Cutie Cooties

This weekend we all had a chance to take a big, long breathe and just relax a bit. Last weekend was busy with a couple's shower for my cousin and his soon-to-be Mrs., so this weekend we tried not to plan too much. Friday was cleaning day and the girls cleaned out their closets / rooms / toys and made way for school clothes. It is amazing to me how much "stuff" three girls can accumulate in just three short months. We found an extraordinary amount of flip flops -none that matched of course - but flip flops of every color. On the list of "closet finds" was one Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle tennis shoe, one 24-month jean skirt that hasn't fit anyone in at least a year and a small change purse with over $3 in it! Can you say J-A-C-K-P-O-T!!

On Friday night, we just laid low and decided to turn off the televisions and have a game night. Okay, the reality of it is that the girls got in trouble on Thursday night and COULDN'T watch television, but none the less, we pulled out all our board games and card games and had some fun. We played a great card game called "Sleeping Queens", Battleship and of course, the ever popular Cooties. I never liked the game as a kid, but as an adult, it is hilarious to listen to Sammi and Ali giggle as they mix match their Cooties legs and pick out crazy little antennae. I had a blast just watching them. Of course, I happened to have my camera close by and took some pics of the girls latest creations.

Meet the Cutie Cooties:

We also pulled out a game called Too Many Cooks as Scott whipped up dinner. Madison got the game for Christmas and we just hadn't gotten it down to read the instructions. Well, I have to tell you, I read the directions on how to play three times (mind you the game is for ages eight to old lady) and I'm still confused. Something about vegetable du jour and soup recipes and a wild card of hot chili pepper spoiling the batch. I'm telling you, this game is for no amateur in the kitchen, such as myself. I gave the game and the instructions over to the real chefs in our house, Madison and Scott. I'm pretty sure they'll be able to figure it out and they'll probably come up with some wonderful recipes in the process!!

As I watched the girls playing games with each other and their dad, I realized that we should turn our televisions, our video games, our cell phones off more often. This generation of children that we are raising don't know what it is like to just sit home and relax. Heck, as adults, we don't know what the word means anymore. A weekend ago, my dad watched as Scott and I scurried around his house / yard after the couple's shower. We were busy cleaning up, moving things back in their places, folding up tables and chairs. My dad's comment was "can't either of you just sit down or sit still for five seconds?".

As I sat and watched the girls on Friday night, my dad's voice came booming back into my head...AHA! So this is what he is trying to tell me without really telling me. I realized that I miss out on so many things by rush-rush-rushing around all the time. I realized that I am not teaching my children how to enjoy the moment if I am in perpetual motion. And most importantly, I realized that I am not enjoying the precious time that I have with these beautiful girls because I've already moved on to the next item on my to-do list! I know for a fact there will come a day when I look back and wish I hadn't wasted time with dishes and laundry, but instead embrassed the moments with them that I was handed, but didn't see.

There is a joy and a fulfillment that only comes by taking that calming breathe, stepping back just enough to take it all in and taking that mental snapshot that will stay with you forever. I'm a student to this art - sitting still is like a punishment for me, but I'm working on it. So, for those of you that stop by for a visit while my laundry is in the kitchen and the dishes are in the sink, I may appear to be doing nothing - but I'm really studying this fine art - so bear with me!! LOL:)