Dadsense!

Here at the good ol' homestead, it seems we are a lot like other homesteads the world over. We honor the 'Father of the House' and totally appreciate that he goes out in to the world each and every day to provide for us so that we can homeschool, read wonderful books out loud, play games, have tether ball tournaments, bake, veg, and attempt to keep up somewhat with the housework and laundry. Hey, a guy needs clean clothes when he heads out to swim with the sharks, doesn't he? But deep down, we all know who runs the house. Mom.

Last year Anita Renfroe paid tribute to Moms with her wonderful, humorous ditty called Momsense. See it and read the words here. Recently, she was encouraged to pay homage to the men of the house as well so here's her new ditty, "Dadsense".

Laughter Really IS The Best Medicine - Part 2

I must admit that this morning finds both my hubby and I a little toasted around the edges. Laura's been sick and that means lots of "Get up, get up, get out of bed" times for us throughout the night. Since Don gets up for work at 5 AM, on nights like this he's usually already up and doesn't need to use the alarm. *sigh* But this, too, shall pass as it always does. Then we'll catch up on our sleep. Well, maybe.

As I downed my first can of carbonated caffeine, the world started to become a bit more clear. I popped Laura's waffle in the toaster and turned on Fox News to catch my morning info before settling in on school work for the day. And what to my wide-awake eyes should appear but Anita Renfroe talking about her Momsense bit. My kids were just as excited as I was! We listened to her talk about raising kids and enjoyed watching a bit of her video once again.

But the best part of her talk was the end. One of the Fox News guys asked her how her kids felt about it all. Her response was classic. She said something like "They go between mortified and proud depending on what we're talking about." Oh I SO live that! Matthew and Jonathan have this routine down to a science. The thing they haven't figured out yet is that while I feel all warm and fuzzy when I know they are proud of me, I feel full of fun and frivolity when I know they are mortified. No guilt or sorrow here. Someday they'll appreciate it all and I'll enjoy that day when it comes. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying every little moment along the way, too.

So Thursday dawns bright and sunny. Not only have I had enough caffeine to charge me for another day, I've had a great laugh with the kids once again over Anita and her wonderful sense of humor. What a wonderful way to bond with your kids! Try it. You might like it! You can find her video here, and the words to her song as I attempted to record them here.

Enjoy and laugh out loud. You'll feel much better as you enjoy the rest of your day. We sure do!!!

William Tell Momisms or The Mom Song

In an effort to share The Mom Song with a friend who does not have speakers that work on her computer, I thought I'd sit down and transcribe the lyrics. There is still one spot where I can't figure out the exact words Anita Renfroe is singing, but I've done my best. I thought I'd post them here for those of you who haven't seen the video. Trust me, the lyrics don't do the comedic value justice at all. When put to the William Tell Overture and sung by Anita, however, they come to life. I encourage you to listen for yourself. But, if you are one of those who doesn't have working speakers, here's the lyrics to the best of my ability. If you'd like to submit a correction, please feel free. My ears are getting older and sometimes my brain doesn't work as fast as my fingers do on the keyboard. :)

UPDATE: The mystery lyrics have been solved by the writer herself. They are recorded below. And please feel free to visit her site to order the DVD if you just can't live without it!

William Tell Momisms

by Anita Renfroe

sung to the William Tell Overture

Get up now, get up now, get up out of bed,
Wash your face, brush your teeth, comb your sleepy head.
Here’s your clothes and your shoes, hear the words I said,
Get up now, get up and make your bed.

Are you hot, are you cold, are you wearing that?
Where’s your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat.
Don’t forget, you’ve gotta feed the cat.

Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it’s the most important meal of all,
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall.
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today,
Don’t forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play.

Don’t shovel, chew slowly, but hurry, the bus is here,
Be careful, come back here, did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside, don’t play rough, would you just play fair?
Be polite, make a friend, don’t forget to share,
Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare,
Get along, don’t make me come down there.

Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away,
Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?

Answer the phone, Get off the phone,
Don’t sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table.
No more computer time tonight,
Your ipod’s my ipod if you don’t listen up.

Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you’re coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me, makes you welcome everywhere you roam.
You’ll appreciate my wisdom someday when you’re older and you’re grown.
Can’t wait til you have a couple little children of your own.

You’ll thank me for the council I gave you so willingly,
But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me.
Close your mouth when you chew, we’d appreciate,
Take a bite, maybe two, of the stuff you hate.
Use your fork, do not burp or I’ll set you straight.
Eat the food I put upon your plate.

Get an A, get in the door, don’t be smart with me,
Get a grip, get in here or I’ll count to three,
Get a job, Get a life, get a PhD, get a dose of

I don’t care who started it,

You’re grounded until you’re 36,
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once for heaven sake.

And, if all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you jump to?
If I’ve said once I’ve said it at least a thousand times before,
That you’re too old to act this way,
It must be your father’s DNA.

Look at me when I am talking, stand up straighter when you walk.
A place for everything, and everything must be in place.
Stop crying or I’ll give you something real to cry about.

oh

Brush your teeth, wash your face, get your pj’s on.
Get in bed, get a hug, say a prayer with Mom.
Don’t forget I love you (kiss)

And tomorrow we will do this all again

because a Mom’s work never ends.

You don’t need the reason why,
Because, Because, Because, Because,
I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so.
I’m the Mom, the Mom, the Mom, the Mom, the Mom!

Ta-Da!

And here is the video so you can follow along if you'd like:

Laughter Really IS The Best Medicine

As I was unloading on a friend who just happened to time her call to arrive right in the middle the umpteenth time I was reminding the boys of The Golden Rule and The Ten Commandments, she laughed and said she'd send me some relief. I hung up wondering when she might arrive, with troops at the ready, to relieve me for a few hours of "Mommy time". Yes, as you might remember, I dream big. *hehehehehe*

Instead, a little 'bing' let me know I had mail. I saw it was from her so I thought I'd open it sooner rather than later. And I'm glad I did. I'm also extremely pleased that I had already downed my diet coke/diet dew quotient for the day because it could have been disastrous for my monitor and keyboard had I had one of them still in my hand. Or worse, busy glugging. So, before you play the video, I suggest you swallow what you have in your mouth and refrain from further whistle-wetting. Your monitor will thank you.

For mothers everywhere,The Mom Song: