A Run For My Money

I guess this isn't my "mom" week. Some weeks go by with a few hiccups and others make me want to crawl in a hole till the kids are grown adults w/ perfect lives (cause that is how it is going to turn out... right?!)

I am not sure exactly why I can't seem to be able to handle Landen. We didn't really ever have problems w/ the other two kids coloring on things that weren't paper, taking apart things that weren't toys, being super sneaky, painting the toilet w/ their toothbrushes etc... Does he not get enough attention? I am sure part of it he is trying to entertain himself. Part of it is the fact that he has an older brother training him to do things that he shouldn't. Another part is that there are two older kids who leave crayons, scissors and such around for Landen's convience (it was so much easier when it was just Bryce and I getting stuff out). I am sure a little bit bigger house with more space to hide from me doesn't help me not seeing every move that is made. Now the question is... what do I do about it all?

This morning I was in the kitchen for a minute trying to get the dough started for some rolls for the kids' teachers. Braxton and Landen have been fighting or being mischievious all morning. I am already a bit frustrated w/ them. I had Landen come downstairs w/ me so that Braxton could finish his chores w/out another distraction. Landen went into the living room and was quiet. I was grateful for the moment of peace. He usually goes in there and looks at a few of my books on the table... not today. Today he found out that our decorative pillows on the couch unzip and there is stuffing inside. I am not sure if he thought that the stuffing looked better all over the floor, if he was looking for a prize inside the pillow or what. I walked in after 2 minutes to check on him and found my floor covered in little bits of cotton. I should have taken a picture but it took all of my thoughts to keep self control. We stuffed it all back into the cushions and I am lucky it wasn't a hard mess to clean up but I have about had it!

I thought about sending the boys out back to play, but we have a sandbox and Landen LOVES to throw sand. He loves riding bikes in the front yard but doesn't understand to not stay out of the road or go clear down the street. So for now I let them turn on the tv and pray he will be content for 5 minutes.

I think that I have a curious kid, with lots of energy and a high intelligence to want to figure things out and see what happens to stuff if he stomps on it, throws it, eats it, etc... My right brained personality prefers total and complete order with perfect cleanliness. I guess in the afterlife I will get that but not till then!

I just needed to vent and reading this makes it not seem like such a big deal. Well, Landen is done watching tv (he lasted 3 minutes) so back to work.