SO HAPPY THAT WE ARE NOT YET EMPTY NESTERS

 

 Have I posted this photo of Smash and Emily on here already?  I can't remember. But it's a favorite!

 

I am really thankful that Smash has been here this week while Meg has been gone.

And I have been trying to help him feel extra special because he is the only one home - and with school and homework still, it can't be all that fun.

I have been leaving little treats for him.

It is vegetable week around here - he LOVES veggies - so I have been making a lot of his favorite foods - loaded with vegetables.  And BREAD!  Of course, bread!  He loves bread even more than veggies.

Every day this week I have been so anxious and happy to see him after track.  I can't wait until he spots the little treat, or the little gift (like a soft t-shirt or sweats he needs for track), or the food that I have waiting for him.

He gets so excited and exclaims things like, "SCORE!" or "SWEET!" or "SWEET-SAUCE!" (which is totally new to me - do your kids say "sweet sauce?").  But I love it, no matter what it is that he says, I love it.

And I love him.

He keeps the FUN-meter gauge at high; that's BIG FUN!

Even when he is not happy and is cranky (he can get cranky- ooo-eee!), I love him to pieces.

Tonight I was so excited for him to get home.  I had stayed home all day - yesterday was a beautiful day but I spent it at the doc and PT offices mostly - today was cold and I hurt all over, in part because of yesterday, so I stayed in.

The afternoon was spent baking mostly.  I made homemade rolls and cherry butter for him.  Some of the roll dough I made into monkey bread (with chocolate chips). I knew he would love the  homemade rolls and the monkey bread would send him happily to the moon. And it did! I made one loaf pan of that ooey-gooey, very sticky and yummy bread and I think he may have eaten half of the loaf.

We also had homemade Cream of Asparagus Soup, which he loved.  Glad it sounded and tasted good to him after track.

So, when he came in from track tonight, I had his house shoes (that Nate brought back from Argentina) waiting for him by the door and the food hot and ready for him. Although I wasn't in the room with him when he came in, I could hear him and in my mind's eye I could see him! The word tonight was "SCORE!" and I know he had his arm up with a pumping fist accompanying the word "SCORE!".

And then he was like a dog with a bone - couldn't get at it fast enough!

Made me so very happy!

So, when we eventually become empty-nesters, I plan to teach Jonathan these words and accompanying actions - for my enjoyment!  :) 

 

Comments

[Joan Lloyd]

Absolutely loved the picture of Emily and Ashton. I really loved this post. We talked to Ashton yesterday, and he seemed like the happiest young man in the universe. After this post, I can see why. Wow, Smash. You are one LUCKY kid. You are getting a royal treatment from your parents. They love you to death, you know. Yes, I know that you do know. Thanks for yesterday, Smash and thanks, Mar. for the post.

[Grandma Honey]

I remember when Tyler was the last one home. I felt so sorry for him. I should have been more like you and made more of his favorite treats.

[Jonathan]

Sweet Sauce!

[Karen]

Hah! I knew Smash would get some special Mom-time and Mom-treats. This made me think of Smash's attempts to stay home from school just so he could spend more time with you, Aunt Mar. I'm glad he was able to get some special treatment this week.

[smash]

i love Emily's face!

[Ashley T.]

Oh how funny! We used to say "Sweet Sauce" (good) or "Weak Sauce" (bad) long, long ago, in a land not so far away. Glad it's survived over a decade! Ha! What a sweet guy, that Smash!