By the time we got the kids to bed last night, I was feeling more than a little grumpy. From the gigantic temper tantrum Parker threw because we asked him to wear a polo shirt to church to the sullen attitude Madi pulled for a good chunk of the afternoon, it wasn’t as peaceful a day as I had hoped.
But as I headed out for an evening run, I thought about the little moments that I had with each of the kids throughout the day, and it reminded me (yet again) how blessed I was to have three healthy, beautiful, and strong-willed children. It is so easy to get caught up in the frustrating parts of motherhood and forget the wonderful, amazing parts.
So, today…three gifts…three moments…that I will stick in my mind as I remember Mother’s Day this year…
#488: We went to Twisted Rooster for lunch, where all three kids actually ate their food with gusto. (This is a bona fide miracle, folks.) But the really interesting part was that we happened to be sitting by a television that was tuned to a soccer match. Parker noticed it first, saying “Why is there soccer on the tv?”, and that led to us watching part of the game unfold. Madi and Parker were especially transfixed, asking question after question about what was happening on the screen. We saw a couple goals being scored, a player get red carded, a fight (that was an interesting discussion), and the crazy conclusion to the game with all the fans rushing the field. It was one of the first times that Parker has shown any interest in watching a game on television, and he even asked if we could watch more at home. Makes a mama proud…
#489: As I mentioned, Madi was down in the dumps all afternoon, but she finally snapped out of it when I redeemed one of her “Mother’s Day coupons” for a pedicure/manicure. We hunkered down on the fluffy green rug in the bathroom, and she carefully applied sheer blue nail polish to my toes and nails, and then I painted her toenails too. I was struck (once again) how grown up she is getting, talking about nothing and everything, and how determined I am to make sure we stay connected as she keeps getting older, even if it means I get my toenails painted every color of the rainbow.
#490: I have this horrible habit of hunkering down with Fiona in her toddler bed before she falls asleep. I fold myself into strange pretzel-like shapes and try to cover myself with an edge of her purple duvet. Then she rolls over and scootches down and around until she gets into the perfect position for sleeping. I take her little hand in mine, and she tucks her head under my chin to go to sleep. Last night, every time I started to leave, she clotheslined her arm across my neck, preventing me from leaving. “Don’t leave!” she pleaded each time, and I couldn’t help but stay…and stay…and stay. Finally, I was able to sneak out after two hugs and two kisses. It’s ridiculous, but one of these days, it will be over…and she won’t be that little or that snuggly anymore. So for now, it’s what we do.
That’s what I will remember…soccer games, blue toenails, and purple duvets…another Mother’s Day in the books…
I will confess that I, too, hunker down in Will’s bed at night to help him fall asleep. He’s not my baby, and at 2-almost-3 not even really old enough for a good excuse anymore, but I still can’t resist his plea to “Lay down, Mama” and “Mama’s turn for bed rest with Pup” (our nickname for him, which he uses in the third person — too darn cute). I have the same thoughts — time will fly all too soon and all too soon he’ll be a teenager sleeping all day…so for now, I’ll “bed rest with Pup” a little longer. And think of you in uncomfortable positions, too! 🙂