harriedmom.com

Don't play UNO when feeling tired. It's guaranteed to be one of those rounds that last way beyond bedtime with reversal and skip cards flying, and your youngest with too many cards for an octopus to hold. The older kid wants to stop, but not the others. An arguement. Then whining. More arguing and then crying. Finally, with one card left, you yell UNO and your kids think you cheated just to finish the game. Is it possible to cheat at UNO? HINT: Save a wild card to play last.

My harried week:

Take Brownie troop on hike, then try selling nuts and magazines no one wants to buy.
Chaperone the all-school field trip and don't embarrass own kids by being the silly mom.
Flu shots for the family—Ouch!
Nag kids to do book reports, but first nag them to finish reading books for said reports.
Call mom and apologize for not calling last week.
Close my eyes and pick paint for son's bedroom and hope one of his choices isn't black.
Sort out over 300 books purchased for school author visit and ignore my husband saying, "Why did you volunteer for this?"
Buy three presents for upcoming local birthday parties.
Buy, pack and mail birthday gifts for two out-of-town relatives.
What are the kids wearing for Halloween? Add costume shopping to list.
Dog needs rabies booster.
Find time to wash, dry and style hair and actually put on make-up for driver's license photo renewal.
Give spouse massage (and more) so he offers to help with that huge laundry pile.
Eat chocolate.

I have a TO-DO List that is expanding daily. It's my: I'll-get-to-that-when-the-kids-are-back-in-school-list. Things are bad here. The laundry, the clutter, the summer mess is growing just like my TO-DO list. I have a lot TO DO when school starts. For now, I'll get the beach bag and pack the kids' swimsuits. The weather looks good tomorrow. Maybe the house isn't spotless, but it's sure been a good summer!

Transformers change into cool, action-packed heroes—or a hip car. How handy!

I'd like to transform back into my 21-year-old-perfect body. I'm sure it was perfect, because weren't all women "10's" before having babies?

We experienced the magic, rode thrill rides, pet wild animals, and took loads of bad photos—mostly of the back of Goofy's head, and now, vacation is over. My brain is Disney mushed. I need one more Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar, a chance to help Buzz fight the evil Zerg, and to sweat through another street performance watching the Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow look-alike woo the ladies. I'll take another day of heat and crowds. Just take me back to that magical land where I didn't have to cook, clean or do laundry for an entire week.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Beanie SNOWMAN covered with patches, missing all beans and one arm is LOST!
Goes by the name of SNOWMAN.
Last seen two weeks ago in back seat of car, sitting on birthday favor bag filled with candy.
Search party continues a daily house/car/yard scan and desperately clings to hope of locating SNOWMAN.
Do not discard if found—a certain young child cries for SNOWMAN every night.
Reward for information leading to SNOWMAN'S safe return home.
If you have any knowledge of SNOWMAN'S whereabouts, please call:
1-SNO-MAN-HOME