We opted out of the staycation for Spring break and instead headed for our summer spot in Upstate New York. I told my friend Becky that depending on the weather, it would either be a blast or a total disaster. Getting here was half the fun except I regret that I tortured my parents over the years with “are we almost there?” questions because it was payback time.

We all made our lists of things we want to do this week in the absence of tv, radio and all electronic entertainment.  (Blogging from the local library while the kids check out books is exempt since we woke up to a fresh dusting of snow.) The list includes: maple sugaring and pancake breakfast at the local nature center, a trip to the Buttercups Bakery, fishing in the pond, and plenty of arts and crafts.  I better work in some exercise since most activities seem to involve food!

Our stop at a hotel along the way has already paid off.  We ordered pizza to our room and watched  the movie “Despereaux.”  That prepared the children to not be afraid of the four-legged friends who moved into the farmhouse over the winter.  It’s just too bad that I have to be the grown-up and show some bravery.

My husband and I had our first American Girl Doll experience last weekend when we took Ham into the city for a birthday surprise.  The fairness issue came up  AGAIN before we even left the house.  Our third grader was laying on the floor under the kitchen table telling us it wasn’t fair she got to go to the city and insisting that he wanted to go eat breakfast with dolls.  I reminded him that he would not let Ham go to see “Paul Blart, Mall Cop,” with his friends for his birthday.  Then babe-o’s had her turn in the store, sprawling out on the floor when we told her that she could not have a doll like Ham.  We didn’t leave her completely empty-handed but bought her a mini american girl doll instead. 

It was a special day and the store and dining room exceeded our expectations. I am still waiting to see if there is something magical about these dolls that makes the girls play with them more than the other dolls we have all over the house.  I can also report by the look of the lines at the cash register, the economy is alive and well.

We are at the stage in our house right now where nothing goes unnoticed.  So if I give one person a treat I am reminded by the others that, “ it’s not fair!”  I often have  oh so small rewards on hand to pull out in time of need- much like the dog trainers at the Westminster Dog Show.  I am talking about  a piece of gum or a dum dum lollipop for getting in your car seat the first time I ask.  But now I can’t seem to reward one child without the other.  Does it always have to be even stephen?  Doesn’t it all even out in the end? 

I distinctly remember being at my grandma’s house as a kid and she poured out a bowl of snacks for my brother and me.  One of us accused her of giving the other more and she took both bowls, dumped them in the sink and counted them out one by one.   That was no fun either.  I wonder what you do in your house..

Lately my blog has been looking a lot like my houseplants- neglected. Hopefully nothing that a few words or water can’t perk up.

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a ridiculous argument, mad as a hornet over something seemingly small? I can only share this little tidbit because it’s in the past, bygones, but at the time it was not funny at all. 

It was the end of a long  winter week. All I was looking forward to was putting the kids to bed and sitting on the couch watching a movie while eating something that I did not prepare. My darling husband was supposed to be on his way home with dinner when he called to say he was going to have one quick drink with a customer. It’s never quick is it? Anyway, he appeared with the take-out Mexican but he had forgotten the guacamole. 

I know,  it sounds like a little thing but it was the little thing that pushed me over the edge.  My poor husband just looked at me and said, “it’s not about the guacamole is it?”  He has never forgotten it since.

I’m not sure why, but my kids are constantly questioning me about what i’ve eaten. If I sneak a piece of chocolate from my secret stash way up high on a kitchen shelf (which is everyday) they can smell it in an instant. And if I deny that i’ve eaten anything special, Babe-o’s will even say, “let me smell your teeth.”

Our third grader is a little more sophisticated with his olfactory skills and can smell out Chipotle or Thai food in a second. My husband and I have been known to feed them mac-n-cheese from a box for dinner and when they go up to bed eat take-out and watch a movie. So now our son is onto that and usually comes downstairs outraged. I’m sorry, but don’t you think that as the grown-ups we should get a treat now and then that we don’t  have to share?