asleep all night long so I can drink wine, work, and actually have an adult conversation.

Several months ago we put a moratorium on the pacifier venturing out of the crib (or the house).  In extreme situations I let her have it but 98% of the time it stayed in the crib.  Except when she used her little hustler ways and appeared in the family room sucking on the thing.  So I started clipping pacifiers that made an appearance outside of her room.  Between the clipping and pacifier vortex, we were down to one pacifier.

When she took her single pacifier to Grandma and Grandpa's house last weekend I thought about warning her that it was the last one..... I didn't and it didn't come back.  Sunday night at bedtime she begged to call Grandma and get her pacifier back.  I suddenly grew a backbone and said no.  It. Has. Been. A. Long. Week.

Cold turkey.

No naps, save this one (the shop 'til you drop nap, not the most effective nap but a tried and true strategy)....

Naps have become a parade of excuses: I have to pee, I have to poop, I have an owie, I need some water, I not sleeping.

Yesterday she sat in her room talking to herself and when I opened the door she grinned at me and said, "I talking to myself." little hustler.  So she got up and did this...

Lots of whining and squealing in the afternoon.  She's not sleeping as long at night either.  This morning my early morning time is being interrupted by requests for milk.  Toddlers should not be allowed to wake at 6:00 am.  Oh well, this too shall pass.

But hopefully not too fast.