The Family Dynamic

Jaden: Hi, Mommy!
Me: Hi, my Jaden!
Jaden: No...I not you Jaden!
Me: Yes, you are "my Jaden".
Jaden: No. You Honey. Daddy's Jaden!
Me: Good to know.

I Am The Mommy

Whenever I walk into a room, or when I come home after having been out for a while, Caitlyn is SO happy to see me. Her whole face lights up and she runs to me with arms wide open crying, "Dada, Dada, DA-DAAA!!"

Cute, hmm? We've tried to get her to say Mama, but it's just not sinking in. I tell her. Craig tells her. Even Jaden tells her that I'm not Dada, I'm Mommy.

She calls Craig "Dada" too, which makes me wonder if that is just her phrase for Parental Unit. However cute that may be, I still want my own name and my own identity.

Daddies are wonderful, and special, and important. But I'm a MOMMY. I carried this child in my mother's body. I nursed her, rocked her, and sang a hundred 3 AM lullabies.

Somebody...anybody... please tell Catie that I am the Mommy.

Bees, If You Please

By popular request, I'm posting our video of the bee swarm that trapped us inside Starbucks last weekend. No Venice Beach firemen or Caramel Macchiatos were harmed during the making of this film. The bees, though...oh, those poor little guys were toast.



This unusual event was the highlight of the morning for scores of coffee-drinking people watchers. It wasn't just that none of us had ever seen so MANY bees in one place. The real joy was that we had a front row view of every single unsuspecting pedestrian who happened upon them. The LOOKS on these people's faces was priceless. And I'm not at all ashamed to report that I was greatly entertained at their expenses. It was truly a candid camera event.

My heart was saddened at the bees' tragic end, however. Nobody should have to go out that way. Not even a bee.

The Taupe-y Ones

I was out shopping today. It's true that I'm not your typical shop-a-holic kind of woman, but I DO venture out to buy some undies or jeans once in awhile. I'm not a complete stranger to this experience.

So I was a little surprised when I looked up from the clothing racks and noticed all the other women shopping...with their husbands. Husbands actually do this?? Walk around with their wives and help them make their fashion decisions?

I passed by a woman trying on cardigans, asking her husband what he thought. Was the color flattering? What about the cut...not too tight across the front? Could he recall what size she chose last time? (He could.)

I came across another couple searching for a blouse. I overheard their conversation;
Woman: Well, I'm looking for a slightly fitted blouse in a neutral color.
Man: Hmmm. You mean something in the earth tones?
Woman: Maybe. I need a coordinating piece to go with those slacks we bought yesterday.
Man: Oh, that's right...the taupe-y ones.

The taupe-y ones? Are you kidding me?

Not that I'm envious of these women and their lap-dog shopper husbands. Maybe they think they've got a good thing going here. But, really. What kind of self-respecting man tags along in the women's clothing area and advises his wife on which pants make her butt look nice?

MY husband wouldn't be caught dead sitting in those man chairs outside the ladies fitting rooms. He prefers to stay home with the girls while I have an hour to myself, and remain blissfully ignorant of the intricacies of choosing female clothing. I don't think he even knows what color taupe IS.

And that's the way I like it.

Dear Elmo,

I've been doing a lot of thinking these past few weeks. I've come to the realization that, while I still completely ADORE you, it's just not going to work out for us.

I'm growing bigger every day. I need more excitement, something more than just a crayon world. These things we once shared have simply become too toddler-ish for me. I think I'm ready for a preschool relationship now.

I confess that lately I've been seeing a lot of this other character, Barney. He doesn't have your furry cuteness, but he does have a whole show of his own. He sings and dances too, and when we're together, it's just magical.

I still love you. I'm just not in love with you the way I was last year. You are very important to me, though, and I don't want to lose you. You will always have a special place in my heart. Please say we can still be friends.

Love,
Jaden

PS...my mother misses you terribly and doesn't quite approve of my infatuation with Barney. If you care at all for me, please keep this secret between us.

Don't Quit

"Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." Muhammad Ali.

I read this somewhere a while back, and it kind of stuck in my head. I love the directness and do-or-die impression this statement leaves. I love how, when you think about it, it's applicable to anyone...in any situation.

It's SO easy to procrastinate. It's easy to be soft, and lazy, and impatient, or tell yourself all the reasons why you should give up.

Sometimes...when I'm exhausted and have school work to do, or when I'm busy and Jaden wants a story, or I feel like watching TV but there's dishes in the sink... sometimes I hear these words in my head, "Don't quit. Suck it up, do what you should and what's right, and don't take the easy way out."

You don't have to be an athlete to be a champion.

In Here, Honey.

Jaden has spent more time than usual in timeout today. After Jaden was sent to her room a third time, Caitlyn went down the hall, knocked on the door a little, and held Jaden's fingers that reached under the door.

I heard Jaden call from underneath the doorway, "Honey? I'm in here, Honey. In here! I'm in HERE, Honey. Honey, help me. Open the door Honey, I'm in here!"

I was torn between laughter and pity as I sprung Jaden from her prison early.

As always, when time-out is over Jaden has to go apologize to whoever she's wronged. And she did. She very contritely hugged and told Caitlyn sorry....for locking her in the bathroom and not letting her out.

Lunch Theater

Caitlyn plays so hard in the mornings that sometimes she can't make it through lunch without a little snooze or two. Or maybe it's the sports TV in the background? Sure knocks ME the hell out!

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