Va-ca-tion!
Why does it seem that in the days leading up to vacation, 10,000 things need to be done?
I mean really - and I say this to my fellow moms - must the house be clean? The laundry done? The refrigerator stocked for our return?
No! All that REALLY needs to be done - in my case anyway - is the selection of a few outfits and bathing suits, followed by putting those clothes and two kids in the car. My husband has to work and isn’t joining us this trip out, so even the refrigerator doesn’t need to be stocked.
But before we depart for the beach and grandpa, I imagine I’ll do all of the above. Why? Because that way when I get back, I won’t have to do it.
We aren’t leaving right away and it’s only a short trip. And before we go we have gymnastics and football to attend to.
Somewhere between now and then, the laundry will get done, the house will be picked up and yes, I’ll probably get groceries. The kids will do their chores. They Legos on the floor will be put into boxes and the library books will be returned.
See, there’s a VERY GOOD reason I don’t leave on trips on the first day of vacation: I want to relax while I’m gone. If I realize all this awaits my return, I may not enjoy it as much.
Or maybe there’s just some brain nerve that can’t be turned off until my To-Do list is complete.
 Archive for the 'Michelle Reese' CategoryTrip planning sometimes includes post-trip choresOctober 9th, 2009, 12:06 pm by Michelle ReeseMommy’s backOctober 8th, 2009, 11:53 am by Michelle Reese
OK, so I didn’t have it planned out perfectly. My husband said our friends showed up and our children weren’t home yet from their grandparents. After a few phone calls, I was told, every one was home and the kids broke out the hundreds of Legos onto the loft/playroom floor. I missed them, absolutely. And it was a bit surreal to realize that for three days I didn’t have to cook, gather up backpacks, plan lunches or even pick up a single toy. And while it was work - a very good conference held by the Education Writers Association - it was also a break for me. I got up each morning with only myself to care for. I saw a cousin who lives in D.C. I even got to go see Smithsonian museums - the way only I would do it (quick tours in and out of a couple museums plus the National Archives). If I’d had kids with me, it would have been a much slower pace. But for me - it was perfect. The house is a wreck (four kids and a Lego playdate will do that). We ordered take out last night for dinner. And I probably won’t get laundry started until… well, I don’t know when it’s going to get done. But it’s very nice to be home. Still ringing in my ears is my daughter’s call of ”Mommy!” after she crawled in bed and found me there. And my son’s long embrace will keep me going throughout today I have no doubt. Crafty mom bug bitesSeptember 30th, 2009, 2:30 pm by Michelle Reese
Another blog I just found shows ideas with pumpkins - fake ones that is. I LOVE fall. That’s why my husband and I chose November for our wedding. That’s why each fall I try to run away with the kids to the Arizona mountains or to Indiana to see my grandparents. That’s why I will probably be making these adorable pumpkin topiaries sometime in the next month. Now, when will I have time to fit my scrapbooking in? Michigan story sparks Arizona child care questionsSeptember 30th, 2009, 1:53 pm by Michelle Reese
According to Susan Wilkins, the executive director for Arizona’s Association for Supportive Child Care, the Michigan woman may also be breaking the law in Arizona, but it’s a fine line. In Arizona you cannot care for more than four children (who are not your own) at any point in time without being regulated if you’re receiving compensation for that care, Wilkins said. And compensation may be the “exchange of goods or services,” such as a “you watch my kids, I’ll watch yours,” situation. “If she’s doing it for absolutely no money, she would probably be exempt,” Wilkins said. “But that would be a fine line.” The laws are in place, she said, for the safety of the children. That’s why there are regulations, she said. “If you have five children in your home and you’re caring for them in your home every morning, what safety do you have in place? Are you doing anything with curriculum for the kids or are they watching television? Are you giving them a snack? There’s all kinds of things to consider,” she said. Group home care licensing is required for anyone who cares for between five and 10 children (not their own), she said. That is set up by the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Office of Child Care Licensing. Author offers look into “Momnesia” on Oct. 7September 29th, 2009, 8:33 am by Michelle Reese
(As in, after giving birth to my two children and not knowing what happened to my brain capacity, I’ve “been there and done that!”) Changing Hands in Tempe is hosting Adrienne Hedger, the author of “If These Boobs Could Talk: A Little Humor to Pump Up the Breastfeeding Mom.” Hedger’s newest book is, “Momnesia: A Humorous Guide to Surviving Your Post-Baby Brain.” She will discuss lack of sleep, hormone overload, and diminished memory ability. Her new book is described as, ”This hilarious how-to guide, full of coping tips, brain boosters, diagrams, and anecdotes, can help moms reclaim their own thoughts. More importantly, Momnesia buoys a mom’s sense of humor as she leaves her car keys in the freezer, forgets her husband’s name, or accidentally runs over the diaper bag (again).” Hedger will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe. Online advice site for momsSeptember 28th, 2009, 12:22 pm by Michelle ReeseI found a new online resource for moms (well, new to me!). It’s called Mamapedia. I just spent a few minutes browsing through it. Users can post questions (such as, “How do I keep a house with five children clean?”) and other users give advice. Bribery pays off for a momSeptember 28th, 2009, 10:21 am by Michelle Reese
Mom alert: Tylenol recallSeptember 28th, 2009, 9:59 am by Michelle ReeseI meant to report this last week. I have to go through my own cupboards to see if I have any of this medication there. Here’s a bit from the story: The products being recalled were made between April and June and include nearly two dozen varieties, including Children’s Tylenol Suspension 4 oz. Grape, Infants’ Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops 1/4 oz. and Children’s Tylenol Plus Cold/Allergy 4 oz. Bubble Gum. The full story is here on the Tribune’s Web site. Tribune story tells of loss and hope for momsSeptember 26th, 2009, 8:49 pm by Michelle ReeseA story in today’s Tribune shares the brave tale of a mom who lost a child late in a pregnancy, and then turned her own feelings of despair into a desire to help others in similar situations. Becky Norris is the mom. In 2004, her daughter DeLanee was stillborn when Norris was 24 weeks pregnant. A year later, she created the boxes for moms – complete with a small cameras, a necklace and a journal – to help them go through the tough hours, days and months that follow their own experiences. If you want to learn more about this organization and Delanee’s Legacy, you can read the story here. Moms can find help and support when sharing their stories. If you have your own tale about receiving one of these boxes, please take the time to share it here. Taking vacation without daddySeptember 22nd, 2009, 4:01 pm by Michelle Reese
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I spent the last few days at a conference in Washington, D.C. Not only did I plan my trip, I confess I also put in place events for my husband and kids in my absence. Example: Sunday a good friend came over with his two kids for our weekly “football watching/playdate.” And with my husband coaching football, one night I arranged a babysitter and the other night his mom picked up the kids from school.
I had to pass these along. I found a few craft ideas on other mom blogs that may be tried in the Reese household during fall break. One idea I saw is creating 
A mom in Michigan is under fire because state regulators say she is 
Well, if for no other reason than a “Been there, done that” feeling, I want to pass along notice of an author speaking at a local bookstore next week.
I confess: I bribed my kids this weekend.
In a few weeks, my son has fall break. Seeing as I would have to shell out a bunch of money to put him in camp while I work - and seeing as I have the vacation time - I’m scheduled to be off.