Melt Down

The house is on a verge of a melt down. Last night was give parents a break. For four and half hours the child development centers and youth center will take the children of deployed spouses off our hands, free of charge, twice a month (on set days). Last night, a friend and I dropped off our kids and spent the time enjoying a nice dinner and strolling Target. The downfall...we don't have to pick them up till 11 pm. Generally, my kids do awesome! The next day has never been an issue. Last night, however, was a different story. Our oldest decided she couldn't sleep and was in our room every fifteen minutes or so till 3 am. Finally, she fell asleep but was up at 6:30. I got her to stop whining and go back to sleep around 7. I slept for about 30 minutes or so after that.

Today, we had showers, school physicals at the clinic, a stop for donuts, grocery store for cupcakes, post office to mail a package to dad, bowling party, and a movie all before 4 pm. Considering the lack of sleep, they were doing fairly well. Leaving the grocery store, the oldest did say, "By the tone of your voice, I can tell you aren't very happy with us right now." I wasn't. I was cranky and there was too much to do. But we made it through...till the movies. Half way through, she flipped out. Tears started, she said something about being hungry and she hadn't eaten. I left her in the hall to cry it out. A lady stopped me and asked if she was my child. Yes, but I didn't know what else to do. I had four other kids in the theater all younger. After a few minutes, she some what calmed down and came back to join us.

From there, the down hill started. We got home to lots of fighting, picking at each other, and just them being kids but magnified. My patience is short, I am tired, and counting the hours till it is bed time. Meantime, I guess it is a glass of wine and duct tape.