Lately we have been making more of a point to do things together as a family. A few weeks back we went to Evan's Orchard. Ruby was as well behaved as Ruby can be, which included throwing and nomming of apples in the orchard as we walked around. At the end she was incredibly whiny and demanding all the treats in the shop. She also tried to steal a stuffed animal. I assume that she knew it was wrong because she was hiding it behind her back.
This past weekend we took her to an art exhibition at the Pope Villa near campus. Whilst exploring she tested just how child proof the exhibition really was. I was offered a tour but instead of getting to hear about the history of the house I was trying to make sure she didn't destroy art (Jasper was being fussy so Heath was looking after him). They had crafty activities for the kids to do (it was family day) but she had little interest in that beyond wanting to take the things that other people had already made. Ah, my little klepto.
On our way out of the exhibition we could dress in old-timey clothes and take a photo in the entry way of the house. I thought it would be a cute family picture but Ruby was having absolutely none of it. I chased her down, attempted to reason with her, and even bribed her with a donut but in the end it was just Heath, Jasper, and I in the picture. She was down on the lawn with one of the exhibition workers running around like a spastic monkey and hurling bocci balls around like little shot-puts. She was obviously tired. Wouldn't it be nice to get MORE energy when you're tired instead of wanting to collaps?
After all this time you think that maybe I'd go into the situation with different expectations but somehow I always go in thinking that I am going to be able to enjoy myself as I would have B.K.-before kids. That's probably where I mess up. Maybe if I were focused solely on Ruby's enjoyment I wouldn't feel so frustrated when shit eventually hit the fan and she's being dragged out kicking and screaming. At the same time life isn't all about her and Heath and I should be able to enjoy ourselves too! Sometimes "enjoying myself" consists of not having to leave early or wanting to get a cute picture. I don't think that's too much to ask! But then again, I'm asking a three year old. I am so ready for this terrible threes business to be over with. Feeling like you're in constant FAIL mode as a parent blows.
But despite it all we'll continue to go*. I figure it's to the point that Ruby will start having memories of what is going on around her and maybe, just maybe, by taking her out more we will finally be able to get her to behave a little better. It's probably something we should have done in the first place, maybe we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now. Hopefully Jasper will be better about it since he has no choice but to go along for the ride. We are heading to Tennessee this weekend to spend some times with the grandparents at an indoor water park so we'll have another chance to work things out. I'll consider the week a success if no one drowns, I get to go on a few watersides myself (this trip was originally planned for when I was still pregnant but I wanted to go on watersides too so we pushed it back), and of course pictures are taken, preferably without the camera taking a plunge.
*(that's another thing, at what point will she realize that if she acts a certain way she'll get opportunities taken away from her? Right now we could threaten not to take her to a certain place but really, the only ones being punished are Heath and I. She doesn't seem to care.)
But despite it all we'll continue to go*. I figure it's to the point that Ruby will start having memories of what is going on around her and maybe, just maybe, by taking her out more we will finally be able to get her to behave a little better. It's probably something we should have done in the first place, maybe we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now. Hopefully Jasper will be better about it since he has no choice but to go along for the ride. We are heading to Tennessee this weekend to spend some times with the grandparents at an indoor water park so we'll have another chance to work things out. I'll consider the week a success if no one drowns, I get to go on a few watersides myself (this trip was originally planned for when I was still pregnant but I wanted to go on watersides too so we pushed it back), and of course pictures are taken, preferably without the camera taking a plunge.
*(that's another thing, at what point will she realize that if she acts a certain way she'll get opportunities taken away from her? Right now we could threaten not to take her to a certain place but really, the only ones being punished are Heath and I. She doesn't seem to care.)
