Yesterday was a good day and full of surprises. I was getting ready leisurely to leave at 9:00. Not too early so I knew I had plenty of time. Then I got an e-mail that shocked me somewhat and I caused me some concern. I sat down to respond and got up again to find that my leisure time was pretty well spent. I ran out of the house with everything but a hairdo.
I drove to Clarksville and picked up Michelle (Kris’ cousin) and her son Gabe and the five of us drove up to Kentucky to a little store that I’ve told her about several times but never taken her to. The purpose of my drive was to drop off the afore blogged of fabric scraps that were still the size of two large tubs. She took them gladly, pouring them out onto her couch for sorting after we had enjoyed a yummy lunch at Old Chicago. We had a nice morning but I think next time I’ll try to make sure we don’t cage the kids so long. The boys were in the van a long time and never really got to play together beyond walking the aisles of the store. This of course is not the best place to play.
I drove home and as I’m unloading my very tired, half-asleep boys from the van the phone rings to remind me that I have an appointment with a nurse, here at the house, to get a physical for insurance purposes. “When is this appointment?” I ask over Ivan’s screaming.
“3:00,” says the voice, “I just need directions”
It was 2:00 at that point so I tell her the name of the subdivision and request a call back in 10 minutes so I can take care of the volume problem I’m holding. She never called back as the subdivision was enough for her capable mind to find me. I took both boys upstairs and bid them rest, but they would not sleep and the bouncing and giggling that was heard only made me smile as I was so happy they weren’t crying. I decided that my best course was to sit still until the nurse arrived so that I could regain composure, stop sweating and make sure my blood pressure wasn’t through the roof when she got here. I also thought, as long as I’m sitting still I’ll make a phone call, which I did only to receive another bit of shock. A dear friend who I obviously haven’t talked to enough recently is considering the foreign mission field with her family. Wow, exciting and a lot to take in. While I’m swallowing this, the door bell rings and the nurse arrives early. She is done with the physical about the time it’s supposed to begin, which is fine. I have crazy gymnastic games going on upstairs I need to curtail.
I released the boys from their bedroom and settle into my corner to do some sorting. While there I hear the boys playing and then I hear a tumble and a bit of crying. I really don’t pay much attention to this as it is a common sound and usually only requires a little hug or kiss to fix. However, this time it was a little different. Owen marches up the stairs and walks toward me complaining that he’s wet. I ask him why as I look up and see that he is soaked on one side from shoulder to shorts hem. He explains that he slipped.
“What did you slip on?”
“Water.”
“What water, where?”
“On the floor by the dining room.”
This can only mean the foyer, which is hardwood. Now I’m concerned so I run downstairs and find the entire foyer covered in water. I run for towels and begin cleaning. Of course I’m asking why the water is there and hear that the boys have been having fun with a water bottle. As I mop up with the first towel Owen suddenly becomes distraught again and I here this:
“But, mommy, I wanted a slip and slide!”
Ahh! He did it on purpose! I was in that state of frustration and hilarity all in one so, no, I didn’t punish him, though I probably should have. I just relaxed a little and finished the job, explaining to him why water on wood is a bad idea. I was able to show him some damage on a piece of furniture and I think he understands.
From there I had to get ready to go again. This time to the church to video a skit for the Night of Laughter. I took the boys with me and one of the other girls who was there for a rehearsal entertained them so sweetly. They actually had a blast while I worked. We then drove to Hendersonville to pick up some “real” milk from a friend who is part of a co-op and then headed home. It was after the boy’s bedtime when we got back, but as they hadn’t seen daddy all day we made exception and they played for about an hour before brushing teeth and laying down. As you can imagine they were out in mere moments. Kris and I finished the sorting for the day, took showers and laid our own tired bodies down. It was a long day in many respects but so full and in many ways fun. I packed it a little too full, but not on purpose and in the end I’m glad for all that I got done. Including some phone calls on my drive to Clarksville and one load of laundry that is completely folded and put away.
Grrrrl! Your day rivals mine! Isn’t it the most fun to be a busy mom, just doing all the mom-ish type stuff that happens at random? I think I’m coming to understand that adulthood, motherhood in particular, is one glorious interruption after another!
I love the slip-and-slide story and I can’t say I would have punished Madison at that age for such an act either. Now if he does it again all bets are off. . . spank the boy 🙂 In his mind, he probably figured it was alright because water can be dried up on the solid floors as opposed to the carpet. He’s probably seen you mop with water too, so it made sense in his three year old logic.
Ha! Boys! That’s what you get for marrying into the family you did:)