As I was looking through some pictures on my computer, I came upon this shot of MA and I at his cousins wedding last fall.
As I replayed portions of that weekend through my mind, I remembered taking the kids to the Nashville Zoo, and really enjoying our day. Makayla was the flower girl in the wedding, so once we left the zoo, we came back to our hotel and dressed for the wedding. I rolled and fixed Makaylas hair complete with glitter. She wore this beautiful ivory dress and looked like a princess.
Here the kids are in the bamboo forest area at the zoo.
See princes...I told you.
As the night carried on, the family was celebrating at the reception, we ate and talked and had a very nice time. As the hour approached 8:30 or so, Cameron began to become tired.
Do you know what happens when Cameron becomes tired? Many children will get quiet and still as they begin to drift off to sleep, not Cameron...no Cameron escalates, he gets faster, louder and harder to handle.
By 9:00 pm, the bride and groom were opening their gifts and Cameron was in the floor spinning, on his belly. Then running around the house that was full of people, outside, inside and just all around getting more and more unruly.
At this time MA and I like to pretend that we have every thing under control. You see, we had Makayla, and when I told her to sit down, she sat down...see, I CAN parent. *points to child who is NOT acting like an escaped zoo monkey* Olivia....well she was an infant, so I had her under control...see...see..I told you I can parent. No, please pay no attention to the escalating 4 year old boy who is now helping the bride and groom unwrap their gifts.
It is at this point MA takes Cameron by the arm and in a valiant show of parenting power gets right in his face, nose to nose, and explains to him that we have told him 29383987 times that he can not climb on top of the counters and dance. No, you cant play in the fountain on the patio either. No you may not ask the bride and groom for the money they just received so you can go buy that stuffed alligator that you saw at the zoo today and mom and dad would not buy. Cameron you will sit down on this chair and not move until I tell you that you can.
Cameron....Cameron...I said sit down...*sigh*
Now I, being the parenting expert *snicker snicker* that I am makes the astute observation that we probably should make our exit. What caused me to reach this decision? When I looked down as we were saying our goodbyes and Cameron was sitting on my foot with his arms and legs wrapped around my leg. Did I mention I was in heels? No? Well I Was. So picture this exit...me with Olivia on my hip, purse on my shoulder, 4 year old kid wrapped around my leg.
Yep....totally in control.....
