Alarm Clock Mishaps!

Mornings everywhere, I am sure, in households far and wide, are flusters of people frantically hurrying to get out the door with everything intact and having appearances pass the scrutiny of the mother test. At the Voss household we are no different. It has been a long-reaching goal to have a happy and smooth morning. So far, our goal has been unattainable.

You see, the MyMy, although angelic in so many ways, struggles with the morning routine. Getting out of bed has been quite a chore. Staying out of bed becomes an obstacle. Having the desire to get ready is obsolete. Angry and stressed-out parents happens frequently. All of the above, not good.

The grandparents, on the mothers side, came up with a brilliant idea of which they borrowed from another granddaughter. "Get the MyMy an alarm clock that she can work on her own and she will love the responsibility." Sometimes, as a parent, you have to admit- duh!!!!!! Why didn't I think of that?

An alarm clock was purchased. A lesson was taught, and the system was practiced and mastered. Now, for real time.

The first 3 mornings, the child, MyMy, was like a kid on Christmas Eve awaiting and anticipating the morning. Just having the alarm clock was enough for the MyMy to wake-up, long before the actual event was supposed to take place. Oh, what glorious mornings!

After 3 days, the trials began. Many mornings, the alarm didn't sound because it hadn't been turned on. Other mornings, the alarm did sound, but all you could hear was snow, causing the child not to awaken, because the radio wasn't set on a station. Then, the alarm was beeping loudly in the middle of nights, causing havoc on the parents, because the clock's time had somehow been changed. The snooze button was discovered, which was being used frequently much to the parents dismay. Lastly, since snooze became off-limits, the child, just turned the alarm off, thinking that she was awake and would get-up very soon, only to fall back into a deep and blissful sleep.

The cute MyMy has gone to school with disheveled hair, missing papers and a hungry stomach. One morning, she about missed the ride to school wherein she would have missed a day of school. The parent's hearts are breaking because of the tough and natural consequences that are occurring. The stress level has not decreased.

Alarm clock mishaps have gotten somewhat contagious with the other child too. The LuLu, after only a few mishaps, has been a quick study though, and did work out the kinks.

Thoughts have been placed in the hazy and tired minds of the parents of what to do when the MyMy is a teenager and has early morning seminary? Drastic resolutions have been thought. "Do we move to a place where there is released time? Or, do we go inactive? Something has got to be done!"

One would wonder, if there is some genetic trait that would cause this disturbing behavior? I mean, both Derrick and myself were perfect, sweet children and teenagers at morning routines! Wink, wink!

I am sure that there are some parents out there who are thinking and giggling amongst themselves........PAYBACKS ARE SWEET!

Another School Year!

The girls just finished their 3rd week of school. These are pictures taken the morning of their first day.


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Like happy eager beavers ready to gnaw! Here is to an awesome year you two!

Leapin' Lizards!

The other day a small little lizard found its way into our house. We tried to point it in the direction of the door, but in a state of panic, the little lizard ran the other direction and slipped underneath the coat closet door. (Now, in Arizona, there really isn't a need for a coat closet, so our closet has become the game, movie, wrapping paper closet.)

We opened the door, slid the wrapping paper out and there hiding in the corner, breathing heavily was the tiny little creature. I figured I would just catch the little guy with my hand and then walk him out to the big grassy bush he likes to hide under. (Yes, we have seen him there for several days.)



Apparently, the big, ugly object, my hand, scared the poor little guy into another panic. The little lizard climbed up the shelf railing where there was no way out. That was when we, all the girls in the household, started to panic. All I could think of was him dying, the smell that would ensue, and finding a shriveled, decomposed skeleton eventually.

MyMy could only think that a cute baby lizard was going to die, and it didn't deserve that kind of treatment. The LuLu didn't want to find the lizard anywhere else in the house.

I put a plate of water at the bottom of the railing and left the door open, hoping that the water would entice the little creature onto a different adventure. I then left for work assigning the girls to be on lizard watch.

That evening, we were all wondering if the little lizard had found his way out of the closet. Our concern was that yes, he did make his way out and had found a new hiding place. Derrick, being the man of the house, and the only one with brains smart enough to outwit a lizard, decided to use a flashlight and a paperclip to handle the problem. (He is a modern MacGyver) He immediately discovered the lizard still hiding in the railing and used the paperclip to coax him out. Once out, a plastic cup was placed over him and a thick piece of paper was slid under the cup. We all walked outside and Derrick placed the paper by the bush and lifted the cup. There, with heart beating out of his chest, was the little lizard, still frozen scared. Derrick gently encouraged the little lizard off the paper and quickly the little guy darted towards his coveted bush.



We haven't seen the little critter around since. Hopefully, he is off to more adventures.