My good day

I have been debating as to whether or not I should post this since it happened the same day that we made the cookies and since I found a feature on our word processor that counts words and gives you the readability of your writing and what level you are writing at. I am writing at a 5th or 6th grade level. So to everyone out there reading I am sorry for my poor skills.

When I started my blog I actually thought about using my blog to practice and improve my writing skills. Well today I will begin in earnest. The sad part is this is a revised and meticulously drafted peice of work here. Fifth or Sixth grade...come-on, I have got to do better than that!!


It all started about 3 o’clock in the afternoon as I started to feel really bad about letting the day get away from me again. I was thinking about my boys and how much they need me to be there for them.

I had spent most of the day cleaning and running from job to job and really only just touching on their deep and important daily needs. I stopped and decided I wouldn’t let another minute pass. I got dressed, combed my hair, and then proceeded to dress my darling boys.

In just a matter of minutes we were out the door and ready for the park. I asked Grant if he would like to ride his bike at the park. He has a new found love for his bike lately. He seems to really enjoy riding it at the park where he can go as fast as he wants up the hill and then let his body coast down the hill or when he is feeling really adventurous goes as fast as he can down the hill. It makes my heart feel good to see him riding his bike with so much passion and enjoyment. Ahh... the joys of being a child and the joys of being a mother who can occasionally tap into those magic feelings and just have a great time. I remembered that Grant’s bike was actually in Matt’s car and he actually took it pretty well. We are working on being a little more flexible. We got into the car buckled up and were off for another quick jaunt to the park.

Once we got to the park we were delighted to find a few kids to play with. Grant was able to play “chase tag” with a boy who was about 11 years old. He looked like kind of a rebellious boy just sitting at the park all sullen and brooding, talking on his cell phone hunched over. Once Grant started talking to him though he was a completely different kid. He was kind and playful. He played tag with the same passion and excitement as Grant. All-kids need to play. Something happens and people become angelic while they are playing.

The “chase tag” game went on for about 20 minutes and then the new friend spied one of his buddies coming off in the distance. Together they left and with heads bowed they kind of lopped over to a private place to talk. After the friend came he didn’t really want anything more to do with Grant.

My heart sank. I just felt so bad for Grant. (I know it is part of life and flexibility is important...however, I also know that I am his mother, If he doesn't have his mother to be sympathetic who does he have?) He wanted to play with someone pretty badly and there was no one left but me. I don’t know how to play. I am not very good at it. I didn’t play as a kid and I haven’t played much as an adult. But let me tell you I learned quickly. My son was heart-broken and it was up to me to help him. (I am exaggerating slightly, I do play with my kids...this time though, I played like I have never played before)

So what did I do? While pushing Spencer in the stroller(responsibly...I wasn't putting him in danger as you might think from the description of my behavior)I ran like a mad woman; yelling silly things, skipping, turning and trying to get away from a confused, but willing to give it a try boy. Skeptical Grant chased me but kept looking at me as if to say "who are you and what did you do with my mother?"

Out of breath and pretty warmed up I found a good place to stop. I parked the stroller, secured Spencer’s hat, and mittens and then I took a deep breath and within seconds I was back to my child hood. The memories and smells of running in a field of grass in the cool late afternoon air were running through my heart and mind. I found myself saying “do you know what I would have done right now when I was a kid?’ I would have started running as fast as I could down the field and then I would have done the highest coolest round off cartwheel ever.”

So what do you think I did? You bet I did the highest coolest round off I could manage and it felt great.

We then proceeded to chase each other, wrestle and just be down right silly. Spencer had fun for a little bit but he got pretty cold so we had to go home.

When we got home we turned on the Christmas music and then invited Anna, Grant’s little buddy from next door over. Spencer was sleeping, so I took the rare opportunity to make myself some hot chocolate and popcorn and read my scriptures. What a treat.

Matt came home about 20 minutes later and then we had dinner while listening to some more Christmas music.

Once we finished eating, I did something I never do; I sat down on the couch for a few minutes and soaked up the scene before me.

My cute kids were watching a Christmas movie. Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you” was playing in the back ground and Spencer was trying to dance--it's tricky to do when your a new walker. It doesn’t get much better than that. I am truly blessed.