Fleeting Moments

What does a mother feel when she realizes that her children are maturing right before her eyes? Is it a sense of pride? I just know that in the last couple of days I have witnessed my girls growing right before my eyes and it feels wonderful.

On Sunday, LaLa came down with a rash from head to toe. Normally this would be cause in her mind to send her into fits of crying. She would rage against being sick and turn her inner frustration into outward frustration causing everyone around her to be as miserable as she feels. This time it was different. She took it in stride. She sat in the waiting room of the emergency room patiently, even though she was so itchy she could barely stand to be in her own skin. She didn't complain much. She kept her self preoccupied by reading books and coloring in order to avoid being consumed by the uncomfortableness of the situation. I was proud. I was so incredibly proud of her.

Then today, KiKi relayed a story about how LaLa's best friend had asked where LaLa was because obviously she wasn't in school. Apparently, KiKi has grown up to the point where she can relay a story clearly enough to her peers that they know exactly what she is talking about. It was so clear that LaLa's mate's mother sent me a message via facebook to check to see how she was getting on. I was impressed. We parents know that getting a story straight out of a four year old sometimes can be like pulling crocodile teeth. I am proud of her.

Sometimes I think that I get so caught up in everyday activities that I miss little moments like these to be proud of. Sometimes I don't take the time to see my little ones growing up before my eyes. I have always had people tell me with wistfulness in their eyes recalling their own children growing up "It goes by so quickly" and guess what? It does. I really does go by so quickly.

Primary School Hurdle

Every parent has a bit of worry when their child starts proper "big school" (elementary/primary school). Most worry about if their child is going to be ready for the work, the long days, be able to socially adjust and if they will make friends. I am not worried about any of this. I know KiKi will adjust. She is a very flexible child, well about most things. There is one thing though that is potentially going to sink my little "happy my child is growing up and going to school" boat. She won't wipe her own butt when she done with her "business".

Don't laugh. This is very serious.

This morning she and I had a fifteen minute standoff in the bog because she wouldn't take the toilet paper and wipe her butt. I stood there with loo roll in my hand trying my damnedest to hand it to her. Her flat ignoring me screaming at the top of her lungs to me to wipe her butt.

Me: KiKi take the toilet paper and just wipe your butt.

Her: "NOOOOO, YOU WIPE MY BUTTTT!!!"

Me: KiKi, I can't wipe your butt while you are at school. You need to do it. Take the TP and wipe.

Her: "IF I DO POOP I WILL GET IT ON MY HANDS!!! WIPE MY BUTTTTTT!!"

Me: I am not wiping you. Wipe your own butt. I can't come to school with you to wipe your butt for you.

Her: "WIPE MY BUUUUUTTTTT!!!!" *eyes at this point about to bulge about her head*

Continue this conversation for another fifteen minutes with me eventually leaving the bathroom to load the washing machine while she continued to screech for me to wipe her bottom. I gave in. I know, bad mom giving in, but really it was just ridiculous to watch her sit there with her legs dangling from the toilet seat and screeching her head off.

So, to recap, my goal this week: getting my child to wipe her own ass. For some reason I think I have a better chance at making sun set in the east.