A couple of weeks ago I was at the pool with my friend.  We were sitting in the dining area having lunch. As we were eating and chatting, I noticed a table of kids, somewhere between the ages of 7-10, all eating Sponge Bob ice creams on a stick.  While I was watching them, I was thinking back on the days my kids were younger and they would beg to have the “Sponge Bob” ice cream- or whatever gimmick the pool was selling.  Sometimes I would give in and indulge them, but mostly I would tell them they could eat the ice cream in our freezer when we got home.

Abby was sitting with us, and I asked her if she wanted one.  She laughed and said no and suddenly I felt sad.  When did my kids get too big for Sponge Bob ice cream?  I told my friend that I wish I had said yes more often when they were little.  I know it’s not practical to spoil them, but I really do wish I had said yes more.  I am the kind of mom who runs a pretty tight ship and am pretty tightly wound.

That moment has stuck with me over the last couple of weeks, and I keep trying to remind myself every time my kids ask to do something, that someday I will wish they were standing there asking me.  Hannah asking me to cook homemade macaroni and cheese?  Check. (really difficult for a Type A Mom to have her kitchen messed up) Ellie Grace asking me to take her and her cousin to go Pokemon hunting? Check.  Abby asking me to have sleepover after sleepover after sleepover at our house?  Check. All three girls asking me if they can take over the room attached to the garage?  Check.  Ok, this one was harder than I even realized. Their friends came over and painted with them.  They used their own money to buy all the supplies and actually did a great job painting the room.  It was afterwards where things got a little “messy”.

When they finished painting the room they painted themselves turquoise.  From head to toe.  Or more accurately, they stuck their feet in the can of paint.  And then walked all over our brand new pool deck.  Luckily Daniel saw what was going on and we were able to immediately grab the hose and start hosing the deck off.  While I was fuming on the outside, a little voice on the inside kept saying, “Sponge Bob”.  Ugh!!  So, I pulled it together and calmed down.  I didn’t think to get a picture of them covered in paint, but here they are after Daniel hosed them all down and made them sit in the yard to dry:

And, finally, Hannah asked me to take her to one of those painting places.  While I think they are somewhat entertaining, it’s not my favorite way to drop $100.  And then there’s the whole “what do I do with this painting?” thing.  (I’m donating mine to the newly painted garage room).  So while it’s not my favorite activity, I remembered the kids eating their ice cream cones and signed us up.  Two solid hours with my girl?  Priceless!  

If my house is messy, or my stress level a little high, or my kids are painted turquoise, just know it’s because I am learning how to be a Yes Mom and enjoy these blessings God gave me for as long as I can.