Adventures in Bennionland

Today Eric took the boys out to buy a present from each boy for me for Christmas. The entire way home they worked on their “line” to me if I asked what they bought. So…if I asked “what did you guys get for me at the store?” their response was to be “I don’t know!”.

Eric was so pleased with himself. Pleased, and confident enough, to tell me all about it. I, however, was a little skeptical. Will can lie like the best of them…but Walker…well, he can’t keep anything secret. So I was more than happy to indulge Eric by testing them out…

I asked several times – in different ways to try and get it out of them. Not because I want to know what they got, but rather to prove Eric wrong. Eric stood by and smiled, proud of his tutelage. And sure enough…Eric was right!

Isn’t it weird that we’re proud that our kids can lie to us? I’m sure that will bite us later….

Eric left about 1/2 hour ago for the Cast Party to celebrate the success of his play. I was washing dishes when Walker came into the kitchen. And here is what followed:

Walks: “Mom, do you want to know what your present is?”
Me (figuring it’s another test): “Yeah Walker, what did you get me?”
Walks: “I don’t know!”
(followed by laughter as he left the kitchen…only to turn around and say)
Walks: “Mom, we went to the store and got you stuff so you could keep smelling good. And make you clean. And lotion too!” (he’s rubbing my arm in a lotion applying gesture)
Me: “Oh Walks. You just told me what you bought me. Are you going to get in trouble?”
Walks: “Nope, Daddy isn’t here to hear me!”

Yeah baby the Elves are back and bold as can be… This really needs no intro… just sit back and watch…Happy Holidays!

I love mornings. I love having a chance to collect my thoughts (and read blogs) before everyone else gets up. I love listening for the pitter-pat of the boys feet as they search me out. The first hugs of the morning that are warm and strong. Funny conversations, cuddles on the couch, breakfast at a slow, leisurely pace – this is morning.

This morning I rose before everyone else. I wandered through the house. Put a blanket on Eric who had slept in the room with the boys. Tucked the boys back into their bedding, away from the cool morning air. Grabbed my robe and latest book and retreated to the couch.

In most ways this morning is no different than any other one. Tomorrow morning however will be the start of something new. A new out-of-the-home job for me – with hours early in the morning away from the boys.

Will paddled out first this morning. Saw me in the kitchen and ran to get up into my arms.
We cuddled on the couch and I started getting a little teary. He asked if they were “tears of love” which is usually what I tell him. This morning I was honest and said, no these tears were of sadness because I’ll miss my morning time with him. He curled right up to me and said “It’s not a big deal Mom.”

He is right. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have the time with the boys that I do. I get to make a choice. I recognize the value, and cost, of me staying home with the kids…and the value and cost lost of me not working. So this new opportunity is perfect. It allows me to meet some of our family goals with little strain on the boys.

And yet, Will’s wrong. Not because giving up my mornings is a big deal. That’s not it. It’s recognizing that the boys are growing up. They are at a place where who they are with during the day doesn’t matter as much as it used to. Most of their basic needs, food, toilet, sleep – are things they can provide for themselves.

I’m not trying to devalue myself – or make it seem like they are past the point of mothering. Rather that as a mom one of the strangest parts of my jobs is that it is constantly evolving. Each new development and phase for them requires a new job description and skill set from me. And this new phase for me also marks a new phase for them. A more independent one.

Oh. I’m going to miss my mornings. What they are. What they signify.

But…for now…for this moment I am going to turn off the computer and tune into my son who just asked me to come play and qualified his request with “…because Mom, playing with me is your favorite thing in the world.”

Yes it is.

(cross posted on my personal blog)