Dirty Laundry

I wrote this poem today while sitting in the downtown theatre during Katie's dance practices and dress rehearsal. We had enough time to come home for an early dinner, and since I am constantly doing laundry, I did a load while we were home. I did not think much of the fact that four different colored crayons were in the bottom of the washing machine when I put the clothes in the dryer. That is, not until I went to fold the clothes. They were all ruined! Crayons stain clothes, friends, just like ink. This happened last week to one of Pete's nice dress shirts. We were stumped at what the black marks could be, since he uses blue pens. Shout did NOT remove the stains, so we had to throw the brand new shirt away. And, yes, we will have to throw away the whole load of the kids school clothes- they are all marked up with red, yellow, orange and blue. I have a feeling I know who has been storing crayons in his pants pockets. I guess I'll have to start digging through them before I wash - sigh- as if I had the time. Anyway, here is the poem inspired from the events of my day:

Dirty Laundry
by Laurie Kolp

"It will all come out in the wash,"
so the old saying goes.
Were they talking about family secrets,
or crayon stains on clothes?

Dirty laundry can be deceiving,
and sometimes seem quite mean.
But do your mother a favor,
and keep your pockets clean.

Good night everyone!!

Mr. Turtle

This is a poem I wrote today for the PAD challenge, which ends this Thursday. Thanks to a wonderful gift from our neighbor, and our stupidity at placing a turtle in a shallow bowl, we now have a turtle loose in the house!

Mr. Turtle longs to be
outside by a pond where he
can bask in the early morning
sunlight or sleep in his portable
home under a big oak tree.
Instead, Mr. Turtle is being
held prisoner in a home of noisy,
unruly children and two ferocious
dogs, having escaped from a small
bowl and frantically searching for a
way outside to his family.

Rollercoasters and Flowers

Oh, the joys of parenthood. I feel sometimes as if I am on a rollercoaster. The ups and downs I go through as a mother has me screaming at times and laughing the very next moment. But I truly love being a parent and I would ride this ride over and over again if given the choice.

As you can see, Katie broke her wrist. This makes our third fracture- the other two were on our youngest and most active- Nicholas. But Katie fell just the right way- here in our home and after complaining for a few days, I took her in. I really did not think it would be anything serious, since Katie is our "drama queen," but the doctor said she had injured the growth plate in her wrist and a cast was needed. Of course, Katie has loved wearing her pink cast and getting all the attention at school- what girl wouldn't. The cast is now full of signatures and she can keep it forever, which I would have done too, when I was her age.

Even though parenthood has its challenges, the joy that comes with it is as beautiful as a springtime flower. I am grateful to be a mom- sickness, broken bones, nightmares and all. The ride is a rollercoaster of memories I will cherish forever.