Well, now that it’s November 3rd and Target has already put up the Christmas trees, I suppose Halloween is old news. But, I have to document it here for future reference. We did a family theme again this year because, surprisingly, the girls wanted to do so. They each chose their favorite zoo animal, the Spouse chose his, and that left me with no choice but to be the zoo keeper, of course.
The monkey cage we pushed around all evening was actually Rosie’s dog crate. And, she witnessed us cleaning and preparing it for this purpose. So later that night when we went to put her back in it for bed, she stiffened up and refused to go in. Her crate had been violated in every way by a monkey {with candy} and she knew it. So, I had to get her special towel and several treats and gently talk her back into entering her once beloved crate. The Spouse made the point that it would be something like having people take your mattress outside, rig it up on wheels, and ride it around the streets for awhile. Then, those same people who you once trusted, bring it back home with new and strange scents on it, and expect you to hop into bed like nothing ever happened. So, it wasn’t all that hard to understand why Rosie was appalled. I’m sure she’s hoping next year’s theme doesn’t involve the use of her crate or other belongings.
When you’re four, dressing up isn’t reserved just for Halloween. In fact, the Preschooler dresses up nearly every day she spends at home. And, I encourage this because it seems to entertain her for hours. But, things get more complicated when she wants me to participate with her. I enjoy reading books, coloring, and doing puzzles, but I’ve never been great at dressing up or getting down in the floor and doing pretend play. It’s mainly selfishness and impatience on my part. That being said, I’m trying to savor her time at home and appreciate little pockets of playtime with her because I know these sort of days are fleeting and will all too soon be replaced with homework and after-school lessons.
Her: Can you watch my baby while I run a few errands?
Me: Uh, sure. But where are you going?
Her: I have to go shopping.
Me: Oh, OK.
Her: She’s gonna take a nap.
Me: Are you sure?
Her: Yep. Oh, and remember to take her out for a walk. And, when she cries, just stick this in her mouth. {handing me a pacifier}
If there’s anything I know after having three babies, it’s that these are the sorts of things you tell the babysitter before you leave… all the while knowing it’s untrue. The baby is NOT going to take a nap and putting the pacifier in her mouth will only make her madder. Been there and done that.
Then she added:
Her: My other baby has a tummy ache and she throwed up.
Me: That sounds awful. Did you take her to the doctor?
Her: I am the doctor. She’s fine.
Oh, of course she is. But, as a rule, when the child I’m playing with leaves the room to “run a few errands,” I don’t feel obligated to watch the baby dolls… and I sure don’t babysit dolls that are throwing up.
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