In the Corner

Vivian doesn't listen very well. So we've been chatting about listening and why it's important, and what happens when you don't listen. I thought we were making headway till this morning. Jo was changing Vivian's diaper and I was pretending to bite her nose. I'd snarl and snap in the vicinity of her proboscis and she's squeal and jump and laugh - thereby interfering with the diaper changing process. Jo asked me to stop and I decided to go in for one last bite. At which point:

Vivian: "You not listening to Mommy. Daddy - go to the corner."
Me: "Nobody puts daddy in the corner."
Vivian: "Mommy - put daddy in the corner."

Eva's Baptism

Eva was baptized last weekend. She looked so mature and calm. The first picture is what I call the "before" picture - a knowing look over her shoulder. In the next picture, Pastor Scott is getting ready to put some water on Eva's head. Pastor Scott gave a very celebratory sermon. He even had a line or two in it for me.


And here's the family. This is after the baptism when they came back in for some photos. Everyone is relaxed and Grace is dancing. The next picture is the "after" picture. Isn't Eva positively glowing?

Vivian may have to wait a bit longer for her baptism. She adores Pastor Scott ("Hello Pa'tor 'Cott"). So we were a bit worried going into it that she may feel like Eva was getting the extra attention. I spun it as Eva's "party". Vivian was OK besides the wandering around the aisles and pews and snacking and falling down and crying and occasional cheering and clapping. My brown-eyed girl found a field of Black-Eyed Susans next to the church.

Mother's Day Out

We have been looking for that gender-neutrally named "mother's day out" program. Vivian thinks she has found one that will take her. Lots of outdoor time and a garden that the children tend and small groups of kids and a likable director and a relaxed view of discipline.

And fifteen minutes of chapel time once a week. Yes - it's minimal. No - it probably won't do any lasting damage. Yes - it is a church and isn't that why you send your kid to church. Yes - parents usually approve.

Should I de-program Vivian for 15 minutes a week? Vivian - why shouldn't you kill? Steal? Or covet your neighbor's wife? Should you fear eternal damnation? Should you be forgiven for your sins when you say a few words or take a dip in a holy river? Should you let the clear stream of reason lose its way in the dreary desert sand of dead habit*? Should we read a fairy tale called "The Emperor's New Clothes"?

Or should I let it go? Will I miss the frequent calls to the director's office to explain why Vivian couldn't have been serious when she told little Johnny to go to hell....

*from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore - the bard of my peeps. A bit of a perversion - the poem is often titled "Prarthona" or prayer in Bangla. And it is (or at least was) the HPS school prayer. But it's also titled "Where the mind is without fear".

Yucky Soccer Shoes

I went to Central Market this morning. On my way out, I asked for a balloon and explained that I had a little girl at home who really likes balloons. When I got home, I forgot the balloon in the car. A little bit later I went to play soccer. It was a very muddy game and on the way back I put my soccer shoes in a old Target plastic bag that was in the car. When I got home, I took the plastic bag and the balloon into the house. Vivian saw me walking in.

Vivian: "Daddy - you went to the grocery store?"
Me: "Yes sweetheart - here's your balloon."
Vivian: "What you buy?"
Me: "No - these are my yucky soccer shoes."
Vivian: "Mommy - daddy buy yucky soccer shoes at store."
Jo: "No - daddy just used an old bag to carry his soccer shoes."
Vivian: "Ooh. OK."

Conversation is getting pretty complicated.