Mending Alabaster!

Little Alabaster lost an eye this morning. It was a horrific sight to see the snow white lamb, the perfect cuddly pet lying on the ground, with a tiny black beady eye hanging from the socket. Timmy the culprit sat nearby, not a shred of remorse in his puppy eyes. He had sneaked into Mia’s room early in the morning and pulled Alabaster out from his basket on Mia's bed.

Alabaster is Mia’s favorite stuffed animal, and I braced myself for the oncoming hysterics. Sure enough, the crying started at 7:00 and by 8:00 I could no longer take in the choking sounds. Finally, I calmed her down with the promise that I would fix Alabaster in the evening. After leaving work I ran over to buy some beads from the local craft store. When I reached home Mia was standing at the door with an anxious look on her face.

Somehow it reminded me of the times when as a little girl I had stood at the front door waiting for my mom or dad to return home and fix my stuff. Every little thing would be mended or fixed with a warm hug and smile, and the thought brought a lump to my throat. I hurried in and started the surgery on Alabaster, with Mia standing by as the nurse!

For now I can fix things for my daughter and kiss away her problems and hurt. As the world slowly claims her, my baby will have to handle everything on her own, doing her own mending at every step.

I did nothing much for Mia today, just reasoned with her to forgive Timmy. Kids are smart, and in time she will realize that in hope lies our strength. And most things can be fixed at some time or the other; at least we have to hope so! The eye that I sewed back on, looks a little strange; but Mia is happy, she doesn't care about little imperfections.

Alabaster has returned to the basket in Mia's bedroom, as adored as before. Timmy will be grounded next year.

Rocks are not good presents

Found in Mia's first grade poetry journal:

Acrostic

Teacher is soooo nice
Erases stuff for you
A teacher always keeps her promise
Cheaters will get in troble
Hate when we have a subsitut

Everyone likes our teacher

Rocks are not a good presint.

Oh dear, did Mia try presenting her teacher...... a rock??

Picnic time & chuck the work!

I tore up my to-do-list this morning……. I even cancelled an annual check up.

Recently a close friend of mine, Pam, lost a friend to terminal illness. In her last few days, this lady told Pam that she regretted the times spent away from her family, all the times wasted on people, who would not bring any value or quality to life. The endless running around.

Summer vacation is about to end, even the weather outside is changing. The sunshine has become a lot mellow. At times like this, the kids are excited about going back to school but sad that the vacation is ending.

Mia made a jug of iced lemonade; she is always excited about a picnic. Anna cut some sandwiches, we had cucumber and turkey; there were fat slices of sponge cake, watermelon, and oh yes, two juicy bones for Timmy and Lucy!

We took the picnic lunch to our backyard, spread out a sheet in the shade of the trees, a couple of cushions, and just lazed about. Mia lay flat on her back looking at the leaves overhead. Anna was reading a book, the latest  on a family of vampires. (Thank god none lived around us!!) I just leaned on a cushion with the baby in my arms enjoying his soft chubbiness, trying to have meaningful conversation with him. Lucy and Timmy were stretched out nearby, yawning occasionally.

We did nothing much that afternoon, just enjoyed each others company. However I noticed  later that Mia did not talk about TV. She stayed close to me all evening, and my pre-teen Miss Anna wanted to help out with dinner. We huddled over cookbooks for sometime and came up with something nice, and set the table, just in time to welcome Mr. “R” with smiles and hugs.

Persistence pays off!

Hey Mia honey, come and give mamma a hug.

Do I have to? Why can't Anna give you a hug?

Mia....

Okay, okay……. Now can I watch television?

Mia, just two weeks are left of summer vacation. Do a little reading and then you can watch Sponge Bob. Somehow his laughter freaks me out.

Really?.....DAAAHAAHAAHAAHAA.......DAAAAAHAAHAAAHAAAHAA.....

Don’t you find him cute? Mom, they have a new episode on TV today, 7:00 p.m.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QRZMISgDJ0)

Stop it. Try to enjoy the summer honey, outdoor activities….. I will take you biking in the evening.

Well can I watch TV at 8:00 then?

Olympics are on sweetheart….. try to focus your energy into something positive. Look at the dedication of Michael Phelps. You know you can achieve your dreams if you work hard.

Hey mamma, I have a great idea, why don’t we watch one of your favorite movies, the one with Russell Crowe? You know, some mom and daughter time.

Mia, No TV, No Movies……….get it?

Sure mom, can I help you with any housework, take the dogs for a walk?....... give them a bath?...... Love you mom ……. So how about watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody….just for half an hour? Please mom…. 


Okay…okay........ do whatever you have to, but just for an hour…
(Boy, these conversations tire me, I still have to do the laundry, bathe the baby, cook… )

------The End--------

Mom gets rewarded by a giant hug & the Sponge Bob laughter BAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAHAA.........

Dealing with back to school

Anna, can you please fix the cushions in the den?

ok, by the way, can we please go to the mall for some back to school outfits?

Sure, can you hand me the telephone honey?

Here, the Ed Hardy sneakers are really cool ….. No, I don’t want them …… Just…..

I know honey, maybe next year; you know how daddy is so strict about such things…… so many kids do not get a decent meal a day in this world. Your Nike sneakers are nice…. I hope you have practiced violin today.

Yea mom, and so I was saying….if we could go to the mall today….. Check out the Abercrombie store.

Not today baby, I have a lot of work to do, why don’t you guys clean your room.

Sure, like I was saying I love the Ed Hardy designs. Kim got some tees that were on sale at Denny’s. I think I will need some sweats. So, when are we going for back to school shopping?

Anna darling, give me a break honey……

Sure mom, no problem, O yes….. I also have to pick up some locker stuff from Staples. So when do you think we can go?



Darling, Daddy has already taken you to Staples.



ok..... Maybe on the way back we can take a look at Abercrom………..

How I hate to let go!

I am not one of those helicopter mom who hovers over her child all the time, but I do hate to let go, and I have to learn how.

During a Pocono vacation we were all set to go out for lunch at a stylish joint. I was dressed in a long cashmere coat and high boots, when Anna, then a 9 year old begged to go snow tubing. Just a look at the slippery slope, and I was prepared to follow Anna to the end of the world. 


Slipping and sliding all the way in my four inch high boots, I clung to the tire as we were hauled up. A foolish smile on my face hid the mortal terror I felt at the knowledge that any misstep with the fancy boots may result in my rolling down the hill.

Anna gave a cheery wave, jumped on the tube and zoomed down the hill, while I clung on to the tube for dear life. My butt was stuck in the middle and my legs were up in the air, and I had a horrible grimace on my face. All the way down I was thinking that sometimes it’s a good idea to let go of your kids; great time for them to have fun in the snow and cold, while you snuggle up to your husband in the car. And the cashmere coat, the stylish boots remain undamaged!