little kids

I'm watching my friends 2 kids today. I'm jealous that she's off on an awesome trip, but it's been fun having her two little ones here today while her hubby has to do some work.

The kids are 4 and 1, and the 1 year old is a little sad because he is out of his element and his schedule is all messed up. It is so sweet to watch his big sister and my little girls as they bring him toys and snacks and try to keep him entertained. They are giving him rides on the office chair and carefully taking turns sitting on it and holding him, and the other two gently turn the chair in circles.

They are walking around the couch with him, and cuddling up on the couch with him and his blanket to watch tv.

These little ones of ours watch us. They see us as mom's and what we do each day. I love to listen to my girls as they play house and hear them as they mimic what I do and say during the day. Sometimes I am surprised by what they have witnessed and mimic that I have done, but most of the time I'm touched that they pick up of what I do throughout the day. Instead of spending time mimicing how I scold or when I get frustrated- they mimic the fun times. They mimic the daily routine of my chores- without my frustrated angry voice.

So many times in my life I've uttered the phrase- "I can't wait till they are older" Now, for the very first time I'm looking back and realizing that while I still am glad that my kids are getting older, there is an entire chapter of my life that is closing. I don't have little tiny babies in the house anymore. In 2 weeks I'll be signing my youngest up for pre-k! It's been fun today to have the extra little ones in the house, and a great reminder to me that our kids really are paying attention to us and how we act throughout the day.