Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The One With the Puffy Heart

So I finally got it. And well before Valentine's Day. I got the Puffy Heart. No - not from Tiffany. The one I got did not come in a pretty box. It didn't come to me in the form of a gift. It will , however, be one I save forever.

My Puffy Heart came to me in the form of an apology. The oldest one called me "the worst mother in the whole world". Words that sting worse than being called the 'c' word.

Backstory: Every Monday, Emily comes home from school with what her teacher calls The Goldminer chart . Basically, this is a behavior chart filled with clever acronyms that describe the student's behavior like following directions, turning in homework, being attentive etc...Emily usually receives very good to excellent ratings on said chart. She is diligent about homework, citizenship, and all the rest. But last week, for some reason - her Goldmine was barren. Apparantly she forgot to turn in several assignments, and had some issues with talking in class during lessons. Or something like that.

When asked (by me) what homework assignments she told me she turned in (and apparantly did not ) she couldn't recollect. So she's sitting with her afterschool snack (the norm around here) and the comics (also the norm) and getting the third degree from me...my ire was growing because she was more into the latest installment of 'Leo' in the paper than she was into our conversation. And then she let 'er rip.

Me: "Em...it is really important that when you say you did something like turning in homework, that you actually do it. What assignments did you turn in late or not at all?"

Her: {chew, chew, slurp} I don't remember.

Me: "The reason you have your agenda book is to write down assignments and due dates for things - not just to doodle and get the latest joke of the day"

Her: {slurp, swallow} " I don't remember..If I knew, then I would remember!"

Me: {voice rising} "Dude, you remember everything you ate from age 2 through 9 and every episode of the 'Suite Life of Hannah Montana' and you can' t remember to write down your homework? Maybe you have too many things in your life to remember....too much soccer, softball, hip hop, huh? Maybe I won't remember to drive you to those things"

Her: {crumpling up newspaper} "Fine! You're the worst mother in the world! I don't have to be perfect all the time!"

Me: "You have no idea what a worst mother in the world is, kiddo..."

She stomps upstairs. Slams door.{sound familiar mom?} And upon my orders ...does homework and doesn't come out until about 1 1/2 hour later. With this:


{you gotta enlarge this to get the full read}
My Puffy Heart apology. In a homemade envelope with a To: mommy and a From: ??? (like I didn't know from whom it came) simply stating that I am not the worst mother in the world, I do everything for the girls, and color coded Puffy Heart mood indicator (this one is orange for 'okay'). And, my favorite line ever...." And, hey, we all are a pain in the ass sometimes"

True dat.

I Puffy Heart that kid...I am she and she is me and we are all together...

Waay back story - when I was about 9 or 10, I was really pissed at my brother and sister for something and scribbled "fuck you Robert and Stacy , I hate you" on that piece of paper and threw it away..or so I thought - My mom found it and asked if I wrote the note. I, of course, denied it..before I realized that bro and sis would not write such loathing about themselves and I was the only kid left in the house who would. I Puffy Hearted them, and had to write it 100 times on a piece of paper as part of the punishment. Thank god there was no internet or blogs back then....




22 comments:

Mama Wheaton said...

Savanna (16) and I had a moment similar to yours. I went to school the next day and on my lap top she had left me a note in my homework files telling me she loved me and was sorry. I kept it and read it often.

Ash said...

I seriously teared up over this.

Bless her little puffy heart - awe. Being a girl is just such a difficult thing.

I remember shouting this at my mother one day - she shouted back, through the door mind you, that she "was second, but trying really hard."

I bet she got that from Erma Bombeck.

Mama Dawg said...

That's funny. The story from when you were a kid I mean.

The other story was funny and sweet.

I save all of LOML's nasty notes she writes me as well as all her sweet ones including apologies.

Kevin McKeever said...

"And hey ..."

You've got a good kid there.

for a different kind of girl said...

I'm equal parts warm and fuzzy and laughing at this post! It's so perfect! Also, now you have written ammunition if she ever hits you with those zingers again! (or to keep forever and ever and possibly frame!)

Lula! said...

DEBBIE--I seriously teared up over that letter.

Save it forever.
FOREVER!

Anonymous said...

Hahahahaha! Love your conversations "you remember everything you ate....but you can't remember this..."hahaha!

That drawing is absolutely adorable!

The Blonde Duck said...

That's so sweet! I totally understand. I shoved my sister out of the treehouse.

But I'm still not sorry. :)

FROGGITY! said...

this is my first time to your blog! I LOVED THIS POST!

so totally cute.

will be back to visit again soon.

cheers!

Peggy said...

Hi...also a first time reader stopping by to say hi!

What a great little girl you have there...shows you are doing a great job!

Unknown said...

Awww that letter is perfect- keep it, you'll need it to remind yourself next time.

jill jill bo bill said...

That is PRICELESS!!!!! She is so smart.

Blythe said...

That's fantastic. I love the "pain in the ass" bit. Hard to argue with :)

I'm glad the story ended happily, with lots of "puffy hearts"!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

What a sweet letter. The good does outweigh the bad, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

I have tears in my eyes. How sweet...the note. And the Puffy Heart. I dread the older years...and hearing those words that I think every mother hears.

Debz said...

As kids I think the majority of us have said things to our parents we wished we could take back as soon as they were out of our mouths.
It's fantastic that she had the courage to tell you how sorry she was. YOu should be very proud.

KatBouska said...

Oh. My. God. That is a CLASSIC piece of writing. I love it! I love that she shut the door to her room and felt really guilty for busting the bad mom card. What a sweetheart.

Jenni said...

That is awesome. If I were you I'd have it made into a t-shirt and the next time she slams the door on you...you can put it on and parade around like the much beloved mom you are!

Heather said...

My girls have just started writing apology notes and it's the sweetest thing ever.

Mariah said...

That was the BEST note ever. Keep it forever. I love the heart with legs... That made me happy.

Um, you kinda outed yourself with that whole I didn't write THAT note thing.

Anonymous said...

That is a great post. Good for her for taking the initiative and writing that note to you. I have friends who tell their kids to 'go upstairs and write me an apology'. She did so without being prompted. And that note is definitely a keeper. Laminate that sucker!

And as far as the F you note to Rob and Stacy - honey, that was a tough crowd back in the day. They probably deserved it at the time!

Susan said...

That puffy note made me tear up. You have got to frame that. Holy shit. And by the way - awesome cursive! ;)