Time seems to move slowly on some days and then there are days like today when I wonder how when it moves slowly it could leave so quickly? I can't believe I have a 1st grader and a little toddler in a big boy bed. Yesterday, I declared it our 1st Weekly Family Day. I thought we would designate a time each week (even for an hour) when we'd just spend time together, on purpose, doing something that each of us liked. We'll take turns being the decider on food and activities. Yesterday was our first time and it was Ethan's turn. He had me make "Caramel French Toast Bake." It's one of those recipes you only make at Christmas or Easter or birthdays or something because it terribly good and terribly bad for you all at the same time! That was Ethan's pick, so we made it, ate it and loved it! Then, he wanted to play a game. We put Drew in bed early (he missed a nap) and then we played Blokus (thanks Grandma Judi.) We had a great time. Ethan and I finished our night by coloring our new September calendar. If you have spent any length of time with Ethan, he can talk your ears off about Ben 10 or superheroes or a movie he's watched. So, last night, as he and I were side by side, coloring our calendar, Ethan talked up a storm. He literally talked for an hour straight about Ben 10 toys, the new aliens, the new toys, the Wii game.....I told myself several times "LISTEN, Jamie...." I tried my best and I'm sure glad I did. At the end of our coloring, (I did most of it because someone else was really busy talking) Ethan said, "Mom, that was really fun; talking and coloring and stuff. I love you, Mom." It's that simple. I just needed to listen to my son to make him feel loved. I know it wasn't the coloring that was fun for him. He's not too into coloring. It truly was the talking (and me listening) that was fun for him! (Sounds like his mom, huh?) Now I know how Eric feels! Anyway, lesson learned for this mom. Even when hours seem to pass slowly when kids are fighting and fussing, the days pass SO fast. It's simple to sit and listen and if that's all it takes to make my son feel loved, accepted and appreciated, then I'm in. I want these moments to look back on (for both of us) knowing I did my best to show him he's loved, and I want him to say he knew he was loved.
Time seems to move slowly on some days and then there are days like today when I wonder how when it moves slowly it could leave so quickly? I can't believe I have a 1st grader and a little toddler in a big boy bed. Yesterday, I declared it our 1st Weekly Family Day. I thought we would designate a time each week (even for an hour) when we'd just spend time together, on purpose, doing something that each of us liked. We'll take turns being the decider on food and activities. Yesterday was our first time and it was Ethan's turn. He had me make "Caramel French Toast Bake." It's one of those recipes you only make at Christmas or Easter or birthdays or something because it terribly good and terribly bad for you all at the same time! That was Ethan's pick, so we made it, ate it and loved it! Then, he wanted to play a game. We put Drew in bed early (he missed a nap) and then we played Blokus (thanks Grandma Judi.) We had a great time. Ethan and I finished our night by coloring our new September calendar. If you have spent any length of time with Ethan, he can talk your ears off about Ben 10 or superheroes or a movie he's watched. So, last night, as he and I were side by side, coloring our calendar, Ethan talked up a storm. He literally talked for an hour straight about Ben 10 toys, the new aliens, the new toys, the Wii game.....I told myself several times "LISTEN, Jamie...." I tried my best and I'm sure glad I did. At the end of our coloring, (I did most of it because someone else was really busy talking) Ethan said, "Mom, that was really fun; talking and coloring and stuff. I love you, Mom." It's that simple. I just needed to listen to my son to make him feel loved. I know it wasn't the coloring that was fun for him. He's not too into coloring. It truly was the talking (and me listening) that was fun for him! (Sounds like his mom, huh?) Now I know how Eric feels! Anyway, lesson learned for this mom. Even when hours seem to pass slowly when kids are fighting and fussing, the days pass SO fast. It's simple to sit and listen and if that's all it takes to make my son feel loved, accepted and appreciated, then I'm in. I want these moments to look back on (for both of us) knowing I did my best to show him he's loved, and I want him to say he knew he was loved.
