Evil Genius

We were at the park yesterday afternoon and Nori was chattering away, as she does, asking questions, ("Why is Charlie doing that mommy?") and making declarations ("I want to wear my hat"). A woman overheard our exchange and asked, in that I just had to ask tone, "How old is she?" I replied, "Two, almost two and a half." The woman half nodded with relief and replied,"Oh she is so tiny. I thought she was younger." I laughed and jokingly said, "Yes, she probably looks like a little genius." To which she replied, "Well my daughter was talking at 9 months so that's what made me ask.." At which point the conversation was over but continued in my head.
"9 months, really? Wow that must have been really annoying. Did you just come from tennis lessons or do you always wear a short white skirt to the park to read Style magazine from the shady bench? Sorry to run, but I have to go now and chase after my son who is kissing the bronze statue of the little boy to whom this park is dedicated and stop my genius daughter from eating the mulch."

Hopefully my face was not gesticulating wildly during my inner dialogue. I wonder now about her motives in striking up the conversation. I guess it was not really a conversation at all, but really a fact finding mission, or a competition for which I forgot to pay the entrance fee. She didn't seem to be looking for a doubles partner. Maybe she was between fads in her magazine.

Sand in Your Eyes

Our first beach day of the season. By day I mean the morning since as the nap nazi I had to have them in the car and on their way home by 12:00 so they could be in their cribs by 1:00. Overall a great morning but I did lose one of Charlie’s shoes somewhere between pushing the stroller up a hill of sand and d-sanding two two-year olds in the back of the car. I am still considering it a win since it was only one shoe.

I met two moms from the neighborhood there. All of our children are in their two’s. At this point they play together without much intervention from the moms, giving us the opportunity to talk. So what so we talk about? The kids. I guess it is the same with any work colleague-you discuss the job and as you get to know one another better you decide who will be more than a colleague. Two years in and I am still finding my place in the motherhood community. It took me at least six years to feel like a natural at teaching so I guess I have some time left to get the hang of this job and the politics that go with it. Ironically, by the six-year mark I should get a paying job, putting me into a whole new demographic.

As a teacher I liked getting observed and evaluated. I liked feedback and constructive criticism. It was a way for me to check in and improve. The evals at this job are a little less concrete and not often constructive.

However, every now and then I get a “Yay mommy.” And that, by far, is the best evaluation I have ever gotten.

Let Love Rule

Our usual routine when crossing a parking lot out to the car involves carrying Charlie and taking Nori by the hand. Nori could walk before Charlie, and now she is less likely to break free and run than he is. Once in a while, I here a request from down below. “Pick me up mommy.” So I assure myself that I look like a bad ass, rather than an over taxed mother of twins, and carry a child in each arm. A few days ago I honored the request, and as I juggled Nori into the bend of my elbow, she laid her head on my shoulder and said, “I love you.” Rather than reciprocating her declaration I paused in step and speech and questioned her motives. Does she love me because I just got her a cookie from the bakery even though we will eat dinner in 15 minutes? Is it because I am not strict enough and I give in to her every whim? Does she even know what she is saying? Am I teaching her what love is? Correctly?


Loving correctly. Now that’s how I know I am dangerously close to parenting pedantry. Today, I am just going to bask in the love and leave the analysis to the experts.