Top 25

I turned 25 this past week. Although I would have been okay staying 24 a little while longer, it was still lovely because my birthday included:

1. a nap

2. a call from Grandma

3. a clean apartment

4. happy Ramona

5. a new storage ottoman to *temporarily* contain Ramona toys (thank you Otousan & Okaasan)

6. a facebook wall full of Happy Birthdays (you have to admit, it makes you feel like you have a lot of friends)

7. a plate of fudge and a visit from KayLyn

8. cello time

9. birthday cards

10. a husband home early from work

11. a mommy-daughter collage

12. a new french bread loaf pan (thank you Forest)

13. Cheryl & co.

14. Parry and Teresa

15. a dinner that I didn't have to make OR pay for (thank you Cheryl)

16. caprese salad

17. a poopy diaper I didn't have to change (thank you Parry)

18. a mini-date with Forest

19. chocolate mousse

20. flowers

21. leftover cake

22. an additional next-day celebration

23. sushi

24. Jenina and Karin

25. Popper Requiem

TP'ed

As a mother, I feel a sense of empowerment and competence when filth is turned to cleanliness, clutter is arranged into organization, and chaos is brought under control.

Ramona, on the other hand, acts most uneasy when she sees something neatly put away or stacked up. For her, it is ludicrous to have all of her books lined up on a bookshelf, all of her toys gathered in one corner of the room, or all socks contained inside a dresser drawer. Of course, these things were meant to be scattered across the floor, and nothing provides greater enjoyment than strewing those things where they rightfully belong.

I have therefore concluded that the two of us are dependent on each other in a fundamental way: I have a need to create order from her disorder. She has a need to create disorder from my order. Without each other, how would these needs be fulfilled?

Yesterday, order was a roll of toilet paper, within Ramona's reach--promptly turned to disorder, all across the living room floor.

Really, what would I do without this child?