November 29, 2004 | Offspring: ecstasy and agony
Chickadee finally managed to get that darn tooth out, today. She fairly flew off the bus this afternoon, grimy tooth clutched triumphantly in her hand, big hole in her smile with the tip of her tongue poking through. (After dinner discovery: even a large front tooth doesn’t leave a hole quite large enough to suck Skittles through, although they didn’t get stuck for lack of trying.)
Maybe it wouldn’t have bothered me if I hadn’t spent an hour shopping for pants for Monkey, today. Yesterday, I was trying to get the kids ready for church, and every pair of pants I tossed over to Monkey was met with “Um, Mama? Little problem, here.” They were all too short. It turned out that other than a bunch of jeans and one pair of cordoroys in not-so-stellar condition, the boy didn’t have a single pair of pants that made it down to his ankles. Whoops. So today I hit the consignment store and got him some appropriate “church pants” (someday, maybe, he’ll call them khakis or chinos…?) and a few other miscellaneous things.
They’re getting bigger; they’re growing taller and shedding baby teeth and no one–NO ONE, I tell you!–has asked my permission. This is unacceptable.
But as any good mother knows, there is revenge to be had. They grow up without asking, but we can subtly influence them along the way. It doesn’t have to be anything overt. A few little things are all it takes. Say, a miscellanous purchase when you’re out picking up some pants, for example. A casual, “You will never guess what I found on the clearance rack today….” Before you know it your mini-me will be coming along nicely.
(Here in New England, there are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and LL Bean.)
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Just be sure that the tooth fairy doesn’t forget to stop at your house tonight like she did at mine last week. ::ahem::
November 29th, 2004 at 9:50 pmSO CUTE. So cute. Thanks for the slipper pics. Kept me warm and fuzzy, and I don’t even have slippers!
November 29th, 2004 at 9:59 pmI’ve been a lurker for a while, just wanted to say that your writing is fabulous and I’m silently cheering you on in your quest for….well, in your quest.
On a strange and random note, if you notice a google search for endometriosis leading to your blog, that was me settling a “what is endometriosis” argument via e-mail (on company time no less!) with two of my ex-roommates from college. I lost the argument, but you have two new readers as a result.
November 30th, 2004 at 2:32 amIt’s nice to know that other people also have “church pants” for their kids!
November 30th, 2004 at 8:39 amI’m an Eddie Bauer gal, myself, although I have purchased things from LL Bean. LL Bean beats wearing cheesehead fashions(Wisconsin) any day!
I’ve been discussing with my son for 14 years now that he does not have my permission to grow up.
He replies that he can’t help it. He just has to grow up.
Rotten child.
Love LL Bean.
November 30th, 2004 at 9:27 amI so wish you were my mom!
Really!
Um, size 11, you should know that, mom! Yes, we do grow up fast…
November 30th, 2004 at 9:30 amFor us, it’s Lands End…but love Bean’s jeans ;o) Congrats on the toothless wonder!
November 30th, 2004 at 11:10 amLove that picture!
November 30th, 2004 at 11:33 amYou know I don’t give regular comment love cause life is so busy -… but you know I read you almost every day right?
And I want you to know that when I grow up, I want to be as good a writer as you are.
*hugs*
November 30th, 2004 at 12:10 pmCute feet. I’ve got two little mini me’s here. That’s the fun of having two daughters.
November 30th, 2004 at 1:27 pmHee. “Church pants.” I’m SO gonna use that now.
November 30th, 2004 at 1:51 pmThat slipper pic? So. Freaking. Cute! And congrats to Chickadee on getting that tooth out. I can remember how good I felt when that happened.
November 30th, 2004 at 4:40 pm