the negotiator

More than one person has told me that the continuous negotiating, that comes with my 5 year old girl, will be good in the long run.  Her grandfather pointed out that she is exactly like her father at 5 years. I apparently liked him enough to keep him around.  But, sometimes, I question my ability to be patient enough to cultivate the negotiation into a good quality.  

Some examples...

1) A: Momma, can I watch a "dinosaur train."

Me: no, you have watched enough TV

A: But, I already turned it on

Me: no, you have watched enough TV

A: But, it's a snow one and it is snowing outside

Me: NOO

A: But, I like dinosaurs and I'm learning about them.

Me: Why are you asking me, if you already have it on downstairs and made up your mind?

A: because, it makes you happy when I ask.

A. 1: Mommy 0

2) A: Mommy, can I go over to my BFF's house

Me: No, you have been there for the past 2 days

A: but, she likes to play with me and I'll ask nicely

Me: I don't even think they are home

A: but, you can text her mom and find out

Me: I think she get's tired of my incessant text messages

A: no, I think she likes it and I"m learning how to be a good friend while I'm over there

A. 2: Mommy 0

3) A: can you play with me?

Me: not right now, I'm making dinner.

A; can you read me a story?

Me: not right now, I"m making dinner.

A. can you talk to me?

Me: I think I am

pause pause

Me: why are you staring at me?

A: I'm learning how your mouth moves

Oh, how I hope that she is a lawyer, or in marketing/ sales.  If nothing else, she will bargain at a yard sale. Until then, God, please give me patience.  

a cure for the midwinter blues

  It is no secret that I love the fall, and I love Christmas.  I pretty much don't wipe a smile off of my face from October until January 1.  Probably because there is so much to do...

Fall visitors

 festivals

road trips

  

 

pumpkin patches followed by power tools,  

and warm enough weather to be outside.

 Then comes Halloween

Papa and Sister Berenstain

 and Thanksgiving

 Then, Christmas festivals

 and baking

and more parades

and more visitors

Then comes the big day

and more presents, food, visitors.  

Don't forget New Year's Day. 

By the time we are done, we have been running

and jumping

and high energy for 3 months straight.

Now that it's over, I'm in the dumps.  I'm bitter about the cold and the quiet, and the "Mama, I'm bored." I forget how to entertain myself yet I expect my kids to entertain themselves.  

So, for 3 days I've had a pity party.  A snap at my kids, be naturally ungrateful and no fun to be around pity party.  Until finally, B pointed it out.  HELLO, its only the end of the year, not the end of the world.  OK, see you next year, fall.  I'm counting down the days.  Until then, I'll suck it up, bundle up, and stop whining!