Fast-forward, march!

(L to R: Ken 5,
Georgia 2
Sam 4)

“Mom-mom-mom.” My name has become three syllables. “Mom-mom-mom, did you know? Did you know that the calendar says March?” And, as he stomps rhythmically in place, “Mom-mom-mom, did you know that this is a march, too? Look, I’m marching, and it’s March! Isn’t that cool?”

In all of his four years, Sam continues to march to the beat of his own drum, and regularly makes connections that keep me smiling to myself. Yes, we’re marching – marching through 2015 with eyes wide open: striving to keep the balance of time, health and fun. (Anyone else meet a late March deadline for both their new year’s resolutions and their taxes?) Not pulling any punches here – the last three months have been a healthy challenge. Nothing wrong with a good, healthy challenge. (As long as there’s ice cream.)

Here’s a smattering of lessons learned:

• Lesson one: Nannies can quit with two-day’s notice, pending a decision of a nanny’s fiance to

  

  Sam, Ken, Georgia &
  Class Pet, Fluffy

  move out-of-state.
• Lesson two: Head lice is contagious. The Lice Lady is your friend.
• Lesson three: The faithfully departed are with us always. I miss my mother-in-law. She always said, “Time marches on, and people grow up. And that’s okay.” But watching my husband and sisters and brothers-in-law prepare their childhood home for sale, and care for my father-in-law is not easy on the heart.
• Lesson four: Your place of employment is not a loyal relationship. Always build your network. And update your resume.
• Lesson five: Waiting in the license renewal line at the DMV on a Saturday is more fun when you bring your three toddlers and the class pet, Fluffy (stuffed).
• Lesson six: Spring arrives early, sometimes.
• Lesson seven: A few good friends, a loyal spouse, three hilarious children, and quality ice-cream (Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia or Haagen Daz Dulce de Leche, please) is all that’s needed to make you know that life is good – and it’s best to soldier on -- keep marching.

L to R: Sam, Ken, Georgia

And so, we soldier on -- my hubby, three cherubs and me -- marching forward, heads high, ready for

 what's just around the bend. And in our quest to keep the balance of time, health and fun, we declare our blessings, attempt to slow the pace of each day, and keep each other from taking life all too seriously. For, as any good soldier knows, it's the healthy challenges that make life worth living. Best to keep the wind at your back, an angel on your shoulder, and a swift sense of humor at the ready.

And so, loyal reader, as you march around the next corner, here are a few toddler sayings to keep you ever-light-of heart. 

On sharing:

• New nanny Bria: Today we're going to learn about states! And Georgia, did you know that you have your very own state?
• Ken: Um... Bria, it's not Georgia's state. It's all of our's state. In this house, we share.

On memory:

• Sam: Bria, what's your favorite vegetable?
• Bria: I told you yesterday. Do you remember?
• Sam: No.
• Ken: He's actually so smart that there isn't any more room in his head to remember.

On spooky movies:

• Georgia: The ghost movie is scoopy.
• Dad: Spooky movies are no good. Which other movie should we watch?
• Georgia: Let's watch the boom-pas.
• Dad: Right. The umpa-lumpas.

Until next time,

Molly