I have to remind them to take their shoes off in the laundry room so that they’ll know just where to find them when next they walk out the door.
I never have to remind them to take those shoes off and enjoy themselves when our paths cross a sandy beach, or a muddy puddle, or cool dewey grass. This they remember as sure as they remember to breathe.
They’re good boys, thoughtful, but still I have to sometimes remind them to say please and thank you.
I never have to remind them to say, “I love you.” This rolls off their tongues freely and often, without reservation.
We have the same talk, each night when I remind them of those horrid detestable words, “bedtime” and “brush your teeth”. I tell them that yes, I KNOW that it stinks, that’s it’s just plain unfair, that people have to sleep each day (!!!) but that light will come again, sure as certain, and all their adventures will be just where they left them.
I don’t have ask them to remember to wake up though. They hit the ground running each morning and embrace every new day wholeheartedly. They will not waste one minute of this day. Each second will be squeezed dry.
>
I have to remind them to turn their bedroom lights off when they leave the room. They get the standard speech about how money doesn’t grow on trees and the rising cost of electricity. Blah blah blah.
But I’ve never once had to remind them that the sun shines through the skylight at about the same time each day, and it makes the most lovely place to quietly be.
I suppose you could call it selective memory – but if it is, I think the stuff that they choose to remember is pretty great.
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Ride on over to the Ranch for a new post today.
XX
{ 31 comments }
What a wonderful post to wake up to this morning Stef…my arms are open to that light this morning.
Much love friend!
This is a lovely post. The photos are beautiful.
ahhhhhhh.
Beautiful words and beautiful pictures. I guess boys are the same all over the world
Boys are so wonderful- cuddly and lovey and always up for some fun. What a sweet post!
sweet. what a good life.
I really enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I agree. I think that they have very good choices of inspiration. I wonder what my son will be likes when he is older.
I will be honest. Some mornings I wish the children didn’t hit the ground running quite so eagerly. Or quite so early. As much as I love their whole-hearted enthusiasm, I would appreciate some extra rest, too.
sweetness! that ‘quiet spot’ looks awfully inviting. I think I’d be found there too.
Oh hon, you and me BOTH!
I am a night owl and hence NOT a morning person.
So much of this post was a reminder to ME that while I get kind of annoyed with the early rising and the forgetfulness, they get just as annoyed with all my silly adultness
I wonder when that line is crossed… when we go from hating bedtime to looking so forward to it?
oh i love this…..beautiful post!
Your blog is such a bright spot in my day. Thank you! And I LOVE the quilt in the one pic. Beautiful!!
You have this incredible talent with making me love being a mom and making me get a little goosebumpy and teary with everyday life. Thank you!!xo
~dee
What a beautiful account, friend. Thanks for the lovely words starting my day…
Thanks for the reminder that our children do bring SO MUCH JOY! Also, I love that quilt, did you make it? It’s beautiful.
Thank you!
No, I didn’t make it, my great grandmother made it, and my grandmother gave it to me for my birthday. I wrap up in when I need to be a little closer to them
Thanks for the balance within this post. My boy is also an earlier riser. While I wish that he would sleep later, I am so grateful for his standard methods of coaxing me out of bed. These tactics involve snuggling, singing, talking, pretending that the bed is the ocean and we are whales, and all of the other fun things that take place while I’m trying to earn just a few more minutes of sleep!
Clippity Clop. Clippity Clop. Heading over there right now.
Such a beautiful post, btw. Thanks!
Your boys and my boy must be cut from the same cloth (especially the one with the Legos).
What book is he reading in that picture?
You are so great, yes children can be tricky, especially with that selective memory : )
Beautiful reminder – their energy and passion come so naturally…
Jamie
as my little one says every morning, even when its cloudy, “sun up, time to play”.
if only i were that excited at 7 am.
beautiful. beautiful photos.
Well that’s just too sweet!
I have ONE that will snuggle and whisper to himself and just lay next to me until I’m lucid. The other two… no deal. They’re up and ready to go and by golly I’d better get that way to and fast!
Thankfully they are pretty good at making toast for themselves !
Oh! It’s one of my highly treasured Gyo Fujikawa books, “Oh What a Busy Day”
I’m crazy about her illustrations – so much so that HER books stay up high and only come down when Mama is near, hands are cleaned and the interested party is seated! There’s not too much in this house that my boys can’t manhandle at will… but these books are among the very few “proceed with caution” treasures.
Love the reminder that the best stuff is what naturally rises to the surface, like the foam off of fresh milk. Thanks…
http://www.bonbonliving.com
sweetest living for your family
Again, lady, your words are absolutely perfect.
Very poetic. I love the reminder of the flip side of their forgetfulness. Children really are such a deep and amazing reminder of what is truly important in life – living.
thanks for the light YOU shed on how beautiful it is to raise boys…lovely post.
I have to remind mine to greet elders with respect and say “Yes Ma’am” and “No Ma’am” and “Yes Sir” and “Thank You Sir”.
I NEVER have to remind them to run out the door with arms in the air screaming IZZY! POPPA KEN! and grabbing my parents in full embrace every single time they come over.
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Beautiful post.
And?
We are finally moved in. Kind of. Enough where I can breathe anyway.
What an interesting way to view your kiddos. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.
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