So after my son got out of school I took them home, got them a good lunch, and packed up our gear. It's no easy task to find all the snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and warm socks for everyone but we managed it. I honestly thought my son was going to fall asleep during the process but 40 minutes later we were in the minivan going to what I hoped would be a decent sledding hill. As we pulled up to the parkway I could see we were the only people there. I was worried that the hill would be too small or the snow would be worn off already from kids sledding earlier. To my pleasant surprise the conditions were perfect.
When I approached the hill with them I thought about those roller coasters that when you reach the top, you can't see the track. As we got closer to the hill I could see the bottom but not how steep the first part of the hill was. With two kids on the younger side I didn't want to have any broken bones or lost teeth. However, the kids were both keen on going down (they have no fear).
I had no idea how this was all going to work. Would they want me to go with them? Would I have to carry two kids back up this giant hill? Where was the chair lift?! How was I going to carry two kids and two sleds? I didn't bring any rope for this kind of work! I wore my snow pants and was prepared so that at least I wouldn't freeze while I stood there watching them have fun. Well today I was in luck, my three year old got to the bottom of the hill but could not carry her sled and walk. So I took our third sled and flew to the bottom to meet them. What a thrill! Not the kind of corkscrew roller coaster kind of thrill or even the great sex kind, but the thrill of feeling like a kid again. This was the thrill I get from feeling the chilly wind on my face and watching the smiles on the kids' faces as I came to play with them.
Most days that's all my kids want- someone to play with them. Even though they play with each other and love to create and play pretend, sometimes they want a parent or adult to come join in the fun. Tonight my daughter asked me to play on the tablet with her. They just want to be near me. This is a lesson I have to remember as I'm busy making dinner, cleaning the house, or signing them up for lessons and activities. Sometimes it is alright to stop cleaning, put down the vacuum, grab a sword, and pretend to be pirates. My kids won't remember how clean our house was or how I spent hours slaving away making dinner. What they will remember are the times we had fun playing and spending time together.
When I think about my own childhood, I remember family road trips and vacations, nature walks, blanket forts, and trips to the farm. On days when I get the most stressed out I'm learning to stop and get my mind to think like a 5 year old. What do my kids really want and need at this time? What will they remember? What do I want them to remember? They want me to be with them, to sit and watch a movie, to make cookies, to play a game, or read a book. I want them to remember having fun with their mom. There will be time for everything else, but we only have today one time. I have to make the most of it. 