Insanity is Hereditary; You Can Get It From Your Children (Sam Levenson)

How many days until November?

I ask for two reasons:

1) I am already done with Halloween decorations (and I don't think I should even delve into that topic because Olivia has already told me I was crazy and Janet has already laughed at me and I tend to wax long and (un)eloquently about what is wrong with Halloween). 'Tis the season to put bones and faux graveyards in my neighbors' front yards. What's not to love?

2) This going to the pool every evening is already getting me down. It wouldn't be so bad except for the rest of life that has to be squeezed in...the meetings and children's activities:

last night:

Emma had Activity Days at 4:30

Mark had to be at the pool at 5:15

Braeden had to be at the church for scouts at 6:00

It all worked out thanks to Janet the carpooling buddy and Adam making it home (miraculously) in time to take Braeden. It's the fretting over all the little details that starts to make me crazy though.

Oh, and it's also the actual children.

Last night after we were finally home from the marathon, Adam and Braeden were still at scouts, Emma was finishing her schoolwork and I allowed Mark to watch some Mr. Bean. I had a gleam in my eye for my green chair in my living room and a book to read while I waited for the (blessed) bedtime hour.

On my way I saw a granola bar wrapper on the kitchen table. (We're in the process of rotating our 72 hour kits...if you need a snack, come over.) I told Mark to throw the wrapper away. He sighed and keeping one eye on the TV and walking in backward fashion he threw the wrapper in the garbage. In the hall, I was met with his sandals so I told him to put them away. More deep sighs. Then there was the Lego explosion on the living room floor. Mark's latest greatest past time with his Legos is to build a ship then hurl it to the ground and watch it explode.

Yes, there are tiny Legos. Everywhere.

I told Mark to pick up his Legos which I should just make a recording of and push play 35 times a day.

Mark said, "What I don't understand is why I can't just watch Mr. Bean in peace."

It's a question for the ages, Mark.