Annals of Bad Parenting

Paul and Maggie have been left to their own devices more than I'd like this week. I've had a nasty flu thingy since last Friday when Charles had to talk me down from insane hysteria...this is always the first sign that I'm going to get sick. We should have known, because it took a lot of talking down. And -- testament to Charles -- he actually missed a local solo coffee house performance by the Jerry guy from Dark Star Orchestra just to help me regain some sense of sanity. That's love. So a week later, I'm hacking away and have developed a weird rash, which makes me think I've got the leprosy. Oh. And Maggie has pinkeye. And Charles is in Atlanta. Working. How's your summer going? Good? Good. I'm glad.

Anyhoo, back to what I was saying... P&M have been left to their own devices a lot over the past week. They've been remarkably good -- not too much screaming, not too many messes, a lot less fighting than I expected. Now I'm beginning to figure out why...

Paul has been teaching Maggie how to play Star Wars xBox games.

So at least it's been educational. How long do you think it will take for her to win? Personally, I think he has a year, max.

(Note: When you're a three-year-old girl, a princess crown and a tongue hanging out really improve your gaming skills. And it's interesting that, even with eyes red and crusted over with puss, a hacking cough and green sludge coming out of her nose, la Mag still demands to be dressed as a princess first thing in the morning. What a chick.)

(Note 2, for any teachers who may be reading this: Paul and I did actually do flash cards yesterday. And he's been reading stories and writing reports for me. I'm not totally bad. Thanks for reading that. I really do feel better.)

Why I haven't posted.

We've been having too much fun. Sorry.

Between a baby calf eating Paul's shirt at South Mountain Creamery (Paul seemed to really enjoy that. Huh.), days spent poolside, visits to Clagett Farm, our bi-weekly Cheverly Community Market, and Maggie trying to eat things bigger than her head (I think there's some words of wisdom that I should have told her, but I forgot. Whoops.) the blogging thing has been an afterthought. At best. I have been good about taking pictures though...

Already good at the guilt. Or weekends are my undoing.

Actual conversation with la Mag yesterday after returning from my traditional Sunday morning outing sans famille:

What's the opposite of big?
(Scrunches her body into a little ball.)
What's the opposite of hot?
Cold!
What's the
opposite of left?
Go with you!

And just like that, the guilt begins. She is so good at it already! The tea master just sat and laughed. Because it didn't happen to him.

Update: Apparently, la Mag was full of wisdom this weekend, as demonstrated in this verbatim conversation which took place at the Cheverly Community Market Saturday morning (helpfully reported by ace cub reporter Mr. L. aka Drummer Boy):

Is Kelly your lover?
Dunham (after giving it some consideration): Well, yes. Kelly and I are lovers.
But Mommy and Daddy aren’t lovers.
Dunham (without missing a beat): Well, that’s what happens when you are married and have kids.

Well. They're on to the whole deal now.

What I learned today

by listening to WAMU's Metro Connection...
avoid McPherson Square tomorrow starting at 3:00.

Yeah.

Summer vacation preview

Things 1 & 2 don't have school today (cancellations as a result of yesterday's big storms), so P is practicing his summer schedule: sleep late, breakfast, pick a Beatles record (more on that in a moment), lay on the couch and play guitar until it's time to head to the pool. He has these things all figured out.

Actual conversation:
Mom, why do records sound so awesome?
Um, I don't know.
It's like a miracle.
Okay.
Do you want to listen to Rubber Soul or Meet the Beatles?
How about Rubber Soul?
Awesome choice, mom. You're pretty smart.

So. There you have it. At least to the seven and under set, I am pretty smart. Actually, the boy is smarter, but he doesn't need to know that. Yet.