December 4, 2008 7:59 AM
It's the small things
Good morning!
My first brave deed of the day was to open the oven door and find out what was going on last night when I heated up the chicken a very kind mother had brought for our family - and blasted our kitchen with a terrible chemical smell.
The chicken was wonderful anyway and I served up Tripp, Jesse, Daniel, and Justin. Then got the three Downzateers ready for bed and - mustering every bit of self-discipline I had - went out into the cold night to pick up Jonny and Maddy and a carpooling friend from rehearsal (Sweeny Todd at LVHS this weekend). Rehearsal ran over and we didn't get home until 10, by which time I'd spent every ounce of self-sacrifice in my body and just wanted to crawl into bed.
But today - in a new-every-morning spirit - after getting the kids off to school, I felt like I could face whatever monstrous problem awaited me behind the oven door. The results are caught for posterity - and your viewing pleasure - above.
In case you've ever wondered what would happen if you put a roll of tape in your oven, now you know. Apparently the doing of one of my younger kids, this carbonized mass was firmly glued on the oven floor. My first plan of attack was to lift it with a spatula, but no dice. I had to ratchet up my game with a pair of pliers - which worked, thank goodness - sparing me from getting out a crowbar.
Okay, so you're thinking: isn't Barbara's youngest kid 8? Well, yes and no since the youngest three have Down syndrome. Actually, my prime suspect is Jesse, who clocks in at 13, but who is still learning some of the basics. He's been that rare child who somehow didn't go through that three-year-old stage of wanting to help, but now is playing Jesse-come-lately and picking up random items and stuffing them in the most peculiar places.
People who do not live with four kids with Down syndrome have no idea how God can use them to force you to let go of your attachment to things. Especially when you have a loose cannon like Jesse who thinks he is helping by putting things away but from whom you can always expect the unexpected.
Anyway. I am back to those days of motherhood where you MUST remember to check the oven before turning it on to cook. Those of you with beginning toddlers can take a memo now from Momma C. and avoid asphyxiating your family later.
Posted in Humor, Mothering, Safety | Permalink
Comments
HAHAHAHAH! That is so what would happen at my house. *Sigh* thank you for putting in the picture!
Posted by: Imajackson | December 4, 2008 10:27 AM
OK, I don't live with 4 kids w/DS, but one 4 year old red head with Down Syndrome will make you forget about any attachment to material things! If only I kept a list of everything of mine he's ever broken! The number one was a 2001 edition PartyLite snowglobe that was my absolute favorite and that you cannot get another one! That will teach mommy to put pretty things in reach!
Posted by: Kim Moore | December 4, 2008 11:52 AM
Your story made me laugh. I have a 5 year old with DS and you're not kidding--you cannot be attached to ANYTHING!!
Posted by: Amy | December 4, 2008 1:30 PM
You deserve some kind of medal...this cracked me up.
Posted by: Jillian Bandes | December 4, 2008 1:41 PM
Ah, further adventures in motherhood. One day you will say to Tripp, remember the time Jesse put the tape in the oven?
The other day I asked all within earshot where my rubber gloves went. Will, who is 4 with DS dutifully went to the furnace register, lifted it and pulled out my missing gloves. I was too impressed at his memory skills to scold him :)
Maybe you should write a book about the kooky side of motherhood....
Posted by: Kelly | December 4, 2008 2:19 PM
I remember one time when I discovered the "cookies" my son had put in to bake the day before --a little too late. Pre-heated the oven. Smelled a terrible smell. Found rows of nice, colorful Discovery Toys magnets melted permanently to a cookie sheet. =)
Posted by: Marian | December 4, 2008 10:24 PM
I now have to check my washing machine before putting in the clothes. Seems that, to a 6 year old with DS, clothes washers and diswashers do the same thing. One day I found a plate and fork in the clothes washer when I threw in the towels. At least he put his dishes away to be cleaned!!
Posted by: Brenda | December 5, 2008 10:19 AM
Every time I think the kids have broken something irreplacable, I check ebay. There are some of those Partylite snowglobes for sale there now.
Posted by: melissa | December 7, 2008 4:22 PM
