Thoughtful Thursday - Bear

Have you heard the theory in parenting that goes..."It's never too early to talk about ____"?

Whatever you fill in the blank with: drugs, drinking, smoking, sex, and any other host of new things I don't even know the names for..."they" say you should talk about it early and often to set the tone of awarness and prevention.

As of yet, or most troubling social confrentation that dissolves our sweet Bear into uncontrollable giggles at the dinner table is, "And when T. drinks, he....burps, then drinks, then....burps some more." (And for my devoted readers from post one of this blog - this is the same first grade boy she has deemed stalker-worthy all year!)

So, the other night, after a bedtime story I thought - she's in a good mood. say something now. something non-challant. Just open a conversation.

Me: "Hey Bear. Has anyone at school ever talked to you about smoking?"

Bear: (thinks a minute - is very thoughtful with a pursed mouth. I am patting myself on the back for being so astute and blah..blah...blah - then she speaks) "Well, we do have fire drills and I know you are supposed to stop (pause for effect) - drop - and roll."

Yeah - she's not ready.

Show and Tell - "All I Want For Christmas!"

To say my girls are different is vast understatement. They are polar opposites from the core. One is serious, the other flexible. One takes the most direct route, refusing to acknowledge that there could be another way, the other takes life as it comes and tries every route once. It works - most of the time.

Of course there are those special moments in the year when the way they see and experience the world comes out in such a clear way, I cannot stop but pause, smile and embrace their differences.


When constructing out Santa wish lists this year, there was no talk of fairness. Bear didn't try to run the show. They seemed to understand that this was an independant task and neither criticized the other's selections. It was refreshing.

As I read them the crafty little poem I wrote, I could see their minds working... "Dear Santa -

I've been so very good this year - Please check your long list twice.

If you bring a toy or two - It surely would be nice.

For once, THEY seemed to embrace that they wanted different things.

Bear -serious with her pencil raised, sporting a contemplative pout as she recalled what she had told me the day before, sounded out her desires...documenting them phonetically, then drawing pictures on the corresponding line to be sure Santa couldn't mis-interpret.

Oh - sorry, you can't read Kindergarten writing? Please, let me interpret...

1. Uno Cards 2. Memory (game) 3 Piggie Bank 4. Big Soft Crunchy Snowman (don't ask)

The Comedian - rattled off her requests while in constant movement, skipping around the table - then stopping only to say an item in an, "it would be great if it appeared under the tree - but -eh, no biggie - they are just things" kind of voice.

As I hope can read the crayon writing of a thirty-something mother...I'll interpret Comedian style.

1. Teddy Bear - She cannot get enough stuffies.

2. Socks - Is she mearly practical? Maybe - but last week she had a HUGE hole in the heel of her sock that made a public appearance at the doctor's office. So, she needs new socks.

3. Napkins - And, white napkins to be specific. Um, our napkin holder is empty. That's it.

4. "you pick" - Damn...I love this kid!

Now, to see what the rest of the class is bring...skip, hop, or twirl over to Show and Tell.

Like Mother, Like Daughter?

As I read through my recent posts here I have to admit Bear seems to be absent. Where is she? She is at school!!

This, apparently, is a full time job. And, let my just add that we didn't sign her up for ANY of the extracurricular activities this year, in anticipation of how big a transition it would be. I can't even imagine my life right now if soccer ended only to have basketball begin. Eeeeeeekkkkkkk!

Regardless, I feel like she is never home. Up and out by 730 each morning. Home at three. A quality...hmm...hour or so. Then I cook. Dinner at 5. De-stressing "tiny-movie", as she has long called it, at 6:30 and bed at 7.

Um...I miss my girl. So, armed with this knowledge of what The Comedian's future will be in 2010-2011 (and I'm not kidding myself, OF COURSE she'll do all the extras, cause Bear will be by then) - I am taking full advantage of my 1:1 time with Ms. Comedian. 12:30 to 3:00 everyday is ours, and she is a completely different kid without the cruise director around. Well, she is her normal totally fun loving, flexible, not being told what to do by big sister, giggly and silly self. You can figure out the opposite behavior with just a tad of imagination!

So, without further ado...yet another adorable Comedian moment!

On Wednesday, a lovely free shipping box store delivered our new phones. (other ones were d.y.ing!) I connected, disconnected, charged - and yesterday I gave The Comedian the old phone as a toy.

"Where is the other one?" she asked

"Right here." I answered

And, THIS is what happened next...

Is she serious?

Ahhh - the sweet daughter, like crazy overcommitted mother.

Or, would THIS be a more accurate picture of said mother?

Hope you had a good laugh!

Truly Wordless Wednesday