One's Girl's Fortune

This morning we all went to Target to get a few last minute things before our trip to Iowa. Somewhere along the way, Lorelei found a penny which went into her pocket. Andres reminded her that she could put it in her piggy bank when we got home. She said no.

Lorelei saw a display of swimsuits and asked if she could take one home. I explained that Grandma Becky had already bought a new suit for her which she would get in just a few more days. Then she saw a swimsuit cover. (Granted I also thought that it was pretty cute). Lorelei picked up a 2T and asked if it was her size. I told her no, that
one was too small. At that moment I made a decision. I could have said something along the lines of, "There aren't any in your size" and that would have been the end of it. Instead I pointed out that there was one in her size, but that $10 was too expensive. She just nodded her head in understanding (certainly not the first time that she has heard me say that it is more than I am willing - not able- to pay.)

In the check-out line, she had her hand buried deep in her pocket with the penny. I must have looked at her oddly because she told me, "I have everything right here that I need," patting her pocket. She continued with, "I have a lot of money." Oh, yes honey. That is quite a fortune you have there.

Right outside the exit of the Target is always the same elderly man with his folding table, his polite requests to help the homeless, and his collection box. I realize that Lorelei doesn't have a full nor adult understanding of things like money and charity, but she does know that money buys things like swimsuits and clothes. She knew that she had money in her pocket (and thought it was worth quite a bit!). And she knew before we got out the doors, that she was going to give her money to the man, because she told me so. I bet she knew long before that. I bet she knew where that penny was going to go the instant that she found it.

Shyness took hold of Lorelei but after a great deal of hand holding, she put her penny in the box. Andres remarked that for all the hoopla, the man must have been expecting at least a dollar, not just a single penny. Truth be told, I almost cried. My heart melted to see her act so selflessly.

In Celebration of Independence Day

Independence Day? Every day around our house is filled with both Lorelei and Emma striving to assert their independence. We're living the dream 24/7. But democracy? That is not really a concept that the girls have been exposed to much. Around here it's more like the ruling Queen, Duke and then the subjects. As you can see in the two photos, the girls do seem to have a bit of princess about them, wouldn't you agree?

The Luxurious Life of the Childless

I was reading in my Newsweek this morning an article debunking the myth that children bring happiness. The authors stated multiple research statistics that support the opposite assertion - that childless couples are actually happier than the rest of us.

"Which parent is willing to admit that life's greatest gift has made his or her own life less enjoyable?"

I have been thinking about this article all day long. I have no doubt that childless couples (whether by choice or not) have more time together as a couple and have more expendable income which would lead to things like more travel, nicer cars and a nice house. I do not deny that my social life (or attempts at one) is complicated by the girls, but how does one measure happiness? I can only guess that it is on a perceived level of happiness as rated by that person feeling it. I keep trying to think of an analogy that fits. It is like being really happy with delicious canned pineapple - until I ate a fresh pineapple. It is like being super happy to eat Hershey's chocolate until I ate Venezuelan chocolate. I was happy without children but the breadth of what made me happy was more narrowly defined. Children has literally broadened my horizons. The girls bring happiness that exceeds anything ever experienced pre-children. How can one even begin to compare the two ways of life?


Just to illustrate my point - this evening Emma gave me some extra special Mom time. She is teething something fierce and was awakened around 9:00. I let her cry it out until she was finally standing up crying out so pathetically! She just clung to me when I picked her up. I gave her some teething tablets and she laid all warm and cuddly in my arms. Pretty soon she crawled off my lap and into the corner of the couch, head hanging over the arm. I just stared at her soft baby body. By the time I realized I should be snapping a photo she had crawled back to lie with her head in my lap. As she moved herself about getting adjusted and still half asleep she flashed me the sweetest, purest smile I can imagine. She was just a picture of contentment. Just so happy and loved.