When I woke up today I didn't think about what lessons I would teach my daughters. I didn't write out a list of things to remember to teach them, and not just because it was a school day. My preschooler, in particular, will provide a million opportunities without me needing to even think about it.
My preschooler loves learning. She loves soaking up new information and then telling it to the next person she sees.
Today's lessons seemed extra impactful... to me. This morning I said I loved the sunshine. My preschooler responded "but not in my eyes. It hurts when the sun is in my eyes." Rather than just say "true" and move on; I felt a little stirring in my soul. Yes, that's right, my life became a musical as I informed my daughter there was a song about that very thing. Then I broke out in an off pitch rendition of John Denver's "Sunshine on My Shoulders". She giggled and asked me to sing it again.
Later when I picked her up from school it was warm and sunny. I decided to park the car and pick her up in person rather than in the drive thru. As she does on all nice, dry days she asked if she could have some time to roll down the hill. Of course! After a few times up and down the hill she surprised me. "Mommy, will you roll with me?" The playful child in me gave an instant yes as I plopped the infant carrier with the baby down in the grass out of the way. I will admit there was a part of me that looked at the long carpool line and even the dad picking up his daughter from my daughter's same class and thought "should I be doing this?" Luckily that voice was much quieter as I proceeded to roll down the hill in a race with my daughter to see who could roll fastest. Life is too short to not play and she is growing up too fast to miss these invitations over something silly like what other people may think. I hope I can teach that to my kids by modeling it every chance I get.
It isn't a one way road though. My daughters teach me too. Listening to a song in the car this afternoon I felt myself get a little emotional. I told my preschooler, "I want you to know that as you get bigger you will make some mistakes, everyone does, but that I will love you no matter what. I will always be here for you even if you can't see me. Ok?" She said, "Yeah, I know. Besides if I can't see you I can just look around or maybe call for you. Then when I see you I can run and jump in your arms!" She may not have a firm grasp on this growing up stuff but she sure knows what my mommy heart needs to hear. I'm grateful to be reminded that love can be so solid and unwavering.
And not to be left out my baby daughter taught me today that even though you've changed a full diaper that doesn't mean there isn't another explosion lurking a few minutes down the road. Thanks for the reminder baby girl. Haha! She also reminds me to be more present and enjoy the moments she is awake as she is growing too fast.
I'm grateful for a day of important lessons. I'm grateful to let go of opinions of others and do what makes me happy. I'm grateful to have this playful nature. I'm grateful to be invited to join in today. I'm grateful to do all that rolling without throwing up. I'm grateful to have gotten a little grass stain on my pants...its been too long. I'm grateful to see my daughters' joy. I'm grateful for their laughs that is the best sound in this world. I'm grateful for love and for all we teach each other as we grow.
Who is your biggest teacher? What lessons did you learn today?
May today remind us that every moment is an opportunity. May we find beauty in the lessons. Have a beautiful day!
My preschooler loves learning. She loves soaking up new information and then telling it to the next person she sees.
Today's lessons seemed extra impactful... to me. This morning I said I loved the sunshine. My preschooler responded "but not in my eyes. It hurts when the sun is in my eyes." Rather than just say "true" and move on; I felt a little stirring in my soul. Yes, that's right, my life became a musical as I informed my daughter there was a song about that very thing. Then I broke out in an off pitch rendition of John Denver's "Sunshine on My Shoulders". She giggled and asked me to sing it again.
Later when I picked her up from school it was warm and sunny. I decided to park the car and pick her up in person rather than in the drive thru. As she does on all nice, dry days she asked if she could have some time to roll down the hill. Of course! After a few times up and down the hill she surprised me. "Mommy, will you roll with me?" The playful child in me gave an instant yes as I plopped the infant carrier with the baby down in the grass out of the way. I will admit there was a part of me that looked at the long carpool line and even the dad picking up his daughter from my daughter's same class and thought "should I be doing this?" Luckily that voice was much quieter as I proceeded to roll down the hill in a race with my daughter to see who could roll fastest. Life is too short to not play and she is growing up too fast to miss these invitations over something silly like what other people may think. I hope I can teach that to my kids by modeling it every chance I get.
It isn't a one way road though. My daughters teach me too. Listening to a song in the car this afternoon I felt myself get a little emotional. I told my preschooler, "I want you to know that as you get bigger you will make some mistakes, everyone does, but that I will love you no matter what. I will always be here for you even if you can't see me. Ok?" She said, "Yeah, I know. Besides if I can't see you I can just look around or maybe call for you. Then when I see you I can run and jump in your arms!" She may not have a firm grasp on this growing up stuff but she sure knows what my mommy heart needs to hear. I'm grateful to be reminded that love can be so solid and unwavering.
And not to be left out my baby daughter taught me today that even though you've changed a full diaper that doesn't mean there isn't another explosion lurking a few minutes down the road. Thanks for the reminder baby girl. Haha! She also reminds me to be more present and enjoy the moments she is awake as she is growing too fast.
I'm grateful for a day of important lessons. I'm grateful to let go of opinions of others and do what makes me happy. I'm grateful to have this playful nature. I'm grateful to be invited to join in today. I'm grateful to do all that rolling without throwing up. I'm grateful to have gotten a little grass stain on my pants...its been too long. I'm grateful to see my daughters' joy. I'm grateful for their laughs that is the best sound in this world. I'm grateful for love and for all we teach each other as we grow.
Who is your biggest teacher? What lessons did you learn today?
May today remind us that every moment is an opportunity. May we find beauty in the lessons. Have a beautiful day!
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