a few tricks of our own

you're laying on the couch relaxing, snuggled up under a cozy blanket.  It's late and the movie your watching is just about over...the oldest walks in and can sense your relaxed.  Kid's, no matter their age, don't like to know their parents are relaxed- nope, there is something innately in them that senses your guard is down and that is when they strike.
babies know the second you are finally falling into a much needed slumber
that's when you hear them start to wail
toddlers take the cue, just as soon as sit your fanny on a chair (after chasing them for the past several hours), to jump up and take off running again
oh, it keeps going- the perfection of relaxation interruption that our children are born with becomes a profession for them
the school age child picks up every germ going around school, only to spend the night throwing up (while we nurse them back to health and worry about their hydration). They are young and resilient so they usually find themselves completely better in the morning and ready to go.
We spend the next 4 days with the same flu, the one that took them 12 hours to get over, crawling to the toilet and then sucking it up and dry heaving our way through preparing meals for our little precious.
the age of driving comes and we are elated- Finally, we don't have to drive them to every practice or social event...
relaxation is here!!
until the first time you hear the jingle of the keys and the car start up for that much anticipated solo drive.  Good bye relaxation and hello to spending the next  several hours fervently praying over their safety and fighting off recollecting every horror story of driving accidents we've ever heard...
with driving they want to date
oh, the stress!!
then they grow up completely and get a job along with a life of their own.
They are hardly around anymore
BUT
when they are, they still take very seriously the profession of relaxation interruption they have had perfected since infancy...

Back to, you're laying on the couch relaxing, snuggled up under a cozy blanket.  It's late and the movie your watching is just about over...the oldest walks in and can sense your relaxed.

'Smell my hand mom!!'

to which they place their disgusting smelling hand just under your nose...
my cozy blanket is tossed and I'm fending off the odor assault.

But somewhere along the way, us parents learn a few tricks of our own.
We learn that any display of public affection is horrifying (for the child) and hilarious (for the parent).
We learn that every chance we get, grabbing that cutie patootie all grown up face, and planting a big kiss on the cheek,  is imperative in keeping the pecking order aligned.

Oh parenthood, how I love thee :) :)