Monday Memo

I wanted to capture a few moments of our day together for you in this Monday Memo prior to going to bed. The day started early this morning when you woke up at 6:00 a.m. asking, "Mommy, can I go see Daddy?" After Daddy left for work, you finished breakfast and watching your morning cartoons. Mommy and you prepared family pictures for you to take to school as requested on your monthly calendar. Then tears..........as Mommy dropped you off! Tears that you didn't want to stay at school without Mommy. I took the turkey feather that Daddy found for you yesterday out on the farm and I wrote, "I love you" on your left cheek and "XOXOXO" on the other cheek out in the hallway after we hung up your backpack and lunchbox.....We, then, presented the feather to Ms. Tracy for your preschool classroom. {Tonight as we were reviewing our day, you had to remind me what I pretended to write on your cheek-----a lightbulb went up for Mommy in remembrance when you told me! You are my memory!} A few more hugs and kisses.....and tears from you! Making Mommy anxious.........but when I picked you up this afternoon, I asked you if you had a good day and Ms. Tracy said that indeed you had! You napped at school (without Mommy next to you)----oh! How I already miss those afternoon snuggles! You were eager to have a snack in the truck (I'm always vowing that we won't eat in the truck and you remind me of this.........but we just love to eat......on the RUN!)......You enjoyed your apple, banana, strawberry, & protein smoothie before we even made it back to our driveway (less than a mile away).......and you had consumed both York Peppermint Patties! At home, you enjoyed a few more snacks before getting dressed for ballet. You informed me that, "Ms. Tracy doesn't want me to cry at school tomorrow Mommy!" You said it with such confidence that I know you are trying to adjust. I reiterated to you that Mommy doesn't want you to cry either. Ballet was delightful as you danced around in your tap and ballet shoes. And quick trips to the supermarkets, my little ballerina accompanied Mommy------You were eager to buy candy corn at Dollar General with the money Daddy had given you at the shop after dance class.......you enjoyed an Honest Abe Peach White Tea from Countrymart to cool off in this lingering summer heat and off to DG it was for candy corn........9 pieces before we arrived home. When Mommy said, no more. You opted to show Daddy your stash of candy corn.........but it was dinner time. Thus, I agreed that if you ate all of your dinner you could have more...

MOMMY: If you clean your plate, you can have two more pieces.

SOPHIA: Mommy, will you just put me a little so I can eat it all? 

I love these little thought processes! After eating most of your bow tie pasta, you didn't even remember to ask for your candy corn! You opted to sit in Mommy's lap and get extra hugs and kisses while Daddy finished his dinner! Then, you asked Daddy to paint with you while Mommy cleaned the kitchen. Two watercolor paintings later, you were ready to feed the birds with the birdseed we picked up for the birds at Countrymart. Somewhere throughout our conversations in the kitchen around the dinner table or prep work, you asked Daddy how old he'd be on his birthday "tomorrow"------in December! This question made me think of his birthday celebration last year. We had to use matches for candles! And two of us couldn't wait for Daddy to come home.......we had several slices of cake without him! Another favorite question/answer in the kitchen is when Daddy asked you about your day at school without Mommy prompting. (Side note: He too was anxious about you being away from Mommy today too! He called Mommy mid-day to ask about drop off!) You told him, "Daddy, we talked about our families today!" I loved the expression you used. And I can't wait to ask you about the people you drew in your house.........I found this little drawing after you fell asleep tonight. After clean up in the kitchen was finished, you had a thirty minutes of ipad time with Daddy monitoring on the couch but Mommy cleaning your playroom kept catching your attention. I picked out books for us to read and we headed to the bathroom for clean teeth, an empty bladder, and reading time! After reading the four books I had selected, you pulled out a book you had placed by your bed this morning prior to preschool and asked Mommy to read it to you. You listened and said, "Mommy, this one is in Greek!" Lights out.........rhyming words again tonight that made you laugh. When you asked for a once upon a time story, I had to draw the line and say we have to say goodnight to a busy day.........and I listed all that you did today......you added items to the list that I had forgotten like painting with Daddy in the kitchen. The business of our lives often makes us forget the simple pleasures in life------enjoying what we have right here, right now. For these moments tonight, I am thankful---thankful for you who reminds me daily to embrace joy of today!

Happy 51st Birthday Daddy!

Sophia LOVES Rusty

"Love you to the Moon & Back" Plaque

Placing Birdseed

Sophia

I captured these pictures through the playroom window just as Daddy and you were filling the swing feeder with birdseed. That very moment too was a reminder----a Monday Memo to give thanks in all things, to take time to teach you......to listen to you, to pray for you......A canvas in your playroom says it best,  

"Bless your child every day. Celebrate who they are. Give lots of hugs and kisses. Rejoice in every victory. Be ready to wipe each tear. Slow down and listen to their hearts . Encourage their dreams. Pray for them. Pray with them. Trust them to make their own choices. Embrace mistakes. Teach Grace. Love them. Love them some more. XOXO Cherish your time together. Make memories. Remember that your child is a gift from the Lord!"

Tonight right before you fell asleep you laughed and said, "Mommy, we forgot to eat more candy corn!" You didn't ask for it but you requested that I put it in your lunchbox. I agreed. This request helped Mommy know that you are quickly learning school routines and looking forward to them.

You also asked, "Mommy, can we buy some of those orange things?" You kept repeating the same question. As I listened, I questioned you about them..what store? when? where? I could literarlly hear the wheels turning as your tried to make Mommy understand. I couldn't fathom what you were requesting. Then, you said, "Tic Tacs!" We were in the dark but I saw the smile across your face as you repeated, "Tic Tacs!" and laughed out loud!

I think we can manage both requests. I'm making my way to the kitchen now to place your candy corn in your lunchbox and a memo on my purse to stop by the store for some Tic Tacs----orange ones!