Izzy and the Grumpy Cloud

I wake in the morning, and what do I see?
A cloud full of grump hanging right over me!

“Be gone, Grumpy Cloud!” I say to the fluff.
Even steam from my shower just isn’t enough.

As Dad drives to school, it follows the car.
We have to act quickly, we’re not going far.

“Go faster!” I urge him. He won’t even speed.
At this sluggish rate, will I ever be freed?

I need him to hurry, but what can I do?
Come on! I can’t stand it. “DAD, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?”

I shout with no warning; a total surprise,
Then Dad turns around, and tears fall from my eyes.

“Just take a deep breath,” Dad says, “stay cool.”
I tell him I’m sorry, then run to the school.

I slouch in my seat throughout math class and reading.
Ignore it. Ignore it. I keep on repeating.

I make it to snack time, but crackers and juice
Are hard to enjoy with this cloud on the loose.

Then outside at recess, I’m running around,
I trip on the cloud, and I crash to the ground.

I wail out in pain with my cheeks glowing red,
But that cloud keeps on growing right over my head.

This cloud must be stopped, but it keeps getting darker.
I head to the art room, and take out a marker.

I map out my plan with the perfect precision.
This war can be won by the smallest decision.

My next stop is gym where I gather my tools.
Will it count as a win if I’m breaking the rules?

I knot up my jump rope without being seen,
and I lasso that cloud like a rodeo queen.

I’ll tie it up tight to the side of the bleachers.
It’s just a balloon, I’ll tell all the teachers.

It grows even bigger as I heave and I ho,
and then the rope breaks, and I scream out, “NO!”

I’m sent to the office and ordered to wait.
The principal’s calling my parents? Oh great.

Dad picks me up, and I’m covered in cloud.
Although he is mad, he says nothing out loud.

Now back in my house, I’m defeated at best.
Will I ever get rid of this terrible pest?

And here comes my sister, worst pest in the world.
A bundle of drama that looks like a girl.

“Go away, Gwennie!” I shoo her like flies.
But watching her face, I soon realize

She sees my cloud too, and she’s not impressed.
She sticks out her tongue, and she thumps on her chest.

She charges ahead like a knight off to battle,
But in place of a sword is a pink baby rattle.

Backward and forward, her footwork’s quite grand;
she’s slapping the cloud with the back of her hand.

Oh my, what a scene! As I step back and see,
I start to feel giggles. He he he he…

HAHA HA HA HA, Mom and Dad join in.
I can’t hardly breathe as I say, “Gwendolyn!”

She stops when I point and she looks at her foe.
I know how to make this old grumpy cloud go!

“I’ve got it!” I say, and then drop to my knees.
I tickle her tummy and give her a squeeze.

The giggles we’re making are rising like bubbles.
The cloud’s disappearing, and so are my troubles.

We’re laughing so hard that my eyes start to tear
Then I look to the sky, and I notice it’s clear!

So now the cloud’s gone, and the sun’s shining bright,
I realize it never had a chance in this fight

I just need to focus on all that is good
‘Cause laughter does more than a cloud ever could.

I am Me

Are you your father’s daughter?
Are you your mother’s son?
Are you the oldest in the house?
Are you the little one?

Does Grandma call you “baby doll?”
Does Uncle call you “bud?”
Do you like to keep your boots real clean
or splash around in mud?

Are you a funny giggle box?
Do you like telling jokes?
Are you a star out on the stage
entertaining all the folks?

Or would you rather just be quiet,
spend free time reading books?
Will you try almost anything
your mom or daddy cooks?

Are you tall or very small
or somewhere in between?
Do your eyes look black as night
or maybe, are they green?

Do you rise up with the sun,
or stay up with the moon?
Are you a calm and patient soul,
Or does nothing come too soon?

When someone asks you who you are
or who you want to be,
Don’t be afraid to smile and say,
“I’m happy to be me!”

Adventures in Potty Training

I’d read all the books and had tricks up my sleeve
I knew she would do it if we’d all just believe.

The neighbor boy was trained starting at 1.
His mom told me, straight-faced, “Don’t worry, it’s fun!

And you have a girl? Oh yeah, what a snap!”
But I’ll tell you one thing – She was so full of crap.

We started with “boot camp,” then stickers and charts
Bribing with candy – each one a false start.

Pull-ups, bare bottom, or fancy underwear,
She went where she wanted, she just didn’t care.

“What’s wrong with you?” I’d scream. “You’re almost 3!”
“Seriously, Mom, who cares where I pee?”

(Ok, this isn’t word for word
But basically, that’s what I heard.)

Then one day, I’m inspecting a wrinkle
When from behind me, I hear it – a tinkle!

“Baby! You did it! This is more than sublime.”
“Yeah, like I said, Mom, all in due time.”

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