10 Things My Children Do That Make Me Smile

While I often write about the sweet and happy times around our house, I don’t want you to think that life around here is always that way! We each have our moments when we’re not at our best, as spouses, parents and children.

Along those lines, today I was planning to share with you a list of ten things my kids do that drive me crazy. However, as I began typing out the list, I thought about how my girls would feel should they read it. That’s not likely, as they are rarely on the computer except to play approved games. Yet I think they may not appreciate their failings being shared with others (who of us would). Though they be only six and eight-year-olds, I still respect them and would never purposely do something that might hurt them.

So instead, I’m going to write a list of ten things my children do that make me smile. Should they come across this post, I hope it will make them smile, too.

Ten Things My Children Do That Make Me Smile

1. Playing “hide and seek” with the Dustbuster. I don’t know how this particular game started, but whenever they use the Dustbuster to clean up a mess, they take it and hide it somewhere very unusual such as the laundry basket or one of the dresser drawers in our bedroom.
2. Reading books. They read and read and then read some more. They love to read and I am thrilled that they have a passion for something that will benefit them all their lives.
3. Using their imagination. I mentioned how they spent time over the weekend creating their own library. They also are constantly pretending to be various characters from books they’ve read.
4. Telling me every night, “You’re the best mommy in the whole world,” to which I reply, “You’re the best six/eight-year-old in the whole world.”
5. Playing in the rain. They love going out and playing, with or without their umbrellas, in the rain, splashing and jumping in puddles.
6. Asking questions about the meaning of words. They are quite curious about words they read in books and are quick to ask for an explanation.
7. Singing in the shower. I have one daughter who does this more than the other, but it’s so sweet to hear their young voices singing a favorite song while they’re getting clean.
8. Loving their family. They get so excited about going to visit grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins or about having them come here to visit us.
9. Doing a task without being asked. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s a sweet moment when it does!
10. Blowing me kisses on the way out the door to play.

The daily parenting struggles are real, but how much greater are the blessings our children bring into our lives.Visit Oh Amanda to read others Top Ten Tuesday lists.