This morning I didn't feel like going to the gym, it sounded like too much work, so I thought I could walk Nathan to school and then go for a neighborhood walk afterwards. After dropping my itchy kid off at school, I began my stroll around college park. Grace and Stephen made sure they said hello to each person we passed and yelled "have a good day!" It's a bit ironic to see them screaming these kind words. After several minutes, Grace insisted that she needed some exercise and persuaded me to get out of the stroller. I've never seen this girl run so fast without stopping. I wondered what had happened to my girl. My little Jackie Joyner only lasted for a few minutes before she transformed back into my Grace again as she stopped at every flower, leaf, and acorn she saw. I never knew how slow you could walk until you took a child with you who insisted on walking themselves. We talked about each item she found and after tugging on the stroller to bring it to a complete stop, she gently placed her stolen items in the basket underneath the stroller.
As we get closer to home, I let Stephen out. He wanted to run like his big sister. I couldn't stop staring at his cheeks that jiggled as he ran. He runs like he's at the tail end of a race. He leans forward, with his head out in front of the rest of his body, leaving his arms out wagging behind him. I find myself smiling every time I see him run. This is what I love about staying home with them. I don't miss anything! (It wouldn't be a full picture if I didn't say this is the challenge of being a mom too..sometimes I want to miss some things). I don't have to leave anything to my imagination. I'm not wondering if oatmeal was the hit of the day or if Nathan's itchiness persisted. I get to take a very slow walk with a 3 year old who is so fascinated with nature. I get entertained by jiggling little cheeks. I enjoy being apart of the details of their day.
