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December 27, 2011 by: Shell

The Serenity Prayer: Winter Break Version

Christmas presents

You'd think all of this would be enough to keep them busy during break. You would be wrong.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the school calendar that I cannot change;
courage to get through the entire winter break;
and wisdom to know what will keep my kids from driving me crazy.

Day 11 of Winter Break. Send help. Or a babysitter. Or wine.

Merry Christmas!
Pour Your Heart Out: Enjoying the Chaos

Comments

  1. tracy@sellabitmum says

    December 27, 2011 at 7:21 am

    LOL..hugs girl. xo

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:56 am

      Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. xo

  2. Making It Work Mom says

    December 27, 2011 at 7:53 am

    Oh poor you! I am actually going to work for today and tomorrow and then we leave for Disney on Thursday. I am hoping the threat/anticipation of Disney will be enough to keep them in line!!

    Good Luck!!!

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:56 am

      Oh, Disney! SO fun!!!

  3. Alison@Mama Wants This says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:04 am

    I love that you maintain your sense of humor! Hang on in there.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:56 am

      Have to laugh about it, right?

  4. My Piece Of Reality says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:05 am

    I see this same thought all over the Internet! I am so lucky to have Grandma for a babysitter. Even if I was off work she would want her granddaughter. Of course she is only one and still cute!

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:55 am

      Mine went with grandma yesterday- that was really nice!

  5. Oka says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:17 am

    Hugs Shell. FYI. they do get better with age.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:55 am

      πŸ™‚ Phew, thank God.

  6. Jessica says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:25 am

    So funny and right there with you.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:55 am

      I don’t remember them getting such a long break before. They were at grandma’s yesterday… I joked that I would pick them up on Thursday, but no go.

  7. Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:25 am

    I hear you. And it’s raining today, so my idea to hit several playgrounds to wear them out isn’t going to work.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:54 am

      Raining here, too. No sending them outside to run off their energy.

  8. Kristen says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:30 am

    I love it! I can’t even imagine three boys at home for that long with each other. My girls are in Littlest Pet Shop heaven. Oh and they got one of those huge puzzles with over 300 pieces and are taking up the entire floor with it. That is keeping them very busy!
    Hope you survive!

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:54 am

      Oh, that sounds so peaceful! Mine were fighting over a set of wooden blocks this morning. Why they couldn’t all build something together or go play with something else, I don’t know. I was waiting for a block to be thrown and knock someone out.

  9. secret mom thoughts says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:48 am

    Hang in there. They get a long break, huh?

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:53 am

      They really do! I was surprised by how early they got out this year.

  10. Evonne says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:50 am

    All I can do is nod my head because I’m right there with you. To top it off, it’s raining here so I can’t even send them outside when they’re at each other’s throats. Help!

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 8:52 am

      It’s raining here, too! Mine have already started fighting.

      • Evonne says

        December 27, 2011 at 9:12 am

        Luckily my daughter is still sleeping, but I know once she wakes up things will go downhill. I let my son take a 4 hour nap yesterday, which meant he didn’t fall asleep until midnight. He’s going to get ugly by day’s end I’m sure.

        • Shell says

          December 27, 2011 at 9:59 am

          Still sleeping? Oh, I’m so jealous! Mine were all up before 6. And I wish mine would ever nap!!!

  11. Barbara says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:59 am

    Wine is on it’s way! Hang in there…it’s almost over! πŸ™‚

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:45 am

      I’ll be waiting. πŸ˜‰

  12. Jen says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:07 am

    I totally feel your pain.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:45 am

      I’ve already broken up an insane amount of fights this morning. #helpme

  13. MamaSaidPlease says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Ok I am sending a bottle over right away… looks like a lot and yet nothing…lol Send them to the back yard and lock the door;-)
    Good Luck!
    XOXO,
    MamaSaidPlease

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:46 am

      Oh, how I wish- it’s RAINING!

  14. Sela Toki says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Ooohh, Christmas day looks fun and crazy at your house. What a blast for the boys. Here’s wishing you a happy new year.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:46 am

      They did have a blast!

  15. Leigh Powell Hines (@Hinessightblog) says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Ha! I know how you feel. My house looks like a bomb went off, too.

    Happy New Year! And thank you for the birthday wishes.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:46 am

      The thought of cleaning it all up stresses me out- especially with them home on break- it’s not like it will stay clean!

  16. Glamamom says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Ah yes. Good luck darling. Hope you guys had a great Christmas! xo

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:47 am

      5 more days…

      Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

  17. Melissa says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:45 am

    hahaha…Hubby asked last night if it was bad that he wished daycare was open this week. I said I didn;t think so considering I would have been willing to pay double for them to have stayed open this week!

    Hey, we need a vacation, too…

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:47 am

      Ha! I think I’d be willing to pay a lot right now for a break!

  18. Julie says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:52 am

    I’m a teacher so in your same sense of serenity prayer, mine is grant me the ability to make winter break longer and to make those kids angels when they return!!

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:48 am

      I remember those days! I counted down til the breaks and the parents counted down til they were over. Now I’m on the other side of that!

  19. JDaniel4's Mom says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:53 am

    I see a bouncy place in my future. Tomorrow the children’s museum.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:48 am

      Yes, going to try the bouncy place here, too. And the movies.

  20. Cindi says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:00 am

    LoL. Thinking of you Shell.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:48 am

      Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

  21. Tiffany says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:00 am

    How about I send all three? At least that’s what I could use! Love this post – even as a home schooler. My girls don’t know what to do with their mornings.

  22. Diana @ A Little Bit of Life says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Do you have one of those inflatable play places by you? I think a morning spent there is just what you need!

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:49 am

      We do, and will be heading to one soon!

  23. Christine @ Quasi Agitato says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:15 am

    You are already on Day 11 of break! What do you get, like, three weeks??? That’s a little excessive!

    Boy, they really force you to be organized with your Christmas shopping, don’t they? I would have been up the creek if my kids weren’t in school all week. Hey. That rhymes.

    Happy New Year.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:49 am

      It really did seem like they got out super early this year.

      And I didn’t get my shopping done til late anyway. Ugh.

  24. Jill @ Mommy Inconsistent says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:29 am

    I’m so there, Shell. And now we can’t even use the ‘threat’ that Santa is watching. (Not that that worked that well) Mine has already started asking Santa for what he wants next year…sigh.

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:50 am

      Nope, mine look at their haul from Santa and no threats work!

  25. Galit Breen says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:33 am

    Hee! Sending what I’ve got! Hang in there, Mama! xo

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:50 am

      5 more days!!!

  26. Sorta Southern Single Mom says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:40 am

    I went on a TJ’s $3 Chuck run, in anticipation of my parents’ visit. I can hop in the car and be there in a few hours πŸ™‚

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:50 am

      C’mon over! πŸ™‚

  27. John says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:41 am

    . . . hugs & wine . . . hugs & wine . . . hugs & wine . . .

    • Shell says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:50 am

      Ah, how I need those!

  28. Kir says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:59 am

    LOL…you are a much stronger woman than I am….for sure. I skipped out of daycare today, I’m almost HAPPY to be at work…..LOL

    HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS was wonderful sweetie. xo

  29. Audrey says

    December 27, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Play dates…lots of them…so that on some days you have double the wine and some days you have none πŸ™‚

  30. Recovering Supermom says

    December 27, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Love this prayer! I’m a mom and teacher, so I get both sides. You can use what my husband calls they eye binkie….a TV show! They may go back to being crazy (like our kids do), but at least you’ll get a little break. Good luck!

  31. Just Jennifer says

    December 27, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    Very funny, Shell. Although I’m sure you’re completely serious. It’s almost over!

  32. mama marchand says

    December 27, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    HILARIOUS! Love it. πŸ˜‰

  33. Kristin @ What She Said says

    December 27, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Godspeed to you, my friend.

  34. Charlotte says

    December 27, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    Awww, what a cute picture!

    Wine, coming right up πŸ™‚

  35. Blond Duck says

    December 27, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    I hope you had a magical Christmas!

  36. momof12 says

    December 27, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    Looks so fun! Our kids had school right through the 23rd so we are just getting started…and since it’s year-round school, they will be home for most of the month of January. At least the little kids are. If you come up with some good ideas for entertaining them, PLEASE let me know!
    Sandy

  37. Jaime says

    December 27, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    haha that is so very funny:)

  38. dollimama says

    December 27, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Love this. Good luck!

  39. Runnermom-jen says

    December 27, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Haha!! Hang in there, Shell!!!
    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas πŸ™‚
    XO

  40. Ms. Positivity says

    December 27, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    My kiddies just started their break and im soooo glad suprise arrangement magicly appeared for them! On a regular day the crive me batty before 10min of them being home! Sheesh! Hang in there hunni!

  41. Practical Parenting says

    December 27, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    I don’t know what else to say other than, I hear you, mama! 1 gift or 100, it’s never enough πŸ˜‰

  42. Theresa says

    December 27, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    Really…My kids are crazy today. I told husband who is off today that I must go to the grocery store. Alone. I went through each aisle…twice.

  43. Jessica says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    LOL. I LOVE this prayer, it’s one of most parents across America!

  44. Nicole says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    WINE! Good call.

  45. Mrs4444 says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    Here’s hoping Santa brought at least a few movies….Happy Holidays, Shell! πŸ™‚

  46. Teresa (Embracing the Spectrum) says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    I have an extra week because of Squeaker being in recovery. Agh!

  47. Helene says

    December 27, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    Oh girl, I feel your pain. I’ve been counting down the hours until winter break is over….

  48. Kimberly says

    December 27, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    Hahah!!!
    I’ll send you the wine I can’t drink…sigh…cheers to Pepto Bismol

  49. Emmy says

    December 28, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Oh good luck! We just started our break on Thursday and Eric has been home almost everyday so we are doing good so far.

  50. Sandra says

    December 28, 2011 at 1:23 am

    I have 4 words for you: hand held electronic devices (ie. 3DS!) You will never have to speak to your children again!

  51. Laci says

    December 28, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    I hear ya loud and clear!! Is it January 4th yet??? Please…

  52. stephanie m says

    December 28, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    Nate has been steadily playing with his toys but I’m sure this will only continue for a little while longer!

  53. Sherri says

    December 29, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Shell, this cracked me up!!

  54. chimney cleaning magneton tx says

    September 24, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    I are now living in a rural area and I have a huge amount of pine trees on my property. I have been told that wood is a very ‘sappy’ wood and that it must be fine if I ‘burn seasoned wood that is cut properly’ (expected my chimney sweep) and if I use caution. I know that you are suppose to wash your fireplace once a year, but do you want it more often when you burn pine? How often?.

Trackbacks

  1. Enjoying Winter Break says:
    December 28, 2011 at 7:02 am

    […] my RSS feed so you don't miss a thing. Thanks for visiting!I may joke around a little that I need a special prayer, a babysitter, and wine to get through the winter […]

Welcome to Things I Can't Say: Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom. I'm Shell. Boy mom, beach girl, bookworm, ball games, baker, brand ambassador, Thinking yoga, food, and travel should start with "b," too. Finding the easiest way to do some things while overthinking so many others. Read More…

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