When a golf putt won't drop--OR--a day in my life

Since you won't read the newspaper where I am declared mother of the year or at least mother of the week (wouldn't that article be fabulous!!) I will give you highlights. This is the stuff that I shared with Mom all the time and produce large quantities of laughter..I miss her chuckles--so decided to share with you all.

My week started with attending McKay's readers workshop. In order to keep Abby entertained I let her play with my water bottle. The child was so pleasant and calm until the gagging noise began. As another mother jumped to Abby's rescue, I used my best mommy tool (my fingers) to fish out the lid to the bottle that Abby had started to swallow.

Who knew she was so advanced and had skills to remove the lid!! I, of course, impressed all the mothers that I too remembered "if it fits inside a toilet paper roll--they can choke" rule! I just didn't want them to be jealous of my advanced child!! I know how to make the party rock!

Next, I was in charge of treats for Anna's soccer game. At the start of the season the city sent out a big memo about "healthy treats" and discouraging sticky sweets and gooey messes (what kids love!!). I was deliberate in my selection of treats and had an overwhelming sense of a job well-done as I approached the soccer field, treats in hand. As we opened the treat bags to a wonderful selection of 100% apple juice and peanut butter crackers, I was struck with how many children were saying "no thank-you" to the treats.

WOW, I thought they really don't like the healthy stuff. One mother was standing there with her crying son (a younger sibling) and I decided to offer treats to the child, when the mother with kindness and clarity reminded me that many children on the team had PEANUT allergies--Who knew???

The week continued with the school carnival...ah, yes the school carnival. We made a failed attempt to convince our children that we had just been to the bounce houses at classic skate for Monica's birthday and we really didn't need to go again.

We even went so far as to schedule a hike with another family. Because of our work schedule we had to back out of the hike...leaving kids completely upset because of the lack of fun activities. With swift parental skill we decided to go the carnival for a short amount of time--satisfying everyone schedule and desire!

Short indeed, the lightening strikes were a bit alarming--but not as alarming as the towering three-story princess bounce house crashing down on three small Shields children (a power outage). You should have seen Zach and me crying out to them as we tried to hold up the yards of plastic fabric and guide them back to the entrance...it was a heart stopper. I think it may have squelched a bit of the bounce house charm (at least for the parents).

I am sure I had many more incidents to add to this record week of parenting...but I hate to brag!!