It was a long and difficult day, the kind of day when you can’t wait until you have some peace and quiet at the end of it all…you know, like when you put the kids to bed.
Well, it was definitely one of those days for this Theta Mom. I was feeling extra cranky, the hubs wasn’t home to help, and isn’t that always the case? When I could really use a hand around here, those are the times when I find myself alone! I was dragging my tired body up the stairs, helping my 4 year old get ready for bedtime.
Together, we usually read one book before we turn out the lights. So on this particular night, he picked out one of my favorites, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. After reading the book aloud, I closed it shut and as I was about to kiss his forehead, he stopped me.
“Wait Mommy, can we play a game?”
Every ounce of patience I had was gone after the really FUN day I had, so my only reply to him was, “A game? Are you kidding me? No! It’s time for bed!”
He continued, “No mommy, like all you have to do is lay next to me for a few minutes so we can say goodnight to everything, just like in the Goodnight Moon book. Please?”
After a deep breath, I reluctantly decided this would be alright. I mean, it was only a few more minutes anyway, right? So my son shut off the lights and we began the goodnight game.
My Son: Goodnight room…
Theta Mom: Goodnight lamp…
My Son: Goodnight sky…
Theta Mom: Goodnight pillow…
My Son: Goodnight rocket…
Theta Mom: Goodnight mirror…
My Son: Goodnight toothbrush…
Theta Mom: Goodnight closet…
My Son: Goodnight….ummmm….toenails…
Theta Mom: Toenails?
[Pure laughter]
Theta Mom: You are so silly!
Then, there was a bit of silence. He grabbed my hand and whispered, “Goodnight Mommy. I love you.” I kissed his forehead and replied, “I love you, too sweetie.”
And with that, I kept a hold of my son’s hand and stayed with him for far longer than those measly five minutes.
Earlier that day, I was in such a rush to get him to bed so I would have some time to myself, and then I experienced a moment like this and realized the beautiful gift I have in front of me…every-single-day.
A rough day sure turned into a really good night.
That is so lovely. How nice to have that moment at the end of a long day.
It's not always "me time" we need. What could you have possibly done that would have soothed your soul as much as that?? How precious! I had one of those nights last night, too. Husband is in Chicago. I was cranky and wanted those boys in bed so I could chillax. They love it so much when they can do that for us the way only kids can.
Aw that is so beautiful!
I'm not a mom but I understand how heavy and stressful it is to run a house full of kids. I mean I can imagine. It's understandable how tired you are, but the lovely memories you give to your kids they will cherish them when they get older to realize it. 
From SITS
i loved reading that. its funny how kids can remind you that your day wasn't so bad afterall.
those moments (when we can muster up the patience to stay!) are so priceless!
Awww, that is just SO sweet!! Sometimes the little ones sense what we really need and give it to us.
How wonderful to have that moment to remember. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment.
Like everyone else has said, that was so sweet! Little things are sent to try us…but the rewards that we receive in return are priceless!
I adore moments like that. Or when hunny hubby picks up our son from the after school daycare. He runs in (after I had a horrid day at work) and SCREAMS MOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! MOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY I'm Hommmmmmmmmmmme.. I missssssssssed you,..and jumps into my arms.. I LOVE THOSE DAYS!
Oh how very sweet. I'm so glad you got that little moment before you went to bed. It is always good to have something positive end a very bad day.
Awww. This brought tears to my eyes. That's so sweet. It's amazing what little ones can do to lift our spirits.
oh my gosh, how sweet!! what a great end to a stressful day. it's moments like these that you just want to bottle up and save forever.
PS: We read this book every night to our son, too. I know it by heart.
Truly, this post made me cry here at work. No joke. To hear I Love You from your child is THE BEST THING EVER. How sweet that moment must have been, huh? Those are the moments… sigh…
So sweet. I have these little moments all the time. Just when I wish for a few minutes my little guy reminds me of how precious all the time I have with him is and I feel guilty for wishing it away. I'm glad your day ended with a good night!
So sweet. And well said Amy.
They can drive you to the point of insanity, but then they can be your best therapy… Gotta love the little buggers.
I just love those moments! They remind us that we can have the worst day and the kids can wear on every nerve, but they can totally surprise us with such a wonderful gift to right everything from the day!
Too awesome!
Isn't it just like that? The past 3 weeks have been especially trying and long. By days end I just want to pass the baby off to my husband and curl on the sofa and be by myself.
But then as you go to pass the baby off he doesn't something really sweet like kiss or hug you, or something really silly which makes you forget how you were feeling.
Don't you love that! We used to do the goodnight everything in the room thing. I find I am the same way. Rush them to bed, then once they are in it, they do something that just makes you relax. Sometimes kids are amazing!
That is so precious and a great reminder to slow down and just enjoy the view so to speak.
Favorite book in my house (at least it was–mine are 8 and 13 now). I think I still have it memorized.
What a beautiful post. don't know if you ever see Emily's tuesdays unwrapped (www.chattingatthesky.com) but I think you should link up today…this was a gift unwrapped!
Have a great day!
what a sweetie, kids crack me up. I love to check on them after the bedtime routine is done, nothing like looking at a sweet sleeping face.
What a sweet post. I have had those days also. It is nice when your child wants to cuddle and they say sweet things. Yesterday was a "Mommy" hold me day for us.
awww. that's so awesome.
Sometimes it is so hard to force ourselves to slow down!
Best post I have read in a long time:) Thanks for the teary smile!
Aww Theta mom! Thank you for sharing this. x
Tears. Tears. Tears!
I have those nights ALL the time! Little stinkers!
What a great post!
Thanks!
That's the magic of being a woman , a mother …
Tonight , I'm sure that all of us , in our minds , we'll say to each other : " Good night , mommy … "
Thanks for sharing your opinion over at my blog. I can't get over how funny one of those pics are, lol!!
Have a great day!
So sweet. I find those last few moments before my daughter fall asleep is wonderful. The older she gets the more of her day she shares with me.
Awww, isn't that the best stress reliever there is? A hug and a kiss and a heart-felt I love you from the little ones that off and on drive us crazy all day long?
Thanks for sharing. My little one always loved Goodnight Moon.
I think we've all been there – anxious to be done with the day and have a little quiet. My younger son tends to drag out bed time until I want to scream but when he comes up and says "I just want to snuggle"… well, that's the best end to the day there is!
ahhhh – i used to actually skip over words and entire pages – if i could get away with it and then one day realized my little boy would some day prefer to watch tv or play his ds instead of having me read to him, so i stopped doing it, and slowed down, and made those last few minutes count – and i was right!
btw GM was his fav book and mine too
Such as wonderful Magical Moment with a review. Just popped over to see if you were doing the Magical Moment today. The kids and I love that book.
That is wonderful. Sophie and I have moments like that and they bring tears to my eyes. That's great he will still read good night moon. Sophia pinks long books like Amelia Bedelia on purpose to get more minutes. Then she has her sing and scratch song. Then she says she wants to scratch my back and make up a song about me and how she loves me. How can I resist! Still – you do need your time and those little miracles are really tiring!
Our children always seem to bring us back down to reality, don't they. What a sweet and precious memory the two of you have now. :o) Big hugs!
Oh so very sweet! You have a great mommy and son moment and thank you for sharing it with us!
I can't wait till my son talks!
What a lovely moment…..I love when I'm reminded what a blessing my kids are.
Have a great day!
Oh, great post. Almost made me tear up…
Moments like that make the whole motherhood mess worthwile.
Hope today goes better for you.
Awww what a sweet moment. It is in those times when I am reminded to slow down and not let the little things bother me
Sometimes our children do stuff that is so sweet! It reminds me to slow down and not take them for granted.
Glad your bad day turned into a good night.
That was beautiful! I could completely relate and have had moments similar to that. All the stresses from the day just vanish when something so precious occurs.
Awwww, that just warmed my heart! I love it when that happens. Those sweet hugs are too few, and they are going to end way too fast.
The only thing that comes to mind is: Awwwwww!
Great blog, like he knew you needed this moment with him
we have been reading good night moon every day for like two years each night…yes..each night
Kids are so smart. They know exactly what we need, even when we don't. Very touching….
Lisa@
All That and a Box of Rocks
Awww! How sweet! I like that book as well. Pretty soon he'll have his little sister to stay up with – he can read to her.
What a sweetie:) I just got goosebumps and tears. Don't little ones have an amazing intuition just when we need it most.
So sweet! I love those little moments.
Now that was sweet! I know that made up for your entire day!!