new shoes
George, you got your very first Scholastic catalogue today at school and were so excited. You studied it very carefully and for a long time before selecting a set of Avengers phonics books. You sat beside me at the computer and supervised the ordering to make sure I did it right.
Katie, you forgot some homework at home and texted, then called (when I ignored your texts) and begged me to bring it. I said I would do it for a price…a massage. We negotiated. You started with 5 minutes, I countered with 60. You came up to 10, I countered with 50. You came up to 15, I countered with 60. You said 20 minutes, I said 65. We finally settled on 30 minutes. Damn, I should be a professional negotiator. Honestly, I would have done it for nothing because you’re ultra responsible and rarely forget anything, but I’m sure going to enjoy my massage!
Katie, we went to the eye doctor to get you fitted for contacts. Your glasses are starting to be a problem in soccer, especially since you play in the rain 90% of the time. Having me and George and Lila in the little room with you while you attempted to touch your eyeballs wasn’t the most relaxing thing, so I took them shopping for a few things they needed. You were happy to see us go.
Lila, you needed indoor shoes. We went to the shoe store and you saw the Frozen shoes immediately and wanted them, and usually I just buy you whatever you want, but I’m getting really tired of branded everything in our lives. I told you I wouldn’t buy anything that had a face on it. You weren’t happy…until little Georgie spotted the most glorious silver sparkly hightops with a huge pink bow on them. It was love at first sight. The only problem was that they have laces. You swore you would learn to tie them.
George, you needed socks, so we went down to Gymboree to try to find some “long socks” so you wouldn’t have to keep stealing Lila’s bear socks from her. We found some glorious socks that come up to your knees and look a lot like soccer socks. We headed back to the eye doctor. You sat down in the waiting room and tried each pair on, and took them for a spin down the hall. Apparently they make you run super duper fast.
Lila, you got to work learning how to tie your laces right away. You sat there and practiced and practiced until you did it. We used this method, which is super easy for anyone who needs to teach a little one to tie their laces:
George, while we were at the mall, you saw a lady wearing a burqa. You turned to me and whispered in hushed amazement that you just saw a real live ninja.
Jane, you’re too busy. I can feel it. I want to take some of the burden for you, but there’s nothing I can do. Except maybe go to work for you…but they might notice that. I’m hoping you’ll start to limit your hours at work a little more. I want you to enjoy these last couple years of high school!
Katie, we went to meet your teachers tonight. I already know two of them because they taught Jane, and the other two were really terrific as well. I think you’re going to have a great first semester.
