Bakin' with the kids
August 7, 2007 at 6:16 PM
by Ashleigh
Yesterday and Sunday we really were baking. It was hot in Holland!
We went to the pool both days running, on Sunday to the Amsterdamse Bos where we missed seeing Nina, Chris and Milla, and then yesterday to de Meerkamp, our local swimming pool complex, where I had to get over any body hangups pretty quick like because there were hundreds of people I know there! Including the man from the petrol station who I cried in front of a few months ago when my card wouldn't work.
He was extremely chatty, but all I wanted to do was read my book. Nothing like chatting to someone in your swimsuit with the memory of how much like a baby you behaved previously, and that it's not enough that they saw you with tears streaming down your cheeks, but now, horrors!, they get to see you being uncomfortable in a swimsuit!
Eventually I got away and planted myself in lounger and read my book, Digging to America
Digging to America
I'm just desperate for another sunny day now so that I can do it all again!
Today we did the other kind of baking, since it's not so hot today. We made peanut butter cookies.
I have to say, it's not as idyllic as it looks in the pictures.
Remember I mentioned that product vs. process thing? Well, I had to leave the room today and let the kids get on with the process. I love the school holidays, love my kids dearly, but some days... ugh.
It may have a lot to do with the preceding few hours where we went looking for things Joe might like for his 5th birthday, which is only a week away and I have absolutely no idea what to do for him as all his friends are away on vacation. That however, is a different blog post.
Anyway, we got as far as the bookstore and he started to tantrum, and then we walked all the way home with him tantrumming.
You know where Mario 'pounds the ground' in SuperMario? Joe was doing that. In between hitting me, and screaming and shouting.
Poor Seb was mortified and saying 'Mama, everyone is staring at us! Joe! Shut up! Everyone is staring at us!'
We passed my neighbours on the way back, who tried to reason with him and eventually told him he might get a smack if he continued. I explained that it doesn't help at all (because it doesn't) but no-one believed me, and Joe kept shouting. Eventually we got home and I put him in bed where he slept for 2 hours.
This is the second time this week that he has had to be put in bed because of raging.
After that we did the baking.
I guess I didn't enjoy the process of the baking that much because I was afraid that any direction (heavy-handed or otherwise) on my part might result in more of the same sort of tantrums.
When you look at that picture up there you can't imagine the little ball of fury he was just a few hours before, can you?
Comments
Oh yes I can... My middle one has an awfull temper and can switch between moods like a police flashlight.
My youngest one will be five on august 22d ;)
Oh, Ash, I do feel for you!! For whatever it's worth, they do seem to outgrow it ... but I know from experience that is absolutely NO help while you're going through it.
I think you deserve Super Mom of the Year award for actually daring to bake cookies with them after that!
August 7, 2007 9:07 PM