Thursday, January 26, 2012

Puddle Play = Strange Happiness

It rained for three days. Then there was a huge (as in 6 inches deep huge) puddle in front of our house by the road. On Monday afternoon, on the way to get Ethan from the bus stop, Benji looked longingly at it. I took about 3 seconds to think about and decided the mess would be worth it. "Benji, go stomp in that puddle!"I said, and he did.
The bus arrived, and Ethan got off. I encouraged Ethan to play it in too. He put down his backpack and ran in. They kicked the water around and chased each other through the water. Fiona got heavy, so I put her down next to a tiny puddle on the cement. I half-smiled as her pants and socks get muddy and her diaper bulged with water.
As I watched Ethan and Benji playing so happily, I felt something strange that I wish I could feel more often. My body couldn't help a genuine smile and a sigh of happiness. I felt completely happy for a moment. The kids were experiencing bliss, and by watching them experience it, I had it too. Pure bliss.
I even called my mother and said, "The boys are playing in a giant puddle, and it reminds me of my childhood. I have so many fond memories of playing in rain water and taking a shower under the gutter with my swim suit on. I'm so glad you weren't the kind of mother who said, 'Don't play in the dirt!' 'Don't get wet!' 'You'll ruin your clothes!'" We had lots of fun as kids, and didn't feel squelched in our playtime, and I still treasure those memories today.
I have tried for a long time to see particular moments as special moments, and then savor and treasure them. And I savored this one. I sighed again, and laughed at the boys, and how could I forget who allowed this: "God, thank you for this moment."
Once the laundry is clean, you can get it back, but missing a chance to create memories and have real fun ... ya can't get that back.
So, here's to lots more chances to savor sweet moments with our kids while they create a fond memory.



If you have a particular memory of your childhood that you treasure, or if you've recently created a new one, share it.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A Day in the Life of a Supermom

List of things I did today:

Cleaned up Benji and the bed after he wet the bed (6:40 am)
Played with the kids while still lying in bed
Got up and got me and the kids breakfast
First cup of coffee (7:30 am)
Cleaned up from breakfast
Did a little internet-ing on moneysavingmom.com
Took Fiona to the doctor (ear infection!)
Scoped out CVS Pharmacy next door so that I can start playing the drug store game soon
Picked up Fiona's prescription at Walmart
Came back home, got Benji and myself a snack
Started a movie for Benji
Tried to put Fiona down for a nap (unsuccessfully)
Started a load of laundry
Changed a lightbulb
Second cup of coffee while checking email (10:45 am)
Worked out 30 minutes (stair stepping and aerobics)
Put wet clothes in the dryer
Got Benji some lunch
Worked out another 30 minutes
Put Fiona down for a nap (12:15 pm)
Shower, contacts, and hair (12:30 pm)
Played trains with Benji for 30 minutes
Cleaned off back porch and organized the recycling while Benji played in a puddle
Cleaned off Benji after he threw up during a coughing fit
Cleaned vomit off back porch (1:30 pm)
Ate lunch
Got Fiona out of bed (1:35)
Read stories to and played with kids
Started putting away laundry that was already clean
Got Ethan from bus stop
Picked up Benji's friend Zae to come and play
Put into dryer clothes that got wet while walking back from bus stop
Finished putting away that clean laundry
Caught up in Fiona's baby calendar
Got the kids a snack (3:30 pm)
Played with kids in the back room
Cleaned the back bathroom
Straightened and vacuumed boys' room, my room, and Fiona's room
Blew bubbles with kids on back porch (5 pm)
Made dinner
Ate dinner
Cleaned a little in the kitchen
Put kids in bathtub and bathed them
Straightened and vacuumed living room
Got kids out of tub
Cleaned the kitchen
Made the boys finish their dinner
CHAD CAME HOME!!! (7:30 pm)
Finished this blog post
Chad put boys in bed and is now rocking Fiona, aaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Done.