Pomp and Circumstance

So, she is a preschool graduate. I am so proud! The ceremony couldn't have been cuter. They sang a bunch of songs, put on the three little pigs play, walked down the aisle in their caps and gowns ... so bittersweet. I've been reflecting a lot lately on Keira's short 5 years and I thought I would share with you, David Letterman stlye, the top 10 lessons learned/advice to be given on this parenting journey ... (Don't worry, we'll take picture breaks!) ...

10. Try to live in the moment. It's hard, I know. And this is the one that I am most guilty of not following. There will always be laundry and dinner prep and bathrooms to be cleaned and floors to be scrubbed and errands to be run. But there will not always be little people running around that need to be chased, tackled and tickled. :)

9. Happiness is a choice. Life has handed us some difficult situations. You can choose to wallow or you can choose to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Choose the light, choose it quickly.

8. You can sleep when you're dead.

7. There will be no time to yourself for years. Years. If you get to go to the bathroom by yourself, consider yourself lucky. That being said - figure out how to make time for yourself. Go out with your girlfriends, go to the movies, get to the gym. Whatever your thing is. You'll be a better parent for it.

6. Always wear sunscreen. Not just on your kids, but on yourself too. Skin cancer is real.

5. Take a deep breath, smile, and then deal with the situation. It moments of anger, it allows you to get ahold of yourself before you say something you shouldn't. In moments of fear, it helps suck back the tears so you can properly assess the situation and not scare your kids!

3. Get used to gross stuff. You will likely be peed on, puked on, pooped on at least once in your parenting journey. If you're lucky, it won't be all at the same time! (Oh and don't forget the joys of the ever familiar "I need help wiping" call from the bathroom. It's good to be a parent.)

2. You will say some things you never thought you would. I just used "Because I said so" about 100 times this week. Just embrace it. It is what it is. The worse one I can think of saying is "Please don't try to stick your finger in Peanut's butt." Sadly, I have said this to both my children.

1. When all else fails ... go to the beach!