Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A word or two from my kids

Yesterday Goldie told me that we needed to wash her owie as soon as it was bath time. Her owie was a skinned knee. Sadly, I think that she has pretty much had one knee or the other skinned since she learned to walk three years ago. That poor girl falls a lot (in fact, here is a picture of me at the end of the 4th of July 10K holding Goldie – who looks really sad because as she was running to greet me at the end of my race she tripped and – you may have guessed already – skinned her knee). Anyway, she used to object fiercely to any water or soap coming in contact with her owies for a good few weeks after their occurrence, however, I have so expertly explained to her why washing of wounds is important that now she is all about a good owie washing. “We need to wash my owie in the bath tonight mom so it won’t get any reflections,” is what she told me, so we washed it up nicely because an owie is bad enough with out having to endure the glare of a reflection every time you look at it! yfahfahjhjjjhfjafha
Also, Daisy recently asked what “excuses” are. Before I could explain, Abe cut in (giving me a knowing nod like “I’ve got this one covered, Mom”). He then went on to tell her, “An excuse is like if someone gave you a hat for a present and,” here he paused as if anticipating that I would surely object to the unthinkableness of what he was about to say and said to me, “I know this would NEVER happen in OUR family, but . . .” and he turned back to Daisy, “if someone gave you a hat and you didn’t like it but you just sort of lied and said you couldn’t wear it because it made your head itch, well, that would be just an excuse.” I’m glad that my kids know what kind of behavior is tolerated around here. If someone gives them a hat, they are going to wear it and by golly they are going to like it and there will be absolutely no excuses such as the old itchy head excuse.

Lastly, Daisy is always trying to catch butterflies and generally failing. The other day she was very excited to have caught one of those tiny white moths. She ran, little hands cupped, to the door and shouted for me to come quick. Then she opened up her hands and it was like magic that a little moth did indeed flutter away. The next day she caught one again only this time there was no fluttering away when her hands were opened. The moth just lie (lay?) there looking pretty well dead. I knew that she would be saddened if her own hands had had anything to do with its demise, so I comforted her by saying maybe it was already dead and that was why it was such an easy catch. But she comforted herself even better. I later heard her shouting to Abe, "Abey Abey, I caught a sleeping moth!" It sure stayed asleep there on our front porch for a long long time.

I have to say that I have really been enjoying being a mom more than ever recently. I’ve always adored my kids and been so grateful that Mike hasn’t been opposed to having as many as I want, but lately I have been taking much more satisfaction and just feeling far greater contentment in doing the things my little ones and I do each day. I've just really been enjoying my role as a mom. I can’t really explain it. Maybe it is the ages they are at and the things I have been able to teach them (for example I have found a good deal of satisfaction in teaching them to fold and put away their own laundry recently!), or maybe it is just the satisfaction of knowing that they now know just what is and isn’t acceptable in this family of ours! Hehe.

13 comments:

jami v. said...

i love your kids. i love the great things they say, and mostly i love what great friends they are - you can see it in the way they want to talk to each other (abe explaining "excuses" and the way daisy wants to tell abe about her sleeping butterfly)and share things with each other. nice job mom! :)

Liz said...

Was that 10K just this last 4th of July? If so you are amazing running that when you are so pregnant and you don't even look it! Kids say the funniest things. Thanks for sharing!

Nancy said...

Liz, yes, thank-you, thank-you, it was this 4th of July. And may I add that I got 3rd place in my age group! AND I am almost certain 1 and 2 were far from pregnant. Thank you and thanks again for letting me brag (only our town is teensy tiny so 3rd place doesn't actually really mean what it might mean elsewhere . . . but just forget that part please).

Perla said...

good job on the race! why isn't your shirt sweaty? man, i am still so sweaty all of the time.

i loved this post and especially at the end--i think we are both doing SO much better at our goal to surrender to motherhood, right? its so much happier, too, we when aren't just kicking against the pricks!

Salty Incisor said...

yeah Ilove it when they can do stuff liekf old laundry its awesome. Also Abe is creative. That example popped into his mind but all the subtext etc...
You do have some cute kids! I like the ages my kids are too its really fun. Senator was trying to ring up customers yesterday at the bstore it was pretty humorous..he scanned the bread and then had to go get his dad. He insisted on staying up front to "help" customers! You are very laid back, thats what makes you able to appreciate the kiddies I guess you have to be with 4 going on 5 and I think every time you have another kid you get more laid back. Dont you?

Lover of Sweets said...

Oh...your kids say the darndest things! How clever they all are! Seriously, my kids will come sit on my lap and just look at me dumbly and then all of a sudden a look of excitement comes over them and they blurt out "DUHHHHHHHH!" It's sad really. Oh well, I still like 'em.

Hey, so at our little neighbohood playgroup, Kelly was asking me what you're having this time and I very shamefully had to tell her that I didn't know if you were having a boy or a girl. Then I just got mad and screamed at her to mind her own freakin' business!

Gracie J said...

It's especially fun to be a mom when you have smart, witty, adorable children who say and do such clever things. Abe's explanation of an excuse is PERFECT! Would he mind if I used that sometime if someone gives me a hat I don't like?

I must say that Daisy struck me as very brave. You may remember that Ana was deathly afraid of bugs when she was younger, she's gotten a bit better, but for some reason, moths really do her in, so to picture Daisy happily catching a moth just struck me as rather amazing.

I'm more than impressed that you ran a 10K race you crazy woman! Who do you think you are Nicole Kidman? Apparently she was catching a lot of flack for working out while pregnant. Keep it up sister!!! No wonder you look not-at-all-pregnant about two days after you have a baby.

Jana said...

My motto is that I never make excuses so you know, we are alike on that one. But my children haven't learned that yet and so I tend to regress into full excuse mode! I am going to think about Abe the next time I am excusing myself!

And that sleeping moth - I have actually used that one on occassions so as to not upset a creature lover or two.

So when do you stop running and when is that baby coming out? I just don't remember?

I love when you talk about your kids because they are so funny. I like when you just talk actually because you are very funny.

Nancy said...

Jess, pshaw about Nicole Kidman. She probably was only doing yoga . . .AND hello, what is all this hullabaloo. Every doctor I've ever asked says to keep doing what you've been doing as long as you aren't over doing it.

So, Tia, as to your Q, i am able to run through out my entire pregnancy, I just go less and less far and get slowere and slower and look real funny. Baby is coming Dec. 5th. I am half way there today!

Nicole said...

Nancy. I am so jealous. I too ran on the 4th. Not pregnant. And not anything in my age group! You go go!! That's awesome. Your kids are lucky to have such an awesome role model as a mother. Sorry if I missed this...But do you know what you are having? You said you are half way...I am guessing that you do?

Mugsy said...

Man, since when am I the last one to post a comment...It's like we're not even sisters. Ok i loved this post for sure! I can't believe Abe comes up with some examples like that hat one. I am so so happy to hear you having such peace and joy with your little ones. You really are such a great mom Nanc. I love you.

Crysta said...

Nancy- you Allred girls are amazing when it comes to running and pregnant?? Leah is constantly trying to catch butterflies and lately she is determined to catch birds. She even has a bird trap out back. You sound like a great mom and I am glad you are happy!

Nancy said...

Thanks Crysta and Nicole! And as for baby, Nicole, we aren't finding out this time what it is! I know, crazy! I don't know what made us want it to be a surprise this time around.

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