See the Fun, Be the Fun

I don't typically don't do the whole New Year's Resolution thing.  They never stick, right? So why put myself through that?  But....I really want to start writing more, and I need something to write about.  So here comes the Resolution if I have to call it that.  

I want to see the fun and be the fun more often, and when I do, I'm going to blog about it.  I want my family to have fun with me, I want my co-workers to enjoy their day, and I want my students to have fun in my classroom.  I am going to make a deep down, real effort to make that happen as many days as I can.  So here goes...

January 1, 2013  No More Duchess of Don't

My daughter has a Barbie movie that she calls the 12 Princesses Dancing.  Long story short, the evil aunt comes to reform the motherless girls.  She poisons the king in hopes of taking over.  Lynn and I knew she was bad because she had "big, fat hair."  All the villainous women do in the Barbie movies.  Anyway, at one point the girls are making fun of the aunt and they call her "The Duchess of Don't."  "Don't do this. Don't wear that. Don't, don't, don't!"  Watching this is always hilarious to Lynn and I.  It is probably one of my favorite scenes in the million hours of Barbie that I have watched.  However, as a mom of a very strong willed and energetic little girl, I find myself sounding more like the Duchess of Don't than I would like.

Today I was the Lady of Let's.  There were more than a few times today that I wanted to just sit and surf pinterest or stare at the TV instead of join in on activities with my kids.  Today, I didn't say, "not now", or "just a minute", or "let me finish this."  I said, "Let's do it."  I ended up winning two games of Lego Pirate Plank.  Lynn didn't love that the first time, but by the second, she was okay.  She beat me twice at Uno Moo.  I made some cute paper animals for Joe to decorate that made him smile.  I didn't think they would turn out, but they were good enough for him, and we had fun doing it.  I didn't scream at the kiddos to stop running the racetrack through our house.  Instead, the mommy monster cut them off at the pass and got some really big hugs and giggles.  That was more fun than yelling and sending kids to time out.  Honestly though, I am really the most proud about some really little things that I didn't do today.  I didn't say "don't" when my baby girl jumped  on me in my bed this morning.  I just hugged her and tickled her and let her hug me back. I didn't nag when I found some Goldfish crackers on the floor.  I just threw them away and moved on.  I didn't say, "don't" a million times like I could have at Nebraska Furniture Mart.  Everyone else is on the beds, why shouldn't the kids try them out too?  It wasn't a completely happy trip to that store, but it was better than any I can remember. No one was mad when we got to the car.  It might not sound like much, but it was an amazing and relaxing day.  It was fun.

It really is the little things.  I know that there are going to be times when I can't be the fun one.  There are rules that have to be followed.  We can't have bacon for every meal.  I know this.  My goal is to say "yes" to the things I can, because "yes" let's me enjoy my family to the fullest.  So long Duchess, the Lady has arrived.