Just Another Day

While we walked home from school , I watched Gem from behind; her stylin' new Christmas coat from Grandma fit perfectly, her jeans covering her boots, and her hair loose over her shoulders. She just seemed so much older than what she was, and for a moment I caught a glimpse of what my little girl would look like in ten years.
And then she fell, because of course the sidewalks have been covered in sheer ice most of this winter. She giggled and laughed, got back up and kept "skating" sliding around on the sidewalk in her boots. We've been practicing that "skating technique" especially in the last few days because of all the melting and freezing going on , and no one seems to want to clean off their sidewalks.
I love walking her to school, even though she'd rather me find someone to drive her. It does mean getting up earlier and ready sooner than if we drove, and she lets me know that she's not impressed: The deep dramatic sigh, the roll of the eyes... Yeah, if she's like this now, I am certainly in no hurry to have her hit the dreaded teen years. She is the oldest one, has a bossy streak once in a while, and likes to tell on her sister. She does enjoy quiet moments coloring and crafts, and my fridge, serves as a gallery for her Creations. I don't mind even if the fridge is new. It's a fridge, that's what it's for.
Jules' art is on there too, not as much though, because she chooses to express herself in less subtle ways. She has, in the past, painted her face and dress with bright orange paint , when it was within reach. She scooped a nail from Carpenter's tool belt only to draw permanent happy faces on the tailgate- actually I believe Gem caught a bit of that action too. The dress survived a vigorous wash, but the paint stayed, and the tailgate... received a coat of paint after two attempted break in's by a frustrated keying thief.
But my frustration with the kids' expression happened after Carpenter came home with some night tables for our room . We have been in need of these bedroom furniture pieces for quite some time.But the need has become more urgent since we have been investing in "marriage enhancing" products thanks to my dear friend Ferf. It was high time to have a drawer or two to hide these things in. I'm sure those of you who received a little black bag for Christmas this year know exactly what I'm talking about.
Carpenter worked late into the night putting these Home Depot specials together. He left them in the Living room until I had time to clean our room and move them in.
I awoke the next morning, To Gem yelling "Mommyyyy! COME see what SHE is doing!" That annoying screech that just makes your skin crawl, and kids know that perfect pitch that will send you flying out of bed. Which was what I did.There was Jules coloring away a gift for "Mommy and Daddy"in front of the TV with her art pack, ON MY NEW TABLES. They hadn't even made it into the bedroom before they were decorated with FELT PEN. I freaked, like any parent , I'm sure, scolded her appropriately and sent her to her room. I began scrubbing away with anything and everything I could think of that would remove felt pen. The list isn't long.

It could have been worse I suppose; the felt pen she happened to use was just one color, yellow, which can actually blend into wood, my Mr Clean Magic eraser took care of most of the felt, and Jules' decoration concentrated on just one table, which is now on Carpenter's side of the bed.
Crisis dealt with. Jules an Gem are happily coloring again, this time on Paper to be posted on the fridge, I've had a cup of coffee, and dinner is waiting to be made.