Metal Meredith

Vivienne remains unphased. She tried, but thankfully failed last year, to avoid turning 4 years old. It was months of her insisting that she would not turn 4, would not blow out candles, would not allow us to sing for her. We did it all anyway.

This year, she grasped the reigns of her birthday and ran full force with it. We had one of those giant parties with a lot of kids. It was actually a lot of fun and painless in all areas but the wallet. However, I did not have to lift a finger to do more than go down a giant slide, press the button of a camera and make sure the grin on my child’s face never disappeared.

It is not hard to believe she is 5. After all, our lives have changed so much since she came into the world. I tried to tell her tonight about what was happening 5 years ago at her bedtime tonight. She just listened and then asked, when will I be 7? How about 9? When will I turn 15?

I just smiled. Took a much needed deep breath and told her to slow down and go to sleep. 

Vivienne was on Spring Break this past week. Add that to the previous week where she was off 4 days for the tonsillectomy, she has had just too much time with her little brother. I was too often hearing that she just didn’t like him and then letting out a big disappointed sigh when he was brought downstairs in the morning or after a nap.

Yesterday, when Henry was on the sofa watching something riveting like “Barney”, Vivienne surprised me by plopping down next to him. At first it was a no-go with lots of elbow fighting and whining.  Soon things settled down, as seen by my attempt at getting a photo where they were both looking at me and smiling.

This article made me smile. I still watch Mr Rogers from time to time. Not sure why, but I was kind of surprised that I knew all the words to the songs he sang. It still warms my heart to watch the show.

Wear a sweater, honor Mr. Rogers

Event aimed at paying tribute to children’s TV pioneer who died 5 years ago
The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - A tribute to children’s public television pioneer Fred Rogers will include an effort to get people everywhere to wear a sweater on what would have been his 80th birthday. March 20th is being promoted as “Sweater Day” to honor Rogers, who died of cancer five years ago. A sweater was his trademark garb on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” David Newell, who played speedy deliveryman Mr. McFeely on the show, appears in a YouTube video that touts the event. “Sweater Day” is the capstone to a six-day celebration planned by Family Communications Inc. of Pittsburgh. Rogers created the company to produce his show.

Sad, but true. This is what my feet have looked like for over a week. I have even wore sandals and everything.