Don't Worry, Be Happy

Quincy gets distracted from doing chores easily. She doesn't do anything to get herself into trouble, she often just doesn't do anything at all and instead flits about from one task to the next, often forgetting (everything) what she was supposed to be doing. The other night, I got frustrated that I kept having to ask her to finish unloading the dishwasher. She'd put away two cups and a bowl, then see something shiny and chase after it, joyfully. I'd call her back sternly and she would say happily, "Oh yeah! Sorry!" Or "whoops! I forgot I was doing that!" And put two forks away before finding a pen on the counter and head upstairs and start drawing a picture. After the umpteenth time, I joking "glued" her feet to the kitchen tile and told her she was stuck there until the job was done. Then Aaron walked into the kitchen and asked, "Who are you talking to? Where's Quincy?"

Seriously?! It had been like 15 seconds! She was already back upstairs! We laughed and I told Aaron that I'm getting a little concerned about her lack of focus. Aaron started to tell me how he empathizes with her when we were interrupted by some mindless singing.   We look over and here comes Quincy floating back down the stairs lollygagging away and singing, 

"Dooo doo doo doobee doo doo bee doodee doodee doooooooo doobee doobee dooo...don't worry, be happy doobee doobee doobee doooooo..." 

Of all the songs she could have been singing. It was too funny. She wandered back over to the dishwasher and Aaron and I just stared at each other silently laughing at the irony of our conversation and she put away three more pieces of silverware, singing away, 

"Here's a little song I wrote, ya might wanna sing it note by note, but don't worry...be happy." 

Aaron asked where she learned it and she said, "I dunno! Probably at school in music class or something. It just came to me. I like it! Doobee doobee doobee doooooo"

I don't know what I would do without her free spirit. She is sensitive and kind and full of glee. She doesn't have strong opinions about many things but you will definitely know it when she does because the girl has mastered the art of whining like any true 2nd child can and won't back down.  She thinks outside the box. She is doing really well at school.  She lives each day with hope and excitement about what might be discovered. She brings balance to our home. Best of all, she is a genuinely happy little girl.