Is it just that it is too early on a Sunday morning, or are cartoons becoming increasing more odd?
And why does my 2 years old seem so fascinated?
They have no feet and the heads pop off…and a man thing just opened up and popped a pizza directly into his midsection – and if I am not entirely mistaken I think I just heard Betty White’s voice coming out of what I can only suppose is a Grandma?
I need coffee…
My daughter, S. Age 4.5 drew this for me tonight. She told me the big dragon, the daddy was upset that he couldn’t fly, but the others could and that the baby was very happy flying and playing games, and that the daddy should be happy because he is so big and colorful.
I just thought the picture was awesome, and as usual, overwhelmed with pride and amazement that somehow I have been lucky enough to have such a colorful little one in my life making me smile.
TYG.
I am writing on my phone, lying in bed next to an obnoxiously snoring little girl wearing her Christmas outfit from last year. (I have no idea where she found it.)
At my feet on the quilt is a happily snoozing pug – also snoring.
My son is asleep in his crib about 25 feet down the hall. I cannot hear him, but I can only assume similar noises are coming from his baby face.
The sun is shining brightly, I am still in my pajamas. My shining accomplishments today include getting the children to nap at the same time and making a wonderful pot of homemade chicken soup.
Ah. Today goes in the “WIN” column for sure!!
My daughter S. – Age 4 went to her first dance lesson this weekend.
We did the whole nine yards: bought the pink ballet shoes, tights and leotard; I even put her hair up in a bun for good measure, not knowing specifically what to expect.
I am not striving to be a dance mom. I never had dance lessons or even a single pair of ballet shoes. Mainly, because my kid seems kinda fascinated (if not, if I am honest, built for such things) with ballerinas and all things dance right now, I thought it would be fun for her and good exercise.
(Also her older cousin does it and she was totally jealous and I get that and don’t want her to feel left out. I am a sucker that way.)
Anyway. It was cute and sickeningly adorable to see all those little girls in their dance garb, trying to watch the teacher and raise their arms and point their toes.
My daughter was far more interested in using the dance bar as a monkey bar, climbing the mirror and trying to hang upside down. I felt a sick gush of pride at her skill, and grateful the bar didn’t come crashing down.
Even in that first class I did get exposed to some of the “dance mom” culture as they shouted “point your toes darling” to some of the girls and oohed and aaahed when their daughters did the right thing.
I refrained from rolling my eyes or saying “For God’s Sake they are FOUR!” Instead, I just smiled as my daughter galloped across the dance floor with a complete lack of delicacy and a giant smile on her face.
That’s what it is all about.
Happiness is a big pile of glistening yellow and gold cold, wet leaves found on a trip to the backyard with mom.
It is also knowing that in this one fragile moment the world and the sky and the trees are all hers, and adventure is everywhere she looks and hers for the taking.
I simply smile, and watch.
As parents with a baby or toddler, there are many things you think you should be discussing. Perhaps you might talk about parenting strategies, or growth charts, or even your hopes and dreams for baby.
In my home? Somehow we are always talking about poop.
Because we had not found out what we were having with – well – either of our children but especially with the first, all of the baby stuff was pretty gender-neutral.
So when we got our precious baby girl, and she was old enough for her first baby swing, I pushed for pink. Truthfully, I think, I had figured, coming from a family of predominantly girls, it would not matter: clearly I would also have girls.
Which, of course, didn’t happen. And now that my son is old enough to enjoy such wonderful things, we are too cheap to buy another swing.
So- pink it is!
Luckily, my very macho son, T – Age 14 months, is far too cool to let color stand in the way of utter delight:
There are at least a few moments most days when I am jealous of my children.
They don’t worry about finances, they squeeze into cramped spaces readily, and have a capacity for fun and merriment that I can only longingly admire.
Best of all? At this point in their lives, the world and the people in it exist solely to cater to their needs and amusement!
Here are a few photo examples from just this weekend of childish glee:
We’re worried about flooding in our kitchen these days. It has become a constant battle to keep the Pergo dry…
and the Pug hydrated.
We got our toddler (S. – Age 3.5) a bicycle a few months ago. We thought she would be thrilled.
Instead, because she didn’t know how to ride it perfectly- struggled with pedaling a bit and took a spill, she has basically refused to ride it. The sparkling, purple (ridiculously girly!) princess bike has literally sat in our garage for months. I would beg, threaten and cajole but could not get her on the thing no matter how hard I tried. Every attempt was an exercise in tears so finally, I let it go.
It has been driving me nuts.
A week ago, we went to the park and she saw her friend R. – Age 5 ride up the park on his bike. She didn’t mention anything to me about it but I know she noticed. I didn’t say anything either.
Two evenings ago I suggested to her perhaps she and I could take her bike out and try it before bed. She looked at me for a moment, the cocked her head sideways and said: “Well, I guess I could try.”
This morning that same kid rode that princess bike over a mile. What had started out as walking the dog S. – Age 3.5 turned into a quest, and I had not the heart to deny her. Accompanied by myself and our pug, she pedaled and pedaled and pedaled, and when she fell jumped right back up.
I had tears in my eyes. I am not sure if it was just pride – I think there may have been some (read: tons) of
OMG my baby is growing up!
in there too.
Here is a picture of the champ in her moment of glory:
The Mischief of Minions 