“I made a mess, Mom. You want me to make more a mess?” My sprite of a toddler is cocked, loaded and ready to fire. So I say, “Sure!” Then, through the air fly a string of toy cars, dolls, and puzzle pieces. It’s not about the mess. I repeat. It’s not about the mess.Continue reading “Start A Riot”
Category Archives: Toddler
I See Dead People
For those of you not privy to the characteristics of seed swap attendees, think of a cross between Renaissance fairgoers, commune guitar pickers, and librarian tote-slinging afternoon tea drinkers. Where I fall may be a mashup of all three. As the vest-wearing creators of the event cuddled up to smile for a selfie, I imaginedContinue reading “I See Dead People”
Duck, Rooster!
“The circle, the circle of life.” To start this tale, I declare that nature is a toilet to us all: The bats and the bees, the buffaloes and the bunnies. All allow their excrement to return home to whither it once sprung. But this, my confidants, has nothing to do with the deposits of animals.Continue reading “Duck, Rooster!”
She’s A Small Wonder
A hard parenting night, the building up of work to-do’s, and a blank mind equally block the imagination’s flow. Right now, it’s a Kraken game that’s strangling my creative juices; a goal for the opposing team with 3.3 seconds remaining tied it up. And seconds into OT, they scored again. Sports stress me out. ButContinue reading “She’s A Small Wonder”
Puddly Boots
I have a last-minute cuddly buddy in bed with me; messy red-headed, milk-guzzling, four days away from three-years-old, Evelyn. She had a belly ache from three toddler-sized bowls of tomato soup, but after milk and the offer to stay in my bed with me, she’s feeling better, and giggling and rubbing herself in the coversContinue reading “Puddly Boots”
Tree Fallin’
“I need to put water in my belly,” Evelyn said, hiccupping and running to find her glass. Remembering what my Mom used to do for me, yet unsure of its efficacy, I said, “Come on, let’s try a teaspoon full of sugar.” “Yes, sugar!” She shouted in delight. Sitting on Dave’s lap for a pre-bedtimeContinue reading “Tree Fallin’”
Damned If I
I’m that fan of myself, the one with an absurdly large number one finger on my hand, but just as quickly, I will back myself into a corner with the snarling, foaming mouth of a pit bull. That’s because “Sometimes you’re the windshield. Sometimes you’re the bug.” For part of today, I felt like a big, red,Continue reading “Damned If I”
Wayward Frogs
“Come Mama, follow me. Jump in da pud-dle!” My daughter’s imagination is legit. So I follow and jump onto a blanket that’s splayed out in the middle of the rug. Still, people’s voices will play in my head. “That age was my favorite” and “Enjoy it while it lasts.” Instead of helping, their words tormentContinue reading “Wayward Frogs”
Not Today
Today, the 5-year-old neighbor girl swung on the swings and jumped on the trampoline with Evelyn. When they ran together across the field, Brighton turned to Evelyn and posed the question of all questions. “Do you want to be my friend?” I couldn’t help but hold my breath, the mother in me felt protective forContinue reading “Not Today”
Scribbly Dee
For those of you who don’t know Evelyn, she is my 2-year-old daughter, and here is a writing sample I found on my computer from earlier: tt5iit5iy5iyi56ko7oti66k6ioioii5okrejtji7iyiy869i7i9iiuio9ouiio8o8ii87loou7o7oooooo6777o7i7o7i7i7iii7i7iioi65vlkgisdtlytggjgkhnijgjjhjhjhtyukjiujioikopjukohpokpkthkomplgbjlpjmolj It appears she likes 7’s, o’s, and j’s. Do you ever panic when you hear water dripping, like maybe you’re in bed reading and wonder if the noiseContinue reading “Scribbly Dee”
Going On 40 