Simplicity

Last night after supper my three kids, my husband and I spent the evening coloring on the living room floor.I had Winnie the Pooh, my husband and oldest daughter had Disney princesses and my youngest daughter had Dora.And the baby?Well, he just had some toys and was concentrating really hard at trying to crawl.

For about an hour we all laid on the floor, borrowing different colors from each other and asking for advice »What color should his jacket be?»

I am so guilty of not doing things like this with my kids often enough.Over the past year or two I have become such a lazy mom.But the feeling I get when I spend simple moments like this with my children it’s priceless.And the look in their eyes when their dad is working so hard at making Beast’s outfit just right

I guess I often forget that it’s the simple things that make my kids so happy.Sure, it’s fun to go to the movie or the water park.Of course they would love to go on a trip and explore some place new.As parents, we sometimes feel like we need to spend money to make our kids happy.We want to go above and beyond.Give them everything their heart’s desire.

But being short on cash doesn’t make these things possible at this time in our lives.Plus, with my kids being 6, 3 and 5 months, they really are too young to truly appreciate the money, time and effort that goes into planning a big trip or a lavish birthday party.Not that they don’t deserve for us to put in the time and effort we just would all be better served if I didn’t spend a small fortune on (fill in the blank), when something more simple would make them just as happy.Plus, I think it’s very important that my kids learn to enjoy the simpler things in life.

And really, taking an hour to color pictures on the living room floor, or read books together, paint nails, dance to music or play a game these are the moments that do so much for our children’s hearts, minds and souls.And mine, too.

Turning the Corner