Friday, May 13, 2011

Shh... Don't Tell Him!


As I get older (not that much older) I have learned to appreciate the innocence of youth. Frankly, I miss it. In today's crazy world where our children are forced to mature much more quickly, I yearn for the blissful unawareness of being young. No longer can our children spend the entire day outside tossing the ball with friends. When darkness falls, they better be inside. Who knows what predators are lying in wait?

My son is six and my daughter is ten. Every day, I try to protect them, keeping the world full of rainbows and wishes. On occasion, the darkness creeps in and we have no choice but to deal with it. But on the bright, sunny days when it doesn't... I am reminded that they are simply kids. I want them to embrace life and treasure it. They will not always be young, but they will always be my babies.

As many other mothers can attest, their inquiring little minds ask many questions. Some of them are repeated over and over and over and over. :-) Let's not forget the comments that escape from said lips as well. For instance, the other day my son says, "I'm so glad I'm a boy." When I asked him why, this was his response that was presented to me in a sing-song voice.

"I can pee standing up. I can pee outside. I don't have to wear a bra. I won't have boobs. I don't have to shave my legs. I won't be grumpy like my sister." 

Wow. I did not see that one coming. Last Saturday, I showed my little lad in training how to run the vacuum. After much praise, he even put it away in the closet. Sunday morning we awaken to the question, "Is it vacuum day?"

Mom nods. "Yes, it is. Would you like to run the vacuum again?" Mom is also silently wondering how long it's going to take him to realize it's not fun. 

Jumping up and down, son claps. "Yes! Can I run it again? Can I? Can I? Can I?"

What kind of mother would I be if I didn't let my son run the vacuum? ;-) I love those adorable, innocent moments. Care to share some of your own?