You know what gives me a sense of renewed optimism? A manicure. (Now wait a minute; this blog is a place of love, not judgment. If you just rolled your eyes, shame on you.). Stay with me, and you’ll understand why manicures equal hope.
After I get my nails done, all the jaggedy edges on my hands are smooth and shiny, colourful polish is perfectly applied. I leave the salon with soft hands and the belief that like my nails, my life is smooth and perfect. I manage to drive home - favourite music blaring, without doing any damage to my perfect nails. I walk through the door and greet my excited children and flash my hands in their direction – nails still perfect (The children are routinely blown away by the beauty that is my hands post-manicure.). But within minutes I’m grabbing a roll of tape from someone who thinks it’s a good idea to unravel the whole thing, trying to dress a doll for another kid and digging for homework crumpled at the bottom of The Big’s backpack. I’ve been home for 5 minutes. I check my hands. My polish is chipped.
This is exactly how my life is. There are moments when I think life is perfect, moments when life is perfect - like my nails immediately after a manicure and then, before I know it, the veneer and perfection is chipped.
So why my rambling story about how a manicure gives me renewed hope and why I believe that my life can be compared to a manicure? Manicures and the feeling that life is perfect can lead me to make some unrealistic plans.
Yesterday, when I was experiencing this kind of post-manicure euphoria, I came up with this crazy activity for the family to do during supper. I excitedly told wife over the phone to be home in time for dinner. During this sacred, family meal I thought it would be fun (and possible) to write the Silverman-Akande Important Book, not unlike the famous Important Book and The Other Important Book by the children’s author Margret Wise Brown. “I want us to write a page about each member of our family highlighting what’s important about each of us at this moment in time.” “Great idea honey!” (God love this lying woman!)
Is that not the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard? Are we not the most “together” family this side of Lake Ontario? Do we not just drip with functionality? Seriously people, I planned a dinner activity! For once there would be no holding one kid down while I shovel food into my mouth with the other hand, not bothering to chew my food before yelling, “Hey, we do not throw food in this house!” This idea came to me during a manicure-induced state of renewed optimism and dammit we were going to do it!
In the end there was some begging kids to cooperate and 2 kids sitting on my lap while I tried to write, as well as Wife arguing with G-Dog (that’s her dinner job), but below is what we come up with. Here is a snapshot of all the Silverman-Akandes and what is important (to know) about us!
It’s some pretty cute stuff. You should totally try this with your friends and family. Really. Even if you have to beg.
XO Ajike
The Silverman-Akande Important Book
*Please note that some of the lines are direct quotes from the kiddos.
The important thing about being Mama is that she loves our family very much.
She likes haircuts, hockey and bourbon.
She takes a Caribbean dance class with Mr. Lee and F-Jammie every Saturday .
Her job is to take us to pee before she goes to bed.
But the most important thing about Mama is that she loves our family very much.
The important thing about being Big Z is that he loves to dance Hip Hop.
He is a good big brother.
He likes to make jokes and looooooves to eat.
He hangs out with the grade 2 girls at recess.
But the most important thing about being Z is that he loves to dance Hip Hop.
The important thing about being Miss O is that she is always singing.
She was in Mommy’s tummy with G-Dog.
She has a huge smile.
She is always climbing on the couch and hanging upside down.
But, the most important thing about Miss O is that she is always singing
The important thing about being G-Dog is that she loves long, tight cuddles.
She likes to watch Diff’rent Strokes and Frozen.
She loves to eat snack, pizza and sushi.
She was in Mommy’s tummy with Miss O.
But, the most important thing about G-Dog is that she loves long, tight cuddles.
The important thing about being Mr. Lee is that he likes to dance to Gangnam Style and “Decoration” (One Direction).
He loves Eddie and Alex and their green garbage truck.
He always needs to see what’s cooking.
His hair is awesome.
But the most important thing about being Mr. Lee is that he likes to dance to Gangnam Style and “Decoration”.
The important thing about being F-Jammie is that she totally dances with her shoulders.
She changes her clothes all by herself many times a day.
She loves colouring.
She likes to watch Barney and Frozen.
But the most important thing about being F-Jammie is that she totally dances with her shoulders.
The important thing about being Mommy is that she loves our family very much.
She’s fun and silly.
She likes manicures, writing and white wine
She eats fruit every night after we go to bed.
But the most important thing about being Mommy is that she loves her family very much.
