A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Oct 3 2008

Checking for feathers

Category: Just Me

Nathan's developing a very unpleasant habit of taking things that aren't his. This past school year I'd clean out his backpack and find school supplies, fast food toys, or other trinkets I knew weren't his. I'd ask him to return the items to their rightful owners, but somehow they never made it out of his backpack or I'd find them later hidden in his desk.

When the items looked valuable, like a bracelet he found on the playground, I'd insist that he turn it in to the lost and found at school. Still he'd conveniently forget to turn it in, and I'd end up  doing it myself.

During the last week of school at Field Day, he found a wallet. First he tried to pass it off as a gift. Then he finally admitted he found it. Again, I'd bring up the lost and found. I was beginning to sound like a broken record.

We left the playground, and I accompanied Nathan to the lost and found in the lobby. Distracted by Lucie, I lost track of where he went. I finally found Nathan coming out of the bathroom.

"So, Nathan, you put the wallet in the lost in found?" I asked.

"Yes, I did," he answered.

"Well, can you show me where you put it? I didn't see it when I looked," I told him.

"Oh, oops, I forgot. It's in my pocket!" Nathan said.

I grabbed the wallet from him and shoved it in the lost and found box. Shaking my head, I told him how disappointed I was with him and that I'd tell his dad. While I know this behavior is typical of many kids his age, I'm not thrilled that he's turning into a magpie either.

 

Sep 29 2008

Me and my shadows

Category: Just Me

I'm an introvert in a house full of extraverts. I love quiet and solitude. The rest of my family loves being in a noisy crowd, if not at the center of one.

Occasionally, I'll notice Nathan and Lucie playing nicely together in the living room. Wanting to take advantage of the situation, I'll tiptoe upstairs hoping to put away the laundry -- or maybe to sneak in a little writing -- without interruption.

It's inevitable that as soon as I settle into whatever it is I'm doing, the two of them come barging in. While I haven't timed it, it feels like it takes about five minutes for their mommy's-not-around radar to go off and send them straight to wherever I am.

Like tonight. Before I knew it, the kids had invaded my room, taken off their clothes, and jumped in my shower. They started fighting, yelling at me to referee. Then they ran out of hot water, and the shower door slammed open with a loud bang. And I was pulled away by my two shadows -- wet, naked, and giggling -- asking me to help them get dressed for bed.

Did the Peter Pan story ever mention how he lost his shadow? Maybe I can use his method from time to time and get something done around here.

 

Sep 18 2008

Turn out the light

Category: Just Me

My sister sent Lucie the most adorable outfit this week. No reason in particular, except that she's a nice aunt who loves to buy cute things for her niece. (Nathan got a present, too.)

It's a long white dress made out of t-shirt fabric with ruffling at the sleeves. It's so comfy that Lucie's using it as a night gown which I prefer as I think it's a bit shear to wear as a dress. After all, we don't want everyone knowing she's wearing her Disney princess pull-ups. Nothing more embarrassing than pull-up panty lines!

On the chest is a diamond-shaped patch with a print of a '50s style lamp, very similar to the light on my night stand. I'm amused by this little graphic touch, not because my sister knows it would appeal to my love of vintage design. Instead, it's because the lamp has a pull chain.

Like her dad, Lucie is a night owl, and often stays up until 10 p.m. or later. When Lucie wears this nightie I'm tempted to reach over and pull the chain thinking I can turn her off for the evening and get her to bed on time.

Wouldn't it be nice if kids came with an off button?