Little moments
Today was one of those days. It started out rough, and I feared for the worst. We've been mostly indoors because of bad colds this week, and the prospect over another day inside was daunting. It was overcast, and so was the mood in this apartment--until it came time to get dressed. I asked Henry, as I often do, what he wanted to wear. Nothing would do until I got to his beloved little black sweater and dress shirt. He was very insistent that he needed a bow tie with it, and, of course, the dinosaur rain boots. Thomas asked for a plaid shirt and--what else?--his tie. His outfit was completed with a brown sport jacket and saddle shoes. And then he upped the ante. He made it a Mustache Day. These come fairly often around here, lately at Thomas' prompting. "'Stache, Mommy? Chin too?" So we headed for the bathroom to draw on their eyeliner-turned-facial hair. Thomas chickened out on the beard, but Henry wanted the full set. Once they were dressed and ready for the day (all of us in much better spirits, because who can't help but smile seeing a 3 year-old and 20 month-old looking like little college professors!?), they decided the world needed to see how handsome they were. So we set off on a walk to the Student Center. It has been wonderful for me, in the toddler years, to be on a college campus full of students who ooh and ahh over my kids. On the roughest days, I like to get them outside for a walk. Usually by the second or third smile, I take a good look at my kids and see them as what they are--adorable. All the toddler trouble is usually forgotten.
This morning we decided to go on a date. When I say "date," I mean the three of us at a little table at McConn, our campus coffee shop, sipping lemonade. We sat around the little table drinking our drinks and chatting about everything under the sun. It was absolute bliss! I love those moments the punctuate some of the longer days of the toddler years.
Even on good days, when everyone is getting along, sometimes it feels like so many hours to fill. I get overwhelmed at the prospect some days. We have so much fun, and we try to be creative, but the days can still get long. I love those little moments of bliss that stand out in the midst of it all, and I'm learning that it's often the ordinary moments that make the sweetest memories. Today I was reminded of a quote I read in Reader's Digest magazine:
"In raising young children, remember that the days are long, but the years are short."
I love holding onto those little moments with my boys. I know they'll be gone before I know it. Long days and short naps aside, these days are bliss--when I stop long enough to notice it. I was honored to escort the two best-looking men (under 31) to a date at McConn this morning!
This morning we decided to go on a date. When I say "date," I mean the three of us at a little table at McConn, our campus coffee shop, sipping lemonade. We sat around the little table drinking our drinks and chatting about everything under the sun. It was absolute bliss! I love those moments the punctuate some of the longer days of the toddler years.
Even on good days, when everyone is getting along, sometimes it feels like so many hours to fill. I get overwhelmed at the prospect some days. We have so much fun, and we try to be creative, but the days can still get long. I love those little moments of bliss that stand out in the midst of it all, and I'm learning that it's often the ordinary moments that make the sweetest memories. Today I was reminded of a quote I read in Reader's Digest magazine:
"In raising young children, remember that the days are long, but the years are short."
I love holding onto those little moments with my boys. I know they'll be gone before I know it. Long days and short naps aside, these days are bliss--when I stop long enough to notice it. I was honored to escort the two best-looking men (under 31) to a date at McConn this morning!
