Picking Up The Split
Azul, my five year-old, was invited to his first Birthday bowling party today, and while I was getting ready, all I kept wondering was if I was going to be able to have a drink. Come on, we’re at a bowling alley, bowling and drinking go hand in hand! But, I’ll be with Azul’s schoolmates and parents; parents I have never met before. We’re all adults, no one should have a problem with an adult having an adult beverage. But, how embarrassing if I am the only one with a drink. I really want a Bloody Mary. I do know one set of parents of Azul’s friends and they drink. I wonder if they’ll be there? I do hope they will be there. But will I look like a neglectful parent if I have a cocktail? If another parent is having a beer, maybe I’ll have one. A beer! What am I thinking, a drink might seem a little classier. I’ll have a Bloody Mary, that sounds good. But only if another parent is drinking. What am I worried about? I don’t know these people. Ugh! It’s getting late, I have to blow dry my hair.
Gummy Bear Hug!
It is common knowledge in my household — Azul has a huge sweet tooth! And as long as he asks and it is within reason, not right before dinner, he is allowed to eat candy. This is an everyday occurrence, so to my surprise, this afternoon when Azul asked, “Can I have some Gummy Bears?” I was not ready for the reaction coming. I shrugged my shoulders and answered, “Sure.” He jumped up and down, dancing and yelling, “Woo Hoo Gummy Bears, out of control! Woo Hoo Gummy Bears, out of control! A fresh bag of Gummy Bears!” Following his victory dance, he ran to me with his arms in the air, saying, “You deserve a kiss and a hug.” Now, according to him, I’m the best Mommy he has ever had! With his little arms tightly wrapped around me, I thought, even though it is based on glucose sugar, citric acid, and random flavorings, I’ll take it!
Out of Gas…
I know this is the time of the year to reevaluate your life, nit pick your misgivings and come up with a resolution that will change your life for the better. Whatever! I have never been a big fan of New Year Resolutions; I usually try to just keep my expectations fairly low, it seems to work for me, but my five year-old was able to glaringly point out where I need to improve.
My car stinks! And that was exactly what I said to Azul this afternoon. To be fair, I have always had a dirty car, even before Azul, but no doubt the trash has grown exponentially since his birth.
I am a true Virgo and have a deep-seated need to straighten things out — things don’t need to be super clean, just in order. My car is the exception, the one place I can let loose. So, I told my five year-old, “My car stinks!” And he replied, “Maybe it cuz I tooted in there!” In a state of amazement I then said, “You tooted in my car?” Without a second thought he said, “Yes.” I am not sure why I continued the conversation at this point, and come to think of it, I’m not sure why I do half the things I do now as a parent, but I said, “I didn’t hear it.” Immediately his response was, “Toots are quiet.” I put my head in my hands, shaking left to right, thinking, Oh my, no more dirty car this year!
Carmelina Hart 