SHE sounds like a NICE mom....

We are reading through the Little House on the Prairie Books right now which I am enjoying way too much. I love to read to my kids, not only to give them an adventure through the pages of a book, but to escape into my childhood and see these books that I adored when I was younger as an adult, as a mom, a different outlook on life. So we are reading Farmer Boy and in the story it was dinner time. The school teacher was staying with the Wilders and was in the parlor chatting with Father. Almanzo was remembering that he was able to eat all he wanted at the table, but he was to be quiet. I think the book even added the old cliche, children are to be seen and not heard. When reading this, I put special emphasis on these words. Sometimes at dinner, I feel like I can never get a word in because of the constant chatter of my kiddos. Trying to keep it all in perspective, works some of the time, but other times, it's just irritating! Anyway, Ariel looks at me and says, Mom, do I talk to much? My response is always, no, honey, I love to listen to you chatter. And I do honestly mean it, most of the time. Most, honest. We all started giggling, but I know that they both took it a bit too personally. Belle had her arms crossed and a pouty look on her cute face until the laughter ensued. The story goes on to say that since Father and Teacher were talking, Mother waited until they finished a sentence and politely (read quietly) told them that dinner was ready. Ariel says...WAIT! What?! The mom waited and didn't interrupt? SHE sounds like a NICE mom!!!! I know that after I roared with laughter, I asked what exactly she was trying to tell me. Ariel's response was that she seemed like she was a nice, quiet, polite mom who wasn't loud. She could not get it all out with a straight face and of course I responded with lots and lots of tickles demanding that she take it all back!! I look back to that time period with fondness, mostly. Thinking of the focus of work on the home and not pressures from outside as much as we do today seem welcoming to me. Since I am not the quiet, demure woman that Mrs. Wilder was, I think I'd have some issues with fitting in and not being labeled as the town crier. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but at times I am envious of the lives that were lived way back when. Don't get me wrong, I'm quite content where I am now and I'd be working all day instead of blogging and most likely I'd be half insane with a baby on my hip and 4 more under foot. I'm too much in love with peeing indoors and having a shower every day instead of every week, that I'm sure I'd turn down opportunity given the chance, but it is fun to think about it. So the lesson that I can learn from my dd, is to wait until a sentence is finished before bellowing...DINNER'S READY!! You think I can put that into practice?