Making "Goblin Stew"

As Fall approaches, many leaves, twigs, flower petals have fallen on the yard. I see the kids collecting these items, making little nature packages and adding them in a bucket of water. "We're making goblin stew! Maybe they will come tonight and eat some!" Hours of entertainment! Cute.

Watching Their First Olympic Games

All the different sports, the importance of sportsmanship, competition and the coming together of all the nations were mesmerizing for the kids. When the Olympic torch was dismantled and the fires were extinguished, they were sad the games were over. I think the funniest thing I heard them say was during a cycling event was "Hey, that's not fair - those people are in cars!" Yes, they were referring to the crew.

Watching their Recitals

All those hours of practicing during the year and you see a tiny fragment of their performance during 2-3 minutes on a given day. My daughter said she was so nervous so I told her to pretend everyone in the audience was relaxed and wearing pajamas. Her dress rehearsal was a little shaky, but she coasted through the actual recital. :) My 5 year-old says she pretends nobody is in the audience with her ballet shows. They both look like they are having fun on stage and they tell me they do. As long as they are having fun, that is all that matters. And as I watch their smiles while they practice or during the concerts, I smile along with them.

Handprints

Whether they are in clay, sand or prints made with paint, chalk or water, those little fingers in visual art form are definitely a moment in time.

Learning a New Language

I always see a smile when my daughter remembers a word in another language, without me prompting. "I know, I know, Mama! It's 'shapka!'" Shapka is 'hat' in Russian. The more prevalent languages they hear are French, Spanish and Korean, some Japanese. I try to speak to them in Korean and French when I can so they hear other sounds - I think it's important they hear the variety. "Kham-sa" is five in Arabic whereas "gham-sa" in Korean is to thank. It's fun learning these new words with the kids - they usually remember them better than I do. :)

Their First Steps

One step, two step, three step!
Fall on diaper-padded bottom.
Yay!

Waterfront

An ocean or a lakefront with soft waves lapping on the sand provide a refreshing break from cityscape. Soothing water sounds and gentle waves always relax me. Little girls' toes and feet running towards and away from the waves definitely bring forth a smile.

Donating Hair for the First Time

Both my girls love long hair and they wanted to grow their own as long as Rapunzel's. However, my older one realized that as soon it got too long, it was getting in her way. She announced "I'm ready to donate and cut, Mama!" They both had watched me donate mine (10 inches) last summer, so I guess she was inspired. As soon as she saw her two, cut ponytails and her chic new bob, she laughed with delight. "I love it, Mama! And a girl that has no hair will be able to wear mine!"

Her First Fireworks

"It's so beautiful, Mama!"
That's what I hear from both of my girls the first time they witnessed late-night fireworks. Mind you, it was at Walt Disney World and their fireworks are spectacular. Their faces of awe with shining eyes and open mouths said it all.

Finding the Matching Sock

After every load of laundry, there is always a sock without its matching pair, usually a child's sock. Where do they go? They were loaded in at the same time...We had a problem with the washer once and when we took the draining tube apart, we found 3 of these socks. A-ha! But most of the time, these socks are found on the floor, behind a box, a place they were dropped in the transfer process from washer to dryer or dryer to folding place. When my daughter finds it, "Yay!" she smiles.

Hugging Children

Whenever I see children hug each other, when one sibling says good-bye to the other one at school, it's a sweet moment.

Seeing the Same Runner

As I walk my children to school, I notice the same people running or exercising around the same time. I have noticed an older gentleman who I would guess would be close to his sixties, running very other day or so. I smile at healthy, older people, as I hope to attain that as well in my future. How lucky they are.

Observant Kids

My husband rarely wears a suit to work. When he had one on this morning, our 5 yr-old asks "Where are you going, Papa?" Funny.

Dance

Every time she twirls around in her flowery dress, skips across the room, leaps around the grass while she hums a song, these dancing moments bring me back to my youth. Ah!

The First Kiss

Whether it was your kindergarten puppy love, fifth grade crush, high school sweetheart, college love, or future-husband-to-be, the first peck on the lips with its butterflies is definitely a moment to smile for. :)

The First Time to Ride Without Training Wheels

What a big day! My older daughter rode her bike to school without her training wheels. She was so proud of herself. Mom too.

As She Falls Asleep

Sometime in the early morning, one of my daughters come with a bad dream and they lie next to me. Sooner or later, they fall back asleep, sometimes facing away. When I see the long hair fall back behind their head, with a small ear and a little arm showing, I smile. If they fall back asleep while facing me, I see the closing eyes, the lips parted a little, and small breaths snoozing away. I smile.

Freezies on a Hot Summer Day

Not much more to add here - just the image of little kids enjoying freezies with hot faces after 20 minutes in the playground. Smiles everywhere.

As She Wears a T-shirt

My younger daughter puts on her shirt and tries to get it over her round, larger head. She pulls this way and that way. Finally after a while, her head pops out of the hole and an instant smile appears. Voila! Her world is well now, after she rebrushes her hair...

Holding My Daughters' Hands

As we we walk hand in hand, I hold those 5 little soft fingers gingerly with much love. The curvature of their tiny fingers remind me when they would squeeze my hand as a newborn. And I think - wow, they have grown...but are still very little. I know that in a few years time, I will never be able to hold that little hand, as they will grow into young ladies. The hands that write, flip pages, hold bike handles, play piano, caress my face, give me hugs; I hold them, every chance I get.