On Motherhood

I have had days when Alex walks through the door and I run to him like water in a dessert.  I look into his face, smile, give him a kiss, take a step back and simulate (with I'm sure very bad charade moves) a factory worker putting their card into the punch machine, making clear to him that I have clocked out for the day.  I even make the sound of the punch machine.  Sad but very true.  I actually do this some days.  Days when the children follow me around and empty what ever cabinet, drawer, basket, bin, tub, trash can, shelf.... that I have just cleaned up.  Days when all I hear is "Mooooooom, she just touched my cheek!!"  or "Mooooommm, she just followed me upstairs and then downstairs!!!"  or I kid you not, "Moooommmm her apple has more red on it than mine!!!" or a particular favorite, "Mooooooommmm, did you just see the way her eyes looked at me???"  Or the most unfathomable, "Mooommm my dress not spinny ANUFF!  I DON'T WANNA WEAR SHORTS!"  And please do not miss the implied drawn out "moms" and the clear exasperated tones and the seriousness of offenses.  These are capital offenses to my daughters.  Lord God help me when I have 3 teenage daughters on my hands.  No really God.  I am going to need oodles of divine intervention. 

Which brings us back to the door... after I get my turn at him, my three girls rush to the door shouting with only what can be explained by you envisioning a little girl finding out that Cinderella is real and is going to have a real ball in which they have been invited and get to sit next to her for dinner.  "Daaaaaaadddddyyyyy!!!"  Full on giggles, kisses, laughter, non-stop chatter about their day.... as I take another step back and say "You have GOT to be freaking kidding me!"  as he says with his dimples staring at me, "They're so happy, what's wrong with you?".......

Is it possible that children are more brilliant than we give them credit for?
Is it possible that they act  more cute than bad just enough to keep us parents around?
Is it possible that they know that they can control us silly parents?

My one year old son has complete understanding that he can be vinegar for several hours, make me wish that kids came with a 100% satisfaction gaurantee return policy (I'm an in on way serious here, I would never trade my son... but I have my imagination), and in one single moment make me want 20 more of him.  Last night was just such a night.  I had read "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" at least 127 bazillion times yesterday.  He is the youngest but inisists on continually bugging his 3 year old sister and delights in making her scream.  He loves to throw anything.... anything....into the toilet.   You get the point.  Yesterday was one of THOSE days.  So here I am putting him to bed as quickly as I can, I lift him up into my arms to lay him down in his crib, and all the sudden he lays his little head on my shoulder.  Magic. I am a sucker for a good snuggle.  So I slow bedtime town instantly.  And with one little chubby handed pat on my back the entire day is wiped clean.  So I stand there and think, "how could I have considered putting him to bed without singing to him?? I must be crazy, he is so sweeeeeettttt!"  And once again the heart is bursting with love that threatens to explode and cover anyone nearby in a gooey lovey mess.  I'm telling you, children are master manipulators.

Notice how our heads make a heart?!  That's my life.  Completely, 100% in love with my children who occasionally give me a run for my sanity.  Who completely have me seeing hearts everywhere.