Writer's Workshop--I don't want to dance

The Prompts: (Mama Kat)

1.) If I sent you four hundred dollars today what is ONE thing you would spend it on and why. ps I want my change. Well I saw a really cute shirt at Fashion Bug and some capris that I would buy. I'd also pick up a few pairs of flip flips. Then like any good mom I'd buy a bunch of stuff for my kids. If I were lucky I could get a babysitter and I'd go to the movies and out to eat with my honey. Your change would be a dime.

UPDATE: I was told by a faithful reader, who will remain nameless, that I did that wrong...that I CHEATED, as she stated. Well, she's right (and mean). I didnt read the question carefully enough. Which makes more sense, cause I wondered why Kathy would care what all I bought and why she would get any change.

So now that I see how I should have answered this, I wouldn't buy a bunch of junk for my kids. I'd buy an Ergo. That's it. And Kathy would get about $200 back. That's okay. I would have the ONE carrier I've been longing for. So Kathy, even though I know you aren't reading this, because I told you not to bother, please give me $400 and I'll give you back $200...and hey, Mother's Day is coming up and my 17 year old will be 18 and I ALMOST had her on Mother's Day. Does that count for anything?

2.) What are your kids talking about?

3.) Tell us about a local news story that's all the buzz right now in your neck of the woods. We've had fires burning all over the place. Homes GONE. Very sad. And it happens every few years.

4.) Share some blogging advice. Please, please, please, remove the word verification.

5.) Tell us about that time at the playground when that thing happened. I swore I'd never tell.

---------------------------------------------------------

What are your kids talking about?

Kori: Mom, this problem says to simplify it and I can't. Either the book is wrong or I'm really confused.

Mom (in her mind): Yes the book is wrong. You are right. Tear that page out.

Mom (out loud): Well bring it to me so I can see if I can help you.

Kori (explaining to mom how to simplify like she's an idiot...mom being the idiot, not Kori): You see, this question is 1.05, and you see, the other questions you just take off the zeros, and you see, there is no zero to take off for this question.

Mom (in her mind): Stop talking.

Mom (out loud, while trying to explain): Maybe you need a break from math and mom for a minute. Why don't you go upstairs and read your Bible and let God infuse you with His joy, peace and love.

Mom (in her mind): Meanwhile, I'll be doing the same.

The Cat: (incessantly) Meowing

Asa: Waaa! Waaa! (trying frantically to climb on the couch)

Kati: (helping Asa to stop climbing on mom) Do you want some orange? Let's go put you in your high chair.

Mom: Um, no. He hates his high chair.

Kati: How 'bout we get your bar?

Mom: UM NO! Bars are too messy to eat in the living room.

Millicent: mumble, mumble, Kati, garble, garble, KATI!

Mom (in her mind): Yes, me too.

Millicent: mumble, garble, Kati, Kati, Kati.

Kati: You have to go dance for me.

Millicent: I don't want to dance.

Kati: Then go to school.

Millicent: Goodbye, mother and father, I've got to go.

Are you bored yet? Here's some more in my crazy life.

Kati: MOMMA! We can't go to the library today.

Mom: I know. We'll go tonight when Dad gets home. (We are down to one vehicle...but at least it's our vehicle we are down to.)

Millicent (screeching because Kati is not listening to her): Kati. Kati. Kati. Kati. KATI! KATI!

Kati: What?

Millicent: Go in my school.

Kati: I can't go in mommy's room.

Millicent: Kati. Kati. Kati. Kati. (beginning to screech) KATI!

Kati: What?

Millicent: Go in my school.

Kati: I can't go in mommy's room.

Millicent: This is my home and you have to go to my school.

Mommy: Your school is in mommy's room?

Millicent: Yes.

Mommy: Well Kati can't go into mommy's room. Can you have your school somewhere else.

Mill: NO!

Mommy: Can Kati sit in the doorway since she can't go in.

Mill: NO! She has to go in my school room.

Mommy: Well Kati can't.

Mill: Well I can't play because this is my house and that's my school room.

YES! I realize I'm trying to reason with a three year old.

Shall I go on?

Yes!

Kati: Mom look at this (as she holds up some pipe cleaners for me to see.)

Kori: Asa, you have have some of this (handing Asa parts of a book that are completely torn up).

Asa: This, this, this.

Kori: Hey, what are doing? (Asa is standing up with the book.)

Asa: This.

Millicent: Here's some more for you.

Kati: She has a wiggly worm. Okay. Momma you are probably going to be surprised. (Showing me a picture.) That thing down there at the bottom that is all green...that is a pie.

And that's a look into my life. I would love to hear the conversation at your house.