Persnickety

One of our favorite books around this "ranch" is, "Seven Silly Eaters" by Mary Ann Hoberman.

Today was one of those days when I feel like my children are rather persnickety (one of the words Ms. Hoberman uses in the book). My older daughter asked me what the word means, so I looked it up and now saying it even makes me feel better. Per-snick-i-ty. Fun.

It means:  fussy about small details
One antonym of the word is un-demanding

Doesn't that describe parenting all the way? This was just one of those days where we were coming and going (right when my youngest had an accident on the kitchen floor) and then at mealtime, the table was covered with a Monopoly game (of which I am definitely going to be the third winner, out of three players) so I fed the children dinner outside on the deck. On my way outside, with a drink in my hand, I bumped the chair and spilled water all over the floor.

Persnickety

I lost my patience a few times today which makes me feel bad, especially since I just went to church meetings and learned about being a better person.

The kids were pretty restless and teasing/tormenting most of the day, so by the time bedtime came around, only one of three children 'got' to have stories. That was my favorite part of the day, a little one-on-one time with my child and reading a fun story.

I'll share a picture showing my persnickety children and then end with a real story of my friend's that I genuinely laughed about just today - and laughing feels good, even better than saying "per-snick-ety".

This was taken in 2009 and captures the last 3 years of my life

My friend casually told us all (four friends in her car, driving to visit another person) about how she once gently 'bumped' a child in a parking lot (icy roads). The child wasn't hurt (I wouldn't be sharing this on my "smiling blog" if that were the case), but the way she told the story was so funny. She told it as if we were all watching it in slow motion (including herself) and kind of referred to the child as though he were a garbage can that simply slid across the road. She was driving a van. This all created a very funny picture in my head. I am glad said child was not harmed. I am thankful for good friends who tell good stories.