So...back to Lissa, Parker, and the pool. As soon as I mentioned it was time to go Carter got this defiant little look on her face as she slowly started to move to the center of the pool. It was as if she was trying to work up the nerve to say out loud what was going through her head. And when the words finally came out they were pretty bold if I do say so myself. "NO...I'm not getting out and I'm standing in the middle of the pool so you can't get me!" I have to hand it to her, it wasn't a bad plan on her part. I mean she was standing in the middle of the pool and I really couldn't reach her. We stood there facing off as she was took a stand in the name of being 4 almost 5 years old.
Well, I did what any good mother would, I commanded her to get out...which didn't work. I threatened her...which still didn't work. Which led me to, "If I have to get a swimsuit on to get in there and pull you out you aren't even gonna' believe the trouble you're going to be in..." as I slowly walked toward the back door. At this point Lissa and Parker, who are older and wiser, were saying things like, "Just get out before she gets back!!"
Just when I thought I really was going to have to go in after her nature helped me out. A wasp slowly began flying around the water and as she got a little more nervous about the proximity of the wasp she slowly backed up in the water. With every step she got a little closer to the wall...
until finally....
I snagged her!!
The stand was over and it was my turn to take a stand for motherhood and remind her why it's so important to mind our mamma's!
Fast forward to the next day we were having lunch with a couple of other sweet friends, Mindi (who has been one of my besties since the 4th grade) and Mandi. They have adorable little boys Cooper and Hudson who are best buddies...
We were all enjoying some Chik-Fil-A. Well...most of us were enjoying it. Hudson and Cooper were just having one of those days were nothing was going their way. The chicken was a little hot...they collided in the play room (resulting in a bloody lip and sore head)...even ice cream didn't seem to help as they both battled brain freeze and would spontaneously bust out crying every few bites...
Meanwhile in the midst of the crying Mindi's son Grant spit up (read more like threw up) all over her. Carter (after having "learned her lesson" the day before) looked on from the other end of the table...
and Emme was pretty content to chill...
Let's just say it was a little chaotic...
But you know what we did?? Like the good moms they are my friends laughed...which led to us all laughing...and we laughed a lot! And it was like we were laughing right in the face of motherhood and saying, "HAHAHA, you just thought you could stress me out, but no such luck because WE'RE LAUGHING!!"
I learned a great lesson that day, laughter really is the best medicine. Because Life is good...
And there's no reason to sweat the small stuff. And as chaotic as kids can be sometimes the moment is only as bad as you allow it to be. Because at the end of a crazy day there are sweet things like this that put things back in perspective....
I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to witness such sweet friends and mom's in action and learn from them. I think sometimes that is what it's really all about.
We'll be looking forward to our next visit to West Texas...
Football season is just around the corner!!
P.S. If you ever find yourself taking an evening walk in the West Texas heat and your four (almost five year old) who was eager to walk is suddenly not so eager...
Just let her hold your baby! It serves as a double stroller in a pinch (and the dogs pulling them along helps too!)
5 comments:
I had a similar incident with the pool and my niece. I was babysitting and had to quickly become the bad aunt and make her get out of the pool. I threatened more than once and on the third time, I walked over (luckily she was at the side and it was below ground, grabber her arm and pulled her out of the pool. I think she was a little shocked. Thanks for t he reminder to laugh when things aren't going the way we'd like them:o)
Thank you for posting this. That day was a little less than a perfect outing! But, it was fun to be in your company and not be embarassed that my child (children) were acting the way they were. Sorry we didn't catch up as much as I wanted to. Maybe next time!
YAY!!! So happy you were able to capture all the crazy fun! What a great little memory to hang onto...especially when your not the momma anymore. :)
Oh Beth, THANK YOU!!! You don't know how much I needed to read that and LAUGH. Right now Will is still awake, crying over some itchy mosquito bites. This is my first moment away from the chaos today (it was Sean's first day at work.) Thank you, thank you, thank you=)
Not to relish in your chaos, but it was actually very refreshing for me to know that other Mommies have crazy days and they look just like mine! I only wish that I could've sat at the table with you to partake in the laughter!
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