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a miscalculation
Jan. 3rd, 2006 07:38 pm.
Cathy decided that Sarah could watch Kiki's Delivery Service. Sarah wanted me to watch it with her, so I sat next to her on the short couch/recliner, and the movie unreeled. Early on, Sarah asked why Kiki was leaving her family. I explained that in this movie, witches move out when they're 13, and in real life they don't. The movie progressed. Sarah returned to the point, and I told her several ways that it was something that happens in this movie. "Why?" That's the way it happens in this movie. In real life, you'll stay with us. I pointed out that she is happy and sees it as an adventure. She watched the movie intently. Before it was half over, it was bath time. We didn't get as far as any real travails. When we left it, she was getting the cat toy back from the artist.
Getting up, Sarah got more upset than she had been. She ran to Cathy, who was mystified. I explained that she was unhappy that the little girl left her mommy and daddy. We both hastened to explain more, but Sarah got more and more upset. It was a real raw nerve for her. We told her over and over that we aren't witches, and that the little girl sees her mommy and daddy again. Cathy said we'd show her that part of the movie, which we seem to have imagined. It wasn't in the chapter stops. How long ago did we watch this? We'd have sworn she sees them again. We told Sarah that even though we left our homes, we still see our parents. We said she would stay with us always. We showed her the exciting scene at the end. It segued into the inspirational music video that underlies the credits. "I don't want to watch this movie any more," she said.
It was bath time anyway. With Cathy there to provide some initial momminess, I gave her a cheerful, upbeat bath. She played with the soap, the water, the suds, the washcloth. We toweled off. She seemed to be over the unhappiness, but we will be watching for it, as Sarah doesn't forget things she doesn't like very quickly. It's hard to find movies she can watch. Even the ones she likes, she ends up skipping large sections. No way she's going to see Snow White too soon, let me tell you.
Now I go upstairs to join the evening rituals of playtime, then Sarah and Daddy brush teeth together, then some more play, the lights go out, a story is told, and thus we battle her tendency to stay awake forever (getting more manic as she gets tireder).
***
In other news, snow. Lots of it. Four or five inches on the ground when we woke up (powerless, from around six to maybe 8:45), and it kept falling all day. Sarah and Cathy and I went out and shoveled in the morning, and we built Sarah her first snowman. Pictures were taken: first I took Sarah and snowman. Then Cathy took Sarah and snowman and me. Then Sarah took the camera and took a picture of the front door and of Cathy's leg as we kept trying to get her to point the lens in our direction. In the afternoon, some touch-up shoveling took place, and I walked with Sarah to the EZ Mart across the street for some snacks and milk. Your typical extra day home. She's been home five days in a row, now. We got her out of school early on Thursday because of her cough. Friday she went to the doctor with Cathy. After the weekend, we were all home Monday, and then Cathy's work was called off for the big snow. Tomorrow it's back to the routine for me, and back to my efforts to start using the treadmill regularly. My plan is to tread while watching the Daily Show morning rerun -- that makes it a regular time slot, you see. Can't be done with Sarah in the house; just can't.
.
Cathy decided that Sarah could watch Kiki's Delivery Service. Sarah wanted me to watch it with her, so I sat next to her on the short couch/recliner, and the movie unreeled. Early on, Sarah asked why Kiki was leaving her family. I explained that in this movie, witches move out when they're 13, and in real life they don't. The movie progressed. Sarah returned to the point, and I told her several ways that it was something that happens in this movie. "Why?" That's the way it happens in this movie. In real life, you'll stay with us. I pointed out that she is happy and sees it as an adventure. She watched the movie intently. Before it was half over, it was bath time. We didn't get as far as any real travails. When we left it, she was getting the cat toy back from the artist.
Getting up, Sarah got more upset than she had been. She ran to Cathy, who was mystified. I explained that she was unhappy that the little girl left her mommy and daddy. We both hastened to explain more, but Sarah got more and more upset. It was a real raw nerve for her. We told her over and over that we aren't witches, and that the little girl sees her mommy and daddy again. Cathy said we'd show her that part of the movie, which we seem to have imagined. It wasn't in the chapter stops. How long ago did we watch this? We'd have sworn she sees them again. We told Sarah that even though we left our homes, we still see our parents. We said she would stay with us always. We showed her the exciting scene at the end. It segued into the inspirational music video that underlies the credits. "I don't want to watch this movie any more," she said.
It was bath time anyway. With Cathy there to provide some initial momminess, I gave her a cheerful, upbeat bath. She played with the soap, the water, the suds, the washcloth. We toweled off. She seemed to be over the unhappiness, but we will be watching for it, as Sarah doesn't forget things she doesn't like very quickly. It's hard to find movies she can watch. Even the ones she likes, she ends up skipping large sections. No way she's going to see Snow White too soon, let me tell you.
Now I go upstairs to join the evening rituals of playtime, then Sarah and Daddy brush teeth together, then some more play, the lights go out, a story is told, and thus we battle her tendency to stay awake forever (getting more manic as she gets tireder).
***
In other news, snow. Lots of it. Four or five inches on the ground when we woke up (powerless, from around six to maybe 8:45), and it kept falling all day. Sarah and Cathy and I went out and shoveled in the morning, and we built Sarah her first snowman. Pictures were taken: first I took Sarah and snowman. Then Cathy took Sarah and snowman and me. Then Sarah took the camera and took a picture of the front door and of Cathy's leg as we kept trying to get her to point the lens in our direction. In the afternoon, some touch-up shoveling took place, and I walked with Sarah to the EZ Mart across the street for some snacks and milk. Your typical extra day home. She's been home five days in a row, now. We got her out of school early on Thursday because of her cough. Friday she went to the doctor with Cathy. After the weekend, we were all home Monday, and then Cathy's work was called off for the big snow. Tomorrow it's back to the routine for me, and back to my efforts to start using the treadmill regularly. My plan is to tread while watching the Daily Show morning rerun -- that makes it a regular time slot, you see. Can't be done with Sarah in the house; just can't.
.
