November 21, 2006
we’re much cooler parents when we’re sleep deprived
Mom shoes. With just a little heel.
Last night was a long night chez Friday Playdate. Charlie wet the bed around 3:30, which was really a bummer because his backup sheets were in the laundry. We cleaned him up and put him in the Big Bed with me, and Wade went off to sleep in the guest bed. At 5:45 Henry got up and went potty (which involves turning on ALL the lights in his room AND the bathroom and talking to himself in a very NOT quiet voice). At 6:00, Wade got up and went to see what he was doing. He found Henry fully dressed in cargo pants, a tee-shirt, a rugby shirt, and his school sweatshirt, looking for his flashlight.
“My brother and I are going to explore the backyard, while it’s still dark,” he told Wade. “Where’s Charlie?”
Wade explained that Charlie had been up for a while in the night and needed to sleep. “Okay,” Henry said, “but can I still go explore the yard?”
When I got up, at 6:15, Wade was sitting in the family room drinking his tea and Henry was exploring the pitch-black yard. When Wade told me what was going on, I said, “Whatever.” Then I made coffee.
(Wade also told me that he woke up at 2:30 and never went back to sleep. NEVER! So as I write this, at 4:45 in the afternoon, my husband has been up for, oh, over fourteen hours. And has only had maybe three hours sleep. Sweet!)
Henry had a good time exploring, and Charlie cried when he realized that he had missed the exploring-in-the-dark part of the adventure. And it is entirely possible that I MAY have suggested that we set an ALARM CLOCK and get up early tomorrow morning ON PURPOSE to go explore before the sun rises.
My kids think I’m cool, but I’m pretty sure I’m just an idiot.
Posted by Susan @ 4:45 am • Uncategorized
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November 21st, 2006 at 5:05 pm, Laura Says:
Your socks are pretty hip there. Also, a very cool Mom to get up early to explore outside. I might have THOUGHT about getting up early, but it wasn’t likely to actually happen. I love sleep too much. Hope Wade sleeps tonight.
Also, you are right. Clooney really should have a lifetime achievement award.
November 21st, 2006 at 5:50 pm, Andie D. Says:
Dang. You are cool.
Couldn’t they just explore at night?
November 21st, 2006 at 5:56 pm, Anne Glamore Says:
Are you going with them to explore the yard? A lesser mom {me} would stay inside drinking coffee and reading the paper, and have bandaids at the ready.
November 21st, 2006 at 6:01 pm, Jenorama Says:
I second the notion that exploration could occur at night in the dark.
But I don’t get up that early for my children now that they are weaned :).
You are a way cooler mom.
November 21st, 2006 at 6:08 pm, daysgoby Says:
I love the shoes.
What on earth gave Henry that idea in the first place??
November 21st, 2006 at 6:12 pm, Melissa Says:
Wow, you ARE cool. Shockingly cool.
November 21st, 2006 at 7:02 pm, Susan Says:
I’m going to do one of two things–hope they sleep in (option one, which is what you all should be pulling for) or, in lieu of that, what Anne suggested–I’ll be on the sofa with coffee and the iBook (no paper at our house, sadly, just the Times online) waiting for the crying to start.
Because no way am I going to “explore” the yard at 6:00 am. NO WAY. Nope. Not going to happen.
Just so you know.
November 21st, 2006 at 7:49 pm, Your local Bartender Says:
Just in time for Thanksgiving.
Pecan Pie Martini
1 tsp butter pecan extract
1 tsp brown sugar
1 oz brandy
3 oz vodka
2 cinnamon toasted pecans
Add pecan extract, brown sugar and brandy to a cocktail shaker and let stand for 2 minutes. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add enough cracked ice to half fill the shaker. Add vodka. Shake for a full minute. Strain into a cold martini glass. Garnish with pecans on a toothpick. You can also dip the rim of the glass in brown sugar to be really fancy. Enjoy
November 21st, 2006 at 8:40 pm, Annika Says:
My husband is definitely going to be the cool one.
I’m kind of hoping for a return to the 50s Valium mom, though I’ll compromise with alcohol if necessary.
November 21st, 2006 at 8:56 pm, Karyn Says:
LOVE those freaking shoes. Going to read the post now.
November 21st, 2006 at 8:58 pm, Karyn Says:
You and Wade are better people than me. To hell with that noise. Getcher asses back in bed and do not , repeat DO NOT, get up until the clock says SEVEN-OH-OH.
I’m with Glamore.
And Annika.
Does this bartender friend / commenter know how to replicate the Outback’s Wallabedarned by any chance?
November 21st, 2006 at 10:48 pm, Tater and Tot Says:
You are a brave, brave woman. The only dark exploration my kids get is if they put their heads under the covers.
November 21st, 2006 at 10:57 pm, Cathy Says:
the socks!
November 22nd, 2006 at 7:34 am, Her Bad Mother Says:
You are pretty cool. And don’t dark circles under the eyes just make one seem cooler?
November 22nd, 2006 at 8:19 am, Susan Says:
Catherine, I love dark circles as the Mark of Coolness. No more concealer for me!
And Bartender, I read that recipie and went into a virtual sugar coma. Good work!
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:03 pm, Tricia Says:
The things we say just to get our kids calmed down…
The trick, I have found, is to say things like- well, sure we could set the alarm to get up in the morning- could being the most important word.
November 23rd, 2006 at 12:14 am, scribbit Says:
Mom shoes?? Don’t tell me those are Mom shoes because they’re terribly cute, doubly with the socks. Did your 80s resemble mine by your lack of socks? Don’t know why but that was the thing that was in–no socks. There’s pictures of my husband at his prom and his in this full white tux with tails (I couldn’t possibly go into all the explanations over that tux, it’s worth a post in itself) and wearing white leather mocassins and no socks. Lovely.