Role Model

So, every now and then I think I might be doing SOME things in this parenting gig right.

Every now and then I see my kids smile and I know that I am raising happy adults. Every now and then I laugh at their witty comments until my sides hurt and I have to tell them to stop! Every now and then they do something really thoughtful and I know I have planted the seed of selflessness in them..... somehow. Every now and then they actually do something that might seem "normal" and I know that common sense has been absorbed. Every now and then someone else tells me how polite my kids are and I know that when I'm not around they sometimes might be using their manners. Every now and then they do something just because it's the "right" thing to do (and for no other reason) and I know that they are secure enough to make confident decisions that don't always win the majority vote. Every now and then I feel like I am doing more right than wrong! BUT..........

Then there are times when my kids baffle me! They say and do things that leave me questioning why they don't do even MORE extensive research when someone wants to adopt children. I wonder if I'm worthy to have my dogs, let alone 6 kids! Saturday morning just happens to be one of those times.

I was moving rather slow. I was recovering from a fun night with friends who stopped by for a little bit of food, a lot a bit of fun. Actually, it started out with just one friend that moved to two that moved to three and suddenly we were a loud crowd of suburban life gone wild! Kids were having a blast with friends and were in and out of the kitchen where all of us adults were gathered telling stories and getting louder by the minute. We laughed and made fun of each other and for a minute (just a minute) I was glad to be back in the old 'hood where friends just show up on your door step with a seltzer water (because they know we have the Grey Goose) and mozzarella salad. Where more friends come bearing x-box games and controllers, so kids will be occupied. Where kids who aren't even mine open the cabinets and pull out food because they are hungry and know I want them fed. Where other friends uncharacteristically stay up past 10 so their little can stay "just a tiny bit longer". Yes, for a moment I forgot about my beach and simple, quiet life in the bliss of my familiar surroundings. Friends left in the early morning and I crashed hard in my bed with a few extra bodies snoozing in the house. When I finally got out of bed for good, my mind clouded from the previous nights fun, I heard something that made my heart race with panic!

The kids had been up entirely too early for my liking and so had a whole day under their belts. They respectfully kept quiet (which translates to "they were quiet so they could get away with more") and were sitting around the kitchen table on a break from destruction when I over heard this conversation:

Kaidon: "ma'am, what would you like to drink?"

Graysie: "vodka on the rocks!"

(I'm the worst mom!)

Kaidon: "ok, ONE VODKA ON THE ROCKS! Ma'am what would you like?"

Kayela: "uuummmmm, Mawgawita no salt....just one"

(How is it that my seven year old knows how to order at a bar?)

Kaidon: "and you sir?"

Mikael: "I will have a Margarita too but I want salt"

(Good for him, he's not being a follower, progress!)

Kaidon: "ok, TWO MARGARITAS, ONE WITH SALT THE OTHER ONE PLAIN! Ma'am what can I get for you?"

(He's got to be talking to Mihya Qwencie...c'mon baby, it's up to you to redeem your mom here)

Mihya Qwencie: "uuuummmmm... I will have.....let's see....a decaf, gluten free no sugar soy milk latte in a recycled cup!"

(Bammo! My princess SAVES my ass again! See? I'm not doing EVERYTHING wrong! Plus, how telling their individualities are with these simple "bar orders")

TIME PASSES, KIDS MAKING FUN OF MIHYA'S ORDER!

Mihya Qwencie: "I just don't want to get drunk like mom!"

Ok, so there's always tomorrow!

It's Better To Give

Sometimes the kids blow me away with their thoughtfulness and giving spirits. Mihya has been growing out her hair for many years. As a matter of fact we use her hair as leverage sometimes when trying to squeeze the truth out of situations. It goes something like --

"ok, so are you sure that is what happened?".

"uh huh" Mihya answers.

"So...if we find out ANYTHING in your story that is not totally the truth we can take you and chop that hair off your head?"

"uh....well....MAYBE, I hit him first and that's why he hit me" (or whatever else may be the issue at hand)

So, when we went to Sweet and Sassy for Mihya and Graysie to be the "Diva's for the day" (haircuts, style, manicures, pedicures, and facials) I was really surprised when Mihya asked how many inches she needed to be able to donate her hair to Locks of Love. We got our ruler out and measured 12" and she decided that she could handle short (shoulder length...ha!) hair. She was so proud of herself while donating and is thrilled to know she has given something that someone so desperately needs.

Now, I can't say she unselfishly gave. No, now, this is Mihya we are talking about and as I have explained many times before she is THE princess! The crown is worn daily (I am not joking she really wears a crown) and if you decide to touch the crown you will pay for it (just ask Kayela). So, when she is proud of herself, and she was very proud of herself, she EXPECTS all that surrounded her to understand that, they too, should be proud of her! We flaunted the hair all day yesterday. Today she woke up and asked when her "hair cutting party" would be. Ummmmm...thinking.....NEVER!!! Don't get me wrong, she is very honored to have given her hair and understands the importance of it but ya just can't take the "i" out of princess! Nope, we've tried!

To "honor" Mihya's donation I'm posting some pictures (although she may be disappointed that I am throwing in some pictures of Graysie, since she got to be a "Diva" too!)