Once upon a time...

I remember back when the kids were little, we had their toys out in the main room with us. Even when Little man was here, his toys were here with us and not in the bedroom. That was one of the things my husband would nonchalantly gripe about. I think in his mind, he believed the toys go in the rooms, and the kids go in the rooms to pay with the toys. I had a totally different way of seeing it though.

When they were little, I knew one very important thing. One day, the kids would put themselves in their room almost permanently and I wouldn't see them again until they turned 18 and moved out. It's a natural part of the growing up process. I certainly was not going to rush it along any! No, I wanted to keep my kids in the front room with me for as long as I possibly could.

Now, though we are all awake, the children are off in their bedrooms as I had predicted. One is watching DVDs and the other is reading a book. I find myself looking back to those old days when they were little. When they'd pick up an old toy and be filled with such fascination, amazement and joy that they would bring it to me. Together, we'd play with it. Then, a short while later it would land on the floor and they'd bring me another.

Mothers of young children may think I'm on now but one day, they will understand. I miss the sight of toys strewn about the living room floor. I miss the quick clean up right before husband gets home and right before bed. I miss the smell of milk spilled in some unseen corner.I miss the cookie crumbs clinging to my feet. I miss the walker slamming into my ankle at 60 miles per hour with the driver giggling like mad. And yes, I miss the tiny handrpints along my wall.

I miss the kids having me so busy, I don't even have time to think about cleaning up, cooking dinner, or taking a bath.I miss hanging my head and trying not to laugh when they've done something silly and are pouting over the result. I even miss trying to stifle my laughter when I should be disciplining the child. While I don't miss mashed potatoes and jelly on the ceiling, I do miss the tiny hands that flung them up there.

Enjoy it while it lasts, because it does not last long. One day they are tiny and doing everything they can to get your attention. The next day, they've all but grown and have no time for their weird old parents.