It's inevitable, before you know it your youngest one will no longer want to build blocks with you, squish play doh or race you home from school.
With all of his sweetness and playfulness I'm so thankful to have a 4 year old that can suck me out of any funky day I'm having with a simple laugh and a request to see who's the fastest.... "Mama, you wanna race? I bet I can beat you!"
Of course whenever anyone from the younger set challenges me to a race, I get hyped and remember my days of running track and field and excitedly take on the dare
But who am I fooling? I hadn't run in ages and to top it off It had just been a physically awful week for me and could tell something was off with symptoms from my Crohns disease resurfacing.
Being the freakin' genius mom that I am, I set him up with a greater challenge...
" I'm sure you can beat me, your such a big boy, but I don't think you can beat your shadow!"
Tristan gave me his one dimpled smirk and laughed while he boasted "Yes I can, watch me mama, yes I can."
You could see the pure determination in his face each day he tried to race, who he called his "Shadow friend". And he made attempts at racing if the sun and clouds allowed it, over an 8 day span.
Day 1 - They tied and he was so frustrated that there his shadow was, side by side. he kept looking to his right and then back at me, while yelling "But Mama, I wanna win, tell him I wanna win!"
Day 2 - It was like he had something to prove, the sun was shining and his eye was on the prize.Tristan just cracked up while he ran with all his might. I even raced behind him this time, while cheering him on. He seemed ok with his shadow always being in front of him since I joined in on the fun.
Day 3 - I just so happened to notice that his new friend was behind him and suggested that Tristan give it another go. He was ready!
While I watched his victory, it really had me thinking about how innocent and fun it is to just be a kid, not a care in the world! Wouldn't it be nice to let go of all the adult woes simply to enjoy a day of Peter Pan syndrome. Sometimes I wish my monsters never had to grow up but know it's just inevitable. In the meantime I'll enjoy all these simple moments watching my monsters being monsters.
What was one your favorite imaginary games as a child, or moment you've witnessed with your own kids?
So precious! My boys are just now starting to see their shadows as friend versus foe. :)
ReplyDeleteMommy moments are the best. I remember when my son first discovered frogs. He followed that frog around our yard for at least an hour. It was so much fun watching him watch that frog and just enjoy the discovery of the moment.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I love Mommy moments I tend to have them a lot and be overly emotional, it drives my kids nuts but they grow so fast it's hard not to, right? This is a great post. Chasing shadows are super fun csnt wait for it to get nicer here so we can get outside more for some fun!
ReplyDeleteAww this is so cute! My daughter loves chasing her shadows.
ReplyDeleteRacing Shadows!?!? That sounds like so much fun!! I have never heard of it but I will definitely be trying it out with the Kiddies during these coming sunny spring days. Great Fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is just absolutely precious!!! My boys have been loving their shadows and they always point out, "look it's an Ethan shadow, and a Connor shadow, and a lukey shadow, and a MOMMY shadow!!!!!" haha, chasing it is such a good idea. Kids are such a beautiful reminder to live in the moment and enjoy the small thing...because really, they're the big things!
ReplyDeleteAh Peter Pan Syndrome - the perfect way to describe it. I swear though, every time I'm with my nephews I forget about all the adult worries, and just be a kid again. I've always been told I'm much more younger than my age (almost 35). But I think remembering HOW to be a kid, is key. :) Keeps the little ones happy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and simple way to have fun outside. My boys LOVE being outside, no matter the weather, and this seems like a great activity to do with them. Anything that gets all of us up and moving....and making wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com
This is so cute! My son like to play with his shadow on the wall. He'll also shout at his shadow and call me just to point out his shadowless look mama.
ReplyDeleteSo fun! It is great to just be kid. Oh, to go back to those days!
ReplyDeleteOh how I live for precious moments like these. My oldest is 12 and as I type we are sitting side by side studying meditation practices. Everything we do for our kids, every empowering moment teaches them how to be an adult and a mom or dad. I love seeing your pictures and the games you play. Amazing memories for sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea to do that i'm sure all young kids would love. Heck even some bigger kids would have fun doing something like this. This also makes me want to take my kids to the park just to take a walk and chase shadows :)
ReplyDeleteAwww what a beautiful mommy moment. I love those. One of my favorite things about having children is being able to see things through their eyes. So innocently, and with wonder and happiness. It's a true gift.
ReplyDeleteHaha it's so fun to be a kid but it's also stressful and challenging since parents expect much from their children. I cannot remember any single instance when our parents played with us like that. We were always asked to study, read books, and just be disciplined.
ReplyDeleteI swear the kid is a potential athlete someday. You mentioned you were into track and field, I guess that's her journey too. She seems a bright kid. She's so cute and adorable, I would love to play with her.
ReplyDeleteI smiled through this entire post! This was the cutest thing with him trying to beat his shadow. I am still a big kid sometimes and I try to hold onto my youthful spirit as much as I can because being an adult can be a mean trap! When I was a kid I would make an imaginary house/castle from under my desk/bookshelf and I would entertain myself for hours in that corner. It was so fun...those were the days where money didnt matter and bill didnt exist!
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