A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Aug 19 2008

Best friends

Category: At Home

There are days when I check Nathan and Lucie for physical signs of devilishness. Surely their bottoms have sprouted forked tails and their heads grown horns since their last bath. Otherwise, why are they constantly fighting and yelling horrible things at each other? Could these two mean and evil children be the devil's spawn? The name Lucie is pretty close to Lucifer, after all. 
 
Sometimes the children make a big effort to get along, like on weekend mornings when Paul and I attempt to sleep in. Nathan acts the part of the good big brother and takes care of his sister. He gives Lucie a hug good morning when she finds her way downstairs. Nathan then gets her a sippy cup or some yogurt, and covers Lucie with a blanket when she lies down on the couch next to him to watch cartoons.

When they hear us walking around our bedroom, Nathan sends Lucie on a reconnaissance mission to see if we're awake. Then Nathan bounds up the stairs after her once she gives the all clear. They both climb into our bed, inevitably crowding me out. I jump into the shower, and they hang out with their dad. After I get out, I towel off and listen to Nathan badgering his dad with a request for the day's agenda.

Paul then heads for the shower, leaving the two kids in the bed watching TV. One morning, Lucie beamed at Nathan and put her arm around him. With a big smile she turned to me and said, "Best friends." My heart skipped a beat, and I sighed, loving the moment. Maybe my kids aren't as devilish as I think.

 

Aug 18 2008

Dueling mamas

Category: Just Me

I was talking with a friend on the phone, when we got into a discussion about our families' recent ill health.

First, I told her that Paul had strep two weeks ago. Then she came back with the story of her husband being sick and staying home from work.

I told her about how well Lucie and Nathan were recovering from their ear infections. She then told me about both her son's ear infection, and how the doctor had to prescribe a stronger antibiotic since the first medicine didn't work.

I told her how lucky we've been that Nathan only had three ear infections and Lucie just had her first. She told me that her son's had over a dozen ear infections, and that the doctor thought the tubes in his ears were beginning to fall out.

I related the story about how we all had eye infections for the past week. She mentioned a homeopathic remedy that helped cure her kids' conjunctivitis in two days.

Usually mamas get competitive about their kids' achievements. You know that "my kid's a genius because she's sleeping through the night" mentality? But I never got into a dueling match over health matters before.

Luckily, I was amused by this one-upmanship. (Or should that be one-upmomship?) She probably just wanted a little reassurance and affirmation after a few tough weeks with her family.

 

Aug 15 2008

A new imaginary friend

Category: At Home

As I was putting dishes away, I heard Lucie talking to someone. So I asked, "Lucie, who are you talking to?" thinking it was to one of her animal buddies.

"I'm talking to Potato Seal," she replied.

Potato seal? I looked around -- no stuffed toys in sight. "Lucie, who are you talking to?" I asked again.

"The potato!" she said. Lucie pointed to the yam on the table that I was going to cut up and cook for my dinner. "It looks like a seal, Mommy."

I'm glad she has such a vivid imagination. Yet talking to a vegetable is a bit extreme. Before I know it, she'll be having a tea party with the toaster. We need to get a dog for that girl. Or at least something I won't be eating for dinner.