Tuesday 27 January 2009

The Princess of 'Dilly Dally'

I'm waiting for 4 year old to pick a bedtime story. She runs her finger along all 50 of the Mr Men & Mrs spines then starts on her other books. Slowly. She runs her finger back looking thoughtful. Slower still. Then she starts on the Mr Men & Mrs books again.

Tick tock tick tock.

All the while I am lying on her bed watching, thinking that if I were to lie here another five minutes I would fall asleep.

The 2 year old is shouting from the room next door "Socks, socks, Mummy, socks, Mummy". Not only is he unable to sleep without socks but now they have to be odd socks.

When I return from sock duty I say to her "Come on now, just pick one, it's getting late"

She looks at me like I'm mad and continues the selection process, this time getting five books out on the rug and 'umming' and 'aaahing'. She puts them back and picks another five.

Tick tock tick tock.

Enough is enough. "Right, I am counting to five, if you haven't picked a book I will pick one for you .......... 1 .......... 2 .......... 3 .......... 3 and a half .........." I say to her.

She gets up from kneeling in front of her shelves and says to me "Mum. You are giving my life away!"

I think "Actually, where have the last 4 and a half years gone?"

I am giving her life away to the time bandits minute by minute, hour by hour.

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It is also my little big sisters birthday today.

She is eleven years older than me and shorter than me.

My sister K is smaller than me
I can lift her up quite easily
She can't lift me
she's tried and tried
I must have something heavy inside

Happy birthday little big sister! I love you.

10 comments:

Nicky said...

So profound at such a young age!

I have passed on an award. Please see here for details http://tawny75.blogspot.com/2009/01/sisterhood-award.html

VioletPosy passed it to me and I am passing it on :)

Ps. Hope the coldsore is fading.....

Ladybird World Mother said...

I love those moments before their bed... but it is very very tempting to close my eyes, just for a tiny bit... lovely post. Thank you!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

This scene is dangerously close to the one that happens in my house each and everyday! Why do things always take about a 1000 times longer than you feel like they should? Sometimes I am more patient than others and I don't have to "count" to motivate my kids. Other times, the tick tock in my head is louder than I would like it to be. :)

-Francesca

Cammie said...

Hi!!! Im adding you to my reader, great blog! Im glad you found me!

Michelle said...

Yes, I have the kids start picking the bedtime book right after lunchtime. Then, I figure by dark, they have it narrowed to at least 300.

Why does this classify under "naked man?" Just curious..

Nicola said...

Love it! This is also the story of my life - and extends to include undressing, getting in bath, getting pjs on, choosing fav toy to cuddle for the night, then spending what seems like 5 hours choosing 3 books. Hilarious...if it wasn't quite so close to home. Especially the part about wishing their life away. I am guilty of that all too often. Aren't they smart??

Laura - Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? said...

Tawny - thanks, will take a look! Coldosre is sort of fading - still feel like the elephant woman!

Ladybird WM - It is tempting to lie there for longer but I have never done it. It would set a precedent and I would be asleep by 7.30 every night, slumped against my 4 year old.

3 Bay B Chick - patience? What's that!

Michelle - Am laughing so loud right now at the naked man. He was in the last post and somehow I must have still been thinking about it when I labelled this one!

Nicola - They are far too smart. I think I should take up a course called 'Strategies to outsmart your own children'

Expat mum said...

Ooh that's a good one - you're giving my life away. Must try it next time one of the kids wants my to do something "immediately".

Jo Beaufoix said...

Ahhhh, I love that poem. Happy Birthday lovely Laura's sister. :D

Jo Beaufoix said...

Ahhhh, I love that poem. Happy Birthday lovely Laura's sister. :D