Bob, DD and P/T D left last week for a vacation to Carolina Beach to a condo we traditionally rent each April vacation. Unfortunately, P/T D got very homesick, and had to return to mom and family on Tuesday. So Daddy and Daughter are having a great time on their own.
I don't miss them in the least - because they haven't given me a chance to miss them. I kept track, and they've called 8 times today alone! Each day, DD tries to tease me about some thing that they've done; something that I am afraid of, find yucky, or just wouldn't do.
- She described a trip to the Columbia, SC zoo, where she fed birds from a little cup of nectar. She tells me that birds flew over and covered her head and arms, and that one bird licked her. (ewww - and I hadn't considered that birds had tongues). We've had about six phone conversations which stated with DD starting, "Hi Mama! Birds have tongues, you know that. Do you wanna hear how a bird lick feels?" (no.)
- When Bob was driving P/T D to the airport, a six hour expedition, DD and a family friend went to the movies. I am notorious for refusing to spend outrageous sums on junk food at the movies. DD's conversation that day started with "Hi Mama! We spent $60 at the concession stand at the movies. Did you know that the "Ella Enchanted" movie is nothing like the book? (hot button) They even started the movie with the thing that drives you crazy! (Many, many kids' stories kill off the mother in the opening scenes. It upsets me) I think it's my new favorite movie!"
- This morning's call was, "Hi Mama! Donna taught me how to make fried chicken. So I'm having fried chicken and fudge for breakfast today!"
I've heard about buying fireworks, a sunburn (I've dipped that kid in sunblock every day of her life. They "forgot," and the kid got toasted but good. DD gleefully recounted that she's old enough to drive with a licensed, over 21 year old person. ("Daddy says you don't want to know.") She's also spent far, far more than the money we agreed upon beforehand.
To her immense disappointment, she hasn't gotten a rise out of me. I tell her about eating ice cream every night for dinner. I tell her that Sophie smells really bad (DD's job is to bathe her), and is sleeping on DD's bed and in her clothes.
It's a test of wills - she wants me to tell her that I'm jealous / horrified/ upset/ grossed out at all the fun she's having. I want to tell her that being home alone with money, a car and the dog isn't so horrible, and that I could manage to live without them for a few more days. Amazingly, when I neaten up a room or a surface, it stays neat! I could stand a day or two more of that, no problem.
I think DD pulled her trump card tonight, though: "Daddy and I are going to the IKEA in Virginia on the way home."
I love IKEA, and used to drive to the nearest one in Montreal all the time. I haven't been in an IKEA in three years, and their mail order is terrible. But I told her that I'm delighted that she gets to go, and to have a wonderful time.
Guilt won over, but not for me. "Mama, I know you've wanted to go to IKEA forever. What do you want me to buy for you?"
heh, heh, heh. I twisted the knife, just a little.
"Oh nothing sweetie-pie. Knowing that you're having a great time at IKEA is the most important thing to me." I replied. "Please make sure that your vacation homework is completed before you get home, because I won't write a note to excuse you and buy you a couple of days of time."
I wonder if she's enjoying busting me as much as I'm enjoying busting her. I also shudder to think about what will happen when she gets better at this than I am. eep.
But for now, heh, heh, heh.
Kathy N-V