April 1, 2002
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Together.
The family had (thanks to Easter) an extended long weekend. It was surprisingly without incident, which was nice. A couple of spats, nothing major, the world didn't fall around my ears because my husband is mortal and my child behaved abominably.
Lo! We survived. We survived it ALL. And there was a lot to survive.
Friday: We got up early to take Mouse to the Easter Fair here. It's a horrible thing really - an overblown agricultural convention with spruikers trying to hustle you into parting with money to win a stuffed monkey, the smells of deep fried food hanging in the air like a mist curtain, and cows and sheep shitting all over the place. Mouse loved it. She didn't like the animals ("no cows mama", "no piggies mama", "no ducks mama") even though I schlepped her round the stalls grimly with my best National Geographic voice.
"No cows mama" for me either - I prefer nature under plexiglass or nicely garnished with some parsley.
She did love the rides. Marc and I took turns on who got the honorific of accompanying an eager 2 year old, and thereby risking life and limb and dignity.
I got stuck with the doofus ride, the one where you sit vacantly, the only adult on a big plastic swan, going round in circles to the tinny strains of 'Hooked on a Feeling' while staring off into space, pretending that you don't notice the crowds of giggling onlookers. Marc got the big slide and the whizzy roller coaster thing, though he did look a tad uncomfortable buckled in on a ride as big as he was - at least it went fast, and played Oasis. No big plastic swans for him.
We ate junk food, bought trashy toys which will poke our child's eyes out, and wandered around aimlessly spending cash we don't have in some sort of orgy of irresponsibility and light-hearted happiness. Mouse summarised the whole expensive day by announcing that the day was all about 'cow poo poo mama'. Argh, that's my girl. Money and shit, kid, money and shit.
We spent the next day shoe shopping, a thoroughly mind numbing thing to do, unless you are a toddler. Or a woman with an unlimited bank account and a shoe fetish. I am neither. Instead I got to shell out $75 for a pair of shoes that will be outgrown in 3 months and that were scuffed to rat shit without seconds of the first ceremonial wearing. Marc amused himself by announcing that his little girl would never be seen dead in certain shoes while living under his roof. I laughed. I've been a little girl. He hasn't a clue.
Yesterday - house hunting up the central coast of New South Wales. Houses are cheap. Land is cheaper and culture is nonexistent, but the air is fresh, the beaches are clean and empty and did I mention that houses are cheap?
Mouse grizzled the whole way there and back, threw a couple of spectacular tantrums in real estate agent offices which made me realise that I do indeed, suck as a mother. Dinner at the fine parenting restaurant with the golden arches and a compromise over the eating of chicken nuggets won with a balloon and some ice cream. Home in the car, singing loudly and with fake enthusiasm to The Wiggles, four aussie men who are very strange and sing songs like 'Woo Hoo Hey, I'm combing my hair today'. Good for you son, I think I'll drink. Call me when you've clipped your toenails and I'll write a symphony for yez. I swore I'd never do that. My child would grow up listening to grownup music. Well, your principles fall like matchsticks when you've had an hour of nonstop whining. These guys are like kiddie-crack. Just when you think you have the whole parenting thing down pat and on your terms - kids make you look like idiots.
And now it's today. The lawn has been mowed, dog poop has been picked up, the house has been vacuumed and there is peace. For the first time in a while, no festering silences, not a hostile muttering - nothing. I like this. I mean, I really like it. It's not about blame and who's at fault, and who did the worst to whom, but just who's trying the hardest. And who loves whom. Sometimes a marriage has a life of its own, despite us. This is a good thing.
Happy Easter.
Comments (17)
This is lovely! I'm so happy you've found a bit of peace.
And I'll just warn everyone else about petting zoo areas: Don't think a camel won't try to eat your kid. Tara's lucky she still has her right hand.
your care and support are felt and appreciated.
~F
Huzzah! (and thanks for teaching me "spruikers")
Stressie, you the man.
Relationships are living creatures.....determined to throw us to the hard dusty ground at the slightest provocation.
Yes, a good thing. I'm glad you had an oasis of peace. You deserve it.
Sounds fun and I don't think you suck as a mom. Sounds like Mouse is having fun. Camille is addicted to the Wiggles too. I like to think of it as a Toddler Tonic, hey at least she's learned the Pirate Dance!
Peace, and (((hugs))) to you.
you are the man, stressie. we steadfastly avoid anything with a remotely "carnival" atmosphere. my kids will never see disneyland on my watch. poor little lambs.
you are a good mom. i didn't confess that in my blog ethan drank nothing but apple juice, and henry would only eat bacon at the brunch. but nobody was shouting, you know?
Sounds like a good Easter!
I love the way you find words for things. I'm always compelled to read your posts through to the end, because they are so compelling and each word is so intriguing that it tricks my eyes into reading the next one.
happy holiday!
even happier to hear you're doing well.
ps. oh, and you are so totally the target audience for the drunk girl post. But I think you were one of the few to appreciate it for its utter depravity and lack of pride. fuck em. let's have a beer stress.
Sounds like a great weekend. I've missed a bit I think, but I'm glad things are working out in spite of the participants.
My marriage goes like that sometimes.
2 year olds throw tantrums. I've learned that my daughter throwing a tantrum is not a reflection of me. Me screaming at her when I see her pouring yesterdays coffee from the old filter that was in the trash on the floor is, but mostly other people don't see that stuff.
Happy Easter!
Oh, and we do the Wiggles here too. My daughter LOVES them. I don't mind most of it, but I hate when Quack-Quack-Quack-Quack-Quack-CockADoodleDoo gets stuck in my head.....
Sounds like a good weekend SM. And a plus that everyone survived intact.
I like to go shoe shopping, but for myself, not a wee toddler.
Hope you had a great Monday.
And a good time was had by all. I'm glad you're getting a break.
Glad you had a good Easter
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