Resolutions for 2012:

1. I will find a regular, adult, capable-of-staying-overnight sitter for my children. This will likely involve calling the local nanny agency and interviewing nannies and paying through the nose to find someone who won't end up on Dateline NBC. However, in the past year, it has become extremely apparent that my parents, who live two miles away, are not viable answers for even emergency childcare situations. I don't trust their judgment, their interest, or (most importantly) their health. I do have a regular sitter, but she has a family and a regular job, and I need a back-up. This will alleviate a lot of anxiety for me and allow me to envision future weekend trips for my anniversaries (we haven't even gone out to dinner the past two years!).

2. I'm going to get up the energy to make more food at home. This pregnancy has knocked me out. I have never before barfed until eighteen weeks. I am still taking Zofran to alleviate some debilitating nausea. But my children are going to be supersized if I don't get a handle on the situation (let's not even mention me). I do not enjoy cooking at all. I'm not particularly good at it, and then when I do it, at least one half of the residents of my household are unhappy with what I have made or chosen. It's demoralizing. But we are all going to have to suck it up before we all have to suck it in!

3. I WILL get this house in order. It might kill me. But women have died for lesser causes.

4. I will NOT allow anyone to convince me to volunteer in a classroom next school year. I love my children, but the weekly gigs absolutely kill my momentum at home. I'll be available to pinch hit or do special projects, but a regular assignment is just too much.

5. I will start one of two sure-fire million dollar ideas: either embark on an actual effective system for organizing and storing Legos (We put men on the moon, people. We can't do better than the current offerings?) and especially Lego *sets* or start my own PURELY RECREATIONAL sports league for children in my area. No pros, semi-pros, or children with biceps allowed. No fathers (or mothers) allowed to coach. Customers would pay more for third party coaches, but they would get less politics and Daddyball and ridiculousness. Families would have to sign contracts stating they are happy for their children to play, that winning *and losing*  are part of playing sports, that every child should be able to get to play infield or quarterback. When they are ready for more competition, they are free to leave -- there are plenty of places to find that.I'm going to be rich, people. And my kids might actually be able to just play a game instead of having to worry that their uniforms might not get dirty all season.

6. Write more, obviously.

There are more, like getting my middle child out of nighttime pull-ups, but I will leave it at that. That's enough for now.

Happy and productive 2012, everyone!