Remembering

Lately I have been reading Becky Higgins blog. I like how she organises her scrapbooks etc.I want to do a scrapbook of Nicholas' first year of school... hmmm, term 2 already so I'd better make a start!

What has been on my mind though lately is when she spoke about remembering what your children say.

Yesterday morning David and Audrey left for his mum's.  I was feeling less inspired to rush around this morning.  I hadn't packed lunches or bags the night before so had a fair bit to do.  After breakfast I asked Nicholas to get dressed and he simply said "ok mama".  Some mornings he is not so keen to go to before school care.  By the time I got around to packing bags, making beds etc it was already 10 past 8 - the time Nicholas gets to school the mornings I work. 

After having read this a few days ago, I thought, why rush?  So we left home later than usual, meaning I would take him straight to class and get a later bus.  While walking to school Nicholas enjoyed trying not to step on any cracks in the path. We hold hands.  I pulled him along making him have to step quicker to miss the cracks.  He laughed and thought it was a great game.  He said "you are the best mum!" 

When we got to school his friends ran up so he would come and play with them.  he stood still so I kissed him goodbye and told him to run along.  I was talking to another mum, when he came back and stood with me.  I realised it was now 9:00 so took him to his class.  Still, he stood with me.  He hugged me tightly and then I noticed his eyes were tearing up.  He was trying to smile and look happy.  I told him to come and sit by me and asked what was wrong.  He just hugged me tightly so I reassured him and said I would be there to pick him up from after school care and would bring him a surprise (a puzzle book I had bought).  I kissed him and sent him off to sit with a friend.  As I looked back when leaving he was still blinking tears away and trying to smile at me. 

That evening David was late home with Audrey so Nicholas and I did homework together.  We finished reading  Fantastic Mr Fox  (Nicholas was impressed we had read a book with 82 pages!) and ate dinner.  I took the opportunity to ask why he seemed sad at school this morning.

His reply made my heart swell.  he said "I just love you so much and was wishing I could stay home with you." 

Sometimes I wish that too.  Time ticks on so quickly.  I read a quote somewhere recently that said with children the days are long and the years are fast.  It is so true with little ones. 

* picture of Nicholas' day bushwalking with his pop last week