Surge

"Banana!" Sprite cried, going for her standard homecoming snack. I quickly peeled one, gave her half, and set the other half down on the counter so I could answer to the two whining dogs who were yelping from their crates to get relief from captivity and to relieve themselves in the grass outside.

Distant sounds of thunder rolled into hearing range and I looked toward the East. Gray, but not ugly. Satisfied that we would most likely not have to deal with a big lightning storm, I secured the leashes and left the dogs to roam for a bit in the backyard while I got Sprite and her quickly disappearing banana settled and started dinner.

"Do you want to watch Sesame Street-" CRACK!

The thunder sounded louder and more insistent. Sprite's eyes widened. "Do you hear it?"

"Yes, I hear it. It's thunder," I replied, heading back out to retrieve Harry and Blue, who had also heard it and didn't want to be anywhere near it. (Both dogs are afraid of thunder and frequently pant and vie for lap space when the thunder is fierce. During violent storms, they're a lot of fun.)

"Flounder?"

"No, honey, THUNDER."

"I wanna see Flounder."

"What?"

"Ariel," she pressed, "I see Ariel. Yes?"

"I watch Ariel again on the DDD." (I refuse to correct her on this. It's much more fun watching others try.)

"Um, sure." I grabbed the remote controls (because apparently, we need three to be able to toggle back and forth between cable and DVD and radio and cosmic messages from beyond, SERIOUSLY? This is why people shouldn't be surprised we lose remotes so quickly! If one were to be removed, it would probably take a week for us to notice it missing.) and started to prep the DVD (already in the player as this week's movie du jour) when the lights flickered. "Oh, no."

"Mommy? Turn on Ariel?"

"Hold on, Sprite. The power went out." The power surged back on, but something was amiss. I looked up at the pocket lights in the kitchen and they glowed dimly. If the electricity was back on, it was definitely phoning it in.

"Mommy, turn on Ariel." Sprite's voice became agitated with impatience.

I sighed, pressing on the remote to try getting her beloved sushi loving redhead (Now, here's a thought. Has anyone ever wondered if Sebastian or Flounder ever feared for their lives when Ariel got hungry? Just me? Never mind.) while worrying that the half-caffeinated power would not be enough to make dinner.

The lights flickered again, like the street's transformer was trying to make it up the hill of electricity, then went out completely as the transformer gave up.

Sprite and I stared at each other in the darkened house, the late afternoon light not strong enough to illuminate anything more than Sprite's consternation. "No! Don't turn off the light!" She ran over to the wall and flipped the kitchen switch. Nothing. "Mommy! Turn on the light."

"I can't, honey. The power is out."

"PLEASE?" This tacked on question usually got my approval for whatever request she lobbed my way, but I was powerless to help her. And the house was powerless too as she vainly flicked the switch up and down to bring back the voltage.

"Sprite, the power is out. We don't have any lights."

She marched back over to me. "Turn on Ariel."

"I can't." I emphasized the "can't" as if this would clue her in to the limits in my feeble powers.

Her temper surged. "I do it," she announced, and turned to the remotes where she started pressing buttons. "Ariel, come on," she commanded, looking back to the silent TV with every move.

I watched, not even close to controlling the fit of giggles that came up. Sprite, in her anger, glared at me and cried, "No! Get Ariel! I want Ariel!"

I didn't know what to do. I knew the problem. I understood she was upset. I just couldn't make her understand why I couldn't fix it.

Bending down, I picked up the dissolving child and tried once more. "Sprite, we had a power surge. We have no power. No power, no Ariel. I'm sorry. I can't make it better right now."

Her eyes filled with tears as if I was punishing her. "My Ariel?"

"Sorry, kid."

Her cries became louder and her eyes squeezed shut as the tantrum took over. And I hugged her tight and wished I could plug some of her frustrated energy directly into the wall so she could have every damn Princess she wanted at her viewing disposal.

"Do you want chicken nuggets?"

The tears streamed down her cheeks. "Ye-eh-eh-es..."

"Good, because I hear Daddy outside. We're going out to eat."

"Watch Ariel in blue car?"

"Yes, love. You can watch Ariel in the blue car."

As John's key slid into the door lock, her stormy face brightened and she wiped away the watery evidence. She bounced down from my arms and ran to see John, who was a little surprised to find us in the dark. "Daddy! I get chicken nuggets! I watch Ariel in the blue car!"

John looked up from her excitement. "Power out?"

"Yup."

He knew no power usually means a hellish night with toddler. I married a smart man.

"Let's go then."

Comments

[Jan]

We have a remote control for our *ceiling fan*. I kid you not. And believe it or not, power outages when you live with a teenager with a serious computer and Xbox 360 addiction are no fun either. They get BORED. A LOT. AND LOUDLY.

I haven't seen anything for the Spin Cycle, so here's mine for this week:

http://www.jbsitedesigns.com/?p=3984

[Libby]

If only you could have convinced her that a power outage is God's way of telling you to take a nap.

[Casey]

There's nothing worse than the power going out when you need TV to survive. Or during naptime since everything in the house flashes and wakes up the kids. Smart move leaving the house.

Hopefully Ariel doesn't eat sushi or Flounder had better look out.

[Keely]

My dog is afraid of thunder too. And not just the big stuff. Any little rumbling and she's glued to my thigh.

I haven't had to weather (heh) a power outage with the toddler yet. They're not frequent in this area, but maybe I should have a contingency plan...

[Michele]

Good times! I remember them well. Now, we just go out because it's happy hour.

[Robin]

I think I've thrown a similar tantrum when the power goes out here. ;)

[Kyooty]

Question why were you trying to use a DDD and TV in a power storm? We've always unplugged everything in our path? Even my beloved desktop! :(

[Joanie M]

Poor thing! I'm glad she got to see Ariel in the blue car! Hope the power outage didn't last long!

[Lisa (Jonnysmommy)]

Power outage: time to get out the blocks. So Jonathan can toss them all over the house. Time to get out the crayons. So Jonathan can toss them all over the house. Time to get out the bubbles....so Jonathan can pour them all over the house. Time to read a book. So...you guessed it....Jonathan can fling them all over the house when he decides he doesn't want to read Thomas anymore! Aaaargh!

Well, anyhow, your idea was much better.

[Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)]

Awwww! I loved the "I do it!" - I remember those days with Princess Nagger. Power outages suck - we've had a few, and poor Princess Nagger is always asking every 10 minutes or so 'WHEN is the power going to come back ON?' I never have the right answer... ;) Great idea going to McD's so she could have her precious Ariel on the DDD in the blue car... :)

I have wondered if Sebastian or Flounder ever feared for their lives... ;)

[Pseudo]

I wish I could fix my teen son's frustrating moments with a chicken mcnugget.

[GiGi @ Incrementum]

Ain't it funny how the definition of "power out" changes before and after having kids? For me and the boyfriend "power out" means sitting outside talking, having some wine, watching the rain (or running around in it) (without wine) (or after it) Anyway. I can see how a toddler without power can make for a crazy night. I wonder how the cave people ever did it. I wouldnt have made it.

[Rachel]

At our house it's "Under". We fear the "under". It means a bedtime struggle. I still think a portable DVD player was the second best purchase I ever made (next to my iPod). The power is out, but the Wonder Pets are on!