kids

Peace in Reading with LM2

/ KimberlyEmilia / Leave a comment
Photo by Lina Kivaka on Pexels.com

This afternoon we made time for reading. This sounds like a simpler task than it is. There are so many things that pop up in each day that we usually save reading for the end of the day, when everyone is too tired to move, when snuggling in and hunkering down comes more naturally.

Thanks to our school’s EPIC account, this afternoon had exciting plans for us. LM2 and I sat in the living room for 45 minutes, cruising through books, topics, characters, science, and more.

It was fantastic.

LM2 and I never get this quiet time together, just the two of us. There are always other kids around. There are always competing interests in our house. There are always a zillion and one fun activities to distract us from mid-day reading, too.

But wintertime has its upside.

It’s cold and windy out today, so reading inside with a blanket and a cup of tea makes perfect sense. As well as “Huh-To-To,” what the kids used to call hot cocoa.

The best part about reading with my little man is what comes afterward. I love asking him questions and watching to learn how his mind thinks. I’m so lucky that he lets me in. I’m so lucky that he gives me insight into his world.

Taking time to focus on LM2 brings me such peace. Sharing something as simple as reading together is the most tranquil thing I can imagine. While we all read at night before bedtime, this extra bit was extra special.

What brought you peace this week? Share the peace!

Peace in Surrender

/ KimberlyEmilia / Leave a comment
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com

I sometimes think of myself as a recovered perfectionist. I still like things to be just so. But there are plenty of things I have learned to let go, too.

An example of this would be our Christmas tree. I let it go.

Everyone knows the ornaments should be spaced evenly. They should be evenly distributed on the branches and organized somewhat by size and texture (too many shiny ones in the same spot is no bueno). Spacing looks nice. It makes the tree twinkle. And from a practical standpoint, it ensures the tree won’t topple over.

But this year, we did something different. No, it wasn’t a change-up in the musical selection: it’s Chipmunks Christmas for ornament hanging, ALL THE WAY!

Our change up was this: I didn’t hang any ornaments. And I didn’t bark suggestions. I let the kiddies do their thing.

They ran all around that sweet little tree (shout out to Bernard’s Tree Farm in Honey Brook) while Dad and I sat back to watch.

Oh, the splendor! It was so fun to watch the kids in all their glory. They asked about the ornaments they didn’t know stories for. They regaled us with the stories they did know:

  • “This was my baby ornament!” LM1 said
  • “This is my dinosaur!” LM2 said
  • “This one has my name!” LM3 said

It was great to see the children in charge. They were so joyful and I wondered if there had been a time in the past when this experience was marred by my insistence on perfection.

Did I stop their process? Did I question their spontaneous crafting? Did I prohibit the fun with my own need for a tree to look a certain way? (I mean, seriously, it’s just a tree, right?)

I’m sure the answer to many of those questions is YES.

But this year, I felt nothing but peace. I breathed and watched and enjoyed watching something I’ve never paid enough attention to. Presence and spendor. Finding calm and laughing and feeling the joy in the room.

What brought you peace this week? Share the peace!

Peace in a Puzzle

/ KimberlyEmilia / Leave a comment

Today was another one of those days with a million things to do. Welcome: Holiday Season. It’s days like these when I most need to remind myself to stop for air. Otherwise, I could run around all day without stopping.

Eww. No fun. Not my jam. Mama needs a break.

Today’s pause came in the form of a puzzle.

A few weeks ago, the family stopped at a yard sale. It’s a weird, quirky little activity we enjoy. Yard sales give us time to chat with someone in the community, learn about different neighborhoods, and seek small treasures our family might have use for.

On this occasion, we uncovered a pile of unopened puzzles, sitting undisturbed in their boxes.

Bingo!

This afternoon, after everyone pretty much refused my sunflower butter and jelly sandwiches (spit out on the plate, thanks LM1 for a visual reminder of your dislike), we sat down for one of our new-to-us puzzles.

LM3’s choice was about 100 pieces. Not too big, not too small. Baby bear style all the way.

The puzzle beckoned the children, young and old. Without any prompt they found their way to the living room floor to work on this sweet, silly little playground-scene.

And there was the peace for the day. My moment of calm. The quiet breath that reminded me how slowing down is always a benefit.

My little cherubs worked together excitedly, without whining or fussiness. There was stillness in our figuring of each puzzle piece. I was so grateful.

What about you? What brought you to your happy place today? Share the peace!

“It’s always the small pieces that make the big picture.”