Must slow down.

Every morning in our house is a scramble to get out the door. I'm not really a morning person and it's quite evident that Elise isn't either. She gets distracted so easily. Somehow "Put on your clothes" translates to "Stand on the couch in your underwear with a beenie baby on your head for 5 minutes" and "Brush your teeth" means "Go find a long stick and a flashlight then try to get your little tiger out from behind your bed because he certainly can't stay there alone all day."

This morning was no different. Rush, rush, rush. Nag, nag, nag.
I open the car door, shove all our things in. Elise is standing in the middle of the driveway.
"Elise, we have to go. I'm going to be late."
"Come here mom. I have something to show you."
"But we're running late! OK. Make it quick. What is it?"

"It's perfect today. Look. Feel it. It's just perfect. It smells so good and feels nice on my skin. Did you ever see such a great day?"

It was perfect. Still, warm, sunny, beautiful.
"Thank you honey for sharing that with me."

"See. You didn't want to miss that, did you?"

No. No, I didn't.

Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks

I admit I was concerned when Elise told me this was her favorite song ever. It's about running from guns. It's a bouncy, catchy tune with a disturbing message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ&ob=av2e

She asked if it hurt my feelings.
Me: I don't like all the words, but why would it hurt my feelings?
E: Because the children are tired of their moms kissing them all the time.
Then went on to sing:
"All the other kids who are done getting kissed - you better run, better run, better outrun my mom. All the other kids who are done get kissed - better run, better run, faster than my mother."

Awww... so sweet.

E: Mom? Daddy thinks you're really pretty.

M: Really? Did he say that?

E: No. I can just see it.

Poor Dad

E: Daddy is my little puppy your friend?
D: He sure is. My best friend ever.
E: Is it because you both have hair all over you?


later on...
E: DAD! I need your help!
D: What is it?
E: Can you wipe my butt?
D: You can do it!
E: I can't. Mom and I both painted our nails. They're still wet so you're the only one who can wipe my butt right now.

Martin Luther King Jr.

E: Why don't you have work on a Monday? Is is Columbus Day?
M: No. It's Martin Luther King Jr Day.
E: Whoa. That's a long name. What is it for?
M: MLK was a really good man who...
E: Is he dead?
M: He is now. A long time ago it was pretty common for people to be mean to one another because they look different or have different color hair or skin. MLK was an activist who told everyone how wrong and mean that was. Everyone is a person and deserves to be treated equally.
E: Did he get rid of bullies?
M: He helped get laws passed so people couldn't be bullies anymore.
~silence~
M: What do you think of that?
E: I think he needs a catchy name. Like Santa or Jesus or something.

Winter Driving

It snowed early this year. Then it rained. Then that froze. Then in snowed again. Not unexpected around here at all, but the roads are pretty crummy.
Driving home from daycare was rough yesterday. We were also in a rush to get home, eat, change, and go to dance class.
E: Mom? I want to ask you a question.
M: OK. What is it?
E: I'm doing a really, really good job being patient.
M: Yes, you are.
(Not really a question, but it's true. She's just sitting there quietly)
E: You're not. Remember you said we all need to share the road and take turns, Mom? It doesn't help when you tell people to "come on" and talk sassy to them. You just need to wait patiently until it's your turn.

Ouch.

Turtle Weenies

E: Mom, I like your sweater.
M: Thanks.
E: How come it goes all the way up to your chin?
M: That's what kind of a sweater it is. It's called a turtle neck.
E: I don't really like the necks. You know what I like? I like turtle weenies.
M: WHAT?
E: You know - turtle weenies and raviolis.
M: You mean tortellinis?
E: Yes. Turtle weenies.