stressin'

This is mainly a vent, I'm sure I will feel better once I get it out. We went to IHOP this morning for breakfast. The girls are usually well behaved at least for 2 year olds. It started out very nice. They were sitting in their highchairs enjoying their fruit plate. I guess when they finished they were "done" with breakfast. They wanted out of their seats. I told them sit in your seats your pancakes are coming. No, they wanted nothing to do with sitting. They were literally standing up in their highchairs. So I brought Chloe over to sit with me since I'm trying hard not to cause a scene in the restaurant at 8am. Then of course Kayla wants to sit with Dad. Oh, boy I totally feel myself losing control of this situation. I try to put Kayla back in her seat and she ends up wedging her knees and feet in the leg openings. Therefore she ends up stuck in the seat, I'm trying to get her out and all that is happening is the highchair is lifting off the ground. I think at this point I was laughing to try to cover up my embarrassment, and if I didn't laugh I would probably break down in tears. Shawn finally came and got her unstuck then took her outside to have a "chat". I was able to get Chloe into her chair basically telling her if she doesn't sit down, her friends are not coming over today. After Shawn and Kayla's "chat" she was better. The rest of breakfast went pretty smooth. I told Shawn we are "that" family where people leave the restaurant and probably say those kids are so bad.
Then we had to go to the grocery store, since they have friends coming over today for a play date we had to get snacks. Chloe wanted to walk so for some reason probably to add to my frustration level Shawn let her. Kayla just sat in the cart. Chloe was good until Shawn had to run to the soda aisle to get our free six pack. I thought she went with Shawn, Shawn thought she was with me. All of a sudden I hear her crying..mama..mama...great I'm trying to pay, keep an eye on Kayla and now my other kid is wondering the grocery store. I go to find Chloe and least the bag boy was nice enough to watch Kayla. As I'm walking over to Chloe, Shawn turns around to get her. WTF is going on I'm thinking, excuse my french. Mind you it's only 9am at this point in my day and I already need a drink and I don't drink!!!
Now at this moment 1145am the girls are upstairs. They are supposed to be taking a nap before their friends get here at 1pm. I heard them in the bathroom,went up to investigate and they had gone potty. That's all fine and dandy but Kayla went in their "little potty" and was trying to help by emptying the tinkle into the "big potty" and it dumped all over the floor. So now I'm mopping the bathroom floor.
Oh and did I mention Shawn just left for a golf outing...lucky him!!

Sometimes, I definitely feel like I'm losing control of my kids, they don't listen to me, they listen to Shawn. He only has to say something once and they do it. I have to say if you don't finish your dinner you don't get dessert. I feel like I always have to threaten them with a consequence. Why can't they just eat their dinner. Of course that is just one example. I'm sure if super nanny came here she would say I need her help! I know I've been more lenient with them and haven't really been a stern parent. I always think about when I was pregnant and in the hospital for six weeks, praying everyday we would get to 32weeks so they could get here and be safe. I know how lucky I am to have them here and I know that interferes with my disciplining them. I have to get a grip on the situation though or else by the time they are five they'll be controlling me.
I think I'm pms-ing too, so that isn't helping me either!!! I guess I'm done venting for now, I need to get some laundry done.