Cherishing our time together

The other day my neighbor asked me how I was enjoying work and if I cherished the time I was home with my kids more now that I wasn't with them 24/7.  I didn't really think much had changed.  I always enjoy being with them, right?  Then I looked back on our week together and realized how much I looked forward to just being with my kids. 

On my day off, I opted to stay at home all.day.long.  No play dates, no Target runs; just playing with toys, reading books, cuddling and playing outside.  This is something I would have never imagined doing a few months ago; we would've gone crazy being "cooped up" all day.  Instead, being at home, I was able to BE with my kids, pay attention to them and play with them. 

I had to work this afternoon, but oh my, we had so much fun this morning.  The games Punky invented this morning were creative today, and not quite so annoying.  Sometimes you can only play shopping, Wonder Pets, or her pattern game (one person says Butterfly, the next says Kitty, repeat for 5 minutes) so many times.  But not today.  I read Buddy nearly ten books in a row.  He just kept taking them off the shelf and I just kept reading.  Pure heaven.

Buddy wanted to cuddle.

        

Punky wanted tickles!