My Birthday Boy

Twelve years ago, I was a carefree 21 year old. I worked at a daycare during the day and as a waitress at a local bar at night. In my free time, I bounded from pool halls to concerts to late night diners. There were hours of time spent surrounded by friends having in-depth discussions about solving world hunger or who really killed Tupac and Biggie. Our beer bottles could be heard clinking until all hours of the morning.

And then one day, I was pregnant. The collage of emotions felt overlapped and overwhelmed me. It wasn't time. I wasn't ready. How would I do this? Everything is going to change.

With each passing month, I grew closer to him. I remember the kicks. I relished the tumbles. It was an easy pregnancy; I had no difficulties or illnesses the entire term. I sometimes wrapped my arms around my growing belly, not just to support the weight, but in an attempt to embrace the child I couldn't wait to hold.

My due date came and went. I was ready. I was exhausted. The weekend came and I spent the day walking as much as I could. And at 10pm, when I felt the first twinge of a contraction, I knew he was on his way. After a few hours of waiting, I tried to get some sleep. And after a few hours sleep, I awoke, knowing it was time to get ready to leave for the hospital.

At 4:20pm, he was finally here. I cried. I swooned. I laughed at the scrunched up faces he made. Mostly, I realized that this wiggly bundle was now my life. And with every day that has passed, he has never ceased to amaze me.

In eleven years, he's crawled, walked and spoke. He's created, destroyed and discovered. He makes me angry and he makes me happier than I've ever known. I'm proud of him in more ways than I can count. And while I fear the unknown teenage years ahead, I know that he'll be amazing. Just as he always has.  

Wordless Wednesday

Disney Princess Water WOW! Activity Boards

If you have a young girl, princess items are almost always a sure win. Over Christmas, my daughter received the Disney Princess Water WOW! Activity Boards as a gift. It's a bit like the AquaDoodle only with pictures and on cardboard.



Cute, right?


We open the package and get started. It's easy to fill the pen, just squeeze it while holding the bottom under water and let go to let it fill. Give the pen a little squeeze and we're off to the races!




The purple end pops off easily to dip the end in a bowl of water


And yes, I do mean races. The combination of a slight pen and tiny 3 year old hands proves that by the time you finish coloring the picture, the top half is already drying and disappearing. So, I take a stab at it. Swiping the pen quickly over the smallest picture, I have it filled in no time. I try a bigger picture. I find I need to keep giving the pen a squeeze to make it wet enough to reveal the photo. When I get to the biggest piece, forget about it. The kids had a great laugh at mom's super speedy skills.

Well, I did it, but that doesn't mean Emma is going to do it. And who is going to be using these, after all? Certainly not me. I like good old fashioned coloring books and crayons.

As for the pen, when you squeeze it to suck up the water, it only fills halfway. And for as quickly as the water is used up, you find yourself refilling it too frequently.

In the end, my daughter took to fingerpainting with the water from the bowl I was using to fill the pen. And because they are cardboard, they are now completely warped.



Not so WOW.


Between the pen issues, the picture drying before it's finished and the warped cards, I'm not impressed. If you are looking for an artistic activity for a girl, I'd suggest skipping this one.

Wordless Wednesday

My Daughter, The Drama Queen

I realize that many people think they have drama queens on their hands. It very well could be true. My daughter, Emma, is almost four...going on fourteen. She has a habit of acting like a teenager. Or should I say backtalking like a teenager? Everything is a trial. Everything is an inconvenience. The world must answer to Emma.

One of Emma's best qualities is that she doesn't complain about food. She eats nearly anything you put in front of her, so when she dislikes something, there's no need to argue. Fish, chicken, steak, even venison are all acceptable to her.

One night I made spaghetti. Something we have three or four times a month. I try to change it up for some variety now and then. So, I put in some extra fresh ingredients to brighten it up. I top it off with fresh parsley.

Emma gets halfway through the meal when she realizes something is different.

"What is this green stuff, Mommy?" she asked quizzically.

"It's parsley," I reply.

She throws her hands in the air and places one to her forehead in utter exasperation and wails:

"Well, it's the first time I've ever had it, and now. My life. Is ruined."

Aaaaand scene.

*This post was brought to you as a prompt by the Social Moms site.  You can find them here: http://www.socialmoms.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=writing+prompt Check them out!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday