A Distant Third

It's been well-documented that Olivia is a Daddy's girl, but apparently I've been harboring the illusion that I'm at least second in her heart (not that we rank our love around here, because that would be WRONG). So, this morning I was trying to get my youngest three out the door to get Henry to school on time. Olivia and Henry got their coats and shoes on, but Grace was busy playing with the Moon Sand (sand of the devil). I know she heard my repeated instructions, but she simply gave me a glare and kept playing. I'd had enough, so I gathered up the other two, said, "We'll be waiting in the car!" and walked out the door, closing it behind me. My intention was to get them buckled into their boosters and then go back for the naughty one. Henry began to nervously giggle (I've never done anything like this before), but Olivia went nuts on me. She started screaming and ran back to the house for Grace, who was starting to lose her shit as well. Olivia went in and helped Grace get her stuff on, and held her hand all the way out to the car, but not before giving me a look that told me exactly what she thought of my parenting skills. The ride to school was silent, but then Grace said, "Olivia, you looked so beautiful when you came back for me."

In swimming news, last night was their last lesson of the session. They start again next week. Olivia passed with flying colors, Henry and Grace stayed in their levels. This will be the fifth time for Grace in Level 1. The teacher is confident that she will be able to move up just as soon as she stops refusing to get her face wet. Minor detail. Hen is doing well, but he basically had to relearn how to swim, which is why they're keeping him in Level 4. Olivia is a fish, already swimming! It's hard for me to acknowledge how proud we are of her when the other two are miserable about not moving on, especially Henry, who worked just as hard as Olivia. Grace, on the other hand, has made her decision about not getting her face wet, so what can I really say to her? "Good job, Grace, sitting on the stairs at the pool! You looked great in your pink sparkly swimsuit! Way to keep your hair-do intact!"