I did not wake up this morning to a little boy standing at the edge of my bed staring and giggling at me.
I had time to take my shower and get completely ready before the kids woke up.
Both children sat right down to breakfast without whining or yelling.
Breakfast was SpongeBob free.
Ella tenderly hand-fed me imaginary blue stars. I assume they were delicious.
Carson and Ella’s version of the game peek-a-boo, didn’t end with someone in tears.
I didn’t clean up any bowls of cereal off the floor.
The kids helped me load and start the dishwasher without fighting or making a huge mess.
Carson got himself dressed without me ever having to say, “GET DRESSED, NOW!”
As I pulled Ella’s shirt over her head, she proudly proclaimed, “I have two arms!!”
Carson helped Ella put on her socks.
Excuse me while I bask in the glory of a rare good start to the day.
(Please ignore the poor quality of the pictures, I wasn’t going for perfection, I just wanted to capture the moments!)
*****
I made a serendipitous discovery! Emily at Chatting the Sky hosts a little thing called “gifts on a tuesday.” I think my precious moment was a perfect gift on a Tuesday.
Kristin
February 23, 2010 at 9:11 am
Those are the best days. I’m so glad you got one of them. I am NOT having one of those days.
Kristin´s last blog ..Diary of a Hockey Mom
Heather B
February 23, 2010 at 9:12 am
AWESOME!! I love it when days start like that! Priceless pictures!
Heather B´s last blog ..Mommy & Me: 1st Edition
HaB
February 23, 2010 at 9:13 am
I LOVE it when the days starts off like that. It usually means that the whole day is going to go well.
And, That last picture, it is SO sweet!!! So Sweet!
HaB´s last blog .."Little A _ _ holes"
Jen
February 23, 2010 at 9:15 am
Some days are just lovely. I try to savor those so they’ll get me through the not-so-lovely days! I hope the rest of the day is just as good.
Jen´s last blog ..you can do this
Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire
February 23, 2010 at 9:19 am
love the photos. And when you are having an especially trying day you can always come back to this set and bask in the glory of today.
Great captures my friend.
Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..Weekly Winners-Joys through their Eyes Edition
Kate, aka guavalicious
February 23, 2010 at 9:20 am
I think you should perhaps just go back to bed because that sounds like the most wonderful morning ever.
Kate, aka guavalicious´s last blog ..One of Us, One of Us, One of Us
Alicia P
February 23, 2010 at 9:23 am
Wow, that is a good start! I have never, ever in the history of my 6 years of parenting had a chance to wake up before my kids and shower. They think 5-6am is a perfectly acceptable wake up time. Wow. My brain is all aflutter that you got to wake up on your very own!
Enjoy your day!
Headless Mom
February 23, 2010 at 9:32 am
Lovely!
Headless Mom´s last blog ..ABC’s
Zoe
February 23, 2010 at 9:42 am
Oh, Miss Ella! Was it a numerical discovery that led to the arm statement?
I also love the last photo – what a sweet moment!
Zoe´s last blog ..I am not a touchy person. I’m just not.
Jennifer
February 26, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I have no idea what led to that arm statement, but she was SO PROUD!
mommaruthsays
February 23, 2010 at 9:43 am
The moments were perfection.
The pictures don’t need to be.
These are some seriously sweet kids!
This Belle Rocks
February 23, 2010 at 9:50 am
A good day, indeed!
This Belle Rocks´s last blog ..The spring-like weather was nice – while it lasted.
Ashlie- Mommycosm
February 23, 2010 at 10:31 am
Holy Crap! Did you wake up in an alternate universe?!
Enjoy it while it lasts…you know, until someone forces you to choose the red or blue pill back to reality.
Tara R.
February 23, 2010 at 10:49 am
A perfectly lovely start to any day. The snaps are wonderful!
Tara R.´s last blog ..It was a good day…
Scary Mommy
February 23, 2010 at 11:09 am
Those fleeting moments when my kids get along like that? Make all of the other moments worth it.
Yours are so stinking cute!
Scary Mommy´s last blog ..The Big Brother & The Little Brother
Cortney @ Evan Has Landed
February 23, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Good for you! I am basking with you b/c I know those types of mornings are few and far between. Congrats!
Cortney @ Evan Has Landed´s last blog ..Ask the Teacher: He Asked and They Answered
Kara
February 23, 2010 at 12:26 pm
the last picture is adorable. Love it.
Auburn Gal Always (Keri)
February 23, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Beautiful pics. Screw sharp focus. It’s highly over-rated.
Auburn Gal Always (Keri)´s last blog ..wait just a minute
Shannon @ Shany's Point
February 23, 2010 at 12:57 pm
What a great day!
And as usual…awesome pics!
Shannon @ Shany’s Point´s last blog ..Stretch…2…3…4…
Devan
February 23, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I love those days. Bask away!
Devan´s last blog ..Dr’s Appointment and Parental Torture
Kim
February 23, 2010 at 1:58 pm
“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.”
Stolen by me from http://enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com/ who stole it from one of her readers’ comments.
Kim´s last blog ..goodbye angel
Jennifer
February 26, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Thanks for stealing that one! So true, perfectly said.
Brigid
February 23, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Love days like that. Few and far between, but worth every minute. Those are the pictures your children will cherish when they are old like us.
Brigid´s last blog ..home alone
Maggie
February 23, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Those starts are the BEST!!! I hope you get many more.
Maggie´s last blog ..Signs
MommyNamedApril
February 23, 2010 at 3:59 pm
fantastic!!!
MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Sunday Citar – Grandparents
Stacia
February 23, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Your kiddos have got it down: One sock is always better than two, and a Sponge Bob-free breakfast served up with a side of blue stars is the most delicious.
Stacia´s last blog ..Greek to Me
Jennie
February 23, 2010 at 4:23 pm
My kid’s only one but he has bad days (cranky, off days), and I always wonder what caused this? What makes today so different from our great yesterday? Maybe I’ll stop questioning and just enjoy the good where it comes.
Jennie´s last blog ..Siblings
Jennifer
February 26, 2010 at 2:36 pm
My son is Captain Cranky McCrankerson and has been since birth…it’s hard NOT to notice the good days. It’s hard to always remember to celebrate those days, though. I’m eternally optimistic that a good day means that the times, they are a’changin’.
Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings
February 23, 2010 at 4:35 pm
I love that first photo. And I love when days are like this. . . sometimes it seems like we’ll never have one and then we do and it’s worth noting.
Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings´s last blog ..Hey, lady! I want to see your bathroom!
Stimey
February 23, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I know just what you mean. Those little pleasures are so important.
Stimey´s last blog ..His Life Was Short, But He Accomplished A Lot
dusty earth mother
February 23, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Wish I’d had pretend blue stars fed to me… That was just lovely. Reading it made me breathe and sigh “Ahhhh”. Thanks for that.
dusty earth mother´s last blog ..Bake Sale of the Damned
Natalie
February 23, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Ahhh….Love when a rare day starts such as this. Good for you – for the record, I thought the photos were fantastic because the subjects are precious. That’s what really matters.
I love “Chatting at the Sky”. I don’t follow regularly on Tuesdays but you just reminded me that I needed to subscribe.
Hope tomorrow starts that way, too!
Natalie´s last blog ..Who the Heck Am I?
Jennifer
February 26, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I’ve met Emily several times and she’s so gracious and kind. I want to be like her when I grow up.
Elizabeth (claritychaos)
February 23, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Welcome to Tuesdays Unwrapped – it’s a nice little tradition, isn’t it?
Congrats on the smooth morning – I get completely that they may be few and far between, so you are right in your celebration.
I’ve been here a few times before – you have a great blog.
Elizabeth (claritychaos)´s last blog ..Gathering
Jennifer
February 26, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Thank you! I know Emily’s blog, but somehow missed that she hosted this little tradition.
(You have a great blog, too. I’ve lurked quite a bit…You’ve submitted to Blog Nosh, right? I think that’s how I first read you.)
Heather
February 23, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Those are the best days when they start like that. Puts a bounce in my step every time, makes me feel like I can take on the world.
Country-Fried Mama
February 23, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Oh, the little things make all the difference. And I think these photos are great, particularly the first.
Country-Fried Mama´s last blog ..A blog review scarier than Scary Mommy, and two thumbs up for happy stories
punkinmama
February 23, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Care to share the secret of your success? Because otherwise, I’ll assume this was all a dream…
punkinmama´s last blog ..silver and gold
Jennifer
February 26, 2010 at 2:43 pm
I have been trying to be more prepared before the kids wake up so that I’m not always rushing them. Keeping the TV off during breakfast has helped…but that morning was such a rare treat! Wish I could replicate it everyday.
The Difference Between Silly Boys And Sweet Girls | Working Mom Diaries
February 23, 2010 at 11:23 pm
[...] off, preparing for bath time. Bath time is their most favorite part of the night. Of course, my silly boys must have bubbles. And my independent little 4 year old, Isaiah, must pour the bubbles in himself, [...]
emily
February 23, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Yay! I’m so glad you linked up b/c you are right: this post is perfection for a Tuesday! Love the shots you captured, too.
emily´s last blog ..gifts on a tuesday
coffeejitters (Judy Haley)
February 24, 2010 at 5:37 am
sugar shock! how sweet is that photo of him helping her with her socks! Here’s to noticing when a day gets off to a great start. (I forget to do that sometimes, thanks for the reminder.)
coffeejitters (Judy Haley)´s last blog ..Gem’s First Valentine’s Day
Beth
February 24, 2010 at 10:40 am
Days like this make it all worth it. Don’t you love it when the older one helps the younger one???
Connie @ Young and Relentless
February 24, 2010 at 10:52 am
What a fabulous day!!
Connie @ Young and Relentless´s last blog ..The Bachelor: Women Tell it ALL
Burgh Baby
February 24, 2010 at 11:43 am
Days like this are the BEST kinds of days . . . the days when nothing “outstanding” happens, but you get to sit back and enjoy the little things. I hope you get many, many days that go exactly the same way.
Burgh Baby´s last blog ..Olympic Dreams
Shannanb aka Mommy Bits
February 24, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Days like these are priceless. Congrats!!
Danielle @ ExtraordinaryMommy
February 24, 2010 at 1:48 pm
This is so similar to how I felt this morning – I tweeted about it – felt a little like the Apocalypse – but in a good way
Love that your morning was beautiful!
Danielle @ ExtraordinaryMommy´s last blog ..Talk Live – Interviewing (not for a job)
Jennifer
February 26, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I was like a good Apocalypse! Wish I could have such peace each morning.
amber
February 24, 2010 at 3:54 pm
wow, what a way to start the morning…..
lovely babies
Issa
February 25, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I hope it lasted.
Those times are awesome. It makes it all worth it.
Love the picture of Carson putting Ella’s socks on. So sweet.
Tina@Send Chocolate Now
February 26, 2010 at 3:41 am
what’s that like?
Lately I am on such a battlefield with my children.
Love that you had one of those days. I am waiting for mine.
Tina@Send Chocolate Now´s last blog ..You’re small fry, stop baiting your mom
Sally
February 28, 2010 at 9:49 am
You gotta celebrate those moments when they come because they are all too rare. I’m still waiting for mine. I’m happy for you.
P.S. Those are the cutest pics!
Sommer
March 1, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Out of all the websites I read…you have the best results for comments and you know why…
You are real.
I love that about you.
I’m real too but nobody comments, everyone tweets it!
Thanks for being you and these pics are too adorable.
Sommer´s last blog ..Smile for the Camera! Beautiful Baby Contest, Tips and More.
Stacey
March 4, 2010 at 1:43 am
Getting up and ready before the kiddo’s is so wonderful. And so is not picking up a bowl of cereal that your crazy puppy boxer jumped up and knocked to the floor. Oh wait, that was me.
The pictures were very nice by the way. Artsy to me!