This morning Lydia wrote a “test” for me. Here it is: “A test? Okay. Just so you know, I didn’t really study for it, so please consider that in the curve. Okay?” “Sure sure, I’ll help you with the tough ones. So, here’s what you do. You need to look at the word and tell me what it is.” “Okay…so where’s the word?” “It’s not a written word silly.” “Uhm…but I’m supposed to read this?” “Oh, that’s not such a…
It was a frantic and rushed morning. It seemed like everything was working against us in getting Lyd off to her summer classes. Somehow, some way, I got her to school on time. I gave her a kiss, watched her run off to class, shut the van door and wearily climbed back in. I let loose with a heavy sigh before I put the van back in gear. Today was going to be busy, we had company coming in a…
One morning back in July, Regina finished her breakfast. I wiped her face and told her it’s time for a bath. “I want a Bubble Bath Daddy.” “Bubble Bath? Sure!” I opened the bathroom cabinet and the bottle was empty. “Oh. I’m sorry Hun, we’re all out of bubble bath.” Regina, being who she is, had to check the bottle herself. Cue the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree music. Cue naked toddler with her chin touching her chest. Saddest. Bath. Ever….
“All right kids! Way to hustle!” I looked up, satisfied to see Lyd hustling and not staring at the sky. It’s just a pre-game practice. Time to take it easy for a few minutes, now where in this bag did I put my Kindle? I looked over at one of Lyd’s teammates’ Moms. She brought her laptop. Smart! I could be writing right now! Ugh. Actually no. It’s just enough day light out here where I’d be struggling to read…
“Daddy! I want Privacy!” (actually, what I heard was “Pwie-Vuh-See”) (Be enthusiastic Brooks, be encouraging. Use your high pitched voice. You can do this!) “Okay. First, you don’t know what privacy is, you just recognize that privacy happens behind closed doors (actually, I suppose you do know what privacy is after all). Second, the last time I decided to ‘grant’ you a bit of privacy, I ended up re-rolling 2/3 of a roll of Toilet Paper.” Awkward silence passes before…
It’s the first day of school! Today’s the day! I can get a routine started again! I can focus on teaching Regina the alphabet and shapes and counting without Lyd interrupting or impatiently scolding Reg when she gets it wrong. I can get ahead of the laundry. We live close enough to the school where we can walk Lyd every day, we’ll be able to get out, get some fresh air. Sun rays are coming through clouds, a cherubic chorus…