Simple Joys.

Growing up whenever I asked my parents what I could do for them or give them for birthdays or holidays my parents infamous response was always; "Happy and content children."

"But, no.." I'd say. "What can I buy for you?"

Even today, my dad will tell me there really isn't any material gift that I could give him that would beat having happy, content children.

One Christmas I went so far as to wrap up a picture of my smiling face and titled it; 'Your Happy and Content Daughter.'

I think that now that I'm a parent, I get it. We all want our kids to be happy, content, well rounded individuals. And I think in a lot of ways when I see the T or M or H sincerely full of joy about something, I too am full of joy and thankfulness.

I think that some parents get so caught up in thinking they must always provide their children every whim and desire so that their children are happy. But I'd like to believe that having happy and content children has little to do with things and buying more but that it's in the simple little joys.

Today was one of those days where I truly saw simple joys come to life with all three kids. It was one of those days where both T and M spent time this morning 'dialing for dollars', as I like to call it. Calling every friend they have. Knocking on all the neighbors doors. Just looking for someone to play with or something to do. They know better than to tell me they're bored because I'll put them to work, but I could tell it was going to be a long day.

So we took off after lunch for a trip to the Children's Museum. While I am able to bring H there on a more regular basis, T and M definitely don't make it there as frequently because of this thing they are mandated to go to, school.

I forget that there are so many things to do for all sorts of ages as typically I focus on toddler friendly rooms and activities, but today we saw the whole museum.

My eyes were opened and my heart was happy as I saw all three of them having fun. Happy. Content. Loving the experience and just being together.

This is the only picture T would let me take of him. Bummer.

After an exhausting two hours of playing, we stopped and had an ice cream treat at McDonalds on our way to the car. I have realized I am more and more like my mom as a parent all the time. When I would ask (read: beg) for things as I child, I would drive her nuts. When I would just enjoy something, appreciate and not have to request more, she'd at time surprise us with a treat or something special. Today was like that. Neither T or M asked for anything at the museum, in the gift shop or even when we walked past the snack bar. When they are so appreciative about just being at the museum it makes me want to treat them to a treat.

I absolutely love this picture of H devouring his cone.

We stopped at Trader Joe's on our way home to pick up a few needed items (More on the progress of the needs/wants experiment soon.) T and M picked out their Fruit Leathers. Listening to T and M decide on their flavors and determine which flavors we should buy next time and which ones we should skip made me chuckle. Who knew a forty-nine cent snack would bring such entertainment.

M, proudly displaying her painting from today.

And the best part, having sparkling lemonade with our "gourmet" dinner of macaroni, chicken and green beans. (Umm yeah, not really what was planned on the menu.)

M walked in to the kitchen and grabbed her chest. "We're using special wine glasses?"

"Why not?" I said. Little did she know it was because I just really didn't want to empty out the dishwasher that had oh, almost all of our glasses.

"Oh I just love this day."

A trip to the children's museum: Free (with our membership)

Parking: $3.00
Ice Cream cones: $3.00
Fruit Leather at Trader Joes: $3.00 for six.
Lemonade in wine glasses for dinner: Free
Happy and content children: Priceless.