It was April and just a few short weeks away from the end of the school year. My kids and I had ventured to a craft show where my girlfriends had a booth of crafts and end of year teacher gifts. I knew taking my kiddos to a craft show was no simple task. I packed the stroller and enough snacks to buy me 10 minutes at their table. I didn’t care if I went to another table. My goal was to get my daughter, Adalyn’s, end of year Preschool teacher gifts, support my fellow momma friends and we would be on our way. I kept my expectations low that this would be a successful trip and to my surprise, it was. We got out quickly, fantastic gifts and all! (Let’s just give their Etsy shop a little side shout out while we are on the subject. ~ https://www.etsy.com/shop/hellomynameis1331 )
The next day my daughter planned to present the gifts to her teachers when she arrived at school. Since she was in the afternoon class she planned to make cards that morning to go along with the gifts. Andrew, my 2 year old son had just asked to watch a show on the couch. He had played all morning so far and was looking for a little rest time. It was a good time to work with Adalyn on her cards. She asked me if she could have the box of colored Sharpie markers from the up high cupboard so she could write on the cards. I agreed as I knew I would be helping her.
I got to tell you, I remember very well the feeling I had that day. There were two weeks left of school and I already had teacher end of year gifts! One gift was a countdown to the end of the year with her teacher’s name monogrammed on it. I was so excited that I was actually ahead of the game on something! That was a rarity these days with a 5 year old, 2 year old and a puppy! Never Have That Feeling… Never, Ever.. Have.. THAT feeling.. that you are ahead of the game.. I learned quickly that this is a little heads up, life is about to get real!
Adalyn asked me for the black sharpie marker. It seemed to have just disappeared from the table. Did I have it in my hand and take it to the laundry room when I loaded the clothes in the dryer? Did I leave it in the bathroom? Maybe I left it on the counter when I grabbed Andrew’s milk? I retraced my steps around the house for the last 15 minutes which is like retracing 2 miles in circles. I don’t know about you but I feel like I am always running around. “Ady, I am sorry, I can’t seem to find the black sharpie, “ I said. That is when Andrew tugged at my pant leg, “Look mom!” as he pointed to the couch.
I think the couch speaks for me in how I felt in that moment. The classic momma defeat. I did my best to get the marker out that day. I tried tips on Pinterest and Youtube and called on my momma ally’s for advice. I used all the secret tricks: dawn soap, rubbing alcohol, goop, baking soda, magic eraser, hairspray, and the microfiber furniture cleaner the coach came with. My local carpet cleaner advised me rather than paying to have it cleaned, “take it to the curb!” I did my very best to get it out. The cushions were unsalvageable.
Thanks to Bed Bath & Beyond and the $150 couch cover, we survived this. It just took me a few months to laugh and write about it.
I am slowly realizing that some of our most overwhelming parenting moments, while not funny at the time, turn out in the end to be your most hilarious memories to look back on and favorite stories to share.
I hope this gave you a good laugh! Did you have a similar experience? I would love to know!