Wine, please. Now.
Oy.
This morning I stood at the stove top, made the girls silver dollar sized buttermilk pancakes and contemplated the day ahead. A solid 9 hours of sleep and sunshine gave me the energy and drive to do anything.
It was a grand plan. Take the girls downtown to my office, then to lunch at White Spot (a Canadian treasure) for their first pirate pack and finally, take “mommy’s train” back to the burbs. A brave feat without Colin and his unwavering patience and calm demeanor.
But as I observed them, I had a feeling. One deep in the pit of my stomach urging me NOT to leave the city. Instinct was telling me to stay put. So I revised our plans and we headed to the local White Spot with my Mom.
En route, we all talked about best behaviours, manners, please and thank you.
Lunch was extraordinary. Of course the girls were lovely the entire time and adored the new experience. They love White Spot (and Tim Hortons), so they are, in fact, true Canadians. Yay.
It wasn’t until after lunch when we headed to Chapters to browse and buy some books that all hell broke loose. When one of my online girlfriends referenced the book, ‘The Post-Birthday World’ by Lionel Shriver in an email recently, I was sold. I needed that book regardless of the almost $19 price tag. Ouchie.
So off we went and browsed one of my favourite, quiet, places. I grabbed my book and headed back to the girls and Mom in the bargain children section. I saw a collection of fairy tales on sale for $4.99 each, so I told the ruggers to each pick one.
They had a choice of six. They both chose the same one.
Breathe.
I explained that they would both get to hear the other’s story at bedtime, so pick two different ones. They both chose the same one. Again.
Breathe.
Finally, Lily picked a different book and we headed up to pay. Then something happened. I don’t know what, can’t remember. All I recall is one child sprawled out on the hardwood floor screaming, “DaaaaaaDDDEEEEEEEEE!!!!!” and the other standing there bawling.
I started to sweat – no calming breathes were available anymore. People were looking up from their quiet book reading in disgust, so I did what I could.
Throwing my debit card and purchases to my mom, I picked the one up off the floor and headed outside. From inside, I could hear the other screaming for Daddy.
O.M.G.
When we were all finally outside, the show continued. I could barely contain my own tears at that point, but I did. They calmed down a bit and I was able to take Callie up in my arms and hold Lily’s hand, but I couldn’t do it for long. I told Callie that she had to walk – “Mommy’s arm is going to fall off, I’m sorry.”
And she just stood there. Crying and yelling for Daddy.*@&#. !@(*&$.
I lost it and started crying right there with them in the middle of the parking lot. Ugh. It was horrible.
Eventually we started walking again. Callie and Lily both had death grip on my hands, but wouldn’t talk to me, wouldn’t look at me, wouldn’t even acknowledge me.
About a block from home, Callie says to me in the most disturbing, pissed off, attitude-filled demon voice,
“Mommy. I’m gon tell Daddy you’re a MEAN GIRL.”
and then,
“You’re NOT my best friend, Mama.” and I said, “Good. I don’t want to be your best friend anyway.”
Gee. I’m 4 now.
What the hell, man? WHAT DID I EVEN DO HERE? I bought them a book, that is all.
I’m frustrated though. What happened to my lovely, well-behaved and mannered little ladies all of a sudden? Is this really what happens when I dare skip nap time? Never again I tell ya.
I am thankful for…
- Canada Day celebrations tomorrow where we will be with Daddy and a ton of friends at a crowded place with hundreds of loud kids and a family-friendly beer garden
- A new book with rave reviews to bury my nose in
- A whole bunch of new Lush stuff to soak in a bath tonight while I bury my nose in new book – thanks Dad and Lin!
- A very cute, very soft, little pink and charcoal grey number to slip into after – thank you Colin!
- The lady in the condo above me being a singer and wooing the entire neighbourhood with her gorgeous voice at this very moment
- Colin’s boss offering him Thursday off for his birthday and him taking it
- Wine
- My Mom who told me I did nothing wrong today and made me laugh about it all – thank you Mom!
- Two 3 year olds who are sleeping for the night as I write this at 6:40pm
That is all.
Filed under: pleasures, twinsanity | 11 Comments
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it won’ be the… on it’s going to be the gre… Colin on writing a letter 101 Mommy X on writing a letter 101 Heather on writing a letter 101 Mark on writing a letter 101 -
i HATE it when girls hit that “place”. I guess being a girl we did it too. there is just so much drama with girls.
you deserve a luxury soak!
I could have sent you the book! I bought the hardcover in the publisher’s remains pile and it was only $7!
Oh, and the tantrums today? Not only a girl thing, boys do it too. Started when my son was right about your girl’s age, too. I’ve said my fair share of childish responses, so don’t sweat it. Sometimes you have to be a kid right back at em, ya know? At least that’s what I tell myself
Enjoy your luxurious night. I hope tomorrow is better!
Eh, those days happen sometimes. So you lost it a little bit; no big deal. They definitely won’t be scarred for life or anything. I’m sorry you had a bad day! But I’m totally glad that you made a little list of things you’re thankful for. See? If you can still end a bad day with some gratitude, you’ve got it going on.
Unsolicited advice: Stand firm when they start playing Mommy against Daddy. Remember that it’s you and Colin “against” (sort of, you know what I mean) them. If they dig a trench between you two parents, ugh, it’s all over. STAND STRONG. (and Colin should, too!) Once they learn that Mom and Dad don’t play like that, they’ll get rid of that technique.
I so hear you and can’t believe it has taken you this long to complain about them!
I spend my entire and I mean entire life stopping fighting amongst the ranks of my 3 kids, arguing with 2xnearly 3 year olds and a 5 yr old and frankly I should know better.
My constant prayer request is that I can look after my children lovingly even when they are ALL being horrible!!!!!
xxxxx
A pediatrician once told me that 3 was much, much, much worse than 2, so he wasn’t sure where in the world the term “Terrible Twos” came from. I’ve also read in numerous places that the ‘half year’ marks (2 1/2, 3 1/2) are a worse time than the full year marks. All I know, is that if Mikaela had turned 3 BEFORE I was pregnant with Parker, she would be an only child, because there was no way in hell I would have purposely attempted the 3 year old stage again. I can’t even BEGIN to imagine doing it with twins. Egads!
I had to giggle, I have so been the kid when my daughter tells me ‘I don’t like you’ or “your not my friend” and I retort with the same. You didn’t do anything wrong, they were just kids and sometimes thats hard enough.
Yay for the little things at the end of it that you get to enjoy!
~K
I hear you. I’ve been known to abandon shopping trolleys full of groceries and storm out of shops carrying both kids because they started biting each-other!
In fact this afternoon, I was getting death stares from old ladies while my kids chased each other and tackled each other in the aisles of the shop!
happy Canada Day! I am working today
blah… but Coral has the day off with our baby and they are going for a walk to buy diapers! fun!
Been there, done that! Did you ever find out was prompted the melt down? Yay for warm baths and a good book. Enjoy and relax.
Happy Canada Day!
Been there, Jen. With a big girl of 7 and the whole public looking at me accusingly, as if to say, “She is MUCH TOO OLD to be behaving like that crap!” Not so much since we hit the big 8 years old, but yeah, I digress. Days like this happen. And yes, thank God there is wine for us mommies
(hugs)
the other day, my (21 year old) daughter and i witnessed a young sister and brother throwing a tantrum in a very public way. i felt sorry for the mom but understood that these episodes happen and, for me, isn’t a reflection on the mother. my daughter said, “why would anyone want children?” after watching the meltdown. she says the more she sees kids in public, the more she questions motherhood. what she doesn’t get is what all mothers do understand… our children bring us more joy than they do the frustration that overwhelms us at times. hang in there, mom =)