Spending quality time with each of our kids individually is always on our “to do” list but it is not something to check off and call it done. We strive to make it a part of life. As our lives are becoming busier, I am finding that a few minutes of individual quality time can be as rewarding, even more so, than planning a day filled of activities and hoopla. I often miss out on those opportunities because I am always going full speed ahead. As a list maker, I spend each day working to check each and every item off of that list, often failing to pause and just breathe and enjoy the day.
On my list today, I needed to pick up my packet for Pat’s run and go to the Harkins Movie Theater at Tempe Market Place to purchase Summer movie tickets. On schedule at 8:40 a.m. the baby and I jumped in the car and headed out to our destination.
Of course I am a wee bit challenged with directions, so we were in for an adventure from the get go. A few wrong turns and a u-turn later, we arrived at packet pick up. I get out of the car, grab the baby and start walking at my usual quick pace towards the tents. As I’m walking the baby starts saying, “The mountain. Look mommy the mountain.” She continued to go on and on about how “cool” and “big” the mountain was. I paused, for the first time in a long time, I paused. I looked at the mountain and could see the same awe that caught the eye of my toddler. After getting the packets, we took one more glance at the mountain and headed to our next destination.
A short drive down the road, we arrived at Tempe Marketplace. At the babies request, I put her in the stroller and we went straight to the Harkins. It took all of five minutes to get to the window and purchase the tickets. As I was swiftly walking back to the car to head home, I looked up and saw a handful of people just sitting around. They looked so relaxed, stress-free, and content. It was then when I realized the weather was gorgeous, making for a beautiful day. I took the stroller back to the car and told the baby we were going for a walk. We walked from the Harkins down to the Barnes and Noble. Obviously, being so early all the stores in between were closed. It was a perfect time to let my rambunctious two-year old walk free down the cobblestone walkway. She had a blast alternating the speed of her pace, from slow as a turtle to quick as a cheetah. She pointed out the flowers, the birds, and giggled at the water features. All things that go unnoticed in my quick get in and get out world.
We made our way into the Barnes and Noble and straight to the Starbucks we went. A grande coffee for mommy and a coffee cake for us to share. We sat in the café and at a leisurely pace, enjoyed our treat. I watched as her eyes lit up, in delight, with each and every scrumptious bite. We devoured every single crumb and then headed over to the kids books. I just watched with delight as she ooh and awed over all the books. She finally decided on an Elmo book for me to read. All on her own she choose, Elmo’s Take me Out to the Ball Game. Yes, that would be my girl. I read the book to her and found joy in the silly songs Elmo’s Dad sang to the tune of Take Me Out to The Ball Game and ending with “real” version. I even managed to throw in some love and logic parenting when she refused to put the book away. As I got down on my knees to be at her level, I looked her in the eyes and said, “Kailey, either you put the book away or mommy will put it away for you.” I started to count, “1, 2” and as soon as my mouth started to form the word three, she ran. Oh, well so much for that perfect parenting moment. After I caught her, I implemented parenting plan B: distraction. “Look Kailey, It’s Olivia.” I said, pointing to a stuff animal. She gave up the book and held Olivia. “Okay sweetheart, give her a hug goodbye,” I quickly instructed and we were on our way back.
We walked back down our same path towards the Harkins. Again, she marveled in all of the creation around us. Things that day after day I take for granted or don’t even notice. Our walk back was filled with, “Look mommies.” (Flowers, mommy birdies, clouds, color, cool air, people, water, bricks, trees) I kept her pace and even welcomed her adventurous detours. It was a great departure from me normally strapping her in a stroller or pulling her by the hand, eventually just picking her up in frustration of her pace, in order to get from point A to point B as quick as possible.
Today was a true blessing. I am privileged to be a stay at home mom and therefore everyday it is just the baby and me together during school hours. Far to often however, I put her on the back burner to accomplish my day to day task or our time together is contrived. Everyday I tell my kids, “shine like stars in the universe.” Not only did I get the pleasure of seeing my baby shine, I watched her sparkle with delight. Today is a day for the memory books and it wasn’t even on my “to do” list. Does this mean I will chuck my list? Nah. This just means that I will add, seeing the world like a two-year old baby girl to it. So I ask you, when was the last time you paused?
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