Bedtime Arguments

Bedtime arguements, while frustrating, can be some of the most entertaining pieces of comedic gold. Last nights battle did not disappoint.

I intervened after 10 minutes of the girls giving each other a verbal beat down. I threatened to take away their Halloween party. They inquired about what party and I told them the party at the Hoogland.

This was the perfect distraction. A2 took the bait, but it true A2 fashion went in a completly different direction. With complete disgust almost gagging on her words she said, "What do you mean Hoogland? I thought it was Ho-Bo-land. I didn't know it was HooGland with a G. I hate Gs." Then her head hit the pillow. She was even quiet for 5 whole minutes while she let the earth shattering news sink in.  

I quickly left the room before any giggle, laugh, or snort escaped; only to have to return later upon hearing throat clearing and spiting. Yes, my sweet little ladies where engaging in a full on spit warfare. I was happy to inform them that spitting on people could get them arrested. A1 got quiet. A2 shot me her infamous "You are so dumb" looks. She wanted to know why in the world would someone go to jail for spit. I let her know that it isn't healthy to touch someones spit because spit is a way to spread germs and diseases. A smug smile was planted on her face as she reported, "I don't have any germs or diseases." Shuttering she added, "I don't kiss cats!"

Of course, everyone knows the only way to get a disease is to kiss a cat. Duh! I lost my composure. I laughed. I almost fell over from laughing. A1 laughed. A2 yelled and then started meowing at A1 because she has been seen kissing cats. A3 started crying. She needed more prayers. A3 was on to something. We could all use some more prayers. We reprayed. By the time we were done with prayers, round two, A2 was sound asleep. A1 was almost asleep. Prayers were answered. Mama had peace at least for a few hours until the Cat Kisser and the G Hater woke up.

Sister Bracelets

A1 has always been my sensitive one. Generally, she is a kid who doesn't want to leave others out. Not always... Sometimes she is an 8 year old kid, but most of the time... She is usually the first to get her feelings hurt or the first to know when someone else has hurt feelings. She feels bad when she hurts someone's feelings. Not just a little bad, but really bad. Guilty for days, bad. 

While she has this great deal of compassion for people who don't live at our house, the members of our family are fair game. This is especially true for A2. That girl can't even walk into a room without A1 criticizing her for something. Breathing; she does it wrong. Moving her eyes to follow a butterfly; wrong. Sitting on the floor; completely wrong.  She can't do anything right, ever. 

Needless to say, I was shocked when A1 returned from her Nana and Papa back to school shopping trip with a little something for A2. While they were at the mall, she found "Friendship Bracelets" that say "Lil' Sis" and "Big Sis". She was so excited and proud of her find. She told me, with a slightly shaky and emotional voice, that she wanted to give it to A2 so she wouldn't be scared or alone when she goes to kindergarten. 

A1 was a little teary eyes when she was talking about A2 going to school. PROOF! She really, actually, truly loves her sister.  I need to chairish this moment for as long as I can, at least until I'm distracted by their arguing. 

A2 was so proud that her big sister picked out such a thoughtful bracelet. She insisted we put it on her right away. She kept looking at it all morning. Then she would look at A1 and smile. She was thrilled! 

She wore the bracelet for two days until she noticed the charm was missing at dinner tonight. There was crying, lots and lots of crying. She just knows someone stole it. She just knows it went down the drain at school. She just knows it fell off in the garbage cans at lunch. She just knows it is on the playground at school. She just knows it is on the bus. She just knows it is at the neighbor's house. She just knows it is in our yard. Really, she just knows she lost one of her most prized pocessions. 

It has been a very sad night at our house. We are mourning the loss of a bracelet charm. If anyone finds our charm in any of those places she just knows she lost it, please return it. OR, if you just so happen to be shopping at Justice, shudder, please pick one up. I will pay, as long I don't have to go in that place! 

No Gifts Requested

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of over hearing two super know-it-all moms talk in the extremely long check out line at my favorite super store. Hopefully no one chokes on my sarcasm! Their conversation caught my attention. They were bit complaining about a birthday party both of their daughters happened to be attending next weekend.  They were complaining because of wording on the invitation that read something along the lines of, "We request no gifts, if you are moved to bring a gift please honor my daughter in donating to a charity..."

This topic was a particular interest to me since a few weeks ago my girls had a party where we requested no gifts.  I silently listened as the women went on and on and on about how horrible this idea was.  I wanted to join in their conversation.  My opinions became a volcano ready to erupt all over them.  I bit my tongue, knowing my thoughts wouldn't be welcomed.  Instead of directly handling the situation, I mentally vowed to set them straight in my blog... You are welcome.

Dear Overly Opinionated Moms,

We recently had a birthday party for my daughters.  We requested no gifts.  We are not pretentious.  We are not trying to prove that we are better than anyone.  We are not trying to force our girls to become "Bleeding Hearted Liberals." We are not depriving our girls of anything. We don't hate happiness.

While I don't know the reasons this particular parent requested no gifts, I am happy to share mine:

1. A1 attended a party earlier this school year where the boy asked to donate to an animal shelter.  She is a kind hearted girl and loved this idea. SHE ASKED to give donations instead of have gifts.

2. It was a party for both A1 and A2.  I thought a donation would be easier on people than trying to decide if they should get a gift for one girl or both, especially for the people who only knew one girl.

3. The girls both have birthdays in March and this party was two months later.  Way past their birthdays.

4. A1 wanted to do this and she talked to A2 who agreed.

5. We have friends from varying economic backgrounds, so no presents means no pressure for anyone.

6.  We want the girls to know that it is ok to have fun with friends and not expect a gift in return. 

7. The girls already have enough stuff, so why not share with others.

8. A1 wanted this.

In case you were wondering, the party was wonderful.  There was a great deal of happiness.  No one seemed upset that the girls didn't stop dancing to open up gifts.  We did receive a few presents and that is OK! It wasn't a big deal.  We left it up to the parents. If they wanted to donate, they could.  If they wanted to bring a gift, they could.  A1 and A2 didn't miss getting tons of presents from their friends.  They had a great time at their party.

Will we request a donation to a charity next year? I can't answer that.  It will be left up to the girls. 

As far as turning the girls into "bleeding hearted liberals," well, let me introduce you to their dad...

Sincerely,

A Passive Aggressive Mom

P.S. In case you were curious about where the donations went... The girls said they wanted to collect donations for something involving children.  A1 and I researched several.  We picked the top three. After much discussion, the girls agreed Tri-Angels Playground was the way to go.

Happiness and embarrassment, but mostly happiness.