We're All Gonna Die!

Breakfast--kid style!

My 5-year-old daughter loves to ask questions…the more complicated and/or outlandish, the better. This morning was no exception. As I was sitting eating my breakfast, I was working at my desk. Since I had gotten distracted, my kids were already finished with their food, so I thought I’d multitask and be even more productive.

With some whirls, twirls, and leg kicks, my little princess came dancing into the room. She stopped at the corner of my desk, blinked her big brown eyes, and asked another one of her thought-provoking questions: “Mommy, which is more important--eating, sleeping, or drinking? I want to be healthy, so I wanna know.”

Not sure exactly what to say, I told her, “Well, they are ALL important.”

Looking puzzled, she asked, “What will happen if you don’t eat?”

“If you don’t eat enough food, eventually you’ll die.”

Becoming even more puzzled, she asked further, “Okay, what if you don’t sleep?”

“Once again, eventually you would die.”

“And water? What if you don’t drink enough water?”

“You’ll die.”

She thought this over for a second and then skipped out of the room to her big brother. All nonchalant and cheery, she exclaimed, “Guess what? Mommy said that we’re all gonna die! Let’s go get a snack and a drink…and maybe a nap.”

Somehow this is NOT what I was expecting her to take from this conversation at all!

Saying Goodbye to Winter

Winter seems mostly behind us (knock on wood!).  The snow is all melted from our yard today, and as I was taking our family dog for a walk this afternoon, lots of birds were chirping and singing in the drizzling rain. With the air getting sweeter and the sun shining brighter by the day, I can’t help but impatiently await spring’s arrival.

But as this winter comes to a close, I can’t help but feel a little melancholy. Winter, after all, holds its own special memories of days spent with my kids. Races through the snow, snowball fights, sledding, snowmen, snow angels, and then hot chocolate afterwards to warm us again from head to toe…I just adore moments like these!

I taught my 5-year-old daughter how to make a proper snowball this year--only to have her fling that same snowball right into the side of my face. My 7-year-old son finally grew brave enough this winter to sled on his own. And since we moved into our new home, we got to explore the backyard together, trying to find the perfect spots for sledding. I ended up cracking a sled and getting stuck under a bush. Yes, this winter was full of fun and amazing surprises, and in a way, I wish it didn’t have to end.

As my family and I prepare for spring, I know our winter memories will remain close to our hearts long after the last snowflake melts. And I know we’ll be giggling for years to come about how Mommy tried to make a sled path and managed to get eaten by a bush (as my kids’ call it). All things must come to an end, no matter how wonderful they are. However, I hope we have just as many memorable moments this spring…and during the many more seasons to come!

When My Kids Get Sick

I absolutely hate being sick, but what I hate more is my kids getting sick. Luckily, my son and daughter haven’t inherited my poor immune system. I remember how miserable I was as a child during periods when I was sick more often than well. Still, I wish my kids never got sick. It breaks my heart every time!

This week both of my children came down with a cold. I have a touch of it, but I’m mainly miserable because I can see how bad they feel. No, it’s nothing serious, just your normal annoying cold. But what I wouldn’t give to take their sickness away right now.

Their little runny noses, nasally voices, and coughs bring out the mother hen in me. Lots of fluids, even more rest, and homemade chicken noodle soup—that’s what Mommy prescribes. They get a little grumpy at me with my smothering mothering sometimes. I guess I can over do it now and then. But hopefully one day they will see that I’m only pushy and obnoxious because I care and worry.

It is times like this that remind me of just how much my children mean to me. And then I am reminded that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if anything ever happened to them. Most of the time, I’m a laidback mom. I don’t usually get too paranoid, although there are certain rules my kids are NEVER allowed to break (i.e., helmets must be worn with bikes).

Still, I know there is a protective side of me that would go berserk if anyone or anything threatened my kids. They really are my world. They are a big part of my existence. I realize now that I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I never had them. They bring out all the best things in me and make me constantly desire to be better. There really isn’t anything I would do to protect and provide for my son and daughter.

Leprechauns Among Us

Our leprechaun trap

This week, for a class project, my 7-year-old son was asked to build a leprechaun trap. His teacher shared a website with many trap ideas. My son chose one of the designs and decided to modify it to make it his own.

Since then, my children have been debating whether or not leprechauns exist and have been searching for evidence of their existence all over our home. Watching their curiosity and listening to their cute leprechaun discussions inspired me to write the following poem:

Look under the table,
And check under your chair--
A creature of fable
Could be lurking somewhere!

The windows are shut tight,
And all the doors are fast,
But during this March night,
Magic may come at last.

Hide all glittery things,
Especially the gold,
Before the gleaming brings
Leprechauns to behold

And steal it all away
To hide at rainbow’s end
For their joy night or day,
Brightened by colors’ bend

But for you brave of heart
And curious of mind--
Using science and art;
A trap nicely designed--

Could lure a leprechaun
And capture him tonight…
And St. Patrick’s Day dawn
Could promise treasure bright,

Yes, leprechauns, once caught,
Will give up their whole hoard
In their overflowing pot
If their freedom’s restored!



Will you and your family be brave enough and try to catch a leprechaun this year?  Happy St. Patrick's Day from my family to yours!