Preparation of a Gourmet (Leftover) Meal

The 9-year-old was anxious to eat lunch before the rest of us, so I said he could heat up some leftovers in the oven. 

"But I don't know how to do THAT! You'll have to do it for me."

"How about I walk you through it? It's very simple."

"Okay, I guess I can try it."

"First, hit the 'Broil' button on the oven." He hit the broil button on the oven. "Then get a flat pan out of the cabinet." He got a flat pan out of the cabinet. "Now, for easier clean up I like to use a piece of foil, so get th---" 

"MOM! This takes so long! How do you manage to cook dinner every night?!"

Obsessive Compulsive?

While I'm at it (blogging, that is - see below), I'll share a conversation we had recently in the car on the way to school. But first, let me say that watching the boys' personalities develop is really fascinating. Their strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes...are all so different. And of course what they obsess about. That conversation I referred to when like this --

Alastair: MOM! Did you remember to pack everything in my backpack?!

Me: Yes, I believe so.

Alastair: I just can't help it, every morning I really worry we're forgetting something...

Laurence: Well, Alastair, sounds like you have a little STD.

Moms are....

Apparently I haven't blogged in over 3 1/2 years. That can't be right. If that's true, then the boys are now 12, 9 and 6 and that makes me...a mom of three boys who are 12, 9 and 6. Yes, a real live mom who's been on this journey for almost 13 years. I remember being a kid and time would pass so slowly. I'd hear adults saying, "Just you wait, when you get to be my age time will fly by!" I don't even think "fly" is the right word. There is no way to describe how quickly time is passing. When I think about it I get all teary and realize how fast they are growing up, how soon they'll be in high school, college and out of the house for good. And then I realize I haven't blogged for 3 1/2 years and the tears really start to flow.

Anyway, there was a moment with my 12-year-old recently that I know I'll want to remember forever. We were talking about a spill on his shirt and I suggested he find a different one to wear. He fought it, of course.

"No one will even see it! It's a small stain," he said.

"I think you should change. I noticed!" Me.

"Well of course you noticed, you're a mom." Then, after a thoughtful pause, "There's a big difference between moms and normal people." 

There is so much in that simple statement. The boy speaks the truth. Being a mom has brought me so, so far from normal. But wow, what an amazing 13 years it's been.