Sneakily Behaving

It seems that you only really notice the strain of having kids on the hard days. The days you go to sleep and think "WHY???"

Today was the first day back at preschool after Spring Break. Score one point for Jack.

Woke up, pleasant, happy. Wanting to play with his brother. Off to school. No problems.

Took Sam to Publix, CVS, and Walgreens. Shopping from 9:15-11:15. Only a few short meltdowns over gummy bears and the desire to be held the entire time. Score one for Sam.

Picked Jack up. He is happy because he was the leader in his class today. Debate getting haircuts, not wanting to push my luck with Sam. Go to Sports Clips and it is a 30 minute wait. Definitely not at naptime. Go get chocolate shakes instead.

On the way home, drive by Fantastic Sams. No line. We pull in, get haircuts. I volunteer to sit with Sam because he has a poor haircut track record. He is so smiley we decide to try it. He sits stock still for 20 minutes. He is 2, remember. A little angel. Jack whines briefly beforehand but once we get him in the chair he is the picture of great behavior. As I am leaving I think to myself, "You know those people you occasionally see and you think HOW do they get their kids to act so well-behaved? Right now, I am those people."

Home, naptime. Jack awake. Draws pictures for almost 2 hours straight. We go get the mail. He gets two "mails" and is extremely pleased about this turn of events. Mail one - a birthday card from Uncle Doug. Contains $20. He is jumping up and down with his "One Dollar!" Asks me who it comes from, then says "Thanks, Uncle Doug!" Mail Two- stickers from Mimi and Papa Dean for Easter. Equally as pleased. Politely says "Well thank you Mimi!" Then he walks to the door and opens it and says "Well, thank you mail, have a nice day!"

Sometimes, this ain't so bad.