(PICTURES INCLUDED AT END OF POST)
7 am: Oberlee comes into our room, hungry. That’s every morning. She asks for Apple Jacks. Then she asks for oatmeal. We try to hold off a few moments because Cora will be up soon and will have more breakfast ideas.
7:30 am: No go on the waiting. Oberlee wants food instantly! Mama begins making her breakfast and Cora arises. Daddy can barely get out the door for work because he has two little girls in his arms wanting to go with him.
7:45 am: Breakfast is served and Oberlee asks for “rat cheese”. I’ve been told that comes from Grandma Thelma (GiGi). We think Papa may have taught her that one. Wow, a great memory for a two-year-old.
8 am: Breakfast is over first project begins. Cora is constructing a cafe out of empty boxes that are used to store Christmas decorations. Yes, we have begun decorating. It is an art installation here at the Edwards’ home. Good thing the walls are already painted green! Oberlee is counting money for her piggy bank. She really needs a new one! (Christmas idea alert!!!)
8:30 am: We have to break for a television show. Usually “Max and Ruby”. Singing and dancing happens around this time.
9 am: We have to get down our art box. We have to keep our art box organized while coloring – according to both girls. They have it set exactly how they want it. Truly it is Oberlee’s art box as a birthday gift, but we are learning the value of sharing. Several drawings are done for various people and then hung on the refrigerator by -
9:30 am: Is there not some chore that mama needs to be doing? Free time! By this time Cora has begun changing into several dress-up outfits. Today it is a pink leotard, a gown that hangs around her waist so that it is a skirt, several pieces of costume jewelry and a sun hat. Oberlee is cooking lunch in her kitchen and Cora runs to set the table.
10 am: We get out two books to read. They read to me now. Today it is Richard Scarry and Dr. Seuss. In my book, it’s a good day when we can read those two authors.
10:30 am: Mama begins deciding what we will have for lunch. Several requests have been made. Usually, they want some sort of sandwich in the shape of a heart or flower. Today, they are asking for a sandwich in the shape of a hand. Personally, I do not think that would be appetizing. Oops, no hand cookie -cutter. Fresh out! I think we’ll do a heart today.
11 pm: Lunch is served. We pop in a little “Mary Hoppins” (Mary Poppins). A spoon full of sugar makes the lunchtime go down…quickly, quickly, it’s a race to naptime at noon.
12 pm: Naptime routine begins. Water, wash hands, hugs and kisses, request for more story time, water, hugs – Cora can usually, as she does on this day, buy some time with a potty break – and Oberlee likes to use this as an excuse as well. Since we are beginning potty training with Oberlee, this could take another thirty minutes. And, it does.
12:30 pm: Naptime is achieved…I thought.
12:45 pm: A noise comes from the girls side of the house. Is it Oberlee? No, she is sleeping sweetly in her bed. Another noise. It’s Cora’s room. I open the door slowly and glance at the floor. The whole collection of Little People houses and props have been set up to look like a village. All of the little people are snug in their beds, but no Cora. I look further in her room. She is lying on the floor beside them with her baby blanket over her. She is asleep.
12:47 pm: Mama has a tear run down her face because her children are growing way to fast before her eyes. If I wanted to be upset at her for playing a little while longer before naptime, I couldn’t. How can you be upset when your child has created such a picturesque setting with her toys. Such a resourceful child.
12:48 pm: The noise I heard was a bark. Molley has been trapped in Cora’s closet. She’s probably thinking how much her life has changed over the last three years. It is as if she has been also covered with baby blankets, but has escaped. This is what resourcefulness gets you.
1:00 pm: Mama sneaks some time to write and do work. A couple hours before we start the whole cycle over again. Except go backwards ending with dinner.
Add another book and a song at the end, and lots more hugs and kisses and you have a full day at the Edwards’ house!
Ashley
