Long Day

It is half past midnight. Evan is still at school... he left around seven yesterday morning-- MBA widow? Yes, yes I am.

We are all still battling colds from two weeks ago. I hate colds. At least with the flu it comes and wrecks havoc and leaves after a few days. Colds last forever.

I have a major headache.

Ollie has a fever and an ear infection. A few days ago it was weeping pus everywhere. It was totally gross. At least now it is getting better, and I don't doubt that it still hurts, but, man, that kid is milking it.

It is freezing. One thing I love about our house is that we have large shady trees in the backyard that keep out the worst of the sun in the summer. Those same trees, however, keep any and all warmth out of the house during the winter. I know, I know... cry me a river. We live in Arizona. But I am telling you, it is cold. And I hate cold.

Because of the last point, whilst making myself tea today I poured boiling water all over my hand.

Then I ate a whole Cadbury's bar to take away the pain. Which will go nicely with the Freshman 15 I gained over the holidays. (I don't think it was 15, but it sure as hell feels like it.)

Long. Day.

I put myself on a time out a few hours ago. Twenty minutes later, after deciding to be a responsible parent, I went back out to the living room to find that Lena and Ollie (mostly Lena) had picked up their stray colouring pages and crayons, and other random assortments of (their) stuff. Lena was also on her hands and knees scrubbing the tile with a wet face cloth. Sure, there were pools of water on the kitchen floor, but she had done it "So that [I] could be happy and feel better."

The thoughts that went through my head right then:
1. Awwww... that's so cute!
2. Wait, is the kitchen flooded?
3. Man, I should have done that a looooooong time ago.
4. I am a such terrible mother that my child thinks she needs to resort to slave labour to make me happy.
5. I need to stop being so wrapped up in myself.
6. Awwww... that's so cute!
7. I love my kids.

Then we all cuddled on the couch and watched movies for the rest of the night. I promised the kids they could stay up until Daddy got home. Ollie didn't make it... he is fast asleep. And snoring. Lena is still valiantly awake, and lapping up "The Princess Diaries". Feminism can wait for another day.