9. I am quite good at not showing favorites between the two girls--sometimes it's quite easy because there are times that I don't like either of them.

Last night I had a dark cloud over my head as I went to bed.  I was pouting up a storm (and also confirmed that Rachel indeed got this from me) because I couldn't...wait for it...I couldn't french braid Laurel's hair.  And the french braid that she would like is the kind that goes right around the front of the hairline.  It seems so minor but I liked that type of braid growing up and my mom learned while I demanded no lumps!  I wanted to do the same for Laurel.

When she asked over the weekend, I didn't think there would be much of an issue because I could just look up a tutorial on YouTube.  It is much easier said that done.  My fingers just aren't very nimble (Jesus Christ, do I need to be double jointed?) and Laurel's hair is so slippery.  And because I couldn't do it, I got pissy.  (Laurel didn't seem all that bothered.)

My pissy-ness carried over to this morning so much so that I had to take a little inventory of random things that I can do well.

1.  I can pay the sitter without awkwardness.

2.  I can make three dinners at once AND everyone eats together.  (What are the three dinners you ask?  Normal one for Ching and myself.  Laurel has a pasta, mac and cheese, hot dog, chicken nuggets or grilled cheese (with fruits)  and Rachel eats a continental breakfast for dinner of assorted breads, yogurt and fruit.)

3.  I can avoid sex for unmentionable spans of time.

4.  I have agile ninja-like driving skills on the Mass Pike.

5.  I can have two conversations with both children at the same time because God forbid if one waits her turn.

6.  I can change a diaper on a running almost 3 year old (as long as it's pee only).

7.  I am an excellent negotiator of who gets the Ipad, my phone, or television show of choice.

8.  Bribery is my bag but the key is not feeling guilty about it--and I never do.

9.  I am quite good at not showing favorites between the two girls--sometimes it's quite easy because there are times that I don't like either of them.

10. I have snack ESP--not only can I anticipate another call for a snack but I know exactly what they will want such as crunchy, dairy, sugary, salty, fruit or yogurt.  Sometimes it's just like throwing a piece of meat to the wolves.

After I go through this list of randoms, I feel a little better.  As I think about learning about the braiding, I realize that if I can braid Laurel's hair, that will add another 10 minutes to the morning routine.  Regular braids will just have to do for now.