So I’m driving along with my three girls and my niece as we come upon some cows. Chloe quickly points to a cow and then this conversation happens…
Chloe: “I named that cow Melissa.”
Lydia: “Which cow?”
Chloe: “The one with the white face.”
Sofia: “Did you name any of the other cows?”
Chloe: “Just Melissa with the white face.”
Vivian: “You should have named her Mooo-lissa so she could understand you.”
I am never bored with these girls!
My middle daughter still has a few issues with masks and costumes, but she’s getting better and agreed to a Disney cruise. Her sisters are beyond excited and my husband is not the least bit on board with this idea. I know we’re going to be throwing our money at all things Princess, so I informed the girls they need to start a Disney Cruise fund.
It’s really just a way to tell them no when they ask for things and be able to remind them of their trip without being the super cheap mom that always says ‘no’. So far, they are cooperating and even asking for chores to earn money. That’s right, chores, Box Tops, loose change, any way to earn money…and I mean any way.
The other day I asked my youngest, my baby, my mini me for a hug. She put down her change cup, smiled ever so sweetly, and gave me the tightest hug as she told me how much she loves me. She then stood up and said, “I’m gonna need some cash money for that hug. I’m trying to earn money for my Disney fund.” I told her I didn’t have any change and she said, “Mom, I said cash money. Dollar bills, no change. I’m trying to go on a Disney Cruise here.”
The girls begged and begged to get an American Girl Doll a couple years ago. Knowing how rough my girls are and how expensive the dolls are, we came to an agreement. I would pay for half and they could earn the other half through chores, good behavior, and good grades. Just before Christmas, they earned enough money in their jars.
Sofia, Lydia, and Vivian had taped pictures of the American Girl Dolls that looked most like them on their money jars. My girls had obsessed about their American Girl Mini-Me’s for months. When we went to the American Girl Doll Store, the girls quickly changed their minds and decided upon Historical Character dolls instead. Different dolls, same ridiculous price.
The girls love their dolls, but my girls are also very active in dance and sports, so they really only bring their dolls for special occasions. You know, when they just have to have their doll, then ask you to carry it within 10 minutes. Yep, times three. So, I bought rolling doll luggage from Pottery Barn Kids and now we look like ridiculous divas when we travel.
We have every Disney Princess outfit for the dolls, Nutcracker Sugar Plum Fairy Costumes, Historical Character books, and then some. Imagine my surprise when Sofia leaves me this note that has a math problem…or so I thought. As it turns out, Sofia was letting me know how much money she needed to get a second American Girl Doll, a new outfit, a horse, and some other essential American Girl Doll accessory she saw in that catalog.
Being the good mom that I am, I just looked at her and wrote my response, “Get a job” with a heart (because I love her). You can see how she felt about that. Still no job, still only one American Girl Doll. I am “the worst mom ever.”
I was just snuggling in the bed with Vivian, talking about how she is turning five soon when, out of the blue, she dropped the Disney World bomb on me…
“Mama, I want to go to Disney World.” Then, she leaned into my ear and whispered, “If you let me go to Disney World, I will let you have a piece of wine and coffee when we get back home.”
My how the bribery tables have turned!
So, my husband and I live in a small town in North Carolina, but our families are spread all over the Midwest and Southeast. So, I share my daily festivities with our girls on Facebook. By ‘festivities” I mean humiliating moments, bizarre encounters, juggling acts, hilarious conversations, travel experiences, and my “normal” chaos with my divas.
I can’t tell you how many times people have encouraged me to write a book or start a blog. My response was always, “When? I am just trying to keep them all alive and not lose a kid! Maybe when Vivian starts school.” For real, some days I had to claim momnesia and just mentally prepare myself for the next day of craziness.
After hearing “this too shall pass” at least a million times, I finally have them all in school. So, here we go…
Coordinating outfits can be a challenge, but I am glad I found an outfit with pockets for the youngest. We had chicken nuggets in her pockets so she would cooperate. Unfortunately, our dog, Ollie Augustus, was not as easily bribed with his pork chops. So, our only other male in the family is not pictured. That’s right, I managed to get a dog as high maintenance as my children.
Becca, Vivian, Sofia, Lawrence, Lydia, Courtney.
Mamarazzi & Her Divas 