One at a Time

I got to spend some unexpected one-on-one time with my buddy Willis McGillis tonight. Although I enjoy spending time with all of my kids together, there is just something so special about getting to spend time with each one individually, even if it is just during a trip to Target. Nothing special, I suppose...just a weekly trip to get groceries and the odds and ends we needed at home. But for one little boy I think it was something extra special.

It was special because during our car ride into Cedar Rapids he could talk to me about whatever he wanted to without being interrupted by a toddler crying or an older sister arguing with him about insignificant details in his story. He got to talk to Mommy about the best presents he got and which ones he was going to play with and whom of his friends might like playing with them too. There was no competition of who had the more important thing to say or who could be the loudest while saying it.

It was special because at the store he got to sit in the front of the cart, and then in the back of the cart, and then got to hang off the back like a garbage man and pretend he was putting garbage into the garbage truck. He didn't have to fight over positions with sisters and be told "no" because baby sis "needs that spot." He even got to push the cart for a little bit which was an extra special treat. (I know that doesn't seem so special but it's the small things.)

It was special because he got to load and unload the groceries without having to bicker with big sister about who got to pick up which food, etc., etc. It was special because he got to swipe my card which no one EVER gets to do. It was special because we got to putz around loading groceries into the car instead of me wrangling them into car seats first so I can make sure no one gets stolen or ran over in the parking lot. And it was super special because he got a treat at the drive-thru after our trip was completed.

It was special because for about 2 hours, he got Mommy's undivided attention and since he was alone and there was no arguing and only 1 kid who was doing an outstanding job following directions, he had a mommy who was calm, collected, and even a bit silly. I'd like to spend time with that mommy too!

Willis McGillis showing off his
silly personality that we love so much!

It's nights like these I love. I love being able to really focus on one child at a time so they can feel special and maybe like they are the center of the universe for even a brief amount of time. I love to see each of my children's personalities when they are not competing for my attention and are just enjoying hanging out with their mom.

Nights like these also make me a bit sad. It makes me feel a little sad that I'm not able to do this more often with each of my children. It makes me sad they are growing up so fast and that at some point a trip to Target with mom won't seem so special any more. And it makes me sad, and maybe even a little ashamed that I really am only completely relaxed and, yes, even a bit silly, when I have one child versus three children at the grocery store with me. I would like to think that I typically handle shopping with three kids alright but I do know I feel a lot more exhausted and may lose my temper a bit more after a trip with all three then I did after tonight. 

I hope my kids enjoy spending time with me AND their siblings but I'll take as many of these nights as I can get. Hopefully I can find little opportunities like these more often to share with each of my kids because it was pretty special...especially for me.