There’s a picture on my camera I want to tell you about. I’m going to write about it for five minutes.
Ready?
Set!
Go!
I didn’t want to go outside again. It’s too cold and I’m too warm-blooded to want to wrap up the kids in layers and plastic baggies and hats and gloves and boots. (Or maybe I’m just too lazy?)
So, we put water and food coloring inside a squirt bottle. I wrote the kids’ names in the snow to their squeals of delight. Then it was their turn. I let Asa hold the squirt bottle of blue while Lydia did a spray bottle of purple. I wish you could feel their excitement–doing something that feels, I don’t know, maybe wrong? Throwing splashes of color on the vast bright whiteness?
Asa’s little body in his Buzz Lightyear pajamas–not knowing at all what we were doing, but still wanting to be involved. Just letting the water drip, drip, drip out of the end. His little pants leg pushed up on one side. His body in a squat.
And Lydia, the busy big sister bee. She wants the squirt bottle, she wants to make a smiley face, write her name and help Asa all at the same time. She’s squealing with delight while greedily eyeing her brother’s dye bottle.
And I’m going to another door, to peek my camera out. To look and see what else I can see. To get a new view of my children. To capture a moment that we might see every year from now on. Or maybe never see again.
It surprises me the emotion of small moments. The longing I have in each moment while they revel with their head-first, full-onΒ abandon.
Yeah, I wish you could have felt their excitement.
:: :: ::
STOP.
That was it. My picture in 5 minutes. Your turn. Can you write for 5 minutes straight? Bring us into a picture? Bring us into a brief moment of time? Try it! Then link up to the sparkling Gypsy Mama!
{confession: I looked at the clock only once–when it was 20 seconds to the end. And I did go back and add “in the snow”. That’s all. Whew, I feel better!}
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
“It surprises me the emotion of small moments.” -yes, me too. I think that’s often the amazing heart of motherhood. How watching one’s kids do the simplest tasks can just sock you in the gut.
I loved this word picture! For me it was especially the detail of Asa’s one pajama leg all pushed up that really wormed the image up into my heart. That vulnerability of a child and their oblivion to their surroundings, their clothes, the cold, when they are entranced by something.
So beautiful Amanda.
Oh and I am totally stealing the idea of the food coloring spray bottles! Brilliant!
oh amanda says
Thank you! That’s what I was hoping to show in those 5 minutes–the stark differences of kids/adults in their interaction w/the world. Don’t you wish we had a little more of their wild abandon and oblivion?
Again, I LOVE this prompt. So fun!
JessieLeigh says
Oh, I just love that little hiked up pant leg! Love that you drew attention to it.. it’s THOSE details that just make a moment, in my opinion. (And also, um, how brilliant of you to let them “play outside” while staying toasty warm!)
oh amanda says
Brilliant! I’ll take it! π
Mela Kamin says
That’s it, isn’t it? “To capture a moment that we might see every year from now on. Or maybe never see again.” Beautiful and adorable. We’ve done this too and even as a Midwesterner, I sometimes dislike the bundling and unbundling of little ones for snow play.
Louise says
Oh the cleverness of figuring out a way to enjoy the snow that does NOT involve millions of layers (followed five minutes after getting them all on by “Mamma, I have to go POTTY!”). Such simple joy, such fullness of life to be found in these small creatures!
Jennifer says
That is the neatest idea I have ever seen. I can’t wait to be back in Tennessee (praying it snows) next winter and try that. Your words really captured the moment. I loved how you said you peeked though another door to get another view of your children. Precious times.
Loni says
Ohhhh, if as mama’s we would only stop to capture more of the emotions of small moments. Thank you for sharing. Precious!
sidnie says
Those small moments, the ones I usually take for granted, are always the one I remember or the ones I capture in blurry pictures that become my favorite.
I can feel their excitement, through your words.
oh amanda says
True–the blurry pics can be the ones that you HAD to have regardless of camera skills! π
Zee says
that’s a great idea for a fun snowy day! and that’s a cute picture π
Sarah says
Oh what a fun and sweet idea! I’m sure they loved every minute!
Miranda says
Brilliant idea! Being a mom sure brings out the creativity in us :).
Lenae says
Oh, I agree with all of the previous commenters: What a genius idea! Definitely tucking that one into my arsenal π
I also love the way you captured the sheer fun and delight of the moment, especially your little boy’s scrunched up jammie leg — adorable!
Beth says
I’m a grandma who doesn’t get to watch the children as much as I would like. I work full time as a high school English teacher and deal with a chronic illness, so although my son and wife give me plenty of opportunities, I can’t always say yes (not nearly as much as I’d like to).
We had the 5 yr. old grandson this weekend and he and I ended up the afternoon with playdough. It was so cool to see how he took the same molds and tools in the kit as his 3 yr old sis did last summer and use them totally differently. The look on his face when he was being silly with a spaghetti tool (the dough comes out in spaghetti like strands) was priceless—his words and sounds and lively gestures and expressions—all made up a ‘small moment’ I captured on camera and will cherish forever.
I still have those moments with my grown up kids–an unexpected laid back conversation when they freely express what’s on their minds and in their hearts. I learned long ago to drop everything and capture that moment esp. when they were teen-agers.
I really enjoyed your idea and the photo was precious. That could have been two of my grandkids ( I have 5 and one on the way)! Wonderful post. π
Sara Hickman says
What a great post. I had to go back and look at the picture a couple times. I am lucky enough to be able to be working from home with our little girl. I don’t miss any of her firsts. I am so excited to see the more and more of these types of times.
I linked up with the top 10 – my semi secret obsession
Melissa~ says
You are such a great writer Amanda. π
Melissa~
phan mem diet virus says
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like ‘Mixview’ that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune “Social” is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
Kindle free books says
Great informational blog! I love your writing style – Awesome work Thank you!
Jacqueline says
Not long ago i view your write-up and study about it subject.ough create together with your knowledge and its particular simply simple and easy very helpful.. this really is wonderful to read your website.is extremely good total data. Precious You might be a legitimate excellent writer.we are employ this facts about our post. Appreciate your magnificent info.my spouse and i m going to help save as well as bookmark your website so i could every day come back right here and focus your own most up-to-date article and give any opinion ..furthermore i mirielle likely to direct my good friend to your blog so they can also recognize about your current creativeness as well as profoundly really like with this topic.
phan mem diet virus says
Hands down, Apple’s app store wins by a mile. It’s a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I’m not sure I’d want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
seo backlinks says
With immense pride I wholeheartedly recommend the website http://www.seo-backlinks.org.uk to all those who are searching for quality Backlink Diversity that will knock out google panda and penguin crush your competition and catapult your website to the first page of Google search engine. I am extremely happy and impressed with their professional, prompt and dedicated services. So go online and explore the web now.
Dr Dre Beats says
I’ll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Where can I Purchase a Kindle says
Thank you for the awesome article! Will be back for more..