I had quite a Rachel-centric day today. Rachel's our 8 going on 18 year old, a very knowing, witty and fun little girl to be around. She's definitely picked up my sarcastic streak, and had a great knack of using it to comic effect.
First off, I came down to start breakfast with the kids. We're trying to be better about getting up on time on weekend mornings, because the kids often slope downstairs and stuff themselves while we sleep. I mentioned in passing that I was going for a cycle, and Rachel invited herself along.
Rachel did her First Holy Communion yesterday, the high point of a long week of preparing the house for invasion by relatives. We are anti-houseproud. We just don't care. Except on special occassions, then we rush around like mad things painting, decorating, cleaning and tidying.
Rachel had a memorably epic meltdown a couple of days ago. We'd gone to one of the local outlet shopping centers where there's a Subway that we frequent. Afterward, we let the kids run round the pirate park for a while to burn off some of that excess energy.
Before we went, Lisa and I wanted to pop into Next to look at a few new clothes - you know how the children always come first in clothes shopping when everything you own is misshapen and ugly. Time to buy a couple of new shirts.
What do you do when you notice your child's friendships breaking down?
Do you intervene, do you try to get them to talk it out? Do you try to get them to spend time apart? Do you mind your own business and be there to pick up the pieces?
Rachel (who's only 7 years old, remember) is having quite a bit of friction with her best friend of the last 3 or so years. The other little girl is quite introverted and likes to keep Rachel to herself. She's not keen on the two of them mixing with other kids, although we try to make sure Rachel has other options.
You know the old schoolyard saying, "Liar Liar, pants on fire!" Well, Rachel came up with a wacky variation this evening: "Liar Liar, pants for hire."
I don't know where it came from but I was slightly shocked and wildly amused at the wit in the saying. I'm assuming it came from a cartoon or something, because it's not the type of thing she'd just come up with.
Rachel got her first grey hair the other day, which is bizarre for a 7 year old, isn't it?
Actually, Lisa noticed a few weeks ago while brushing her hair for school, but never got around to blogging about it. That's the thing about this mum/dad blogging malarkey - if you don't write it down, it'll get forgotten about. But enough lamenting the forgotten tales of our parenthood...
Lisa and I are both the eldest children in our respective families. Both of us can remember that there are special perks associated with being the eldest.
In my case, every Saturday night, my Dad would slip out of the house and bring back fish suppers for him and my Mother, then they'd call me down as well for my share. My two sisters would be innocently sleeping upstairs while I, the eldest, was able to munch away on junk food. And I don't think they ever found out!
It seems I hardly spend much time with Rachel. If I'm going out somewhere, it's usually the boys who come with me, and mostly Daniel.
So, how surprised was I when I suggested she come out for a walk with me, and she didn't go absolutely nuts. Normally, such an innocuous request would be met with a fit of hysterics, making it pointless to even bother dragging her out the front door. But on Sunday, she placidly nodded her head and said, "Yeah, it'd be nice to get some fresh air." Then wandered off to get her coat.
This is one for you, Rachel. You've always been an early bird, and since you've been able to tip-toe down the stairs, we'd frequently wake to the sound of your TV programmes and find you comfy on the sofa enjoying some time to yourself.
During the week though, I'm always up ahead of you. But you have an uncanny knack of knowing when I'm awake and I'll hear 'Dad' whispered from the top of the stairs while I'm making toast. When I hear my name, I always put on a couple of extra slices just for you.
Our websites are getting more and more popular. My day job is getting busier and more stressful. I don't update this blog as often as I'd like to, because I want to record some of our lives for the kids.
As a family, good things are happening, and not-so-good things too. Rachel and Jake are going through a great time. Both are being real sweethearts, conversational, witty and creative.
