Just Livin'

trimming her nails

Well, around here we’re just livin’. I get to hear the cutest things come out of the sweetest mouths. Stuff like when we’re giving #1 a primo lecture about the influence friends can have on you, and #2 says, “When friendship comes to me, it stays. It’s always there. I can’t just loose friendship.” I know that kid, and I think he’s right.

I get to watch little people experience things for the first time. And for the millionth time. Like when I saw my oldest daughter watch High School Musical for the first time. And then the millionth time. Jake’s got pushing buttons down to a science, like when he joins in on the musical number and makes his eldest child have a temper tantrum. But Zack Efron has dreamy blue eyes no matter how old you are. Don’t worry, Jake, I still prefer your brown eyes, I’m just sayin’. We’ve got a whole new DVD collection since Christmas. I’m giving up my New England accent for a southern accent thanks to Hannah Montanah. Now I know who the heck she is (and her alter ego, Miley) because that’s what happens when you live with little girlies. I can now sing some of her songs, too. I’ve been known to belt out “Who said , who said I can’t be superman? I say, I say that I know I can. Who said, who said I can’t be president? I said, I said you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Because I’m a cool mom like that.

I get to be around little imaginations every day. I see crazy drawings and dressed up goofballs. I get to serve lunch at the local diner (the kitchen island) to different characters every afternoon. Some of them say “Arg, matey, where’s me lunch?” But #3’s favorite is a good mermaid specimen of any kind. While carrying her favorite mermaid book around, she told me, “When I get as old as this house or the sky, I want to be HER.” She has informed me a multitude of times that she wants me to make her a slimy mermaid tail. If anyone knows how to accomplish this, would you please pass that information on down my way please? One of these days I’d like to accompany a mermaid to the grocery store instead of a princess. Do you think a mermaid would still eat tuna?

Here I was saying I was ready for vacation to be over out of pure exhaustion. But you know when that bus came that first morning and MY little tiny people crossed the street and gave me the “I love you” fingers, man I was sad to see them go. And they always get on in order. Big first, then little. And I can see their feet—I can’t help but look under the bus and watch as they climb up that too-tall step, and when the little guy climbs up I can see what a stretch it is for his tiny legs and it makes my heart full every time. And I don’t care how many cars are lined up in back of the bus, I still stand there in my pj’s and coat and hat and boots and wave something fierce, because they are waving something fierce, so they must want to see me standing there as the bus pulls away just smiling and waving. Before I know it, all three will be hopping up those steps like it’s nothing. Man, time is flying by.