Don't You Just Love This Face?

We have a "Brooke" meltdown about every 30 seconds from approximately 7:30 am until 9:00 pm (or so). The reasons vary:

• She wants to watch Gabba
• She wants to watch Mickey Mouse
• She wants to watch Dora
• She wants to "do a game" (on one of our phones)
• She wants to watch Wubzy
• She wants to ride her bike
• She wants to go outside
• She can't get her shoes off
• She wants Shadow out of her room
• (repeat and add from your own imagination)

The "meltdowns" usually involve very loud wailing, crocodile tears, flopping on floor, rolling around on the floor, screaming, throwing things (toys, shoes, Mom's camera, Mom's phone--you get the drift). We try to remain calm, tell her if she's going to throw a fit she needs to do it in her room. Many times she'll comply and go to her bed to continue the wailing, flopping, screaming, throwing. It usually doesn't stop on it's own. We usually have to go in and calmly talk her out of it by offering her something...

These get old and are exhausting. Last night was a particularly tiring night of screaming & fighting from both kids. After we put them to bed, I laid with Brooke for a few minutes so she would stop talking (and keeping her brother awake in the neighboring room). She stopped talking, but began to sing (the girl LOVES to sing). I tried to remain stern and enforce that it's "quiet time" and "time to go to sleep" ("damnit" -- I thought).

After a few minutes of listening to "We will Rock You" (almost word for word), "Snowman", "Elmo's World" theme song...I couldn't help but smile. I may have even sung along for a few minutes. 

I guess no matter how chaotic things can be, they are sure some cute, sweet, precious times too.  If only we could focus on those moments all the time...

JC