Santa has my thanks.
My kids and I accidentally stumbled on the jolly old man this past weekend at a local shopping mall. (Yes, parents, be warned. He’s already there.)
As the kids and I wandered through the crowd and marveled as the holiday decorations already in place, I spotted from the second level the tip top of a holiday house display. Not knowing the house was OCCUPIED, I called the kids over to look down below:
“SANTA!” they screamed.
Before I knew it they were on a hunt for the elevator.
One of the elves happily greeted us (complete with a look of, “Yes, I know. It’s not Thanksgiving yet and here I am dressed in green with pointy ears”).
No one else was in line, so my son quickly made his way to Santa. My daughter hung back a bit. (I kept thinking, “What am I doing here?”)
Santa had a long talk with them about being good to each other, listening to mom, and doing their chores and homework.
Wow… this man has just earned extra cookies at the Reese house!
Then he asked the kids for their holiday wishes.
Son: “Legos and Bionicle.”
Daughter: Shoulder shrug, “I don’t know.”
Santa: “How about I surprise you?”
After getting some fun books as parting gifts, we headed to my husband’s football game. Within a few minutes of getting in the car, the kids started the bicker. Then they stopped… on their own.
Son: “Santa said we have to be good.”
Daughter: “We can’t fight.”
And that same conversation has gone on just about daily since then.
Um, Santa, do you think you could also make an appearance in July?
 Archive for the 'life with kids' TagThank you, Santa ClausNovember 11th, 2009, 1:09 pm by Michelle ReeseMy layoff: Seasons come, seasons goNovember 3rd, 2009, 5:33 pm by Michelle ReeseAs a working mom, I’ve come full circle. When my son was born, I returned to work six weeks later, full time. Eight months later, I left to freelance. I became a part-time, working-at-home mom. I about pulled my hair out. I’ve never felt so stressed in my life. Before that year was over, I returned to work - one day in the office and one day at home. My son was in preschool. My daughter was in my belly. And so the cycle went after my daughter’s birth: I worked in the office a few days. I worked from home a few days. I eventually returned to full-time employment. And now, in a few months, the cycle will start again. As many of you have read here, the Tribune will close its doors Dec. 31. Many people have asked about my plans: I don’t know. But seasons come and go, and apparently this season in my life is coming to a close. I would like to devote more time to my son’s school, which doesn’t have classroom aides this year. I would like to write a children’s book. I plan to blog - I’ll let you know when I can where that blog will be found - because I am a writer. It’s who I am. It’s what I do. And I love it - whether or not anyone is reading. But for the next two months, I’ll continue to share my mommyhood with you. And I hope you find a little smile in reading it each day. Trip planning sometimes includes post-trip choresOctober 9th, 2009, 12:06 pm by Michelle Reese
Mommy’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. 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. Surgery countdown is onMarch 13th, 2009, 4:01 pm by Michelle ReeseWell, my son is a bit more anxious about his surgery next week. He’s getting his tonsils and adenoids out. A sleep study showed what my husband and I have known for years - he doesn’t sleep at night. He suffers from sleep apnea and wakes at least twice AN HOUR. |
Va-ca-tion!
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.