This week, last week, heck, it’s summer. And they all run together anyway, right? Here’s some stuff that happened in our world lately. And if I didn’t have a non-napping toddler screaming at the top of her lungs this very moment, I’d certainly be writing a far more engaging humorous intro. But instead, I’m going to run to be a human kleenex. Family first, I say. Enjoy!
Lesson #1: A missing lovey will bring you to your knees. And your belly. And your tippy toes. And the edge of sanity. Twice in one week.
Lesson #2: Thanks to my amazing birthday present, I’m now one step closer to knowing what it’s like to be Fraulein Maria. With a line of kids following behind me on my new bike, I can’t help but want to sing Do-Re-Mi at the top of my lungs. (Maybe that’s the only thing I was missing all along. Maybe.)
Lesson #3: You don’t realize how far you’ve fallen by letting your kids pick out their own outfits until you tell them to go put on red, white, and blue for the neighborhood parade. I had no idea how totally open to interpretation that request was.
Lesson #4: Pink loves pink. Pink loves princesses. Pink loves French fries (“in my moouuff”). Pink loves ice cream (“in my moouuff”). Pink loves cuddles. Pink loves Little Quack. Pink loves to tell me what she loves.
Lesson #5: You know how some parents don’t let their kids watch DVDs in the car because they feel they should be doing something more educational? Well, have I got news for them. The other day, Little watched Nanny McPhee while driving to my mom’s house and he learned how to spell. “F-A-R-T. Fart!”
Lesson #6: I’ve located the Bermuda Triangle for sports equipment. It’s our front yard. Anyone missing a huge red rubber ball, a gold and black soccer ball, or a bright orange throwy disc thingie? Those are just a few of the treasures to come our way this month.
Lesson #7: You can’t keep a strong man (or boy) down. The other day when Big was coaching Little to hit a double in our front yard baseball showdown, I pitched and he hit a homer. (Read: I’m too lazy to run very far very fast to actually tag him out.) And, as he ran to first base, he kindly apologized to Coach Big, “Sorry, my power just got in the way!”
Lesson #8: If you need an extra 15 minutes of uninterrupted time to get ready before a grown-up night out, encourage your kids to play hide from the babysitter long before her/his arrival. My kids will sit giggling under a blanket until they hear a knock at the door. Then, of course, someone’s gotta get out to answer it.
Lesson #9: You expect that you won’t be the cool mom forever, but it’s a bit insulting when your 2-year old would rather sit with your friends — other moms — at the concert in the park. Oh wait, no, it’s not insulting. It’s awesome. (Thanks, ladies! Don’t forget the Barbies this week.)
Lesson #10: Contrary to popular 4-year-old belief, cherry jello is not made tastier by adding white chocolate chips.
Lesson #11: Contrary to popular 7-year-old belief, dissolving red chalk in water then freezing it in an ice cube tray does not make watercolor paint.
Lesson #12: When you turn your back on the kids long enough to do the breakfast dishes and hear, “Yes! I just advanced to knife diving level 4!” “Well I’m on level 6!”, you should probably stop and figure out what’s going on. But then you realize, that would just leave you with two more things to wash, so you keep going.
Lesson #13: I signed up for Mommy & Me Ballet! (Ok, that’s not a lesson, just something I’ve been wanting to shout from the rooftops for a week.)
Lesson #14: You know you’re getting old when you go on the family friendly train ride around the zoo and can’t help but wonder why it isn’t deemed a roller coaster. That baby cornered like it was on rails, I tell you.
Lesson #15: Most people go to the mall to spend money. Little goes there to make money. Within no time he’d found a quarter on the ground, and he up’ed his total by holding onto the penny I gave him to use for a fountain wish. (Perhaps that’s because he would have wished to find a quarter, and, well, that already came true.)
Oh, and if you missed it, please take a moment to read this post from last week. I’m thrilled to be partnering with the American Cancer Society to spread the word.
Here’s to a week of unexpected treasures and stolen moments with the ones you love — including yourself, of course.
Use Your Words