#0029: Understanding/ Forgivness/ Honesty

Last month, the big kids and I were making Valentine cookies for the big girl's preschool class. I understand that public schools wont let you bring in homemade treats for parties so I've tried to do as much homemade stuff with my daughter as we can for things like this in preschool. I kept it pretty simple- just sugar cookies, store-bought icing and red sprinkles.

The problem was I had been up waaaaaaaaay past my bedtime the night before due to some major computer issues (ended up with a new hard drive). I was tired and a little stressed about our computer issues plus all the time I wasted on it when I had a ton of other things to do.

I think the kids were having fun rolling out the dough, wearing their aprons, and smashing the heart-shaped cookie cutters into the dough. I was not having fun. And then, the fact that I knew I wasn't having fun made me have even less fun! Then I felt bad. (If you're a guy reading this: Yes, this is what's in a woman's head- it's just a big scary roller coaster of emotions. The fun house isn't much better.) I felt bad for letting everything bother me and keep me from enjoying this time with my kids. So, I just apologized to them.

I didn't know if they would get it or not. I just said I was sorry if I had been short with them and for acting annoyed and tired and just plain not fun.

Well, you know how kids are so honest; my girl claimed that I hadn't been short with them. My boy agreed. They thought I had been having fun and weren’t frustrated by me at all. They even told me they loved me. You know I felt better after that! I love how honest kids are sometimes. It’s usually funny because they have no filter and if it came from anyone else it would be an insult, but this is not always the case. I also love how understanding they really are; and forgiving. I don’t think I would have realized this that day had I not been honest with them about how I was feeling. After I got that off my chest I had fun; subdued, low-key fun, but still memorable and enjoyable fun.

How can a person not have fun with this many sprinkles on your cookie? It’s impossible!