I have yet to grasp a way to define my Caelan in written word. Her list of adjectives and characteristics seems infinite. 'Impish' is the latest word I have added to the list. What else can I say when I see that glint of mischief in her eyes? She is queen of the deadpan stare down, but her eyes tell a story of their own. You can see the laughter, the ideas, the plans, the devilish pranks but very rarely can you see the logic (it's all her own) or predict what she will do next. Every once in a while I get the feeling that she's about to do something, but whatever that is, I still have no clue in figuring it out beforehand. Very rarely can I read the plans that she has in mind.
A couple of days ago, I sat down to sort the mail but soon found Caelan in my lap instead. Facing me, she had the deadpan 'I'm about to do something' look. I know because she has a small dimple at the corner of her mouth. This is the only physical outward sign that she's up to something. She doesn't always have it except in moments when her plans are too joyous for her to contain. No smiling, no laughter-- just a dimple and shining eyes. I stared back. We watched each other for about five minutes. Her eyes never shifting from my face and the dimple ever present. I finally began to catch on. "You better not lick me, Caelan." She giggled. Aha! I was exultant that I knew what she was doing before actually doing so. She immediately regained her composure. No giggles and still watching me. I had the hardest time not laughing. For whatever reason, Caelan thinks it's hilarious to lick people who are least expecting it.
We watched each other for another five minutes or so. I now can visualize the meaning of 'dancing eyes.' Her eyes were swimming in mirth. "I'm serious," I said not adept at keeping my smile and laughter in check, "Do not lick me." Her eyes never left my face and she giggled again. A few more minutes passed. Evelynn walked in and asked me something. Turning to answer Evelynn, I felt my middle child's tongue licking me from my jaw, up my cheek, my temple and then my forehead. Her laughter was uncontainable. She was beside herself. She had conquered time and patiently waited for her one moment to fulfill her plan. Yes, impish.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Persuasion According to Evelynn
"If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect." ~ Benjamin Franklin
Evelynn has, for a long time, been comfortably and happily sleeping in her room which she calls the "Green Room." She loves her room and is very proud that it is hers (and not Caelan's, too). This room was once the guest room, and while we were attempting to move her into her own room and her own bed, we found that she preferred this room. This was the room Grandma & Grandpa and Mema & Papa stayed in when they came to visit, and I'm sure the king sized bed she sleeps in has something to do with her love for her room. She curls up in the middle of it every night and whispers, "This is my room, and it's my favorite color." So she chose her room and since it meant she went to bed in her own room and fell asleep without problems, the room was hers.
Last night she went to bed as usual. Content but definitely not ready to go to sleep. At about 10 o'clock, I heard her quietly saying, "Mom, I need you." I tried to ignore it thinking she would eventually go to sleep. She repeated herself becoming louder each time. Afraid that she was about to wake her sisters, I went in to see what she needed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, little feet kicking, she smiled, "I was calling for you. I need you." She's just too cute, I thought as I said, "What do you need?" Tilting her head to the side and using her sweetest, low voice asked, " Can you sleep with me?" I explained to her that she needed to sleep in her bed and I in mine. Dropping her eyes, she pressed her lips together, trying not to cry. She said, "Ok..." with every ounce of heartbreak she could manage to fit into that one word.
At this point, Keith came in to see what was going on and laid down next to her. She was somewhat satisfied that someone laid down with her. "I have an idea," she said, "Daddy can sleep with me." Another explanation conveying the "no" was almost too much for her. She rolled over so she wouldn't see us. Her lower lip now protruding, trying her hardest not to make a sound or cry. Her eyes were rimmed with unshed tears-- and being the person that I am, I had to smother my laughter. She was still for a few minutes before saying, "Daddy, can you sleep in my bed?" Keith didn't verbally agree, but we were both thinking that maybe he would just stay in there until she went to sleep. Realizing that her Daddy was settling in to her bed, she jumped up and put her arms around my neck, "Mom, I can sleep in your bed with you now. Daddy's sleeping in my bed."
Evelynn has, for a long time, been comfortably and happily sleeping in her room which she calls the "Green Room." She loves her room and is very proud that it is hers (and not Caelan's, too). This room was once the guest room, and while we were attempting to move her into her own room and her own bed, we found that she preferred this room. This was the room Grandma & Grandpa and Mema & Papa stayed in when they came to visit, and I'm sure the king sized bed she sleeps in has something to do with her love for her room. She curls up in the middle of it every night and whispers, "This is my room, and it's my favorite color." So she chose her room and since it meant she went to bed in her own room and fell asleep without problems, the room was hers.
Last night she went to bed as usual. Content but definitely not ready to go to sleep. At about 10 o'clock, I heard her quietly saying, "Mom, I need you." I tried to ignore it thinking she would eventually go to sleep. She repeated herself becoming louder each time. Afraid that she was about to wake her sisters, I went in to see what she needed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, little feet kicking, she smiled, "I was calling for you. I need you." She's just too cute, I thought as I said, "What do you need?" Tilting her head to the side and using her sweetest, low voice asked, " Can you sleep with me?" I explained to her that she needed to sleep in her bed and I in mine. Dropping her eyes, she pressed her lips together, trying not to cry. She said, "Ok..." with every ounce of heartbreak she could manage to fit into that one word.
At this point, Keith came in to see what was going on and laid down next to her. She was somewhat satisfied that someone laid down with her. "I have an idea," she said, "Daddy can sleep with me." Another explanation conveying the "no" was almost too much for her. She rolled over so she wouldn't see us. Her lower lip now protruding, trying her hardest not to make a sound or cry. Her eyes were rimmed with unshed tears-- and being the person that I am, I had to smother my laughter. She was still for a few minutes before saying, "Daddy, can you sleep in my bed?" Keith didn't verbally agree, but we were both thinking that maybe he would just stay in there until she went to sleep. Realizing that her Daddy was settling in to her bed, she jumped up and put her arms around my neck, "Mom, I can sleep in your bed with you now. Daddy's sleeping in my bed."
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