In honor of Mother's Day, I
contemplated what to write about. It came to me as I thought of myself
jumping around, clapping and cheering in the family restroom at Kohl's on
Monday. It's the little victories that lead to such things as pee parties, which
matter most. Max and I had walked over to Kohl's while we were waiting
for our tire to get fixed at Les Schwab. I had to use the restroom and decided
on going family style so I didn't have to worry about Max crawling under the
stall door and escaping. Oh happy day, sure they had the regular
run-of-the-mill toilet, but they also had a very attractive toddler toilet that
gained Max's utmost attention. He hadn't peed on the toilet for me yet,
but with his growing excitement for this mini-commode, I thought I'd try.
So I put on a seat cover (of course) and he sat down and peed! I
whooped and hollered in a most animated fashion, which made him excited!
Moments later, just before I was able to get him back in his diaper and
clothes; the guy called to tell me our car was ready. While I was talking
to him, Max sat back down and peed more. I quickly hung up and started
the party all over again! This was a big moment after all. (Max did
get to pick out a prize afterward; the toys were right outside the bathroom and
made it too easy. Although it must be noted, I didn't promise him any
such reward prior, he had honestly chosen to pee on his own accord!)
These pee parties and the like are the best part of
being a mommy. They get us through the trials and tribulations of
mother-hood. With this trend of the great roller coaster in mind, I was
able to help Sage the other day after her soccer game. It was the first
of the outdoor season and Sage had made not one, not two, but three goals!
She was the only one to score and helped her team win their game.
However, instead of being happy, she was in her "sage mode" and
worried her teammates would view her as a ball hog. I looked at her and told
her no, she wasn't a ball hog, just in the right place at the right time.
Going further, I reminded her about the team that she and Saxton were on
last spring that didn't win a game, often didn't even have a full 9 person team
and were held to just a couple of goals the whole season. I reminded her
that even in such tough conditions, they didn't give up and went to every game
and played their hearts out. As a mom I cheered them on with pride, not
because they won or lost, but because of how they played the game. I told
Sage that she deserved those three goals; she earned them by not giving up when
things were at there worst. I told her to celebrate, after all they might
be the only ones she makes all season and wouldn't it be a shame if she didn't
enjoy it. She smiled and agreed. Sage went on to score again this
last Saturday and then cheered as two of her teammates scored in a play they
had went over in practice. Her team won again, but I don't think that
mattered as much as the lessons she was learning.
With this same concept in mind, Savannah made me
proud this spring by going out for track. However one day, she was
unnecessarily tough on herself about how she was performing. I reminded
her of her PRs (personal records) but that more importantly, she was doing
something healthy and constructive with her time. Instead of hanging out
after school possibly getting in trouble or making bad choices, she was
choosing instead to get in shape and be part of a team. I was proud of
her for that more than anything. Good for you Savannah, good for you!
These Mommy moments come in all kinds of ways.
Yesterday I was getting the kids ready to take them to school and I asked
Brayden where Saxton was. He told me she was in the car already, never
mind it was only 7:54 and we didn't need to leave for at least ten or fifteen
minutes. I laughed with my husband about it later. It's kind of a
joke around the house concerning the fact that she is a drill Sergeant when it
comes to leaving for school. However we will take it, it's much better
than the alternative of being late because she doesn't want to go. I am
very proud of the student she has become and how important school is to her.
That's my girl, a nerd like her mom. So no matter if it is Sergeant
Saxton, or other little victories like watching Brayden choose to play cars
with his little brother, or Sam getting excited about building villages
in X-box Minecraft (versus more violent
games), give me reasons to get excited.
So yes, I celebrated my "Mother's Day
Weekend" with a wonderful date night on Saturday and a Sunday in Seattle,
walking through Pike Place Market, bike riding on Alki Beach and feeling all
the love from my little’s. And true, come Monday, the laundry, dishes,
cleaning and driving were back. But that's all okay, because I also was also
able to enjoy a Pee Party and that makes it all worthwhile.
Happy Mother's Day (a few days late in fully mommy fashion) to all my fellow mommas out
there! Love you!
Most importantly, thank you to my little’s who give me the title of mom, I love all of you
to the moon and stars and back!
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