Have you ever read the book A Good Day by Kevin Henkes. It starts off with a bad day, things are happening to little animals that make them sad, scared, or frustrated. But then things turn around and the problems they faced are either fixed or they gain a new perspective. In the end one of the little animals problems turns out to bring a little girl joy and she declares "What a good day!" It is a  sweet little story that I love to read with my little one.

Yesterday was a hard day. Things were happening that brought on some stress and despair in my life. I was feeling a little hopeless. Then my daughter woke up from her nap. For some reason she really loves wearing her jacket and this brand new pair of socks she just got and refuses to take them off, so even though it is quite warm she decided she needed to keep them on for her nap. She was a little sweaty, and needed a bath anyway, so I decided to forego our usual afternoon routine and just give her a bath. I was in my own world worrying about my own problems while my daughter was in the tub when she wanted me to help her put some of her tub time letters on the wall. I got down on my hands and knees and helped her place letters and name letters. I watched her "swim" in the tub and we talked about how fun it was to swim in the pool during the summer months. She sang songs to me and I helped her with the ones she couldn't quite remember. She was loving bath time and it was fun to see her excitement. After a while I got her out and wrapped her in her towel and held her like I did when she was a baby. We went to the rocking chair and rocked, she sang more songs to me and with me, and it was just so sweet. She does not normally like to cuddle or be held like that, but for some reason she let me hold her. After a while I suggested that she get dressed and she said "mama I just want a hug." So I gave her a big hug.

This little experience really turned my day from a hard day to a good day. I needed my daughters sensitive soul to lift me in a time of need. I realized that it was only after I set aside my own thoughts and worries and gave my whole attention to my daughter that I was able to receive this gift. It was such a good reminder to me to be in the present moment with my daughter and enjoy all that it has to offer.

I have such fond memories of childhood. I think so much of the beauty of my childhood came because of the small a simple things my parents did for me, they helped to create my childhood.
For instance in the fall I remember when the leaves would come down my mom would help me rake the leaves into a "floor plan" in the backyard so I could play house. One square would be a living room another the kitchen, bedrooms, garage, etc. I would drive a car we had into the garage and play in this house to my hearts content.

Another fond memory was the time spent making potions out in our backyard. My mom would read Harry Potter to us at night and the next morning I would be filling up buckets with mud, rocks, grass, leaves, and probably some of her flowers. It was so imaginative and fun.
I feel like so many of my simple but amazing memories came because my parents gave me tools that enabled me to have imaginative play. Whether it be the books they read, or the time they spent helping me build something, the things they did for me helped to create an environment that I could explore, learn and grow in.

I feel like it is so important as a mother to get down on my child's level and teach her how to build or use different toys. It is important to read to her. It is important to get outside and explore with her. It is important to fully invest in my child for a moment, and then leave her to her own imaginary play, using the new ideas she has learned.

It makes my heart so happy to watch my child playing across the room with something and note that she is using her experiences with me to play with her toys. I love when she sings songs or tells stories to her animals that we sang together or read together earlier in the day (or week).
One of the intentions of my parenting is to create an environment that fosters learning so my child can use that knowledge to build her own beautiful childhood.