The Nursemaids

Yesterday I finally admitted defeat and raised the white flag to my foe of the last few weeks- a sinus infection.  Unfortunately, motherhood has changed the format of my sick days.  Prior to children, I would retire to bed for a novel reading/frequent napping cycle which would last about 24 hours.  Now, with a 5 year old and a 2 year old at home, that is a mere pipe dream experienced while doing laundry, emptying the dishwasher, driving kids too and from school....you get the idea.

Still, after picking up Alice from Kindergarten, I was beat.  The chills seemed to penetrate my core.  Exhaustion weighed my body down.  Kids or no kids, I needed to lay down on the couch with a blanket (or twenty) and a cup of tea nearby.  The girls looked a bit confused when I headed into the living room and stretched out.  I explained to them that mommy was sick and had to take medicine to get well.  And with those words, Alice and Angela became my nursemaids. 

If laughter is indeed the best medicine, I overdosed on it.  Alice, my future CEO (read: VERY bossy child), solicitously covered me with a princess sleeping bag.  She got me a glass of water and repeatedly offered me an apple.  All the while, she kept barking orders to her sister.  "Angela, get Mommy a pillow."  "Angela, get me a toy to give to Mommy."  Following each order, Angela, in true younger sibling fashion, shouted, "NO!"  She would then go and do what she wanted to do in order to restore my health.  These actions included sharing her pillow pet with me and providing me with imaginary tea and soup (both where delicious by the way).

I have to admit I kind of enjoyed the novelty of my little ones caring for me.  I wondered if I were getting a glimpse into the future in some ways too.  I could imagine grown up Alice and Angela arguing over my aging body regarding my care.  It also solidified for me that these two are a force to be reckoned with when they decide to work together for a common goal.  Now that I think about it, I better get to bed.  I don't want to incur their wrath by being sick one second longer than they deem acceptable.