Friday, February 27, 2009

The. Best day ever.

I don't remember how and when it started. But every night during our prayers the kids, always unaided, say "... and thank you God for the best day ever."

Tonight it caught me off guard.

Really? Was today the best day ever? I thought to myself as I walked down the stairs exhausted, after tucking them in. It was a completely average day if not a day with underlying tones of boredom. The kids went to school. I went to Target for toilet paper and found some girls spring dresses, flushable toddler wipes, and mini ice cream sandwiches . They came home. We went for a walk. Drank hot coco through summer straws. Had dinner composed reinvented of left-overs. Ate our dessert on the couch and watched Aladdin. "Jasmine said stoooopid, Mama! She did. She isn't a real princess, right?" Lola asked. I bathed them. We washed the dog in the left-over tub water. Read three books. And that was their waking day.

".... and thank you for the best day ever."


It was just another lesson that my children taught me. It was the best day ever.

Jay noticed that the pussywillow trees in our front yard were showing signs of spring. The snow had melted and the first 1/4 inches of brilliant greens were poking through the saturated earth, in which Lola remembered that's where we planted our daffodil buds. The geese were waddling across a half frozen pond and clumsily fell in the water that made Fifi scream with laughter. My Hunter rainboots stepped in a pile of mushy geese waste that made all three children chuckle. Jay and Lola built a dam out of rocks and sticks to stop the melting snow from trickling into the sewer drain while Fifi held onto my finger as she balanced on top of the snow mound.

It was an average day if not a day with underlying tones of boredom that I am so thankful for. It was the best day ever.

53classy comments:

Heather said...

its the simpliest things that make the best days.

awesome photo!

Ash said...

We watched Aladdin tonight too. Katherine wanted to know why Jasmine has a tiger and Cinderella doesn't...

Sounds like you all had a great day.

Grace said...

A really lovely post! Our days are what we make of it. Sounds like yours was actually a pretty great one!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Thank God for kids, or we'd miss some of those best days!

the mama bird diaries said...

I really love this post. This is why children are so amazing (you know, when they aren't making us crazy). Because they constantly remind us that every day given to us is a gift and it truly is the best day ever.

Kellan said...

Kids teach lots of useful lessons - living life to the fullest is their greatest gift of all.

This was a really sweet post, P.

Take care - Kellan

AreWeThereYet? said...

Sounds like a perfect day to me. Glad the roses smelled so sweet!
xoxo

Kari said...

I just love how our kids teach us what the.best.day.ever. is really all about.

That was beautiful.

the planet of janet said...

sounds like the best day ever to me ...

Jeni said...

Just puts a slightly different spin on the old adage "Beauty if in the eye of the beholder" maybe?

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

It sounds like a wonderful day to me! I love that picture.

Ed (zoesdad) said...

ANY day with kids being kids is a pretty good day in my book.

Do your kids know the Sponge Bob song, "Best Day Ever?" It's a catchy toe tapper ala 70's Partridge Family style.

Lisa (the girls' moma) said...

What a great post. I can identify with it!

And no, princesses don't say stupid. Ha!

Scary Mommy said...

Loved this post!!! You have some mighty smart kids. :)

Indy said...

Love it. Thank goodness kids remind us sometimes how lucky we are. Best day ever.

Anonymous said...

Slowing down long enough to get to what is truly at the meat of a day is something only kids seem to be able to do.

Great post.

Kelly said...

Kids definitely make us see the little things that we take for granted. How awesome that they appreciate every day so much.

designHER Momma said...

sometimes we need to hear it from our kids to realize just how awesome we have it.

Unknown said...

It's nice to have a day free of challenge and drama - once in a while. That's sweet. Now if I could just persuade the Goddess that it MY TURN!!!

Lisa said...

every day life with these little ones is really wonderful & special. thanks for the reminder!

Jessica said...

Just a reminder that the expectations of our children are really quite "attainable!" Sometimes I try and create these barum and bailey days...when good old "average" is really great too!

Becca said...

I just love how the simplest things mean so much to children. That is such a pretty picture!

tiarastantrums said...

cute post- the weather still stinks around here!!

Christine said...

What a great lesson! Last night my seven year old, in her prayer, said, "Please help us to all sleep in our beds, and not sleep in Mommy's bed." I love their un-aided prayers.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Sounds like the best day ever to me...we'll have to start adding that to our prayers. It will help give me some perspective.

Courtney said...

Taylor always thanks God for the best day ever too. Then she prays that tomorrow will be another best day. I've never thought about it much like you did, but now I'm wondering?

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

I should strive to look at each day that way! Because my your day of boredom sounds way better than mine!

I am P said...

Ah, the innocence of childhood. Refreshing, isn't it?

MommyTime said...

This is a lovely post. When my children express those sentiments, it always makes me delighted. Sounds like a perfect day. (And I know exactly what you mean about the undertones of boredom...)

The Daily Stroll said...

Great post! Sounds like you had a fabulous day!

Those little activities do make for the best days! Jonah always says "Thank you for playing with me today" after we've spent the day running around the house playing dragon or tickle monster!

Kat said...

Ahhhh. Perspective. I love it. :)

Unknown said...

Drinking hot cocoa through summer straws, going to Target, and watching Aladdin? That in and of itself does sound like the best day ever to me. Your kids definitely got it right :)

Kelly said...

Beautiful! I do not understand why children's shows/movies need to use the word stupid!!! Spongebob says stupid. Hello??? Bad word!

Mom said...

I love looking at life through the eyes of a child and it looks like yours have a good view!

Blessings From Above said...

Great lesson! It is wonderful to see things through the eyes of children.

Ashley said...

Such a great way to look at things (and I love the photo too!)

Lynette3boys said...

I have to agree whole heartedly. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is priceless and humbling.

And on a side note, which is really strange, I too gave our dog a bath yesterday using the kids left over bath water. How funny! I'm sure my dog wasn't thinking it was the best day ever.

Amy said...

Kids are smarter than us.

Peter Pan - he knew the deal.

Ellyn said...

I absolutely love reflecting on our days with my kiddos too. It makes you look at the day in a whole different light. Through the eyes of a child.

Sound like you guys had a wonderful day. May tomorrow be as boring and wonderful for you.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Love that you recorded all of that. That is the stuff we will treasure in 20 years...

Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...

Ok, I know this doesn't go with the lovely, poetic post you just wrote but the title of your post reminded me of Spongebob's "It's the best day ever" song. Which is just as annoying as the character who sings it and yet, once you hear it you'll keep thinking of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Ea7C5LOsw

Tyne said...

How precious!

When I picked Avery up from school the other day, I asked her how her day was. She replied, "Great mom, it was really great." I then asked her what she did and her whole tone changed to teenager, she rolled her eyes and said, "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!" Left me bewildered.

Stephanie said...

What a beautiful post! And I LOVE pictures like that. Gorgeous. You're such a great mommy!

BusyDad said...

If you can end the day smiling, you've done it right! That's how I look at it. And also if you've stepped in poop. Poop is damn funny.

Kari said...

Sounds like a pretty awesome day to me!! I love days like that, when nothing spectacular happens, but it is always those days that mean the most.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

The simplest things appease our children......and make everyday special!!

Beautiful post and I LOVE that picture....perfect composition:)

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

Unknown said...

That Jasmine, what's her deal saying "stupid?!"

Sounds like a wonderfully extraodinary day! ; )

Maggie May said...

What a truly sweet post.

Rhea said...

What a lovely post! I love the things we learn and re-learn from our children.

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful! Thanks too!

Jo Ashline said...

Totally relate. The kids have an amazing way of reminding us that each day with our families IS THE BEST DAY EVER.

buzki

Amy said...

Those days really are the best ever! I love the little things, keeps life in perspective.

CC said...

I LUV that they think every day is the best day ever. Especially when it is. ;)

 

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