I’d sorta had it the other night with getting the kids to eat their dinner. They so totally don’t take Carrie and I seriously about it anymore. They squirm in their seat, they push food around on the plate, they say indeterminate things like “ah, ooh, ooh eee, ga” and stuff like that. I laid down the law as I left the table (having eaten my dinner in a normal amount of time): no talking, no whispering, no nada. I wanted them to finish eating and I wanted no guff about it and moreover I didn’t want to hear any vocalizations at all. Got it?
I went upstairs, just to be away from the scene and see if they would follow through.
A short while later, Owen timidly asked from the bottom of the stairs if he could have some more milk? Of course I said, jumping up and starting down the stairs. Halfway down, Owen said: Dada, Finney’s fallen asleep.
Sure enough, there she was, head on the table beside a half-eaten dinner, quite asleep. I got Owen his milk thinking perhaps Finn was faking it somehow, but no, she was actually asleep. I gentled collected her from her chair, got her into her room, changed her into her PJs (which we call Goodnight Suits), and tucked her in – all without waking her. She can be a deep sleeper, thank goodness.
When I came out, Owen stage-whispered to me: I sang quietly to her because I didn’t want you to hear. I think it helped her fall asleep.
My heart completely melted once again for my little son. I clasped him to me and kissed his sweet head: I’m so proud of you Owen. I love you so much.