A conversation with Macie:

Me: Macie, did you put something in the EZ Bake Oven?

Macie(smiles cutely, but ignores the question)

Me: Macie, tell mommy the truth.

Macie: I don't know the truth.

‘Normal day,
let me be aware of the treasure you are.
Let me learn from you,
love you,
bless you before you depart.
Let me not pass you by
in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
Let me hold you while I may,
for it may not always be so.
One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,
or bury my face in the pillow,
or stretch myself taut,
or raise my hands to the sky and want,
more than all the world, your return.
~Mary Jean Iron

NOTE: Special thanks to Becky, my blogging friend extraordinaire, for the pic and poem. Thanks Becky!

Against my strongest manipulations to keep Macie my baby, she, like the other two, is quickly moving towards independence. She loves to tell me "I can do it all by myself" and I love to tell her "sometimes you need a mama".

You can get the milk out all by yourself
And you can put the lid on all by yourself
But you don't know how to pour and you can't twist the lid tight so it doesn't spill
So sometimes you need a mama

You can put your panties on all by yourself.
And you can put your pants on all by yourself
But you can't get your shirt on and sometimes both your legs get stuck in the same hole
So sometimes you need a mama

You can climb the playground all by yourself
And you can go down the slide all by yourself
But you can't push yourself really high on the swing or give yourself an underdog
So sometimes you need a mama

You can go potty all by yourself
And you can flush the potty all by yourself ( I am in big trouble if I try to help with that one)
But at times you need help, well, you know, cleaning up
So sometimes you need a mama

You can read books all by yourself
And you can play tea party all by yourself
You can ride your scooter all by yourself
And you can sing songs all by yourself
But doing it all by yourself is not always the most fun
So sometimes, sweet Mace, you still need a mama

And I can promise you-mama still needs you too.