After the tragic events on Friday, I felt the need to preserve and take everything in with my children. I wanted to hug them and squeeze them and basically keep them bottled up.
On Friday, Henry comes home from school and like he always does he runs to me in glee. I pick him up and start crying. What does he do - he says "Mom you hurt my leg". So much for the moment. I still of course kissed and hugged him more than I ever have before. When picking up Mary she flashes the biggest smile that makes my heart melt. She too got extra hugs and kisses.
The events on Friday made me realize that the past year flew by and that I want to stop time. I've been trying to take it all in, but it's hard. You take a step back and realize you have to slow down, you have to enjoy everything because you never know when it could be taken away.
Moms on my mom board have all talked about making salt dough ornaments. I thought this would be a great project to do with Henry and Mary. So, Sunday morning, I brought out the Kitchen Aid (only once a year, this baby gets used) and we made the dough, as a family. We rolled the dough and then we started with the kids hand prints and our finger prints. Henry made more ornaments out of cookie cutters. It was nice. I was taking it all in.
Here is our finished product:
Yes, I made reindeer out of my children's hand prints and the other is just Mary's hand print so we will remember her First Christmas. It's not a lot but the memory was made. When I pull out the ornaments next Christmas I will remember us standing as a family making them and reflect back on the day.
Cherish these moments. Slow down, take a break and take it all in. I know that is what I will be doing this Christmas.
