Dreams Come True

Yesterday, my dreams came true. Yep, you guessed it: my kids got along with each other and behaved themselves in public! Shocking, but true.

Here's how it happened: After school, they came in the door all hot and sweaty (still 100+ degrees outside) and they DIDN'T FIGHT!!! They took off their shoes (dumping sand all over the carpet), got a snack, turned on the brain-drain (TV) and sat themselves down without a push, shove, hit or an angry word. All of a sudden, Olivia got up and started practicing piano. Miracle! Eventually (about 5 minutes later), someone asked if they could play with friends. Now, Sunday was a TERRIBLE day at our house--full of fists, kicks, mean words, screaming, tears, etc, etc. So I had to tell them all that there would be no friends this week until they could learn to get along with each other, after all, they will be brothers and sisters for ETERNITY! I expected the usual after my pronouncement on no friends, but they surprised me again: they were calm. I had to sit down.

Since everything was going so well, I told the boys it was time for a haircut. With only minimal grumbling, they got their shoes and we headed off to Great Clips. Usually, this store brings out the beast in Sam. However, the stars were aligned and both Dan and Sam were good. I don't mean perfect--there were a few pokes and pushes, but they were GOOD. An hour and two haircuts later, we came home to two calm, collected girls (who never once called me to complain about each other).

Since I was not feeling super good (sore throat), I didn't make dinner. When Brandon got home, we decided to go out to a real restaurant, not fast food. This is usually a very risky undertaking, but I was hopeful that this time would be different. Car trips are usually fraught (is that a word?) with kicks, hits, screaming, annoying singing or whistling, yelling, etc., etc. However, those stars were still aligned and I looked in my rearview mirror to see Dan and Olivia sitting side by side (what?) laughing and waving their arms around whilst (I like that word) listening to his MP3 player together. Meanwhile, Sam and Julia were sharing the middle row and were SILENT. I almost drove off the road.

We arrived at the restaurant (chosen because they give you two free kids meals for each adult meal you buy on Monday--smokin' deal!). The kids calmly walked to our table, didn't fight over who sat where and then proceeded to quietly color and talk until their food arrived. Then, they actually ATE! That never happens! We didn't have a single spilled drink, a fit over food, and they shared off of each other's plates (Julia got carrot sticks--everyone wanted some, and she SHARED willingly!!) It was amazing.

Then came the trip home. Olivia sat between Sam and Julia and helped them finish the coloring books so kindly provided by the restaurant. She was patient, they were eager for her help and there was not one single nasty thing said. And from the backseat: silence. No sarcasm. Yippee!

Once home, they got in jammies without a fight, we read some stories without a fight, and I duly rewarded them for their awesome behavior with candy, as all good moms should. I told them that they had made my dreams come true and I was rewarded yet again with HUGE smiles. Motherhood is worth it at times like that.

Now, what can I do to make this happen EVERYDAY??