Wednesday, December 15, 2010

My Reality

My husband and I have really quirky senses of humor.  Fortunately for both of us, they are similar enough that we appreciate, rather than become annoyed by, the silliness that runs rampant most days in our house.  And whether it's 'nature versus nuture', or 'leading by example', our kids each have a pretty solid sense of humor as well.  This, however, can sometimes backfire.

The youngest in my house is what you might call 'a character'.  Very different than her older sister, who tends to be a bit more laidback, the youngest is very adept at speaking her mind, often times causing us to have to stifle laughing because, as the 'parents', we're supposed to.  As I am the personality type that works better with an illustrating example, I present the following scenario:

Several months ago, I was getting ready for work in the bathroom.  Having just gotten out of the shower, and as it was my husband's turn to take our youngest to pre-K, she was sent upstairs to give kisses and say 'see ya later's.  Note that I tend to get ready in my house as if I live alone, so I am not modest by any stretch.  Having kids tends to eliminate your sense of modesty, and having two girls affords me this luxury...I have friends with sons who, much like my husband has to in our house, constantly duck for cover when exiting the shower for just a shred of privacy. 

I bend to hug my child, when she, as only a 4 year old can, asks me what 'those' are (pointing to my chest).  In my best 'don't make a big deal out of it and use technical terms' voice, I tell her.  She says, 'no, Mommy...the red things'.  I think some more, and then launch into a brief description of nipples and that all mammals have them, and that they serve a purpose, blah blah blah...science.  Disinterested, she just smiles and kisses me on the cheek.  At this point, my husband is upstairs to collect our kid and get her to school.  As she turns to head downstairs, with her back to me, merrily bopping on her way and without missing a beat, she says 'see ya later, Red Boobs'.  As my husband steps into the hallway to cover his uncontrollable silent laughter, I unsuccessfully gather enough 'Mom' to announce, 'that's really fresh and not how young ladies talk to each other', hear her reply of 'sorry, Mommy', and then close the bathroom door and quietly crack up.

Yeah...it's like that.  I think we are in for a hell of a ride...