Wuthering Hyders

A Dozen Down

I finally started packing. So far only a dozen boxes and a couple of plastic bins, but at least it's something. The worst part is that it doesn't LOOK like I've done anything but make a bigger mess. The kids are doing their best to keep me from getting anything done, of course. Last night, Perrin got into the giant bag of birdseed and tried to feed it to the dog while I was upstairs packing. Today, they both kept trying to climb into and onto the boxes (it actually reminded me of that children's book "Inside, Outside, Upside-down") and asking me what I was doing (even though I've been saying "packing" like a broken record) and why. Perrin dumped an entire box of cereal on the floor in Abby's room and Abby dumped at least a gallon of water onto the bathroom floor. It was probably more than that because it soaked through an over-sized bath towel and the rug beneath it and several random pieces of clothing. They also chased each other around the kitchen with a toddler-sized broom and tried to beat each other. I'm sure this is due in part to some flaws in my parenting techniques, but I HAVE to pack at some point. I'm taking them to my mom's tomorrow and I'm thinking of just letting them stay until we close on Friday.

I now hear hysterical laughter coming from the next room. I should probably go in and see what evil they have wrought this time, but I think I'll cling to these last few moments of denial first. If they're laughing, they're not hurt so that buys me a few minutes.

Don't think I don't love my kids. I absolutely love them more than life itself. They're beautiful and brilliant and terrific problem-solvers. They make me laugh when I don't feel like laughing. They climb into my lap and cuddle me when I'm crying. They're full of mischief, but they have the biggest hearts I've ever known. They make life a real learning experience.

Oh, no...

It's gotten quiet...

That's almost NEVER a good sign...

So, a dozen boxes down and too many more to go!