Kids need to be able to jump in puddles in the spring.
Puddles in the Target parking lot count – just save those for when you leave.
Don’t worry about wet shoes from jumping in puddles. They’ll dry.
If you really want your kids to laugh – jump in the puddle with them.
It’s good for kids to have nothing to do and to imagine.
Creativity is often messy.
Science experiments can be cool (do the salt water with the egg one and watch it float)
Forts can be made in the coolest of places.
You may set your pillows on the couch in the morning but they will make there way to the floor within minutes.
Your living room, which was clean before bed, will look like a tornado raced through it by 9am.
It is okay to establish there are no toys in the living room as a rule.
However if someone comes to your day and the living room is a mess simply welcome them in and don’t apologize for the mess.
A pile of toys can look messy or beautiful – it just depends on perspective.
Chalk, mixed with water, is a favorite thing for kids to mix up.
Be prepared – it stains.
You will be asked how do you spell this numerous times throughout the day.
When telling spelling of words simply expect to repeat it several times.
When shopping at Target everyone will decide to check out at the same time.
Choose the longest line as most times when they open a new lane they’ll send you there.
Always thank and say hello to the person working at Target.
Write dates on items in the fridge. Otherwise you will be asked often if it is still good.
Remember the phrase when in doubt throw it out.
Do not keep the permanent marker in an accessible place in your home.
Windows, when there are small children in your home, will have fingerprints on them.
When you think your phone is silenced it actually isn’t and an Angry Birds, Minecraft or any other loud app will very loudly alert everyone that it’s on.
Sometimes it is okay to have a couple jellybeans before breakfast.
Sometimes it is okay to cherry pick your favorite Jelly Belly Beans out of the container.
Always keep nailpolish on a high shelf in the bathroom.
Always have nailpolish remover in your home especially for the times when the nailpolish wasn’t put away in a high spot.
Children are loud.
Laughter is so important – fill your home with it.
Invest in your children’s hearts.
Do not be surprised to find the missing spoons in the sandbox in the spring.
Just leave the spoons in the sandbox – they work so much better than plastic shovels.
Purchase new sand in the spring at Home Depot. Just know that it is makes the cart quite heavy.
Expect your computer will crash at the most inopportune moment.
If you find yourself humming a Disney Jr song while shopping just smile, nod, and continue to the produce aisle.
The secret supply of dark chocolate will be discovered. Hide it in two spots.
Flashlights in your home will inevitably be lost or have no batteries when you need them.
Wake up early to watch the sunrise.
But not when you have little babies in your house – then sleep as much as you can get.
A smile is way better than a frown.
Be nice to others even if you’re feeling crabby.
Teach your children to appreciate the little things in life.
Spread joy.
And never run out of coffee. Ever.
What are some of your notes to self?
20 comments
I just discovered your blog earlier this week and am LOVING it. I teach preschool during the week and at my church on Sundays. I’ve been sharing your posts through my blog’s Facebook page and with the moms in the church group. Your posts are both insightful and encouraging. Keep it up. Ms. Barbara from For the Children
I love all your writings, but this one is one of my favorites. You manage to take ordinary days, mundane events and make them beautiful, memorable, and joy-filled. This is what life is about. This list is beautiful. Thank you for spreading joy. You are a true inspiration to me.
My 5year old and I did some puddle jumping on my birthday last June. It was one of the best birthday gifts ever.
Some of my notes to self: Little boys sometimes wake up very wet, hug them anyway.
NEVER run out of diapers.
Tell them that you love them when they have done something very wrong, they know – and it’s a good reminder to everyone. (ex. my toddler broke my glasses yesterday, while trying to put them on his face…)
If you do not want them to have it do not let them see it (remote, water class, coffee mug with HOT coffee in it).
Let your kids see you enjoy food, it makes for better eaters.
There are many more – but those come to mind on this sunny but still cold Pennsylvania morning. 🙂
Love this. I think I’m going to print it out and stick it on my fridge 🙂
I love these “notes”.
We love puddle jumping – I even have my own rubber boots so I can join in.
I forgot about the egg/water experiment… we’re going to have to do that one too!
I REALLY know about the fingerprints on the windows… my 20-month-old loves to gunk up the windows.
Lovely posting… thank you!
I just started following your blog, and I blog about motherhood, too! This blog made me smile! Thanks for posting your heart all the time! You are making a difference in the lives of so many just with your words! 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Amanda
“Do not keep the permanent marker in an accessible place in your home.” LOL! This was today 😉 Great reminders Rachel!
Always be willing to sacrifice that last bite or sip of your favorite treat…the gesture is more important than the self gratification.
Pass that quarter for your cart at Aldi’s to the next person, it always gives a smile.
Let them have dessert before supper when you can. It is an amazing boost to the spirit.
My notes to self:
Let my kids help and participate however they can, even it it makes the task take 4 times as long. Then thank them and give them a big hug.
ALWAYS have snacks (preferable 2 choices) and water in my bag.
Don’t try to make my little kid be as big as my big kid. It’s easy to forget what those that young age was really like.
Be patient and kind when you get woken up at night. Try to get to bed early, just in case. And I second the “never run out of coffee” note.
For some reason this made me tear up this morning. Tough day, I guess. It is always nice to have a reminder, though, that the little things mean the most. Thanks for sharing!
Loved this! Mine?
well..
‘don’t let permanent markers into the house. ever.’
‘what’s good for the goose is good for the gander’ ie, perfectly reasonable that they shouldn’t hit & need to speak respectfully, but that should apply to you too!
‘There’s another day tomorrow’ so you didn’t complete Rome today, oh well!
I don’t drink coffee, but I can relate to everything else! 🙂
This one made me laugh! “Wake up early to watch the sunrise.”
I live in Alaska. In the summer, the sun rarely dips below the horizon. Getting up early to watch the sunrise means 2am. In the winter, the sun takes its time making an appearance. We’re often out of the house and busy with school or work by the time the sun shows up around 10am.
Even so, we’ll take one special night in the middle of summer to wake up and watch it dip below the horizon. And make sure each winter morning to welcome it back from its long, lazy night.
And we’ll laugh often, and hug lots, because that’s investing in my daughter’s heart.
LOVE this list. Thank you for reminding all of us to remember the little things in life that are so important!
erica
http://www.beautifullifemadeeasy.blogspot.com
Note to self:
Stripes and polka dots really do match if you’re under 10.
Never, ever run out of coffee. Or creamer.
It’s ok if all the flowers you plant in the garden are pink. The butterflies will still come. Who cares what the neighbors think.
This made my heart swell!
Mine are:
Get down on their level to listen and talk to your kids, even if you get muddy.
Stop taking 100 pictures of the same thing and live in the memory.
Be okay when they won’t let you put them down, even if it means you don’t get anything done and your back hurts by the end of the day – they won’t be like this forever.
Stop comparing your family to so and so’s family, your’s is worth living in joy with them.
It’s okay to leave a mess around the house and the yard if it means that you can go for a spontaneous bike ride or start a water fight.
And hold hugs as tightly and as long as you can. That email, those dishes, and my need for my personal space can wait, those hugs can’t.
Laughed thinking about what the kids had gotten into which caused some of the statements you made…
Life can be overwhelming at times, but the victory is ours through Christ! Put your trust in Him! Praying!
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
My email address
LOVE love LoVe!!!
Ha, I had the permanent marker issue today as well! I’d better get in some more washable ones 🙂