The Unwanted Wanted Boyfriend

I picked up my daughter from first grade early last week. I could tell from her giddy expression she had some big news to tell me.  "Mom.  You're not going to believe this.  I did a back flip on the cement."

"Oh great!  But you really shouldn't be..."

 "No Mom, that's not the best part.  I did it and a group of fourth graders walked by.  One of the fourth grade boys saw me and kept watching me.  Then he had to go inside, but he was holding onto the doors so he could watch me.  He was yelling, 'No!  You're the best little gymnast.  Don't leave me!'  Someone had to actually drag him inside. "

Finally, she smiles her biggest smile and says in her most insincere tone "Mom, I don't want a boyfriend." 

I casually replied, "Oh good.  Girls usually don't have boyfriends until they're at least in college."

"Oh, I know I'm too young."

"Uh-huh.  Did he say he wanted to be your boyfriend?" 

"No, but I could just tell."

Later in the week, while saying a prayer over our breakfast, Dani still hadn't forgotten about that boyfriend she didn't want. "And please bless that the fourth grader will not want to be my boyfriend because I am too young to have a boyfriend."

I'm not sure insincere prayers are usually answered, but I'm hoping this will be the exception.  

Grateful Mom Goal of the Day:  I will appreciate that my daughter is not old enough to date.

A Magical Mother's Day Surprise!

My 7-year-old daughter, Dani,  had an hour long Mother's Day program in her school classroom this past Friday.  I was hoping to use a nearby hourly daycare, but it was full! 

I still went, knowing I would, most-likely, end up in the hall for the majority of my daughter's big show.  I dreadingly lugged my three younger children, Evie(5), Mase(3), and Dax(1), into the cramped classroom. 

For the performance, I decided to sit Evie and Mase down, towards the front.  I stayed in the back with Dax so I could simultaneously rock my guy in his stroller, while feeding him a steady stream of snacks.  The performance commenced and the magic happened.  The kids--my kids--ALL of them--were actually--ANGELS.  Whoa!

I kept getting all teary-eyed during my daughter's performance, over Dani's sweet songs and my quiet kids!

Then!  Dani served me a cookie and all of my children--shared!  I was impressed with myself also.  I really didn't want to share that yummy cookie.  

The younger three and I headed to the parking lot afterward.  I began heaping on the praise, "I am soooo proud of you guys.  You are the best behaved kids in the entire universe."  Suddenly, the magic came to an abrupt halt.

Mase thought it would be fun to make me chase him into his car seat.    After capturing my escapee, he still put up a fight.  His freakishly strong arms and legs even attempted to injure me has I calmly, but firmly, pressed him into his seat so I could restrain buckle him.   "Mom hit me!" he yells. 

Back to reality.  Next time I may just bribe him with an M&M.

Grateful Mom Blessing of the Day: I am so grateful for the opportunity of motherhood.  Despite all my complaints and craziness,  I love being a Mom.  It is a most divine and precious gift.  

And, a special Happy Mother's Day to my mom, who still heaps on the praise for her grown-up daughter.

Payback

When I was younger I used to tell my seemingly cruel parents, "I hate you!!! And I always will!"

Now I've been blessed with my own little hater.

I hate Mom

My husband just discovered this message on the back of my 7-year-old's bedroom door.  I am certain this was the result of another dramatic spelling homework battle, from earlier in the week.  Accordingly, I am appreciative she took the time to spell the words instead of say them.

Grateful Mom Goal of the Day: Dani will be scrubbing her message and the rest of the graphittied door until it is glistening white.