Finding The Joy

Yesterday was hard. Big Red climbed out of his crib for the first time. He fell and though he was more scared than hurt, it's the latest in a string of mishaps that make me fearful of mothering a boy.


Getting ready for the field trip to the fair, I discovered that Mr. Clairol had put away laundry last night and I couldn't find anything! Big Red's shorts were in Missy Hoohaw's drawer, Missy's socks in Red's sock bin. And Missy's shoes were gone. I think the trolls took them, because, hand to God, I could not find them. So I placed a frantic phone call to poor Andrea, telling her I'd meet her at the fair, no carpooling for us. Turns out I wasn't as behind as I thought. The class was meeting at 9:30, not 9:00, so yay, carpool on!


I ran into Tar-jay and bought Missy new shoes, then hustled to Andrea's house. The fair was okay, but Missy was in melt-down mode the entire time. It was great. I got yelled at by a Carny for taking pictures on the Merry-Go-Round and on the way home, Drama Queen had her own melt-down, worrying that she wouldn't get into the dance without a bid. She, of course, did not want to go back to school for 6th period, because that was embarrassing. sigh.


At home, I realized we were out of bread, so I started to throw a batch in machine. As I was adding the salt, I knocked the hopper over and spilled buttermilk, flour, oil, honey and gluten all over my freshly mopped floor. I cleaned it up, but realized as I was making the second batch, I was out of honey. Hell.


Mr. Clairol came home early, which is normally a happy occurrence, but he was bummed because work was slow and there was none for him that day. He gets paid by the job, so this means another light check. double sigh. The kids didn't want leftovers and the little ones definitely did not want Daddy to leave for DQ's dance. ( A friend picked up DQ's dance bid for her) Jenny called and that was great but my kids acted up the entire time and at the end of the call, I was so frustrated I wanted to scream.


I didn't. I sat on the floor and played ball for a bit. Then we did somersaults. It's hard to watch a toddler do his first independent somersault and not smile. Big Red was so thrilled to be able to do it himself. His smile was a mile wide. And I found the joy of parenting again.


Mr. Clairol survived his first chaperon gig with nary a scar. He actually had a great time. And so did Drama Queen. She twirled into the living room on a pink puffy cloud with glittery birds and puffy hearts swimming around her head. Apparently, the dance was "completely wonderful" and "awesome." No, The Boyfriend didn't kiss her. But he's wonderful and they danced and had a great time and life is beautiful. They even got a picture. When the hell did she grow up?


Today will be better. It has to be. I have a date with Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf tonight. Oh, and Mr. Clairol will be there too. Dum-da-dum-dum Dum da-dum!