Sunday, July 13, 2008

Mommy-daughter date


So, I am addicted to this show called John and Kate Plus 8... I guess that misery loves company, because when I am up late nursing my little fatty, it sure makes my aching nipples seem a whole lot more bearable when compared to this woman's daily battle. Gavin thinks that this woman is insane...and she probably IS. I mean 8 kids, with 6 of them under the age of 4...yikes. So, the point of my blathering on about this quirky TV show, is that I copied something that they do. We started doing "dates" with our kids, with the point being to get to know them better personally, instead of just as a family unit. Gavin took Dalton for a daddy-son date. They went to an amusement park in Salt Lake called "Boondocks" I have never been there. To be honest it sounds like my definition of Hell, but they LOVED it. There was miniature golf, bumper cars, laser tag, and all other forms of adrenaline filled games. To bad it WAS a daddy-son date, because that insures that I have ZERO pictures from the date. But they tell me that they had a blast. Lots of treats, and grease and a super late bedtime, so Dalton pretty much thought that he had hit the mother load. Although, to be honest these guys do NOT really need a daddy-son date, since every day of their lives is pretty much just that. They are joined at the hip, and wherever Gavin is, Dalton is about 2.5 inches behind. But it was nice for them to have even MORE fun together. So, for MY date with sis, she wanted to go swimming with me at the pool. Lucky me...now don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to have a mommy-daughter date, but in the pool, one month after having a baby, does not sound like MY idea of a good time. But, it is HER date, and she gets to pick the activity. She was stoked. And I was stoked that she was stoked. Is there anything better for your self-esteem than your kid thinking that you are cool? Well, I couldn't let her down. I realized, when I got to the pool, something really sad. I am SO NOT FUN...I admit it. I have given myself comfort in this fact by saying "Gavin is the fun one". It's true. Mom makes the kids eat their vegetables, Dad takes the kids for ice-cream afterwords. Mom makes the kids take a bath, and dad reads them stories afterwords. Dad makes forts with the kids with EVERY stinkin blanket AND pillow in the house, and Mom makes them clean it up afterwords. Dad double bounces the kids on the tramp and mom yells that he is bouncing them too high. OK, this is almost making me mad as I write it because I see how really UN-FUN I am...argh!!! So, I tell myself... "If it weren't for me they would be sleep-deprived, cavity-infested, brain-dead, dirty little kids with no manners and...oh, who am I kidding- they'd probably be the happiest kids in the world!" Oh well. I function best with a tight ship. So, back to swimming. I had to remember how to have fun (as a kid...I mean MY idea of fun would have been an Oprah magazine and a cold drink by the pool with a foot massage on the side) But we are talking about Shelby's special day, not mine...so dang it, I have to remember how to PLAY! She looked at me and I said "What should we do?" She replied "Let's get in the water". So we got in the urine and chlorine infested waters. Once I had committed myself to going in, I thought "What the Hell, I am going to give it my all!" And to do it, I kept thinking, "What would Gavin be doing?" So we played tag, and when she lept in to the freezing water fountain, by gosh, so did I. She was shocked. When she dove under the water, so did I! The other moms were lounging by the pool side, dipping their perfectly pedicured little toes in the water as I bounded through the pool like Orca the whale on the hunt for the little fish. They looked at me like I had lost my mind...my boobs practically leaping out of my suit, filled to the brim with milk for the next feeding. After a few rounds of tag. We moved on to fetch, where I threw a water toy and Shelby pretended to be a dog and catch it. I have to admit that this one was a bit easier for me. I got to stay stationary for a while. But not too long. Next we went to the deep end where I got to throw her in to the air over, and over and OVER again, until my arms ACHED. Then she rode on my back through the water. Next, we got hot dogs, fries, and fruit-by-the-foot...oh yum. I have to say that I have new appreciation for the work that Gavin puts in to being "fun". I will also say that I am ticked at myself that I have not been more fun in the past. Shelby held my hand as we left the pool and said "Mom, we're best friends, right." Could there be a better reward than that?

5 comments:

The Jones' said...

YOu are hilarious!!! And then I was almost in tears, because I too feel the same way. How come I can not be fun like dad. I agree with you and the dates, but it is opposites for us I took Chandler. You just forget how much they have grown up and how sufficient they really are...what is going to be sad is when they do not want to play with us anymore or for that matter be in the same room as us...glad you had a good time. I will have to send jocelyn with you guys to the pool and then I can sit and take pictures jk
amy, so nice to finally talk to you,see you soon.

heather said...

You hit the nail on the head about the dad being the fun one. I completely agree. Kudos to you for getting in there and having fun. I usually have to go kicking and screaming but once I give in I have a lot of fun. Good idea about the dates. I might have to try it.

Amber said...

I love this post. You had me laughing and crying! Mark is the fun one in our family and I have to work at it. If the truth be told that was a New Year Resolution, "be more fun"! I give you a high five for your mommy-daughter date! Good job!

Dan K Shaw said...

Great job Ash!!. I am like you I feel like often times I am the one providing the fun and everyone else is having the fun. I am proud of you and what you do. You are right on track!! Love you guys.

Chip and Lisa said...

You have the gift of putting motherhood into an hysterical light!!! I love to read your insight to life. I am so proud of the day at the pool with you and Shelby although I think the Orca part wasn't true. You have inspired me to do the same with my kids. Once long ago we tried to to the date thing once a month on their birth dates, ie: Brayden born Oct. 4 then on the 4th of every month he did something special with mom or dad but that didn't last to long. So I am going to steal your ideas once again because when it's all said and done that is the most important part is the memories!!!