Today was a really great day. Yes, I stayed up late watching LOST (all 10 hours, as Grapefruit put it), but Rachelle slept through the night, and when Shaelyn woke up for the day at 5:30, Michael got up with her. So by the time I rolled out of bed at 7:30, I was feeling quite rested and happy.
Which is a good thing, because Tuesday morning I woke up quite grumpy after a night of back-and-forth between both girls and no longer than 2 consecutive hours of sleep at a time. And when Shaelyn saw my grumpy face, she said, "Mommy, no one likes a frowny face. Change it for a smile!" After that dose of my own medicine, I vowed to have a better night the next night so as to avoid my usual case of morning grumpies, and now 3-year-old commentary on said grumpies.
Shaelyn went to her music class this morning, leaving Rachelle and I home alone to do whatever we wanted. We played, giggled, and read a gazillion books. I did two loads of laundry and read a LOST recap article. Then we both took an hour nap. Fabulous.
We picked up Shaelyn and headed over to Sam's Club. I swear you cannot go to that store and spend less than $100. I dare anyone to do it. Which is why I hardly ever go there. Which probably explains the reason why I end up spending more than $100 when I finally do.
The girls are so cute together in those "double front seat" carts. Why can't all grocery stores offer these? They played and hugged and giggled at each other for the whole 45 minutes we were there. I received several "oohs" and "aahs" and smiles from grandmotherly ladies, causing me to beam with motherly pride. And not because I did anything spectacular to cause this behavior. I could have just as easily been the mom with the screaming children and the look of murder on her face. It just so happens that luck was in my favor today.
We came home, ate some of our Sam's Club spoils (Smart Food - YUM!) and vegged in front of Maisy. Which I think everyone in my house now has memorized. Even our friends who babysat for us a few days ago at least have "oats and beans and barley grow" stuck in their heads.
Then we trekked upstairs for Rachelle to take her second nap, and Shaelyn and I got down to business. We folded the two loads of laundry, stripped the beds, washed the sheets, picked up the books and toys, and finally settled down to read some books together ourselves. I was super impressed with Shaelyn's willingness to help me with the chores. She's usually enthusiastic, but this was a whole new level. And she was actually pretty good at folding her clothes. Even more impressive - she would let me help her when she couldn't get it right.
A few days ago, Shaelyn had earned another date with me. The date this time - baking pink cupcakes with Mommy. We had yet to do it, so today, with a 1/2 hour of Rachelle's nap to go, we set up our baking station downstairs and got to work. Shaelyn smiled and talked up a storm. She loves these dates. And I amazed myself by not freaking out ONE BIT when the dry ingredients got slung from the bowl during a stirring attempt. Or when half the measured contents of the oil landed on the floor. Or when Shaelyn's first attempt at cracking an egg ended with eggshell everywhere in the bowl. I calmly laughed my way through it, and we turned out some pretty good cupcakes.
When Rachelle woke up, the three of us made some English muffin pizzas for dinner. Even Rachelle climbed up on the step stool and helped smear sauce (or make a bigger mess) and sprinkle cheese (or eat it faster than I could get it on the pizza). I had bought a fresh pineapple while at Sam's Club, and as sad as it is to admit it, it was my first time ever buying a fresh pineapple. Nevertheless, I cut it up like a pro. Well, I forgot to core it, but one bite into the pieces still attached to the core remedied that. We had a yummy dinner of pizza, pineapple, and cupcakes for desert.
The girls even cooperated for bathtime/bedtime, both eventually curling up in my lap together to read Green Eggs and Ham. At one point Rachelle even put her head on Shaelyn's shoulder.
I've been reading my scriptures every single day. EVERY SINGLE DAY without fail, since I had my major emotional meltdown a few weeks ago. It obviously didn't magically change my children or make them perfect. But it has given me a huge boost in patience, empathy, and compassion for my children. Which has in turn helped their behavior.
And probably led Shaelyn to make a very sweet observation today. While at Sam's Club, we passed a little boy who was screaming. His daddy (I assume) was holding him and trying to calm him down. But it still upset Shaelyn. We passed him and Shaelyn looked up at me with wary eyes and asked:
"What's wrong with him, Mommy?"
I smiled at her and assured her everything was ok, but that he was just sad. She thought about it and responded:
"He just needs his Mommy."
