A Little Girl's Purse

     In the morning with the girls walk out the door they take a bottle of wonder, creativity and love with them.  On different mornings they carry these items in different ways.  This morning my girl's heart was carried out in a My Little Pony purse.  
     As we prepared to leave for the day Olivia was on a mission to find treasures that would guide her day.  A paper pad, marker, sun glasses and teddy bear were all she needed to make today a success. The  sunglasses will guide her on her adventures though Grandma's front yard, teddy as her side kick. Her paper pad and maker will make the day her own.  She will log memories.  Some experienced, some only in her imagination.  She will write words.  Some common, Olivia, and some beautiful to her, vvvtttssiou.  
     This evening we will share her wonder.  She tell the adventures she went on with her teddy and ask me, "Mommy, what's this word say."  As we go though this routine, I will think of all of the wonder and love she has experienced in her four short years and I will be thankful.  

Silly, Crazy, Love

Every morning the girls unload from the car and run into Grandma's house.  Every evening they send loves and hugs as we back up the driveway toward home.  A favorite is air kisses and crazy waves. All three kids try to outdo Grandma.  Grandma is the reigning champion in crazy waves.  

They love their grandma.  There is not doubt about that.  

Love comes in many forms.  This week Soph chose to show it in an interesting way.  Grandma said in passing, "I'm a silly old goose."  Sophia's reply showed her love in an unconventional way.  

"You're not a silly old goose.  You're a crazy old woman." Sophia smiled back.

I frequently think as I drive away in the morning, I am so thankful my kids are learning to know their grandma.  To know her is to love her. 

Mom Fan

Brenden has been playing soccer for many years.  I dutifully attend practices and games.  At the end of each session I always ask the same question, "Did you have fun?" he almost always smiles his toothless grin and replies, "Yep!"  My next go to line is, "I liked watching you play."  I'm being truthful.  I do like watching him , but do I look forward to going to practice?  Do I sit on the edge of my stool during every game?  No.  I am just there.  I'm at the games for him, not for me.  I go, I cheer, I leave.  

This weeks game was a little different.  I was still there for him.  I still cheered, but this time the cheering was intense.  During the first half B played a while and then was back out of the game.  His time spent in the game was good, nothing goal setting.  At half-time this all changed.  B came out in his yellow uniform.  I thought to myself, There is no way Coach is going to have him play goalie. I quickly turned to Christ, "Really, he's going to play goal?  He's never played goal before."  

Chris replied with a smile, "We'll see."  

See we did.  The second half B was pounded with shots.  Time and time again he went into the kicking frenzy and reappeared with a ball in his hands.  We were shocked.  As time went on he recovered several shots.  I was so proud.  There was one time I was literally climbing the wall in anticipation waiting for his head to pop out of the huddle of soccer players with a ball in hand.  

This week as we walked to the car and I rattled off my usual line my tone was a little different.  "B I had a really good time watching you play today!  You had me climbing the walls on the soccer field watching to see your victory!"  

More Sleep, Please

Every morning, the alarm sounds, a hall light turns on a kid calls.  I know it's time to get up.  Every morning I push my head into my pillow.  I snuggle my blanket a little tighter.  I begin to bargain with myself.  If I stay in bed five minutes later it won't throw the morning off.  The kids can get themselves ready.  Everything at school is prepared.  I can stay in bed five minutes longer.    

It's not that I'm not excited to see my kids in the morning, I am.  I'm ready to come to school too.  My body just keeps saying, "No, it's cold. No, it's dark.  Stay in your warm bed."  

Humans are mammals.  Mammals do hibernate.  Maybe I'm just fighting against nature.  Maybe I need to hibernate.  By hibernate I mean stay in my cozy bed, eat comfort food and read.  But maybe that's what I need to do.  See you in the spring . 

Recess?

"Oh man, what's the temperature outside?"

"Do we really have to go?"  

"I have things I need to work on."

"Can I stay in?  I promise I'll be quiet."

None of these requests are surprising.   The kids wait all day to be free.  They bounce up and down on  yoga balls.  They skip to the back counter to get fraction strips.  

Freedom finally comes.  

Yell.  Run.  Laugh. Skip.

Nope.  They want to stay in.  They want to sit.