Tonight, I wanted to call a whambulance to take me away

I so did.  B's stepmom kept him for a couple of extra days because there were conflicting baseball games and N needed some space, so he came home today.  When he comes home, I mentally prepare myself for whining and behavior that he knows is not allowed.  And arguing.  Oh...the arguing.  I'm surprised when my ears DONT start bleeding.

To add to my physical and mental pain, I really needed to go to the grocery store this afternoon.  I needed the boys to pick some fruit/yogurt because if I pick it, it will inevitably be the wrong one, even if it's the exact same flavor they would've picked.  "Mom, you picked the wrong container!  I wanted the one from the stack on the left."  Seriously.  It's happened.  So, I bargained with them.  I could've just said, "We're going.  The end." but I was trying to be kind...first day back, sets a precedent, etc. 

The deal was they get a snack, we grocery shop, put the groceries away, and then they play Xbox until baseball practice.  And, for the most part, it went well.  B acted like a moron at times at the store, but I was the moron who allowed him to have an Icee.  Stupid idea on my part.  Obviously.

By the time we got home, I was frustrated and annoyed, the boys were itching to play Xbox, and N willingly helped put away groceries while B flopped on the floor and pretended he had the hiccups to avoid doing any work.  And that didn't go over very well.  I sent them away to play, and after I finished reorganizing the freezer, I made B come to do his homework. 

Y'all.  You'd think I asked him to write a research paper with 16 sources instead of reading a 10 page book and writing three sentences about the beginning, middle, and end of the story.  And each time I would redirect him back to the three sentences, he'd scream like I was murdering him instead of saying, "Hey!  B!  Focus!"  I'm pretty sure my neighbors like it when there's only one kid here...

We went to practice, and one of the other boys' little brothers came along, too, so B had someone to play with.  And I sat in my chair and drank from my grown-up sippy cup and read "Sparkly Green Earrings" by Melanie Shankle.  Which you should totally read if you're a mom.  Or thinking about becoming one.  Because it's hilarious and totally true.  And right now, it's available on Kindle for FREE dollars.  Seriously.  Go download it.  Sparkly Green Earrings

You'll thank me.  For life.

Aubs