My evening yesterday was rather “spirited” to put it
lightly. Now-a-days, arriving home is a race between the boys and I. We have
made it into a game to see how far into dinner preparation I can get before
Ryan asks for a piece of candy, to take a walk or to build a fort in the living
room and before Liam starts his irrational, almost-2-year-old fits of pure
rage.
We like to dance in the kitchen. This is our latest nightly
routine since it’s been either scorching outside or pouring rain. So I turn the
music on; we usually choose between Jack Johnson, Glee, or Cee Lo Green
stations on Pandora as they offer a good mix for us. Last night we chose Jack
Johnson. The noodles were cooking, the spaghetti sauce was simmering and the
boys and I were fully involved in Dipp Dance Fest 2012 in the kitchen. All was
well until Liam noticed the candy bin on the top of the fridge. **Note to self
– Move it! The race was over. Mommy lost, Liam won some M&Ms and Ryan came
in second by asking for a bowl of Doritos immediately after Liam asked for
demanded candy.
Thankfully, my children are half Italian and pasta makes
everything better. Well, usually. While Liam was scaling my left leg and
screaming, I successfully loaded up each of their plates, poured drinks and we
finally made it to the table and sat down… all the while, Pandora is still
playing in the background.
Technically, I’m the only one who actually sits to eat. Ryan
makes eating an Olympic sport. The child can’t sit still and eat for anything,
and Liam… well, he’s almost 2. So while I sit, I have one child throwing
noodles up in the air and catching them in his hair, ears, and occasionally his
mouth and another who appears to be leading an aerobics class from his chair.
The dogs are in their ready positions to catch whatever becomes available to
them.
All of a sudden I notice that Canon in D is playing on
Pandora; On my Jack Johnson station. Canon in D isn’t exactly “indie rock” or
“adult alternative”, but whatever, I go with it as it happens to be one of my
favorites. It took me back to my wedding day. I had our wedding party walk in
to the song, played beautifully by our very talented organist. I thought about
what I had wished for on our wedding day… a beautiful life with my wonderful
husband and how ever many little ones we would have. I thought about where we
started, where we’ve been and how our marriage has evolved and what it is now.
I thought about how I’ve always wanted children and how blessed we are to have
2 healthy, vibrant and “spirited” little boys who are more perfect than I ever
imagined. After I was finished daydreaming and reminiscing I came back to earth
and to my dinner table. Ryan was begging to get up and Liam had turned his
face, hands, belly and half of the table red. He had noodles in his ear, hair
and nose. He looks at me and says, “ALL
DONE!” and throws his plate across the table.
Pandora reminded me that I have exactly what I want and I am
grateful for that. Bring it on boys… Mommy’s got this!
