A little off-beat fun...

Maybe it's the fact that I realize I'll never have a spic & span clean house as long as my kids are young and at home. Maybe it's the fact that I've never really loved structure and routine and 'rules' or maybe it's the fact that I am just trying to make sure my kids understand that art and play and having fun really are some of the most important lessons to be learned as a kid. No matter what the reason, I think the best part is that I don't even have to have a rational explanation as to why me and my girls dyed Easter eggs today. We just did. It was really fun, exciting, and totally out-of-the norm for a September morning at our house.

My girls were thrilled with the idea when I told them what we were going to do for an activity today. They were even more thrilled when we did a mini lesson in mixing colors. =) All this fun for a mere 22 cents. Yep. I'm the crazy kind of mom who buys the clearance egg coloring kits 3 weeks after Easter. Then I put them away for use at a later date.

For no special reason. But it makes special memories. I have been particularly aware of all the things I long to do with Teagan but can't. Like getting up from my computer in the midst of blogging and walking over to wherever she might be playing in the house or yard and telling her I love you and I just wanted you to know you are amazing to me. I miss stuff like that. Or not even miss it...but just ache at times at the reality of those moments that will never be.

Coloring eggs was one of her favorite activities. When I woke up this morning it hit me yet again....as it does so many mornings, "Teagan's not here and I wonder what kind of fun stuff we could have done together today." Rather than let sadness wash over me with such thoughts, I have learned to use them as springboards for creating fun and embracing moments. All of my kids love eggs and hugs and kisses and mixing color and doing special holiday things on days that aren't even holidays too.

So don't think I'm some mom full of great ideas or filled with inspiration to do spontanoues outrageous things on a routine mid-week morning. It's true- I do love to shake things up in life a bit. My hubby knows this all too well. =) But mostly, my motives come from wanting to not miss a thing...wanting to love and live in the moment...and to do NOW what I may never get to do at a later date. Like color eggs and listen to the laughter and experience the untainted happiness and joy of my kids- on an ordinary fall day.