Yesterday was a really good day and I realized it had a lot to do with being more energized because of working out, getting to bed a little sooner, and eating better.
My six-year-old was honored in the morning with a student of the month award. So proud! We all got up earlier and got ready to go to school, and it set the pace for an excellent day for me. Instead of dragging out of bed and then rushing everyone off to school to come back home and slowly get going, I was ready to go for the day and filled with energy. The beautiful weather in February didn't hurt either. Gorgeous!
My youngest, Jackson, will be three in April and last month I signed him up for preschool for next year. (Only nine hours a week.) It has occured to me ever since that evening that he is no longer a baby. He needs to learn his ABCs and he needs to be potty trained, among other things that I think he is mastering just fine. Staying on top of this and enjoying these precious times while he is still mine full-time means picking and choosing how to spend the days. Today I got back to business with housework but yesterday was some good Mommy & Jackson time.
We got home from the morning award program at school and he wanted to play with his basketball and hoop, which is his favorite thing to do. Normally in the morning I would say, "maybe later," but this time it was different. After a couple of minutes he was ready to move to the backyard to play on the swingset. When his big brothers are home they usually all play together, I don't always take the time to go out with them. Somehow racing around with the light sabers isn't as appealing to me as one-on-one giggle time with a 2 year-old. We sat up on the top platform of the playset and laughed and had the best time. It reminded me of what I already know, that doing something simple is usually enough. You can be "in the moment" anywhere.
I also realized yesterday that Jackson is at the perfect age to "walk" on a walk. Don't you often take a walk but the little one goes into the stroller or a wagon, set up with snacks and a drink in the cup holder? I hope that isn't just me! We have taken plenty of walks in the neighborhood but I realized he is always riding, especially when the older two are riding their scooters. I guess last summer and fall he wasn't as good about holding hands, that is probably why this was a new event. There are certain ages and seasons for different types of walks with various wheels, but what a treat it was holding his tiny toddler hand and walking side by side. We were not on a time schedule and I wasn't trying to break a sweat. It was just for fun, but far healthier than being stuck inside in front of the TV. We listened to birds, counted mailboxes, stopped to look at orange paint spots on the street, jumped over cracks and watched the men building houses up the street. We also shared Skittles.
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A walk doesn't even come to mind when I'm in lazy-mode. Yes, I've gone through many months of lazy phases over the years. Whenever I try becoming more active I tell myself, "Any activity is better than what you were doing before, which was nothing!" But the more active I become, the more strength and energy I have, and the more I want to do. It's pretty amazing. Today I started strong on week 3 of P90X and I am feeling good. Yesterday I chose a walk for Jackson and I rather than playing with the same old things inside. The night before last, even after an intense workout, I was playing basketball and running in the streets a little with the bigger kids after dark. (If this was my typical energy level it wouldn't be worth mentioning. This is positive change!)
Being outside is so rejuvenating for me and I look forward to a lot of warm days where we can soak up more experiences like these.
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| "Mommy up, please!" Even little boys run out of energy sometimes. |
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