It has struck me, in the nearly a year since I started blogging, that we have lots of cousins. I am blessed to have meaningful relationships with first cousins, second cousins, and cousins-however-many-times-removed, and these are people that really are a part of our lives. It is very cool.
Josh was part of history on Tuesday, when he, Aunt Joan, and Uncle Steve (his parents) spent all day in Washington D.C. at Barack Obama's inauguration. While they were unable to really see or hear anything that was telecast, they said it was incredible to be in a crush of positive, enthusiastic, unified people. I couldn't stop thinking about some of the people I know who lived in and were discriminated against in the time of "No blacks allowed" or segregated drinking fountains (makes my blood boil to think of it.) I'm sure no matter what else this presidency holds, it will be precious to them to see those little African American girls living in the White House as the First Family.
On Wednesday, Josh had about 12 hours between when his train deposited him in Baltimore and when his bus was scheduled to depart for NYC, so he spent it with us! Evelyn had a doctor's appointment (where I had to gently but firmly field questions about her "socialization" since she's not in daycare or pre-school--I wish I'd had the pluck to say I thought that playing with one's peers as a toddler is overrated, and that she would never learn from them the lessons she learns from playing with her mommy & daddy every day--kindness, compassion, patience, perseverance, gentleness, contentment, etc. Besides, she gets time w/others her age at least 4 times a week, which did satisfy the pediatrician.) But the rest of the day was deliciously cozy and slowly-paced. We watched a few episodes of "Planet Earth" that we'd borrowed from my parents (Evelyn enjoyed it, too, as you can see from the sofa picture), and I baked bread & made homemade soup for dinner.
Evelyn took a few pictures--Amelia snuggled on the sofa (feeling the effects of a bad cold, which they now BOTH have...hopefully Josh does NOT) and Josh enjoying a second bowl of soup (I love being able to count on the Bisset appetite). Later, Evelyn was putting (clean) pairs of her underwear on all her dolls (which are, of course, otherwise naked) and was suddenly inspired to put a pair on her head. She asked Josh to wear "an underwear hat," and he generously obliged. Somewhere I have a picture of me and Di and baby Alex wearing a bunch of MY (clean) underwear on OUR heads--somewhere in our 20's. I guess it's another item for Evelyn's list of "weird things I've inherited from my mom."
Thanks, Josh, for spending the day and sharing yourself. Tell Laura we missed her!
5 comments:
It is a shame that you have to defend your decision about preschool, a decision that you, as a parent, have every right to make. Last time I checked, this was America.
Really, I agree with Alyson. People years ago didn't send their children to daycare or preschool, unless it was necessary,for financal reasons of their families. When Mom and I lived in California, she tried to send me to pre-school----I cried the entire day. She would try to leave and I would cry. I went to pre-school for a total of 1 day. When we moved back to ND, I went to Head Start. Guess who worked there? Mom. None of kids ever went to daycare. Gramma Arlene was our daycare if there was a need. What is wrong with your pediatrician on this issue? I think him/her even asking was inappropriate. I would have said everything that you wanted to say. Sometimes, a Mommy has to do what a Mommy has to do.
Apparently, I needed to slow down while typing. I had a moment of uncontrolled outrage. It should read ...for financial reasons, not financal reasons; and None of us kids, not None of kids.
Take a breath.
Thanks, girls. I am preparing myself for the next well visit. I guess it's just the norm to be in daycare or preschool, & folks have come to think it's THOSE environments where children learn essential things. Her worst comment was, "It's not really appropriate if she's only playing w/her 2 year old sister." I have liked this doctor & the practice as a whole. This was the first time I'd felt a little defensive. But I'll be prepared next time!
I think that Evie is a very socialized child...you have no reason to be defensive. I think that although the way it was presented was in very poor taste, I can certainly understand that the pediatrician has a duty to make sure that Evie and other kids are having the kinds of interactions and socialization that are necessary for proper development. I think it's responsible of a pediatrician to ask and make sure...I'm sure there are families who don't have money, where mom doesn't need to put kid in daycare, and kid truly does not interact often enough with other children. Thank God Evie isn't one of those kids...and God help the ones whose parents NEED to be asked about it:)
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