A much needed reminder of what's important this season

Paul's drawing: "I made a snowman out of socks."

A few days ago,  a Facebook friend posted an adorable picture of her daughter and son, her son licking the mixer's beater. Above it was a caption reminding moms and dads to breathe this Christmas season, that we never get these moments back. It has stuck with me, and I saw I immediately thought two things: 1) you've got that right! and 2) for me that is easier said than done.

Why is it so easy to understand this truth and yet so difficult to follow through accordingly? I know that even next year my kids won't be exactly as they are now. (Heck, with Ben going into middle school next year, who knows what I'll get in a year or two.) But somehow I still invariably lose sight of enjoying the little moments and more often than not let myself get harried.

I think of Paul, who a few weeks ago wanted to do a Christmas craft project. Instead of embracing the idea, initially I hemmed and hawed a bit. I'm not very good at crafts, I told myself. We won't have the right supplies. After a little web searching, however, I found some snowmen we could make with old tube socks. We took a quick trip to my mom's for fiber fill and buttons, and we got started. It turned out to be easy, fun and gratifying. Paul was so happy with his little snowman. He wrote about it in his school journal, and of all his possessions, he chose to bring the snowman for his class's special reward show-and-tell later that week.

The same goes for Gus. Since it snowed on Sunday, he's asked to go outside each day. I was game on Monday, but yesterday, I sighed deeply and told him it was too cold. I should've gone out with him. Really, what's the difference? I should be encouraging my kids to go outside, welcoming the opportunity. He can decide on his own if when it's gotten too cold, and surely I can withstand 20 minutes of frigid temperatures. I see some outdoor play in our future for today.

I need to remind myself that with kids, experiences are what's truly important. Sure, my boys are bubbling with anticipation of the Christmas gifts they'll receive. When they think back on the Christmases of their childhood though, I highly doubt they'll be remembering the things they received. If they're like me, they'll recall decorating the Christmas tree, making cookies with Mom, snuggling up for holiday movie, having a snowball fight with Mom and Dad, rushing outside to see the Santa Float.

So thanks for the much-needed reminder, Katie. I have dough in the refrigerator to make cutout cookies with Gus later. And if he leaves a few fingerprints in the dough, who cares? All the germs get baked away in the oven anyway, right?