The Puddles

Ben had his very awesome birthday party yesterday.  The entire family was there.  Grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins. etc. And there it was . . .

The kids were still sitting at the kids’ table. No not the under 10 years old set, but the under 40 years old set. All of the parents were gathered in the living room to eat.  All of the children sat at the dining room table to eat. All of the children’s children were sitting at the small table in the hallway.  Here we are . . . old enough to join the big people at dinner and we still self-regulated.  Maybe one day we will figure it out.  Until then. . .

“Do you know why fish can see under water?” asks Ben.

“No.  I’ve never thought about it before.”

” Well.  We should ask scientists because they are the smartest people in the world,” declares Ben.

“I think you should be a scientist, Ben.  You are really smart too.”

“I know. (Pause.) Mom, I think that fish can see underwater because there is salt in the water.  When it mixes with the water it helps fish to be able to see. Yeah. I am sure that is it,” says Ben.

“I am sure that you are right, Ben.”

No. It’s not.  But I got my birthday present today!!!!  I told Chris that all I wanted for my birthday was for him to clean out my fridge.  I mean really clean it.  Pull out the shelves. Clean the walls. Disinfect the whole thing.  And today . . .

I came home to a clean fridge.  Awesome.  It is awesome.  Some wives will scoff at my request.  “You should have asked for really cool presents,” they will say. But I didn’t want presents.  I have a fridge that has not “truly” been cleaned in six months (I wipe up spills, but I haven’t pulled everything out and scrubbed). And I didn’t want to do it.  So that is what I asked for my birthday day present this year, and today he gave it to me.

Thank you Chris!

“Mommy, what’s your first name?” asks Ainsley.

“Katherine.”

“Oh. (great pause) I thought it was Mommy.  Then why do I call you Mommy and not Katherine?  Is it because you are my mommy?” Ainsley replies.

1.  “(They) gave me this sharp needle thingy to throw” says Ben.

In reality . . . they took the kids to a carnival and the kids threw darts at balloons to win prizes.  But that is NOT what he said.

2.  “Papa got me a bow and arrow at McDonalds!” declares Ben.

In reality  . . .  they took the kids to McDonalds for lunch and Ben got a toy that was a cartoon character holding a bow and arrow.  But that is NOT what he said.

3.  “They made me brush the horses with wires that had prickles,” says Ainsley.

In reality . . . they took the kids to see miniature (“immature horses” is what Ainsley called them) horses and Ainsley got to brush one of the horses.  But that is NOT what she said.

4.  “They called them Sisters. Why?” says Madie. (The miniature horses are raised by nuns at a convent in Brenham.)

“That’s it. They let you run around with needles, bought you bows and arrows, and made you torture horses. And now they are trying to make you Catholic! You are NEVER going to your grandparents again!” says Chris.

There was a great gasp amongst the children until Daddy burst into giggles.  The kids had such a good time with so many new experiences that they didn’t have the vocabulary to explain it all properly.  But the dinner table was full of lot of laughter and fun while all three attempted to tell us every detail of their weekend in Brenham.

Thanks to Grandma and Papa Lake for taking the kids for the weekend, because it allowed Chris and I to get away by ourselves for a mini-vacation.  Now, we did get away a few years ago in 2008, but that was to come to Conroe to interview (really not a vacation when you are nervous the whole time about a new calling and finding a house and staving off the wolves at home . . . all in the same breath while staying at your sister’s house). So not since before Madie was born have we been able to get away overnight for a vacation.  This was definitely well deserved time away.  We escaped to our vacation secret getaway location and again it was glorious.  We walked the beach for hours with hardly any other people.  I sat and read by the water for hours more while Chris walked and walked and walked some more.  I don’t mind walking but at some point I like to just sit, take in the sun, while reading a good book.  We ate good food in this tiny beach town and we were even able to go watch a movie and do some shopping for a little while.

I was worried that I would be completely bored and couldn’t possibly come up with that many hours of conversation to fill the time.  But I wasn’t and we did.

I think it did Chris a world of good too.  We only got two phone calls while we were there from church people.  And that . . . is a good record.  I was amazed at the restraint that people had and that no one else called (and that no emergencies occurred).  It was awesome.   For anyone who has ever worked for or has been called into church ministry, you know that rarely are you ever off.  Of course, we would have answered the phone if someone did call, but it was so cool that so many people didn’t. Thank you.  Talk about Pastor Appreciation month!  That was a really good way to show your Pastor that you appreciate him.  No phone calls on vacation!

So we have returned. The children have returned. We are slowly immersing ourselves back into family life.  We have all unpacked our suitcases.  I am currently washing the clothes from the weekend and fixing dinner while the children are outside playing with friends.  But we are all feeling relaxed and full of vitality.  Ready to meet the world head-on . . . again.  We are renewed for the journey.

.

A walk on the beach with my husband while we watch the sun set truly is peaceful.

Thanks to Chris.  I almost forgot.  Then I got an email from my mom reminding me.  I grabbed the needed cash and walked upstairs.  Madie was still stirring, so I laid down to wait her out.  Chris comes home to find me asleep on the bed and wakes me up to ask me what the cash was for.  I forgot again.  Luckily Chris completed the necessary deed.

It was a success.

“The yard is starting to look pretty brown.  I think we need to start running the sprinklers again,” said wife.

“If I water, the grass will grow, and then I will have to mow it,” replied husband.

Therefore, the sprinklers remain off.

I must have a mental condition.  Or I am just overextended and extremely tired. Madie finally decided to put her tooth under her pillow and give it to the tooth fairy.  This is a big deal.  Madie has been terrified of the tooth fairy for years.  She wouldn’t give any of her teeth to the tooth fairy.  I told her that was fine, but she couldn’t turn them in at the age of 16 and expect a car.

So last night she decided to try out the tooth fairy.  She put it in her prayer pillow and put it at the end of the bed.  And then  . . . nothing.  That’s right nothing.  I forgot.  Forgot.  How could I?  Put me up for horrible parent of the year award.  Blame it on the too long list, the lack of sleep, or the horrible forgetful parent.  In my defense, I did remember to get Ainsley’s Daisy uniform completely finished last night.  But that doesn’t get me out of hock with Madie.  When Madie came to my bed this morning with a tooth in her hand and pained look on her face, I knew I had blown it.  So . . .

I quickly turned to Chris and said, “Did you leave the door unlocked so the tooth fairy could get it?” God Bless, Chris.  Even in his sleepy stupor, he sat up and said, “Shoot!  I forgot. I’m sorry Madie.”  Thank you Chris for taking a bullet for me.  I sent Madie to her room to get dressed and quickly ran downstairs and typed the following note:

Dear Madie,

I am so sorry.  You finally asked me to come and I couldn’t even get in the door or down the chimney or in the window. Man, your parents have locked up that house tighter than a prison!!!

I’ve sent your dad an email asking him to help me tonight by at least opening the damper to the chimney.   Then I can get in.

I heard from a lot of people that you  are scared of me and that you were worried.  I promise that I am a pretty cool person who just loves to collect teeth.

Can’t wait to add your tooth to my collection!

Love,

T.F.

Folded and taped the note to the back door.  Ran back upstairs to finish getting everyone ready for school.  Then when the kids came downstairs, I sent Ben to the car to get something out.  Ben “discovers” the note.  The story plays on. I read the note. I realize the note is for Madie.  Give it to her. She reads it.  And she is stunned and excited.  The joy on her face when she realizes that the note is for her was precious. “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.  How did she find out that I was scared of her?  I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it!”  The other two are excited.  They are jumping up and down asking Madie to read the letter again.  She even ended up taking the letter to school, so that she could show her teacher.

Whew.  I pulled it out in the end, but I wish that I would have just remembered to begin with.  Maybe next time.

p.s.  Madie told me on the way out that she is giving the tooth fairy the three teeth that she has in her treasure box.  And she can’t wait to do it.