Stop to Smell the Roses
Yesterday I was grouchy. I woke up with a horrible headache, which was my own doing. Thank you, you big jerk, Jose. Joey was a bit uncooperative and it was just a bad day all around. I took full advantage of the TV as babysitter while his baby brother napped. Cats and Dogs to the rescue and I just closed my eyes for a minute. I don’t think he noticed.
Today is a new day. The sun is shining brightly and I’m in a better mood. I vowed early this morning to make it a better day than yesterday. We had to get moving and do something. I told Joey there would be no lounging in pajamas until 10:30. Get up, eat breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth. Repeat the routine for Jacob. We decided to take a walk. Jacob in the stroller and Joey on his big bike with training wheels.
We got down the driveway and stopped at the first tree. Joey got off of his bike, tossed up some grass clippings and looked at the robins. Back on the bike. He rode two houses down, stopped and got off again. Look Mema, Mr. Henry has sticks in his grass like you do, so the grass seeds can grow. He counted the sticks. There were eight. Look Jacob eight sticks, and they make a rectangle.
Yes Joey, they do, now can we just…
I stopped myself midsentence. I took a deep breath. I will not be a grouch. He’s a child, he’s exploring. He’s learning. Enjoy this walk with him. There is nothing more important that I could have been doing at that moment. It’s my job to make his days fun. There’s no room for grouchiness.
We continued on our walk. Stopping at every other house. So that Joey could get off of his bike and comment on whatever.
Mema, these neighbors haven’t picked up their garbage cans yet.
Their newspaper is still in the driveway too.
I think these people need to cut their grass.
He stopped to picked up rocks and leaves and an occasional roly-poly, proudly explaining to his little brother that they roll into a ball to protect themselves from danger.
We turned the corner and saw a big dog. Jacob, look at the big dog! Can you say dog? I smiled inside and out. I crossed my fingers and made a wish that they’d always be this close. The warm sun felt so good on my skin after the long cold winter.
Our walk around the block took us nearly an hour as Joey pointed out one discovery after another. It was an hour well spent as we walked back up the driveway laughing. We’ll be taking many more walks together and I promise to slow down and breath. I’m going to smile and enjoy the company of these two boys, because right now, there is nothing more important on my agenda.
Related posts:
- Indoor Winter Fun
- It’s Beginning to Smell A Lot Like Latkes
- Dear IDOT, Please Stop the Strike and Fix the Streets
Category: Little Ones, New Posts, Summer, Uncategorized
Ahhh, perfect timing for summer break!
I panicked as other moms were listing the hundreds of activities that their kids will be doing over break. Once I came back to my slacker mom senses, I realized that we all need to slow down. So our big plans are squirt gun fights, impromptu street hockey & whiffle ball games, chalk murals and fire fly catching.
(And happy hours for moms and Jose!)
I hope Jose treats you better than he has me!
What a great reminder. Thanks for sharing. Having two of my own, I have to constantly remind myself that this is the reason I stay home with them.
Not for the dishes, not for the errands, the blog, nothing more important than them learning and enjoying and growing.
Hope the rest of your summer is going as well!