I had a great post lined up for Country Kids this week; a post full of trees and lakes, bikes and huge rocks. But, I am going to save that for next week as today, this happened.
I have been feeling a bit directionless recently. Too much to do, not enough time. Dithering. I have worried that I’m not spending enough ‘fun’ time with the wee girl; that I need to focus, be more present. Not always thinking about the next thing on my to-do list.
This morning, when we got back from the school run, I’ll be honest, I was desperate to get back in to the house. Fridays are a really busy day for me on the blog. I like to make a start over breakfast, let the wee girl chill out with some TV, while I assess how much I have to do and plan the rest of our day.
When she stopped and started playing with the leaves, my initial reaction was impatience. I tried to get her to come inside.
She wouldn’t, in her stubborn, determined way.
I was exasperated.
And then, she looked up, threw some leaves in the air and the biggest grin spread across her face. I stopped. I sat down on the steps and I just watched her.
She had clearly decided that all the leaves needed to be moved from the ground to the bottom step, and that is what she set about doing. She was perfectly happy, she didn’t need me, I was able to just enjoy watching her. I took my phone out and snapped a few photos. Then, I actually put my phone away and savoured the moment. I was present.
We were probably only outside for fifteen minutes. But, it was enough to remind me that, while I may be struggling with a never ending to-do list, this is what it’s all about. These moments; and actually being in the moment. And that those fifteen minutes were more important to her than any activity I might have planned for later in the day.
Because she is two and a half, and that was what she most wanted to do for those fifteen minutes, and that’s what matters.
Beautiful photos – your wee girl looks like she is having the best time with those leaves. So true that sometimes we just need to stop and enjoy those little moments and see the world through our little ones’ eyes x
She was in heaven! It was a lovely moment x
Aaahhh this is so lovely & made my heart melt. I had a moment like this today too where Daisy wanted to keep jumping in puddles & wouldn’t come in, in the end I joined in & puddle jumped with all 3 girls. Lots of fun xx
Sometimes you just have to join in, don’t you?!
How true your words are, I’ll bet there were the best 15 minutes of your day, putting the to do list on hold and savouring the moment while she collected and threw the leaves. Don’t wish it away, it goes fast enough, believe me! Gorgeous photos and a lovely write up of precious ordinary moments. thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Thank you Fiona, and yes, definitely the best 15 minutes x
That is a gorgeous post and not just the cute pictures. I am spending more and more time just being with the boys and really appreciating them too.
It’s hard to stop sometimes, so many distractions, but so very worthwhile x
Beautiful photos. She is so cute – a tutu is also the obvious choice for moving leaves! Glad you were able to take time out to just watch.
Absolutely, you couldn’t possibly play in the leaves without your tutu :)
That is wonderful, and completely what childhood should be about; the ordinary moments with our little ones discovering their world. Glad you put the camera away and just enjoyed it too.
Nipping over from Country Kids btw.
Thank you x It was a gorgeous moment, she was so happy and focused x
This is a beautiful post, Sara, and I can so relate. It’s hard when you have so much going on, and like you, I was feeling impatient with Little Man yesterday, as Fridays are my busiest days, too. But yes, making the decision to let go, be present, enjoy, it means the world to them, but is probably more precious to us. Gorgeous photos x
Thank you Jocelyn, it’s a tough balancing act at times, but they do deserve our full attention in these moments x
Such fun to be had in the simplest of tasks. Love the wee girl’s tutu!! #CountryKids
Absolutely, and the tutu is her absolute favourite at the moment!
Beautiful girl and stunning Autumnal shots, love this post #countrykids
Thank you Vicki x
The ordinary moments are most definitely the most special ones Sara! Lovely photo’s x #countrykids
They really are :)
Gorgeous shots of a lovely moment. It can be so hard to forget the to do list and focus on them sometimes, but it is so worth it just enjoy them! Lovely post xx #countrykids
It is hard, shouldn’t be really, but it is x
Now that’s what autumn is all about! Leaves and when you have a little one – playing with leaves! I’m glad you decided to stop and just watch her and take these lovely photos! I’m the same, I also get impatient with little and have to constantly remind myself not to get stressed over the little things. But hey, we’re mums after all, we do get stressed and that’s alright too ;)
You are absolutely right, it’s okay to get a bit stressed, but also good to take a step back, which I’m not so good at!
So many lessons to be learned in this one ‘moment’ – sometimes time is best spent just kicking up leaves. AND she was in her pretty tutu! Perfect :) x
Thank you Suzanne, it was a timely reminder x
Oh Sara, I could write this post-I’ve been there so many times. And it just takes one of these little moments to pull us back doesn’t it? She’s such wee dot-love her face, a picture of contentment :)
Yes, that’s all it takes, and it’s so lovely. She was having a blast, moving leaves from one place to another – it really is the simple things!
A very beautiful moment. Our children are so good at teaching us to slow down.
They really are x
These are the precious moments that so often would get overlooked.
Beautiful photos :)x #countrykids
Thank you x
Wow – nothing quite like a tutu on Autumn leaves! Gorgeous pictures :)
Thank you!
Like a princess playing with leaves! Love her tutu! #countrykids
Thanks Merlinda x
Autumn is my favourite season and the colours of leaves are one of the reasons why.
I can almost hear the crunching of the leaves in your photos, looks like lots of simple outdoor fun.
Thank you, Autumn is my favourite season too, I love it!
Aw, what a lovely autumnal moment with your little one. Leaves are such a fantastic fun natural toy and it is wonderful when you stop and watch for a while. Lovely pics too :)
It really is, it was good to be reminded of it x
It really is the simplest of things that can make or break a mood isnt it, throwing leaves is such fun for kids, we collected some today and decorated them with sequins :) x
It really is x
What an awesome moment and I just love these photos Sara. Just beautiful. Thank you so much for linking up and I do hope to be back in blog central properly soon xxx
Thank you Charly x
Bravo! Lists can wait, so can the washing and cleaning. Our kids on the other hand…
Take a step back and moments like this can happen!
#TheOrdinaryMoments
Absolutely, thank you x
Gorgeous! I need to try to be present more too, I am always grabbing a quick moment on my computer or phone. I love this post and adore the pictures #WhatsTheStory x
It’s a tough balance, we still have to get things done, but we need to stop more often x
Gorgeous photos – she looks like a little autumn fairy! I love those spontaneous moments of play – reminds me to enjoy the little things!
Thank you x
Wow. Gorgeous photos. I love the colours and it looks like SO much fun, hehe. #Whatsthestory
Thank you :)
Aww gorgeous photos and a lovely moment to have paused and savoured! I’m a little envious of the leaves too – ours are all just a big soggy mess!
The leaves are pretty fab, properly crunchy now :)
Love this! Playing with leaves is such a simple, yet fabulous childhood memory, I love watching my two kicking and throwing their way through a pile of crunchy leaves! :-)
Today on the walk home from school my 5yo swished and crunched through all the leaves we passed :)
What a beautiful set of photos, I love that she is wearing a tutu! Such a simple ordinary moment but when you see the happiness on their faces, it definitely is one to treasure. x
It really is, so simple, but very special x
This is so so beautiful!! What a special little moment! So ordinary, yet so magical all in one! The photos are stunning but I’m glad you got to enjoy some time aside from behind the lens on this one because she looks to be having the best time ever!!!
It just seems the way with the littlest of people doesn’t it….the simplest of things bringing the most pleasure!! X
Yup, it’s always the simple things x
A lovely post and she looks like a pretty little autumn fairy x
Thank you x
Beautiful pictures and the leaves look perfect, not like our soggy mess at the moment, autumn has well and truly landed here in the UK! Sometimes it’s hard to stop and enjoy the moment but when you do it is so worth it and she looks so happy, loving the tutu too :) Thank you for linking up to #magicmoments.
Thank you, it is worth making yourself stop every so often, special moments x
EEK! How adorable are those photos? You could make a lovely poster out of them. Beautiful. I am not sure if you have heard but the weather here as be AWFUL so not much leaf playing with here. Unless they are very wet leaves. Lovely #magicmoments x
Thank you, it was a lovely 15 minutes x
What a lovely moment and I love that she is wearing her tutu!
Thanks x The tutu is a firm favourite :)
What a wonderful memory! We are headed out to play in the leaves today….Hoping to cherish the moment and capture it as you have!
Thank you, I hope you enjoyed playing in the leaves too x
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