# Chateau de la Tobler

## Wednesday, November 08, 2006

### What I have learned/ been reminded up this past week

(1)- When you must leave at 8:50 to get somewhere by 9:00- do not, at 8:50 say, "Okay, everyone into the car, we have to go," because by the time everyone is in the car it will be 9:00 and you will be late. It does not matter if you are talking to a 5 year old, a 9 year old, a 12 year old, a 15 year old, any two of them, three of them or all of the above- you will still be late. Even if they already have their shoes on, you will still be late. I am amazed at how long it takes to pack one little 5 year old into a car.
(2) I enjoy cooking much more for a large group. Maybe it is because I don't very often- or because while cooking, I know someone else will be eating it- I haven't a clue but cooking for one is not as much fun. (No doubt after having four kids and cooking for them day in and day out I will change my mind- but there it is).
(3) Mothers must be perpetually tired. I have been getting to bed on time every night and falling to sleep quickly- but I am tired all day long. Whether it is because I wake up as soon as I hear movement in the morning (hence about 5:30 when Mark is getting ready to leave for seminary) or because I am doing more things faster during the day I don't know- but I PRAISE ALL YOU MOTHERS OUT THERE!!! Good Job!
(4)- 15 year olds- no matter how good a kid they are- believe everyone else's life revolves around them, period! Funny thing is- at 18 and in college- they believe the same thing and the babysitter (that's me) is left to pick up the slake- like having to take the two little ones with me to my Tuesday night meeting to sit in the hallway bored out of their minds (and you know what happened when kids get bored) while the three older boys rush of to a state championship soccer game because Brett came unexpectedly into town from college to see it. GRRRR!!! Not to mention fixing dinner for 8 people because that how many people I was told would be at dinner (and panicking because originally I was only suppose to be fixing for five) only to find out two of them were not showing up!!! Not to mention promising the little ones they could watch a movie if they were good for me without telling me they had promised them this- on a school night- after mom told me no tv on school night. Great- now I get to be the bad guy like a mom sometimes has to be without any of the perks that go with being a mom (i.e. hugs and kisses and just simply being a mom).
Oh well, this is still the best 'gig' I've had (except last night and possibly the next few nights- since the 18 year old doesn't look to be leaving soon!!!!!!!

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