Drew? Is that you?

Dear Drew,

What has happened? What have you done with the sweet, compliant, helpful, darling little boy? The boy that would listen to the word no. The boy that followed directions on the first instruction? The boy whose biggest weekness was a little grumpiness from lack of sleep or that he wanted to snuggle with his mom a little too often? I miss that boy.

Today you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. You were immediately argumentative and drug your feet with my every request. You managed to take your bath (that you had been needing for two days). You ate your breakfast without whining too much...but you did announce several times that you would not be attending school today. I did not engage in your arguments, but I did become extremely annoyed with your behavior.

I had planned on forcing you to take a nap this afternoon. I was met with so much resistance that I gave up the fight. Lily was home sick and I decided I might rather you just go to bed early, rather than take a short nap and then wake up grumpy 45 minutes later (which is your new habit when the nap is forced). I announced to you and the girls that there were no naps today and went about my afternoon.

So, the following stories are how you repaid me for your free time this afternoon:

I went upstairs to make a phone call while you and Julianna were quietly drinking a glass of water. You were both sitting sweetly at the table when I left. I made the phone call and within seconds I heard uproarious laughter from the kitchen. I continued my conversation. Then I started hearing periods of silence, followed by screaming laughter from your sister, followed by a few more seconds of silence. As the laughter and volume increased I got nervous and ended the phone call. I came down the stairs to find Julianna sopping wet sitting on the kitchen table. You were standing on a chair and flinging soaking wet hand towels at her over and over. They were slapping her head and face and she thought it was wildly funny.

I sent you to your room until dinner.

After dinner I wanted to get the kitchen cleaned up before I started your bedtime stories. You dad is out of town again so I am solo. I needed to keep you busy so I sent you and Julianna upstairs to brush your teeth. I was elbow deep in dish water when I heard Julianna's terrified screams. I ran to see what the problem was. While I was cleaning you had completely covered Julianna's whole face and most of her hair in toothpaste. Then you had smeared the mirror with the paste. AND THEN YOU SHOVED THE TOOTHBRUSH DOWN JULIANNA'S THROAT. Now, clearly, you were trying to help brush her teeth. Clearly. Please don't do that again.

I sent you straight to bed for the rest of the night; at 6:30, mind you. I have money on it that you will sleep all night and be the last to wake in the morning. You are that tired.

So, to conclude, I know that you are amazing and wonderful and smart and funny and helpful. I also know that you're growing up and testing some stuff out. However, at any point in time, I would like to welcome that sweet boy to come back and visit. I'd love for him to come visit and stay awhile. Maybe until you're at least 18. Thank you so much.

I love you.

Love,
Mom