I'm sure I would have been a Mommy-blogger if blogging had come along a little earlier. As it is, I'm glad I wasn't, because using your kids as blog-fodder (or book-fodder) can become a bad idea really fast, as they get older.
(From my diary, first year in France)
Yesterday we were caught in the rain on avenue X near .... an expensive store that sells hand-embroidered clothes for children, as well as baby carriages, crib linens, etc. I went inside to get out of the rain, but then I thought, since all the stores are having sales, that it would be a good time and place to get a present for Charlotte and Louis's new baby Chloé-- I knew Charlotte would recognize the name of the store. Anyway, L sat down in a chair and read a book she had brought along in her backpack-- fidgeting the whole time, of course. The baby dozed in the stroller. When I came to leave, I saw N-- lying on the floor full-length, face up, looking under the skirt of a very real-looking little-girl mannequin. I was mortified but it was also so funny-- I mean, he's only three!
As we left he was about to call out "Pipi-culottes!" to the saleslady (who luckily had a good sense of humor and was used to children). I clapped my hand over his mouth and said fiercely, "Say 'au revoir, Madame!'" N took a deep breath and said, "Au revoir, Madame... Poubelle!"
Ha ha! Thank you for the laugh and reminder that it's not just my boys who run around potty mouthed! In our little world, everyone is also either pipi, poo poo or poubelle.
While on vacation this past summer, my 3 year old walked down a row of 4 half bodied mannequins, on display outside of the shop, palming each their breasts. I was mortified.
Posted by: phillippa | 17 September 2011 at 02:34
Lovely, very funny story. And I take it Madame's surname wasn't really "poubelle"?
Your observation that you might have been a Mommy Blogger given different timing really struck home. I wonder if I would also have been so tempted, and like you (altho' my own are older, 26 to 35), I'm glad I didn't have the option.
Posted by: materfamilias | 17 September 2011 at 03:13
Great story! I think children live to embarrass their parents.
Posted by: chrissoup | 20 September 2011 at 04:31
It goes both ways....
Posted by: Sedulia | 20 September 2011 at 05:50