less is more

I 've heard this quote before I read it again today & I love the little reminder.

“The biggest mistake I made as a mother is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

-Author Anna Quindlen

Today happened to be a pretty good day. I didn't capture too many moments on my camera (which if you know me I do love to do). But together the 2 of us created many unforgettable memories in my mind. First I did go to my 5th ultrasound & STILL don't know what we are having (by our own choice). Sadie played over at the Hudson's. We went to Toys R Us & it totally reminded me of New York where we would spend a good portion of the afternoon in the toy stores there & never once would she want one of the toys, so I think that has stuck she seriously did not ask for any toys just looked and played with them. We were there to get a toy but that is a whole other story I can't even talk about yet. We stopped at the playground where she had so much fun. She played with some of the other kids, & just kept herself busy. Before supper she totally invited me into her little pretend world, it was so fun to see her little imagination go. Pulling out cushions, rowing her boat, saving parrots and turtles, yes it was good times. Had a bath where again a whole other world of play opens up. Yes, she can & does play by herself. Sometimes I like to just listen & watch, sometimes I am forced to join, and sometimes I await the invitation to PLAY!
So it is the end of the day & yes I suppose I "got a little less done" but I don't think I would change a thing.

I really think my mom 'treasured the doing' with all of us kids and for sure I see both her and my dad do it with all their grand kids. So here they are just doing what they should be doing.

Tell me my dad isn't the only one who has been doing this for as long as I can remember, it never gets old with kids.