I just stepped out of the bathtub, making a little more room for my squirmy children and their toys. Nonetheless, they were sad to see me go. Why are you getting out, Mama?
Because I'm cold. And you two keep squirting me with the bath toys, and I'm wearing a pink turtleneck sweater rolled and tucked up to nearly my armpits and nothing else below and if your father (or anyone else in the universe besides you two, for that matter) were to see me just now I'd feel a little undignified. That's why.
I didn't say all that; I think I just said because it was time to get out. Then I got dressed and coaxed them out, all shivery and mottled pink, and wrapped them up in towels. They sat on my knees and we sang 'I love you, a bushel and a peck...' over and over until peace and happiness seemed secured. More or less.
It's funny, but at this moment, the happiest thing about 2010 for me is the fact that it will bring the return of preschool in but a few short days. Getting into that bathtub tonight was Mama jumping the shark - I would do ANYTHING to improve the mood around here. It's better than snipping and sniping, which is what I spent a good part of the afternoon and evening doing.
I realize that a break in routine for my eldest child is stressful no matter what, and with Mike home on his winter break and her snow-influenced long break from preschool, we've been enjoying a stretch of anything-goes family days filled with visitors and cookies and gifts. Sounds great, right? It IS! It has been! We've had grandparents galore, a singing and dancing smash of an aunt, an uncle with a hilarious gift for the accents of the British isles, a dear west coast friend, and long hours of drawing and reading and imaginary games with all the trucks and trains and little animals who arrived at Christmas.
Does this sound awesome or what?
And so a certain someone's grumpy and demanding attitude, her faster-than-the-speed-of-light launch into meltdown at the slightest obstacle or frustration has been...jarring. Okay, annoying. It's not just that she's suffering an excess of fun. Everyone starts to freak out when the fun is nonstop. I have been mindful of keeping things lowkey, maintaining lots of quiet, open time for things like Frances's latest book to emerge, Henry Maboo's Day.* It seems the very fact of our days not being like regular days rattles her nerves.
I'll spare you the details. Let's just say I'll have to seriously resist giving Miss Georgia an enormous bear hug on Monday morning. The joy I anticipate upon sight of her is not just about taking my kid off my hands for a few hours - it's about the way she and the rest of the children will restore Frances's equilibrium. (It's hard to cross one's fingers while typing, but I'm trying just now). I realize this one is bigger than me. My daughter is four. She has a world outside of her family - a pretty cool one - and she misses it.
Come to think of it, I miss the world outside my family too. Huh. Something in common! The bottom line is that it is hard to feel irritated with someone you love so completely. But the girl will have her preschool reunion soon - and the truth is we have managed some beautiful moments despite the stir crazies. Like the following, nearly too-cute to report on, but I can't resist:
Today Gabriel and Frances were having a hugfest. He went at her in a big bear hug and they wobbled and landed on the floor on their knees, laughing. Frances looked up at me with a big grin on her face and said: MAMA! We almost fell in love!!!
(I don't think she was making a joke - I think she believes falling in love must involve some actual falling down on the ground. Which, I suppose, it does, usually...)
*And here is the table of contents from Henry Maboo's Book:
(Maboo is his last name. You pronounce it MAH-booz.)
And the text reads (each line has its own page/picture):
One fine day, Henry dug up dinosaur bones.
One fine night, Henry saw a shooting star.
One fine day, Henry saw a garbage truck.
One fine day, Henry saw a butterfly.
One fine day.
Here's to many, many fine days and nights for all of you in 2010.
2 comments:
I love the "falling in love". It made me laugh. I think it's terribly accurate, too.
Oh how I remembering loving the ends of vacations and the returns of normalcy. Preschool can be a godsend for both mama and child. All I can say is - keep her healthy!
hahahahaha! Yes, cue the song: "It's the most... wonDERful time... of the year!" Back to school-time, that is! We were also at our wit's end yesterday, so today we declared a vacation from our problems (What-about-Bob-style) and went to Longwood Gardens. It turned out great! And Monday's coming soon...
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