SAHMemories

I was able to play the role of a Stay At Home Mom today as I didn't have to be in the office until early afternoon, and the weather was a delicious 81 degrees just PERFECT for playing outside.  Theo and I were outside in the yard by nine o'clock blowing bubbles and commenting on all the flowers popping up.  We collected sticks.  We counted rocks.  Theo pointed out all the different equipment being used by the landscapers a few houses down, schooling me in Heavy Machinery 101.  "PAY LOADER MOOOM!  EXCAVATOR RIGHT DERE! LAWN MOWER LOUD, CUTTING GRASS MOOOOM!"

We hopped in the car and went to Target, where we had an extended conversation about why this one woman was pushing her cart down the paper towel aisle ("She's shopping honey." "WHY?" "Well, I don't know. She must be out of paper towels." "WHY?"  "I've never met her before, honey, I don't know.  Maybe she has a toddler at home who spills juice a lot and she uses paper towels to wipe up the mess." "WHY MOM?" So on and so forth).  We passed through the gardening aisle where Theo fell in love with a pair of toddler galoshes and he threw a fit about not being able to buy "little boy rain booties."  Fellow mothers smiled and nodded in camaraderie.

The icing on the cake was going to our local petting zoo after our errands were done.  This is one of Theo's favorite places ever and I was so excited to finally be able to take him.  He held my hand the entire time (his choice) and showed me the ducks in the pond.  The moo cows ("Hi Mister Cow!"), the donkeys ("Eeee awwww!") and the lambs ("Baa baa black sheep Mommy?").  Twin goats were born just yesterday so we watched them try to stumble around in the hay.  Another mother and I decided that she would take the girl goat and I would take the boy goat and just carry them around in Baby Bjorns all day, they were so precious.  He led me to the horses ("Danger mom, horsies bite.  Be careful.") where we were able to see one take a nice bathroom break, much to the delight of all the toddler boys around us. 

We held hands and talked, pointed at things and laughed.  We were hot and sweaty and smelled like summer.  It was a fabulous way to start my long work day and even if our outings were to Target, the dry cleaners, and the petting zoo which he frequents on a regular basis, I hope he enjoyed the time together.  Being a working mom is hard, but I think it makes these days, the average days, all the more memorable.

Comments

[Dee]

One of the best days I ever had with my kids was a day I took off work and we went to the local children's farm. It was just me and them and we had the best time. Being a working mom definitely makes days like that more special.

[Sarah Lena]

Sometimes, I'll leave work early enough to steal Tony away from daycare right after he wakes from his nap. I LOVE THOSE AFTERNOONS. It doesn't matter what we do; whatever it is feels special, cause it's just us.

[bessie.viola]

Sniffle.

(What?)

This is truth, every word of it. Love hearing all the things he's chatting about!

[el-e-e]

Once, on a day I left work slightly early, I had time enough to take then 2-yr-old AJ to the grocery store with me. So mundane. But special to me. He got a free cookie and we chatted through every aisle. I think I posted about it ("working mom" category), but I felt like saying to him, "I hope this is enough for you, honey." Awww.

So glad you had a fun day. :)

[Korinna]

With the questions about strangers, I always feel odd discussing them while they're RIGHT THERE. Like, maybe we're supposed to approach them journalist-style just to satify the child's curiosity on her papertowel needs?

But, those are the best days. The ones you will hold onto and roll around in your head like a piece of candy.

[Sara @ Belle Plaine]

Even though this is my job every day, thank you for helping me appreciate it a little more. When you're doing it day in and day out you tend to forget how much fun it can be.

P.S. The yellow hard hat is awaiting Theo. Noah promises to share nicely.

[cjm]

Aww... That makes me want a toddler. Lord knows I'd have to steal one if I wanted one right now.

[Terri]

Thanks for reminding me how much I love my little boy. Ok, he's going into 8th grade. Wow, a loveable soon to be teenage boy...thanks for helping me remember how lucky I am. Theo will be loveable at that age too. I can tell.

[Jennie]

Yes yes yes.

I don't have as much time with Kyle but I like to think I don't mind reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear 87 times in a row because of that. So, maybe we both win.

[Lisa G.]

Aw, this was so sweet! I'm glad you got to spend some quality time w/ Theo on such a nice day, :-).

[SeriousMom]

When I was a home, I didn't realize how much I missed working. After my husband got laid off, I took a full time job and loved it. After about a year, I got laid off. I didn't realize how much I missed making lunches and being here when my kids get home.

[Papa Bradstein]

What a lovely day. And be glad that those are the booties he's chasing now. When he's a teenager, you'll wish those were the booties he was chasing.