My daughter is awesome. She is highly verbal and communicates exceptionally well which has left me fielding questions I didn't think I would be dealing with until elementary school. She loves to climb up things like the outside of the stair railing and crawl under things or into tiny spaces. And being petite, she fits just about anywhere.
It is getting harder and harder to catch good pictures of her that aren't blurry. But in some ways those are the best pictures because they are true to life. They show we are really living it.
Talks have begun about having a second child. Preparation is being made for designing a second kid's room. And so I have begun taking extra notice of moms with more than one child, especially in these younger years. I watch how the kids interact and how the mom handles different situations. And more and more I realize, "Mom" is the endearing title of a human "Zookeeper".
As I prepare to take my daughter to the zoo today, I realize I am once again at a prime spot to observe. How do Zookeepers keep the monkeys from unlocking (or locking!) the door? How do they respond when the food bowl flies? How do they prepare the animals for bedtime?
Haha, in reality I know the two worlds are different. And I wouldn't change a thing about my sweet monkey or this zoo. But humor goes a long way in keeping a smile on my face and being silly with my daughter.
I'm grateful for my little monkey. I'm grateful to be her zookeeper...I mean mom. I'm grateful for all the moms at the playground that endure my stares and even field some questions. I'm grateful for the ones who are gracious and understand that moms need each other and I'm grateful for the ones who accept compliments. I'm grateful for the awesome network of moms I have in my life and the variety of parenting styles to observe. Most of all I am grateful to get to spend most of my day with the child I love so much. And I'm grateful when she reminds me that dishes can wait because it is time to get in our table fort.
Do you have children? What areas of your life make you feel like a zookeeper? How do you use humor to uplift your day? And what gratitude can you find in this moment?
May today allow us some laughs. May we make humor even when none is rolling our way and may we remember life was meant to be enjoyed. Have a beautiful day!