I have unearthed my rice cooker and fallen in love with it all over again...
Z managed to sit at our breakfast table for his 'lunch.' He ate yogurt sitting on one chair and managed to smudge yogurt where he was seated. Then he had watermelon while sitting on another chair, and dripped watermelon juice under his seat and on the area of the table in front of him. Finally, he had the hearty meal my rice cooker helped make and chose a third location to adorn with rice and nuts.
O had read about a robot called mop and shine that some mom invented in a fictional story that now sounds like my sweetest fairy tale.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Monday, August 29, 2016
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 29th 2016
I wonder if anyone else has to remind their child to wear his shoes as he heads out to school?
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 27th 2016
Z climbed up the back of my bed this
morning and called "Activate flying powers!" before he fell back onto
the mattress in fits of giggles.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 24th 2016
We have ants. A lot of ants.
I know it's common here, but I doubt anyone has this many ants. Flying ants in one bathroom, crawling ants all over the kitchen and breakfast areas, ants in our garbage, ants drinking water in our bathroom, and the latest, ants moving their eggs by the hundreds, maybe thousands, into our bedroom.
When I said I liked the 'charm' and 'naturey' feel of our house here, I meant trees in the yard, and birds chirping by the window. No Ants.
I know it's common here, but I doubt anyone has this many ants. Flying ants in one bathroom, crawling ants all over the kitchen and breakfast areas, ants in our garbage, ants drinking water in our bathroom, and the latest, ants moving their eggs by the hundreds, maybe thousands, into our bedroom.
When I said I liked the 'charm' and 'naturey' feel of our house here, I meant trees in the yard, and birds chirping by the window. No Ants.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 23rd 2016
Two more things I love about T:
He doesn't care if his socks match. Laundry
work is much easier this way.
My sister and I (lovingly) call him scruffy behind his
back. Scruffy left the side door unlocked again, and today
it was my saving grace when I locked myself out of the front door with Z asleep
inside the house. I will never admit this to him.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 22nd 2016
Back to school today. It's some time alone that I truly need but I'm also missing all the noise. Why am I so self destructive?
One thing I love about T: He slept in clothes and proudly announced this morning that he was 'ready' straight out of bed. At least it's efficient.
One thing I love about T: He slept in clothes and proudly announced this morning that he was 'ready' straight out of bed. At least it's efficient.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 13th 2016
I'm having a bad face day.
It's a thing.
Really.
It's a thing.
Really.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 12th 2016
Temporary curtains are up on our bedroom windows...
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 9th 2016
It's early morning on our first day back in Morocco and I hear O practicing his trumpet.
It's making me cry to hear the tunes but not because he sounds like a dying elephant, nor because he's performing the national anthem on the Astros field.
This time, it's tears of some sort of grief that I can't explain. Of a life left behind. Three very tough years but also filled with memories and good friends. A significant part of our family life and strife. And I feel the need to cry and begin to let go...
It's making me cry to hear the tunes but not because he sounds like a dying elephant, nor because he's performing the national anthem on the Astros field.
This time, it's tears of some sort of grief that I can't explain. Of a life left behind. Three very tough years but also filled with memories and good friends. A significant part of our family life and strife. And I feel the need to cry and begin to let go...
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 5th 2016
I wonder if all children make a bee line to their parents' beds when they wake up? Is this a good thing or some sort of big parenting fail?
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): August 4th 2016
For our wedding anniversary, all I wanted was to snatch time away for hubby. We managed a couple of hours for a quick lunch while my sister in law kindly took on the boys.
Amusing that my hubby's colleague (currently an empty nester) had surprised his wife for her birthday by flying in their daughter to visit for the weekend. Apparently the wife cried tears of joy.
Makes me seriously contemplate the irony of this life.
Amusing that my hubby's colleague (currently an empty nester) had surprised his wife for her birthday by flying in their daughter to visit for the weekend. Apparently the wife cried tears of joy.
Makes me seriously contemplate the irony of this life.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): July 26th 2016
This summer we must have hit a new record for spills and breakages. We are seriously averaging about five spills a day.
Z has poured entire milk bottles on tables, smashed crystals off chandeliers at my mom's place and dropped an entire glass juice bottle and broke it while 'helping' bring in groceries.
Today, I discovered he'd spilled an entire box of Cheerios on the very same kitchen floor his brothers had had their Cheerios 'picnic' on eight years earlier.
Z has poured entire milk bottles on tables, smashed crystals off chandeliers at my mom's place and dropped an entire glass juice bottle and broke it while 'helping' bring in groceries.
Today, I discovered he'd spilled an entire box of Cheerios on the very same kitchen floor his brothers had had their Cheerios 'picnic' on eight years earlier.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): July 1st 2016
Had a nice chat with my grandfather today. He told me all about his school life when he was younger. His school had the children plant and care for their own mini garden.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): June 17th 2016
A few interesting insights into my children's minds today.
I asked Z, who was hugging me in bed, to give me a minute before the smothering. So he rolled over and suddenly said "zut alors." Our jaws dropped.
In the evening I went out with a friend and left the boys with my sister. When I got home O was still up and has read a coffee table book I had left out called "The truth about Mothers." As soon as I walked in he hugged me and showered me with compliments and told me he hopes his future wife will be just like me.
Then he told me that his participation in American Football last year was a growing opportunity for him making him tougher and motivating him to one day be a father his children can be proud of.
They never cease to amaze me..
I asked Z, who was hugging me in bed, to give me a minute before the smothering. So he rolled over and suddenly said "zut alors." Our jaws dropped.
In the evening I went out with a friend and left the boys with my sister. When I got home O was still up and has read a coffee table book I had left out called "The truth about Mothers." As soon as I walked in he hugged me and showered me with compliments and told me he hopes his future wife will be just like me.
Then he told me that his participation in American Football last year was a growing opportunity for him making him tougher and motivating him to one day be a father his children can be proud of.
They never cease to amaze me..
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): June 15th 2016
A flight to Cairo. A desperate need for chocolate. Sudden realization that progress on my nutrition course has been halted by this move.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): June 11th 2016
We worked on our new home for 8 hours today. Despite my back pain, I managed to unpack many boxes and got some items organized. I felt it was starting to come together.
When the boys went out in the early evening to play in the back yard, I took a break to watch them.
As they ran and laughed, i felt the beginning of an acceptance start to come over me. I really began to feel we could make beautiful new memories here.
When the boys went out in the early evening to play in the back yard, I took a break to watch them.
As they ran and laughed, i felt the beginning of an acceptance start to come over me. I really began to feel we could make beautiful new memories here.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): June 7th 2016
T found his recorder. This translates into happiness for him, and hours of listening to my least favorite instrument of all time, all summer.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): June 6th 2016
Every move comes with these painful pangs of longing for the past. No matter how uncomfortable the comfort zone may have been, at least it was familiar.
Shooting at the drain flies in the bathroom this morning with my concoction of water, dish soap and alcohol, suddenly made the Texas fire ants I was battling in our home almost seem pleasant.
Shooting at the drain flies in the bathroom this morning with my concoction of water, dish soap and alcohol, suddenly made the Texas fire ants I was battling in our home almost seem pleasant.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): June 1st 2016
And my life upon stacks of boxes and packing paper has, once again, begun.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 28th 2016
After intense frustration at my closet, I have come to realize that it's not actually a wardrobe makeover I need so much as a body makeover.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 27th 2016
It's been extremely hectic and I feel overwhelmed. This is the first time I've been in a place where curtains, light fixtures and appliances are all the responsibility of the renter.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 14th 2016
I have discovered that I use 1,000 piece puzzles as a coping mechanism. It helps me escape reality.
Like the reality of the long weekend alone with the boys.
Like the reality of the long weekend alone with the boys.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 13th 2016
In preparation for a long weekend alone with the boys, I bought tons of food so that I wouldn't have to venture to the grocery store with them alone. But it's Friday and most of the food is already gone...
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 11th 2016
Today has been a very Moroccan flavored day.
Discovered:
UPS requires ID to send documents and checks through the papers you are sending.
The small citrus fruit kumquat is adorable and generally delicious.
Cooking with lavender is my new found joy.
We have a neighbor that practices the piano and the delightful tunes sooth me through the vents every day.
Discovered:
UPS requires ID to send documents and checks through the papers you are sending.
The small citrus fruit kumquat is adorable and generally delicious.
Cooking with lavender is my new found joy.
We have a neighbor that practices the piano and the delightful tunes sooth me through the vents every day.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 8th 2016
My boys were fascinated at the tide pools, especially with the hermit crabs they found.
When they held one proudly up for me to see, I couldn't help but think how much like a hermit crab I actually feel these days. A creature that has to constantly move house and that feels terrifyingly vulnerable and exposed during the transition.
That's exactly what I am right at this moment: a hermit crab without a shell.
When they held one proudly up for me to see, I couldn't help but think how much like a hermit crab I actually feel these days. A creature that has to constantly move house and that feels terrifyingly vulnerable and exposed during the transition.
That's exactly what I am right at this moment: a hermit crab without a shell.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 6th 2016
You know your 3 year old has been around you too much when they call out in the morning "boys, third alarm, time for school" and then tell their older brothers off for scrunching up mom's scarf.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 4th 2016
O's teacher came up to congratulate me on how well O argues in a debate. When I told her it's because he gets plenty of practice arguing with his mother, she said "that's what he said."
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): May 2nd 2016
Z was giggling, even laughing out loud in his sleep last night. When he woke up he told me he had been fighting meat eaters with his tail.
Then the entire morning at the zoo today he was pretending to fight off each of the animals with his tail, like a Stegosaurus would.
There's an Egyptian expression where they say that something has "licked your brain," and that's definitely an accurate description of what dinosaurs have done to my little Z.
Then the entire morning at the zoo today he was pretending to fight off each of the animals with his tail, like a Stegosaurus would.
There's an Egyptian expression where they say that something has "licked your brain," and that's definitely an accurate description of what dinosaurs have done to my little Z.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 30th 2016
Random thought: Sports teams should really have end of season celebrations at juice bars not ice cream parlors.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 24th 2016
It's the small victories that ultimately matter. I found a lined notebook!
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 21st 2016
Dear Comfort Zone,
I miss you. Is there any way you'll take me back?
I miss you. Is there any way you'll take me back?
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 20th 2016
My first few moments, all by myself, in Morocco. Z is at his new nursery and I am in the solitude of our temporary home. I'm a bit stunned. Confused. What do I do?
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 15th 2016
I started the day by breaking down into tears in the shower, after a whirlwind of emotions and when not-so-little and first-time-mover Z mentioned his old friends, nursery and wanting to get back on a plane and go to our old house.
But then I was overcome by a wave of thankfulness.Thankful for having warm water to shower with and episodes of Dinosaur Train so that I could actually manage to shower while Z watched.
The boys are ok at school which is a HUGE improvement for us and T didn't break any bones when he fell off the monkey bars yesterday. Life is good.
But then I was overcome by a wave of thankfulness.Thankful for having warm water to shower with and episodes of Dinosaur Train so that I could actually manage to shower while Z watched.
The boys are ok at school which is a HUGE improvement for us and T didn't break any bones when he fell off the monkey bars yesterday. Life is good.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 14th 2016
It's been 12 days since we arrived in Rabat.
I miss my computer, my friends, my walks to Whole Foods and my entire comfort zone. Yes, that's right, me, the queen of preaching about the good that change brings and how everything is changing and that stepping out of your comfort zone is liberating, unleashing your potential and helping you grow...blah blah blah. I admit, right now, I miss that imprisoning, growth inhibiting comfort zone.
This is our 9th move as a couple and yet it seems so foreign to me. Some of my feelings of displacement, frustration and being overwhelmed are familiar, but so many emotions are very new this time and I'm truly struggling to make sense of them.
I miss my computer, my friends, my walks to Whole Foods and my entire comfort zone. Yes, that's right, me, the queen of preaching about the good that change brings and how everything is changing and that stepping out of your comfort zone is liberating, unleashing your potential and helping you grow...blah blah blah. I admit, right now, I miss that imprisoning, growth inhibiting comfort zone.
This is our 9th move as a couple and yet it seems so foreign to me. Some of my feelings of displacement, frustration and being overwhelmed are familiar, but so many emotions are very new this time and I'm truly struggling to make sense of them.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 13th 2016
Glad I found it but, a coconut for $13? I have a feeling my coconut drinking days are coming to an end.
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 9th 2016
Been here a week and already found one of life's essentials - a steam mop (well an essential for this mom of three boys anyway). Currently out of stock though...but it exists!
Diary of a Confused Mom (in Morocco): April 4th 2016
My birthday present this year is an interview at the boys' new school in Morocco. I couldn't have wished for more at this point.
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