When I want my family to get along, or share, or go on a hike or even, for Otter, go to disney world or the beach (anything new). Presentation matters. The tone of voice, the timing, the angle of the sun, the current comfort level of everyone involved, the bribes; I try to make it like a purple iced cupcake with pretty pink roses.
School morning wake-ups are one of these opportunities to start off right. I try so hard to be light and helpful and tickle and carry, when really I think they should get up by them selves by golly and let me fix their lunches. But the kinder I am the better their days (and mine) will be. The current trick is to wake them up with a question, “do you want me to make cream of wheat for breakfast? Do you want your clothes on the heater? Do you want the green pants or the blue jeans?” The clothes on the heater is very important.
My ability to put everyone involved in a foul mood is unparalleled. If I can control my mood and smile instead of yelling when Tucker Mac won’t put his day clothes on, we’ll be on time and maybe even early.
When we went to take T-Macaroni to school yesterday LW was sooo sloow. I tried all my normal tricks, I stop until she see’s me, then I say, “you can’t get meee.” She scuffed her foot on the ground and looked at a brown flower. I was getting cold and Big Dan was getting bored, I tried again, I got behind her and pretended to chase her, “you’d better run, rrrharrr.” That didn’t work either. My next attempt was to run ahead and look back, bending over to put my head between my legs, usually she looves this. Not this time. It was time for threats. “Wrenny, would you like to ride that bike or ride on my shoulders?” “Bike” “Then go, come on” I say trying to make my voice go up like I’m still playing, but really, I’m not. I plead a little. “Come on Louisa, I know you want to ride the bike, make it go” Still, we’ve moved 30 feet in 10 minutes and I’m getting cold and Dan’s getting bored and I really don’t like it when they do exactly the opposite of what I say. So I finally say, “so sad” and pick her up and put her on my shoulders to carry her home. Later that day 4 people tell me how they heard Wrenny cry soo hard outside their house this morning.
Sometimes with Otter it takes days of preparation and talk about an upcoming event. Occasionally, if I know he’s going to love it after the event is over, the best strategy is to throw it at him as we walk in the door or make him go. Last year when presented with something new, Otter’s fits were unbelievable and kinda scary.
Tucker Mac can almost always be bought with the promise of a movie, candy or building a fire. Louisa Wren just comes along, game for anything. Except I better not jinx us, she’s about to get to *that age*. Yesterday she threw a fit about going to the bar fork because we were in a hurry and she couldn’t ride her bike. Tucker Mac started throwing scary mean fits at around 3. Can you believe she’s almost 3?
A mouthful and a smile.
Dan did like the snow, but he found a dead elk and spent the most of the trip gnawing on a leg while we looked for him.
Otter blows me away with how strong he is.
He went up this hill laughing and falling and getting back up.
The boys love Star Wars right now.
Otter is not Luke. He’s very clear on that, he is Obe Wan Kenobe from the first movie.
Here’s my boy (in his new jacket). I spent the morning a little worried about parent teacher conferences. This afternoon was the day. 2 for Otter and 1 for Tucker Mac. Louisa Wren and Otter went to all of them with me and they were angels, Otter read book after book to Wrenny and if she got bored he would find a toy.
