Wednesday, September 26, 2007

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.

13 comments:

Claire said...

Jody, I LOVE that picture of Ava with the chalky hands. Its fantastic.

Great colors plus super use of space and you're on an interesting angle and everything (sorry I'm not really an expert on this stuff but really liked the piccie!)

Tomie said...

Thank you for the encouragement to cherish each day with my kids and treat the day like an chance to teach them something small and something big at the same time. I read your blog often and I just want to say thank you.

God Bless

Tomie

kristina contes said...

Dude, those are seriously the best easter eggs I've seen in a while...so maybe I should start early too in hopes of having as beautiful eggs as you guys!!

Adrienne said...

Good word, Jody! Thanks for the reminder and great random idea. Our house is still on the market, so messes in the house are still on a small scale. We do most of our adventures outside these days, but can't wait til the day we can do crafts and not worry about cleaning up right away. I'm sorry that Teagan isn't with you to do these random experiments. There are just days where it hits between the eyes..."Yes, this is my reality. No, I'll never get to hold Noah again until the day I die, which is only up to God...Oh wait, did all of that really happen or was it a bad dream?!" Perseverance produces character and character hope. Thank God we have hope!

Melanie said...

THANK YOU for the reminder!!! Glad you and the kids had fun and made fun wonderful memories! Melanie Smith (Brandon, MS)

Anonymous said...

Teagan IS with you and her sisters...

Faith said...

You inspire me, in so many different ways. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jody! I found this awesome website with some incredibly unique Christian designs on it. Because I know that you are a strong believer I thought you might love to sport some of these designs as a witness! Just use the link below and browse through all of the cool stuff! I am just in LOVE with them! Anyone else who reads your blog comments can definitely go check them out too!

I love how you're so random with the activities you do with your kids! I look forward to being able to do the same fun type of stuff when I have kids one day! Many blessings!
Christy :O)

Link: http://www.c28.com/?adid=st&iid=42431

Laura Williams said...

i love it jody. just LOVE it. :)

Jodi said...

Love your perspective on life...cherish each moment of each day.

Laura S. said...

I love this!! I am also a big fan of fun like this. A great reminder to cherish the time with my kids.

Laura

Anonymous said...

Loving your post today. Kudos to you for dying eggs in September! You truly get it.
I apologize if you've said before, but what kind of camera & lens do you use Jody? Your photography is fantastic...

Tricia said...

After dyeing eggs this past spring, I thought "I can't let all this good dye go to waste!" So I mixed some of the leftover liquid with cornstarch and made really vibrant (but runny) sidewalk paint. Seeing your sidewalk chalk and the dyed eggs reminded me of that. :^)

Back when Tub Tints were smaller and came with lots to a package, we used to do color experiments with them. i never thought of doing the same with egg dye packets (because I, too, end up buying clearance packets...)