University of Bricker

I was just informed by the Registrar's Office that both Lauren and Josh are taking a full load this semester. Lauren's working on her Master's in whining and Josh is one semester away from earning a PhD in pouting. And here I thought all this ridiculousness was for naught!

I am quite certain that Lauren did not speak one sentence today that wasn't said while whining. Even a simple phrase like, "Where are my shoes, mommy?" was said in a long drawn out whine. I understand how Superman felt when he was exposed to Kryptonite...because I get the same reaction when kids whine.

Then there's Josh - my normally "normal" child. He is going through some sort of phase and Lauren certainly loves to provoke him. But don't feel too bad for him...the feeling is mutual and he does his fair share of provoking as well.

Add to all that a spastic, barking dog and my patience is shot and I have a splitting headache.

And then there's Ella - my dear, sweet, innocent Ella. She's the one who sat on the floor watching the chaos for twenty minutes all without making a peep. I actually got on the floor with her for awhile and just listened to Josh and Lauren duke it out for a bit. Ella and I just blew raspberries at eachother and shook our heads. Ah, good times.

Why is it that the two eldest children require the most attention? And why is it that the baby is the most obedient? I'm hoping that this is just a bad week and not some sign that I've screwed up somewhere in raising these children.

I'd ask what Ella was thinking in this picture, but I already know because I was thinking the same thing.



All I know is that tonight when I'm on the treadmill I will be imagining myself running away from all this and running towards some beautiful island where people are not allowed to speak.



(Don't feel too bad that Lauren's crying in the last picture. She's crying because I opened the Band-aid for her. I kid you not.)