She Did it Again

I can’t remember a time I was really into arts and crafts. In fact, I am artistically challenged, never could really draw a straight line and never cared to. I figure they have rulers for that and people that have an eye and talent for that sort of thing. So imagine my excitement when my daughter was given a birthday gift certificate to go to accidental artist. Now for those who live outside the area, accidental artist is a paint your own pottery kind of place.  We visited once last year for a child birthday party and I thought it cute that she got to make a commemorative plate with her name on it that she proudly displays in her bedroom.

But the game changes when you ask me to go draw something, or paint something or sit and watch her paint something. Needless to say, I was not excited, but she was. After a calendar mixup with the summer movie series I decided to suck it up and let her go. I had no idea how long it would take, so I made sure to have my iPad so I could check some emails or play a game of Ruzzle or something. Okay more the later than work, but don’t judge me.

When we got there, it took her 10 minutes to choose what pottery she wanted. I was rooting for the “I love daddy” mug but it lost to a 4” princess. She offered to paint both, but I just kept saying “we don’t have time for that.” Her attendant was pleasant and obviously used to dealing with children, but probably found my un-amused demeanor a little insulting. When she asked me if I was painting too, I gave a quick no and took my seat.

Morgan followed her instructions like a pro. It never seizes to amaze me how she can listen to everyone else except her momma. During her small talk while painting she reminded me that I don’t know how to paint, but she does. “I paint all the time in school,” she said. But as I watched her and her mood was lifted I found myself giving her some advice about colors and patterns and she quickly reminded me that it was her project and “I got this,” she said. Besides her telling me to mind my business, I also noticed that this was a whole day project. With that, I decided to get some business of my own and paint the “I love daddy” mug on behalf of my absent soon to be 2-year-old, just in time for Father’s Day.

Since I paid attention to her, I pretty much knew what to do and started painting. Then something amazing happened, I liked it. I mean, I was having a blast. I started thinking about all the cool stuff I can make and how therapeutic it was to be shut off from the world and concentrating on something totally different. Unlike her, I did let her help with my project, I mean after all it was from the kids.

So two and half hours later, I walked out happy and with a new found interest. I booked a ladies night party for a few of my friends there and smiled at the thought that after 30 plus years of living (gotta keep some secrets) my 4-year-old daughter once again taught me something about myself.

BFF’s

I’m not quite sure when the term BFF (Best Friends Forever) became popular. But I do know that is wasn’t around when I was a kid. If it were, my clear choice would have been Robyn Lewis. We met the first day of 7^th grade and were thick as fleas until we went separate ways after graduating high school. She went to serve our country and I went to Morgan State University. I remember all our escapades and our secrets and more than anything I remember always thinking that my home girl had my back. I had an awesome BFF and I that’s why I am so delighted that my daughter’s BFF is also her cousin.

We call them the M&M twins even though they are three months apart. Maekinzi is the oldest and was one of the first to kiss Morgan when she was born. They are first cousins and live about an hour away from each other. In toddler distance, that’s the same as being on different coasts, but they see each other at least once a week. We have pictures of pregnant mommies bumping bellies and although their kinship was staged, their special bond could not have been orchestrated.

Neither mommy is big on sleepovers, but we made an exception it being summer vacation and all. And last weekend the M&M twins were together again in an epic weekend that included Maekinzi’s teenage sister Krista to boot. So what do you do with a houseful of women? Go shopping of course. Thanks to daddy, we had a chauffer and a credit card. The first stop resulted in matching outfits, but a mall trip with little ladies just wouldn’t be right without a stop in Claire’s. Where else can they shop to their hearts desire for earrings, lip gloss and accessories?

But to my surprise it’s none of those things that catches Morgan’s eye. It’s a shelf of necklaces engraved with the letters BFF. “Mommy what’s that say,” she asks. “It says BFF, which means Best Friends Forever,” I reply. “You keep one and you give one to your best friend.” She screams with her outside voice “That’s what I want. Maekinzi, Maekinzi, look what we’re getting. It says BFF.” Now Maekinzi is a true friend because she is happy whenever Morgan is happy no matter what. It takes them just a minute to decide who is getting what color and they make me put them on right outside the store and I thought that was the last of it.

Well tonight she asked to call her BFF and after a quick update and a twinkle, twinkle little star duet Morgan feels the need to remind her of the status of their relationship. “Maekinzi you know we were friends for like a long time,” she says. “We were best friends even in our mommies bellies.” Maekinzi assuredly replies, “I know.” “Well that’s why we will be friends forever even if we have other friends, we are first best friends,” Morgan says with a smile. Maekinzi knows she’s smiling and giggles heavily with love and I begin to smile because I believe them.