One of My Weaker Moments

We have a very loud vacuum. I actually like our vacuum very much. It’s a good vacuum.

I was vacuuming today and as I did so, I noticed Elias and Alena Mae struggling over a toy. I listened to the beautiful, monotonous roar of the vacuum while watching as Elias shoved Alena Mae to the floor, the toy he wanted still in her grip.

She fell to the ground, her mouth as wide as it could open. Her feelings were hurt and I knew she was wailing. Then Elias, still not in possession of the desired toy, dramatically threw himself to the floor, his own mouth set in whining position number twenty-seven: lip curled under, eyebrows furrowed. I knew he was whining and screaming. I could read his lips.
“Lena turn! Lena turn!”
This is his way of telling Lena that it is his turn.

I could see that all this was happening, but I could not hear a thing. It was like watching a silent movie, a poorly directed and beautifully cast movie with an impossibly boring plotline, but it was a silent movie.

I watched and vacuumed, and thought to myself,
"I can't hear a thing. This is really awesome."

I should vacuum more often.

Comments

Anonymous said…
LOL! Clean floors and a good excuse not to get in between them.

Claire was throwing a tantrum the other night after I told her she couldn't have candy. Ron had missed the confrontation, came over, and said, "What's wrong? Use your words."

Still wailing, she pointed accusingly at me and said, "Mama is telling me 'no'."

We both had to turn around so she didn't see us laughing
Crazy MomCat said…
Quick--what's the make and model of that vacuum? Mine's not loud enough. HA!

Sometimes it is good to let them learn to work things out on their own too...especially once they get older.

So, parenting by Hoover...two thumbs up. LOL!
Anonymous said…
When she was between 2 and 5, V.R. would sometimes react to being told "no" by gracefully and slowly crumpling to the floor into a compact little lump, nothing showing but her back and the back of her head. Utterly silent, a greater reproach, somehow, than shrieks.

We called the maneuver "Princess Wilting Willow, crushed by the weight of the world".

Now she argues.
Nicole said…
I'm right here with ya. I used to mow our 1/2 acre lawn with a push mower just to get some peace and quiet. It took an hour...totally worth it.

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