Out of the mouths of my babes (Vol. 1)

6-year-old Rachel as I was attempting to use the bathroom with an entourage in my midst: “I just realized something. Mommy never gets any alone time. I remember when I started school, and it was quiet and no one was talking, and I thought, ‘This is nice.’ I’d never had that before. Mommy, you still haven’t had it.”

Maybe I need to re-enroll in school.

Then she asked me, “Do you every daydream?”

“Yes.”

“I did it once, too.”

Once? You jest, my sweet absent-minded professor. This is the child who lives in La-La Land.

“Please get your coat, Rachel,” I say.

“Okay.”

As we are getting to leave, I notice she doesn’t have her coat on or with her. “Where’s your coat?”

“What coat?”

Aiiieeeeeeeeeee.

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Not that Madeline is totally on top of things. Do any of your children always leave drawers, cabinets, closet doors, etc. open? Well, mine does. Every day. Every single time she opens anything. I’ve tried to remind her, but I’m tired of nagging. I am in the acceptance stage. She is a funny, creative, kind child – she doesn’t remember to close things.

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Speaking of absentmindedness, we recently read a selection from a library book called Tales for the Telling: Irish Folk & Fairy Stories about a wise, kind, and white cat who recruits a prince to save a princess-prisoner from having to marry a cruel, oafish giant. Well, the cat kept giving the prince warnings that he shouldn’t eat anything because he would forget his mission. The prince kept accidentally eating (so much for mindful eating) and would, not surprisingly, become distracted and forget about poor Princess Cora. Then the loyal cat returns and reproachfully reprimands and reminds him of the prince’s calling. By the time the prince committed his third mental gaffe, Madeline rolled her eyes and said, “Geez. He’s more forgetful than I am, and that’s saying a lot. Who would want to marry him anyway?”

—

We were leaving for the morning drop-off, and my good friend passed by. I waved enthusiastically at her. She energetically waved back.

“She’s waving furiously, too,” Madeline observed. “You two are geeks.”

She’s just jealous of my our coolness and overzealous friendship. And as my friend – who just started a new blog! – pointed out, “Overzealous waving is the way to go. Otherwise, you just seem aloof.”

We’ve decided to be even more dramatic in my daughter’s presence. It’s fun to embarrass the emerging tween.

—

I’ve been trying to keep it quiet in the car during Lent, and so I’ve had the pleasure of overhearing some fun musings coming from the backseat. Both Rachel and Madeline were listing all the things they want to do with their lives. They have very ambitious lists: art, soccer, theatre, horseback riding, vet school, gymnastics, teaching, etc. Mary Elizabeth interrupted, “When I grow up, I want to be a mommy.”

Then Thomas piped in. “When I grow up, I want to be a daddy.”

All their pretend house-playing is good practice.

Later that same day, Mary Elizabeth commented to our babysitter, who had just painted her nails, that it takes a long time for the paint to dry.

Thomas joined the conversation. “It takes a long time to,” he said, “grow up.” I hope so. I don’t want my baby boy growing up too quickly.

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And that’s a wrap.

Have a wonderful weekend!