Magic day

Today was one of those magic days that, when you look back on them, you just get a warm feeling inside. Sometimes, when you're in the middle of a day or a moment, it's hard to see the bigger picture and how truly blessed and happy we really are.

Today was Jack's phase-in day for his preschool. A phase-in day is basically just a short day that gives the kids and parents a chance to get to know their new teachers and classmates. As we were going there, I was getting a little worried, because Jack was asking if I could stay with him the entire time. When I said no, he asked if I could stay for half. I said no, I would stay for a sixth, which was 15 minutes. He complained a little, but once we got there, he was having so much fun he didn't want to leave. By the time I left, it seemed like he'd completely forgotten I was there.

Another person who was having so much fun she didn't want to leave was Violet. She is going to have a blast whenever we decide to send her to preschool. She was right in the mix, playing with the same toys Jack was playing with and doing the same activities. She complained mightily when we left to meet up with a friend for coffee.

After a lovely morning at Starbucks, we went back to get Jack. The kids were doing their circle time, singing songs. I love watching Jack singing songs that have little hand gestures that go with them. He is so serious about getting it right.

It was so cute, when Violet finally realized where she was, she ran to Jack in the circle and tried to sit on his lap. Jack made a little room for her beside him and then basically just started singing to her. They just seemed so excited to see each other.

Violet had a nap when we got home, and later that afternoon we met up with friends at My Kids Clubhouse, an indoor play place nearby. It was so relaxing. Both kids are finally old enough to not need me hovering over them every second, so I was able to have a nice chat with my friend.

My Kids Clubhouse has a really cool play structure with a fun slide for the kids to go down. Violet loves slides, and she wanted me to take her on this one. I knew if I did it once, she'd want me to take her over and over again. Sure enough.

So I called Jack and told him to help his sister. And he did! Enthusiastically. It was so adorable seeing him pull her up the bigger steps. And then he sat her down on his lap and went down the slide with her, to the utter delight of them both. He did this at least three times with her, which you would know is no mean feat if you ever saw this pay structure. It just made me so happy to see how much fun they were having together.

It also showed me how different things are with the second child. First of all, Violet seems so much steadier on her feet than Jack was when he first started walking. But would I have ever let a four-year-old child take Jack up this play structure when he was 17 months old? I'm sure I wouldn't have. Of course, it makes a difference that the four-year-old in question is my baby's big brother, but I can't think of any child - even one who was much older - that I would have entrusted with Jack when he was that age.

Afterward, we had a nice dinner with our friends, and overall it was just a great day. Of course, there were moments of frustration as there are in any day, but when I looked back on it in the evening, I just felt it was one of those wonderful days that I can point to when people ask why I want to be a stay at home mom or why did I want to have more than one child. Seeing Jack as a big brother has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Sometimes I worry that I get so caught up in the anxieties and worries of life that I don't take time to notice moments of happiness as they come. This was such a beautiful one that I'm glad I was able to appreciate it.

* Interestingly enough, Facebook showed me a post from this same day last year when I'd also posted about what a wonderful day I'd had with the kids. It must be something about September 7, which is also (coincidentally?) the birthday of two of my favorite people.