Sweet Pea, taking a rare dip in the front loader.
As the entire family embarked on its nightly, tearful search for Sweet Pea, my four-year-old’s smelly, raggedy, über-comforting “lovey,” my husband and I spewed our usual amount of frustration:
“YOU are in charge of your doll! WHERE DID YOU PUT THAT THING?”
“Ruby, we do this EVERY NIGHT. When will you learn to KEEP TRACK OF SWEET PEA?!”
“That’s IT. Off to bed. You’ll be fine without her.”
And Ruby, between sniffles, wailing, “I’ll NEVER find her again! I want Sweet Pea! HER PURPLE COLLAR SMELLS SO GOOD!”
(Uh, for the record. This “collar” — or what’s left of it — definitely doesn’t smell good. But don’t tell her that.)
“Sorry, honey. We’ve looked everywhere. It’s time for you to learn to sleep without her. To bed!”
Oh, the wailing! Oh, the drama! Oh, the mean, mean parents!
Ohhhh, THAT’S where she is — tucked under the pillow fort, behind the sparkly fire hazard Christmas tree. Of course. We should have known.
Whew, that was a close one.
Now, with children snuggled in bed, I’m laying out my grown-up clothes and big-girl high heels. Tomorrow I’m starting a brand-new work adventure for 2011, and I’m feeling excited… and very nervous. A little unsure. If I could just get me some leftover holiday comfort & joy…
Think she’d mind if I borrowed Sweet Pea?
This one makes me laugh! We had a Dee Dee and Minky for both of my youngest step-daughters, that pretty much ruled all of our lives keeping track of them. Amazingly, Dee Dee got lost at Universal Studios and was found by older sister, and Minky finally disappeared for good. She was discovered years and years later pinned down under the bed frame in the corner…poor thing.
Good luck with the new work adventure!
Courtney