Extraction by fair means or foul
I decide that I no longer care for Amazon's packaging system.
It has degenerated from 'open with a pair of scissors and collapse the box with a cleaver,' to 'open box with a chain saw.'
I have struggled to extract the contents for some minutes but avoided drawing blood.
My youngest son presents himself before me, amid the carnage of the semi opened packages. He pauses to gain composure and then makes his announcement.
“Look mummy! I am choosed my own cloves.”
“Indeed! And you put them on your body too!”
I cheer, as wonder how he has managed to squeeze himself into clothes put aside for the rag bag. Not only has he physically grown three of four inches since he last wore that ensemble, but it would appear that he also branches out into other pastures new. It is a rare moment to witness, when your child does something willingly, independently and successfully. Not even a prompt. I remind myself, again, that this is what independence looks like. It may not be my version but it's still undeniable. I admire my corseted son and his cheesy grin for a job well done.
The sleeves are tight enough to restrict blood flow. The hem of his T-shirt gradually creeps up. The waistband on his trousers, slowly creeps down. The bikini effect. I wonder if I should suggest a change of attire but don't want to dampen his enthusiasm. It occurs to me, that this may be a gift in disguise. Nudity will be a thing of the past, since he will be unable to remove his skin tight clothing. Now that's what I call a fringe benefit! I'll need a can opener to extract him myself, or maybe a chainsaw?
He sucks in his cheeks and puckers his lips, goldfish style to ask, “why I am not dah puffer fish?”
“Er well, you certainly swim like a fish.”
Or rather a crab! He groans as he exhales and his tummy pops out.
“No! I am meaning that I need to be small, er smaller……fin as dah puffer fish when he is not puffed.”
It would seem that he’s not the only one with clothing “issues.”
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:59 am
Three cheers for Junior! 1 for choosing his own clothes, 2 for dressing himself and 3 for realising, in very poetic fashion that he’s outgrown the stuff. And congratulations for not making any adverse comments to deflate his enthusiasm. I do admire you. Take care.
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:34 am
I would also like to be fin as dah puffer fish when he in not puffed…sigh. Regardless, three cheers and a hooray for independence day! And yes, congrats to you for holding your tongue. Not so sure I could have done the same.
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:13 am
That’s another milestone we get to celebrate – we know how important it is, even if parents of neuro typical kids take these things for granted.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:05 am
BRAVO, Junior! And Bravo to you, too, Maddy, for knowing to ride it out. Smart mom, smart kids. xo
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:57 am
What an AWESOME accomplishment!
My daughter would totally try the same feat. What is up with not wanting to let go the worn out, too small, holey clothes?!?! I am all about the new threads myself!
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:34 am
My kids like to choosed their own cloves, too.
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Woo-hoo! I’ll be glad when Joey starts being interested in picking out his own clothes. I’m still helping him put them on, but he’s improving.
I’m thin as a puffer fish when he IS puffed… does that count?
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Congrats. My eldest picks his own and gets dressed. The little one needs help in the picking but dresses himself. They move from the “too small box” (ours is in their closet) to their siblings clothes. No idea why, I have put their clothes in the same spots since…. the day they were born…
S.
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I have to say that the same goes here for packaging in the US
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I so enjoy these snippets from your daily life. You report them in such a loving and witty way.
“I am choosed my own cloves.†LOL!
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I love this puffer fish analogy!
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Oh yeah!! If I let Little Bug pick out clothes he always reaches for the same things: long sleeved shirts, long fleece-lined pants. It makes me sweat just looking at him! I try to hide these items, but he always finds them!
So glad he dressed himself and I love the puffer fish! That’s very clever of him to think of that!