October 1. Today is the first day of the Write 31 Days project.
As I sit here, bleary eyed, in front of my laptop, which just stares at me blankly from upon the kitchen counter, a bright voice calls out from behind me, breaking the silence of the quiet Saturday morning: “Can I have chocolate bunnies?” I turn around, my gaze falls upon my littlest child, hair disheveled, eyes squinty from just waking up. She has the biggest gap toothed grin on her face and I can’t help but smile back.
“Hey, sweetie. Good morning!” I whisper quietly, trying to give the hint that we should be quiet because everyone else in the house is still sleeping. I reach out to give her her morning hug, but she steps back, still smiling, repeating her question…a decibel higher: “Can I have chocolate bunnies*?” She’s…..persistent.
As most of you mothers can attest to, raising a 5-year old comes with trying to establish a good morning routine. It worked pretty well for my first two: Wake up. Use the bathroom. Wash hands. Wash face. Brush teeth. Not so hard, right?
Well, my little one, has a hard time remembering anything after step one. Yes. (Insert sighing emoji) I have to remind her to go to the bathroom. Some days she’ll insist that she doesn’t have to go.
Seriously?
First thing in the morning? … After multiple cups of water to get you to go to sleep the night before? I don’t think so. Despite much argument, she huffs to the bathroom and grumpily plops herself down on the toilet nanoseconds before I can hear Niagra Falls in there.
Everyone tells you how amazing it is to have multiple children with the exact same DNA, but with totally different personalities. I’ll have to agree with that. You would think after raising Thing 1 and Thing 2, I’d be ready for anything with this third child of mine, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Every day she brings something new to the table. Sometimes it’s frustrating. Sometimes it’s confusing. Oftentimes it totally comes out of left field. And more often than not, it’s downright hilarious!
So I invite you to share in the adventure that is all about living with a five year old who’s Going on Six.
*On a side note, I don’t usually buy “Chocolate Bunny” cereal, or cereal for that matter, but they had a box of Annies Organic ones at Costco the other day and I gave in. (I blame it on PMS because I wanted some too.) The little one has wanted them every morning since, and I’m happy to report that we are on the last handful of bunnies left in the box. I wonder what our next new breakfast adventure will be….
