Vivienne: When I grow up, I am going to be a Scientist of Everything.

Phil: Really?

Vivienne: Yep, because I know so much.

Help me. Please.

Last Thursday, the Dynamic Duo set out on a 4 hours drive to Nags Head, NC to stay with some friends. They stayed 2 full days and 2 full nights. Vivienne had a blast. She swam in the ocean, in the pool, played mini-golf, went on a fishing pier, played skee-ball (in the middle of the night!! - 9 P.M.), ate lots of ice cream and hot dogs, played in the sand, watched fireworks and trick kites, and didn’t miss me one bit.

In fact, when I asked her if she was ready to come home, she said “Not really.” When I told her Henry missed her and wanted someone to play with, she answered “Maybe you should call someone over for a playdate?” And when I told her I missed her and wanted to hug her, she reluctantly said o.k. and agreed to come home with Phil. Somehow, my mommy-addicted little girl that wouldn’t leave my side more than a month ago was nowhere to be found when sand and water are present. 

It is Barack Obama, a Unicorn and some birds above. Notice the flower? He is picking them. She watched Phil and I throroughly enjoy the JibJab cartoon about voting in this election and I suppose she enjoyed it, too. What 5 year old girl doesn’t like unicorns? Too bad she can’t vote!

First, I found Boy George and loved who and what he was. Then, I couldn’t have told you why. Now, I realize that I was so amazed at someone who appeared so unapologetic about who they were. In reality he was one of the most insecure people and hid behind goofy outfits and silly hair. He was catty and rude and seemingly teflon-like in his ability to let criticism slide off. Maybe that is where some of my quick wit came from, too?

After Boy George, I discovered Wham. Oh, what a dreamy combination of romance and shiny white teeth had George Michael. I knew all kinds of things about him. I had calendars and posters and books and t-shirts. They replaced all of the Culture Club ones on my wall. I clearly remember wanting so badly to go see them on the big US tour, at the height of “Everything She Wants”. I had the videos memorized and the dance moves down. Sadly, the closest they came to me was Philadelphia and my parents weren’t about to drive me 4 hours to see them. I really can’t blame them. I was only 13. It was July 1986.

I have been a fan ever since. My tastes, of course, went right from pop to pseudo new wave then into glam metal. The boys I liked still all looked like girls. I still listened to all of my 1980’s albums and never called them my ‘guilty pleasures’ because I didn’t feel guilt at all for listening to them. Still don’t.

So when it was announced that George Michael would tour the US this year, I was first in line (virtually, of course) to get tickets. I didn’t care who went with me or how much it cost (sorry, Phil), I was going and I was getting a good view. Thankfully, all of my wishes came true.

He might not look the same but he sounds the same. He was gracious and funny. His voice was wonderful although his range wasn’t what it used it. He seemed genuinely happy that so many people still make a fuss over him, not to mention paid that much to just be in his presence. I danced and sang and acted goofy. I made eye contact and was a nerd. I waved and blew kisses and tried my best to soak in every moment I could. I took some pictures and a few snippets of video. But mostly, I just had flashbacks on memories long ago shelved of me at 13, loving every moment of “Careless Whisper”, dancing my butt of to “Everything She Wants”, knowing that no man would ever come close to the fantasy romance that George Michael represented to a newly minted teenager.

If you would have told me 15, 10 or even 5 years ago that I would get to see George Michael perform, I am not sure I would have believed you. I feel so lucky to have been given the chance and to have taken it.

These problems are manifesting in a unusual need to be no less than 4 feet from me at all times. Add to that the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep and you have two unhappy parents to deal with an increasingly weepy child. It hasn’t been so much fun around here.

My big plan was to get Vivienne to my mom’s house for a good part of one week and then re-do her room. I wanted to rid her of the toddler things that have been in her room since we moved here in June 2005. After all, she was still in the crib then. I have been planning for this for about 6 months, collecting linens on sale, scoping paint samples and planning around things we already have as to not spend too much. I had everything ready to go when Vivienne decided that she wasn’t able to let me out of her sight without having a little kid panic attack. She only made it one night (and two fun filled days) at Camp Grandma before demanding to come home.

So we rushed to get her room done. It was well worth it and I spent a lot of time in there this week just ‘visiting’ the room and sitting on the floor and enjoying the uncluttered, non-baby design of it all. It feels good to pat myself on the back when I am able. I am taking that opportunity now, and bragging on my own abilities.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Vivienne does love the room. She thanked me many, many times and is excited that her room is pink now. Truth be known, I didn’t do it for her, but don’t tell her that.

It has been 2 weeks since Vivienne told Phil and I, right before bed, that her ‘tooth felt funny’. It was ‘over top the other one and feels like it is moving’. It only took me about 3 seconds to cover my mouth, start to tear up and inform my husband and child that she had her first loose tooth. She thought it was silly that Mom was crying about it, but she was about to giggle herself into hysterics. She calmed down long enough to ask when it would fall out and what happens when it does. She knew it put her over the edge into Big Kid-Dom.

That weekend was a whirlwind, with the birthday party, Father’s Day at the Grow Farm and then Monday being Vivienne’s actual Birthday. By the time the rest of the week rolled around, I was exhausted. This week, she started Swim Camp, where she was tortured by tan ladies in bikinis by being forced to put her precious 5 year old face under water. The HORROR!

Halfway through the week she was begging not to go until I promised we could make a chocolate cake when she happily stuck her mug in the pool. Of course, dessert being all the reason she needed, she did it on Wednesday. We celebrated that night with a special “Vivienne’s Chocolate M&M Underwater Cake” and dinner at Panera.

On Thursday, she ate watermelon and knocked her tooth all out of whack. It was at a 45 degree angle and really ooked me out. But she was giddy with delight. It took all the effort in the world to get her to leave it alone and convince her to go to bed. This morning, Friday, I was greeted with an outstretched hand and the tiniest tooth in the middle of it.

There is now a gaping hole in her head. It is the perfect size for a sippy cup straw, a pinkie or a french fry. It also, as I have been told, helps her whistle and sometimes makes her talk funny. Today she stood a little taller, acted a little more responsible and helped me clean up after her brother. I am wondering if there is a direct correlation between baby teeth and acting a fool. Perhaps someone should do a study.

So if you are keeping score, Vivienne has accomplished 5 or 6 milestones in June. But tonight, I have one more to conquer. I am off to replace a tooth from under a pillow with a gold coin, some glitter and a special poem. Now, where did I put those wings?

(HD) A More Perfect Union from Andrew Sloat on Vimeo.

I also have looked up sites that explain the Constitution like I am in 1st grade. That is what I really need.

In this election year, I implore all of you to do a little research and rediscover what this country was built on. I think we all need a refresher after what we have been through. 

She came home today, just like last year, telling me that she hates it and doesn’t want to go back. They made her put her face in the water (the horror!) and she doesn’t like that AT ALL. She has agreed to try it one more time tomorrow. If she hates it, she will agree to go one more time on Wednesday. By Thursday, she will be having a blast and there will be no more fierce determination.

The teacher sent me this photo today.

What gives away that she is my kid? Is it the blonde hair? The blue eyes? I know. I know what you are all thinking. It is the 6 pack, right?