Our house looks like a cyclone went through it... Not just today, but every day. Since I have compulsive tendencies toward neatness and organization, it is very difficult for me to embrace the messiness and clutter that are a part of the daily routine of having a toddler. I think Luke has challenged himself to destroy, un-organize, and create chaos faster than I can clean up after him. Hand prints on windows, sticky spots on the floor, books taken off shelves, and oh, the toys! I think my life is being taken over by one large, brightly-colored toy at a time! Just this weekend, Luke knocked over a shelf in our sitting room, and our last remaining picture frames and knick knacks came crashing down, to be placed in storage until these "toddler days" are over. Despite my daily vacuuming & scrubbing, endless chases to pick up after my child, and exhaustive attempts at keeping some semblance of organization, it still looks like a bomb went off in every room. Our friends refer to their daughter as a 2-foot tornado, and I think that is a perfect description for Luke as well! However, recently, I have consciously changed my attitude toward the utter destruction everywhere, as I realized how much fun Luke has "exploring". Things that I previously perceived as mundane chores or messes have taken on a whole new meaning as my inquisitive child examines everything. I can almost see his imagination at work (a plug for GE, anyone?!), and the joy that Luke finds in what adults may consider tedious household tasks is a great lesson for me. So during Luke's morning nap today, instead of my usual routine of picking up, cleaning, or straightening, I think I'll let it all go. I'll remember what treasures my child found in the Tupperware, how our kitchen cabinets transformed into hidden caves, and how Luke exploded into giggles when we put pots on our heads and sang silly songs... and I'll know that my real work as a mom is to facilitate these adventures and take joy in these special, all too brief moments of my life. A special poem hangs in our upstairs hallway, that both Mark's and my mom also had in our homes growing up:
"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow.
For babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow.
So settle down cobwebs, dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."
Here are just a few of this morning's adventures (all before breakfast time!), with my sweet little cyclone:
Our only non child-proofed cabinet now serves as Luke's secret place!
Someone discovered that the drawer beneath the stove is a fun place to climb and play!
Apparently, Luke felt that the laundry that I did last night was not folded properly! One by one, items went flying...
An everyday pizza pan became a "surfboard", providing much fun and entertainment!
