Thursday

It was hard to get up this morning, but worth it for the pancake breakfast. We broke out the Trader Joe's mix that I brought back from the States, along with the maple syrup, and the kids couldn't get enough. Somehow, though, I never got around to making the kids' lunches for school. Later, I would hear belly-aching and complaints all around for having to eat the school lunch today. Oh well, perhaps, I'll get a little more appreciation for packing the lunches everyday.

This seems to be a theme of mine these days -- lack of appreciation. I am so frustrated with the sense of entitlement our children seem to feel, particularly given their deficient behavior. I really shouldn't have to ask everything two, three and four times, and then have to make threats in order to get them to cooperate. I am so tired of parenting this way. But, given my nature, it's so hard for me to go the other way. I'm trying my best to allow for real-life consequences. The problem is that the method doesn't work when your children genuinely don't care...if they're late for school, late for swimming, eat a cold dinner, etc. Perhaps I should try a "mommy swap" just like the "wife swap" reality series I remember from TV. Should I worry that the "new mommy" would be a better substitute than the real one?

So, this morning I finally went to the gym for the first time this week. I went for a bike ride and took care of some personal business. I went to the grocery store to shop for the weekend. Josh and I are leaving tomorrow for the weekend, and I needed to stock the fridge.

Josh confirmed that his surgery will be Monday. I hope this will be his last. I'm glad that we had already planned to go away this weekend, it'll be nice for both of us before his surgery.