After our whirlwind trip back to Iowa, we returned home with a to do list a mile long. Between the suitcases still sitting in my bedroom waiting to be unpacked, to the Christmas decorations (and there are a lot of them) that look at me and scream "take me down", to the thank you lists, and just the normal weekly tasks that have to be completed; this is going to be a busy few days I told the kids.
This morning I shared with the kids all that I wanted to get done. After yesterday's exciting activities of having a rock fight in the back yard. Yes, I did say that correctly, the boys had a "rock dodge ball fight" in our tiny back yard. Thankfully no windows were broken, but the boys clearly know now that we do not support throwing rocks. As a result of yesterday's choices, the boys were granted the exciting tasks of helping me all day. They were thrilled when I announced all the things I wanted to get done. Thrilled may be a huge exaggeration.
But to task we got bright and early, and to my complete surprise they willingly jumped in and started working hard. I let them help me with tasks I normally would have done myself, See I'm a tiny bit of a perfectionist and my mom once told me, if you want to have something done right, you might as well do it yourself. I think she'd openly admit she follows this mantra. I seem to have adopted the same behavior too. But I tried to be more open today and to let the boys try some new things. I let them climb up the ladder to remove the decorations. I let them take down the Christmas trees and shove them in the box. I told myself, it doesn't have to be my way, it just has to fit into the box. Surprisingly, it worked. I didn't get stressed that it wasn't perfectly put into the box and the kids had fun helping.
All morning we continued to work and before I even knew it, I looked at the clock to see it was 12:30. I could tell the kids were hungry, they were asking for their 4th snack, so I told them I'd stop what I was doing so I could make them lunch. That's when the boys chimmed in and said, "Mom- can we make lunch?"
Here again, my perfectionist attitude tried to come to the surface and just as I was about to say, "No, I'll do it," I, instead pushed it back down deep inside and said, "Sure, what are you going to make?" They looked at me with wide eyes, almost to question, "Did she say what I think she said?" and simply responded, "Mom- we want to surprise you, so stay out of the kitchen until we say its time to eat okay?" I agreed and went on putting away the decorations. I told myself it was a win-win.
Less than 30 minutes later, with minimal check-ins from me, I sat down at the table to a gourmet salad (complete with lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, croutons, strawberries, tomatoes, and oranges) along with salmon (granted it was left overs but they put it into the oven and took it out) (I watched them closely) and a fruit salad of bananas and strawberries. I sat down to my plate already filled with food on it. Gabriel and Michael said, "Mom you take a bit first, there is a surprise in the salad" I wasn't quite sure what the surprise was, but I went along with it. (It was the strawberry and orange in our lettuce salad). And actually it was all really good. I ended up having two helpings of the salad and the boys were so happy. Gabriel said, "MOM- you must really like our cooking because you are eating a lot!" Not only was I really hungry but I actually liked their meal and was completely impressed.
I told the boys they could cook more often now that I know they are such great "cookers" (their terminology, not mine). Upon hearing that, they got even more excited and started brainstorming the next things they could make.
Lunch was such a nice treat, and not only did they cook everything but they served it all and cleaned it up.
And as if my day couldn't have gotten any better, the boys continued to surprise me by helping me get the rest of the decorations down and put away. I am one happy momma today.
This year I told myself I wanted to make a conscious effort to be more appreciative for the daily blessings I take for granted. Today was one of those days when I have no shortage of gifts to give thanks for. Today my boys made me so happy and proud to be their momma. They showed great help and generosity in pitching in to make my day easier.
I'm so thankful to have them in our lives and to call them my sons. Even if they try to throw rocks at each other and risk breaking our windows. While I"m not soon to let them have a dodge rocks contest, they sure made up for it today.
I love you boys and am so thankful for you help.
Until next time,
Angie
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