Those Were The Days

I had a bit of a sore throat this week, so I decided to take myself off to the doctor.  As it is school holidays, I dragged the kids along, which was fine as they had their ipods to talk to.

While we were waiting, a young mother came in with her two cute little girls, probably aged around 3 and 4.  As I smiled and watched them run around the waiting room, it took me back to my own terror filled days of being a mother of a 4 year old, a 2 year old and a newborn.

Yes.  My kids are all two years apart.  I think back to those days and wonder how I did it all.  Two in nappies, one giant sized nappy bag and no electronic equipment suitable for this age group.

When they were little, the thought of taking all three to a confined space ie doctors waiting room, supermarket or movie theatre, filled me with such dread that I'd rather poke rusty forks in my eye than have to go through it.

My kids were energetic, loud little babes.  My three year old son could rip the door off the kindy bathroom quicker than you could say teacher retiring next year (this actually happened, but she put the door back on and she stayed on to teach my son how to walk inside!)

My kids wouldn't sit still in any waiting room, even with copious amounts of toys or books available.  They'd much rather open every cupboard or explore every closed door.  Persistant and adventurous, I'm sure they knew they were out in public which was the perfect time to embarrass me.

We loved our swimming lessons.  Each of my children started when they were 9 months old. 

One fabulous moment etched in my memory was when my two year old son decided to sprawl himself in the doorway, naked and as white as snow, reciting the word fuck fuck fuck over and over again in his bestest most loudest voice.

This impressed the mother of the goodie two shoes girls, who stepped over him and just said "hmm".

I can't understand why he didn't just say rainbows or unicorns, but I suppose his memory recall didn't allow for two or three syllable words at that stage.

As they got older, it became a little easier.  The age gap didn't change of course but they did find a little sense somewhere.  I still can't take them to Bunnings without them tearing off in three different directions, but we can go to the movies and behave or sit in the doctors waiting room and not make a scene.

Sometimes they will hide under the clothes racks in K Mart but that's okay because everyone does that.  Time kicks on and kids grow up and life gets easier.

But seeing the mum with the two cute little girls made me long for the days of doors being ripped off hinges and little kids in swimming lessons and baby stuff in giant baby bags.  I miss it and I suppose when the kids are teenagers and sulking in their bedrooms, I'll think back to today and miss that too.

Don't wish the time away because it's gone in a moment.

"Please just one good photo in front of a very important building for Grandma.  Just one....".