Conversations with Grapefruit

It's not always worth the effort to try to talk on the phone, but some days are better than others. Usually it depends on the night before ("...I got up 6 times with Jane..."), whether or not Mitchell has had a hot dog (or is about to which buys us a few minutes on the phone), or if Jane is sleeping and Grapefruit has already managed a shower (with Mitchell crying in the background ("...Mom, hurry, I miss you and I neeeeed you!")

This particular day was worth it cuz we managed to talk long enough to laugh thru half our conversation. I was bemoaning this whole stupid Happy Dot (sorry, Hayden, you're right. Stupid is a bad word...but total necessary here). At the end of every Kindergarten day, the teacher colors happy dots on the kids hands; that is, the children that have "earned" it. I have learned this entails requesting your child isn't placed in the same groups as trouble-maker kids, begging your 5 year old (pretending they are listening) to please stay away from the wild-child, and to pay attention longer than you are to me while making this request! It's an impossible feat and finally the inevitable happened.

NO HAPPY DOT.

Now, had I been quicker on my feet, I would have jumped up, grabbed a marker, and colored a dot on top of my son's hand. Who knew pens were power! As we were going thru his Thursday Bag, we talked about the events of the day. Then I said: "Go wash your hands." He stared at his hands and realized there was no Happy Dot to wash off. And then...

Tears. Sobbing. Misery.

I've hated Happy Dots from Day 1. Today, I was downright angry. It was a Thursday, Mal was gone til 9 pm; Lindsay had been gone to Sly Park on her 6th grade field trip for 4 days, Dave was working late and I my heart was breaking. Where is everyone in my time of need? My son was crying about a happy dot and I was beginning to hate Kindergarten. This drove me to do the inevitable.

I pulled a Grapefruit.

I get on the floor with Hayden for the next hour and a half, play games including Diego Bingo, Dominoes, Go Fish, and Crazy 8's. (Who, by the way, is a SORE loser. Being the youngest does have it's downside). In my own sarcastic way, this is my way of paying tribute to my sister who is a great mom, of course. "Pulling a Grapefuit" means you are the Martha Stewart of mothing, but on a budget, and creating lasting memories that will carry your children through life. Or something like that. I mean, most days I think she's crazy and needs counseling for all the creative stuff she does with her kids, but I'm sure it's mostly jealousy. Or not. I mean, that was a LONG hour and a half. Isn't that why we have other children! (And where were they in my time of need?!)

Anyway, it's clear to me that I'm never going to be the mom that creates fairy houses, reads trilogy's out loud to my kids, teaches them to sew, sing, or quote scriptures (both sisters...I know, annoying, huh?). I know I'm a good mom in other ways. I DO lots of stuff with my kids and I'm always with them. But playing Polly's and Thomas the Train in a Cinderella carriage...I draw the line. But still, you appreciate what you don't necessarily possess -- and that day -- I thought to myself: Hayden LOVED this. And then my follow up thought was...I hope he remembers it!

Well, Grapefruit, keep it coming. Some days your creativity compels me to take a different approach. But today, I'm comfortable right where I'm at. Now...answer the phone...that's me calling!

(BTW -- the teacher just FORGOT to give him the happy dot. That was just icing on the cake).