Keep It Simple Stupid - I've known this phrase since my many days on Student Council in good ol' Bellmead, but am learning as a parent that these truly are words to live by.
One day, not long ago, the gang and I ventured to Lowes one Saturday for something. I'm not even sure what it was that was so important that I needed to subject myself to shopping with the gang. I do know we bought plants and pumpkins! I intended to buy pumpkins at some point, but they weren't on my Lowes list that day, I remember that much. As we were walking into the store, I spotted the pumpkin bin and realized their pumpkin price was reasonable and decided now was as good as ever to go ahead and snatch up our pumpkins. I picked out one for everyone - we bought 4 pumpkins that day and they were disappointed we didn't buy one for daddy or the guinea pig. As we walked into Lowes, F6 looked at me as sincere as he could be and said "I love you mommy for buying pumpkins." My heard melted and I almost bought the whole bin!
Fast forward to today and I get more sweet sentiments about simple things. On Mondays, F2 goes to the child care center on post. It's supposed to be my shopping day, but today it was dentist day. (sad, but true note - I've been to the dentist more in the past 3 weeks than I have in the past 15 years and I have another appointment on Thursday) After the boys get off the bus, we bag up snacks, pour drinks and head out to pick her up. On the counter of the child care center as I was paying, I noticed they were having a little bake sale and for once I had cash (Thank Dave Ramsey for that). Being the great mother that I am, I bought the kids a little baked good for the ride home. As we were walking out the door, F6 said, "Mommy, I love you for getting me a brownie." (Maybe his love language is gifts)
At some point today, I managed to get F4 a $10 Woody Halloween costume at Target. When I showed it to him, you would've thought it was the best gift he'd ever received. His eyes lit up and his whole face just smiled. I love that look on him! I didn't intend for him to wear it. I really wanted to save it for Halloween or at least for a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, but he decided to try it on over his clothes. He wore it all night long. He even decided that he could sleep in it!
I always ask them after our evening story time what they're most grateful for that day, either something they did or something that happened. At first it was like pulling teeth to get a response from them. I'd have to replay the whole day for them to pick out their grateful moment. Lately, the task has been a lot easier. Tonight it was super easy! F6 was grateful for his brownie. F4 was thankful for Woody and F2 was grateful for a cookie (she didn't have a cookie, but I think she was talking about the muffins they had tonight).
I really need to remember this when I'm getting irritated and worn out by them. I know that doesn't happen at your house. The moments they'll remember the most and that will most be etched in their minds are the simple things. The 50 cent brownie. The happy hour cherry slush. The banana muffins I made because I hated to waste those bananas. The hugs. The kisses. The tickle-fests. The silly little game of chase. F6 told me one night after I chased them around the house that I was the funnest mom ever! The things that seem so insignificant to me as an adult are so significant in their little minds.
I want our lives to be overflowing with these simple significances!
Great post!
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