I arrived at school a few minutes late with Madame this morning, and the heavy metal doors were locked. For a moment, I was certain we’d missed the 8:45 AM cut-off time, but I quickly realised school was closed for a PED morning.
I seriously don’t know how I missed that one.
Maybe it’s because March Break begins on Monday (February 28th, for anyone who is sans calendar while reading this) and my only worry in the last few days was about missing a snack day or not having a change of pants at school. Le sigh.
Now, I love my kids – that goes without saying, I hope – but having a kid home when I wasn’t expecting one? At the last minute like this?! Well, that’s bad. For me. I’ve got stuff to do, yo! Important stuff like Twitter Facebook cleaning the basement well… you know, STUFF! Anyway, it’s all just stuff I’d rather do on my own, efficiently and quietly, during the hours between 9 AM and 1 PM, after which time I must fetch the small one.
I just want my wee bit of time, please. My sanity relies on.
And this surprise-to-me day at home comes on the heels of an evening which was a bit melt-down-y on everyone’s part. Homework took FOREVER. There was some food-throwing and dancing on the table during dinner. I couldn’t help but crack a wee smile while they shimmied to Black Betty (which was seriously hilarious) but they caught me doing it, so it was all downhill after that for mummy. There was a lot of yelling. There may have been a few tears too. I’ve been fighting a low-grade cold since last week, and though I’m not feeling completely horrendous, I’m not operating at 100%. Ava Scarlett has school three mornings a week, and yesterday was not one of them. Tomorrow she will be home too. These days can be rather… long.
One of the things that makes them feel so long is the amount of talking the child does. Of course, on one hand it’s something to love about her. She’s got a great vocabulary, and she’s not terribly frustrated about explaining herself, which is a great thing. And she still possesses a tiny tinkerbell voice, which often makes her sound adorable. She knows lots of things! And she wants to tell you all of them! All! Day! Long! (That’s the exhausting part.)
Since we’re a polite family, she also demands that you please look at her when she’s speaking to you, which is only right, since we expect it of her. But that would involve looking directly at her for the entire day, for the amount of words that can come out of the child’s mouth, holy crap.
We get to a point on such days where I simply have to say, “Ava Scarlett, you need to leave this room for a little while because I need a little break.”
And she will say, “But Mummy! I need a tell you about dis fing I made, because it a very, very special fing, and because it important for you to see it, because it’s something very special, because I need a show daddy when he comes home from work, because he need a see it too, because he will be so proud a me, and den, I show it to Ol’ver, and he be so happy! And den…”
There’s always liberal use of the word because. She also favours perhaps and wonderful and and then to which I often reply, “no, and then.”
Also, conjunctions are not my friend at all these days.
“Ava Scarlett, you need to leave the room for a little while. Please. Just go.”
Seriously. Her naps are getting shorter (when she takes them at all) and her sense of fun and adventure are ramping up. It’s TIRING!! Before this day is over, I know I will utter, “Ava Scarlett? I will give you a hundred dollars if you just stop talking.” I know this because my son was the very same at this age.
Did I mention that every time she re-enters a room, she’s wearing more than she did when she left? This is usually in the form of tutus (many at the same time) and funky hats.
I guess she’s more like me than I care to admit.
Both kids are home for the week PLUS two weekends, starting Friday night.
Hold me.
It’s just the l-o-n-g-e-s-t run-on sentence EVER! I know I will miss it one day, when they’re all brooding and miserable… but some days I just want to press the mute button.
I don’t DRIVE, you see… you must come and visit me. And I will make you food and we will drink ALL the wine, and teach the children show-tunes. Good times! (Say when!!)
PS – bring your tutu
You are so sweet, Amanda. I’m still reliving your house-tour and voice in my head… please do another one. Please. You’re so adorable.
Dude, I constantly tell Oliver to please go and talk to his sister “I made her for YOU!!” It’s just not enough when he’s at school. Maybe I should homeschool. Wait – I got crazy for a moment.
I have no idea what she put on – I should stop buying tutus from Old Navy. 😉
I’m with you on not spreading the snot – I hate when people take their super-runny-nosed kids everywhere… but lordhavemercy, they DO NOT STOP. Even when they’re sick. I know. I feel you. I’m so sorry, sistah…
I thin they ask “why” just to keep the conversation going. No, I know this to be true. Maaaaaaan?
Oh, she looks so full of personality, just like her lovely momma!
oh the chatter and how it is missed…….
silence is golden but honestly the chatter is brilliance
when are you me and mme and our tutus and tiaras going to get together and all talk at once?
Another advantage of twins – they talk to each other all day long, lucky mummy!
She is a doll. As is her mama.
Love her get ups.
Yes, the talking. OH MY GOD, THE TALKING! Spring break doesn’t happen here until the end of March, but my daughter was at home from school yesterday with a cold. Bad decision, on my part. I was thinking I would protect her teacher from Her Whininess and also keep one or two of her friends from getting sick. But who was here to protect ME? I love her. Desperately. She’s beautiful and brilliant and so excited about everything. But after talking constantly for six solid hours, you would think her mouth would start to feel dry, or something, right? I mean, especially since she had a cold, you know? But, no. Unfortunately, no. Hang in there, lady.
I empathize with the ad nauseum talking, sister. To add insult to injury mine will not stop asking WHY?? Oh, and I do have earplugs, I just haven’t dared to use them – YET. I’m just waiting to be 100% certain I’m not winning Mother of the Year before I do because I really do look good in a tiara.
I feel for you too, girl. Go get some wine and hunker down til bedtime. (Hers AND yours.)
I know, right? Look at the length of this post. Apple? Tree. Oy.
Miss you, lady… xox
Sara, I’m going to buy us some earplugs. And I think it’s hilarious that you think I look 6 feet tall… maybe it’s the camera angle – I have to hold the camera HIGH over my head just to get in the shot… short arms. Poo.
Lol, I feel your pain! My babe is home also! We are in the midst of Spring Break, and lil darling has taken a liking to Drums! …..
Wait YOU have a daughter who loves to talk?
Shocking 😉
oh the talking! the talking!!!!!!!!!!! I know of what you speak sister!
It’s INSANITY! as is how cute she is and how every time I see a picture of you – I think you’re 6 feet tall…..