Goal of the day: Enjoy Parenting

I have a friend who is also a massage therapist. I have a husband who buys me massage gift certificates from her for Christmas. I went for my first massage of the year last Sunday, and she gifted me with a large version of this spiral labyrinth calendar (which can be purchased here at www.heartpath.com. )

I have an almost unhealthy obsession with creating patterns and art, and keeping lists and records of things (exhibit a: this blog) and have been really focused on trying to better understand my cycles, both in my physical body and emotional health. So, this was a perfect surprise for me. A great combination of visual art and self study.

One of the color codes I have been tracking is a golden brown for "enjoying mothering." I am fully aware that I don't enjoy mothering enough, push my kids away too much, and want to be more conscious of enjoying the time we spend together. All week long I have colored in the little golden brown boxes and have been happy, content with my days.

Today.

Today. . .

It will be a challenge I am sure. Anyone who has ever spent any time with toddlers knows the kind of day we are having.

me: "Good morning baby!"
him: "No!"

him: "I'm ready to go shopping now!"
me: "Let me drink my coffee first and get dressed, then we will go."
him: "No! I want to go now!"

me: "I love you"
him:"No!"

him: "I want more cookies"
me: "How about some fruit?"
him: "I want more cookies NOW"

me: "Kelly said we can come to her house and play today. Do you want to take some toys to share?"
him: throws a plastic Winnie the Pooh at my head and says "No!"

me: "We are ready to go go shopping now."
him: "No! I want to stay home by myself."

sigh.

I will enjoy this today. I promise. Soon we will be going to the store, to do that shopping, to buy supplies for my ELEVEN year old's birthday party and the ensuing circus act that will surely follow at my house all weekend long.

The little one is equally excited about his brother's birthday and says it is his birthday too. He wants to buy pink balloons for the party. I think no matter how open minded your 11 year old boy is at home with no one to hear, there has got to be some religious law forbidding the entrance of pink balloons to your birthday party. Add in the clowns that are staying in town for the weekend, and it's going to be interesting indeed. But, enjoy it I will.

But about that labyrinth spiral calender, I am really loving it. If anyone else is doing one, let me know. It would be nice to have someone else to chat about this with.