Aug 29, 2008

Mommy and Me.

I'm living with a juvenile delinquent.

I AM NOT talking about the AG. I am talking about Remi. We have been at Nonie and Poppie's house for a week now, and things are getting out of control.


She rides to school every morning with Poppie, to drop off Mallory. She rides in the front seat. With Poppie. And no carseat. As in a la' Brittany.

She returns from her "front seat ride of death" every morning with an 64oz. Icee that she has absolutely no desire to drink, but only torture me with. I am not allowed to drink it. Only clean it. Which I do. I clean Cherry Icee off of every thing in the house for the next 45 minutes.

She spends her afternoons sitting in someones lap - be it Nonie or Mallory or Uncle Donald or Granny or Brandon or Meridith or Aunt Melba - and will oftentimes ask for "Cuppy" which they race to fill, or "snack" which they not only go and get but offer to FEED TO HER. Which she eagerly accepts.

In the evenings she resides in Poppie's recliner to watch Tigger or "Yardgans" or "Thnow White" which he allows her to do while he sits in the hardback wooden chair over to the side and watches one of these three movies for the 80th time.

Finally, today, I had had enough. I felt it was best for Remi and momma to go off on their own.
Explore the world.
Get back in touch with each other.

No one to spoil her, coddle her or fulfill her every wish.

Just momma. Plain, ol', stick in the mud, momma.

I took her to the park and slid down the slides with her. I didn't help her climb the bars. I didn't fawn over her when she fell. I took her to McDonald's and I made her get apples instead of fries. Juice instead of straight-up Coca Cola. When she refused to eat her burger - she didn't get to play. And so she ate. For the first time in a week, she ate her food.

Ladies and gentlemen, MOMMA IS BACK IN TOWN.

Then I brought her home. And we played with her toys. And I made her share. And I made her be patient. And then I put her down for a nap. There was no whaling and gnashing of teeth. She smiled at me. Told me she loved me. And laid down for 3 1/2 hours.

Man, I'm good.

And when she woke up - my Remi was back. She had forgotten who her best friend was.
I just had to remind her.

Later tonight as we sat down for dinner she came to the table in her new nightgown. It looks like something Queen Elizabeth would wear to sleep in. (Except that it wasn't flannel and I imagine that she is pretty icy in ye ole' boudoir.) But it was pink and frilly and certainly fit for a princess. And I have to admit, as I watched her picking up her carrots and blowing on them with the daintiest of hands, and watched her brush her hair out of her face and looked at those blue eyes in that princess gown, well, I could see what all the fuss was about.

And although everyone who saw her in it fawned over her and fussed over her and fed her cake - LITERALLY FED HER CAKE, SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO LIFT A FINGER - who do you think it was she wanted to tuck her in? Kiss her goodnight? Show her boo-boo to for the millionth time? Or hear a "bwible stoy" from?

You guessed it.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'll be here all week.

22 comments:

ugagirl30 said...

Awesome momma time. My children fight over momma time. I was in tears night before last because ever since I started work, they just don't seem to need me anymore. Nobody needs me anymore, and that is kind of upsetting.

But tomorrow, yes, the day after the first paycheck in over 4 years, Daddy is going golfing (on our anniversary) and Momma is taking the kiddos to the movies, for some much needed Momma time.

Shelley said...

Yeah, enjoy it. My boys are getting older now and not quite the cuddle bunnies they used to be. However, at bed time they still like mom to come in and say good night and have a little tickle time before they go to sleep. The only concession they make to the way things were when they were little. (Sigh).
Remi is a darling.

Tracy P. said...

Grandmas. Four rules.

1. Whatever I want.
2. When I want it.
3. How I want it.
4. As much as I want.

Reform school is the only antidote. We think it takes about two weeks in all, but is totally worth it. (Especially if we LEAVE them with Grandma at least part of that time and go get recharged for the job!)

Laura Marchant said...

I feel you on the grandparents thing. They get SPOILED! But that is what they are here for, that and what makes me clean up chocolate puke at 3:00 am.

Very cute story.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

My in-laws used to do that with my stepson. They would spoon feed him at 6 years old. Drove.me.crazy!
I'm glad you reclaimed your child!

Wags said...

Reese has been with my parents since Monday and I'll get her back tonight.

I'm told she hasn't missed me a bit.

Just hope she remembers who I am. :)

Deanna said...

Ah.. the "deprogramming" after being with the grandparents.

KWolfAK said...

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Melissa said...

It's hard to deprogram them after visits to grandma's. When are ya'll coming home?

Did you abscond with any Julio's on your venture?

I love your Aunt Melba. That's my maiden name.

Heather said...

No matter what, momma love is best. You just have to remind them of that sometimes.

Isn't it great to see so much lovin' on your baby, though?

Rhonda said...

There's no one quite like a mama!

Please know that when she's a teenager and hates your guts and life isn't fair and you love everyone else more than her, we'll be here to listen. And sympathize.

Enjoy your sweet Remi with her blue eyes and princess night gown and hair in her eyes. It goes so fast.

Lynda said...

Awwww...it's nice to have that momma time, isn't it? Of course, grandparents are pretty darn fabulous, too.

Rhea said...

If my boys lived with one of their grandmothers, they'd turn into spoiled little monsters. That's all I'm sayin'.

Anita J. said...

How sweet! There's nothing like Mama.

Sissy said...

I am glad they have moved from giving her Coke to giving her Icees. Wow. I mean, what else could you find with more sugar to give a toddler?

Sherri said...

OH--- the terrible things us mommy's make our kids do!!!

Mrs4444 said...

Have you posted at Bloggersannex.com yet? Because you need to. You're such a great writer (and mom).

The Beauty Bargainista said...

You are good momma!! hehe thats so sweet! Lagan is the same way with my family, so I know what you mean. Except my family lives here so its a 24 hour thing here!! Oh boy, we are going to have some challenging teenage years! lol

Kelly said...

Momma, You Rock!!! It's hard to be a princess, but princess always needs to know the real ruler is the QUEEN!!!

Caroline said...

That's right, lay down the law and tell her...

Mama don't play dat!

She needed some boundaries and who's better at providing those safe loving boundaries than you.

Unknown said...

You go GIRL. Sweet Satisfaction!

Merrie said...

Awww. You see? There's nobody like Mama. Nobody.