I once read somewhere that men are in as little as 5% of all family photos taken. As the appointed photographer of the Childsplayx2 household, I can relate. I have over 1,000 photos on Flickr and I don’t think there are more than 20-30 photos with me in it. But every once in a while, the lovely wife will spot a moment and grab the camera. Here’s my new favorite photo…
When toys are introduced in our household, it’s rare when a toy belongs solely to Swee’Pea or TheMonk. Usually each toy becomes a communal toy that is open game for whoever gets to it first.
Granted, there is often some debate about who actually reached the toy first – and when I say “debate” I mean Swee’Pea beating TheMonk into submission with whatever toy is being contested.
Nonetheless, it is a testament to the fact they know they can play with any toy in the box.
But every now and then there’s a toy that gets presented to us that most obviously is meant for either TheMonk or Swee’Pea.
Well, I guess it’s obvious to me. Maybe it isn’t that obvious to others…
A few weeks ago we visited our local outdoor mall with the interactive fountains. We were prepared to let Swee’Pea and TheMonk run around in the fountain for a while. When it was time to say good-bye, they did not want to leave. But just looking at their faces makes me excited to go back soon.
Tonight, I’m on my own as Mommy is off learning how to save people’s lives. I manage to corral them up the stairs and we begin the process of putting on PJ’s, brushing teeth, reading stories and, ultimately, going to bed.
As I pause at the top of the stairs to contemplate my game plan, the twins go scattering towards the toys in our loft. TheMonk drags out his Fisher Price tape recorder and Swee’Pea scrambles to find something to occupy herself because she knows that Daddy will be coming.
I turn to TheMonk as he is trying to untangle the microphones and ask, “Are you ready to go get your PJ’s on, Buddy?”
“No.” he replies. “Swee’Pea’s turn.”
Since I don’t care who I start with, as long as both of them are in PJ’s in the near future, I turn to Swee’Pea and ask, “Is it your turn to get ready for bed, Swee’Pea?”
“No.” she replies. “TheMonk’s turn.” As she says this she is crawling under a chair and scrunching herself into a little ball. “I’m hiding.” she says.
I make a game of it and “find” Swee’Pea hiding and drag her out upside down and I swing her like a pendulum down the hall towards her bedroom. Before we know it, I’ve changed her into her PJ’s and I go hunt down TheMonk.
TheMonk gives in easily and before I know it we have both toddlers clad in their PJ’s and their teeth are brushed.
We sit down to read a couple of books. Before you know it, we’re done and ready to go to bed.
“Monk, are you ready to go to bed?” I ask.
“No. Swee’Pea’s turn.” he replies.
Today, Swee’Pea was the sweetest girl ever. She played with TheMonk, shared her toys, and did not have one tantrum the entire day.
Just when you think you have this parenting thing figured out…
Actually, I think we (okay, Mommy – I had nothing to do with this) might have discovered a way of dealing with Swee’Pea that doesn’t include 30-minute timeouts. Instead of automatically sending Swee’Pea to timeout today, Mommy tried to redirect Swee’Pea’s frustration or anger. She showed Swee’Pea it was okay to hit a ball or a pillow but not TheMonk and then let Swee’Pea unload on the inanimate object. After a couple times of this, Swee’Pea pretty much stopped hitting altogether.
Instead, we got a sweet little girl with an infectious giggle who likes to sing her ABC’s and says “Thank You” and “You’re Welcome” when sharing toys with her brother.
Yep. This parenting thing is a piece of cake.
Overheard on the baby monitor this morning as TheMonk begins to stir and talk out loud in his crib. Suddenly, someone else weighs in on the matter…
Swee’Pea: “Go to sleep.”
TheMonk: “No!”
Swee’Pea: “Go to sleep.”
TheMonk: “No!”
Swee’Pea: “Go to sleeeeeeeeep.”
TheMonk: “No!”
I had to laugh because, let’s just say, that apples don’t fall far from trees.