Sentimental at Six??

Last night Lexi had nightmares, so I ended up sleeping in the kids room with them. In the morning, Lexi wanted me to sing her a song. I sang a few songs, and then I sang the kids favorite song "You are my Sunshine". As I was singing JR stared at me with the sweetest happy eyes I have ever seen. When I finished the song, JR was wiping tears from his eyes. I asked him why he was crying, and with his voice cracking he said it was because he loved that song so much. I asked if it was happy or sad tears, and he said they were happy tears. I was so moved by how sentimental and tender he is. Often in the car he asks to hear "Brian's Song" which he refers to as "the song from when I was in your tummy". He truly is my sunshine, and often lights up my world with his tender loving heart.

Pools and Potties

JR and Lexi have been BEGGING to stay after their swimming lessons to swim during open plunge, so I promised them that we would do it after their lesson on Tuesday. So I got mixed up on their lesson time (of course) and we were there one hour early. They played at the park next to the pool, and then we went in to get a popsicle from the pool's concession stand. At the concession stand there was two pictures posted. One was of the pool, and the other was of a toilet. JR asked why the pictures were there, and I explained that the sign said. "The pool is NOT a toilet!", and how people should never go potty in the pool. JR was disgusted that anyone would even think to "go" in the pool.
After their swimming lesson, I reluctantly kept my promise, and got into the pool with the kids. Twenty minutes into swimming the lifeguard blew the "get out of the pool" whistle. We got out, and I saw them fishing something out. I asked the lifeguard if that was what I thought it was, and it was. They were going to close the pool for about twenty minutes, but I was too grossed out to stay. I told the kids that someone pooped in the pool and we were leaving. JR kept asking, "Why would someone poop in the pool!? Why would someone poop in the pool!?". I kept telling him that I didn't know, and we needed to leave! About five minutes into our drive home JR said, "I think I know what happened. Someone read the sign backwards, and thought that it said that the pool IS a toilet!!". Leave it t o JR to solve the mystery of the pool pooper!!

Moments Connecting

Yesterday was JR's first day of summer vacation. What a great day he had! He had his best friend Jasmine over, and they got creative! They made a water slide with the hose on our slide. How cute and innocent they were playing in the sun. I made then some special Mexican hot chocolate to warm them up, and they sat on the deck sipping the cocoa like a king and a queen!
I love watching the neighborhood children grow up with my kids. I feel like they are my extended children. With dishes in the sink, mail piling up, and toys decorating every corner, my job seems clear so much of the time - Connecting with the kids and sharing those moments of engagement playing with them. When I listen to what children have to say, it reminds me of how magical it is to be a child, and a little bit of their sparkle rubs off onto me. It is clear that connecting with them is a top priority. The dishes will still be there later...but these precious moments pass quickly. It is always good to reflect on them, and push pause on everything else to embrace the opportunities that these moments bring.