Absolutely, I do munch on bonbons throughout the day. I keep them stashed away on top of the fridge, which is crucial because if I placed them anywhere lower, my kids would discover them, devour them, and turn into chocolate-fueled tornadoes complete with brown smudges all over their faces. Then I’d have to grab a wet cloth, chase after them, pin them down while they scream, and scrub those chocolate streaks off—definitely not my idea of a good time.
So, I sneak a bonbon while the little ones wait for breakfast. They always want three different items, which means I’m juggling oatmeal, toast, and cereal, along with a precise mix of milk and juice. By the time they’ve finished, I’ve already loaded the dishwasher and cleaned the counters. And guess what? My coffee has gone cold. Cold coffee equals bonbon time!
Next up is dressing them. The oldest can pick his clothes and dress himself, although I often find him sporting something inside out or backward. The middle child needs me to choose his outfit but can manage to get dressed. The baby, however, just runs off naked, giggling. I have to chase him down, wrestle him away from the furniture, and cram his limbs into clothes—like trying to dress a slippery octopus. After that, it’s all about brushing teeth and the inevitable nagging that follows, not to mention hair. Don’t even get me started on that. I’ve earned a bonbon.
Today, I set them up with watercolors while tackling the monumental task of sorting seven baskets of clean laundry. Yes, you heard that right—seven! Imagine an overflowing basket, and now multiply that by seven. They take over my couch! As I bend over sorting and folding towels, washcloths, and blankets, the kids start squabbling over the water cups. I pour them each their own, but the baby promptly dumps his all over. Guess what? Watercolors are done, but I’m still stuck with laundry. Bonbon time!
I let the kids outside with the dog since we have a privacy fence and I’m confident that social services won’t be called. Plus, two of them can come get me if something goes awry. While they play, I finish up the laundry and start preparing lunch. I aim for something nutritious—with a veggie, meat, and grain—trying to make it look fun like octopuses or bear faces. Yet, when lunchtime rolls around, they refuse to eat it and opt for plain bread instead. So, I end up eating their lunches and, yes, another bonbon!
Post-lunch, the kids watch TV for some downtime. I take the opportunity to sit at my computer, scrolling through Facebook and filling a shopping cart with clothes I can’t afford, all while sneaking more bonbons.
After lunch, we dive into storytime. As we finish each book, they fight over which one to read next. I end up reciting “Hop on Pop” or “Dr. Seuss’s ABC” instead of the real text. At least they allow me to read “Dragons Love Tacos” and “Don’t Let the Pigeon Ride the Bus.” Oddly, their favorite remains an old thrift store guide to Fraggles. Seriously, I didn’t sign up for that. Bonbon, please.
Let’s talk about the bathroom—yes, it needs a good scrub. The kids swarm around because, of course, cleaning supplies are fascinating. I have to give them their own mini spray bottles to keep them away from the Clorox. I spend five minutes cleaning up the pee at the base of the toilet (thanks, little boys), and another ten on various other parts because, you guessed it, little boys can’t aim. They leave tiny muddy footprints on the wet floor, so I have to clean it again. My bonbon might taste like bleach, but it’s still a delightful treat!
Then comes the magical time of cleaning their rooms—an exercise in creativity that usually leads to whining, tantrums, and potential meltdowns. I try to divide tasks, which lasts all of two minutes, then I attempt to help, only to realize I’m the sole one actually cleaning. I even resort to singing that cute cleanup song twenty times. That bonbon is tough to swallow!
Finally, it’s time for dinner prep. As I cook, the kids manage to trash their rooms again. Ugh. You know what? I’m eating another bonbon.
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In summary, my life is a chaotic mix of parenting demands and the sweet indulgence of bonbons. Each day is filled with challenges, from breakfast battles to laundry mountains, with the occasional chocolate reward keeping me sane.