12 Things I Learned This Week, Vol 134

From infinity pools to washing machines. From mojitos to cough medicine. From lounge chairs to basketball bleachers. I’m afraid there’s no denying the fact that vacation is over. It sure was fun while it lasted…

Lesson #1: You can’t help but be grateful for the once-in-awhile positive outcome of a parenting faux pas. Rather than beating myself up after discovering I forgot “lights out” and finding Big up reading two hours past his school-night bedtime, I decided to pat myself on the back for raising such an enthusiastic reader.

Lesson #2: One of the biggest bummers of being a little girl with two big brothers is that when their friends come over, they don’t give your Strawberry Shortcake dolls the attention they so obviously deserve.

Lesson #3: When you turn off the shower only to hear, “Hurry! Before mom comes!” you realize being dirty is sometimes the lesser of two evils.

Lesson #4: When you work yourself up for months about how your kids will react when you finally tell them you’re going on an 8-day vacation without them, you brace yourself for what’s sure to come after the dreaded question, “So, do you have anything you want to ask me?” Then you realize you think way too highly of yourself when your preschooler replies with, “Um, yeah. Will you take pictures?”

Lesson #5: It used to be that knowing all the words to It Takes Two made me the coolest chick at the party. During Lenny’s company getaway, it made me the oldest.

Lesson #6: No matter what age you are, when the dance floor calls, answer with enthusiasm. Because if you sit on the sidelines, you might miss out on lovely compliments from the youngsters like, “I wanna be like you when I’m old.”

Lesson #7: Iguanas are vegetarians. (Or at least that’s what people tell you when one swims up next to you in a Puerto Rican pool.)

Lesson #8: After overhearing the boys the other day, I have a feeling things are about to get interesting around here…
Little: Why are songs always about girls?
Big: Remember? The whole feelings thing?
Both: <deep sigh>

Lesson #9: We often hear what we want to in other people’s words. When I asked Little how his basketball game went while we were away, he said his coach told him he was the best player on the team. After a couple clarifying questions, I discovered he came to this conclusion thanks to a simple (but apparently loaded), “Good hustle, Little!”

Lesson #10: It’s well worth the wait to see good friends who moved away when simply being together means, “We’re having the best time in the world!”

Lesson #11: I don’t know what I love more — the fact that Big’s teacher encouraged the kids to bring a stuffed animal to movie day, or the fact that he hasn’t become “too cool” to oblige. (Yet.)

Lesson #12: I have officially passed the baton. Even I can’t keep up with the level of crazy in Little’s basketball bleachers this year.

Stay young, stay calm, and stay just the way you are. Because, if you ask Little, you’re absolutely the best.