34
Just when I think I'm developing a sensory disorder in my old age, what with all the screaming and running around and jumping off of things that comes with three boys, the weather gets a bit sunnier and Outside becomes part of our world again. I can see them swinging and playing in the dirt out there, but I can't hear them. Peace and quiet.
I need peace and quiet. I have a cold still, since Saturday, and every day around this time, I lose my voice and things get rather inconvenient. The rest of the day when I do have my voice, I sound like a toad. In fact, I ordered a coffee this morning at Starbucks and Shel decided to repeat my order in a scratchy three year old voice. The server asked, "Are you making fun of your mommy?"
It cracked them up to no end, seeing a little three year old make fun of his toadish mother. They don't live with me, they don't know the truly hilarious things. They don't know what I suffer.
It's not a wonder that I lose my voice every day, reading Squirrel Nutkin to a 3 year old. That's the worst story. It's so long and you go through all that just to expose your children in the end to a Squirrel who is almost skinned and then his tail breaks in half. I knew reading that dang story was going to make me hoarse, and I knew the tragic ending. I still read it, because certain three year olds love to tease, much like Squirrel Nutkin. They don't make morals like they used to, and even though he doesn't have a tail, I hope the story instilled a bit of caution into the little guy. Perhaps he'll think twice before he calls me "Mama Goo Goo Winkie Head". Although I might be sad about it. It's funny how the things your children do to drive you crazy are also very endearing. I mean, Shel is a good little friend, full of conversation and giggles. What shall I do with myself when he's gone to school?
It's like the weather. I said it's gotten to be more pleasant, and we've had some 70 degree days. The other day I purchased a rather large rabbit with a paper collar to put on my mantle. I knew I would get some flack for it, but it's SPRING! BUNNIES! EASTER! ETC!
Derrick was less than impressed by the big bunny, but Tobin likes it and I like it, and I purchased some Cadbury eggs to soothe Derrick's frugal, bunny hating soul.
The point is, I started to expect Spring, what with the groundhog and the weather and the 15 inch white rabbit with a paper collar. Imagine my surprise when the very day I got that bunny and simultaneously pinned about 80 different Easter decorations on Pinterest, we had to build a fire in the evening. At first I was rather annoyed at the bunny betrayal brought on by frost, but I flopped on the couch, mute, as I am every evening, and warmed my toes. It wasn't my ideal but it wasn't so bad. In fact, it was sort of nice.
This is my wordy way of saying, "Nothing's perfect and THANK GOODNESS". If things were perfect we wouldn't need morals that involve broken squirrel tails, or three year olds in general, or Bunnies in February. Sure, I can't talk. I may feel like a walking infection. I have a VIRUS IN MY EYE. My children may be exhausting and loud and currently playing "POWER TERMITE ATTACK" in the backyard, but if I'm honest? I love every minute of it. Even the minutes when I'm blowing my nose.
Maybe because I get to use this beauty. Thanks Dad, for this thoughtful Christmas present.
