What I'm reading

I love to read. When I was a child, I read every waking second, and this has carried over into adulthood.

But lately, I'm finding I have difficulty finding time to read. Making meals, cleaning the floors (17 times a day!), breaking up fights, playing games, wiping bottoms and providing taxi service has seriously cut into my reading time.

In fact, I haven't read a book since my husband and I went away for Labor Day Weekend. I have checked out several books, all oh-so-interesting, only to be returned (mostly on time) without ever having been opened.

But yesterday, I started a book, and by golly, I am going to finish it before its due date.

What is this book that has finally captured my interest enough to warrant letting household duties slide a bit?

I'm sorry to report that it is "Brady, Brady, Brady", the real story behind the iconic sitcom as told by the creator and producer.

Don't be disappointed in me! Maybe the next one will be The Pillars of the Earth or some other lofty tome. . .maybe.

Things that make you go hhmm. . .

Says my four year today, out of the blue:

"Mommy, Sonic can run faster than Jesus."

Say what you mean and mean what you say

Living with five children is never quite what it seems. . .

What I say: Please stop playing with that noisy toy.

What I mean: If I hear that toy sing one more song, I am going run screaming from the house.

What my child hears: Blah, blah, blah. . .play with that noisy toy.

What I say: You cannot have a cell phone until you are in high school.

What I mean: No matter how many times you ask me, we will not allow you to have a cell phone until high school, and even then, we don't really want to pay for one.

What my tween hears: If you ask me often enough, I will eventually give in and buy you one before your eleventh birthday.

What I say: Please put your laundry away.

What I mean: Please put your laundry away.

What my child hears: Please put your laundry away whenever you get a free minute, even if that means hours from now.

What I say: Stay in your bed after I tuck you in.

What I mean: For the love of heaven, if you get out of your bed 5 times like last night, you will never see the itouch again.

What my 4 year old hears: If it's an emergency (such as a need to talk about Sonic, or to tell me that his brother is looking at him) it is absolutely fine to get out of bed as many times as necessary.

What I say: No scream!

What I mean: Please stop screaming in the middle of Toys R Us! People are looking at us and my ears hurt!

What my baby girl hears: I love hearing you make that noise! That's why I keep giving you all this attention every time you do it! Please don't stop!