Archive for the ‘Overheard’ Category

Overhead: Empathy comes with age

I left work today in teeth-clenching, eye-twitching state. I expressed this to the girls on the way home, saying that I wanted to find a way to relax ahead of what was going to be a fun night—Bryan returns from a long trip away, Katie and Tom are joining us for dinner, and we’re expecting good storms this evening.

I said that I was feeling anxious and stressed, and I asked if they had any suggestions to feel happier—music? Dancing? After I poured my heart out to these two little people, I received two responses.

The first, from Olivia: “I have an owie in my nose.”

The second, from her older (and perhaps wiser) sister: “Well, first, you could stop reading work emails at night. Then, you can go home, take off your heels, and sit on the deck with a drink. Maybe look at shoes online.”

When I caught her eye in the rearview mirror, she said, “What? I know you.”

Indeed.

Overheard: Owen edition

Nearly every time he sees Bryan: “Hi, buddy!”

During thunderstorms (which prompt tight snuggles): “Noise! Outside! Rain!”

Counting: “One, free, free, five, free, free, one.”

In response to hearing his name called (and this is definitely the fault of his sisters): “WHAT?”

When he wants to see a photo we just took of him: “Where cheese?”

While heading toward you with a chair that will allow him access to something he’s not supposed to have: “E’cuse me, peas!”

When requesting a banana (or two) in the morning: “Mah-nah-min-na, mah-nah-min-na.”

At least three times a day: “I poop.” (Standard response: “Great! Go find Daddy!”)

Motherhood 101: Parenting the eldest child

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Overheard

Rebecca: “Owen, you are a crab and a half.”

Ava: “Actually I think he’s two whole crabs today.”

Overheard: GRANDmother’s Day

As we were checking out of the grocery store on Thursday, Olivia held up a chocolate bar and said, “…Mama?” I declined the purchase with a quick, “No thanks!”

The woman behind us said, “Why not?! Come on, Mom.”

Ava looked at me, wide-eyed, and said, “She’d make a good grandma.”

Overheard

Olivia, while showing me some school work: “Ike says this is all blue. But clearly this is periwinkle, this is indigo and this is cornflower. THIS one is blue.”

Rebecca: “I know exactly what you mean.”

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Overheard

Olivia: “Where is Daddy going?”

Rebecca: “He’s going to go play trivia.”

Bryan: “Excuse me?”

Rebecca: “He’s going to go win trivia.”

 

Overheard

Rebecca, to the cat: “I saw you chase that bunny, and I’m glad she got away.”

Ava: “Why? If she’d caught her, we’d have a pet bunny.”

Rebecca: “Yeah, I don’t think that would have been the outcome, actually.”

Ava: “What? …oh. Ick.”

Olivia: “I WANT A HAMSTER.”

Overheard: Weekend edition

Ava: “I’d really like to be president, but I honestly don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Olivia, who is certain her career path will lead to the Oval Office: “WHAT? You don’t want be president with your OWN SISTER?”

Ava: “If I were president, I would change the week to be two days long, and the weekend to be five days long, and that just probably wouldn’t work out so well.”

Overheard

Rebecca: “Is this a hoarfrost? What exactly IS a hoarfrost?”

Tom: “It’s a frost with loose morals.”

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