Yesterday, Ricardo and I went to a workout group class - BOOT CAMP. The warm up was enough to make me want to leave, go down the the cafe, and have a beer. Just give up. Alas, I had a light at the end of my tunnel. Once the class was over, I was going out to the Melting Pot to celebrate a friend's birthday. So, I had to work out hard, and earn some of those calories I was about to consume.
We've been trying to be a little more flexible with the kids. So, when he asked them where they wanted to go for dinner, Max said Fazzoli's and Lucy said KFC. Granted, had I been there, I would have made them pick one. (I'm working on it!) Ricardo, on the other hand, is a bit more creative and flexible, and just said, "Okay." And went through both drive-thrus. And that's why they love Daddy the best. Hmmph.
One of the best things I think Ricardo and I do, and have always done, almost every day is share something sweet or funny the kids do or say that day. So, when I got home from cheese and chocolate greatness - he was eager to tell me about their ride home.
Max got his Fazzoli's first, and was pleasantly surprised when he saw he got TWO breadsticks instead of one.
"Lucy you can have a breadstick since I have two."
"Thank you, Max!"
Then they went to KFC. While waiting for the food, Max has thought this one out,
"You know Lucy, you get two goldfish cookies with your meal." Pause.
"That's right Max. And you gave me one of your breadsticks, so I'll give you one of my cookies! Thanks Max!"
They are NEVER that agreeable when I'm around. Perhaps it's that they wait for me to FORCE them to share....
The best was on the way home. While Lucy is in the back seat with drumstick in hand she says
"I don't want to eat animals. It makes me sad that they die."
Pause.
"Although, this chicken sure is YUMMY!" And then took another big bite of the drumstick.
During the pause, I would have interjected that it's good protein, and when you're 18, you can work out tofu and soybeans. That it sounds good and pure in theory, but that just the 6 Fridays a year during Lent are almost impossible. So for now, you're eating animals.
Certainly, this little conversation has been a great lesson for me to just shut up and listen and wait for it. Inevitably, they figure it all out on their own.
That's how we roll - one great big loving oxymoronal family unit.
