Monday, December 8, 2008

gloves are of the devil

This morning was a yelling morning.

What a terrible way to start the week. Winter is here, and I’m still getting our gear organized. (Which is to say, I finally put away our bathing suits and beach towels and replaced them with gloves and hats.)

The problem is with the gloves. I’ve decided that children’s winter wear is of the devil. Seriously. The gloves all get together at night and scatter—quick! We match! Run to the other side of the house!

We probably have eight matching pairs of gloves for the noisy boys, which we keep in the blue plastic basket in the entryway. (I know. I am SO CLASSY.) In the morning, it should be fairly simple to dig out a pair of gloves, a hat, and scarf and get geared up for the walk to school. Except it’s not. Not even close. Which is why I start yelling things like, "If you'd put your gloves away when you come in, you'd be able to find them," and "I don't care if they don't match, just put them on. We're going to be late."

So there you go. Not a good excuse to yell at everyone. I’m redoubling my efforts at organizing our winter gear and actually bought two more pairs of mittens today to add to the stash.

Bring it on, snow. Bring it on.

7 comments:

Liberty said...

I can't help but laugh. That reminds me of my sock battle all year long! :)

Marmot Mom said...

B-R-I-B-E-S, sister.

First of all, you are right, winter wear is of the devil.

Second of all, If you hide one small piece of Christmas candy in one fingertip of each glove in the basket, what do you want to bet they'll quickly find two that match?

The rule is that the small piece of candy in question can only be consumed while walking to school.

Of course, it goes without saying that if there should be any whining, fighting or crying; if someone should fail to put both on matching gloves immediately; if there is trouble of ANY KIND, the candy will need to be confiscated before they leave the house.

Then, we can always save the candy and try again tomorrow....hopefully with better results... :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Llama Momma, you speak for so many of us! I, too, have the "classy" basket of stuff right at the entryway. I, too, plead with all family members to put their stuff in the basket - then they'll be able to find them when we have to rush out of the house. I, too, have six odd mittens and gloves with no matches. what the heck am I supposed to do with them?? who wants or needs one mismatched glove?? thank you, again, for writing about the mundane things we deal with daily and making them funny. I appreciate you! Suzy

Llama Momma said...

Liberty -- it is a little bit like the sock thing. Except we've got fifty pairs of socks, so a few strays are no big deal!

Marmot Mom -- bribery would work if it were only a matter of cooperation. The trouble is, the gloves simply aren't there. They disappear in the night. Because they are of the devil.

Suzy -- You encourage me more than you know!! You remind me that I'm not alone on this journey. Miss you. :-)

LeeAnn said...

I finally solved the sock think by only buying socks in multiples. It's a whole lot easier to find two matching socks if there are six in that color and size- instead of just two... I wonder if that would help with gloves. Buy 2 or 3 pairs at a time of the exact same glove and increase your odds of finding a match. Oh and put GPS tags on them to find them in the house!!!

ChosenRebel said...

Great morning chuckle. From one who has been through the lost mitten stage -- these, even these, are all precious memories. Enjoy your boys and the hunt.

everydayMOM said...

I can soooo relate. At our house, it's not just the search for the gloves each morning that causes a near mommy meltdown, it's the putting ON of the gloves. The first one goes on without too much of a problem. But then it's physically impossible for the child to put the second glove on with his gloved hand. So, I pull it on, and THEN he realizes he can't zip his coat with two gloves on. I'm trying to remain calm, but can't get the words out of my mouth quickly enough: "Don't even THINK about removing those gloves..." He's already got them off and the process starts over. Meanwhile my car pool buddy is sitting in the driveway, which is stressing me out that much more. I think you have the answer, though... mittens. They might not look cool in kindergarten, but I think we're going to have to go there.