Daytime Stories: It's the Little Things

Just when I was starting to feel even more guilty about the mood I've been in since Saturday (insert mental image of myself arguing with three year old daughter constantly throughout entire weekend) It dawned on me right before I would normally start sending everyone off to their beds that there was a bag of oreos in the cabinet, a picnic table on the deck and some amazing March weather outside.

View from our backyard

So I asked everyone six and under in the house, "Who wants to go outside to have cookies and play in your pajamas?" That was an easy sale. Everyone was out the door within thirty seconds while looking at me like I might have just lost my mind.

It's the little moments like this that seem to lift everyone's spirits a little higher. No one was fighting, not a soul was crying and I think all three children were actually playing together. I must make note to buy more oreos.

Photo Curtosy of photographer, Keaton

I have to wonder if we all might just think about everything a little too hard these days. I was talking to my mom about parenting advice last night and she acted pretty calm about the whole thing-she raised five capable children afterall so I usually ask her opinion. I think back to the days when I was little and what mattered most. What I remember were holidays, outings with my older brothers and sisters, family traditions and going to Grandma's house.

Since my mother can't even turn on a computer (or typewriter probably) I know she wasn't reading about what the other moms were doing, (no internet in the 80's either) asking people if her parenting method was correct or even discussing it with other moms-she was just doing what she felt was right.

How can a girl who looks like this ever be sassy?

All I can ask is that my daughter and I have the same relationship I have always
had with my mother. And just maybe if I'm lucky it can be an even better one.

Two days until Cameron turns 2. He is really starting to show his funny personality. And he totally broke the two cookie limit rule tonight. That's ok-it's birthday week and he knows it.