Mama Mama Quite Contrary

While we were in Maine, I was feeling pretty darn good about my parenting skills. I was cool. I was calm. I was caring but firm. I was mindful. I was Zen Mama and oh boy, did it feel good. Bedtime at 10 pm and Aviva's losing it? I had it all under control. Breakfast of toast, peanut butter, strawberries, rice krispies , silly putty, scones, AND a bite of cheesecake? We're on vacation and the kid should live a little. A trip to a public beach and Vivi wants to be naked? She's got a cute tushie so let's go for it. A long car ride home on Sunday? Let's sing Ring Around the Rosie a million times. It didn't matter because Mama had it TOGETHER! Then Monday rolled around and Mama lost it- BIG TIME! It all started when I volunteered to take Aviva on errands in the morning so my husband could get some things done at home. We went to the farm for our vegetables knowing full well that Vivi would be begging to see the goats. I thought I'd just let her see them for a ...

Our Independence Day holiday involved a trip to Maine or what Aviva called a "big a'venture." There's no doubt about it-- traveling away from home with our toddler usually does turn into a big adventure. This trip was no exception. The wonderful thing about Vivi's rapidly expanding vocabulary is that we can now have actual conversations about our adventures. The bad thing is that we seem to have the same conversations over and over again. Take this one for example: Vivi: Where's Maine? Me: It's where we are going this weekend. Ten minutes later Vivi: Where's Maine? Me: It's where we are going this weekend. You are going to see your cousins there. Ten minutes later Vivi: Where's Maine? Me: It's where we are going this weekend. You are going to see your cousins there. It's near the ocean. Ten minutes later Vivi: Where's Maine? Me: Where do YOU think it is? Vivi: At MamaDaddyVivi house. Me: Yup. That's it! I am seriously starting ...