A Day in the Life

From the moment I began blogging I have wanted to include a quote as part of my banner, but sadly I (still) lack the ability to do so. The end of the quote goes something like this: Childhood is but for a day. Ere you are aware it will be gone with all its gifts forever. It is on certain days (like today) that it really pays to keep that thought in the forefront of my mind.

And so...

While I organized breakfast for the girls Bayan quietly sat on the carpet cutting up his organic muffin with safety scissors.

While I plucked crumbs from the carpet he happily massaged his milk into the fine fibre mesh of the mini trampoline.

While I scrubbed the elastic mat and tried to clean the floor Bayan ambushed my stacks of folded washing and Anisa took the opportunity to dress and accessorize the gym equipment.

While I refolded the clothes and tried to disentangle her jacket from the electrical strider Bayan collected eggs from the refrigerator.

While I cleaned the evidence form his most recent escapade Anisa tried to find her fairy dress-up. In the process all sorts of costumes were flung near and far, including a Hawaiian hula skirt which landed in the middle of the kitchen. That is also where I landed after wildly slip-sliding across it.

While I picked myself up and dusted myself off Anisa collected the costumes.

While I tried to put Bayan in the car seat (currently not his most favourite place) he screamed and struggled and wriggled and cried.

While I drove to the markets Anisa kept up a steady stream of happy chatter while Bayan howled in the background.

While the children tried to decide which trolley to take I tried not to loose my sanity.

While Anisa and I collected pears Bayan ambushed an apple display.

While I scrounged around and haphazardly replaced the fruits Bayan discovered the candy barrels.

While I negotiated the return of the lollies Anisa negotiated a reasonable exchange.

While I attempted to locate the ginger and bean sprouts Anisa began her own little version of Riverdance. This can only mean one thing: find the nearest toilet. Fast!

While I helped Anisa reach the soap and wash her hands Bayan inadvertently set off the dryer. The sudden blast of air and loud whooshing sound frightened the dickens out of him.

While I held and attempted to comfort Bayan I also paid for the shopping, loaded the car and organized snacks for the drive home.

While I put the groceries away Bayan discovered a shovel and a patch of dirt. Anisa discovered a caterpillar. I discovered I had forgotten to buy two crucial ingredients.

While I spoke to the Kindy teacher after picking Ruhi up from school, Anisa fell down and skinned her knee.

While I said good-bye, inspected the damage and reassured her it would soon heal and would be much better after a band-aid and some calandula cream she yelled and cried and writhed in pain.

While I speed walked home with Bayan in the front of the pram (stroller), Anisa perched on the side and Ruhi zipping along on her scooter, Anisa howled and sobbed and carried on. By the time the house was in view her screeches made you think she was being prepped for ritualistic sacrifice and there was a chorus of neighbourhood canines accompanying her mournful cries.

While I fumbled with the keys and desperately tried to unlock the door Anisa continued to howl and screech, Bayan joined in and Ruhi began an incessant mantra of: "Mum I'm hungry. I'm hungry Mum. I'm huuungry..." in a whining, nagging tone that instantly sent me over the edge.

So, while the children stared in stunned silence (finally!) I screamed like a banchee from the depths of my soul.

While I apologized for loosing my cool and my momentary lack of propriety the children reiterated their requests for cuddles, band-aids and food. Sigh.

While I prepared dinner Anisa secretly painted a page from Ruhi's new painting book.

While I attempted to be the ever-patient voice of reason and justice, Anisa went to her room in tears.

While I spoke to Anisa, Bayan was stirring the paint brushes in the fish bowl.

While I wondered what that strange sound was and rushed to investigate, Bayan tipped the bowl over and a small tsunami soaked the carpet, table and chairs (the fish were fine).

While I mopped up the carpet, wrung out the towels and dried off all the items caught by the rogue wave, a very saturated Bayan demanded a bath.

While I ran his bath and finished making dinner Anisa dismantled the front couches to make a fort and somewhere in her epic adventure wound up putting a foot through the soft, underside of the sofa. SIGH! It now has a large rip and I have an eye twitch.

While we were eating dinner Bayan gagged on a corn kernel and vomited into my hand (I was trying to spare the upholstery, you see). While I was sanitizing my fingers Mehran and the girls left the table. I can't imagine why.

When the financial planner (thankfully also a close family friend) arrived and while he was going over our finances Ruhi sang the Lazytown soundtrack at the top of her lungs, Anisa danced wildly around the room and Bayan stealthily stole his refreshments.

While the children got ready for bed with endless requests for milk, water, snacks, stories and cuddles I looked forward to that brief moment when I could look in on their sleeping faces and could see them for who they are. Right now. For even with the arguments, the frustrations and the difficulties they are amazing individuals and today, once gone, is gone forever. They are growing up so fast and while I would love a quieter, less harried day tomorrow I would not trade today for anything in the world. Except maybe the screaming like a banchee part...that was most unfortunate.