Bring it 2012!!
What a wonderful holiday we had. We filled each day with as much fun and games as we possibly could. Trips to Disneyland~
Where we watched holiday parades, listened to Christmas Carols being sung in harmony by a barber shop quartet and checking out Santa’s Reindeer.
We also saw a few good flicks at the movies and went bowling….
At home we played games and went out for many delicious dinners.
I think I can safely say the highlight was spending New Years Eve cheering on the Lakers for a win until we were hoarse.
When we weren’t filling our time together with fun and games, well, we were lounging around in our pjs all day doing nothing. That’s right, nothing!
And it felt good. I needed a vacation, just like the kids, so we took it!
After so many nights up late watching TV, talking and laughing with my honey, and morning after morning of sleeping in like teenagers, I was pretty worried that when my alarm clock went off at 6:02 last Tuesday morning, I’d struggle to get up and get going. Surprisingly, no. I jumped out of bed and hit the snooze button. However, this time I didn’t attempt to catch any additional z’s. Instead, I laid there and looked around my room, starred at the clock, eager to get going. Excited to get my home in order for the new year. Excited to get the kids back on a schedule. Excited to plan my meals for the coming weeks. Excited about what this year holds.
I’m a realist. I know 2012 won’t be 100% perfect. I know it’ll have it’s highs and lows. But, more than ever, during our winter vacation I did a whole lot of reflecting. I thought a lot about 2011. What was and wasn’t accomplished. And what I really want for this coming year. Many of my goals for 2012 are focused on my children and my home.
One thing I’m realizing more and more is just how quickly my children are growing. The older I get, the faster time seems to go. It seems like yesterday that it was just Eric and me going to our MOMS Club playgroup in Boston. Taking naps together every afternoon. I have such fond memories of pushing him around our neighborhood on his tricycle and walking to Dunkin Donuts for an afternoon treat. This year he’ll be a teenager. He’s beginning to get excited about the fact that in 3 short years he’ll be driving. To that I say, “NO! NO! NO!” That’s just not possible. He can’t get that big yet. I’m not ready. I look at Katie and she’ll be nine this year. NINE! Not too many more years of stuffed animals, dolls, Littlest Pet Shop, and Imaginative play {which she does so well}. Before I know it, she too will be a teenager. And those toys she asks for, for Christmas and birthdays will be a thing of the past. And Megan. My sweet Megan. She’ll be 10 in a few short weeks. However, I hope she plays with her Barbies until she’s at least 20. And wants to go to Disneyland forever with me. I’m perfectly okay with that. Seriously. I really just need time to slow down for a bit. Please! Pretty PLEASE!!
My children are getting bigger daily. And although it’s sometimes sad for a mother to watch her babies grow so fast from infants into toddlers, toddlers into children and from children into teenagers, it’s truly thrilling to stand back and observe them learning new things and maturing into who they are today.
However, lately the fact that they are truly growing bigger over night is emphasized each time I go out to buy yet another pair of pants to accommodate their long legs or a new pair of shoes for their fabulously long feet.
Plus, I’m reminded of it each time they complain of growing pains. They ARE growing. Nothing is going to stop that. One day they will graduate from high school, leave home and head for college. Until then, I’m going to cherish every moment I have to give them. Regardless of how old they are, I will continue to read to them at night before we turn out the light and say our goodnights with hugs, kisses and I Love You’s.
This year I’m going to give them the most valuable thing I have to give, my time. Even if it means dinner gets on the table late or laundry gets done long after they’ve gone to bed. When they do fly the coup, and I’m an empty nester, I don’t ever want to look back on these precious years and think, “Man, I wished I’d spent more time with my kids.” There will be no regrets whatsoever!
As a mother to three amazing children, I will do whatever I can to make ordinary days and moments special. Like our New Year’s Family dinner….
As I’ve said before here, it’s the mini moments that count the most. I hope to fill 2012 with countless.
I love making various days of the week extraordinary….
Tuesdays are special because I have the fortune of taking my preteen son out to lunch after I pick him up from school.
It’s something I did spontaneously with him a couple months ago. Since then, he asks to do it every week. I can’t say no to that. It’s a mother’s dream. While we were living in Boston, and Eric was just a little tyke, we’d go to Panera on Fridays and eat lunch by the cozy fire. Once while we were enjoying our bagels and soup, I saw a mother having lunch with her adult son. I remember telling Eric, “I hope that when you are older you will continue to go to lunch with me.”
Ten years later, he still enjoys it. And I do too, more than you know. This last lunch date he and I talked about some very deep subjects. Topics that are close to my heart. Let me just say, that my son has a BIG heart, is incredibly sensitive, and cares deeply about other people~complete strangers. I watched his eyes fill with tears as he shared a story with me about a little boy who died of cancer. And how the Make a Wish Foundation made his wish come true of being a fireman for a day. These conversations are priceless. I’m thankful my preteen son is willing to talk to his mom and open up about life.
I think I can safely say, Fridays are a favorite, too. There’s Icee Fridays where we head to the gas station after school and get…that’s right….Icee’s.
It’s our way of recognizing our children’s hard work all week at school and celebrating the start to a great weekend.
Then when Friday evenings roll around, we settle right into what we call, Friday Family Fun Night. It’s the night of the week which we’ve reserved to share together as a family . We go out to dinner or get take-out. Head to the movies or cuddle on the couch and watch our favorite shows. Whatever it is we choose to do, we savor our time with one another.
2012 we will have quality time as a family doing the things we love and enjoy. At home. On vacations. And exploring the world. Together.
There is simply nothing more important to me.
Bring it 2012. Bring amazing accomplishments. Bring good times we’ll cherish for years to come. I’m more than ready!
