Last night as a sat at my computer checking my e-mail a sudden scream comes from the bathroom, as I race up the stairs a dripping wet boy barely covered by a towel comes racing out into the kitchen. His screams turn into cries as he tells me about the mosquito that is chasing him around the shower. WHAT! Of course at this point I am already on edge as it took a 20 minute argument to get him to take a shower and another 10 minutes of fighting over which bathroom he was to use. (We only have two, so if someone is in one it stands to reason you'll be using the other.) I walk into the bathroom to destroy this terrifying intruder, which I am unable to locate and send my son back in to finish what he started. 3 minutes later he emerges hair still dry and insisting that he's clean. hhhmmmm...
I'm not sure when it happened but at some point bathing became a point of contention between me and my two oldest boys. I think they should bath often, they feel like once or twice a month should be considered sufficient.
It use to be that this was their favorite part of the day. When they were little filling up the tub with warm water, bubbles and toys created an excitement unmatched by many of our other activities. If I didn't plan to give them a bath they would beg for one. As they got older nothing was more fun than getting in the shower and spraying water everywhere. And using the Daddy's shower was the coolest thing in the world. (That's our smaller bathroom with a shower stall.)
Now every couple of days I have to start the battle to get them in the shower. It always begins the same:
" B or C, you need to take a shower."
" I just took one."
"That was two days ago."
"I'm not dirty."
"You are and it doesn't matter, because I told you to take a shower. Now please do it."
"I don't have any soap"
"Let me get you some."
"Do I have to wash my body?"
"Yes"
"What about my hair?"
"Yes"
Sometimes there's an argument about which shower to use. Inevitably they always want to use the one that's already occupied. And then comes the fun part. As the child exits the bathroom within moments of going in and I notice their hair isn't even damp.
"Are you done?"
"yes."
"Did you wash your hair?"
"yes"
"Why isn't it wet?"
"It's short so it dries fast?"
"Really?"
Some nights I fight the battle to get them back into to wash their hair and some nights I just give up. It makes me wonder if I should look forward to when they are concerned about their personal hygiene but then I know that means GIRLS.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Fall Break
When you step out of the car after the 8 hour drive the smells of fall envelop you. Wafting through the air is the scent of the wood burning stove, the sweet musty fragrance of damp leaves float up from the woods, and all around is a breath of fresh air. You are quickly greeted by a dog somewhat unsure of the new arrivals but anxious to be petted all the same. In moments Grandpa is there to welcome you with a warm hug that leaves you warm and relaxed. His scent is a mix of the outdoors in which he spends most of his time, the wood burning stove he's probably just stoked, and Brut. He's quick to tell you how beautiful you look and always insists that you get more beautiful everytime he sees you.
As you walk in to my grandparents home you are instantly taken back by the heat of the wood stove. After a moments adjustment, Grandma comes to hug you and to offer you something to eat. Even if you told her not prepare anything, she almost always has a snack or meal ready. The house never seems to change much, maybe a new piece of furniture or new curtains, but for the most part the house has looked the same since you began visiting 30 years ago.
The visit goes much the same as always, sleeping in the cabin with a fire blazing through the night only to burn out so that you wake early to a frigid room, an early trip out for breakfast on Saturday followed by scouring the flea market for a hidden treasure, spending the day visiting with Grandpa in the garage or playing cards with Grandma at the kitchen table. You look forward to the visit from Aunt Teresa and clan for dinner, more card playing , trips to the local outlet mall that only has about five stores, and of course Wal-Mart (though you have one at home it's a requirement to make at least one visit while there). Early supper followed by a little TV and then it's time to head back to the cabin for another nights rest. Tomorrow will be much the same, there's no schedule down here, no place you have to be, just an opportunity to relax enjoy the comforts of the simple vacation.
These are the memories I have of most fall breaks since I was a child and I feel blessed that now I can share those same memories with my children.
As you walk in to my grandparents home you are instantly taken back by the heat of the wood stove. After a moments adjustment, Grandma comes to hug you and to offer you something to eat. Even if you told her not prepare anything, she almost always has a snack or meal ready. The house never seems to change much, maybe a new piece of furniture or new curtains, but for the most part the house has looked the same since you began visiting 30 years ago.
The visit goes much the same as always, sleeping in the cabin with a fire blazing through the night only to burn out so that you wake early to a frigid room, an early trip out for breakfast on Saturday followed by scouring the flea market for a hidden treasure, spending the day visiting with Grandpa in the garage or playing cards with Grandma at the kitchen table. You look forward to the visit from Aunt Teresa and clan for dinner, more card playing , trips to the local outlet mall that only has about five stores, and of course Wal-Mart (though you have one at home it's a requirement to make at least one visit while there). Early supper followed by a little TV and then it's time to head back to the cabin for another nights rest. Tomorrow will be much the same, there's no schedule down here, no place you have to be, just an opportunity to relax enjoy the comforts of the simple vacation.
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