Special Occasions: A Laundry Lesson

My 7 year old.  Bless him.  For some reason, my darling youngest son decided that his "Fun with Money" class today was going to be far from fun.  So, he thought he could just decide not to go.  Yeeeeaaah, I don't think so. 

I say it's time to go.  He remains seated.  Not budging.  Plenty of fussing happening, but no walking.  Little does he know that momma's not playing games.  I've told him before that I don't count.  You know, some parents will say, "If you don't...by the time I count to..."  Nuh-uh.  Not this momma.  I'm still guilty of repeating myself sometimes (I'm a work in progress) but I refuse to count.  He should also know by now that I know which buttons to push to get his attention.  In an unusually calm voice I say, "Ok.  No media for the rest of the day."  Now he's wailing and causing a scene.  "Oh, I see.  You'd rather have no media for two days."  "No, no, no!  Mommy, I'm sorry.  I'm sorry!  Do you still love me?"  I reassure him and wonder if this is a sincere question or if he's just trying to make me feel guilty...or hoping this question will relieve him of his consequence.

Lost Titles and Lessons of Laughter

All married couples have them.  Even the good and strong ones like mine and my husband's.  We are by no means immune.  You know what I'm talking about.  The arguments that periodically ensue over the same old things?  You hem and haw and chew on it awhile and then, leaving the issue still unresolved, stick it back on the shelf until the next time one of you gets the urge to take it down, dust it off, and hem and haw over it again.  That's just life, I guess...particularly for two people as bull-headed as we are. lol

Lately, there has been a recurring thorn in our side and hopefully the Georgia Department of Revenue will do something to remedy that very soon.  Without going into the boring details, suffice it to say that my husband and I do NOT like talking about the lost title to our van and the havoc that such a simple thing like that can wreak on our demeanors and the overall pleasantness in our home.

Our latest "episode" happened last night in said van while we were driving down the road...as a family.  Yes, our kids were with us and heard our "argument".  Personally, I like to think that Justin and I disagree in a healthy manner most of the time, if that's even possible.  We don't resort to name calling or screaming or throwing things...most of the time.  (I once threw an entire roll of toilet tissue at him, hitting him in the back of the head with it, but in my defense...I was pregnant at the time.  Those hormones are no joke! ;))  I also don't think we do our children any favors by never fighting in front of them.  I mean, they do need to learn how to respectfully disagree with someone, right?  Only problem is, I'm not sure we were the best role models of that on this particular evening.

Right as we were in the middle of our heated "debate", Josiah started to whine from the back seat, "Mommy, Sadie said I'm..."  Before he could finish I was already getting on to him.  I was stern, focused, and in no mood for their shenanigans with each other.

"Josiah, how many times do I have to tell you guys to just get along?  Now work out your own problems amongst yourselves.  Can't you see that me and your Daddy are fighting right now?"

Naturally, my response to Josiah elicited a snort and a chuckle from my loving husband.  He tried to contain it but let's face it, it was funny.  I couldn't even type what I said without laughing.  What a ridiculous thing to say!  I'm getting on to my son for fighting with his sister while at the same time telling him I can't get involved in their problem because I'm too busy fighting with their daddy.  I definitely need to write that one down in the "Things I Never Thought I'd Say" book...that is, if I ever get one written.

Honestly, we were both glad for the comic relief.  I think it helped us put things in perspective.  I also think that laughter and humor are so important in a marriage.  Things seem to go much more smoothly when we just lighten up and stop taking ourselves so seriously all the time.  It's important to note that our "debate" went right back on the shelf that night still unresolved, but I'm ok with that.  We at least worked out a few things and while we still don't agree entirely on the issue, I believe we understand each other's perspective a little better.  Plus, we have something else to laugh about now.  A sure sign of a healthy marriage, right? :)

Laughing or Lying?

I took Sadie to participate in a preschool music class demonstration at Harding today.  At first she said she didn't want to go but I assured her that if she gave it a chance, she really would have a good time.  Of course, I was right. ;)

Her behavior during the class really had me inwardly chuckling most of the time.  She was kind of shy and clingy at first, which is not all that unusual but it did seem to take her a little longer to finally warm up to the group.  She smiled the whole time, giving the instructor (who was singing nearly the entire time) looks that seemed to say, "I'm still not sure about you yet.  You're singing everything you're saying.  I'm not used to that and really don't know what to make of it.  It's kind of creeping me out a little." lol  Anytime the teacher came near her or she was the center of attention, her face turned bright red.

Once she finally warmed up to the group, everything was funny.  She giggled at every song and every activity.  I really savor seeing my children enjoying themselves so much.  A child's laughter is so much more precious than an adult's.  They have little inhibition at that age and their happiness just seems to burst from their pores, from the top of their heads to the tips of their toes.  I love that.  I want to be more like that.  Free from any worry or stress.  Free to just squeal, jump up and down, and basically act like a fool without giving any thought to what other people may think of my behavior.  Wouldn't that be a sight to see?  How exhilarating.  How liberating that must be!

Of course, not everything about childhood is commendable.  For instance, Sadie told her entire class that we have a rabbit at home in a cage.  She even went so far as to tell them how we have to feed it food and water every day.  Yeah.  We don't have a rabbit.  In fact, we don't have any pets at all.  A vivid imagination is a wonderful thing.  Lying, on the other hand...not so much.  Unfortunately, many of us grown-ups find it easier to lie than to laugh like a child.  Personally, I'm gonna make a change.  Wanna join me? ;)

And since it was a music class...(and I know you already have this song in your head now, right?  Well, if you are anything like me, that is.)  Plus, it's just a fun song and lying isn't the only change we need to make... :)