The View From Kalamazoo

Can’t wait for this book to come out in September – both of my little devils darlings have photos in, much cuteness abounds.

Will have to buy for grandparents.

I spent my weekend moving furniture and clearing the debris field that was my daughter’s room. Colin now has his Big Boy Bed in place (and he’s very pleased with the sheets I found – construction trucks. “TUCK!”), the small dresser from his sister’s room (complete with more ‘tucks’ on the drawers – peel-off wallpaper border to de-girlify it a bit), and a re-arranged set-up. He’s all about his “B’Bed!”

Emma’s room involved Sat…Sun…last night…and is still ongoing. You haven’t seen a packrat like this kid – she’ll have an apartment in New York filled with 30 years of old newspapers, mark my words. Two garbage bags later there are still a few more boxes of toys to sift through (and at this point I was just trying to find the floor, bed, and get the obvious garbage out of there. there is serious sorting and more disposal of useless objects yet in my future) that have been in the basement (after she did something rude thing or another to get whatever toys she was playing with at that moment taken away).

What an unbelievable chore. I’d say a good 1/3 of her stuff is going bye-bye. Maybe more – especially if she gives me a ration like last night about how *insert high-pitched nasal whine here* ‘tiiiiiired’ and ‘booooooored’ she was with the process. And let’s not forget ‘Why do IIIIIIIIIIII have to dooooo it?’ [because it’s your stuff and you made the mess, little girl] ‘That’s miiiiiine!’ [it’s a toy from a kid’s meal. it was at the bottom of a box you haven’t been into in months. it hasn’t been important to you, it’s not important now and it’s going!] I’ve been SO enjoying the tongue clucking with the hip thrust out in indignation action (with fists on hips!), and combined with the classic eye roll it’s a winner. The neighbors likely think I’m beating her, to hear her hollering ‘NO!’ and crying and screaming when I toss something she cut up/drew on/otherwise half-destroyed.

I’m a mean mom! I make Emma….HELP CLEAN HER ROOM! This ain’t Clean Sweep, baby. It’s light a fire and watch it BURN! *muahaha*