On motherhood

Today was a great day, start to finish. I find that the best days end with happy toddlers -- no bedtime meltdowns, hysteria, crazy running around while I'm trying to brush teeth, and so on. Nights like tonight, we happily head upstairs (I've discovered the secret -- setting the microwave timer loudly after the first "it's almost bedtime!" announcement, for 5 more minutes. When the timer goes off, Julianne pronounces that it is, in fact, Bedtime. And up they go after a "On your mark, get set...go!" from me.).

Of course, we had our share of crying, impatience and restlessness the rest of the day, but who wants to focus on that? The day ended well and that's good enough for me. The rest of the day included returning ill-fitting childrenswear at Kohl's and experiencing terrible customer service (never shopping there again, thankyouverymuch--certainly not with kids in tow), meeting one of my favorite customers to deliver her custom jewels, running into HomeGoods to look for a fall wreath and shopping at Target where I was talked into a Sleeping Beauty DVD and a Thomas the Tank Cascading Waterfall toy. I'm a sucker, I admit. I love toys! But all this in 2 hrs. It was a lot, even for me. And I'm 32. The kids were good sports.

But the highlights of the day were things my children did and said. I hoisted Tommy out of the tub and wrapped him up in a towel, holding it around his chubby face. He said, "Wook, Mommy. Wittle old man!!" and I laughed and covered his face in kisses.

Fast forward one hour. The kids cleaned up the den (okay, Julianne cleaned up the den) and was so proud of her work. I gave them reward stickers and they were so happy! The littlest things, it's wonderful.

And lastly, while I was rocking Julianne in my comfy big upholstered rocking chair (which these days is more Julianne laying across my lap asking me to scratch her back), she proclaimed, "This is the life." I laughed so hard! Of all the things to say! She laughed hard right back. I asked her where she heard that before, and she told me, "Max and Ruby". She said, "Ruby says, 'This is the life!' and then Louise says, 'It sure is!'". Talk about retention. This child does not miss a trick. Proof that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.