With my birthday having been this week (Am I really that old?), I can’t help but think back to our last birthday in the household – my 3 year old daughter’s…
I believe Peanut spent the entire week before her 3rd birthday pulling out all the terrible two tricks she could. It was like she realized she was moving onto a new age, and had to go out with a bang. A few times I mentioned that she might not live to see her 3rd birthday party, but the antics continued. The week started with my mistake of forgetting to close my bedroom door. Peanut discovered this error and in return found my peppermint foot lotion. She used it to paint her brother, herself, and to my dismay, the carpet of the bedroom. My husband found them when he stepped out of our bathroom. He came to find me and told me to get the camera. Okay, taking a picture of the “artwork” probably sent the wrong message, but I couldn’t resist. I then went on to explain why we don’t use lotion to paint the carpet or our little brother and set them both in the bath tub.
Two days later she pumped my much more expensive lotion all over my bath tub when I briefly left her alone to answer the phone. Again I calmly told her that wasn’t acceptable, explained how sad I was that she wasted my lotion, cleaned up the mess and went on my way, proud of how calm I stayed.
Then she discovered the new container of Vick’s that Daddy forgot in her room after rubbing it on her at bedtime. We thought she was in her room sleeping, but when I went to tuck her in, I found her covered head to toe in Vick’s. She had also finger painted the windows, part of her bed, and the rug. This time I wasn’t as calm. I still didn’t yell (although I wanted to) because her brother was asleep in the room next door, but I did scold her quite a bit. Then I walked her to our shower, where my husband was just finishing, and stuck her in to get cleaned up. Getting Vick’s out of hair is not easy, by the way. I set about wiping down the windows, changing the sheets, cleaning the rug, etc. Even after thoroughly cleaning it, the room reeked of Vick’s for weeks afterward.
By all accounts this week has been rather calm. Of course, it’s just Monday…
Jerry says
There’s also the World Toddler Wrestling Federation experience….
Linda says
Oh my! You’d better put all bottles behind lock & key until she’s 18! Better yet, retell this story when she is 18 and could use a good laugh after a rough day. Quite the mischief maker!