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It was a long and difficult day, the kind of day when you can’t wait until you have some peace and quiet at the end of it all…you know, like when you put the kids to bed.
Well, it was definitely one of those days for this Theta Mom. I was feeling extra cranky, the hubs wasn’t home to help, and isn’t that always the case? When I could really use a hand around here, those are the times when I find myself alone! I was dragging my tired body up the stairs, helping my 4 year old get ready for bedtime.
Together, we usually read one book before we turn out the lights. So on this particular night, he picked out one of my favorites, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. After reading the book aloud, I closed it shut and as I was about to kiss his forehead, he stopped me.
“Wait Mommy, can we play a game?”
Every ounce of patience I had was gone after the really FUN day I had, so my only reply to him was, “A game? Are you kidding me? No! It’s time for bed!”
He continued, “No mommy, like all you have to do is lay next to me for a few minutes so we can say goodnight to everything, just like in the Goodnight Moon book. Please?”
After a deep breath, I reluctantly decided this would be alright. I mean, it was only a few more minutes anyway, right? So my son shut off the lights and we began the goodnight game.
My Son: Goodnight room…
Theta Mom: Goodnight lamp…
My Son: Goodnight sky…
Theta Mom: Goodnight pillow…
My Son: Goodnight rocket…
Theta Mom: Goodnight mirror…
My Son: Goodnight toothbrush…
Theta Mom: Goodnight closet…
My Son: Goodnight….ummmm….toenails…
Theta Mom: Toenails?
[Pure laughter]
Theta Mom: You are so silly!
Then, there was a bit of silence. He grabbed my hand and whispered, “Goodnight Mommy. I love you.” I kissed his forehead and replied, “I love you, too sweetie.”
And with that, I kept a hold of my son’s hand and stayed with him for far longer than those measly five minutes.
Earlier that day, I was in such a rush to get him to bed so I would have some time to myself, and then I experienced a moment like this and realized the beautiful gift I have in front of me…every-single-day.
A rough day sure turned into a really goodnight.
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What a great post Heather.
Love love love Goodnight Moon too and our children have such a way of bringing us back to pure love.
I hope you get another moment like this and another and another….
AWWWWWWWW! That makes me feel teary! So sweet!!! I can so relate to that feeling too of just being ready to chill, but then your sweetie stealing your heart! Love it!
How beautiful:) Thank you for your comment today:) Our children are our greatest joy!!! I'm actually finding a little time for me in between the kids time. It's hard because I have to stop writing and go do 4th grade homework, ugh!!!
Oh My Goodness! This brought tears to my eyes. Thank You for sharing this with us.
What a special moment =)
xoxo
I think as a mom this is one of the things I struggle with the most — slowing down and savoring the gifts that are literally strewn before me, but that I am sometimes (more often than I care to admit!!) too busy to see.
AWWWW!!! That is sooo cute!!
What a sweet moment and so glad you got it written down so you can remember it forever.
You made me cry! My kids and I used to read this book and then say goodnight to things in their rooms like this when they were little. Now that 3 are on their own and the baby is 18, needless to say we haven't played this game for quite a few years. Wonderful memories though. Gosh, they grew up fast!!
What a sweetie, that is such a great story!
Thank you for writing such a beautiful post. We've all been there and done that…
marla
mommylicious.net
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! That is one of the most precious things I have read so far! Goodnight Moon was also my favorite book to read with the boys when they were little. So glad you had a really goodnight.
What a special moment. Those are the dollar days that add up to happiness and contentment. Smiles!
Those are the best mommy moments ever!
Ahhh how sweet! that was one of our favorite books also at the house
That is just beautiful. I know what you mean about rushing them to get them out of your hair but they're the reason we're here!
I love this book! And my son's hand is my favorite hand in the world to hold!
Awesome post Heather. I love it when our little ones lasso our hearts like this. What a perfect ending to a tough day.
I love putting my kids to bed — but there are nights when I am so ready for them to go to bed. Funny thing is that if I rush them (you know — whiz through the story and do a few distracted good night rituals), I usually leave their rooms feeling just as stressed as when I went in. But when I can remember to just be with them for a few minutes, I usually leave feeling more relaxed. I loved this post because it reminds me to slow down and enjoy more of those moments.
That's so sweet!!!!!! I have so many days where I can't wait for my girls to be in bed…but then they'll do something so sweet it just seems to lift my mood a bit.
This is so sweet
It's moments like this one that makes it all worth it!!! What a beautifully written post!
How sweet is that?! I love how God blesses us with words spoken so pure from our children's mouths. He knows just what we need to hear after a long day. It's His way of reminding us how much it is all worth and sometimes all we need to do is slow down to realize it.
thank you for a great post!
xox
*~Michelle~*
So sweet. My big boy held my hand in the car yesterday while we were driving home after soccer practice. It made me cry, so I know how you feel!
Very cute!! We love that book too!
very sweet! those moments make it all worth it!
I am a little teared up right now..because I LOVE this story, but I also completely relate. I sometimes get a bit in a hurry and realize that there will be a time when our little son wants nothing to do with bedtime stories and Goodnight Moon. This was a great reminder to take it slowly.
So sweet! It makes us moms realize how much we mean to our little ones…and how much they mean to us.
Wow, what a wonderful story! This book too is my childrens' fave….your story was so cute! I agree we all have days that start out that at bedtime…you just want to get them to bed so quickly but its those little moments that so quickly change our bad moods around and something we cherish forever….its amazing to me how these little people can just melt us:)
Very sweet story! How precious he is! Love them kiddies.
awe *sniff sniff*
Isn't it amazing how they know just the right things to say to melt our hearts! It sounds like your little guy is pretty sweet and special. I may have to try that game with my little guy tonight. Thanks Theta mom!
my kids always center me. as much as i fight it, they do.
How very sweet!
That was so beautiful. Isn't it amazing how quickly kids can take away all the terrible that went wrong in a day.
Beautifully written.
What a wonderful ending to a tough day. Beautiful story Heather..brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks for sharing!
I love how kids always can make a slow down in the blink of eye. Such a cute story and one that will stick with you. I'm glad it turned into a good night and hopefully you got rested up and had a good day today too.
Love it! It's funny how those moments sneak up on you and smack you in the face and say, "HEY! Are you paying attention to what's really important? HUH? HUH?" So glad your day ended on such a loving note. I'm gonna go hug my boys now…. Cheers!
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That got me all teary-eyed. We have the same book in Spanish, "Buenas Noches Luna". I'm going to go read it to my daughter now and remind myself not to rush the moment. I do the same thing. I want her to go to sleep so I can have a few moments to myself and I rush through things instead of enjoying each moment.
Thank you for the reminder.
I remember that book, and I enjoyed reading about your special moment.
Aww that is just too sweet and cute! I am going to go sneak in Mikey Bear's room now and give him an extra kiss.
That's very sweet!
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omgosh, that's so lovely…great post, I love those moments..
That is so cool. I am glad your day ended on such a great note.
With one sweet look my little man has the power to lift me out of the doldrums!
Heather, this is the sweetest story!
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That is such a sweet story! Goodnight toenails, haha.
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