Life Lessons I Learned From My Kids Today

I took Ralphie in to the Dr. this morning because I thought he may have an ear infection. My dear, patient Dr. told me that I probably just needed to feed him more. (smile) See? Even after four children, I need a little (sometimes a lot of) guidance.

But getting to my point:

We were seated by the entrance and Ralphie intently made eye contact with each person walking in. Upon eye contact, he smiled the biggest, seven-toothiest grin. And then he would wait for his next victim, being the slayer of hearts that he is. And it struck me: Ralphie thinks everyone in the world is in love with him. He smiles at everyone and absolutely turns inside out with every morsel of attention given him.

Lesson learned: Drop the insecurities. Life is too short to worry about what other people think about you. Assume that everyone thinks you are the wonderfully amazing person that you are, and if they don't, that's their problem! But above all, don't forget to smile!

Dynamite reminded me to dance. Dear eldest had Smoky Robinson on the radio and Dynamite had to break it down for everyone...in his suit. For those of you who know us outside of Blogworld, you know that Dynamite wears a suit every. single. day. Except on Tuesdays when I can talk him in to wearing a blazer and jeans because it's gym day at preschool.

Lesson learned: Get down with abandon. Have fun. Seriously have a good time. Do the moonwalk. Okay I'm getting carried away, but you get my drift.
Cindy-Lou Who reminded me to give hugs. All day long, she fawns over sweet Ralphie. She squeezes him, sits him on her lap, kisses him until his little cheekies are red. She swings Dynamite around while they listen to music. She even gets away with laying her head on Super-boy's shoulder. She is a lover by nature.

Lesson learned: Give affection. Hug them even when they seem like they don't want it. Ann Voskamp says in her Joyful Parenting Manifesto that the moment we are "repulsed by a child's behavior, that is the very moment we should draw closest to them." Cindy-Lou Who reminds me to stop being so goal-driven and give affection freely.
Lastly, today while Super-boy worked on thank you cards for his birthday he decided he was going to draw a picture of each gift he was given on the individual's card. So if he was given a BeyBlade, he would draw that for the person. In my head, I was screaming, "Don't do that! Just get it done! It's going to take you forever if you do that!" But to him, I just smiled and said, "That's really nice, honey, they'll love that." While we worked on spelling homework, there were sentences that said, "Insert a girl's/boy's name." He sat there thinking of all the hilarious names he could write. Again, I'm saying, "Just write Jimmy and be done with it!!" But that's not his style. If he's going to do something, he's going to find enjoyment in it. "Mom," he said, "How about Herbie?? That will really make Mrs. Sophiea laugh."

Lesson learned: Life is not always the race that I make it out to be. That endless checklist that I have might be a lot more fun if I allowed myself to slow down. To not be in such a hurry. And to LAUGH!! Be creative! Enjoy the journey and not just the destination!

"Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life." -Sophocles
"He who teaches children learns more than they do." -German Proverb