So before I became a mom, I always said certain things I would never let me child do. My child would never play on an iPad or phone (which he is now addicted to and I still don’t know how it happened). My child will behave in restaurants and stores because I am a behavior analyst and paid to teach other children how to behave (and yet half of Dallas and London has seen Level 10 epic meltdowns from my little guy). My child will eat lots of fruits and veggies and no junk food (And yet he asks for “tookies” aka cookies every 30 seconds). And my child would not wear “cartoon” clothes. I always thought they looked cheesy, and it just wasn’t my style.
Fast forward to yesterday. To see my child’s eyes light up in the Next store in response to an Elmo shirt and some Elmo boots, I understood it. I understood why kids have Mickey Mouse or Spider-Man plastered across their shirt. I understood why I see kids out and about with Cinderella dresses and heels. I understood why I see boys with super man capes on running down the streets. Because now my child will be the child with Elmo plastered across his shirts and Elmo boots on his feet. And that’s okay. The way he spotted the shirt from 20 feet away and started screaming “MOMMA MOMMA ELMO ELMO!” Then immediately grabbed the first shirt off the rack, hugged it, gave Elmo a kiss, and turned to me to say “peazzze”. In my eyes, there was no saying no!
Never say never! These little creatures have ways to convince you to do things that you would have never thought you would do, but that’s okay! They are only little once, so embrace it. My resolution for 2017 is to embrace every moment, live in the moment, say “yes” more, and be more plugged in to little details in life! I vow to say “yes” more when Eli asks me to read a book to him when I’m in the middle of working. I will try to say “yes” more when the hubby asks me to watch a show that I’m really not even close to interested in (war shows, drug cartel, or documentaries are not my thing). I will embrace these moments for what they are because I know they are fleeting!
So needless to say, Eli didn’t even make it out of the store yesterday without the boots on his feet and the shirt in his hand!
This morning he woke up asking for Elmo, and not the usual “Elmo iPad” he asks for a million times a day, but he wanted the boots and the dirty shirt from yesterday! So he wore the dirty shirt and the Elmo boots all day as we walked 2 miles to the market, explored Portobello market, ate some lunch, and came back home for what is hopefully a nice long nap!
To see a smile like this, I will say YES every time!!
- I’m obviously missing something at Portobello market, or I went at the wrong time because I couldn’t find anything! My only goal was to get a few fruits and veggies for dinner, and needless to say we made a stop at Waitrose on the way home.
- How am I going to get my child to wear something other than Elmo tomorrow?
- Still no bank account… hopefully I have a better update soon!
Ryan russell says
If you haven’t been to borough market, you should check it out! it is definitely the best food market in London.
Nicole Reid says
i feel like you might need to go back to next and buy another elmo shirt, identical to the one he has so he always has one… 😛
Kristen says
There’s is a large Tesco on Portobello road and a Spanish Grocery store. I walk down Portobello everyday after I drop my kids off at school and PaSS by them. I always stop at the Starbucks before going home. Also, they have Pound land with is the equivalent of Dollar tree or family Dollar in the states. Today everyone is setting up their booths for the weekend flea market. There is usually a pretty big produce stand near the Starbucks, on the sidewalk too.
Dana riviere says
Love reading your updates! Thanks for sharing! You look so much like your mom it that picture!
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