Honestly, i believe that my daughters are the best human beings. i adore them.

Thing One has had her grouchy moments, and Thing Two her bratty ones. There have been times that I've felt exasperated. However, on the whole, this has been great. I have been peppered with their wisdom and insights. sometimes they're displayed through the questions asked, and sometimes put forth more directly.

The Things are slightly swapping roles on this trip. Thing One, my usually socially awkward child who functions on the periphery, is in the spotlight most of the time, while Thing Two makes due with what she has ... perhaps a 5 year old boy (not something this 7 year old girl would EVER bother with), perhaps her 33 year old momma, perhaps momma's friends. It's typically Thing One who's pasting together her love of reading and her ability to hang out with adults instead of acceptance of her peers. Thing Two is typically being fought over by eager girls. (for example, we stopped by A's 5 year old's classroom, which is a mixed class of Kindergarten through 2nd grade (thing 2 is in 2nd grade), and all the 2nd grade girls were just STARING at her, and were trying to engage her in conversation).

I think this is good. For both of them. I think Thing Two could use to see what it's like to not be clamoured over, and that Thing One deserves the break - the chance to be fawned and fought over.

At my friend A's house, her son F and my Thing One have the tight friendship that I previously described. her 5 year old son want in on that. My Thing Two ends up on the outskirts of it all, and often comes and hangs out with me - who is more than willing to play a game, or to scratch her back (which she loves) while she reads a book.

Another pleasant surprise ... Thing One has been really expressive about how much she misses my Beloved. During the whole process of us becoming a new Family, it is the Thing One and Beloved relationship that has required the most effort (in my opinion, perhaps Beloved thinks it's he and I, with the law school chaos and all .... he has made my life nothing but easier, and more palatable, and more blissful. Perhaps that cannot be said for him, with the demands that lawschool makes). We have talked things through, we have tried different things, we have had patience, and lots of love. It has been more good than bad ... but there has been some transition issues. But on this trip, Thing One is really missing him. And to me, that's an icing on the cake of all the progress we've made through hard work and carefulness. She has, through this expression, the family we've created. and I am happy about that.

And as i said. I love my kids. I love their happiness. I love their adaptability. I love their senses of humor. I love their passion about the olympics, and their excitability over the deep and hot bathtub in the hotel room. I love their perceptiveness. I love the conversations they're now capable of having. I love that I can look forward to years of more vacations, and more fun.

posted by Zuska @ 11:58 PM

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