Adventure (noun) An exciting, often hazardous undertaking
Now that the weather has warmed, the little ones and I walk to the bus stop to get big brother. It's not far, about three houses down the street, but who knew there were so many exciting things that could happen in that short distance.
Just going from the front door to the street can take quite awhile because there are birds in our yard that need sneaking up on. There are ants that need to be watched. There are cracks in the sidewalk that only big people are allowed to step on. There's the jungle down by the mailbox that needs to get explored.
Then we hit the street and another whole world opens up. There are rocks to pick up and move, branches to step on, curbs to walk on, more ants, more birds and more cracks to avoid. There are "flowers" (dandelions) to pick for mommy because I am loved so much. The pine cones are treasures that bring such delight they can hardly contain themselves.
We finally make it to bus stop and the stop sign becomes home base for a game of tag. The pebbles in the street become gems and currency in a world that only three and four year olds are part of.
Oh how I wish I could I could see things the way they do. At what point in our lives do we stop? I believe the day we give birth, our views change. The birds in the yard could carry disease, the ants could bite, the jungle could have poison ivy, the dandelions are back already?, they could trip on a crack and the pine cones are REALLY sticky. The stop sign means cars are near by, they could slip on the pebbles and they could fall off the curb and twist their ankles.
I so enjoy watching them have their adventures and I try not to sound too much like a mother... "be careful, don't touch that, watch where you're walking, don't run..." But of all the hats I wear, teacher and protector are two of the biggest. I've also found I learn so much from them as well, like how a short, simple walk to the bus stop can be the best part of the day.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Graduation Day
Graduate (verb) to receive a degree or diploma on completing a course of study (dictionary.com)
Life is full of graduations although we don't always receive diplomas for the achievements. Getting potty trained, tying shoes, riding a bike, catching a fast ball, reading, writing, math, learning to drive, growing a plant from a seed...all these things are completions and stepping stones that lead to a healthy independence later in life.
Just because we don't always receive a piece of paper signifying the importance of these things doesn't mean they're not to be celebrated. Singing, dancing and a graduation cap made of paper can evoke enough pride in a parent to reduce one to a blubbering mess!
Today my graduate's diploma was covered with abc's and 123's and smiley faces and stars. The ceremony consisted of several dozen four and five year old boys and girls singing about moving on to kindergarten. This is my third child entering kindergarten and you would think that by now I'd be used to it.
As hard as I tried not to, the tears escaped the clutches of my watery eyes. My husband smiled at me, took my hand and although not crying himself, I knew he was feeling the same emotions I was. Our little girl, so small but mighty, was taking one more step away from us. Sad? No. Happy? No. Simply amazed at the beauty of life as it unfolds one graduation at a time.
Life is full of graduations although we don't always receive diplomas for the achievements. Getting potty trained, tying shoes, riding a bike, catching a fast ball, reading, writing, math, learning to drive, growing a plant from a seed...all these things are completions and stepping stones that lead to a healthy independence later in life.
Just because we don't always receive a piece of paper signifying the importance of these things doesn't mean they're not to be celebrated. Singing, dancing and a graduation cap made of paper can evoke enough pride in a parent to reduce one to a blubbering mess!
Today my graduate's diploma was covered with abc's and 123's and smiley faces and stars. The ceremony consisted of several dozen four and five year old boys and girls singing about moving on to kindergarten. This is my third child entering kindergarten and you would think that by now I'd be used to it.
As hard as I tried not to, the tears escaped the clutches of my watery eyes. My husband smiled at me, took my hand and although not crying himself, I knew he was feeling the same emotions I was. Our little girl, so small but mighty, was taking one more step away from us. Sad? No. Happy? No. Simply amazed at the beauty of life as it unfolds one graduation at a time.
Welcome, come in, come in!
Mommy, noun: informal, a female parent
Mommy! She poked me, Mommy! She won't give that back to me, Mommy! He yelled at me!
Mommie, mommey, mommee! No matter how you spell it, it still sounds the same, still means the same and still feels the same.
The journey of a mother is heartwarming, scary, funny, rewarding, trying, frustrating and expensive. It elicits pride and humility; gray hairs spew forth and wrinkles appear overnight. It can stop your heart with a scream or thud or the ring of the phone late at night. Tears, fears, headaches, chuckles, sleepless nights and very long days. It is all of these and more, but the one thing it is not, is boring.
You never know what path you'll take each day as your children influence the navigational systems of your life...join me as I take you on the crazy ride of my life with four children!
Mommy! She poked me, Mommy! She won't give that back to me, Mommy! He yelled at me!
Mommie, mommey, mommee! No matter how you spell it, it still sounds the same, still means the same and still feels the same.
The journey of a mother is heartwarming, scary, funny, rewarding, trying, frustrating and expensive. It elicits pride and humility; gray hairs spew forth and wrinkles appear overnight. It can stop your heart with a scream or thud or the ring of the phone late at night. Tears, fears, headaches, chuckles, sleepless nights and very long days. It is all of these and more, but the one thing it is not, is boring.
You never know what path you'll take each day as your children influence the navigational systems of your life...join me as I take you on the crazy ride of my life with four children!
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