Fall break came to an end Sunday night. Monday morning brought about the next season of preschool. I was impressed with your enthusiasm to attend preschool on Monday. We arrived a few minutes early and you were ready to sign in so that we could walk down the hall. On Tuesday, the same eagerness was witnessed. I was thrilled for you---and for me! But mostly for you. I want you to have that pep in your step always---confident and eager to discover the joys of what's in store for you while you're at school away from Mommy!
As we walked down the sidewalk Tuesday morning, you waved to a passenger in a parked car in the carpool lane. I asked you who you were waving to---since it was a first! I had never seen you do that before! You said with a matter of fact tone, "Maggie, that's my friend!" I praised you for taking time to wave at her. I watched in wonder as the two of you walked down the hallway together---giggling and smiling at one another but still focused on your job of hanging backpacks and pulling out daily folders.
After your little slice of pizza, I was there to pick you up promptly Tuesday morning! You beamed with delight that you had the Dino bag in your backpack and that you were going to get to be the leader tomorrow---I love when school experiences bring out the best in you! Just as I loved when you whispered part of the morning routine in the backseat of the truck this morning while we pulled into Kroger's parking lot....or when you said, "Hold your horses!" after bath time laughing that your teacher, Mrs. Betsy says that at preschool. I give thanks for these experiences that help 'grow' you!
There's so much wonder and many, many unexpected moments of joy that bring that same delight in my soul as I reminisce about our times together! Time moves so quickly throughout the day as I embrace a little of everything and glance your way to notice that you're not in a hurry at all. You enjoy the little things------the details. Thus, tonight I'm reflecting once again about our time together and how I must learn from you-------to slow the pace and relish the moment at hand.
Monday morning the playroom was a mess! You played there before fall break and after fall break but failed to pick up anything off the floor! I couldn't think when I entered the room to work at my desk. So my Monday project was to straighten up the playroom while you were at preschool. One of the first comments from you on Monday at pick up was..."I wonder what Caroline did today while I was at preschool!?!" As you were busy eating lunch, I had to sneak into the playroom to make sure Caroline was up to something----you love mischief! I returned to the kitchen and sat down to eat with you---you requested to watch cartoons but you had to chose the playroom or the living room for Monday cartoons since our DVD box was MIA after fall break (ask Dad)!?! You chose the living room. When I asked you why!?! your answer: "Because there are so many toys on the floor in the playroom that I can't even walk in there!" I had to laugh. When you finished lunch, you walked into the playroom to see that Caroline was sitting on your couch watching cartoons and the playroom was CLEAN---all toys picked up & all!! You smiled from ear to ear saying, "I can't believe Caroline cleaned my playroom!" You silly girl...how I love you and your imagination and love of mischief....doll mischief!
On Tuesday, your nap was extra long! Mommy worked online while you napped in tune to the rhythm of the raindrops falling---and even then I had to crawl into your bed to wake you. I think you were finally catching up after our week away from home for fall break. However, I also knew that when you were up, bedtime would be later than usual. Thus, we took advantage of that extra time to practice reading aloud as you pointed to words with your little finger. I called to your attention little words that you tried to insert like 'sitting' and 'are'---reminding you that your finger was not pointing to those words because they were not in the book. You quickly responded, "Let's write 'sitting' in here!" Silly girl---so quick witted and so full of fun! And maybe sometime, we will......we'll insert our own words but last night we didn't have a pen in bed! You worked so hard reading aloud as your finger traced the words! I laughed with one "grrr" as you attempted each word. I explained that reading gets easier the more we practice...and we'll do just that as the days draw nearer and nearer to Kindergarten!
Wednesday brought about it's own schedule too. No preschool and no pending plans. Thus, you slept in past eight o'clock and I had plenty of time to work from the couch while sipping on coffee. You enjoyed breakfast on the couch and playtime in the playroom while watching cartoons. Mid-day, we opted for a Kroger run...You spotted grapes and requested to buy some....munching on each grape as we shopped. Then as you spotted ruby, red pomegranates I heard: "Mommy, we haven't had some of those in a looong time!" We bought two to enjoy at home. But before I could catch my breath, I heard: "Mommy, you forgot to cut our pomegranates!" You're so full of requests---always!! And I love, love, love your ways.....and I'm so, so, so proud of you for choosing two healthy options today at Kroger while we were out shopping together!
Prior to leaving for a mini semi-planned trip to Jackson today, we enjoyed juicy pomegranate together! While we were in Jackson, we stopped in at Target. In the woman's restroom, I instructed you to go to the stall next to me but saw an elderly lady walk in past you. Then she walked out noticing you and hearing me. I listened. She spoke telling you to go ahead. Then you spoke saying that you didn't need to go and telling her she could go instead. She thanked you and you replied with "you're welcome!" Manners! I love you for being so nice! Good choices---I had to brag to Daddy on you when he arrived home!!
Our next stop was ToysRus in Jackson. Mommy had one coupon for $10 off any item. I didn't know if we'd make it in and out joyfully but we did!! You commented on all the toys you wanted for Christmas and we took a few snapshots of items of them. Oh! The toys.......so, so many to choose from and price tags.......but there was one special toy marked $1.00 on clearance down from $15 so we opted for it as a treat for walking into a HUGE toy store without permission to buy something for yourself (We're working on delaying gratification and discussing that sometimes we have to buy items for gifts for others' birthday parties and such so not all toys/items we buy are for ourselves.).
Back in the truck, your new 'Barbie' toy boy entertained us as we walked through the alphabet assigning him names....some that we liked, others that made us laugh and more! Then back home, we prepped dinner, took a bath, set the table and enjoyed dinner together. As we waited for Daddy to arrive home, we also played your Toy Story Matching Game---delightful! And just as we were brushing our teeth, Daddy walked in....he was a sneaky fox walking in to stand behind you---you grinned with delight and leaned into him, giving him kisses but continuing to brush, brush, brush your teeth until you saw the smiley face on the electric toothbrush! I loved your focus.
Then......."Please Daddy can we play Barbies!" Daddy looked at me. I looked at you. Five minutes! What's a night without playing with Daddy!?!
The two of you played in the living room floor......prayers.....poetry read alouds......and yucky, croupy coughs from Mommy as the lights went out! Little arms wrapped around my neck and pulled me close, "Mommy, I hope your coughy, cough goes away soon!"
How can I begin to give thanks for all of these unexpected moments of joy!?! Those with you....those from you....those of you........
I pray that life always brings you unexpected moments of joy and that you'll rejoice in each with Mommy------and friends like Maggie that will delight in your joy with a smile on her face as she falls in step with you---walking alongside you......"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV
Go confidently little one!
I love you!
As we walked down the sidewalk Tuesday morning, you waved to a passenger in a parked car in the carpool lane. I asked you who you were waving to---since it was a first! I had never seen you do that before! You said with a matter of fact tone, "Maggie, that's my friend!" I praised you for taking time to wave at her. I watched in wonder as the two of you walked down the hallway together---giggling and smiling at one another but still focused on your job of hanging backpacks and pulling out daily folders.
After your little slice of pizza, I was there to pick you up promptly Tuesday morning! You beamed with delight that you had the Dino bag in your backpack and that you were going to get to be the leader tomorrow---I love when school experiences bring out the best in you! Just as I loved when you whispered part of the morning routine in the backseat of the truck this morning while we pulled into Kroger's parking lot....or when you said, "Hold your horses!" after bath time laughing that your teacher, Mrs. Betsy says that at preschool. I give thanks for these experiences that help 'grow' you!
There's so much wonder and many, many unexpected moments of joy that bring that same delight in my soul as I reminisce about our times together! Time moves so quickly throughout the day as I embrace a little of everything and glance your way to notice that you're not in a hurry at all. You enjoy the little things------the details. Thus, tonight I'm reflecting once again about our time together and how I must learn from you-------to slow the pace and relish the moment at hand.
Monday morning the playroom was a mess! You played there before fall break and after fall break but failed to pick up anything off the floor! I couldn't think when I entered the room to work at my desk. So my Monday project was to straighten up the playroom while you were at preschool. One of the first comments from you on Monday at pick up was..."I wonder what Caroline did today while I was at preschool!?!" As you were busy eating lunch, I had to sneak into the playroom to make sure Caroline was up to something----you love mischief! I returned to the kitchen and sat down to eat with you---you requested to watch cartoons but you had to chose the playroom or the living room for Monday cartoons since our DVD box was MIA after fall break (ask Dad)!?! You chose the living room. When I asked you why!?! your answer: "Because there are so many toys on the floor in the playroom that I can't even walk in there!" I had to laugh. When you finished lunch, you walked into the playroom to see that Caroline was sitting on your couch watching cartoons and the playroom was CLEAN---all toys picked up & all!! You smiled from ear to ear saying, "I can't believe Caroline cleaned my playroom!" You silly girl...how I love you and your imagination and love of mischief....doll mischief!
On Tuesday, your nap was extra long! Mommy worked online while you napped in tune to the rhythm of the raindrops falling---and even then I had to crawl into your bed to wake you. I think you were finally catching up after our week away from home for fall break. However, I also knew that when you were up, bedtime would be later than usual. Thus, we took advantage of that extra time to practice reading aloud as you pointed to words with your little finger. I called to your attention little words that you tried to insert like 'sitting' and 'are'---reminding you that your finger was not pointing to those words because they were not in the book. You quickly responded, "Let's write 'sitting' in here!" Silly girl---so quick witted and so full of fun! And maybe sometime, we will......we'll insert our own words but last night we didn't have a pen in bed! You worked so hard reading aloud as your finger traced the words! I laughed with one "grrr" as you attempted each word. I explained that reading gets easier the more we practice...and we'll do just that as the days draw nearer and nearer to Kindergarten!
Wednesday brought about it's own schedule too. No preschool and no pending plans. Thus, you slept in past eight o'clock and I had plenty of time to work from the couch while sipping on coffee. You enjoyed breakfast on the couch and playtime in the playroom while watching cartoons. Mid-day, we opted for a Kroger run...You spotted grapes and requested to buy some....munching on each grape as we shopped. Then as you spotted ruby, red pomegranates I heard: "Mommy, we haven't had some of those in a looong time!" We bought two to enjoy at home. But before I could catch my breath, I heard: "Mommy, you forgot to cut our pomegranates!" You're so full of requests---always!! And I love, love, love your ways.....and I'm so, so, so proud of you for choosing two healthy options today at Kroger while we were out shopping together!
Prior to leaving for a mini semi-planned trip to Jackson today, we enjoyed juicy pomegranate together! While we were in Jackson, we stopped in at Target. In the woman's restroom, I instructed you to go to the stall next to me but saw an elderly lady walk in past you. Then she walked out noticing you and hearing me. I listened. She spoke telling you to go ahead. Then you spoke saying that you didn't need to go and telling her she could go instead. She thanked you and you replied with "you're welcome!" Manners! I love you for being so nice! Good choices---I had to brag to Daddy on you when he arrived home!!
Our next stop was ToysRus in Jackson. Mommy had one coupon for $10 off any item. I didn't know if we'd make it in and out joyfully but we did!! You commented on all the toys you wanted for Christmas and we took a few snapshots of items of them. Oh! The toys.......so, so many to choose from and price tags.......but there was one special toy marked $1.00 on clearance down from $15 so we opted for it as a treat for walking into a HUGE toy store without permission to buy something for yourself (We're working on delaying gratification and discussing that sometimes we have to buy items for gifts for others' birthday parties and such so not all toys/items we buy are for ourselves.).
Back in the truck, your new 'Barbie' toy boy entertained us as we walked through the alphabet assigning him names....some that we liked, others that made us laugh and more! Then back home, we prepped dinner, took a bath, set the table and enjoyed dinner together. As we waited for Daddy to arrive home, we also played your Toy Story Matching Game---delightful! And just as we were brushing our teeth, Daddy walked in....he was a sneaky fox walking in to stand behind you---you grinned with delight and leaned into him, giving him kisses but continuing to brush, brush, brush your teeth until you saw the smiley face on the electric toothbrush! I loved your focus.
Then......."Please Daddy can we play Barbies!" Daddy looked at me. I looked at you. Five minutes! What's a night without playing with Daddy!?!
 |
| The new MALE 'Barbie' for playtime with Daddy: He has a gray t-shirt on like Daddy wears----and you choose to wear when working/hanging with Daddy! |
How can I begin to give thanks for all of these unexpected moments of joy!?! Those with you....those from you....those of you........
I pray that life always brings you unexpected moments of joy and that you'll rejoice in each with Mommy------and friends like Maggie that will delight in your joy with a smile on her face as she falls in step with you---walking alongside you......"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV
Go confidently little one!
I love you!
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