It’s these evening hours, the witching hours no doubt, that can drive us all a little insane. The kids are tired, hungry, and…grumpy. Never a good combination in children, or adults for that matter. This evening is no different. I scramble to assemble some sort of dinner before my head implodes after hearing “Moommm…I’m hungry” for the millionth time. In extremely whiny voices no less.
There I am, scurrying around the kitchen, likely with a furrowed brow, when Little Sister walks up to me with her blankie and sparkly pink pony in hand. She stops, looks up and says “mommy, I’m tired”.
Something about her voice, the vision of her three year old smallness clutching her pink blankie and pony, makes me stop and I soften.
I scoop her up in my arms. There is music playing in the background. She lays her head on my shoulder and wraps her long legs around my waist. I start swaying to the music. Drops of Jupiter by Train, becomes our dancing music.
I can feel Little Sister’s body relax as we dance like this in the living room. For a moment, I forget the dinner, I forget about the toys scattered beneath our feet.
We are in the moment. Dancing and comforting each other. It was exactly what we both needed.
She may have said “mommy I’m tired”, luckily what I heard was mommy, dance with me.
oh how very touching! i wish i had a keepsake box to stash away memories like this one, hide it under my pillow; that way even if im old and losing my marbles, i could still treasure them forever, and show them off to whoever is interested.
hope you enjoyed your dinner!
This is so sweet. Our witching hours are later. The kids gets out of school at 4:30 (or 6 if I'm teaching or there's sports). There's no school on Wed.
Dinner is usually seven and in bed by eight. So those dark cold winter afternoons when they have to go from 4:30 to 7 (even with a snack) is so difficult.
Thanks for the tweet follow and I'll check out that post, which does ring a bell.
Aw…so very sweet. I love those moments where they can catch us and make us stop in our tracks!
Awww….kids have such a way of making time stop…beautiful story 😉
So sweet! These moments are beyond precious and sadly, I miss quite a few could be's….
These are the moments that you will remember always, even when they are grown. Keep them close for one day you will yearn to be back there again in that moment of love and innocence that a child can bring to you.
What a beautiful post! It's certainly those little moments that make up life!
That is just precious!!
Such a beautiful image! These are the most magical moments. There is nothing like dancing with your babies!
That is such a sweet story! Those are the moments that make it all worth it.
I am so happy to hear we are not the only ones with that crazy witching hour! From 5-7 my life is miserable. And I have so much trouble stepping back as you did. I am really trying to focus more on living each day and enjoying the moment. This story is so perfect for me right now. OK, text it to me each evening at 6 as a reminder! I will be in mid scream while dinner is burning, while rubbing my toe because I just got hit with a fire truck, while my 2 year old is screaming his head off. But I will soften. Ha!
That will fill up your heart any day…what a nice visual! We dance tonight too and I loved it!
That's very sweet! Enjoy those moments! I still love dancing with my girl, but she has her feet on the floor most of the time. She's already gotten too big for me to carry her!
So sweet, love these moments. Glad you are able to stop and enjoy them and comforted to know the witching hour happens in more homes than just mine!
Oh how I treasure those moments when I am able to truly LIVE in the moment with them. When I can ignore the simmering pot and messy house.
Thank you for sharing such an intimate and precious moment!
So lovely that you saw and heard her, above the din of that voice in your head saying "get things done!"
You should SO submit this to Nichole of in these small moments for her "Small Moments Spotlight" series. It would be perfect.
Melissa…my heart just melted.
I'm a big puddle of mush now.
What a wonderful memory this will be for both of you.
So lovely.
That is a gorgeous moment.
aw, we should all dance more often
So sweet! This makes me want to go and hug my daughter!
Moments like that are what it's all about. Moments like that are what make all the hard parenting stuff, worthwhile.
Chills. i *literally* have chills! This was absolutely beautiful Melissa! Thanks for sharing it. That's one lucky little girl and one sweet dancing song! XO
Oh, Melissa, I love this! Those are the moments that mean so much. I'm so glad you stopped and were able to savor the moment!
And this is life.
These are the memories, the moments they'll remember, when they get too big for you to scoop up and dance.
These are the moments they will remember….
How beautiful! The evening hours are hardest for me too, but it's so nice when you can stop the mad rush and just enjoy being…
It is moments like the one you described that make me so happy I am a mom. Sounds like you have wonderful dance partner.
Aw, I love dancing with Kaia too
Love it … You are a wise momma. As you know, my kids are now older and I so regret the times I didn't stop the madness and just take the time to be in the moment with them. You'll never forget — or regret — those moments.
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog this week. It meant alot.
I say, Dance while you can, sweet mama!
Precious story.
We always listen to music especially when I'm cooking dinner. It puts me in a good mood and the boys love dancing around the kitchen. Love your post, beautiful!
This is so incredibly sweet! And that song? Wow, gives me chills. Sometimes I think they really ARE asking to be scooped up without realizing it.
And sometimes we need it more than they do. Beautiful post, my friend.
This is so perfect! I'm glad she asked you to dance
Oh that was lovely, way to translate! I should try this with my husband….
That was so sweet! These are the important little moments that you will always remember. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in keeping to the schedule or the routine and we miss out on the good stuff. So glad you danced!
I love this. It's those little moments that make all of the chaos seem beautiful. And your interpretation of her words was just perfect.
adorable! makes my heart melt reading this.
~ash's mum
This makes me teary! I miss having a three year old. I'd give my eye teeth to always have a tiny one!
what a beautiful break from dinner to take.
That's so sweet. I think as moms we miss a lot of these moments. SOmetimes we just need to slooooow down. I know the "to-do" list is never ending and that, as moms, we basically run the show. BUt we only get their one childhood…and they will never remember if the dishes were in the sink, supper was late, and the laundry was stinky. What they will remember is hugs, kisses, sweet time, and giggles that can only be shared b/t mommy and child.