Friday, January 31, 2014

"I love you, Mama. But Mommy's the funnest one of the family."

Skye really knows how to break hearts. But, she also has great taste. Today, she had to miss school for a doctor's appointment and when we were heading back home, she was thrilled when Donna agreed to spend the afternoon at the mall. Now, understand this; I don't envy Donna in that venue for one second. I HATE malls with a passion.

I know that eventually, I'll have to make friends with it, especially as Hunter is on the cusp of teenager-hood and Skye would love nothing more than to spend every waking hour at Hello Kitty, on the carousel, or in Justice. So, when those moments come, I'll dig deep and pretend to enjoy fighting my way through pimply-faced packs of teenagers and dodge all the kiosk attendants trying to get me to buy portable steamers or sign my child up for modelling. Did I mention I hate the mall?

However, what struck me today was Skye's very clear and calm way of sharing that she would rather hang out with Donna alone because she's the "funner" Mommy. And it's true. I don't have the same gift of hilarity with which my other half is gifted. My sense of humor is much more sardonic with shades of Bea Arthur and I'm rather laid back to the point of sedentary when I have a rare moment that is not tightly time-managed. So I guess I appeal more to the AARP set.
The "funnest" ones in the family

I love that Skye can express herself very clearly and I was proud of myself that the inner child inside of me didn't start kicking and screaming because Skye likes Donna more than me! I guess it's age, but I'm starting to realize that this family is more than the sum of its parts. All of us bring unique gifts to the table and we are all appreciated for those gifts. I love that Skye loves to cuddle with me and watch silly TV while I snooze through countless episodes of SpongeBob as my laundry chores cycle through the weekend.

I love that Hunter will spend time with Skye on Minecraft, showing her how to kill pigs and Zombies. She approaches that time with such zeal that I don't know whether to be concerned about shades of psychotic behavior or proudly confident that we will survive a Zombie apocalypse because of Hunter's and Skye's sharpshooter skills.

And I love that Donna can still find ways of channeling that child-like energy that makes Skye peal into squeals of uncontrollable laughter. So, I'm alright that I'm not the Funnest Mommy. And I'm certainly in agreement that Donna should wear that crown proudly.