Coach

The combination of nice weather and kids home have served to moved my exercise routine down to the local middle school track. My partner and I don't always match pace and since I don't like walking alone much I often call one of the kids to do a lap with me. T, at 7, has proven to be an insightful coach.

He jogs along side me trying to get me to speed up. "Come on, Mom. You got to go faster if you want to get to your top level. Too many people think they are happy being at a low level but for you it's top 'cause you want to be your best, not all lazy and stuff."

We mark our laps in the dirt each time we pass the stairs leading to the basketball court. I told him my goal was to get to 8 laps. He said 10. Yesterday I did 6. Today 7. He shook his head in disappointment. He looked at me. "That's okay. You did your best. You can do 8 tomorrow, then 10 next time. Then you can start going faster."

Sure thing, Coach.

Music?

All the children are noisier than usual. "The natives are restless" as they say. This morning they have started earlier than usual. At 8 am my little 3 yr old princess was tooting away on her pretend trumpet, an empty paper towel roll.

I asked her to 'please, keep it down.'

Ever so innocently she responded, "I need to get the horny out."

Name Calling

Sitting out in the shade of the dusty pseudo-ranch I was bragging to Cousin Amy about how well behaved my boys were. (After all, isn't that part of what Family Reunions are for?) To prove my point I called my 7 year old over, who happen to be walking by. I asked him to please take my paper dishes and put them in the trash. When he returned I thanked him and asked him to take Cousin Amy's too. He graciously complied.

While he was in transit with her dishes she asked how I managed to teach them so well. "Not me. They get it all from their dad and the example he sets."

Returning, my son then took his dad's plate and asked if he would like more of anything. Cousin Amy was overwhelmed. (I was secretly pleased because although they are great kids, children have a funny way of behaving the exact opposite when you are trying to show them off.) Jim told our son no thank you, just to throw it away.

Now everyone's dishes were cleared so I half expected the boy to run off and play. I began telling Amy how Jim teaches the kids to call me "Queen Mom" at home sometimes. Just that moment our son returned and asked, "Is there anything else?" (What a thoughtful kid!)

Relishing in the glow of the moment Jim asked, "T, what do I tell you to call mom?"

Confusion on his face he answered with some trepidation, "Mom?"

I knew the question was awfully vague and out-of-nowhere for the poor kid to simply guess at the right answer so I searched for a way to help prompt him without supplying the answer. "Daddy means at home. What does he tell you guys to call me at home?"

I was going to add something like, "On Mother's Day he tells you to call me something special," but didn't get it out. My son's face suddenly lit up with that schoolboy I-know-this-answer pride. With confidence and exuberance he stated loudly, "Sexy!"

Needless to say, everyone laughed and I was done showing off.

Good Quotes

"Love is like a butterfly, hold it too tight and it will crush; hold it too loose and it will fly away."

"Women are to be loved, not to be understood." Chinese Proverb

"In women everything is heart, even the head" J.R. Richter