Thursday, May 29, 2008

Holiday Over-load


So last year I got really analytical about my Holiday's. I decided that I wasn't having the fun that all the Mom's in the magazines were having with their kids at Christmas--just as an example. Hmmm-maybe that's why it's called Family Fun. Anyway, I decided that it was high time I took the two busiest times of year and micromanaged them. Halloween and Christmas.
So this year I can tell you that I just bought Todd's Halloween Costume on clearance from the Disney store for $9.99. He is going to be Mr. Incredible or Dash (same costume) depending on his mood that day. Samantha has decided to be the tooth fairy, and Ella a fancy Leopard. I have Ella's costume and 12 others just like it, to sell on ebay, but that is another Post entirely. What? You say Halloween is five months away. Well, folks it will be here before you know it. I'll have you know I just planted my pumpkins, so that checks another thing off of the Halloween List! Okay so I feel that my plans for Halloween are going well. I didn't forget about Zachary, he is always a wild card.
Christmas, well, I put the Christmas Cards in the Halloween decorations box this year, so I can start addressing them in October. I have also already decided what the neighbor and friend gifts will be and have purchased most of those. In October I will freeze Pumpkin Rolls, this is what I have decided will be the "party food" that I will bring to all events we are invited to. Not the same roll silly, I will make more than one!
So as you can see I have put some thought into this. I really hate getting all stressed out and feeling like I am not having fun at the Christmas caroling events or the ward party, because I wanted to bring the best dessert I had, and I spent all day searching for ingredients and the recipe. Then only to not have the recipe turn out, or I didn't have time to put the finishing touches on what I had made, and being disappointed. This is the point when I should tell myself--LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS. But I don't and so ---I go on. Did I mention, I already have the ornament for the annual ornament exchange party, and I am working on making my handmade labels now.
Well, I don't tell you all of this to show off. Really, I am probably just making you think I am crazier then you first suspected. But I have had a new revelation and I will have to modify my life once more. I have now decided that the most stressful times of the year are Halloween, Christmas, and END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!!!
Ugh, I am dieing here. I almost flipped my lid last night, when Samantha had to write a final paper in English-that she needed a ton of help with, Zachary needed a keyboard picked up for the end of the year talent show, and I needed to email preschool pictures for the preschool graduation party tomorrow. This was all after Samantha informed me I was to bring dessert for six to the Sports Awards night --in three hours (which I went to alone with four kids-because Rick had to work late), make desserts, individually wrapped, for the band bake sale the next day, and I also had to find a babysitter for my little ones so I could go to the 5th grade Bar-B-Q tomorrow. Thank goodness Todd is only 2. This just describes two days of the craziest week since Christmas. Tuesday night I fed the missionaries, got Samantha to Young Women's, went to the City Council Meeting to speak up against the Adult Bookstore going in off the freeway in town, picked up Samantha, and then went Visiting Teaching. All of this between 6-9pm. Okay, I am tired just from reading this. No wonder my colon hurts.
If I had $1 for every baked good I was to provide for the activities in the last two weeks, I could pay my therapy bill for the month. Once again you are saying to yourself--Woman-Why did you volunteer for so much. Well this is the problem with having four children. If you were to just look at what I have done for one child, it isn't that much. But add them all together and you've gone mad. I'll have you know I did buy a roll of cookie dough to make the cookies for tomorrows preschool graduation. I sent rice crispy treats to the bake sale, and I said NO to the desert for 6 at Awards Night. So I do have my limits. So Long story short.......I am going to start planning for the end of school 2009---NOW.
You laugh and mock....but in a few years I will have this down to a science. Whatever, I know that I will never get it right, however, just admitting that I know the storm is coming ads some sort of comfort to me. I guess so I can hold on tight for the ride!

3 comments:

Crystal said...

You are on top of things!! I'm such a bad mom and totally don't get into holidays at all. I probably should work on that before Lincoln gets old enough to realize how lame-o his mom is, eh? :)

PS LOVED Mormonads! Pretty much plastered my bedroom with them. So inspirational! Haha!

Brent and AmberLee's Family said...

Halloween cards in the Christmas box?!? You are BRILLIANT! I loved this post. I managed to spend 5 minutes looking through this month's issue of family fun, and I thought the same thing, why am I not having as much fun as these people?!?

I am so jealous that you have the presence of mind to have bought Halloween costumes and an ornament for the ornament exchange!! I did, however, put together a Christmas checklist that starts in October (this after having a near melt-down last Christmas). Now you're telling me I need an end-of-school year list?

Dad/Mom Fawson said...

I am so proud of you...planning ahead is a sure way to cut the stress.
You are such a good mom...and funny too

Love
MOM