My, my, up and down it goes
Today was an up/down/up/down kind of day. I believe that this what they call a roller coaster. (I’ve heard of roller coasters; I think they exist in that mythical land called The WEST.)
First I had some highly skilled parenting moments in which I had the following conversation:
Me: “Kid A, will you please water the garden for me? We need to go and meet Claudia at the beach and I’m running late.”
Kid A: “I can’t. I’m too tired, and I don’t want to.”
Me: “Fine then! Just wait until the next time you want help! I’m not going to help you!”
Kid A: “What?” (Genuinely baffled.)
Your welcome for the stellar example of boundary setting, including a nice wallop of impossible consequences. No help for you, kiddo! That’s what you get for being so unhelpful! Of course, I blame my lapse on the fact that I sometimes turn into a nine-year-old, without warning. It’s not my fault!
But then the kids and I made it out and met my friend for breakfast on the beach. She was leaving today to go traveling to other places in India (with Renee! Ack, Renee-less and Claudia-less! Double blow!) and we had coffee and peered at the ocean in the distance and tried to tell each other how much we mean to one another. (That was an awkward sentence, that.)
The kids played, and Solo tackled the other babies, just like I’ve trained him to. I’ve tried to warn him, though. Go for the toddlers that have elder brothers and sisters! Because those first-time parents can be lethally protective. To his credit, he doesn’t mean to attack the toddlers. He just gives really big hugs and then if you start pulling him away because the other kid is shrieking, he kicks at them, for good measure. Sigh.
A man yelled at me for getting in his way in traffic. I cried.
Then we ate grapes and cheese and bread and I had a blissful hour of doing embroidery work on a skirt I was making for Claudia while listening to This American Life. I think it may be my favorite way to spend an afternoon.
Then Solo pulled a mayonnaise jar off of the counter and it shattered on the floor. Let me tell you, my friends, that you haven’t experienced the true bliss of life until you’ve combed your fingers through gelatin-like mayonnaise on a marble floor, pulling pieces of glass out. There is nothing to equal the greasiness, the potential danger, the pure fatty sharpness of it.
And then it was time to say goodbye at the taxi. Big hugs and kisses and Claudia and Renee spun off, a little late, to catch their train. I love my friends. I will miss them.
Back to the house and while I was making dinner, Solo broke my favorite coffee cup, which was nice because I loved it and I didn’t want it anyways! Stupid coffee cup! So smooth in the hand, so brown, so perfectly sized and shaped. I’m glad I’m rid of it!
But around the dinner table I was filled with this warm rush of love for all their crazy selves. I love this family. I love these kids. I even love these kinds of days, when Solo makes me crazy, and then runs into the room, teeth first in that way he has, just to throw his arms around my legs and try to kiss my knee cap. I love that he lets me pinch his cheeks (gently and ceaselessly) and I love the conversation that never stops swelling and ebbing all around me. I love goodbyes sometimes, because we try to say what we feel shy to say at other times.
Also, I love Ira Glass and my blooming bougainvillea and going to the vegetable stand to find the perfect purple cabbage. Life, in other words. God and His eternal goodness.
20 comments
Is there anything sweeter than a toddler giving you a kiss on the knee cap?…those were the days, when my babies were babies…they sure did fly by–those sweet years which at the time seemed so hard– and I often think how wonderful it would be to return to that time for a few hours. Thank God for the memories.
Yes, Goodness. That way you describe Solo! I cannot wait to meet him!
Awesome post Rae! We’ve had a few roller coaster days ourselves, but I think you handled yours better.
Oh babe! Sounds like you could use a break
flutter´s last blog ..
sounds like bliss really.
Tj´s last blog ..Hot Tubbing
Rae, you really gave me repeated chuckles. I’m chuckiling because I don’ t know who is awake and who is sleeping around here. And well, volume control… Your convo with Kid A was amazing. Way to laugh at it. Glad Solo’s becoming a real keen wrestler. Life skills, I say, teach them life skills. Thanks Rae for sitting back and laughing at the lows.
I had a favorite coffee cup. And lamp. They are both cracked now. Thank you four children whom I also threaten with unfollow-able consequences.
Me to my 14 year old son when he told me he couldn’t mow the grass because he was too tired from doing his homework:
“Fine, no problem, then I guess I’m just not going to help YOU then, with ANYTHING. EVER!”
We both looked at each other and burst into hysterical laughter. A classic moment I’ll treasure forever.
Eleanor´s last blog ..List
Wait a minute…Devon gets to meet Solo?
Is it possible to envy a commentbox? Answer: yes, indeed.
Eleanor´s last blog ..List
i love these days too. sometimes it feels like every day is like this day…but that too can be a good thing, no?
mamie´s last blog ..In Like a Lion
This is a fill-me-up post. I can feel your feelings and it fills me UP.
(in a good way, of course!)
We love Ira! The blessing of a TV that only spits out jibber jabber spits and spats of Chinese is that we have learned to love the podcasts… kind of like a modern day radio hour. So glad you get to enjoy them too. Ever listen to the Kindlings Muse? Or Radio Lab? Or Mars Hill Audio? They are my list toppers.
I think your Solo and my little Scout need to hang out together.
Thank God for crazy/loving families and interesting talk shows!
Christine´s last blog ..Taking Over the World One Toddler at a Time
mmmmmmmmI loved this post. I love your style of writing and your family is totally awesome. Life is good.
Yesterday I broke my son’s favourite mug. I hope he took it with yoru same attitude …
I loved this post too. It made me wish you could write about my roller coaster days for me so I could see the beauty and the laugh lines in the corners. (P.S. – I wish I could meet Solo.)
Bethany´s last blog ..Heirloom
Hey I enjoyed reading your blog . I am going to add you to my bookmark. I have a new website I would like for you to check out.
Family Crisis – parenting advice I have a directory and weblink page if you would like to add your information
Lovely post
I used to say that when talking with my 14 year old, I am reduced to a 4 year old!
Friends add a certain sweetness to life
lagata´s last blog ..Post-It Tuesday (on Wednesday)
Great post Rae!! I smile and get teary all at once.
The rollercoaster days can bump you around hard. Best to just ride them as you did, cry when needed, laugh when it comes and smooch that mayonnaise into your skin for some unexpected moisturising moments.
kim at allconsuming´s last blog ..WANT – Things of Colour
There’s beauty everywhere…
Amelia´s last blog ..Values Quilt
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