I was snuggling with my three year old this morning. My almost 4 year old. My boy. My crazy boy who has taught me more about parenting and patience and taking things a day...a minute...at a time than I ever imagined I would know. More than I ever knew I wanted to know.
It's taken him (probably me) this many years to even want to snuggle, and almost this many to think slowly enough to tell a story (and probably for me to listen). Now that we're here, I'm treasuring it. I don't want to forget. I want to find a way savor it for as long as I can.
"Okay!". A chipped tooth smile spread across his tiny face.
"Once upon a time there was a duck and a chick. Their name was...Duckychick."
I can see that sparkle in his eye. His knowing grin. As much as I think I know his head, it's his heart that knows me. Knows how much I enjoy silly, ridiculous things.
"And they were playing. Playing with cars! The ducky played with a red car and the chicky played with a black car."
Black is his new favorite color. Chickens are his favorite animal in the world. Naturally the chicky gets to play with the black car. Lucky chick.
"And their mama and their dada were brown chickens. They were there and....."
He's staring into his imagination, now. He can see his little bird friends and their little cars. He's happy. He's still snuggling with me. I'm happy. So happy to be with my boy and to know about his friends. Treasuring. Savoring.
"Are they ready for a snack?" I whisper.
"Oh...yeah! They like snacks."
Pause.
"Cereal."
Of course.
share your simple moment... |
So precious and adorable! 3-almost-4 is such a good age, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteSweet. Good for you to take the time to notice and snuggle and create! It's so hard to live in the moment like that... and so worth it.
ReplyDeleteI am not usually very good at it, Melanie...I'm a mom-work in progress for sure :)
ReplyDeleteAwwwww snuggles and made up stories are what make a childhood wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAww, so sweet. Happy Thursday Dweej :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun. I love cuddle-time with my kiddos.
ReplyDeleteWhat an imagination! So fun to imagine with your children. Such a wonderful image.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally hormonal today and that almost made me cry. Just wait until he's almost 8 and still loves to snuggle, but you not being able to get over the fact that this might be the last snuggle before he realizes he's a big boy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tender moment! My oldest (just turned 5) and I have traversed a rocky road to get to the special place we're in now. He's a well-behaved boy, but we butt heads here and there... maybe because he's so much like me? ;) At any rate, I feared for awhile that I'd missed my opportunity to create a lasting bond with him, that he'd already moved on without me.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, I was wrong. And on that rare occasion when he sneaks up to snuggle beside me -- I snap it up :)
He's a cute little duckychick himself!
ReplyDeleteVery sweet. You lucky duck you!
ReplyDeleteThat gives me hope! Carson is not a cuddler or anything and is always on the go - just like you described your boy. But I still have time I hope
ReplyDeleteI love this! I especially loved "it's his heart that knows me." I stumbled over here from BPB and will subscribe for sure...your writing is tender and sweet!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet moment you've captured, and what a great story! *Duckychick* sounds like the gateway to adventure!
ReplyDeleteLike taking a photo or movie of your moment...thanks for sharing the intimacy of a little boy and his mommy. Beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks. Ijoined the link up....So you know, our "L" was in NO WAY a snuggler until about age 5 or 6. Now he is a champion snuggler...
ReplyDeleteAww what a sweet little moment you got to spend together. I hope you have a lot more.
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE it when their imaginations coincide with actually being able to speak about what they're dreaming. Such fun. And I love that you savored each, thoughtful second of it.
ReplyDeleteKids are awesome :)
(Thank you so much for linking up today! I'm so glad you did!)
Liking your descriptions Dweej : D
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! What a lovely moment to share and remember!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until Sasha's old enough to sit still long enough for a story - she is one curious little girl right now! But apparently it's normal for a one year old to be a busy bee :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad to meet you through the BPM link up! I love the way you craft a story here. :) I think I know where your boy gets his skills.
ReplyDeleteThis moment is intentional living at it's best -- these little ones grow and grow so fast. We've got to soak up the moments they are fully in, our minds and hearts fully in them, too. Thanks so much for sharing!
So sweet. Good for you learning to enjoy the small moments like this.
ReplyDeleteMy three year old relishes in moments like these, needs them, and I have to force myself into them. They are divine once I am in them though.
So happy you are enjoying him!
So sweet! Cuddle times are awesome :)
ReplyDeleteLove listening to our boys. They are so honest and simple. ANd super duper funny too.
ReplyDeleteOh, Dweej, thanks for sharing that moment with us. I felt like I was right there with you. Isn't it awesome when you get to witness their little imaginations in action?
ReplyDeleteDweej I am SO glad you posted this and then linked it up to This Heavenly Life! Coincidence is just God's little way of remaining anonymous, right? I too had what I was going to say all figured out for today, and it fit perfectly.
ReplyDeleteYour post is so precious. Duckychick!!! Does it get any cuter than that? I love that you recorded this moment. Your little guy is adorable!
YAY!! I love this and I LOVE that he made up a story to tell you! So sweet.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love your cereal eating, car playing, duckychicks. You have quite an imagination yourself!!
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly realizing I need to slow down and enjoy the snuggles too. I love silly stories. I make up nonsense songs for Donut and she just eats it up!
ReplyDeleteI love getting glimpses into the little people they are through the stories and games they make up. So amazing! Thank you for sharing!
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