50 Awesome things...Part One

"Owwww! Wahhhhh!" This coming from my middle child.

"Shhhh!  Stop crying!!  Do you want mommy to take away your bear? Be quiet!" This coming from my oldest.

I am not sure what is going on in the room the two oldest now share. I have decided not to find out.

It could be worse. At least they are having fun sharing a room and they are bonding as brother and sister.  That's my attempt at positivity. How was it?  Yeah, I'm not buying it either.  However, I have become concerned that anyone reading my blog might think that I don't really enjoy being a parent. Can't imagine why anyone would think that.....

In honor of mother's day, and for everyone out there who has kids in their lives, here are 50 awesome things about parenting kids (Well the first 25 `cause 50 would be long to read here and as my husband pointed out I tend to be "wordy").

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Cute things: The kids themselves my not be cute, but ever notice how cute the stuff that goes with the kids is?  I'm talking little dresses, little suits and other little clothes (what is it about little clothes that makes them so cute?) tiny socks, little shoes.--My personal favorite, little adorable jammies. I haven't even mentioned the teddy bears, dolls, cars etc.

2. You get to feel smart (even when you are not):  I have long lamented that my kids are smarter than me, but I can still explain to my three year old why we have elbows. The best part is my explanation does not have to be true or accurate, and they still think I am the smartest person in the world.  If you are wondering, we have elbows so our arms can bend.

3. Bath time: I know bath time can be such a chore and I usually make my husband do it, but there is something funny about little children splashing around the tub with their hair all wild from the shampoo. Also adorable wrapped in the hooded towel--see #1.

4. You have an excuse to play with toys.

5. Sleeping angelic faces: I haven't seen that in a while, but when I see other people's sleeping cherubs I smile.

6. Bonding with complete strangers: Kids are great conversation starters. Either I am getting sympathetic looks from kindred spirits who have been there, or people stop to tell me how cute my kids are.  Either way  I am talking to adults.

7. Delight in the simple things: It doesn't take much to make my kids happy.  I was cleaning out a closet the other day and found an old pair of swim goggles.  My son wore those goggles everywhere we went for three days--he wore them on the playground, at the mall, at the restaurant--which brings me back to point #6.

8. Kids make great "Gofors": They go for the diapers, the wipes, my keys, my cup of water, etc. You can get them to get your stuff for you and they feel great cause they are "helping" you.

9. "I love you, mom"--need I say more?

10. You really earn your relaxation time: Okay. So I know most of you don't need a reason to relax and everyone earns their relaxation time. When you have kids or are around kids, the time to yourself is so much more appreciated because you really earned it.

11. You deserve the second or third cup of coffee--- Or a glass of wine (oops I almost wrote "whine" see what mommy brain has done to me?)  No questions asked (see above)

12. Playing with your kids on a playground is better and cheaper than any gym membership you can buy. Which brings me to # 13:

13. Your kids keep you in shape: The baby makes a great weight for weight training, running after children is great cardio, running up and down the stairs 100 times a day builds endurance.  My husband just bought new running shoes so he can keep up.

14.  You have a reason to go see the new cartoon movie you want to see but are afraid to admit (or go without a kid...)

15. Birthday parties are fun: Especially when they are at someone else`s house and all you have to do is drop off your kid and pick them up. I will gladly buy a present for anyone willing to take my kid for a couple of hours.

16. You have an excuse to buy toys and hang out in a toy store--though most parents I know (myself included) only go to toy stores without the kids.

17. You can experiment with new recipes and your kids have to eat it cause they are too young to make something themselves ( I do love a captive audience...)

18. Kids provide a wealth of material for many hobbies:  Scrap booking, sewing, photography, blogging....

19. Bubbles: I don`t care how old you are bubbles are fun.  "Bubbles" is fun to say, and blowing bubbles is fun to do. Of course its even more fun watching kids blow them and chase them.

20. Hearing a child say "Spaghetti".

21. You have an excuse to stop and pet puppies--and talk to the owner of said puppy. Puppies too are great conversation starters.

22. Realizing your kids do listen to you: One of my proudest moments was when my son could not find his cherished blanket and my daughter said to him, "Open your eyes and look".  Good job, my girl.

23. You get to love your bed and any time you manage to be alone in it so much more when you have kids.

24. You have a reason to take a nap--even more awesome if you take the nap cuddled with your child

25. Leftovers: You get to eat whatever your kids don`t finish. I no longer have to order my own fries or desert as I can usually share with my kids. Something that makes me think I am making healthy choices. Even when I am not.

So there you have it. The first 25 awesome things about being a parent.  The other 25 will follow when I think of them.  What are your awesome parenting things?