Expectations

CandyMan and I had a little chat about expectations with KitKat this afternoon, and as I thought about it afterwards, it was the perfect lead in to recap my weekend for you.

Expectation: I was determined to have a perfectly awesome Girls Night Out on Thursday night. My great friend, Safire, won tickets to the premiere of “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, and the evening promised to be spectacular! I was stoked. I needed a girls night out desperately! Expectations: HIGH.

Reality: As soon as I confirmed that I was going to the movie premiere, I discovered that CandyMan AND KitKat were both going to be out that night as well. Ugh. Called a babysitter. Monday–babysitter cancelled with the flu. Ugh. Called a 2nd babysitter. Thursday night–babysitter #2 didn’t show up. Me–talk about anxiety!!! I finally went to her house (she lives a few doors down) and HMMM…..she wasn’t going to back home for another 2 hours. My ride was waiting in front of my house. Her two older sisters volunteered to sit with my kids instead. I left the house a little later than I would have liked, feeling a little nervous. They’d never babysat my kids before.

Luckily, we found the theater in DC without too much hassle, entered the theater feeling excited and slightly out of place. Most movie-goers were well-dressed young singles. I felt like our little group of mommies stood out. But who cares! We sat down with our Shopaholic gift bags (which contained shopping list pads, a combo nail file-mirror, and heel cream) and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It was fabulous. Lots of laughter, even a tear or two. No bad language. Totally clean for family viewing. A rare movie, and a complete delight. We left the movie and stopped for some treats on the way home. Yum! Perfectly wonderful GNO. Expectations: Met.

Expectation: International Night at Church on Friday was a disaster waiting to happen. A nagging pest on my back. I was worried and stressed about it, not excited about being left in charge by default. Who wants to come to church for a potluck on the Friday before Valentines Day? Expectations: LOW.

Reality: We set up, put on my World play list over the mic system so that my international tunes played through the church…..and waited. People started showing up early. What? That never happens! We had cuisine from Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, Italy, the US, Germany, Russia…..and about 75 people! In the middle of eating my own dinner, I noticed another wave of people come in, and we had to set up two extra tables to acomodate them. Expectations: blown out of the water. Success!

Expectation: Valentines Day. None. Zippo. Zero expectation. Well, maybe I expected CandyMan to come home from work early enough to go over to a friends house to play games.

Reality: The zero expectation thing was totally met. It was an ordinary Saturday. Basketball game in the morning, cleaning in the afternoon, headache by early evening. Oh–I shouldn’t leave out the grinding noise from my previously silent brakes (as in Friday night, they were fine, Saturday morning they were horrible!). CandyMan and I made it to our friend’s house….almost an hour late….but we made it! We had a blast. My headache mercilously went away, and we played the wii until 1:00 am.

See that score? We were the home team. The end score was 12 to 38, I believe. Our girls are younger and have a lot less practice, and all I can say is, I admire them for still playing!

Unfortunately, KitKat HAD expectations for Valentines Day. She was expecting some celebration, some recongition, some new family tradition or something. Apparently, it means a lot to her. Next year–big plans. Big changes for Valentines Day.

Expectation: After a very late night last night, I was counting on a nap this afternoon. Expectations: High for a peaceful nap. So I layed down in bed, turned my sound machine on and……

Knock!

Bang!

Shout. Yell!

Slam! Creak!

Giggle.

No sleep…..

Kids! Get in here! Mom is trying desperately to sleep.

Ok. Sorry Mom.

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

Mom, I have a question….

Squeek.

Slam!

I’m frazzled. Sleep! I need sleep!

AJ needs a sippy cup. No one else will do (currently a very big problem I’m dealing with). Fine! Here’s your sippy. Lay down with me now. Please. I just need sleep.

Ahh. The sippy cup did the trick. Sleep.

Reality: Expectation met, but not quite what I was hoping for.

Expectation: A big trip to Mt. Vernon tomorrow. Admission is free on Presidents Day, my sister and niece are going, and all of the kids are so excited about spending the day there. Expectations: High.

Reality: AJ just threw up. First, on me and the carpet. Then, in the toilet, and finally in the kitchen sink. We’re not going anywhere. Another day at home with all of the kids cooped up in a sick house. Ugh. Double ugh.

Isn’t this just life as a mother? Ahhh…..

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