Lack of Sleep

Why in the world does it take me sooo long to get the kids and myself in bed every night??? I start trying to get the kids in bed around 8:30pm every night, but for some reason I can't get everyone to actually settle down and get quiet until about 11pm every night! We are usually running around and busy all day. After I pick the kids up from school, I usually head to my second job, tutoring. Many times when I'm on the way home, I stop off at the grocery store, and by the time I get home it's late. Even so, it's still non-stop when I get home. I have to make sure everybody's homework is done, cook dinner, wash clothes, check email, make sure everyone has taken their medicine, give my little one a bath, and then try to find time to give myself a bath. There have even been times when we were so busy that I forgot to get my first grader to do his homework, and remember it after we have finally laid down in the bed. Then I feel like a terrible mama! Don't get me wrong, I love my boys dearly, but what I can't understand is why does it have to take a good 3 hours every night to get them to settle down and in their beds?! I'm tired! I've also noticed that the last few days my 7 yr. old has been very very irritable. He crys at the drop of a hat, and doesn't want to get up in the mornings for school. He's obviously not getting enough sleep either. Mix that with all 3 of them fussing and fighting and that equals one very exhausted mommy!!! I couldn't even take a shower tonight. I actually ended up having to step out of the shower butt naked to yell at my kids because they wouldn't stop fussing and calling my name. I hope I didn't tramatize anyone!! On top of everything else, my 15 yr. old just decided he would stop talking to me about 4 months ago. I have tried everything, punishing him, bribing him, even taking him to counseling. Nothing has worked. It's like trying to play a constant game of charades! My middle son's right behind him, at the age of 14, totally different personality though. Wow, who knew this would be so hard?? My children are my life. They are what keep me going everday, but I could definitely use a little R&R right about now!

Beach Trip For The Day

The weather has been beautiful these past few days and I got a crazy whim to put the kids in the car Saturday morning and take off to the beach. The trip down to Panama City, Fl was a little hectic with 3 boys. Especially since my middle son had been grouchy that morning. Although once we finally got out on the beach, everyone seemed to calm down and enjoy themselves. The water was beautiful and clear, but very very COLD! My 7 yr. old (Alex) was ecstatic. I don't think he stopped smiling the whole time we were there! He wanted sooo badly for me to go out in the water with him, and there were lots of people in the water surprisingly, but seeing as how my ankles and feet were numb from just stepping in the water, I had to decline. So he turned his interest to helping his brothers dig the biggest hole in the sand ever! That held their attention for quite sometime, which was nice. My oldest son and I enjoyed laying out and catching some warm rays from the sun, and watching Alex try to catch one of the many seagulls flying overhead.

After spending 2 or 3 hours on the beach, we were all getting pretty hungry! We packed up and headed out in search of somewhere to eat. We decided to eat at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in the new Pier Park. It was the first time we had been there. We sat on the top deck and enjoyed the beautiful weather while eating our GIGANTIC hamburgers and sandwiches! It was delicious, but needless to say, we all had leftovers which we ate after we got home. The kids wanted to go to the arcade afterwards since I usually always take them there when we're at the beach, but I told them mom was tired and it was time to go home. They were a little disappointed at first, but got over it pretty quickly. The only thing that would have made it better is if we had stayed the night, but all in all, it was a good day!!