Who wants whine with dinner?

Ahhh. A lovely, lazy spring break week.

My parents kept the kids for me for a couple of nights so I could get some of the deep spring cleaning done AND have a bit of relaxation time for me. I got alot accomplished-mostly the cleaning, organizing and chunking out of toys that seem to multiply like rabbits in my boy's bedroom. I didn't mess much with L's bedroom, because she gets so upset by change. I did switch out her toybox for a new one that was bigger, but that was it.

Then today my parents came to my house and brought the kids back. And we all hopped in their car to go for a nature hike and see some wildlife at a local refuge. It was really fun; we fed prarie dogs, ducks, fish and watched buffalo and longhorn cattle. And enjoyed the beautiful sunny spring day.
I was so happy to get the kids back-I've missed them so over the past two days. And the boy was glad to be home; his Wii and dog were missing him pretty badly also. And I thought L was happy to see me, but she started crying in the car that she wanted to go back to Grandma and Grandpa's house and told me several times, "I don't want to stay here with you anymore." "I don't like you much." Granted I know it's just that she has a problem with changes.... but still. Part of you takes that kind of personally; like the rejection it sounds like. And another part of you worries that the "mother bonds" are not as strong as you thought-maybe she really doesn't care at all who takes care of her as long as she is getting what she wants from her caregiver. And that kind of is the case, to a point.
But I had an ace up my sleeve. I reminded L I had put out new soap in the bathroom (purple this time) and offered to let her play with it after Grandma and Grandpa left (what's a little bribery now and then, I ask you?) Then all she could say was, "Mommy, you put new soap out just for me? Thank you Mommy, my little buddy!" So while still grumpy and whiny, I have momentarily reclaimed most favored status. I'll quit whining eventually.