Even Ventriloquists Go to School

September 02 2011

Posted in: Daily · Tags: Jedi, life, school

The morning sprung up on me with a bang and a migraine as I lumbered out of bed a half an hour before the alarm was to ring. I always hate when that happens. As I stumbled groggily and with a pounding head into the bathroom to grab some medicine, I could hear Jedi shuffle his feet against the blankets of his bed.

He was awake, as well.

I knew he wouldn’t rise early intentionally, though. It was a school day, and as great as he does when there, his preference to stay home is no secret. He pleads and fakes sick, making his plight as pitiful as possible. The tricks are all familiar, however, as I perfected them myself during my own school years.

Well, most of them.

A bout of ventriloquism was a first.

I tiptoed about, head still pounding, until the clock struck quarter after seven, when it was time to take upon the task of dragging unwilling weight out of their more enticing comfort. Leaving Jedi for last, as he’s always the worst, I walked in to find that he had slid down to the foot bed, submerged as a ball of limbs under the covers.

“Come on, Jedi! I know you’re awake, I’ve heard you moving around in here”, I informed him. Except I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.

“Whoever this Jedi is you speak of, he’s not here”, the lump muttered in a muffle from under the covers. “This is the bed talking.”

Nice try. Very creative. But you still have to do better than that.

Hairdressing

September 01 2011

Posted in: The Kids · Tags: Abby, Buzz, sibling love

If there’s one thing my daughter loves, it’s brushing her hair. The more you run a comb through Abby’s curly strands, the happier she’ll be. Momentarily, anyway. She doesn’t want you to stop. And after you say enough, your hair has been coiffed to perfection, she’ll purposefully tousle her still not very long crown of locks just so it can be swept in place again.

If she can’t have her hair brushed, however, next in line is to brush yours.

Or, her model of choice, Buzz’s.

I can tell it’s that time when she goes in search for her favorite comb in the bathroom drawer set aside for hair clips, bows, and bands. Then she stomps throughout our relatively tiny abode in search of Buzz, her favorite makeover victim. Where he’ll sit still, if not happily, and lovingly allow his sister to pull a comb through his short hair. For a few minutes. Until he’s had enough. Because Abby could play that game all night long if he let her.

“Buzz, get back here! Sit there!”, she’ll yell after in her normal bossy tone, as he stands, attempting to dart away in an open opportunity. Last night, for instance, he tried to hide under a pile of pillows. But he doesn’t like to listen to her cries, so he complies, sitting back down again as told. And the hairdressing continues. Thankfully, she has yet to try to dress him in sparkly pink headbands.

What that boy puts up with for his sister. I’ve been sure to tell him that he’s such a good big brother. Truth is, I’m just glad it’s him and not me.

2nd Graders Don’t Hug

August 31 2011

Posted in: The Kids · Tags: conversation, Jedi, school

In 1st grade, Jedi became good friends with a boy named Obi-Wan. They were such good friends that they would greet each other with a hug every day. This is now 2nd grade, however, and they are growing up. Things are different.

After a brief discussion about how his first day back at school went, I wondered if all the kids from last year were still in his class. “Was Obi-Wan there?”

“Yes”, he replied.

“Did you give him a hug?”, I asked.

“No”, Jedi responded, a boy of few words on this rare occasion.

“Why not?”

“I just didn’t.”

Sensing the answer myself, and remembering how different the politics of each higher grade are, I offered, “Are you too big in 2nd grade to give each other hugs?”.

“Yes”, he agreed before repeating, “I’m too big now”. Then, he quickly clarified, “But only at school. I can still give you hugs at home.”. Whew, well that’s good to know. The force, it’s still strong in that one. As long as it’s in the privacy of these walls, anyway.

The Next Round

August 30 2011

Posted in: Daily · Tags: Abby, motherhood

My daughter is 3 going on 15.

Nothing new here, I know. It’s that age. Still, it amazes me how downright strong-willed and opinionated and unwilling to budge an inch she is. What makes it worse is that we argue. Full-fledged arguments, where I tell her no and she insists yes and by the end one of us is crying and running off to slam doors and the other wishes that kind of behavior was acceptable on her end. A good door slamming might alleviate a lot of stress.

This doesn’t just happen once every now and then. It’s all day, every day thing.

So while I would love to say my days have been quieter while the boys have been at school and I’ve been to able to accomplish a list worth of to-do’s, I’m more often than not attempting to breathe. Recooperating for the next round. Because how dare I try to put her feet in clean socks when these dirty ones here are better, or she’s on her 76th YouTube video of laughing babies and I just can’t take anymore so here, let’s just turn it off for now, OK?

No, it’s not OK. And oh, all hell breaks loose.

But then she climbs up in my lap and wraps her arms around my neck, making sure both of mine are wrapped around her. The embrace is tight. For a moment, then, we slow down and she’s simply my 3 year old beautiful little girl.

Until the next round.

Second Day Progress

August 23 2011

Posted in: Daily · Tags: Buzz, Jedi, school

I am currently on day 2 of having 2 kids in school. Both days, my freshly-minted kindergartner screamed bloody murder for me as I walked away. Assurances were made that he quickly calmed, however, and all was well. Because I’m sure a child can only cry for so long before they pass out from exhaustion.

Though I tried not to dwell on that. Instead, I paced.

With both my boys at school for the day, I thought for sure I’d enjoy my quiet time. One kid is easy in comparison. Or, easier anyway. Whether one kid or many, raising a little person is hard. But I thought I’d relish in the free extra minutes I would find to myself.

It turned out to be the longest day of my life.

6:45a.m. – Get out of bed because I couldn’t sleep anyway.
6:55 – Abby wakes up to join me, of course.
7:15 – 8:15 – Wake up/eat breakfast/get ready
8:30 – Drive to school
8:45 – 9:30 – Try to calm Buzz to no avail. Walk away with the boy in tears.
9:45 – 10:30 – Worry about Buzz
10:30 – Call to check on Buzz. Was assured all was calm.
10:31 – 11:30 – Watch the clock tick the seconds slowly by. At the end of the hour profess, “Oh my god, it’s only been an hour?”.

Repeat that above hour until it was time to pick them up at 2:30. Obviously, I miss the boys a lot more than I assumed I would. Today has been better though. I’ve actually been able to pay attention to other things without glancing up at the clock every few seconds. Progress!