50 Awesome things....Part two

We have not been awesome this last week

We have had wild fires burning a little too close to home.  My children have been wild, staying up way too late and super grouchy in the morning.  I have had a cold with a wild cough that has kept me and my husband up at night.

But now the fire threat seems to have abated, my cold is on the mend, and my kids have been getting to bed earlier. It is a good time to count my blessings and spread some positivity.

Here is a continuation of my list of 50 awesome things about parenting kids-- in no particular order:

26. Watching Saturday morning cartoons in your bed: This is something I always dreamed about before I had kids. I had this fantasy of my family all cuddled and laughing together in bed on a weekend morning. Saturday cartoons are fun until the first child cries cause he is hungry, the middle child kicks daddy in the head...Older child and middle child fight over what show to watch...but for those 10 min where we are all happy and content, its awesome!

27. Baby sleeps or naps longer than usual:  Gotta love having time to have that second or third cup of coffee...have time to write your blog....see #'s 11 and 18.

28. Child art: Ever notice how kid's pictures all look the same? Awesome.  Also awesome: Kid's printing. Nothing says cute like a picture of you with a giant head, tiny sticky body and the word "M Om my" with backwards letters.  Both awesome on paper. Less awesome on the wall.

29. Coloring: Relaxing for both you and the child--at least until the child bursts into tears because you can't draw the character they want or you color the butterfly the wrong color.

30. First "roll over":  Awesome the first time baby rolls on to her tummy. Less awesome the third or fourth time when she cries because she doesn't like "tummy time" and forgets how to roll back.

31. First smiles.

32. First "babab....mama."

33. Watching kids play: I am always amazed at the worlds my kids create and the level of detail in their play.  For example, the new favorite game in my house is "Restaurant" My son gets his apron, walks up to me or daddy and says "Good evening. I will be your server tonight"...Hmmm perhaps my family spends to much time in restaurants?

34. First steps.

35. The parenting "Sweet Spot": That magical time when all the kids in the house are sleeping or otherwise occupied and not getting into trouble...a five minute (That is usually how long it lasts) slice of heaven.

36. Having your child's teacher tell you she wished she had 28 students just like your child.

37. Having your middle child accept a little gift (like a sticker) then ask for one for her older brother..Having your son use his school rewards to choose a hair elastic for his sister because he thought she would like it. 

38. Children's songs: Adorable the first time your kid sings you a song and gets the words mixed up....Less adorable the 500th time your child sings the same song and despite your corrections still messes up the words.

39. Dancing with your children...Until middle child slips on the toy that was supposed to be picked up two days ago resulting in a "hurt toe" which brings me to my next point:

40. Children learning the importance of not leaving toys on the floor for two days.

41. Holding your newborn for the first time.

42. Watching your children master a new skill--like when your daughter finally realizes that pedaling the tricycle is far more effective than sitting on it and crying until someone pushes. 

43. Watching your children interact with their grandparents. Even better:

44. Convincing your children's grandparents to take your children for the night (or three).

45. Watching your child eat spaghetti--almost as awesome as hearing a child say "Spaghetti"

46.  Hearing "Mommy I want to snuggle with you" when you are sitting on the couch.  Less awesome: Hearing it when you are sitting on the toilet.

47.  Remembering to lock the bathroom door and stealing 5 minutes to yourself.     



48.  Watching your children having fun and being carefree:  There is something about children running and laughing that brings me back to my own childhood. Kids have fun doing everything.  Of course they do...they don't have a house to clean, supper to make, laundry to do....but it sure is fun pretending I am that carefree.

49.  First ultrasound picture.

50.  Hugs and cuddles.   

There you have it. 50 awesome things.  Cheers to everyone who shares their life with children.

What are your awesome parenting moments?  Please share on my facebook wall or in the comments section here.  

Cheers!